Category: Country

Featured Artist: Kacey Musgraves

2/25/2019

Born in Golden, Texas, on Aug. 21, 1988, Kacey Musgraves stormed the music scene in 2012 and has been steamrollin' ever since.

She started writing songs when she was 8 years-old and self-produced three albums before signing with Mercury Nashville.

Though she was influenced by Alison Krauss, Lee Ann Womack, John Prine, Bobbie Gentry, and Jim Croce, this six-time Grammy winner has been heralded for her unique lyrics and for putting a twist on old-school country sound. She has released four albums, Same Trailer Different Park (2013), Pageant Material (2015), A Very Kacey Christmas (2016), and Golden Hour (2018).

If you haven't given this amazing talent a listen, we've got seven of our favorite Musgraves songs to help you get started. Give us a week, and we think you'll agree that Kacey Musgraves is a true gem among the costume jewelry that decorates country music today.

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Merry Go 'Round was released in September 2012 as the lead single from Kacey Musgraves' debut, Grammy Award-winning album, Same Trailer Different Park. Co-written by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, the song's a cynical observation of life in the American heartland and references Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, Jack and Jill, and Mary Had a Little Lamb. The song peaked at No. 63 on Billboard Hot 100, but it hit No. 14 on Hot Country Songs, No. 10 on Country Airplay, and won Musgraves another Grammy for Best Country Song.

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Released in 2015, Pageant Material is Kacey Musgraves’ second album under the Mercury Nashville label. Most of the songs were recorded live in Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, and the effort earned Musgraves her second Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. The title song was never released as a single, but we think it would have done well commercially. She uses tongue-in-cheek lyrics to poke fun of herself for not being Pageant Material, and many of us here at Vinyl resonate deeply with that sentiment.

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Silver Lining is from Kacey Musgraves' debut album, Same Trailer Different Park (2012). Written by Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, Silver Lining was never released as a single, which is a shame. The melody is uplifting and easy-going, and the lyrics explore the idea that we have to weather the darkest, hardest of times to experience the brighter things in life. All in all, it's one of our favorite Musgraves tunes.

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Written by Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally, Blowin’ Smoke was released on April 1, 2013 as the second single from Musgraves’ album, Same Trailer Different Park. The song is about a down-on-her-luck waitress talking shit about this and that and starts and ends with diner sound effects recorded at a Waffle House. It peaked at No. 31 on Billboard Hot Country Songs and No. 23 on Country Airplay. The music video was directed by Honey.

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Released on Feb. 11, Rainbow is the fifth single from Kacey Musgraves' latest studio album, Golden Hour (2018). Written by Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Natalie Hemby, it landed at No. 98 on Billboard Hot 100, No. 20 on Adult Contemporary, and No. 17 on Hot Country Songs. It's a message of hope for those facing adversity and was the last song her grandmother heard her write before died.

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Kacey Musgraves’ 2018 album, Golden Hour, won two Grammys for Best Country Album and Album of the Year. Two of the songs also won Grammys. Butterflies won for Best Country Solo Performance and Space Cowboy for Best Country Song. Musgraves got the idea for Space Cowboy when her riding teacher told her that when a horse wanted to run there was no point in shutting the gate. A couple of days later, Kacey, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally put together the finishing touches.

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Biscuits was the lead single for Kacey Musgraves’s 2015 album, Pageant Material, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album. Written by Musgraves, Shane McAnally, and Brandy Clark, Biscuits peaked at No. 28 on Hot Country Songs, No. 41 on Country Airplay, and Billboard ranked it at No. 16 for the Top 25 Songs of 2015 and No. 1 for 10 Best Country Songs of 2015.

BONUS TRACK

Written by Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, and Josh Osborne, Late To the Party is from the 2015 album, Pageant Material. It was never released as a single, but Musgraves performed the song on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. It’s about being happy in love, and it’s a whimsical, easy-going tune worthy of inclusion on any “Best of Kacey Musgraves” compilation.

