Iconic Songwriter Kris Kristofferson Dies at 88 Music Business Music History Music Legends Music News Nashville Songwriting by da jack hayford - October 24, 2024October 24, 20240 Kris Kristofferson 1936 – 2024 “Kris Kristofferson believed to his core that creativity is God-given, and that those who ignore or deflect such a holy gift are doomed to failure and unhappiness. He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and then he created a body
ABOUT THAT SHACK OUTSIDE LA GRANGE Music History Music in Commercials Music Trivia by da jack hayford - July 1, 2024July 1, 20240 In the heart of Texas folklore, few places have garnered as much mystique and intrigue as the legendary Chicken Shack. Nestled outside the small town of La Grange, this infamous brothel became an iconic symbol of local culture and history, later immortalized by the rock band ZZ Top in their
The Future of Music: How AI Is Changing the Music Industry Music Education Music Events Music History Music News by da jack hayford - June 30, 2024July 1, 20240 Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the music industry, bringing about transformative changes in how music is created, produced, distributed, and consumed. The integration of AI technologies in music is already evident, and its influence is expected to grow, affecting various aspects of the industry. Here, we explore the
Randy Meisner: Another Eagle Flies Music Awards Music Business Music Culture Music History Music Legends Music News Music Trivia by da jack hayford - July 29, 2023August 5, 20230 In the world of rock and roll, there are legendary bands that have left an indelible mark on the music industry. The Eagles undoubtedly stand among these giants, and one of the foundational members who played a crucial role in shaping their signature sound is Randy Meisner. Sadly, Meisner died
Sinead O’Connor: The World Loses Another Great Voice Music and Politics Music History Music News by da jack hayford - July 27, 2023July 27, 20230 Sadly, the music world and beyond has lost yet another iconic rock voice. Irish singer, songwriter and activist Sinead O'Connor was found dead in her London home on Wednesday, July 26. At this writing, no cause of death has been stated, however London police reported they found nothing suspicious about
“Try That In A Small Town” Controversy: Country Music’s Conundrum Music and Politics Music Culture Music History Number 1 Songs Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - July 20, 2023July 20, 20230 Country music has long been celebrated for its storytelling prowess, often drawing from real-life experiences and cultural mores. However, with the genre's mainstream success and increasing popularity, artists have occasionally found their "truths" embroiled in controversy. Such is the case surrounding Jason Aldean's #1 hit song, "Try That In A
The New Louis Armstrong Center: A Tribute to the Jazz Icon Music Business Music Culture Music Education Music History Music Legends by da jack hayford - July 12, 2023July 12, 20230 Louis Armstrong Home and Original Museum Louis Armstrong Home Museum on 107th Street in Corona, Queens, NY Louis Armstrong passed in 1971. His wife, Lucille, continued to live in their home on 107th Street in Corona, Queens, working to ensure that it became a National and New York Historic Landmark. Lucille
Who Invented The Saxophone? Music Events Music History Music Legends Music Trivia by da jack hayford - July 9, 2023July 10, 20230 Featured Image Courtesy of National Saxophone Day In the vast universe of music, there are few names that carry more weight and significance than that of Adolphe Sax (Thus the name of his invention, get it?). Born in Dinant, Belgium, in 1814, Sax was a visionary inventor and gifted musician who
Who Wrote God Bless America? Music and Movies Music Culture Music History Music Trivia Song Lyrics Songwriting Special Occasion Music Spiritual Music by da jack hayford - June 19, 2023July 9, 20230 Irving Berlin 1906 Irving Berlin, by all accounts one of America's greatest songwriters, came to America in 1893 when his parents left Russia to escape persecution. Drafted into the Army in 1918, he was assigned to create songs for an Army show, Yip! Yip! Yaphank. (Yaphank, on New York's Long Island,
Is The Weeknd Changing His Name? Music Events Music History Music Legends Music News Music Trivia by da jack hayford - May 23, 2023May 24, 20230 In the world of pop stars, it's not unheard of for a major established artist to change their name, their showbiz moniker, in the middle of their career. Prince became a Symbol (or the Artist Formerly Known as Prince.) In the midst of a contractual dispute with Warner Bros. in 1993, he
