As I sit here drinking coffee at my home in Cape Coral getting ready to celebrate another Thanksgiving, I am thinking of many from my past.  There is nothing wrong with a pool view and some music playing right now as preparations are getting underway in the kitchen.  I am thinking of how lucky I am on this Thanksgiving 2023. But even though Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday, I am thinking of how many different ways I have spent it.

My first Thanksgiving away from my hometown was a quiet one, I was alone and watching Detroit Lions on TV when a neighbor, Susie brought me a plate or two from her family's celebration.  I was very moved and thankful, and that meal sure tasted good, even if I are it alone.   As I moved around the country, I spent 23 Thanksgivings with other family's and I am thankful for every single one.  In Richmond one year a bunch of us young radio people in the same boat had a big feast as we were each others family that year. 

I spent it with some family's I hardly knew, some with new girlfriends then and their family's.  Some with my lifelong friend Tim in Florida, and another few with my life long friend Ray there too.  My life long friend Don, (Beef) has had me over for more holidays than I can count.  And for all of them, I am eternally thankful.  

I guess family can be big and ever expansive.  I am thankful today for my weekend here at my home with the beautiful Windy who makes holidays yummy and fun for me and us.  And to the other family's. Ray's, Tim's and Don's all who I consider family as well, even though our names are not the same.   I love all of them very much.

Wherever you are today or whose family you're with be thankful.  And if you are that hero inviting someone over who is far from their own immediate family - you are doing something more special than you may know.   Take it from me, a journeyman for many years, it means so much to get that invite and be thought of on a special day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Vince Gill  - You And You Alone  - 1997

As decorated as Vince Gill is, it's tough to imagine there are songs of his that might be in the Forgotten Jukebox.  But most artists  -  regardless of their status have a few songs in there.  This song is one of my favorite Gill songs, and even though this only went to number 8 on the charts, it's a wonderful ballad.  It was the fifth single from one of the best country albums ever recorded, his High Lonesome Sound masterpiece.  This album is so insanely good that 4 other singles were released before it.  Gill was hosting the CMA's then, and he performed this song on the awards show that year and it's one of the best performances I have ever seen on the broadcast.  Gill was really on top at this time as he hosted the CMA's many times and was winning them at an even faster pace.  This song did not win one, but this is a beautiful ballad from country's best decade.  Incredible background vocals too from Shelby Lynne, and she sang it with him on the CMA's as well.

My Full Profile On Vince Gill

Luke Combs - When It Rains It Pours -  2017

Hit songs don't get much bigger or better than this.  This was the catalyst for making Luke Combs the gigantic star he now is.  His first single, Hurricane is great and a big number one.  But many times what you do next is the big move.  What I am saying here takes nothing away from the greatness of his debut song, or the incredible line of terrific and creative number ones that continue still. But this is the song that every new country artist prays for every night when they go to sleep, but seldom get.  We have to remember in 2017, we didn't know Combs - he was a new artist.  But this song elevated Combs, as the sales of this song world wide are nothing short of staggering.  This is fun, relatable, makes you smile and a perfect match for who he is. This is extraordinarily visual and when you hear it for the first time you picture a dude like Combs singing it.  This of course was a #1 and sold millions upon millions and topped charts all over the place.  In short, in my 43 years behind the mic in country radio, this is one of the very best country songs I have ever played. It's really tough not to love this terrific song.

Last Week #6

It's Thanksgiving week and the feed is on!  Maybe this year you are looking for different desserts to serve after everyone has gorged themselves on 20 pounds of turkey. These are some great alternatives to pie!  Or in my case in addition to pie!

Enjoy!

Desserts - It's The Week For Them!!

The Browns got one of their biggest wins in years Sunday over the Ravens and did a whole lot to help their chances of competing in the NFL's toughest division.  I didn't call it by any means but I did say this in my article last Sunday...