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Featured Artist: Bobbie Gentry

1/14/2019

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Born Roberta Lee Streeter on July 27, 1942 in Chickasaw County, Mississippi, Bobbie Gentry is one of the most influential artists most people have never heard of.

She chose her stage name after watching Ruby Gentry, a 1952 movie about a woman who overcame poverty to make something out of her life.

She charted eleven hits on Billboard Hot 100, won three Grammy awards, put Southern Gothic on the map, had a successful Vegas show, was a model and partial owner of the Phoenix Suns and, most importantly, one of the first female artists to write and produce her own music.

She has impacted generations of country artists and her legacy should be honored, which is why we’re dedicating this week to a genuine gem, Ms. Bobbie Gentry.

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Big Boss Man is a blues song first recorded by Jimmy Reed in 1961. It was written by Luther Dixon and Al Smith and has been covered by artists such as Elvis Presley and B.B. King. Bobbie Gentry’s version was included on her second studio album, The Delta Sweete (1968), which was re-released by Capitol Records as Tobacco Road in 1971 without the songs Big Boss Man and Parchman Farm.

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Bobbie Gentry wrote and recorded Fancy in 1969. It was included on the 1970 album, Fancy, which earned a Grammy nomination. According to Gentry, the song was her strongest women’s lib statement, and it became a crossover hit, peaking at No. 26 on Hot Country and No. 31 on Billboard Hot 100. Reba McEntire covered it in 1990 on her Rumor Has It album. Her version hit No. 8 on Hot Country.

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Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, I’ll Never Fall In Love Again has been covered by several artist, with Dionne Warwick’s version being the highest chart-topper in the US at No. 6 on Billboard Hot 100. Bobbie Gentry’s version appeared on her 1969 album, Touch ‘Em With Love and again on Fancy. Her version hit No. 1 in the UK.

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Ode to Billie Joe is Bobbie Gentry’s most successful song. From the album, Ode to Billie Joe (1967), it’s about indifference and the inability to connect with one another, even over shared grief. The album knocked the Beatles’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band off the top spot of Billboard Hot LP after a 15-week reign. The song, Ode to Billie Joe, became an international hit, landing at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and earned Gentry three Grammy awards.

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Sittin’ Pretty was written by Bobbie Gentry and Kelly Gordon. The song was originally included on Gentry’s third studio album, Local Gentry (1967), which was re-released in 1971 as Sittin’ Pretty. Though the song (and album) didn’t chart, it’s one of our favorite jams here at Vinyl.

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Written by John Hartford, Gentle on My Mind was first recorded by Glen Campbell and released in 1967 on the album, Gentle on My Mind. It won four Grammy awards, two for Hartford and two for Campbell. The song was also included on the album, Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell (1968). Gentry had toured with Campbell and frequently performed on his TV show. That album hit No. 1 on Billboard Top Country and No. 11 on Billboard Top LPs chart.

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Apartment 21 was written by Bobbie Gentry and recorded during the Fancy recording sessions. The song was released as a stand-alone single in 1970 with a b-side of Seasons Come, Seasons Go. Though it peaked at No. 81 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 19 on Adult Contemporary, it is considered by several critics to be among Gentry’s best work.

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Featured Artist: The Judds

11/20/2017

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Mother and daughter duo, Naomi and Wynonna, are The Judds. One of the most successful acts in country music, the Ashland, Kentucky natives have won five Grammy Awards, eight CMA Awards, and had 25 singles on the country charts between 1983 and 2000, 14 of which hit number one and another six made the top ten. This week we're honoring this dynamic duo with a seven-song tribute that will have you singing, “Mama, we're crazy…we're crazy over Wynonna and Naomi.”

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Mama He's Crazy was recorded by The Judds and released as the second single from the 1983 EP, Wynonna & Naomi, and again on their 1984 debut album, Why Not Me. The song marked the duo's second hit on the country charts and their first number one. The song was so successful, Pinkard & Bowden released a parody called Mama She's Lazy that went to 39 on the country charts.

