Kay Manning (Elrod)

Has anyone else been enjoying the PBS documentary on Country Music by Ken Burns.  I can't stop watching it.  I am a late bloomer to country music but have enjoyed a lot of it since the 1980's.  The era of the 70's produced a lot of budding country performers, but back then they were not so readily welcomed into the traditional genre because they were "hippies" like the Byrds and Bob Dylan.  Roseanne Cash was highlighted today and I had forgotten her song 7-Year Ache was one of my favorites in the early 80's. What are some of your favorites?

D. Anne Bagley (Elliott)

Kaye I became a C&W fan when we moved to Texas in 1979 .it grows on you. 

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Some of our best country singers have come from Texas and say the Mexican music was a huge influence on them growing up. Johnny Rodriguiz (pardon the misspelling) said all their music is "country" just in a different language. The program has highlighted so many artist who made huge contributions to the industry but have since been forgotten - like Johnny Rodriguiz - remember Freddie Fender??  There are those who can't perform anymore that were so talented like Randy Travis. Willie is amazing, in his 80's and still kickin'.  I was amazed at all the comments that were made about Kris Kristopherson being the world's best songwriter EVER!  Larry Gatlin said "of all these words in the dictionary, no one knew what order they went in until Kris arrived."  What rich lives these people have had with their music.  Vince Gill singing the song he wrote about his friend's death and finished it when his brother died- Go Rest High On That Mountain, well, there wasn't a dry eye in my kitchen!  If you haven't heard it, you should! Go Rest High on That Mountain  - filmed at George Jones' memorial service.

Jimmy Vick

Never been a C&W fan but I found the program very interesting. Learned many things I never knew. Sorry Ann, but it never grew on me. Now I do enjoy alot of "progressive country" ie: The Traveling Wilburries. The Outlaws, etc

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Jimmy: Love the Outlaws!  Love the Traveling Wilbury's (anything Dylan!). I still fall back to the 80's & 90's with Willie and Waylon and the boys. I developed a new appreciation for Vince Gill and Kris Kristopherson since watching the program. Very talented! Roseanne Cash was great - great voice! 

Love Southern Rock - did you know Hank Jr left country music for a short period (cause his career was not going well) and went to Muscle Shoals and did stuff with the Allman Bros and Marshall Tucker.  When he came back  he had 23 consecutive gold records. I guess sometimes it pays to step back.

Cathy McCallum (Morrison)

Kay,  I recorded it and have watched more than half.  It’s very good and quite interesting. I did watch Vince Gill sining his wonderful song also.  I also learned a lot about some of the musicians I didn’t know before.

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Cathy: It is very interesting and I think we are gaining a new respect for some of these people by learning more about them.  I'm fascinated by putting the words to music.  One thing I have learned is that the lyrics are the key, when you can't hear them or understand them the song is lost.  These people are musicians who want to sing words, as opposed to the electronic music that's out there today.  It's so much more enjoyable to see a concert of many people participating in making a joyful noise as opposed to one man on a keyboard. I don't think you have to be a country music fan to enjoy this documentary. It's a history lesson. They even included Charlotte in it when they said Randy Travis played local bars in Charlotte.  

Jimmy Vick

Nice to be in the A/C when it was blistering hot in the stands. Got to watch the Texas A&M game from the Presidents Box. Met a hot chick but she was busy that evening. 

Jackie Kimbrell

Kay, I was country when country wasn`t cool. Back in the late 60s, I put an eight track in my car when that was the thing to have with 2 speakers in the back. My first tape was Charlie Prides Greatest Hits. I still like old country songs and allways will. I listen to WXIE, 1190 AM Monroe, N. C . All oldies.   

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Charlie Pride is great!  Did you see him on the Country Music special on PBS?  I'd love to meet him.  If there was any doubt of your age, you just gave it away with that 8-track story. We've all been there. I remember my brother telling me he bought a used car years ago because it had an 8-track player in it and he still had lots of 8-tracks he wanted to play.  I will check into the radio station, I love the oldies too.  We haven't heard from you in ages -- our Adobe isn't operable anymore on the web site so we haven't had any music.  I miss your requests!  We need to find an alternative so we can play some of this country music. So glad to hear from you!

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Jimmy:  Orange is your color!  Nice accessory too!

