Stories behind memorable albums of the 1970s as told by the artists

Month: July 2014

A foot of snow inspired the Statler Brothers’ chapter

The Statler Brothers opened for Johnny Cash from 1964 through 1972.

The Statler Brothers opened for Johnny Cash from 1964 through 1972.

Sometimes, all it takes is a foot of snow to provide a little inspiration. That’s how the 1972 album “Innerview” by the Statler Brothers made it into “The Vinyl Dialogues.”

In early 2014, it snowed quite a bit in the Philadelphia area, most of it I think, right in my driveway.

Snow makes me grumpy and I have threatened – to no avail – many times to whack Mother Nature upside the head with my snow shovel if she didn’t lay off my driveway.

But over the years, I have changed my philosophy when it comes to shoveling snow. I used to believe the best way to attack the issue was to wait until it stopped snowing, then go out and shovel it all at once. The problem is that if we get a foot or more of snow from one storm, it’s difficult to lift that much snow.

So in recent years – and because of an aging back – I’ve taken a different approach. I now go out several times during a storm, maybe every two or three hours, and shovel a few inches at a time. It does require going out in the storm more often, but shoveling snow three or four inches at a time as opposed to 12 to 15 inches at the end has proven easier for me.

In addition, shoveling snow is downright unpleasant and boring. It was during one such snow event in early 2014 that I decided I needed a “Shoveling Theme Song.” For no particular reason – in between cursing a blue streak at that ratfink Mother Nature – the Statler Brothers’ song “Flowers on the Wall” popped into my head while I was clearing the driveway.

“Counting flowers on the wall, that don’t bother me at all.
Playing solitaire til dawn, with a deck of 51.
Smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo.
Now don’t tell me, I’ve nothing to do.”

The way I interpret that, the guy in the song keeps himself busy doing essentially nothing, even though he thinks it’s something. Those lyrics resonated with me as I kept myself occupied while doing a relatively unpleasant task three for four times in the same evening.

When I got finished with that round of shoveling, I came back inside and researched the song. It was released in 1965 and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard chart in early 1966. I was near the end of writing a book about memorable albums of the 1970s and the song and the album it appeared – the group’s debut album, also called “Flowers on The Wall,” didn’t qualify.

A little more research revealed that the Statler Brothers spent eight years, from 1964 to 1972, opening for and traveling with the great Johnny Cash. When it came time for the band to break out on its own – with Cash’s blessing – they started writing more songs and making more albums.

At about that time in 1972, the Statlers released an album called “Innerview,” which featured what would become their next big hit, “Do You Remember These,” the group’s second No. 2 single.

Of course, I wondered if I could track down the Statler Brothers and if any of them would talk to me about the album “Innerview.” The 30 chapters completed for “The Vinyl Dialogues” at that point were all about rock and roll albums. There were no country albums included, which was an oversight on my part because I am also a big country music fan.

It was fairly easy to track down the Statlers. The group retired from touring in 2002 and three of the four are retired and living in Staunton, Virginia, their hometown.

I explained the book project and made my interview request in and email and sent it to the Statler Brothers’ website. The request made its way to Debo Reid, who handles media requests for the group. He is the son of Don Reid, lead singer and songwriter on many of the Statler songs.

And Don Reid agreed to be interviewed about the album “Innerview.” What a wonderful conversation it was. Mr. Reid is articulate and humble and his recollections are detailed. He is a gentleman through and through, and despite enormous success, he has remained grounded and appreciative of all life has given him.

There was an incredible warmth and sincerity coming through the phone from Mr. Reid during the interview and I think those qualities show through in the finished chapter.

And after his retirement, Don Reid has become an author himself, so we chatted a bit about that as well. He was very much in tune with the reasons why I wrote this book and the feelings a writer experiences during a writing project.

I’ve been blessed to have had so many great interviews over the years. This was another one. It is so much fun talking to the people who made the music I grew up with.

But what I love the most about this chapter is how while shoveling snow, a Statler Brothers song popped into my head. And that simple thought led to another great interview that ended up being a chapter in The Vinyl Dialogues.

I would have never thought that when I first schlepped out to the driveway during that snowstorm.

Sweet sounds from the Philadelphia Folksong Society

Here are some of the CDs from artists who attended the Philadelphia Folksong Society music co-op at the Keswick Theatre.

