BIRMINGHAM RECORD COLLECTORS
DEDICATED TO THE COLLECTING OF MUSIC, ITS PRESERVATION, AND LASTING FRIENDSHIP
MONTHLY MEETING THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 8th, 2015
2:00 PM HOMEWOOD LIBRARY – 1721 OXMOOR ROAD 35209
NEXT MEETING SUNDAY, APRIL 12th, 2015 THE SECOND SUNDAY
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS THIS WEEKEND
TURN YOUR CLOCK AHEAD 1 HOUR
THIS MONTH’S MEETING
In March, we will continue to remember Buddy Holly by watching the Video “Buddy” The Buddy Holly Story. NO, this is not the 1978 Gary Busey Movie that inspired the Paul McCartney BBC video we watched in February titled “The Real Buddy Holly Story,” but is instead the London Stage Play. This stage show ran for over 13 years in the “West End” Theater District in London and was a very successful production. Everything is done “live” with all performers playing their own instruments and doing their own singing without any pre-recorded vocals or music accompanying. The video run time is approximately one hour and 20 minutes and was recorded live at the Strand Theater in London. We are planning to project it on the big screen with additional speakers to better enjoy the video.
PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
I am learning that being President of BRC involves a lot more than just the monthly meetings. A lot of exciting things are happening and I feel fortunate to be in the middle of the action.
A group of us had the pleasure of an outstanding performance on the 21st of February by Larry Parker and the latest edition of The Loafers at The Club. I mean…WOW! Sounding better that I ever remember them, it was a super evening. Larry had a sax player who had toured with Taylor Hicks and played four instruments. He was fantastic! Also with the group were a very talented keyboard man and several group members who carried a good bit of the vocals. Of course the food was super (love those orange rolls). The music attracted people to the dance floor from not only the dining room but from other parts of The Club. Hopefully the management will invite Larry back for a third performance and if so we will plan another BRC club outing.
If you were at the February meeting you know that the club has voted to offer light refreshments and soft drinks starting in May. Charlie Bailey has offered to take that month and we have volunteers through 2015. The club will pay for the expenses involved with this. Tom will continue to provide food through the April meeting.
I have had meetings with interested people and begun research on finding a permanent location for the Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame. We have had the need for a place to display the plaques since we began this honor a number of years ago. I will have a report at the March meeting and I am open to your suggestions and assistance in making this a reality. It is one of the best things we do and our honorees deserve a public display to honor their part in the music scene in Birmingham and Alabama.
Remember the meeting will be early again this month on March 8th. See you there!
Ray
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
I was going through some 45’s the other night separating those I wanted to keep and those I didn’t. I came across the Leroy Van Dyke 45, ‘If A Woman Answers (Hang Up The Phone’). I was about to put it in the ‘don’t want’ pile when I decided to see who the writer was thinking I’d see the name Van Dyke, Singleton, Howard, Owens, Acuff, or someone like that. But to my surprise I saw the names, B. Mann / C. Weil. Yep, the same Mann and Weil who were so prominent in the 60’s giving us songs of the Brill Building genre. I decided to check into their whereabouts so I thought I’d share what I found out with you.
Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil worked for Aldon Music, a company started by Don Kirshner and Al Nevins in 1958. Over the years they gave us songs such as ‘Kicks’, ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’, ‘Blame It On The Bossa Nova’, ‘I’m Gonna Be Strong’, ‘On Broadway’, ‘Walking In The Rain’, and the song that is rated as the most played song of the 20th century, ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’ – the estimate is that if all the plays this song got were to be played back-to-back, 24/7, it would equal 65 years of continuous airplay. They both co-wrote songs with other people that became hits as well with Barry Mann having his name on ‘She Say (Om Dooby Doom)’ and ‘I Love How You Love Me’ and Cynthia Weil teaming up for the Lionel Ritchie hit, ‘Running With The Night’.
They have had two number one songs, many top forty songs, won Grammy’s, been inducted into numerous Hall of Fame’s, and have received 112 pop, country, and R&B awards for their work and 115 Millionaire awards which signifies radio performances of a million plays or more. But the one thing I found to be their best effort and honor could be that of being married for 53 years. They met while working for Aldon Music, doing what so many others there were doing there, forming a songwriting team. From there it lead to their marriage in 1961. Being in the business they were in makes it very difficult to keep a marriage together but the two have done it.
They now operate a publishing company called Dyad Music. Barry is also an accomplished photographer having his work on exhibit in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Cynthia has co-written a children’s book entitled ‘Rockin’ Babies’. They both have done film and plays as well and continue to stay active in their song writing.
A big thank you to Barry and Cynthia for the music they provided us over the years which gave us many hours of enjoyment and congratulations to them for their 53 years of marriage.
UPCOMING RECORD SHOWS
Alabama Record Collector’s Association (ARCA) 34th annual CD & Record Show. Friday, March 6 – Saturday, March 7. Friday 4 PM – 9 PM. Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM. $3. 2-day pass $5. Early Bird 1:00 Friday $10. Bessemer Civic Center – On US Highway 11, Exit 108 off I-59. Bessemer, AL.
Here’s a schedule of Greg Neal’s record shows scheduled so far for the year:
March 15 Charlotte NC, Springhill Suites-Ballantyne
March 29 Roanoke VA, Ramada Inn -1927 Franklin Rd SW (the day after the Craig Williams show in Richmond), *Overnight discount for dealers!
April 25 Knoxville TN, Days Inn North (8ft tables this venue!) *Overnight discount for dealers!
April 26 Johnson City TN, Double Tree Hilton *Call Volunteer Lodge for great rates, 423-282-3737.
$2.00 admission all shows. Dealer inquiries welcome! All shows 10-4pm (ET). All shows “buy-sell-trade” – Bring your clean records to me for appraisal and purchase, make extra ca$h!
ROCK & ROLL BIRTHDAYS
Roger Daltrey – 3/1/44 Quincy Jones – 3/13/40
Nancy Wilson – 3/6/44 D J Fontana – 3/15/31
Mickey Dolenz – 3/8/45 Mike Love – 3/15/41
Lloyd Price – 3/9/33 Charley Pride – 3/18/38
Mark Lindsay – 3/9/42 Eddie Money – 3/21/49
Dean Torrence – 3/10/40 Aretha Franklin – 3/25/42
James Taylor – 3/12/48 Elton John – 3/25/47
Mike Stoller – 3/13/33 Diana Ross – 3/26/44
Neil Sedaka – 3/13/39 Steven Tyler – 3/26/48
Eric Clapton – 3/30/45
IN MEMORIAM
Already this year we have lost 2 well-known performers. On January 31, Don Covay passed away due to a stroke. Don left us with many classic recordings such as ‘See Saw’, ‘Mercy, Mercy’, and wrote the Chubby Checker hit, ‘Pony Time’. Age 78.
And the kids of the early to mid-60’s remember Lesley Gore and her hits, ‘It’s My Party’, ‘Judy’s Turn To Cry’, ‘Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows’, and ‘You Don’t Own Me’. Lesley died on February 16 due to cancer. Age 68.
HEY! HAVE YOU HEARD THIS ONE?
Don Covay
Lesley Gore
See ya,
Charlie