The Music That Built Me, Volume 23: The Last One To Know

It was June of 1987. I was attending my very first Fan Fair. One of the events that I really wanted to go that year to was an autograph signing on Music Valley Drive – out by Opryland. (Yeah, I know. I’m dating myself. For what it’s worth, I also have fond memories of Harvey’s. Sears on Lafayette, and The Hungry Fisherman. So, there!)

Meeting the fans that day was the three-time reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Reba McEntire. I had been a fan of her music for a few years, and wanted to meet all the stars I could. This was Fan Fair, after all! The singer was signing at her brand new restaurant, and though it was miles away from the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, where the 23,000 people flocked to spend forty-six seconds talking to their favorites (not a put down, as I was on of them!), my father – bless his heart – made the trip – just like he did an additional 833 times to WSM Radio down the road to pick up prizes I won from the station.

Anyway, McEntire was a hot commodity, so the line moved fast. I didn’t really get to say much to her – not that I could have anyways. But, needless to say, I was smitten from that point on. To put this in perspective, this was before her hair, the red dress, and massive record sales. Her ‘do was short, Gold Records were about the top of the mountain in the business, and her buckles were huge. She wasn’t the glamorous artist that we all know here to be – yet. I think in the months to come after that, I used my allowance to buy every cassette (Yes, I’m old!) I could find of hers. That was a trend that continued to this day.

The first new album that she released after our “meeting” was that fall, The Last One To Know. Though her music – particularly since signing with MCA in 1984 – was very strength laden, this one was a little more personal. As you know, she was going through her well=publicized divorce from her first husband. Songs like the title cut and “I’ve Still Got The Love We Made” bristled with heartbreak. To me, the latter still ranks as one of her best performances, along with the anguished jealousy she expressed in “The Girl Who Has Everything.” And performances such as “Just Across The Rio Grande” and “The Stairs” are just as timely with their stream of social consciousness as they were in 1987, sadly.

But, there some lighter moments on The Last One To Know. “I Don’t Want To Be Alone,” “Someone Else,” and “Love Will Find Its’ Way To You” all were hopeful songs about how romance might be just around the corner – if only you believe. Well, I was thirteen then….and now I’m forty-one. I’m a little more jaded in the romance department, but still that hopefulness exists. I listen to those songs now, and still think of that mysterious blonde (or maybe that’s just a decoy. She could be a brunette, after all!) that might be out there. It’s amazing the memories that music brings out.

And, for what it’s worth, I did get a chance to have more than forty-six seconds with Reba McEntire. I’ve been privileged to interview her on three different occasions, and the crush still exists. I mean, come on, it’s Reba McEntire, for crying out loud!

Join me on the November 4 edition of “Crazy Chucky’s Country Classic Corner” as we shine the spotlight on The Last One To Know, one of McEntire’s all-time best……The show airs at 1pm, and is brought to you by Tennessee Properties. Join us!

A Note To Mama......

Mama,

It’s been ten years today. I didn’t mean for it to be, but this year seems a little more momentous than the others. I didn’t really expect this year to mean more – or to hurt more – than the others. But….it does.

I hope that you’re happy up there today. I know you’ve got a lot of family and friends around you – as well as a few furry friends. Hopefully, you’ve been acquainted with a little white Siamese cat named Chloe. She’s been up there a year ago yesterday. Still miss that one.

It’s interesting the way people look at loss. Like you get over it at some point. I’m still waiting. Don’t get me wrong. There have been some good days since October 26, 2005. There really have. But, there are still times where I think ‘What would Mama have said or done?’ And, I guess that’s a little more true today.

I wonder what you would think about my life – and the decisions I have made over the years. I would hope that you would be pleased  - at least 60 percent of the time. There are some things I wish I had back – but without them, I would not have some of the biggest blessings I know. I probably have a 50-50 batting average on doing wrong from right, but I try to stay in the game.