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Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain was written by Brent Maher and Don Schlitz. Recorded by The Judds and released as the third single from the 1985 album, Rockin' with the Rhythm, the song marked their seventh number one country hit and spent twelve weeks on the charts. It was one of four number one hits from that album, and Billboard named it the Top Country Album of 1986.

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Why Not Me was the first single and title track of The Judds first studio album, Why Not Me. Released in 1984, the song was their second number one and spent fifteen weeks on the country charts. One of four number one hits from that album, Why Not Me won a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with a Vocal in 1986, as did Mama He's Crazy in 1985.

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Written by Naomi Judd, Paul Overstreet, and John Jarvis, Love Can Build a Bridge was recorded by The Judds and released in 1990 as the second single and title track from their album, Love Can Build a Bridge. The song was later covered by Children for Rwanda as a charity single for Save the Children and by a 10-year-old Britney Spears in 1991 on Star Search.

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Girls' Night Out was the second single and third number one hit from The Judds 1984 album, Why Not Me. Released in 1985 and written by Brent Maher and Jeffrey Bullock, Girls' Night Out spent one week at the top spot and another fourteen weeks on the country charts. It is one of our favorites here at Vinyl.

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Written by John Jarvis, Naomi Judd, and Craig Bickhardt, Cadillac Red is from The Judds' 1989 album, River of Time. Though two of the songs from that album hit number one, Cadillac Red was not released as a single. River of Time was the second to last studio album The Judds would ever make.

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Written by Paul Kennerley, Have Mercy was recorded by The Judds for their 1985 album, Rockin' with the Rhythm. The song was the first to be released from that album and became the duo's fifth number one single on the country charts.

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Featured Artist: Glen Campbell

8/14/2017

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In honor of his recent passing, we're paying tribute to Glen Campbell. A singer, songwriter, actor, and TV host, his influence on the world was legendary. During his 50-year career in the star-spangled rodeo, this rhinestone cowboy released more than 70 albums, won ten Grammys, earned an Academy Award nomination, and was a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. There will be no compromisin' this week as we shine the lights on our favorite Glen Campbell songs.

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Written by Jimmy Webb, Wichita Lineman has been covered by many people, but Glen Campbell made it famous. Released in 1968 on the album of the same name, Wichita Lineman landed on the U.S. pop, country, and adult contemporary charts. The song was inspired by telephone linemen working in rural Oklahoma, and Rolling Stone has ranked it 195 on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

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Southern Nights was written by Allen Toussaint and recorded, with modified lyrics, by Glen Campbell for the 1977 album of the same name. In the US, the song hit the top of Billboard's Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Hot Country charts. The song features a catchy guitar riff that Campbell learned from friend, Jerry Reed, and has always been one of our favorites Glen Campbell tunes.

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Try a Little Kindness was written by Curt Sapaugh and Bobby Austin. It was first recorded by Glen Campbell in 1968 and was released on the album of the same name. The song hit No. 2 on the country charts, No. 1 on Adult Contemporary, and No. 23 on Billboard Hot 100. It's a catchy song with an excellent moral message. Whatever you're doing today, stop, take a cue from Mr. Campbell, and try a little kindness. It goes a long way.

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Gentle on My Mind was written by John Hartford. Glen Campbell's cover was the only single release from the 1968 album of the same name. Both Hartford and Campbell won two Grammy Awards for the song that year, and Campbell's version put him on the map. He used it as the opening theme to his TV variety show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour from 1969 - 1972 on CBS. The song has gotten over 5 million plays on the radio since its release.

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Galveston was written by Jimmy Webb and recorded and released by Glen Campbell in 1969 for the album of the same name. Campbell's version landed on the charts in three categories when released. Today, it is ranked eighth among CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music and is the official anthem for Galveston Island and the city of Galveston, Texas.

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By the Time I Get to Phoenix was also written by Jimmy Webb and recorded by Glen Campbell in 1967 and released on the album of the same name. The song was originally recorded by Johnny Rivers in 1965, but Campbell's version topped the charts and won two Grammy Awards. He recorded a medley duet of the song with Anne Murray in 1971. Frank Sinatra called it the best torch song ever written.

