Category Archives: Songwriting

No Particular Place to Go

Posted on March 22, 2017 by

Chuck Berry reportedly wrote that title in prison (for transporting a 14-year-old girl across state lines, violating the Mann Act).  The song devolves into an amusing anecdote when the the protagonist cannot get the young lady’s ‘safety belt’ unbuckled, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Country History, Country News, Songwriting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

HA’ppenings: Del Resurrects Woody!

Posted on June 28, 2016 by

Woody Guthrie reportedly left some 3,000 manuscript songs behind, most if not all lyrics without a hint of melody.  Back in the ’30s and ’40s there were no smart phones, tape recorders, and precious few wire recorders.  Radio stations had … Continue reading →

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Another Songwriter Gone: Guy Clark (1941–2016)

Posted on May 27, 2016 by

Guy Clark was a crusty fellow with a laconic Texas reticence, which belied a whimsy that comes out in some of his songs, like “Too Much,” Too much workin’ll make your back ache Too much trouble’ll bring you a heartbreak … Continue reading →

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“Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”: The Composer’s Grandson Writes

Posted on November 1, 2015 by

Almost two years ago I posted an article about the history of a hymn we have played on the Hillbilly at Harvard Christmas Extravangaza for years and years: The Stanley Brothers‘ recording on King Records of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”; … Continue reading →

Posted in Country News, Follow-ups, Hillbilly History, King Records, Songwriting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Favorite Album of 2014. . . Was Released in 2010!

Posted on April 17, 2015 by

But I just discovered Richard Brandenburg this past fall.  I was listening to an album I got from a California artist named David Thom at the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, a good album, which I enjoyed, but nothing … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, Hillbilly Journal, Radio Talk, Songwriting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment