FRIDAY FUNNIES - Mac Davis

Scott Mac Davis

1942-2020

Rest In Peace

Normaly, I would leave you with a funny video this week but since I'm honoring the great Mac Davis, I wanted to close this week out with the same way he closed out all of his shows. 

Country Blessings!

~ Kelly 

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Mac Davis

 

Good morning, Country Fans!

Scotty Mac Davis

1942-2020

I'm dedicating this entire week to the late Mac Davis. In case you missed the news or didn't see Monday's post, Mac passed away September 29th due to complications following heart surgery. 

I'm not going to 'review' Mac's music. The songs he wrote were pure magic for so many artists. Today, I thought I'd share a couple of those videos.

Don't Cry Daddy was a big hit for Elvis Presley

Something's Burning from Kenny Rogers and the First Edition :

Most recently, Wait 'Til I Get You Home -  this duet with Dolly Parton:

Country Blessings!

~ Kelly

OUT OF THE CHUTE - Mac Davis Remembered

SCOTT  MAC DAVIS

1942-2020

One of the most talented songwriters of all time left us on September 29th due to complications following a recent heart surgery. 

As a writer who focuses on Texas artists, I'd been thinking of Mac in recent weeks, wondering what he was up to, or even still with us. I decided once Bob went back to work and I got this baby shower behind me, I would do some research. Two days later I saw the tweet from Dolly Parton that he was gone. 

For a guy who sang a song called It's Hard to Be Humble, Mac was just the opposite. he wass a good ole boy from Lubbock Texas lucky enough to have spent more than fifty years doing something he loved.

His career began in the 1960's when Elvis recorded several of Mac's songs. He continued into the 1970s, writing Something's Burning for Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. While Gallery recorded I Believe In Music, the tune became Mac's signature closing song for his own shows. One of my favorites he wrote was Watching Scotty Grow, a big hit for Bobby Goldsboro (1971)

While he continued to write great hits (his  most recent recordings in 2014), Mac Davis also had his share of on-screen time with his own television show for two years and in North Dallas Forty (as a quarterback), with Nick Nolte. He was also a favorite musical guest on The Tonight Show.

Tomorrow, I'll drop in a video of one of my favorite Mac Davis tunes. Please share in the comments below what your favorite is. 

Country Blessings

~ Kelly

 

IN MEMORY - Don Williams

In place of The Party List this week, we are remembering the Gentle Giant - Don Williams.

May 27, 1939 - September 8, 2017

Photo courtesy of Kirt Webster - WebsterPR

Credit: David McClister

We Should Be Together was my first introduction to Don Williams. The song released in 1974. There was something about his voice that spoke to me. I was 13. As an adult, the lyrics found their own importance in my life. During my dance-hall/ bar days, Tulsa Time was one of my favorite tunes to flatfoot across a dance floor.

And now... Don Williams, The Gentle Giant has left us with only our memories of him and the great tunes he penned throughout his career. 

Born Donald Ray Williams in Floydada Texas May 27, 1939 his career spanned 50 of his 78 years of life. That's one helluva run, though his career actually sparked when he entered a talent contest at the age of 3. He won the honor of First Place and an alarm clock. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.  A Tribute to Don Williams album was released in May of this year. 

I was torn with which other video to showcase. You're My Best Friend is truly the song of my heart, describing my relationship with my husband of 33 years, Bob. But I think this one is best played now.

Country Blessings!

Kelly

IN MEMORY - Troy Gentry

On Friday September 8, 2017, Country Music lost another amazing talent. Troy Gentry, of Montgomery Gentry, died when the helicopter he was in crashed in Medford NJ where the due was to perform. He was a young 50 years old.

Born Troy Lee Gentry April 5, 1967 in Lexington KY, he was always the fun-loving, sensitive man we all came to love as part of Montgomery Gentry. He leaves behind his wife, Angie and two daughters Taylor and Kaylee.

Photo from MercuryNews.com 

We all expect to leave this earth at some point, and we don't know when. But we hope to never have our passing be the result of such a tragic means. A quote from Troy's official obituary may bring comfort to us all during this time:

A follower of Christ, Gentry faithfully attended Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., when he was not on the road. One of his favorite Bible verses was Deuteronomy 31:6, which says, "Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

This video - Troy's dedication to Merle Haggard  - showcases the voice that will forever resonate in our hearts:

A public celebration/ memorial service will be held Thursday September 14th at 10:00 a.m. at the Grand Ole Opry, 2804 Opryland Drive in Nashville and broadcast live HERE

Troy supported many charitable organizations including the T J Martell Foundation - the music industry's leading foundation for finding a cure for cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the foundation or to the American Red Cross for hurricane relief efforts.

Two men could not have been closer if they'd been brothers. That's what made Montgomery Gentry a lasting duo in Country music for almost twenty years (an anniversary album was planned to mark the occasion in 2018).

Montgomery Gentry were inducted into the Opry in 2009. This video was their last appearance on the Grand Ole Opry:

Country Blessings

Kelly

REMEMBERING 9/11 - Let's Roll

Let’s roll, America

Let’s roll, over the fields

Let’s roll, roll on to better days

Forever remember the toll

For the flag at half -mast on the pole

To honor a lost hero’s soul

Let’s roll….

                                                                               

                                                                                       Let’s Roll by MikeBlakely

                                                                                                       ~2003 Faded BlueLP