January 22 2021

Roll On

“Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler), ”was written by Dave Loggins. The song is most known as a hit song by Alabama. The single was recorded by the group in November 1983. It was the groups 12th straight single to hit #1 on the Billboard Magazine’s Hot Country Singles Chart.

RCA Nashville released the song on the album Roll On in 1984. As I recall this was one of the first albums that I owned. At the time I was 9 or 10 years old. I was going to be a Truck Driver when I grew up. I loved all things related to truck driving and this song fit my criteria. It is still a great song today. It tells the story of a man only called “Daddy” who drives his truck for a living and supports his family who is at home often thinking of and supporting him as he is out on the road.

What is less commonly known is that Alabama’s version was not the first version of the song to be released. Randy Parton, brother of country superstar Dolly Parton, recorded the song in 1982. His version was also released by RCA.

Randy Parton was a singer-songwriter, actor and businessman. He was the 8th of Twelve Children. (Dolly Parton was the 4th out of the Twelve) Randy recorded music for the soundtrack to the movie Rhinestone, which his sister Dolly starred in. He also could sometimes be seen playing Bass in his sister’s band.  Randy Parton is also known for a theatre in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina that once bore his name. After Randy settled with the city due to a controversy and continued troubles, the city now owns the theatre. It is now known simply as Roanoke Rapids Theatre.

Randy Parton lost his battle to cancer and died yesterday January 21, 2021.

“Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)” has also been covered by Aaron Tippin, David Alan Coe, and Saddle Tramps.

And Roll on Eighteen Wheeler… Roll on

Pancho.

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November 14 2020

Music vs. Pandemic

Country artist Joe Diffie died March 29, only days after sharing his diagnosis of Corona Virus.

John Prine, Americana Legend, died April 7 from complications of Covid-19.

Only days before the CMA awards, Lee Brice and Tyler Hubbard tested positive for Covid-19. Lady A also missed the CMA award show due to having a member of the immediate family who tested positive for the virus.

Is Nashville doing enough to protect it’s musicians and their fans?

Pinkie and I were planning a bucket list trip to Guitar Town in the near future. But after conversing, we are in agreement that now is not the time for inter state travel. This concept has certainly affected the musical industry more so than it has affected us.

Many artists have spoken out on social media that this pandemic is affecting their entire way of life.

When life is good again, I’ll be a better friend, a better person when life is good again. We’ve been brought to our knees. We’ve been so ill at ease, but there are no guarantees but life goes on. And when it’s over I’ll open up my heart and let the whole world in. I’ll try to make amends when life is good again

Dolly Parton

With the many venues either at limited capacity or closed completely these artists are having a harder time in doing what they do.

Selling out shows and selling merchandise is how singers and their bands make a living. And not to mention all of the behind the scenes that we never see. Think about the soundmen, the guys who set up the equipment, the drivers who get the band and it’s equipment from town to town, show to show? If the star isn’t working, then neither is the backup.

Can these venues and musical artists survive another lockdown?

Many artists have shifted to online events. One way we can help out as fans is to continue to watch them even if only online. We need to continue to buy the merchandise and music. If we only streamed our favorite songs from someplace like YouTube, then these artists don’t get paid. They have no way to pay their bills or to take care of their families.

I posted yesterday what Eric Church said at the CMA Awards.

 

“Music is about unity…it’s going to take everybody…to unite.”

Eric Church

This means us as the fans should be doing more to support the music and the artists we love. I don’t know about you, but for me, without music my life would be a dull blur. I am thankful for the many artists who have continued to write the songs and produce the records even though they have no where to go and perform it for the public. God Bless social media and the writers who are getting the information out on the newest and latest and greatest.

I am ready for the world to get back to some state of normalcy. Until then, I’ll keep my music up loud.

Pancho.

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September 30 2020

It’s Hard to Be Humble

Sometime in the nineteen eighties I discovered country music. My little brother and I would drag out the parents record albums and pretend to be radio deejays. We would introduce each singer and their song. Sometimes we would record this on cassette tape. Sometimes this taping would go on for days.

Sometimes it went somewhere like this.. “All the way from Lubbock Texas here’s one by Mac Davis”

Other times it went more like this 

Tequila Sheila: 

songwriters Mac Davis/Shel Silverstein 

I feel like old’ Pancho Villa, Sheila

I need a fast horse and a friend.

So pour me another tequila, Sheila

And I’ll ride for the border again 

However it went, most every radio show we ever did included Mac Davis. I still have the Album today.

Mac’s manager confirmed today,  that he died in Nashville following a heart surgery late yesterday. Mac Davis was 78 years old.

Mac had a music career that spanned decades. He enjoyed crossover success in that he wrote and performed in both country and pop genres and did well in both areas. During his career he released 19 studio albums and 38 singles. Of his singles,30 charted in Billboard between 1970-1986.

Mac grew up in Lubbock Texas. He moved to Atlanta Georgia soon after graduating high school. By his twenties he was writing music and performing music. 

Davis worked for a radio station by day and played his music at night. Through the station he made it out to L.A. There he met Nancy Sinatra and went to work for her and her company.

Davis songwriting peaked in the 1970 he was recorded by dozens of artists – Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, and Dolly were a few of the country musicians who covered his stuff. In the Pop circuit, he had Blaine Larson, Liza Minnelli, and even Elvis Presley.

Although he had achieved some success in the song writing world, Mac Davis scored big when Elvis recorded his songs “In the Ghetto”, “Memories”,  “Don’t Cry Daddy”, and “A Little Less Conversation”.

Priscilla Presley tweeted earlier today, “Thank you for your beautiful songs which will keep your spirit in our hearts, my dear friend.” 

Mac reached his peak as a performing artist in the eighties with songs like “Hard to be Humble:” , and “Baby don’t get Hooked on Me”

Mac once told a reporter that he wrote the song “Baby don’t get hooked on me” in 1972 after a record company had asked him for a tune with a “hook”.

The song reached #1 in Billboard top 100 in September of 1972. Some hook if you ask me.

Davis was an inductee in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame as well as the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Mac Davis once wrote “And when I die, You can bury me in Lubbock Texas in my Jeans”

I hope they do…

Pancho

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