Author Archives: sixstrstories
This Historic Day In Music: John Lennon
Like every other obsessed fan of The Beatles that I know, I have accumulated a sizable collection of books about The Beatles. One of those books is Beatlesongs by William J. Dowlding. The front cover of this 1989 Fireside paperback … Continue reading
Finding Covers – “Boots of Spanish Leather”
I awoke this morning with a song in my head. The song was “Boots of Spanish Leather” by Bob Dylan. But Bob wasn’t singing it. Martin Simpson was. Martin Simpson is the exceedingly accomplished British Folk musician rightfully revered as … Continue reading
Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five + One
The legendary Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five… Edward “Kid” Ory – Trombone Louis Armstrong – Cornet & Vocals Johnny Dodds – Clarinet Lil Hardin Armstrong – Piano Johnny St. Cyr – 6-String Banjo …made their first recordings – for … Continue reading
Light Amidst Dark – “Six Feet Apart”
My son turned me on to this song by Luke Combs in August. He asked if I could teach him how to play it and, over the course of a couple of Sunday afternoon FaceTime guitar lessons, I did. “Six … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: Buddy Holly
If asked, I could easily put together a list of my ten favorite Buddy Holly songs. In no particular order… “That’ll Be The Day” “Not Fade Away” “Oh Boy!” “Everyday” “Word Of Love” “Peggy Sue” “Maybe Baby” “Well…All Right” “It’s … Continue reading
Sparklers: “Shufflin’ The Blues” by T-Bone Walker
This is the seventh installment of this category featuring recordings of outstanding performances by noteworthy guitarists – or – outstanding guitarists giving noteworthy performances. That introduction used to include this explanation: It was inspired by whatever god oversees the shuffle … Continue reading
“Crazy Blues” – The Centennial
One hundred years ago today – August 10, 1920 – Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds recorded “Crazy Blues.” The recording was made in the New York City studios of OKeh Records. Ralph Peer, the recording director for OKeh in … Continue reading
This Historic Day In Music: The Carter Family
In the evening, on August 1, 1927, The Carter Family – Alvin Pleasant Carter, his wife Sara Dougherty Carter and Sara’s younger cousin, Maybelle Addington Carter – made their first recordings. The recording session took place in a make-shift recording … Continue reading
The First Record With A Fender
It was a Country record on the Capitol label. Released in July of 1950, Capitol Record #1124 was available in two formats: a 78 rpm 10″ shellac disc and the more modern 45 rpm 7″ vinyl “single.” “I’ll Never Be … Continue reading