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Released in 1975, Rhinestone Cowboy was a smash hit. Written by Larry Weiss, Rhinestone Cowboy was recorded by Glen Campbell and released on the album of the same name. The song hit number one on both the country and Hot 100 charts. After Campbell's death, it resurfaced on the digital charts making it Campbell's signature song.

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Featured Artist: Buddy Holly

1/30/2017

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The glasses, the look, the voice, the music - there's no two ways about it, Buddy Holly is hot. Though his looks mirror those of today's Hipster, Buddy Holly was so much more than a geeky guy with a pretty voice. He was a creative genius whose influence has transcended time.

Born Charles Hardin Holley on Sept. 7, 1937 in Lubbock, Texas, Buddy Holly was always into music. His older brothers taught him how to play guitar, banjo, and lap steel guitar, and at the age of 5 he won a talent contest with the song "Have You Ever Gone Sailing (Down the River of Memories)."

At 13, he was recording covers of popular songs on a friend's wire recorder. At 16, he and Bob Montgomery, a junior high classmate, teamed up as "Buddy and Bob" and began playing local bars and talent shows. Heavily influenced by bluegrass, the duo performed on a Sunday radio program and soon became local celebrities.Thanks to Elvis Presley's influence, Holly began incorporating rockabilly into his music.

"Buddy and Bob" added a third member, Larry Welborn, and the trio opened for Elvis in Lubbock on Oct. 15, 1955, catching the eye of a Nashville talent scout.

THE CRICKETS
When Holly opened for Bill Haley & His Comets in 1956, a deal with Decca Records shortly followed, but the company misspelled his name on the contract. Holly decided to keep it as his professional name, and then he formed a new band, The Crickets, consisting of Holly, Niki Sullivan, Joe B. Mauldin, and Jerry Allison.

Holly didn't like the restrictive atmosphere at Decca. Though he did record a version of "That'll Be the Day" while at Decca, for the most part Holly's time there was unproductive. A year after being signed, Decca told Holly they wouldn't renew his contract.

Holly hired a manager and soon began recording again. Now with more creative control, he attracted another record label, Brunswick Records, a subsidiary of Decca, and signed The Crickets on March 19, 1957. Holly also signed as a solo artist with another label, Coral Records, a move that put Holly in the unique position of having two recording contracts at the same time.

He released "That'll Be the Day" under the new record label though Decca technically owned the rights. When the song became a hit, Decca decided not to pursue legal action.

"That'll Be the Day" was released, and The Crickets performed the song, along with "Peggy Sue," on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on Dec. 1, 1957.

In addition to performing on Ed Sullivan, in August 1957, The Crickets were the only white performers on a national tour that included black neighborhood theaters. During this time, The Crickets won over an all-black audience to rock and roll/rockabilly when they played New York's Apollo Theater. The feat wasn't easy. It's rumored that it took the band several songs before the audience finally warmed up.

Holly released two debut albums, "The Chirpin' Crickets" in 1957 and a solo album, "Buddy Holly," in 1958. His singles "Oh, Boy!" and "Peggy Sue," originally titled Cindy Lou, topped the charts.

Indeed Feb. 3, 1959 was the day the music died. We were only beginning to hear what Buddy Holly was capable of. Thankfully though he left behind a collection of work that's simple, catchy, poetic, and lovely - the perfect recipe for great music.

SOLO CAREER
After their debut success Buddy Holly and The Crickets didn't see eye-to-eye on their next steps. Holly married Maria Elena Santiago, a receptionist for Murray Deutch, an executive for New York publisher Peer-Southern Music, and the two moved to New York. The Crickets moved back to Lubbock.

In New York, Holly recorded the "Apartment Tapes" and began exploring new music styles. He wanted collaborations between soul singers and rock 'n' roll and aspired to record albums with Ray Charles and gospel legend, Mahalia Jackson.