Work-wise, it’s been an amazing decade. I have been so blessed to be able to make what I do work, go a few places that I never thought I would-  and get to do things that I can’t believe. I don’t take any of it for granted. I still view myself as having snuck in the back door – not being as a legit journalist as others in the business – but that’s changed some. This year has been the most challenging for me, but somehow I have been able to keep myself viable and to even raise my game a bit. Of course, I am not so naïve to believe that it’s truly just my hands guiding the wheel – or the keyboard. God knows that without this job or career I would be lost, so he has stepped in and helped me so much – along with many in my career path.

Personally, uggh…..Well, some things never change. Though, in a sense, they have. I always thought I wouldn’t be complete unless I married and settled down. Did that. Didn’t work out. A lot of reasons – about 49.9 percent one side and 50.1 the other …..but, without having gone there, I would never have grown to the extent that I have. Spent some time with Zach this weekend. You’d be proud of him. I can’t say that I really had / have a lot to do with it, but I am so blessed to have that relationship.

I still get down on myself a lot about being single. I didn’t expect to be 41 and divorced. Being alone is not fun. Sometimes, I think it’s going to last forever. But, there are worse things. Every now and then, someone will come along that I will think ‘Maybe,’ but then my lack of confidence steps in. It’s nothing that anyone ever told me – for the most part – but I do feel that I’m not worthy of it happening again. I hope time proves me wrong. I have learned to embrace those times of loneliness – realizing that if someone does come along, I will be different – and make it better. I feel better about myself – but there are still days where I just want to hide in a hole. Unlike ten years ago, I know now that what I have is called depression. But, I’ve managed to make it through – with some really good help. I will probably always be like a cross between Charlie Brown or Gil Grissom from CSI….but at least I know! One day, it will happen….or at least I pray it does.

In any case, I just wanted to let you know that I miss you. Sometime this week, I’ll make my annual pilgrimage to Red Lobster and have that Pina Colada. Heck, I might even have two. I know that you are in a better place – and happy. I hear that Buck Owens is playing down at Heaven’s End tonight……Maybe you’re going to the show. (Yeah, I know where I can stick Buck Owens – and his records!)

I miss you. I love you. Until next time……

The Music That Built Me, Volume 22: Under The Influence

A few weeks ago, I mentioned how relevant Vince Gill's 1998 disc The Key was to reminding country music fans of the tradition of this great format. The next year, Alan Jackson took it one step further.

In the fall of 1999,  Jackson released Under The Influence, a collection of songs from the past that had influenced him. The first single was a remake of "Pop A Top," a 1967 hit for Jim Ed Brown. By that point, there was a whole new generation of fans who didn't know about Brown....or Mel McDaniel....or Johnny Paycheck, all of whom were represented on the collection.

Other artists had done covers albums before. So, Under The Influence wasn't unusual from that standpoint.....but, the album took somewhat of a different turn with the song selection being a little more obscure.

For example, he covered Haggard.....but not "Okie." Rather, he showed his a-game with "My Own Kind Of Hat." He covered Jones, but chose “Revenoor Man,” a forgotten side from “The Possum” during his wild and crazy days on Mercury Records.

Now, at the same time, there were some iconic songs getting the cover treatment – such as “Kiss An Angel Good Morning,” “Farewell Party,” and “Margaritaville,” which kicked off a nice working relationship with Jimmy Buffett.

Jackson’s hits from Under The Influence include “Pop A Top,” “It Must Be Love,” and “The Blues Man,” originally recorded by Hank Williams, Jr. for his 1981 disc Habits Old and New. With Under The Influence, Jackson served reminder to the older Country fans about the greatness of the format – and also an educator at how good the good stuff really was….and is!

Under The Influence will be the featured album of the week as part of “The Music That Built Me Series” on Crazy Chucky’s Country Classic Corner – Wednesday, October 28 from 1-3pm on WNKX 96.7 FM. The show is brought to you by Tennessee Properties.