A blog about Arts & Entertainment, Kern County, and Health & Wellness.
|
It's Rainin' at my Favorite Honky-tonk: For my friends at Trout's: R.I.P. Vern Never Mind the Bollocks: Here's the Alvis Edgar Wannabes: Our First Single/First Trivia Quest The BLT in BeaTLes: Answer this riddle to win Dr BLT cover of song by Buck's favorite band Dr BLTrivia: Identify what the girl says at the end of the Sour Grapes song! Win free blow-up doll! Sour Grapes and Lemons: Dr BLT featuring mystery female artist Sour Grapes and Lemons: Dr BLT's bittersweet tribute to Bako bitches, whiners and BLT wannabes If you don't want this to become Dr BLTopia, then contribute more posts! One Nation Under God: Dr BLT/Jennifer Mancuso Duet from Chad Vegas Interview Soundtrack Buck, It's Your Birthday: I'm writing a new birthday song for Buck every year Return to sender: Post Office to reject charitable song as "Not conservative enough"? August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 
RSS 2.0    |
|
|
I asked, and they graciously and enthusiastically agreed to host BAKERSFIELD'S NEXT BUCK TALENT CONTEST. I am humbled and honored by their hospitality. I've always said that, as it pertains to the Bakersfield sound, if lightening strikes twice, Trout's will be the lightening rod that catches it. The Bakersfied sound is not a thing of the past. It's a thing of the present, and a thing of the future. Trout's gets that, and they are taking the lead in the moving-it -orward-era of the Bakersfield sound. Thanks, Trout's, for taking the lead in being the venue that breaks down Bakersfield sound generation gaps, and has its doors, eyes and ears open to new artists Bakersfield-sound-grounded artists rising from the underground. This should be a fun, exciting event. Date/time TBA at Bakersfield Sound Underground Oops, it looks like I posted the wrong picture. I certainly don't want to stir up that Gorey debate again. I meant to post a picture of Chad Vegas. At the hands of the left, some would agree that Chad Vegas has earned the nickname of Hanging Chad, that I now offer, simply because some feel the left have him poised for this sort of neck-wringing public execution. What are your thoughts? Oh, and, by the way, if you are a repentant liberal, who feels you may have been a bit to vicious in your attack on Chad Vegas, feel free to use the comments section to offer your apologies. We all make mistakes, and, in the heat of the moment, we all say mean things we don't mean. Do you know what I mean? It's still not clear who the real winner is. And it's still not to late to enter and win. I'll be the judge, but you all get to vote. http://people.bakersfield.c... Altogether now: Bolthouse Rocks! Gulp! http://www.topix.com/news/g...
Breathing refridgerated air really isn't that healthy. If you hadn't noticed, that cold air blowing on your face can do a real number on your poor sinuses. As it turns out, air conditioning is not good for the preservation of a traditional definition of marriage either. http://people.bakersfield.c... By buying and drinking Bolthouse Farms drinks, on the other hand, you can conserve energy, spare the sinuses, support a traditional definition of marriage (one that ain't broken and doesn't need to be fixed), stay cool, support local business, and nourish your body with some pretty darned healthy drink ingredients. It's up to you. I can stand a little heat. I'm going to pick up a six-pack of some cold Bolthouse Farms on the way home from work. If you care to join me, here's to you! http://www.topix.com/news/g...
Welcome to Bakersfield Sound Trivia Quest. I'm Dr. BLT and I'll be your host. The link to this "hick" hop song, from the CD, Confessions of a Buckaholic, by yours truly, got it's first internet hit in 2006. It's called BYOB. Now, here's your trivia quest challenge: After listening to the song, posted at Art of the Mix, correctly identify what the letters B.Y.O.B. stand for in this "hick" hop hit by Dr BLT. http://www.artofthemix.org/... The answer will be revealed tomorrow at: http://www.bakersfieldsound... Remember this: If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' nowhere. The remix features my brother, Brad, member of a bluegrass band in Slovakia, and my daughter on keyboards, at the age of 2 (she's 3 now). Tell me where my daughter comes in (at the beginning, the middle, or the very end of the song, and win an autographed copy of the CD upon which the song will appear when the CD, From Buck Owens Blvd. to Merle Haggard Drive comes out in early September of this year. Catch the true story behind the song here: http://people.bakersfield.c... You must attend the CD release party to collect the free autographed CD, and details shall be posted here and at: http://www.bakersfieldsound... Remember If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' nowhere! Welcome to the blog series, Lyric Today, Hear it Tomorrow. That's the idea behind the blog series, but it doesn't always go down that way. I usually wake up with several songs beginning to perculate within my head. They all end up competing for space in my head. The song should speak for itself. But in the game of blog n roll, I'm supposed to supply a topic with every tune so you can talk with the aid of a conversational piece of music. Your topic is this: Have you ever felt like the character I've developed in this song? Waitin' for the next boot to Fall words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008 nu bako sound/Krocker Records
I've got a very lovely lady Lord that gal's bin good to me our house is little a magic kingdom she treats me like a king you see I've got it made with all my music and all my money and my fame I've got a love that's strong and sturdy so why am I in misery?