At Decca's Pythian Temple in October 1958, Holly recorded "True Love Ways," "It Doesn't Matter Anymore," and "Raining In My Heart." These would be the first songs Holly would record with an orchestra and in stereo. It would also be his last formal recording session.

While in New York, it became clear to Holly that his long-time manager was stealing royalties. Now strapped for cash and with a baby on the way, Holly had to make ends meet while pursuing legal action against his manager. Holly took a gig in Winter Dance Party, a three-week tour across the Midwest that opened Jan. 23, 1959.

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED
Winter Dance Party featured top headliners Dion and the Belmonts, Ritchie Valens, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and, of course, Buddy Holly. For the tour, Holly recruited Tommy Allsup, Waylon Jennings, and Carl Bunch and billed them as The Crickets.

Following a performance at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, Holly chartered a small airplane to take him to the next stop on the tour. Holly, Valens, Richardson and the pilot were killed when the plane crashed soon after take off in the early morning hours of Feb. 3, 1959. Buddy Holly was 22 years old.

Holly influenced many artists, most notably for us at Vinyl was The Beatles. Both John Lennon and Paul McCartney have cited Holly as their primary influence, The Beatles have covered several of Holly's songs, and Paul McCartney owns the publishing rights to Holly's song catalog. Even the name The Beatles is a direct homage to The Crickets.

Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen have all said that Buddy Holly was a big influence.

The Grateful Dead have performed "Note Fade Away" so many times it's on eight of their official live recording releases.

In honor of Holly's 58th birthday, Weezer released "Buddy Holly," and no one can forget Don McLean's tribute song, "American Pie."

Not only did Holly have influence on music, but he was also a major fashionista. He boldly wore glasses, with lenses, and was the epitome of Geek Chic. Elton John started wearing glasses in his teens to be like Buddy Holly. He wore them so much that eventually his eyesight got so bad that he ended up needing glasses.

HOLLY'S LEGACY
Although his success only lasted a year and a half, Buddy Holly's creative influence on music has spanned generations.

Holly set the template for the standard rock and roll band: two guitars, bass, and drums. He was also one of the first in the genre to write, produce, and perform his own songs, and he was among the first inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Along with Elvis and others, Holly helped bridge the racial gap in American music. He often played with black musicians, people like Chuck Berry and Little Richard, and Holly frequently included the Bo Diddley beat in his songs.

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That'll Be the Day

That'll Be the Day was written by Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison. It was first recorded by Buddy Holly & The Three Tunes in 1956 but Holly re-recorded it in 1957 with the Crickets. The 1957 version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry.

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Rave On!

Rave On! was recorded by Sonny West in 1958. Buddy Holly recorded the song later that year for his album, Buddy Holly. It became a smash hit, one of six to chart that year. The song's title was inspired by a Carl Perkin's song, Dixie Fried. Rave On is also the title of a 2011 Buddy Holly tribute album.

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Words of Love

Words of Love was written by Buddy Holly and recorded in 1957. During the recording, Holly harmonized with himself by combining taped recordings. The song was not a notable hit at the time, but now it's viewed as a critical recording and included on most of Holly's greatest hits compilations.

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Everyday

Written by Buddy Holly and Norman Petty, Everyday was recorded with the Crickets in 1957. Though the song has a grammatically incorrect title, it’s among Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and has been covered and used in multiple films including one of our favorites, Stand By Me.

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American Pie - Don McLean

American Pie was written by Don McLean and released in 1971. Though McLean was only 13 when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper were killed in a plane crash in Clear Lake, Iowa, the grief of losing Holly was what inspired the song. Today, many consider American Pie the greatest song ever written.

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Heartbeat

Buddy Holly recorded Heartbeat in 1958. Though the song charted better in the UK than the US, several artists have covered it, as well as its B-side Well All Right. Heartbeat was the last single Buddy Holly would release in his lifetime and is often included on his greatest hits compilations.

