Sittin' on Top of the World

This is a great song which has been done by bluegrass bands and blues groups for decades. I first heard when Cream performed it and then later was reintroduced to it at a bluegrass jam. But it wasn't until two nights ago while listening to a local radio station that I heard who originated the song . . . . The Mississippi Shieks! check it out here and here and click here to listen to the their original song

20 Million Things (to do) by Lowell George

If it's fix a fence, fender dents
I've got lots of experience
Rent gets spent
All the letters never written, that don't get sent
It comes from confusion, all things I left undone
It comes from moment to moment, day to day
The time seems to slip away

But I've got twenty million things to do, twenty million things
All I can think about is you
With twenty million things
Twenty million things to do

I've got mysterious wisteria hanging in the air
The rocking chair I was supposed to fix
Well it came undid
And all the things that I let slip, I found out quick
It comes from moment to moment, day to day
The time seems to slip away

But I've got twenty million things to do, twenty million things
All I can do, is think about you
With twenty million
Twenty million things to do

Last week I attended a luthier camp

and began building a mandola from a kit made by Roger Siminoff. Click here to learn more about being a luthier

Making money after death - Michael Jackson style

Since Jackson died at the age of 50, his estate has generated over $250 million, with about $125 million coming from sales of Jackson’s own recordings, $60 million from an advance for the “This is It” theatrical documentary, about $35 million from music publishing, and more than $50 million from merchandise such as video games, one of the people said.

Across the Bluegrass - Country Music Divide

When the Wall Street Journal writes about music, they do a good job click here

The Challengers

Here's the back side of The Challengers LP.

The Challengers

Along with the Beachboys, The Challengers were a top So Cal surf band. I recently found my only LP of the band and here's the cover. Check back tomorrow after I post the backside with liner notes by Rick Griffin and Murphy image (thanks to a reader who corrected me on Murphy, he wasn't Murph the Surf)

Aaron Schroeder's passing

Let's all pause and remember the life and career of one great songwriter and producer, Aaron Schroeder (1926-2009). Aaron wrote 17 songs for Elvis Presley, now that's getting some exposure! Beginning in 1940, Mr Schroeder wrote over 2000 songs; he co-wrote five #1 songs for Presley, one "It's Now or Never" which #92 on Billboard's 2008 Hot 100 All-Time Top Songs. He wrote Gene Pitney's "Only Love Can Break a Heart" and "Town Without Pity". He wrote Bobby Vee's "Rubber Ball" and the Staple Singers' "Hammer and Nails". He also wrote more but you can search for further information on your own. Have you used Bing yet?? Try it.

Poco - Pickin' Up the Pieces

Such a great band then and their music is still great now . . . makes you appreciate how truly magical the Buffalo Springfield were . . . read this recent review of Poco's first LP click here

My new mandolin is ready

Tomorrow I get my new mandolin made by Craig Wilson, it's a beauty. You can see at Mandolin Cafe click here

Toni gives away her raffle winnings

Last Saturday, I dusted off my ES 335 to play some rock and roll at a fundraiser for Kathy Phillips at the Oddfellows Hall. During the evening, Toni found a childhood friend and he bought her 10 tickets for the raffle (50% of the money raised went to the Phillips family and the raffle winner gets the rest). A number was picked but no one claimed the prize ($450), so another number was picked and Toni won. She gave the whole amount to the family . . . that's my girl and I was proud of her for doing such a nice thing.

Surfin' Safari unmasked

Surfin' Safari, one of the best Beachboy's hit songs was contested by Chuck Berry, who claimed he wrote the music and won a lawsuit against Brian Wilson . . . . but read on about this great song

click here

Video - Dillards - Old Home Place

One of my favorite bluegrass songs and also one of theirs . . . .

The Dillards

Back in the 60's I discovered the Dillards at the Ice House in Pasadena and fell in love with bluegrass music, was awed by Doug's banjo playing and entertained by Rodney's humor . . . .

Although the Dillards aren't single-handedly responsible for bluegrass' migration from Appalachia to California, there's no denying they provided vital transportation. Raised in Salem, Mo., brothers Rodney and Doug Dillard jammed in a string of outfits before forming their own in 1960. The newly christened Dillards soon relocated to Los Angeles, where they made several appearances as the Darlings on the Andy Griffith Show. More importantly, the group became a pillar of the burgeoning folk/country-rock scene, along with the Byrds, Gosdin Brothers, Clarence White, etc. In 1967 Doug jumped ship to team up with ex-Byrd Gene Clark in the now legendary Dillard and Clark.

Remembering Clarence White

As many of you know, I play guitar and I write songs and I love bluegrass music. There have been many guitar influences in my life : Duane Eddy, Dick Dale, Doc Watson, James Burton, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Tony Rice and Robben Ford. But one of the foremost was Clarence White who was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 27. He influenced so many guitar enthusiasts and still continues to do so today despite the fact that there is very little video or instructional material from him. But I just discovered a rare DVD of him as a guest on "Bob Baxter's Guitar Workshop" TV show which was a staple of mine back in the early 70's on LA TV. click here to find it and other material from the producer's website

Video - Yankee Doodle Dandy

George M. Cohen played by James Cagney. The ultimate showman and composer, Cohen was everything an entertainer could be and Cagney won an Academy Award for his portrayal of him in the film.

Video - Unsinkable Molly Brown

One of the great scenes from Debbie Reynolds amazing career.

Remembering Maurice Jarre

One of Hollywood's greatest composers has passed away. Jarre, the French-born composer won Oscars for "Lawrence of Arabia", "Doctor Zhivago" and "A Passage to India". Jarre wrote more than 170 film and television scores including those for "The Longest Day", "The Year of Living Dangerously", "Ghost", "Witness", "Gorillas in the Mist", "Fatal Attraction" and "Dead Poets Society". He was a giant!

Video - Craig and Sasha

When I was recording my first CD, I found a young girl who played fabulous violin. Sasha was still in high school when I heard her play and asked her to play on two of the songs on my CD and she did so perfectly. You can the songs at my website click here listen to Sashay on Down and Last Times, Last Storm from the MP3s Info on the left banner. Enjoy and thanks again Sasha, wherever you.

Video - The Boss was good but Prince was the best!

Many are saying the Springsteen's halftime show during Superbowl 43 was the best ever . . . . not. Check out Prince during the 2007 halftime in the rain and note that he didn't go overtime!