Chorus: I'm waitin' for the next boot to fall I'm waitin' for my next big heartache 'cause things are just too good right now and I am havin' such a ball I should be celebratin' too instead I sit here feelin' blue I sit and stare at these four walls just waitin' for the next boot to fall
my friends all tell me I'm insane they wish they had a girl like mine she's sweet and kind and gentle too you'd like to have her wouldn't you? so why do I just sit and cry what's so alive will surely die she's here, but still her name I call waitin' for the next boot to fall (chorus)
they say I worry about nothin' they say she'll always be here by my side my friends ask why I can't sleep and I won't have a bite to eat they say that I should see a shrink they think I act so off the wall she love me but I beg and crawl waitin' for the next boot to fall (chorus)
As long as we're talkin' Buckshot, the seed is good. In fact, it's superb. One of the seeds even comes from "the big tree"---Buck Owens himself. All of us who want to see the younger generations benefit from the rich musical legacy that was left behind with the Bakersfield sound have been busy cultivating the soil. But is the ground fertile and is it ready to receive new seed, to nurture it, and to watch it grow to the point of yielding a bona fide bumper crop? That's for you to decide. I provide topics and tunes, but I always leave the talk up to you. That's what blog n roll is all about. I want to hear your opinion, so please share that opinion in the comments section below. Ready? Set? Blog n Roll! It was a surrealistic photo session and a jam session of a lifetime. It's a long story, but you can catch the first part of it and catch the lyrics to one of the songs on the "soundtrack" to our Buck Owens ranch trek today at:
Good morning, Bakersfield! Today at Bakersfield Sound Underground http://www.bakersfieldsound... you can find out more about what the role this man, Lloyd Reading (pictured here with my daughter) is playing in moving the Bakersfield sound of yore to a new generation, and you'll be able to sample the song I wrote for her. It's called Bein' Your Dad. Remember this: If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' nowhere! The first two questions are contained in the subject line. This morning, after crashing a couple of nights at my place, my brother from Slovakia left, with his family, and they will be leaving the country in a few days, heading back to Slovakia, where he operates a language school and plays in a bluegrass band. The song title has nothing to do with my brother's departure. It has everything to do with the abandonment, in many cases, of real country music in pursuit of fool's gold. It's hard to find a good fiddle player in these parts, so I tried to get the most fiddle-playing out of him before he left. You will witness his fiddle featured on several songs of mine, including They're Leavin' the Country, the one posted today at: Bakersfield Sound Underground http://www.bakersfieldsound... My brother, Brad, is fanning the flames of a European Bakersfield sound revival with the Bakersfield-sound-based music he's been playing over in Slovakia.
If you weren't in the buckarooM last night for this historic recording session, you missed out. Then again, though I love the public, the event was closed to the public.
But that doesn't mean you can't go underground and hear a sample of the rough mix of Short Season of Love, the new duet about the short-lived romance between Buck and Bonnie Owens. Bakersfield Sound Underground http://www.bakersfieldsound... If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' nowhere! A new bako sound, future AmeriKERNa classic? You'll decide. I'll abide.