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Not Fade Away

Not Fade Away was written by Buddy Holly and released on, The "Chirping" Crickets. According to the movie The Buddy Holly Story (1978), Not Fade Away was the last song Holly performed before he died, but Bob Hale, who master of ceremonies for Winter Dance Party, said the last song Holly sang was Chuck Berry's Brown Eyed Handsome Man as a medley with all the acts on the bill. Regardless, Not Fade Away is one of Holly's most famous and covered songs.

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Featured Artist: Eagles

11/14/2016

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Together original members Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner were Eagles. Formed in 1971 while touring with Linda Ronstadt, Eagles are the highest-selling band in American history with 150 million copies worldwide. "Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)" held the title for all-time highest-selling album until 2009 when Michael Jackson's "Thriller" took the top spot following his death. The group later expanded to include Don Felder, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit. Over the course of their career, Eagles have won six Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and are always included in the "Greatest Artists" lists in publications all over the world. We'll do our best to narrow down the list to just seven awesome songs as we pay tribute this week to Eagles.

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Take It Easy - from Eagles (1972)

Take It Easy was written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey and recorded by the Eagles in 1972 for their debut album, Eagles. It was the band's first single and has become one of their signature songs. There's a statue and mural on the corner of Second St. & Kinsley Ave in Winslow, Arizona in honor of the song.

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Hotel California - from Hotel California (1976)

The title song from Hotel California is considered one of the best songs (and guitar solos) Eagles ever recorded. Written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, with music by Don Felder, Hotel California is an interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles, American decadence, and The Beverly Hills Hotel, but some think the song's about Satanism.

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Desperado - from Desperado (1973)

Desperado is one of the most famous Eagles' songs. Don Henley started writing it in 1968, and Glenn Frey helped him finish in 1972, marking the beginning of their songwriting partnership. Linda Ronstadt covered Desperado on Don't Cry Now, which is somewhat poignant seeing as Henley and Frey met and formed Eagles while touring with her.

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Life In the Fast Lane - from Hotel California (1977)

The third single release from Eagles’ album Hotel California, Life In the Fast Lane was written by Joe Walsh, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey. Joe Walsh played the opening riff during warm-up for rehearsals, and they built the song from that. Frey said the name came from driving down the freeway with a drug dealer named The Count.

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Peaceful Easy Feeling - from Eagles (1972)

Peaceful Easy Feeling was written by Jack Tempchin and recorded by the Eagles for their debut album. Tempchin started writing the song awhile before meeting Glenn Frey. When Frey heard the song he asked if he could develop it further. Eagles were only eight days old at the time, but what they did with the song was magical.

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Heartache Tonight - from The Long Run (1979)

Heartache Tonight was written by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, J.D. Souther, and Bob Seger and was recorded by Eagles and released in 1979. Frey and Souther started writing the song while listening to Sam Cooke songs, and Seger and Henley filled in rest. The song's been covered by John Anderson and Michael Bublé on his album Crazy Love.

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Love Will Keep Us Alive - from Hell Freezes Over (1994)

Love Will Keep Us Alive was first performed by the Eagles for the 1994 reunion tour, Hell Freezes Over. Bassist Timothy B. Schmit sang lead vocals. The song was never released as a single so it wasn't eligible for Billboard Hot 100 due to the rules in place at the time. Despite all that it still spent three weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's adult contemporary charts.

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Featured Artist: The Everly Brothers

1/6/2014

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With the recent passing of Phillip Everly (Jan. 3, 2014), we’d like to take this time to pay tribute to The Everly Brothers. If you don’t have the Everly Brothers in your music collection, you’re missing out on one of the most beautiful harmonies you’ll ever hear in music.

Early On

Don and Phil Everly started out singing as part of The Everly Family on a radio program in Iowa. When the family moved to Tennessee, Don and Phil transitioned out of the family act and into a duo.

If you think the Everly Brothers are just old-school crooners in a time when music was vanilla as vanilla ice cream, you’d be sorely mistaken. Everything we call country rock today has stemmed from the Everly Brothers’ influence.

Influence

They were the Beatles’ Beatles, gods for Simon & Garfunkel, and the wave the Beach Boys rode in on.