Legendary Canadian Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot Dies at 84 Music and Movies Music History Music Legends Music News Number 1 Songs by da jack hayford - May 2, 2023May 3, 20230 Canada's favorite son, Gordon Lightfoot, was one of the greatest singer-songwriters to come out of the 1970s...and that's saying something. His name, along with the likes of Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Carole King, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor, David Bowie, Randy Newman, Cat Stevens, Billy
When is the Monterey Jazz Festival? Music Events Music History by da jack hayford - April 30, 2023April 30, 20230 The 66th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival • Sept 22-24, 2023 About the Monterey Jazz Festival The Monterey Jazz Festival is the longest continuously-running jazz festival in the world and is held annually on the 20-acre, oak-studded Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, Calif. Since 1958, the nonprofit Monterey Jazz Festival has been committed
Who is Nina Simone? Music and Politics Music for a Cause Music History Music Legends Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - April 30, 2023April 30, 20230 Nina Simone was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who was known for her unique voice, powerful lyrics, and unforgettable performances. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Carolina in 1933, Simone began playing the piano at an early age and demonstrated a natural talent for music. Her family was
The Legendary Harry Belafonte Dies at 96 Music and Politics Music Education Music for a Cause Music History Music Legends by da jack hayford - April 26, 2023April 29, 20230 Harry Belafonte is a legendary figure in American popular culture, known for his incredible achievements as an actor, singer, humanitarian and activist. Born in Harlem in 1927, Belafonte's early life was marred by poverty and struggle. His parents were immigrants from the Caribbean, and his mother was often absent from his
What is the Eurovision Song Contest? Music Events Music History by da jack hayford - April 26, 2023May 14, 20230 The Eurovision Song Contest is an internationally televised songwriting competition, organized by the European Broadcasting Union and featuring participants chosen by EBU member broadcasters representing their countries from across Europe and beyond. Each Participating Broadcaster has until mid-March to choose a song and an artist to perform it. The song and
Newport Folk Festival 2023 SOLD OUT Music Events Music History by da jack hayford - April 11, 2023April 11, 20230 Next Newport Folk Festival July 28-July 30, 2023 is SOLD OUT. To get on a waiting list for tickets visit: newportfolk.org/tickets/. George Wein The world-famous Newport (Rhode Island) Folk Festival was founded in 1959 by folk-singer/activists Theodore Bikel and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Pete Seeger, folk musician, songwriter, radio broadcaster and Broadway play-write Oscar
What is the New Orleans Jazz Fest? Music Culture Music Events Music History by da jack hayford - March 22, 2023March 22, 20230 The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest, is one of the most iconic music festivals in the world. It has been held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana, since 1970, and has become a cultural celebration of the city's rich music heritage. The festival is a
What is the Meaning Of Bonnaroo? Music Events Music History by da jack hayford - March 22, 2023March 27, 20230 If you’re a music lover, then likely you have heard of Bonnaroo. This four-day music and arts festival is one of the most popular in the United States, attracting thousands of fans from around the world each year. The festival takes place in Manchester, Tennessee, on a 700-acre farm that
What Does Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Mean? Music and Movies Music Awards Music Business Music Education Music History Music Legends Song Lyrics by da jack hayford - March 22, 2023April 25, 20230 The word is a compound word, and said by Richard Lederer in his book Crazy English to be made up of these words: super- "above", cali- "beauty", fragilistic- "delicate", expiali- "to atone", and -docious "educable", with all of these parts combined meaning "Atoning for being educable through delicate beauty. Wikipedia.org Mary Poppins LP It's not the longest
Who Wrote the Theme from The Exorcist? Music and Movies Music Business Music History Theme Songs by da jack hayford - March 21, 2023March 21, 20230 The Exorcist Poster What do you remember most about the controversial 1973 horror film, The Exorcist? The special effects like Linda Blair, as the possessed Regan, swiveling her head 360 degrees? The graphic language often parodied as "Your mother sews socks that smell"? The phenomenon? It was the biggest grossing (no pun intended!) film of