What this Country Means to Me Dr BLT hardly a day goes by when I don't play a song by old Merle Haggard and his boys hardly a night goes by when a Billy Mize lullaby plays next to that song by Homer Joy CHORUS that's what this country means to me the sound of the brave, strong and the free Jelly Sanders, Whittington songs that comfort like a friend that's what this country means to me
Buck was there to bring it on with his brand of country song Simpson's truckin' songs brought truckers home Sonny Langley and the gang songs they wrote and songs they sang that's what this country means to me (chorus)
now it's gone or is it so? is it comin' back to life how do we know we can feel it in the breeze whispered 'neath the withered trees all the things this country means to me (chorus) that's what this country means to you and me In my efforts to take the reins and assume the role of conduit for new brand of Kern county country, grounded in the Bakersfield sound, I've been preaching about mentoring, teamwork and collaboration. This song speaks of that sort of Kern county country comradery. Without further ado, I give you:
I'll Pull some Strings for You words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008
I heard you've been hitting the pavement goin' from city to town I heard you've been playin' in cheap bars honky tonks that bring you down chorus: I'll pull some strings for you I'll even sing for you my sing-string and me can do wonders for someone like you I'll pull some strings for you I'll make some bling for you my 6-string and me can do remove all those nowhere man blues
I heard you've been singin' your heart out to crowds that get smaller each day I heard they've been turning you down now you're homeless with no place to play by I've got some skills on this guitar they're bound to make your dreams come true when I lay down my leads on your best songs they'll be thrilled from their heads to their shoes (chorus) you're much too green to get famous well, that's what you've said once before by these fingers can work out the rough spots we'll leave the crowd yellin' for more (chorus) Mr. Lloyd Reading, formerly of the Bob Manning Trio and the Blackboard Playboys, is helping to bridge the Bakersfield sound generation gap, by joining a couple of younger Bakersfield-sound-rooted songwriters with a song that pays tribute to the Blackboard, the very plays he and his band-mates used to jam. Mr. Lloyd Reading is keenly aware of our efforts to bridge the Bakersfield sound generation gap and to make his music, and the music of his cohorts of the Bakersfield sound genre more accessible to younger generations through community education and mentoring. Hank Ray is involved in documenting Lloyd Reading's historic past by filming his rich body of songs and stories. Mr. Reading told us "I'll cooperate in every way. Just let me know what is needed." In the works are a recording in which he will sing this song with us, a song he helped us pen. There may still be a little editing to do, but here's what the three of us have so far: Them Blackboard Days words and music by Dr BLT, Lloyd Reading and Hank Ray copyright 2008 Nu Bako Sound Recordings/Krocker Records well, I heard you were there in the beginning back when country music was livin' back in the day them Blackboard days Mr. Reading, tell us a story 'bout that Bakersfield sound glory talk about the day them Blackboard days
chorus 1: them Blackboard days sittin', strummin' on the stage Mr. Lloyd Reading won't you tell us 'bout the Blackboard days them Blackboard days in the old cafe Mr. Lloyd Reading won't you tell us 'bout the Blackboard days
on the heels of the great depression well, I think we all learned our lesson back in the day them Blackboard days in the days of the Edison work camps picked guitars by the kerosene lamps back in the days them Blackboard days (chorus 1)
them Blackboard Days sittin' strummin' on the stage with the Bob Manning trio people gathered as the band would play them Blackboard days sittin', strummin' on the stage Mr. Lloyd Reading won't you tell us 'bout the Blackboard days (return to chorus 2) In this world of mine--the world of blog n roll, I supply the topic and the tunes, and you supply the talk. Simply use these lyrics as a springboard to get into formulating your answer to this: What 3 things do you need most to survive? Ready? Set? Blog n roll?
Roots, Rhythm and Boots to Fit In words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008 Nu Bako Sound Recordings/Krocker Records I don't ask for much 'cause I don't need much roots, rhythm and boots to fit in I don't cry or beg I don't have a sit in roots, rhythm and boots to fit in
all I want is what I need my hearts free not filled with greed grab your guitar join right in all I need roots, rhythm and boots to fit in
I don't need no fame or cash roots, rhythm and boots to fit in all those things, well, they just don't last roots, rhythm and boots to fit in don't need to travel 'round the world got myself a country girl all I need roots, rhythm and boots to fit in
you can have your fancy cars all that bling won't get you far what I've got's a simple taste roots, rhythm and boots to fit in I'm going to be hanging out at Trout's over the next few weeks fishing for these Kern County country stars of the Bakersfield sound genre. Or, Sonny, if you're out there, have your people call my lack of people. The same goes for you, Red! He's one of the last of the Bakersfield sound stars still living, breathing and walking the Streets of Bakersfield. He still plays at Trout's every weekend. His name is Sonny Langley. Unless you've heard him play, you've never really experienced a Sonny Night. I had to pinch myself in the BuckarooM last night to find out if I was really in the middle of producing this haunted, romantic ballad by rising nu bako sound artist, Hank Ray, or if it was a dream. As it turned out, it was a dream, but a dream come true. Hank Ray was over in the BuckarooM last night for a single-question interview that doubled as the song you are hearing right now. I was a bit circumlocutory in asking the question, but he didn't beat around the bush at all. You'll have to wait until the end of the song to hear his answer, but it's worth waiting for. Without further ado, I give you... Are You the New Hank?