“Cathy’s Clown,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Bye Bye Love,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” and “Be-Bop-A-Lula” are among the Everly Brother’s 35 Top 100 songs, more than any other duo.

“Wake Up, Little Susie” was a bit controversial for the time because naysayers thought the song was too sexual. The song was banned on radio stations in Boston and other part of the country.

International Presence

Not only were the Everly Brothers popular in the United States, they were just as successful in Britain, thus the connection to the Beatles. In the U.K. they had 30 chart singles, 29 in the top 40, 13 top 10 and 4 at No. 1 between 1957 and 1984.

Accolades and Tributes

Rolling Stone has labeled them “the most important vocal duo in rock.” They have been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame.

Three Everly Brothers tribute albums were released in 2013, including Norah Jones and Billy Joe Armstrong’s “Foreverly.” There have also been several famous covers of their songs including Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s version of “Gone Gone Gone” off the “Raising Sand” album, Reba McEntire’s “Cathy’s Clown,” and a-ha’s “Crying In the Rain.”

Although their influence runs deep through today’s music, the main reason you should add the Everly Brothers' music to your playlist is their harmony. It’s beautiful, soothing, and graceful, the perfect background for just about any day of the year.

An Everly Brothers' Sampling

"Wake Up Little Susie" is a classic Everly Brothers' tune. It's catchy, clever, and quite controversial for the time. It was banned from the radio in places like Boston for its suggestive lyrics. The song has been covered by Simon & Garfunkel, the Grateful Dead, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, to name a few. If there's one Everly Brothers' tune you must have, it's this song.

If you haven't heard "Cathy's Clown" then you really need to have a listen. Not only is the song the Everyly Brothers' biggest hit, but it was also a huge influence on The Beatles, who once considered calling themselves The Foreverly Brothers. The Beatles recreated the vocal arrangement of "Cathy's Clown" in their first U.S. single, "Please Please Me."

The song "Bye Bye Love" was rejected by 30 other acts before the Everly Brothers. The song became the duo's first million-seller reaching number two behind Elvis and number 1 on the country charts. The song is catchy, which is probably why it's been covered by people like George Harrison, Simon & Garfunkel, Roy Orbison, and Ray Charles.

You gotta have "All I Have to Do Is Dream" in your playlist. It's so beautiful and relaxing and sad and soothing all at the same time. Enough said.

"Bird Dog" is a lesser known Everly Brothers' hit, but the lyrics are clever and the beat is fast-paced. The song's simple and very fun to sing. Give it a listen and you'll find yourself singing the song later on in the day.

"('Til) I Kissed You" is a must-have Everly Brothers' song. A swanky beat and beautiful harmony is at the core of this song. You'll find yourself singing this song to your significant other, if you're on good terms, as you twirl them about the living room.

"Gone Gone Gone" is a classic break-up empowerment song. If you've ever kicked someone to the curb because they treated you less than in your relationship, then give this song a listen. You'll find yourself feeling a whole lot better. As a bonus check out Alison Kraus and Robert Plant's cover of this song from their album, Raising Sand.

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Featured Artist: Dixie Chicks

11/18/2013

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If you like country music, you'll love their classic country roots. If you don't like country music, you'll like their clever lyrics and rebellious attitude. No matter what side of the fence you're on the Dixie Chicks are a win-win for every music fan. Just to be clear - we're talking music here, not politics.

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Featured Artist: Dolly Parton

9/23/2013

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Not having Dolly Parton in your playlist is a sad tale worthy of its own country song. Not only has Dolly Parton's songs topped both the country and pop charts, but she is also an awesome actress and an incredible entertainer.

Parton began her career as a child performer. Starring on a Porter Wagoner's weekly television show, Parton gained prominence in the late 60s, but it wasn't until the 1977 hit "Here You Come Again" that she became a household name.

She steamrolled through the 70s, 80s, and 90s with hits like "9 To 5", "Jolene", "Islands In the Stream", "But You Know I Love You" and " I Will Always Love You", which is one of the best selling singles of all time, with Whitney Houston's help.