Here are some of the CDs from artists who attended the Philadelphia Folksong Society music co-op at the Keswick Theatre.

Sometimes the cool just kind of sneaks up on you.

That’s what happened to me July 1, 2014, when I got invited to participate in The Philadelphia Folksong Society music co-op at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA.

My friends at the Keswick, General Manager Judith Herbst and Jennifer Muscatello, media and public relations coordinator, asked if I would be part of the event. Apparently after 38 years in the media business and now as an author, I have some insight into the starving artist business that I can share with other starving artists.

But since it was my introduction to the group and the event, I didn’t really know what to expect. Boy, am I glad I attended.

According to Noah Swistak, associate director of the Folksong Society, there are about 90 active artists in the Philly music co-op, several of whom perform at the annual Philadelphia Folk Fest, planned this year for Aug. 15-17 in Schwenksville, PA, (www.pfs.org). The society formed in 2011 as a way to include everyone under one folk umbrella and the Keswick gig provided an opportunity for those artists to meet, network with each others and share ideas.

But the best thing about this get together at the Keswick was the artists themselves. No surprise there as they are the creative people. And creative people are a good hang. Not only did I get to meet several of them, many were kind enough to offer a CD as a way to introduce me to their music. In addition, but I’m an autograph geek as well, so I went all Sharpienerd and got all the CDs signed as well.

Meeting new artists. Cool. Getting into their music. Cooler. Getting them to sign their CDs for me. Gravy.

These are people who put their hearts and souls into their music. Folks who love their craft. One can tell that just talking to them. Many, if not all, have to have day jobs to pay the bills because selling enough CDs and downloads these days is difficult and making a living getting one’s music out in front of paying customers isn’t an easy task.

I’m not a reviewer (and I’m still getting through all the CDs), but some of my favorite new friends from the evening include:

Geoff Hansplant and Dirt Track Racer (www.geoffhansplant.com). A rootsy sound with a bit of a Dylan vibe. And a cool band name.

Jeneen Terrana (www.jeneeterrana.com). I really liked the first track on the “See the Light” CD, “Benny’s in My Head.”

Dante Bucci (www.dantebucci.com). Dante was the one guy there whose work I knew. He’s a master of the handpan, which according to his website is “a melodic steel percussion instrument resembling a steel drum crossed with a UFO.” Whatever it looks like, dude can play it. I’ve seen Dante on percussion a few times over the years for Philly singer-songwriter Mutlu (www.mutlusounds.com).

April Mae and the June Bugs (www.aprilmaeandthejunebugs.com). April Mae and Dave “Catfish” Fecca have a wonderfully unique look and boogie sound, which explains the title of the CD, “It’s All About the Boogie.” “Catfish” is a cool cat, complete with a fish shirt and great facial hair. He even draws a little “catfish” next to his signature.

Black Horse Motel (www.blackhorsemotel.net). I’m about the same age as the parents of the band members, but the CD “Red Summer Spirit” makes me want to see them live. I promise not to yell, “Hey, you kids turn down that loud music!”

The John Byrne Band (www.johnbyrneband.com). Celtic/folk at its finest. Good enough to make me wish I was Irish.

Norman Taylor (www.normantaylormusic.com). Country blues and contemporary acoustic blues all rolled into one Norman. He also draws influence from, among others, ’70s rock and soul, which automatically elevates him high into my Stuck in the Seventies sensibility.

Hawk Tubley and the Bi-Temporal VI (www.hawktubley.com). In an auditorium full of cool band names, this one was my favorite of the evening. I have absolutely no idea what it means. But it’s just another in a long line of fun bands that Hawk has been a member of in his career, including The Hemorrhoids, Eat More Possum, The Freeloaders, Green Eggs and Partial to Mabel. Plus, I liked that his CD came in the same packaging that I used to get my 45 rpm records in as a kid in the 1960s.

Here’s the thing: Wherever you live, there’s likely a local music scene. And while we all like to see the big names in concert, there are some real hidden gems among the local artists. And oftentimes they open for the big names. So listen carefully to the opening acts.

Not all music is good and musical tastes are subjective. But pick out some local artists and give them a listen or go to one of their shows. If you like it, buy the CD and support their efforts.

And the first place to look in the Northeast is right here in Philly and surrounding areas. Take a listen to some of those 90 or so active artists in the Philly music co-op and support the Philadelphia Folksong Society.

You never know when the cool is gonna sneak up on you.

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