Marilyn (Lyn) Baker (Jackson)

I love Kris Kristofferson.  Have many of his albums.  But think I really like the new country musicians like Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw too. Bob loves Tim.  Our granddaughter attending college in Louisville recently attended one of his concerts.  Think Bob is jealous.  Lol

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Thanks Lyn! My husband would lay down and die for Garth!  I find him a bit over the top.  I prefer a calmer concert. Now, Tim - he's cute as a button.  There is so much music to enjoy, so we need not limit ourselves to one artist or one kind of music. I love banjos and fiddles, and of course a great acoustic guitar - just anything that gets my foot tapping! Yahoo!  Does anyone out there remember Ed Bruce - he was a prolific song writer and was on the new Maverick show with James Garner?  31 years ago he was at the Palomino Club on Albemarle Road. It was my 39 birthday - his big song out then was "39 and Holding". My GFs took me to the concert and he signed an album for me and gave me a big ole birthday kiss. I still have that album and still holding on to that kiss - as they say "when he kisses you, you know you've been kissed!"  Best birthday ever!  Old Ed is still around writing songs.  What a great voice! If I have told you that story before, forgive me.  You can guarantee I'll tell it again if given the chance.

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Jimmy - I remember once my brother and sis-n-law had ridden their Harleys down to Florida and coming home he said Atlanta was a piece of cake but they hit the Clemson area as the game was letting out and he said that was scarey. I don't believe his wife has taken her bike out solo since that time. Bad timing!

Marilyn (Lyn) Baker (Jackson)

Never thought I’d admit it but we also like some bluegrass, especially the Steep Canyon Rangers.  Have attended all their concerts that were close by.  Also like the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys but haven’t found any of their concerts anywhere close. 

Kay Manning (Elrod)

That sounds like fun music. Do you clogg?  

Marilyn (Lyn) Baker (Jackson)

Heck no.  Can't clog.  Just love the fiddle playing in a bluegrass band.  

Dennis W. Haire

Speaking of music, if you just want to chill or get in a peaceful mind, ask Alexa, ITunes, or YouTube for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Izzy.  He is an Hawaiian singer and this song was in the movie “Meet Joe Black” and many commercials.  I used to listen to this mellow tune on the way to work at Bowater during stressful times like a mill shutdown or before an important meeting. It worked for me.  I listen to his CD “Facing Future” on the way to the beach.

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Dennis:  Thanks for mentioning Izzy!  Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - I have that recorded on a CD I burned years ago.  That's the loveliest version of that song to date.  I haven't listened to his other songs. You can't classify Izzy as anything but great simple music, just him and his yuke.

Deanna (Dee) Ratterree (Nobles)

Jimmy Vick, I am impress of your picture with Nancy O'dell!  Go Tigers!

Jimmy Vick

Was a thrill for me too, Dee. I hope her eyes have healed by now. BTW: Don't let the Heels game worry you, our Tigers need a slap in the face once a year. Wake-up call, if you may.

Dennis W. Haire

Not to equate meeting Clemson Coach Frank Howard with meeting Nancy O’Dell, but I did get to talk with him in the early 1970’s for about 30 minutes.  After coaching football at Clemson for 30 years, he stepped down and was athletic director. In his gravely voice he said, “Boy, I’m asked why I quit coaching.  It was for health reasons. The alumni were sick of me!”  He was also famous for saying, “We’ll never have rowing at Clemson ‘cause I can’t allow a sport where you sit on your butt and go backwards!”  Go Tigers 🐅!

Cheryl Pope (Bumgarner)

Charles Ferguson

Dennis, I worked for Coach Howard & Colonel Robbins for three years as a tutor.  The last two years I set up all classes & professors as needed for the majority of the athletes.  Very much like today, most of the players only cared about playing ball & girls, not so much about getting an education.  Summer school was totally based on keeping all the key players qualified!  Coach was gruff, but one of, if not, the best men that I have ever met.

Dennis W. Haire

Charles, I remember when I was a Rat at Clemson (wearing my beanie on a shaved head) and we attended a pep rally at the amphitheater.  Frank introduced the whole team.  He had a story about each player. Later we shiowed up at his house and he cane out in his underwear and talked to the crowd for 30 minutes or so.  What a character!