"I Will Always Love You" is the second song ever to reach the top three on the Billboard Hot 100 in separate chart runs, and
Parton is the first artist to earn a number one record twice with the same song as a singer, and three times as a writer.

But "I Will Always Love You" is just one of many Dolly Parton songs that are not only genuine and sincere, but also catchy and, at times, heartbreaking. The heartfelt combo is attributed to both Parton's distinct soprano voice and her honest and simple lyrics. Dolly Parton is truly a great songwriter.

Not only is Parton one of the most successful female country artists of all time (estimated 100 million in record sales), but she is also an acclaimed actress, philanthropist, and entrepreneur.

She's an advocate for childhood literacy, creator of Dollywood, and has starred in films like "9 To 5", "Steel Magnolias", "Rhinestone", "Miss Congeniality 2", and she's made countless cameos in TV shows like "The Simpsons".

Here at Vinyl, we have mad respect for Dolly Parton. She's bubbly, playful, and her music is well preserved. She's a classic and a major pioneer for women in the music industry.

Once you've sampled some of her tunes we think you'll agree, there's only one Dolly.

Tipping Our Hat To Dolly

7 Must Have Dolly Tunes

1. 9 To 5

This toe-tapper is a great Monday morning battle cry for your commute. Dolly knows just how it feels to fight through the rat race, and the movie is a hysterical call to arms for women's rights in the workplace that also stars Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Dabney Coleman.

2. Jolene

One of the most powerful and moving "Keep Your Hands Off My Man" songs out there, "Jolene" is a classic song that represents the honesty and sincerity of Dolly Parton's lyrics.

3. Two Doors Down

Two Doors Down is the kind of song that gets stuck in your head. It's an upbeat tune about recovering from a break-up. The lyrics are classic Dolly, and the song's fun to sing. Plus, it makes you feel good, which is muy importante during the break-up process.

4. Here You Come Again

Here You Come Again is the song that officially put Dolly Parton on the map, earning her the 1979 Granny award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Such a great song with wonderful lyrics and Dolly's sweet, signature sound.

5. Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That

This song is 100% Dolly. The quirky lyrics and the knee-slappin' pace of the song turns a sad situation into a fun and delightful musical experience. Who hasn't ran into someone they used to date and thought, "dang"?

6. I Will Always Love You

Despite what some in younger generations may think, I Will Always Love You is Dolly Parton's song. Though Whitney Houston made Dolly rich on a cover of the song, I Will Always Love You is a touching, simple, and heartbreaking song about lost love and a must-have for any Dolly fan.

7. Shine

On the album "Little Sparrow", Dolly dabbles with covering a few of her favorite songs. Her remake of "Shine" gives the classic song a bluegrass feel and is a testament to Dolly's longevity, style, and dedication to her roots.

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Find of the Year - Singapore Cowboy

12/5/2011

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If you haven't heard of Matthew and the Mandarins, you're not alone. Many people haven't, but apparently back in the day Matthew and the Mandarins were all the rage in Singapore.

Led by Matthew Tan, the five-member band plays a melodic blend of country-western songs, which is a rare find in Singapore's rap and pop music culture of today.

The compilation album of the band's greatest hits includes cover versions of Stranger (Kris Kristofferson), Movin' On (Merle Haggard) and Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffet). There are also original numbers like Let's Put The Sing In Singapore and the very popular Singapore Cowboy.

Ready to get on a horse and ride into the Singapore sunset? The next best thing is to listen to Matthew and the Mandarins. It not only brings back fond memories of the good old days of authentic country music, but also offers a reminder of a time when country music was king in Singapore. Though, we're not exactly sure when that was.

Vinyl Music Shop would like to thank Jimmy the cab driver for helping us discover this amazing find.

Singapore Cowboy - Matthew and the Mandarins

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Find of the Year - Singapore Cowboy

Singapore Cowboy - Matthew and the Mandarins

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