Gilmer's Gospel

     Between doing laundry and watching the Cavs-Magic game (did King James really hit that shot?) on TV, I started looking around on YouTube.
     Somehow, I found my way to watching Steve Perry’s classic rock hit “Oh Sherrie.”
     It made me think of some favorite songs with women’s names in the titles.
     Here are some of my favorites. Which ones do you like?
     You won’t see anything by Molly Hatchett or “A Boy Named Sue” on my Top 10.

     In no particular order
     “Mustang Sally,” Wilson Pickett: This song has been covered by lots of great artists. It has a good groove and is a song that’s perfect for jamming on a summer drive. Everyone in the car will sing alone. And this just comes ahead of Clapton’s “Lay Down Sally” as the top song with that name.
     “Barbara Ann,” Beach Boys: Anytime you put something repetitive in a song that sounds as good as “Ba ba ba ba” I’m going to dig it. As usual, this is great melodies from the Beach Boys and a fun song. Peggy Sue and Betty Lou just wouldn’t do. It’s gotta be Barbara Ann.
     “Hey Jude,” The Beatles: My favorite tune by the Fab Four. Love the piano work by Paul. The harmony by John and George. And the tambourine playing by Ringo. And I love the “na, na, na, nas” at the end.
     “Oh Sherrie,” Steve Perry: I’m a Journey fan and this sounds like a Journey song, even though it’s from Perry’s solo album. Perry has one of the most unmistakable voices in rock music and this is a showcase for it. Good hooks, good lyrics and a funny video.
     “Beth,” KISS: The softer side of the men with make-up. This Peter Criss-led song is the band’s highest-charting single on Billboard’s American charts (No. 7, according to Wikipedia). It doesn’t sound like a KISS song (the strings are orchestral, not guitar), but I’m sure most members of the KISS Army can belt it out at karaoke bars.
     “Billie Jean,” Michael Jackson: Lose a glove. Walk on the moon. Make lights appear in the sidewalk. And you too could sing this Jacko classic. I remember being in elementary school and thinking this was a cool song. It still is.
      “Jack and Diane,” John Mellencamp: It’s just a little ditty about two American kids growing up in the heartland. This can be a song about lots of young couples. While the song may be getting older, it’s still timeless. And the clapping hands in the video always make me laugh.
     “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” Tom Petty: A Rick Rubin-produced song, this is definitely a classic Tom Petty tune. Is it a song about drugs or a love song about saying goodbye? Heartbreaker Mike Campbell said that’s for listeners to decide.
     “Mrs. Robinson,” Simon and Garfunkel: Another oldie but goodie. I’m going to buy “The Graduate” soon because I’ve never seen it. When Joe Dimaggio passed away, I searched the Web for obits just to see how many writers used a lyric or two from this song. I know I did when I wrote a story for one of my journalism classes in college.
     “Peggy Sue,” Buddy Holly: Holly looks more like a chemist than a rock star, but he certainly was a star. One that got died way too early. This songs features his quick guitar playing and good concise lyrics. Holly uses his voice as the fourth instrument and it works wonderfully. (random thought: Ben Folds looks a little like Holly.)

     Other good ones: “Amanda,” Boston; “Anna Begins,” Counting Crows; “Delta Dawn,” Tanya Tucker; “Come On Eileen,” Dexy’s Midnight Riders; “Iris,” Goo Goo Dolls; “Jessica” and “Melissa,” Allman Brothers Band; “Rhiannon,” Fleetwood Mac; “Maggie May,” Rod Stewart; “Little Suzi,” Tesla; “Elanor Rigby,” The Beatles; "Sweet Caroline," Neil Diamond.

    Your turn. Any good ones that you remember?

"Mrs. Robinson"

 

"Hey Jude"

 

     It’s typical for musical groups to release a new album and then go out and tour in support of the new material.
     Jimmy Buffett is doing the opposite on his new tour.
     That tour arrives in Charlotte tonight at 8 p.m. (you can listen at www.radiomargaritaville.com)
     On this tour, Buffett will play new songs for fans who pay to see the shows or who listen on his radio station.
     I heard an interview with Buffett last week after leaving a baseball game and he said that he hopes to have enough material after the tour to release an album of new songs.
     It works because it’s Buffett.
     His fans will buy anything that has his name on it (T-shirts, mixers, tequila, CDs, etc.). Concert-goers will simply have heard the songs prior to getting their hands on the CD.
     I’m excited about the new music.
     Here are some youtube clips of the new songs. I’m ready for there to be more.