Credits: words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2008 Nu Bako Sound Recordings/Krocker Records lead guitar: Hank Ray vocals: Dr BLT rhythm guitar: Dr BLT
It looks like, so far, the news on the review front is good for the last solo project to emerge from the closing doors of the old Buck Owens recording studios. For those following such reviews, here's the latest, this one by a music critic I have great respect for---Michael Dalton. Here is a link to Michael Dalton's review of The Buck Owens Studios Farewell Session by yours truly. http://www.tollbooth.org/20... Here is Dalton's review of my Christmas CD:, who also reviewed my Christmas album last year, Certified Gold, Incence and Myrr. http://mtdalton.blogspot.co... For Dalton to say such good things about the first 2 CDs of mine that he has reviewed makes me feel good. I'm humbled and honored. I'm humbled and honored by Hank Ray's review as well: http://www.bakotopia.com/ho... The CD, The Buck Owens Farewell Sessions by me, Dr BLT, can be found at these outlets: World Records 1824 G St. 831-3100 Going Underground 1822 G St. 477-8475 Russo's Books: The Marketplace on Ming Tramps in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and at my website: It's rooted in the past. It's grounded in the Bakersfield Sound. It's symbolically represented by the changing of the guard, or the passing of the torch from the Bakersfield sound generation to generations of younger artists and fans. It's hard to define. Some terms I've come up with are nu bako sound, krock (referring to the new crop of Kern County rock), and, most recently, AmeriKerna (like Americana music, but geographically and historically based in Kern County, and, more specifically, in the Bakersfield Sound). When most people think of AmeriKerna music, they either think of the elders from the Bakersfield sound that are most active in passing the torch and making themselves available as mentors and rock n "role" models to generation next, like Lloyd Reading, Homer Joy, Red Simpson and Sonny Langley, or they think of singer/songwriters who have made themselves available to receive the torch while it's still burning---folks like Hank Ray and myself (though I am clearly unworthy to be mentioned right next to the likes of the names I've just introduced among the first and second generation Bakersfield sound or, in our case, Bakersfield-sound-grounded artists). AmeriKerna doesn't draw big crowds, and it doesn't sell millions of records---not yet anyway. It's an underground loosely knit-group of musicians who share a desire to draw nourishment from the past as they reach for their own sound and their own musical identity (individually and collectively). My question to you today is this: Is there a future in a root-oriented music that is geographically and historically linked to the evolution of the Bakersfield Sound? As a blog n roll artist, I supply the tunes and the topics. You supply the talk. The comments section remains the best place for that talk to take place. Do you have an opinion on the matter? If so, share it here. If you haven't gone underground lately, you're missing out on some exciting action, like my recent interview with Hot Rod of FattKatt and the VonZippers. Along with Dusk Devils, this local act is on the cutting edge of the burgeoning Bakersfield-sound-grounded bakobilly movement. The interview is posted today at: Bakersfield Sound Underground http://www.bakersfieldsound...
Remember this: If you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' anywhere! At: Bakesfield Sound Underground http://www.bakersfieldsound... you find the complete edition of episode 2 of this new series: Songs inspired by Red Simpson. Red Simpson is to truck songs as Johnny Cash is to train songs. Red is one of the living legends of the Bakersfield sound movement that still resides in Bakersfield and still plays and sings his country songs every week-end at Trout's. This is the second song of mine that has been inspired by Red Simpson, the first being There's a Red Truck. This is from the forthcoming CD, Trout's Tall Tales. Visit the record store at my website for more information: Here are some of the lyrics posted at Bakersfield Sound Underground, where you can also sample the song.
I tried to take a trip way down to Mexico I didn't make it so I went to Ohio it didn't work out either got a broken wheel all roads lead back to Bakersfield chorus: all roads lead back to Bakersfield all trucks all movin' things with wheels all cowboys all truckers and even thieves that steal all roads lead back to Bakersfield What do you get when you take a beatnik, (or a post-beatnik), put a cowboy hat on him, and get him in touch with the Bakersfield sound history, and genre? Give up? You get a Bucknick! Buck's Bunkhouse is a new virtual retro Kern County country rock coffee house blog series at: Bakersfield Sound Underground http://www.bakersfieldsound... This series involves an innovative new blending of two retro cultures: The post-60s-beatnik culture and the post-Bakersfield-sound culture, involving a small, but dedicated few seeking to dig their heels deep in the old Bakersfield sound culture, while reaching to a new genre-busting futuristic sound. It's going to be pretty cool. The coolest part is that all Buck and Bakersfield sound fans can contribute by sharing in the discussions and helping to shape this new hybrid-of-a-culture. Remember, if ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' anywhere. |