"The law of averages say the Ravens are due to lose a game.  Maybe today?  Not many teams just roll through one great team after another, and not many start 8-2."   -    (Last weeks article)

The Browns played well and got the Ravens on a beatable day taking advantage of them on the road. This team continues to improve as does the decision making from the sideline and that is making a huge difference. When we don't beat ourselves, we are tough to beat.  The defense also is carrying the day, even though the Ravens posted 31 points.  An early pick 6 and a fumbled punt pretty much gave them 14 points.  But that stuff happens on the road, and  in the end the defense played pretty darn well.  Baltimore also helped us by calling a terrible offensive game that didn't really include Lamar doing Lamar things and that was a big deal.  I flat out didn't understand it, but we'll take it.  And we also did get a break or two from the officials who continue to be awful.

This game was won on the offensive line, as they were physical and beat up the Ravens most of the day wearing them down.  And GAME BALL to guard Wyatt Teller!  He dominated the interior line AND when Watson coughed up a HUGE fumble late in the game, his fumble recovery SAVED the game without any question. The O line played a tough game against a great defense and gave Watson enough to get the job done.

And today it's the same deal, even tougher, with DTR at the controls and Walker waiting if things go horribly wrong. The Steelers D-line has wrecked many games for the Browns and they're winning games by doing just that. The Browns O-line will need another GREAT game today to give the offense enough.  The only way we are going to win games for the rest of the season is that formula right there. Run, control the offensive line and play incredible defense.  Funny, that's kinda how we have gotten this far when you break it down. But that formula will have a shelf life as weeks go on and teams realize we are limited on what we can really do.

The surprising Steelers are 6-3 and have been out gained in every game this season.  That trend can't possibly continue much longer, it's bound to catch up with them, hopefully today.  But they are coached by the best head coach in the NFL who's having a GREAT season, and our staff must respect that and match him.  The Browns can win this game, just score some and don't let Watt ruin DTR and the day.  

GO BROWNS!!!

Browns - Today's The Day

Eat Of The Week

50 Favorites From 40+ Years - #6

Forgotten Jukebox - S-00

Browns - Not A Team Thing

Country Music Memory Lane - Glen Campbell

Wynn At The Movies And More

Box Office Results - The Marvels   -    (47 million)

#2 Five Nights At Freddy's  -   (9 Million)       #3  Era's Tour   -  (5 million)

New This Week - Thanksgiving  /  The Hunger Games:Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes

BTW Again - Napoleon -  (Thanksgiving)

The Actors Strike - Is over

Amazon! - Amazon is in "serious talks" to do a live-action Masters of the Universe movie after Netflix dropped a planned film in July.

The Marvels - Tanks at the box office only 47 million -  (Budget was 220 Million)

The Christmas Comedy Elf - Turns 20 this month - $225 million at the global box office. (Jim Carrey – was originally offered Buddy)

A Christmas Story - Turns 40 this year

This Weekend – Check out my Country Music Memory Lane (link)

Also - My 50 Favorites Over 40+ Years This Week #6  (Link)

He's a little further back than we usually go, but his popularity, talent and influence brings him forward to here. If you know about Glen Campbell then you should consider yourself lucky.  And If you're too young to know him, the first thing to know is he is the kind of star we really don't have anymore.  I'm not stating he's better than today's stars, he was just different and did everything very well that you can do in entertainment for a very long period of time. In some ways I liken him and you could compare him to Vince Gill as he was an original with his own style, talent and likeability.  And like Vince, he was a true Mega Star.  And like Vince again, I could've seen him filling in with the Eagles.   I played his music on the radio for many years, years ago.

Huge Hit  - And Theme To His TV Show

First off, entertainment itself then was very different.  TV was the biggest of deals then and he had his own TV variety show. He was also on everyone else's show every week as the weekly variety show was king.  He was a very popular concert act, he was a country music star, a pop singer, and an absolute world class guitar player as he played with everyone including the Beach Boys and about every other big star and group.  He made many movies, and granted he was not the best of actors, but he was in the original True Grit with John Wayne in a major role. He was a do it all performer without question.  And for the most part that -  is extinct to the degree that he did it.