"A Lot to Drink About"

"I Feel Like Goin' Surfing In A Hurricane"



"Summerzcool"

George Strait sings one of his 237 No. 1 hits at the Academy of Country Music awards show on Sunday. (All photos in this blog are by Mark J. Terrill)

      I was 20 minutes late to this country music party in good ole Vegas. If that ain’t country, you can … nevermind.
     For the record, there is some country music I really like. Some I can’t stand.
     Here are some random thoughts from the Academy of Country Music awards ceremony:

     This tune “Johnny and June” was nominated for Song of the Year. I hadn’t heard it yet, but Heidi Newfield just sang it on the show.
     I’m sitting here on the Web and Googled the lyrics. Good play of words from famous songs by the country legends. The fire that Newfield sang in was a good touch.
     If she would have actually wore black, kicked out a footlight and gave everyone the finger (like the famous Jim Marshall photo of him), then she would have been more like Johnny.

     Hootie is there. Where are the Blowfish?
     I gotta admit, I’m a huge fan of Rucker’s voice and enjoyed most of his new country CD. There were a few songs that were too “new country” for me, but some that I thoroughly enjoy.
     Rucker just gave an award to Rascal Flats. I gotta admit – I really don’t like their music. His voice is a bit too nasally (or is it whiny) to me.

     Jamey Johnson has a guitar strap that reminds me of Waylon. Now Waylon was some good country music.

     My current favorite country group – the Zac Brown Band – just did a short teaser to the next segment.
     If you’re a die-hard reader of this blog (thanks, Mom!) you may have read about ZBB before … and before “Chicken Fried” went all crazy up to the top of the charts.
     My blog is here on them.
     Oh yeah, the band will play at Converse College on April 16.
     I’m reading a blog on Entertainment Weekly’s Web page where writer Whitney Pastorek writes that members of ZBB told her on the red carpet that “they plan to release two full-length studio records every year from here on out; in fact, they're already ‘way behind’ on their recording.”
     Sweet.

     Jamie Foxx just introduced King George.
     I’ll be Strait with you, by George, he’s just cool.
     I love the story comedian Bill Engvall tells about the time he met George Strait and asked, “So, you gonna be in Amarillo by morning?”
     Strait is the artist of the decade. Can’t they be said for the 80’s, 90’s and this decade? I mean, the guy had the audacity to release a CD of 50 No. 1 hits and had a new song on it. It went No. 1. That was No. 51.

     ZBB got robbed on “new artist.” I need to listen to more country music just so I’d know who this girl is who won. Or maybe I don’t.

     Could David Copperfield make some of country’s bad music disappear?

   
     Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift (pictured above) plays her own instruments and that’s impressive. On a show where a few female singers have simply sang, she’s plucking away on a baby grand piano.
     But I do have a question for her.
     What’s up Taylor, no water this year?

     I just found out WrestleMania is on tonight. And the Braves season opener. Hmm. I’m sticking with this, though.
     Glad I did, too. Kelly Cuoco just came out to give out an award. For those who don’t know, she’s the hot girl on Big Bang Theory.


    
     Sugarland (pictured above) just won an award. Jennifer Nettles (speaking of hot girls) just thanked someone named “Nannie.”
     You think Metallica thanked someone by that name when they were inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday night?
     Here’s something fun to do at church (and I thank my brother for this): when singing a hymn, imagine how it would sound if Metallica played it.
     Think "Amazing Grace" would sound a bit different?

    Country music stars should be from places like Memphis or Fort Payne, Alabama or Mount Airy, N.C., not Australia. I’m just saying.

     Got the Braves Gamecast going on ESPN.com now. The photo of Derek Lowe still has him in a Dodgers cap. I mean, come on, you’re freakin’ ESPN, get someone to change the “LA” to an “A” in photoshop.

     John Rich is now singing a song about the economy. What, nothing about saving a horse?

     Billy Ray Cyrus doesn’t pull off a soul patch very well. He didn’t pull off the mullet very well either.
     She should sing “Achy Breaky Heart” in her new movie (which her dad just HAD to plug).



     Apparently Carrie Underwood’s dress (pictured above) was supposed to be a big surprise.
     Well, surprise, she stole the poofy comforter off her bed.
     (EW’s Pastorek just made a Jabba the Hut reference. Classic.)
     And why redo a great Randy Travis song? He did it better.

     Yes, Brad, we see you. Talk into the camera. It’s just like talking to someone who’s sitting next to you.
     By the way, do you carry Little Jimmy Dickens around in your pocket so you have someone to talk to?
     Brad: Hey Little Jimmy, whatcha doing in there?
     Jimmy: Sleeping. Stop bothering me. Why are you even talking to me? You’ve got a movie star at home.
     Brad: Oh yeah.



     OK. There’s someone from Spartanburg on my TV.
     Yep, that’s Marine 1st Lt. Andrew Kinard (pictured above).

