Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

We have two videos from country/pop crossover artist Juice Newton as I was on vacation over the last two weeks. They are: "Love's Been A Little Hard On Me" and "Queen Of Hearts".

From Wikipedia:

Juice Newton (born Judith Kay Newton; February 18, 1952) is an American pop and country singer, songwriter, and musician. Newton has received five Grammy Award nominations in the Pop and Country Best Female Vocalist categories – winning once in 1983 – as well as an ACM Award for Top New Female Artist and two consecutive Billboard Female Album Artist of the Year awards. Newton's other awards include a People's Choice Award for "Best Female Vocalist" and the Australian Music Media's "Number One International Country Artist".

Newton has several Gold and Platinum records to her credit, including Juice, Quiet Lies and her first Greatest Hits album. During the 1980s, she charted 14 top 10 hits across the Billboard Country, AC, and Hot 100 charts, with many of the recordings achieving crossover success and six of the songs hitting the No. 1 position.

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

To start off the week we have a cross-over (between country/folk and rock) artist who seemed to be everywhere back in the 1970s, John Denver.

From Wikipedia:

Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer and songwriter. He is known for popularizing acoustic folk music in the 1970s as part of the ongoing singer-songwriter movement of the mid-to-late 20th century. Denver is widely recognized as a cultural icon of the American West.

Interestingly, Denver was born in Roswell, New Mexico.

It was hard to decide on what song to spotlight, so I will post two. One, is his hit "Take Me Home, Country Roads" and the other, with Olivia Newton-John, who passed away from cancer a few months ago, "Fly Away".

Loretta Lynn, R.I.P.

One of Country's first ladies has passed away.

Loretta Lynn, Country Music's superstar and sister of Crystal Gayle, has passed away at 90.

Bar D Ranch Photos

Above, the Bar D Wranglers perform following dinner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with having a chuckwagon barbeque dinner and seeing a show, Bar D Chuckwagon has other things to see and do.

They include a train ride, blacksmith's shop, art gallery, record shop, gold panning and refreshment stand that serves Margaritas.

We had a good time there and would go again.

Here's some more photos of our visit:

 

12 Years

Today marks the 12th anniversary of my mom's passing. It is hard to believe how fast 12 years have gone by. I think of her and my dad everyday. 

Yesterday evening, the local Navajo Country station out of Gallup and Window Rock played "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", which I feel is appropriate to this occasion. My mom liked Country music, by the way (well, she liked all genres of music).

Aaron Lewis - "Am I The Only One"

This song should be shared by everyone and everywhere.

 

Toby Keith - "Happy Birthday America"

Here's a new song by Country star Toby Keith that everyone should share.

 

Music-Themed Vacation Destinations

Above, Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who are music-minded, a vacation trip to music-themed places is an ideal choice.

SeattlePI has an article with music-themed destinations.

They include New Orleans (Jazz), Nashville (home of the Grand Ole Opry and Dollywood), Fort Lauderdale (music-themed resorts) and Memphis (Graceland).

The article begins with:

Spring is in the air and music is all around — if you know where to find it.

That’s exactly where these great musical getaways come into play. Whether your preference is good old rock ‘n’ roll or country vibes or smooth jazz, there’s a dreamy destination perfect for exploring your love of music culture and history.

Unfortunately, while the writer (Lori A. May) discusses Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, she neglects to mention that music lovers would also enjoy the blues-oriented Beale Street and Sun Studios, where Sam Phillips first discovered and recorded Elvis Presley.

Despite my above quibbles, the article is still worth a read.

To read more, go here.

Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All" At No. 3 On Billboard's Bluegrass Chart

Above, Hillary Klug's "Howdy Y'All album and a Post-it note. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Hillary Klug is one of those musicians who makes her talents look super simple when really it’s almost humanly impossible. She is an exceptional buck dancer (aka tap dancing/clogging) and violinist. When she mixes the two together the results are extraordinary." - TheMusicman.uk.

Not too long ago, I posted about Hillary Klug's new album, "Howdy Y'all". In it, I said she' a "rising star". But that was before I saw a post of hers today on Facebook with a photo of the current Billboard Bluegrass standings.

Her album is at number 3!

Here's the Billboard Bluegrass standings:

In her post, she wrote:

Y’all I’m #3 on the Bluegrass Albums chart!! It’s all thanks to you guys!

I’m so honored to be amongst bluegrass legends like Nickle Creek, Billy Strings, Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan, Chris Thile, Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers

Above, Hillary Klug.

"Howdy Y'All" is a very enjoyable album. It is not disappointing! To order a copy of "Howdy Y'All", go here.