Who Played the Organ on Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone”? Music Business Music History Music Legends by da jack hayford - March 20, 2023March 21, 20230 EVERYBODY MUST GET STONED. Oops! Wrong song. EVERYBODY knows the words to Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone"! Oops, not quite right. EVERYBODY knows SOME OF THE WORDS to Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone"! "Like a Rolling Stone" just may be the greatest rock n' roll song of all time. Rolling Stone
Music and the Civil War Music and Politics Music Education Music History by da jack hayford - March 19, 2023March 19, 20230 "The American Civil War (1861–1865) was a major war between the United States (the "Union") and eleven Southern slave states that declared their secession and formed the Confederate States of America, led by President Jefferson Davis. The Union, led by President Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party, opposed the expansion of
Star Spangled Banner Lyrics Music Education Music Events Music History Special Occasion Music by da jack hayford - March 15, 2023July 9, 20230 When Was The Star Spangled Banner First Sung? America's official anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," was written as a poem, "Defense of Fort McHenry," in 1812...the first public singing of what had become The Star-Spangled Banner took place in Baltimore at the Indian Queen Hotel, where Key had stayed while he finished
Remembering the Great Ray Charles Music and Movies Music History Music Legends by da jack hayford - March 14, 2023June 10, 20230 Imagine if Snoop Dogg or Justin Timberlake, or Beyonce, after tearing up the R&B Charts for a year or two, released a country album...and had the gall to call it The New Hip Sound of Country. And furthermore, imagine that the album not only does well with BOTH R&B and
Legendary Bassist Michael Rhodes Dies at 69 Music Awards Music History Music Legends Music News by da jack hayford - March 9, 2023March 28, 20230 Michael Rhodes 1953-2023 There are shots sometimes heard around the world and in the music business the passing of Nashville bassist Michael Rhodes on March 4th 2023 was one of them. There may have never lived a more accomplished musician than Michael Rhodes. Some say he has played on more records than any
What is The MLC? Music Business Music History Show Me the Money by da jack hayford - March 2, 2023March 2, 20230 https://youtu.be/qQx1j7YNiqM The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) is a nonprofit organization designated by the U.S. Copyright Office pursuant to the historic Music Modernization Act of 2018. In January 2021, The MLC began administering blanket mechanical licenses to streaming and download services (digital service providers or DSPs) in the United States. The MLC
Who Wrote We Will Rock You? Music History Music Legends Songwriting Theme Songs by da jack hayford - February 28, 2023February 28, 20230 What has now become an international rock anthem sung en masse at sporting events, Queen's "We Will Rock You," from their 1977 News of the World album, was written by their inimitable lead guitarist Brian May. By all accounts, Brian May is one of the most accomplished guitarists in the history
Who Wrote I Write the Songs that Make the Whole World Sing? Music History Music in Commercials Songwriting by da jack hayford - February 20, 2023February 20, 20230 You remember Barry Manilow, of course. How could anyone forget? He's still out there knocking 'em dead, or half-dead. In fact he recently (2023) packed Nashville's Bridgestone Arena with boomers (and probably some of their kids and grandkids!). "I Write the Songs" was a smash hit for Barry nearly 50 years
Who Wrote Look Away Dixie Land? Music History by da jack hayford - February 20, 2023March 19, 20230 "Dixie," which is closely associated with the southern states of the Confederacy and the American Civil War, was written in 1860 by Dan Emmett. Actually a northener(!), Emmett wrote the song for a minstrel show, purportedly on a cold New York day, while yearning for the warmer climes to be had in
Who is Stephen Foster? Music History Music Legends by da jack hayford - February 20, 2023April 13, 20230 Stephen Foster—Beautiful Dreamer and Seminal American Songwriter Arguably, songwriting as a profession in America started with Stephen Foster. Stephen Foster Born on the 4th of July in Pennsylvania in 1826, Stephen Collins Foster is credited with composing some of this country's most beloved and performed songs, including "Beautiful Dreamer," "My Old Kentucky