     Sugarland rocked. I really like Jennifer Nettle’s voice.

     Trace Atkins just called himself an idiot. Hey Trace, we knew this when you released a little ditty called “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”

     Carrie Underwood just won entertainer of the year. 
     Somewhere, Jabba the Hut is smiling.

     There aren’t many supergroups that have garnered my attention during my lifetime.
     Groups like The Highwaymen and Traveling Wilburys are two of the main ones.
     A new one, though, has certainly forced me to look forward to their debut.
     Chickenfoot is a silly name, but it’s the name of a new rocking band.
     Here’s the lineup: former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar and bass player Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani.
     I’m a huge fan of Hagar’s music, before, during and after his stint in Van Halen. I read last week about this new band and started finding a couple of tracks to listen to.
     It excited me. Good vocals from Hagar, with Anthony’s distinct harmony vocals, great guitar work by Satriani (he’s no Eddie Van Halen though) and hard drumming from Smith (who looks a little like Will Ferrell).
     Below is one of their songs for you to give a listen.
     While I was researching supergroups – on Wikipedia, no less – I came across another band that caught my eye.
     They’re named Tinted Windows and it’s a power pop band that has four members who I wouldn’t normally put together for a dinner party, much less a band.
     There’s Taylor Hanson (of “Mmm Bop” fame), James Iha (original Smashing Pumpkins guitarist), Adam Schlesinger (bass player of Fountain of Wayne, or more importantly, humorous tune “Stacey’s Mom” fame) and Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos.
     It’s an odd grouping, but it makes for a pop sound that reminds me of the hit song from “That Thing You Do.”
     Any way, here’s a couple of new tunes to listen to.
     Let me know what you think.

U2 frontman Bono helped open the Grammy Awards show on Sunday night as the Irish band sang their newest single. (AP photo/Mark J. Terrill)    


     Sunday night was the 51st annual Grammy Awards show. This is the one awards show that I sit down and watch from beginning to end.
     Here are some of my thoughts on the three-plus hour awards program.

     ... After seeing the performance by Coldplay, I’m going to give them another chance. I’m going to listen to “Viva La Vida” on Monday. Those guys wracked up some hardware last night.

     ... The Grammy Awards continued their tradition of odd musical pairings.
     This year it was putting the Jonas Brothers with Stevie Wonder. That one I didn’t get at all.
     But after hearing it, I thought the youngsters held their own.
     I’m glad they gave Stevie Wonder his own slot. He’s Stevie Freakin’ Wonder. He deserved that.

     ... I wonder if it was an odd night for whichever Jonas Brother broke up with Taylor Swift? Think he gave her mean glances backstage or passed her a note about reconciling?
     Excuse me, Mr. Kid Rock, can you pass this note to Lil’ Wayne and ask him to hand it to Taylor?

     ... Dwayne Johnson’s lines weren’t too funny. Go back to wrestling, please.
     Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?

     ... Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland cracks me up. She has a great twangy voice and her giddiness over being near Paul McCartney shows that superstars are just like the rest of us.

     ... Speaking of the Beatle, he still rocks. He should have played more than one song.

     ... U2 opened the show with their new song, “Put on your boots.” I like it. Can’t wait for the new album.

     ... Why was the pregnant lady dressed like a lady bug?

     ... I enjoyed seeing Jennifer Hudson win an award and sing on the show. With what she’s gone through, I’m amazed that she was able to do that.

     ... Did Katy Perry really ride onto the stage in a banana?
     Gotta love cherry Chapstick…

     ... If I were Boys 2 Men, I’d be a little ticked. They were on the show simply to sing back-up vocals?

     ... Kanye West’s hair is starting to look like Lionel Richie’s do from the 80’s.
     His performance was good, but it didn’t make me want to form a bust of him out of clay or dance on the ceiling.

     ... I’m glad that Adele won “Best New Artist.” And not because I’m a big fan of her music.
     I’d already made a decision that if the Jonas Brothers had won, I was boycotting music for a year and sending thousands of letters asking for a recount to the vote.

     ... I had a subscription to “Spin” magazine for a while and all the writers in that magazine seemed to want to talk about was the greatness of Radiohead. I don’t get it.     
     I loved “Fake Plastic Trees” and “High and Dry,” but couldn’t get into the performance on Sunday. The USC marching band was cool, though.

     ... I’m certain I mocked my parents for going to a Neil Diamond concert, but I sat on my couch and chanted “Bop, bop, bop” and “so good, so good, so good” during his hit “Sweet Caroline.”

     ... When I get to heaven, I hope that the angels sound like Allison Krauss.



Robert Plant kisses an award held by Allison Krauss. The duo took home a couple of awards. (AP photo/Matt Sayles)