Earl Thomas Conley - Tell My Why - 1981  -  (Album - Fire And Smoke)

E-81

A hard reality of the music biz  - is history - which can be unkind at times.  Ohio native ETC was one of the most influential artists, best song writers, warm singers and country format trailblazers of the 1980's.  But like Steve Wariner, Dan Seals, Janie Fricke, Crystal Gayle and countless others who recorded terrific music over a long period of time have seemingly been left behind in history.   ETC was way ahead of his time with everything from sound, image, and style.  In the 80's we were not nearly as popular and didn't sell near the amount albums or concert tickets by a mile that we did in the 90's  -  and after -  and still.  Music videos were rare and outside exposure was even more so.  But ETC was making history that no one else had, as he scored 20 #1 songs including streaks of 9 and 7 in a row. (Read my profile on him below to see).  This song was from his first big album. It's a cutting country song that went top ten about a guy who is very flawed and is trying to come to grips with it.  This kind of song isn't recorded much anymore, and that's OK because times change, and trends do too.  This is traditional country in an era of very pop country, that really helped lead to the new traditionalists of the later 80's and 90's and today.

My Profile On Earl Thomas Conley