Huge Hit - Since Recorded By Dozens Of Artists

The music he recorded was incredible.  He had without question the best songwriters on the planet writing songs for him personally.  John Hartford, Jimmy Webb and others, (Google them). Campbell then recorded these songs and developed pretty much his own category of music, that had big success on the country and pop charts.  He was a performer that had immense universal appeal and seemingly everyone loved him. Campbell's recording career spanned many years and through many phases of country being immune to the trends of certain eras.  No matter what style was in fashion, he recorded Glen Campbell songs.

Considered One Of The Greatest Songs Ever Recorded - Been Recorded Hundreds Of Times

Many of his songs did what great songs do. They put a person in a place for a reason and it was open for your interpretation.  The songs he was getting were insanely visual and that is the definition of a well written song. His beyond incredible many octave range was very rare and also meant most songs were available to him.  Many of his biggest songs are enshrined in various National Libraries and National Archives forever.  Wichita Lineman is one of the most decorated songs ever for any kind of music, and it actually started country to shift to a new more mainstream direction. (Check Out My Favorites On This #6) . And Gentle On My Mind is one of the most loved written songs ever, as it was his theme song, it's also a lyrical masterpiece.

Hit Songs Don't Get Much Bigger Than This

His guitar playing is legendary and his performing was too.  Even at the end of his life with Alzheimer's taking over his mind, he performed concerts till the very end as his daughter was on stage guiding him through, as he could still remember the music.  He was a truly remarkable talent, and an international star in every regard.  Campbell won 10 Grammy's, 10 ACM's, 3 CMA's, 3 AMA's, 3 Dove Awards, he is in every hall of fame there is, and charted 82 singles, from 64 albums that sold 80 million copies.

Big Song #1

Glen Campbell did so much more than we can write about here. Yes, he also dated Tanya Tucker and that made tabloids.  But he was one of the biggest, most influential singers in country and pop music history and his legacy is simply amazing.  Campbell died in 2017 at the age of 81.

From A Different Time - Still A Loved Song

And you thought all he did was sing Rhinestone Cowboy.

Powerful Song #1

The Guitarists Series - Part 2

Incredible Guitar With Steve Wariner

Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman - 1968

As we near the top of my list, it's a good time to remind you that these are "My Favorites"  that I have played in my 43 years behind the mic.  The songs on this list don't have to be released in that time -  just played.  In 2024, I will have a weekly series here, "The 50 Most Important Country Songs 1980 To Today"   That starts in January - and THOSE will have to be released in that time period.  And those will not necessarily be my favorites either but I call them as I see and saw them.

This song is pure magic with many calling this of the best songs ever recorded, and I played this gem for many years on Country Radio.  It's three minutes of absolute gold that belongs to Glen Campbell.  Sure, Rhinestone Cowboy is the one that always comes to mind from him, but this is to me the jewel of his career.  Bob Dylan says this is the best song ever written.  And so have many others.  Jimmy Webb was a beyond brilliant song writer that penned a few for Campbell including this one.  This is as universally loved as a song can be, number one country, number one pop, and has been inducted into about every Registry, Music Library, and Hall Of Fame there is.  But this masterpiece has a legacy that changed country music at its core.  It was a "thinking mans song."  It went far deeper than about every other country song with a much more powerful theme.  It's wide open to your individual interpretation, as it is emotive and more than anything, it's visual!  This was a different way to present country.   It started a whole new style that would lead to being far more accepted by the masses and relatable to almost all because of its personality and approach.  I don't think they knew it at the time, but they were recording one of the most pivotal and important songs in our history.  It was that era's  -  The Dance -  by Garth Brooks.  I always felt The Dance was patterned after this.  Take a listen - see the similar style, feel and arrangement from start to finish.  

Like The Dance, this is more than a song, it's a work of art.

Last Week #7

Glen Campbell - Featured In My Guitarist Series