Set List Recommended
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Set List Recommended - Chris Stapleton
Christopher Alvin Stapleton
American country singer-songwriter and guitarist
Genres considered - Country, Soul, Country Rock, Bluegrass
Co-wrote six number one singles on the Hot Country Songs ... Artist collaborations include Kenny Chesney, Josh Turner, George Strait, Luke Bryan
Credited on albums for such artists as Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, etc.
Collaborated with such artists as Vince Gill, Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow, Ed Sheeran, Justin Timberlake, etc.
Debut solo album - Traveller (2015)
No. 1 on Billboard 200 ... 7x Platinum by the RIAA
2015 cover of "Tennessee Whiskey" (2015)
Certified Diamond by the RIAA
Second album - From a Room: Volume 1 (2017)
CMA Award (Album of the Year) & Grammy Award (Best Country Album)
Third album - From a Room: Volume 2 (2017)
No. 2 on Billboard 200
Fourth album - Starting Over (2020)
Grammy Award (Best Country Album)
Awards -
10 Grammys
10 Academy of Country Music
14 Country Music Association
5 Billboard Music
2 iHeartRadio Music
9 ASCAP Country
Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time (2023)
Chris Stapleton was ranked No. 170.
Chris Stapleton has opened for such bands as Guns N' Roses, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and the Eagles
I am not one for the country music genre. After researching Chris Stapleton's profound success as a band member, solo artist, collaborator, and multiple awards recipient, I might be swayed to consider country tunes.
Play it, Chris Stapleton!
Friday, July 4, 2025
Thursday, July 3, 2025
National Eve Birthday Season
George Michael Cohan
"Father of American musical comedy"
July 3, 1878 - November 5, 1942
American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and theatrical producer
George Cohan wrote over 50 Broadway shows and published over 300 songs in his career. He further wrote, composed, produced, and acted in over three dozen musicals.
Cohan's songs were known for "catchy melodies and clever lyrics."
Noted songs - "Give My Regards to Broadway," "The Yankee Doodle Boy," "You're a Grand Old Flag," "Forty-Five Minutes to Broadway," "Mary Is a Grand Old Name"...and more
Little Johnny Jones (1904) - Cohan's first Broadway production
Going Up (1917) - Film produced by George Cohan and friend, Sam Harris (producer and theater owner)
The Phantom President (1932) - Film starring George Cohan, Claudette Colbert, and Jimmy Durante
Little Nellie Kelly musical (1922)
Film adaptation - 1940, starring Judy Garland
Seven Keys to Baldpate mystery play (1916)
Remade 7 times
Latest version - House of the Long Shadows (1983)
The Meanest Man in the World (1920)
Film adaptation - 1943, starring Jack Benny
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) - Film in honor of George Cohan*
*Starring James Cagney...Academy Award for Best Actor
Mr. Broadway (1957) - Television special in honor of George Cohan*
*Starring Mickey Rooney
George M! (1968) - Musical in honor of George Cohan*
*Further adapted in a television special (1970)
Founding member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers)
1940 - Congressional Gold Medal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for contributions to World War 1 morale
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1970)
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Inducted into the Musical Theater Hall of Fame (1996)
Inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (2006)
Silent films of the early 20th Century paved the way to Hollywood's evolution. The Wizard of Oz proved that the impossible can be possible. Radio programs paved the way to television and small screen evolution. Silent films sparked the imagination of what the actors were saying. Radio programs sparked the imagination of backdrops to vocal comedy and drama. Black and white television took a backseat to the actors in comedy and drama. Technicolor television engages audiences along with the actors. Hollywood introduced, and continues to introduce, entertainment as pop culture.
Broadway preceded Hollywood entertainment as pop culture. I believe that the fundamentals of acting rest with the stage. The profession began with vaudeville on stage and formed into other mediums over time. I further believe that music standards adapted over time and into the present day were founded on Broadway.
I spent my childhood and teenage years attending musicals and plays. I gained a great deal of appreciation for culture and societal values from stage performances.
With that said, I am dedicating every Thursday in the month of July to musicians born on this day of the week. Why start with today?
Happy Early Birthday, United States...Happy Birthday, George M. Cohan.
That's why.
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
5-4-3-2-1 : Duran Duran
The Wild Boys & Second British Invasion Band
- Simon Le Bon
- Nick Rhodes
- Andy Taylor
- John Taylor
- Roger Taylor
Glam appearance & glam rock
Pop 80s & synth-pop rock
Always inventive & debut to now
5-4-3-2-1 : Duran Duran 5
Top album from the original lineup
Of the many, there are three that stand out - Duran Duran debut, Rio, & Seven and the Ragged Tiger.
