Country Music lost another legend this past weekend. Though the name Jimmy Dean has become more synonymous with sausage than with his musical talent. Jimmy Dean was 81.
Born in 1928 near Plainview TX, Jimmy Ray Dean fell in love with music at an early age, learning to play the piano by the age of 10. It didn’t take him long to master other instruments as well.
His musical career followed his service in the Air Force. He formed a band in Washington DC called The Texas Wildcats. Their first national hit came in 1953, Bummin’ Around.
His long television career began in 1955 on the Town and Country Jamboree on WMAL in Washington and later the Jimmy Dean Show on CBS until 1959. Other tv shows would include his prime-time hour on ABC from 1963-1966 where he opened his shows with every country act of the day. His last series was Jimmy Dean’s Country Beat in 1984.
Mr. Dean had his first big hit, ‘Big Bad John’, the first song he ever attempted to write, and is the one he is most noted for still today. Other songs included ‘The First Thing Every Morning’ and ‘Slowly’ – a duet with Dottie West, and gospel music.
You may read his obituary here:
http://www.legacy.com/NS/Obituary.aspx?pid=143577302
Happy Trails, Jimmy Dean
Country Blessings
Showing posts with label Remembering.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label Remembering.... Show all posts
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Remembering Les Paul
Sad news reached my mail box over the weekend. The legendary Les Paul had passed away. In doing some digging in my personal research sources, I was surprised to find Les Paul was not mentioned in either of my Country Music Encyclopedias.
I know when many think of Les Paul, they think the outstanding Les Paul guitars artists longed to have. If a man wanted to play guitar, you can bet he hungered to own an honest to goodness Les Paul. Not cheap by any means. And I think to some, if they could afford one they thought they were on their way to great things.
Les Paul wasn't just about guitars. He was a magician and a pioneer in using multi-tracks in the recording studio. What he couldn't do with a guitar, he did in the studio. His talents spread across genres and generations.
I have to wonder who will ever contribute so much to music and leave such a lasting impression on the industry the way he did.
But then it's impossible to replace a legend.
Play on Les Paul!
Country Blessings!
I know when many think of Les Paul, they think the outstanding Les Paul guitars artists longed to have. If a man wanted to play guitar, you can bet he hungered to own an honest to goodness Les Paul. Not cheap by any means. And I think to some, if they could afford one they thought they were on their way to great things.
Les Paul wasn't just about guitars. He was a magician and a pioneer in using multi-tracks in the recording studio. What he couldn't do with a guitar, he did in the studio. His talents spread across genres and generations.
I have to wonder who will ever contribute so much to music and leave such a lasting impression on the industry the way he did.
But then it's impossible to replace a legend.
Play on Les Paul!
Country Blessings!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Remembering Dan Seals
March 25, 2009 marked an end of the life for one of the most down to earth people in the music industry.
One look at a picture of Dan Seals’ smiling face and you know he was genuine.
From way before his early career as part of England Dan and John Ford Coley to his days on the country music charts, Dan Seals’ heart never skipped a beat when it came to people. With a career spanning four decades in both the pop and country venues, Dan touched everyone he met with his music and his compassion. No one was a stranger.
My first memory of Dan Seals came in 1976. The lyrics for "I’d Really Love To See You Tonight" and their follow-up hit ‘Nights Are Forever Without You’ struck a chord with American teenagers in love. "It’s Sad To Belong to Someone Else" still rotates on my play list when I’m working on a romance novel.
In the 1980’s Dan moved onto the country charts as a solo artist (Bop and All That Glitters) and as a duo with Marie Osmond (Meet Me In Montana). These hits showed a cowboy side of Dan, the Texas born and bred man his family knew existed all along. In recent years, Dan was touring with his son, Jimmy.
Like any legendary cowboy, Dan was all about making the world a better place to live. On the links I visited in researching forgotten memories, one quote kept reappearing on the pages…
The earth is but one country and
mankind its citizens
Dan left behind a loving wife—Andi, their four children-- Jimmy, Jeremy, Holley, Jesse. Seven grandchildren-- Megan, Abby, Zachery, Ruby, Kathrine, Robert and Luca. His brothers Jimmy (of Seals & Croft), and Eddie (Eddie and Joe) and his sister, Renee are also among his close-knit family left to remember the tender soul who touched so many of us.
Country Blessings, Dan, on your journey.
One look at a picture of Dan Seals’ smiling face and you know he was genuine.
From way before his early career as part of England Dan and John Ford Coley to his days on the country music charts, Dan Seals’ heart never skipped a beat when it came to people. With a career spanning four decades in both the pop and country venues, Dan touched everyone he met with his music and his compassion. No one was a stranger.
My first memory of Dan Seals came in 1976. The lyrics for "I’d Really Love To See You Tonight" and their follow-up hit ‘Nights Are Forever Without You’ struck a chord with American teenagers in love. "It’s Sad To Belong to Someone Else" still rotates on my play list when I’m working on a romance novel.
In the 1980’s Dan moved onto the country charts as a solo artist (Bop and All That Glitters) and as a duo with Marie Osmond (Meet Me In Montana). These hits showed a cowboy side of Dan, the Texas born and bred man his family knew existed all along. In recent years, Dan was touring with his son, Jimmy.
Like any legendary cowboy, Dan was all about making the world a better place to live. On the links I visited in researching forgotten memories, one quote kept reappearing on the pages…
The earth is but one country and
mankind its citizens
Dan left behind a loving wife—Andi, their four children-- Jimmy, Jeremy, Holley, Jesse. Seven grandchildren-- Megan, Abby, Zachery, Ruby, Kathrine, Robert and Luca. His brothers Jimmy (of Seals & Croft), and Eddie (Eddie and Joe) and his sister, Renee are also among his close-knit family left to remember the tender soul who touched so many of us.
Please take a moment to visit his web page http://www.dansealsfanpage.com/mypage216.htm
and send a memory to his family.
and send a memory to his family.
Country Blessings, Dan, on your journey.
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