Our Monthly Club Meeting will be this Sunday, November 9th at the Homewood Public Library. 2:00 PM
*****Next club meeting will be December 14th, 2008, the second Sunday******

Be sure to be at this month’s club meeting. We will have a program dedicated to the appreciation of the picture sleeve. Collecting obscure, odd and rare picture sleeves is the passion of club member Gus Liberto and not only will he share with us some of these jewels he will also have for everyone a DVD that gives us a slide show presentation of them.
It’s one thing to have picture sleeves with Dion, Elvis, The Supremes or The Beatles, but Gus likes to collect sleeves from TV shows, movies and others that are just not in the common collection. Picture sleeves have been around as long as the 45 RPM, which was introduced by RCA in 1948. Drop by and see what sleeves Gus has found in his search for these colorful artifacts of music history.

HELLO DARLIN’
If you hear the name, Conway Twitty, you automatically think of the many country hits he had during his 38 years in the recording industry. Let’s take a look back at his early years and see who inspired him and what type of music he recorded.

He was born on September 1, 1933 in Friars Point, Mississippi. By the way, Friars Point is one of the Mississippi cities which is on the Mississippi Blues Trail route. Cities from south Mississippi all the way to Memphis, TN have been honored with markers for being a part of the growth of the blues. Blues singer, Robert Johnson mentions Friars Point in his song, “Traveling Riverside Blues”. Now, back to Conway. His given name was Harold Lloyd Jenkins, named after silent movie star, Harold Lloyd. The Jenkins moved to Arkansas when Conway was 10. It was in Helena, Arkansas that Conway put together his first group, The Phillips County Ramblers. Two years after this he had his own radio show every Saturday morning. Conway also spent time playing baseball, developing his skills enough to receive an offer to play for the Philadelphia Phillies. But he was drafted into the Army thus ending this dream.

It was after hearing “Mystery Train” by Elvis that Conway began writing rock n’ roll material. Wanting to change his name for the stage he noticed the cities of Conway, Arkansas and Twitty, Texas and thus became Conway Twitty. He used this name for the stage and recording only as he kept his given name as his “legal’ name.

Some of his early offerings included songs such as “I Vibrate”, Hey Little Lucy! (Don’tcha Put No Lipstick On)”, “Platinum High School”, “Shake It Up” and “The Pickup”. During this time he also did a rock version of “Danny Boy”. His biggest rock success was “It’s Only Make Believe” which went to #1 on the US Hot 100. Along with “It’s Only Make Believe”, “Lonely Blue Boy” also made it into the top 10. In all he had 10 songs make the rock charts.

But Conway had always wanted to sing country so in 1965 he did just that. At first some country radio stations didn’t want his songs because of his rock n’ roll background. Finally he got a break and in 1968 he had 3 songs break into the top 10 on the country charts. One of these, “Next In Line” was his first # 1 country hit. Over the next 18 years he produced 36 # 1 country songs and a total of 78 songs breaking into the top 100. He also had 5 #1 songs he recorded with Loretta Lynn. Together they had 12 songs in the top 10.

Conway died on June 5th, 1993 leaving behind a legacy as a country superstar. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1999 and is # 8 on CMT’s 40 Greatest Men of Country Music. And although his early years in the rock genre is something he is not known for, he is a member of the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame. He did leave behind some great rock n’ roll tunes and some great memories for us to remember. How many of us snarled and groaned as we sang “It’s Only Make Believe” or “Lonely Blue Boy”?

CONWAY’S EARLY ROCKERS
It’s Only Make Believe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLf1IGLb_BQ
Lonely Blue Boy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCp3Vpn0FbU
Danny Boy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLUGzxrAEBA
Hey Little Lucy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJL0ctakqek
Mona Lisa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZv08MphKvc
What Am I Living For http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C10lR_rY98

Upcoming record shows
Atlanta GA. November 23rd. Marriott Century Center. I-85 And Clairmont Road. Exit 91. 10 am – 4 pm EST. $3.

Upcoming Concerts
Nov 9, Tina Turner, Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
Nov 10, Brian Wilson, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Nov 14, Kelly Clarkson & Reba McIntire, BJCC, B’ham, AL
Nov 14, Ralph Stanley, Alys Stephens Center, B’ham, AL
Nov 16, The Eagles, FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
Nov 23, Smothers Brothers, Alys Stephens Center, B’ham, AL
Dec 5, Aaron Neville, Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville, TN
Jan 15, Celine Dion, BJCC, B’ham, AL
Feb 1, Neil Sedaka, Alys Stephens Center, B’ham, AL

UPCOMING PROGRAMS AT THE BRC CLUB MEETINGS

At our December meeting we will have our annual Dirty Santa game. Wrap up a record, CD or some memorabilia and come join the fun. Bringing a gift is not required for you to come and be a part of the fun. This year we are also adding a little spice in December. We are having a “Free For All.” Bring a box of those records that are in the way, that you don’t want and let other members search through them and see if they need them. We will be in the giving spirit this December.

In January we are planning another In-House Record Show. This meeting will be dedicated to buying, selling or swapping records and CD’s. Get your items ready and set up at a table. We will also invite some non-members from our mailing list. Bring some friends.

Looking for some interesting websites that are dedicated to searching for songs, doing some research on recording company labels, stations that play oldies or obscure songs or just need an update on how to navigate through the BRC website and maybe do your own radio show? A program is being planned that will help you. If you are new to the computer or can operate one blindfolded, this will be a helpful program for all. Tentatively planned for February or March.

What recordings that are relevant to Alabama do you consider the most important? Club member Andy Millard, who is employed at UAB and is currently writing a book on the local music scene, has picked his top 5. Put your thinking cap on and be prepared to give your top 5. COMING EARLY 2009.

We also have tentative plans on getting Jerry “Boogie” McCain to come and talk to us at a meeting in the near future. More info as soon as it is confirmed.

See ya,
Charlie