Of the three, Rio is the most obvious selection.
Aside from Rio, Seven and the Ragged Tiger is my highlight to reflect upon here.
Third album
Released in November 1983
Genres considered - Synth-Pop, Dance
Vague lyrics & variety of topics
Overall theme - "an adventure story about a little commando team" - - - - Simon Le Bon
Poor critical reviews but a commercial success
Duran Duran's first and only No. 1 UK album
No. 8 in the U.S.
No. 1 in the Netherlands & New Zealand
No. 2 in Australia
No. 3 in Finland
No. 7 in Canada
No. 11 in Austria
No. 12 in Italy
No. 14 in Norway
No. 16 in Switzerland
No. 17 in Germany
No. 19 in Sweden
"The Reflex" impact on Duran Duran -
Remix by Nile Rodgers made the song dance oriented
Released in April 1984
First U.S. & second UK No. 1 single
Boosted sales of the album
Music video filmed during a live show as proof of being a live band and not just a video band
Review Scores -
AllMusic - 4/5 Stars
Classic Pop - 3/5 Stars
The Daily Telegraph - 3/5 Stars
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music - 2/5 Stars
Q - 3/5 Stars
Rolling Stone - 3/5 Stars
The Rolling Stone Album Guide - 3.5/5 Stars
Spin Alternative Record Guide - 6/10
Track List -
Side A -
1. The Reflex
2. New Moon on Monday
3. (I'm Looking for) Cracks in the Pavement
4. I Take the Dice
5. Of Crime and Passion
Side B -
1. Union of the Snake
2. Shadows on Your Side
3. Tiger Tiger
4. The Seventh Straner
Certified Gold in Finland, the Netherlands, & Switzerland
Certified Platinum in New Zealand & the UK
Certified 2x Platinum in the U.S.
Certified 3x Platinum in Canada
The Duran Duran debut album cemented the band on MTV with the controversial music video for "Girls on Film." The video for "Planet Earth" was intriguing as well.
Rio cemented Duran Duran as a household name.
Seven and the Ragged Tiger was Duran Duran's last chance at staying together for the long haul. After Live Aid, the band constantly split, partially came together, broke up entirely, worked on side projects, reunited, and after Astronaut you can go from there.
I have to note -
Musical contemporaries of Duran Duran's time saw profound success and reviews straight out of the debut gate. The advent of the synthesizer really helped shape Duran Duran as one to consider. Their "finally" moment came with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Yet, why were some contemporaries more well received early on? I always consider certifications, especially multi-platinum and higher.
On that thought, I will leave you to consider the question.
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Tune in to Hollywood
Steven Allan Spielberg
Did you know?
"pioneer of the modern blockbuster"
He is the highest grossing film director of all time.
Many of his films are considered the greatest in history.
Some of his films are among the highest grossing of all time.
Steven Spielberg's filmography
Some of his most recognized works include -
Jaws
Indiana Jones trilogy
Schindler's List
Saving Private Ryan
Catch Me If You Can
Lincoln
West Side Story
...just to start
Accolades -
3 Academy Awards/9 Nominations
(Best Director win for Schindler's List & Saving Private Ryan)
(Best Picture win for Schindler's List)
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award (1987)
He helped develop a merit badge in cinematography that was launched at the 1989 National Scout Jamboree. He was further presented with a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1989.
AFI Life Achievement Award (1995)*
*American Film Institute
Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1998)
(In recognition of Schindler's List and work with the Shoah Foundation)
Medal for Distinguished Public Service (1999)
(In recognition of Saving Private Ryan)
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures by the Directors Guild of America (Saving Private Ryan, 1999)
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Directors Guild of America (2000)
Honorary Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II (2001)
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2003)
Legion of Honor - France's highest civil honor (2004)
Inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame (2005)
Kennedy Center Honor (2006)
Visual Effects Society Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
Hugh Downs Award for Communication Excellence by Arizona State University (2008)
Cecil B. DeMille Award by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (2009)
Philadelphia Liberty Medal (2009)
Commander of the Order of the Belgian Crown - Belgium's highest honor (2011)
Records of Achievement Award by the National Archives and Records Administration (2013)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015)
Honorary degrees - University of Southern California, Brown University, Yale University, Boston University, & Harvard University
A full list of his awards and honors can be found here.
Did you know?
Steven Spielberg took to the clarinet during his childhood and sat in for the Jaws soundtrack.
Who knew!
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