Springtime in Atlanta

Springtime in Atlanta - Tim McCabe

Granny 2001 (1972)

Commissioned by Atlanta Federal Savings, "Springtime in Atlanta" was recorded to celebrate the city's Dogwood Festival.

Liners notes on back of picture sleeve:

"Springtime in Atlanta - that's what the Dogwood Festival is all about. A week-long series of events, subtitled "Atlanta's Many Splendored Spring," the Dogwood Festival offers a variety of splendid activities, guaranteed to please natives and tourists alike.
The Dogwood Festival is produced through the leadership of the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta, a 34-year old organization with a solid record of achievement in civic projects, ranging from the standardization of day day nurseries to creation of pocket parks, from safety seminars to fashion shows.  Making Atlanta a better place to live, making it possible for Atlantans and visitors to enjoy life in Atlanta--these are the goals of this 500-member organization.
Atlanta Federal is happy to play a part in this annual Dogwood Festival by underwriting the recording of a new song about our international city.
Tim McCabe, an Atlantan who is an accomplished vocalist, guitarist, and composer, has written at our request this song about the city we all love."

--Bill C. Wainwright
President
Atlanta Federal Savings

I Heart NY's Harvest

Growing up in Texas, I pretty much thought everything on my meal plate, and those plates of the entire world, originated from the Lone Star State (specifically, the corner Tom Thumb store).  Funny how aggressive marketing campaigns steer your way of thinking. 

Thankfully, I quickly became schooled on our nation's agriculture, and the bounty within its states.

Gotta admit though, I had no idea New York was such a cornucopia--until I listened to this LP.

Recorded in 1987, via the Leatherstock Records and Music Publishers, of Madison, I (Heart) NY's Harvest is performed by Robin Schade, the self-proclaimed troubadour of the state.

Previously known for such state melodies as "Adirondack Lady," and "Utica, Oh Utica," Schade took on state foodstuffs, with this full-length LP, promoting everything from New York wine, to its cheese industry.

Listen to "I Love New York State Cheese"

I (Heart) NY's Harvest was Schade's second album of state pride tunes, following-up I (Heart) NY...and I Sing About It.  Got to hand it to this guy, he loves his state agriculture. I mean, with the exception of Susan Christie, never has a ditty about onions been performed so passionately.

 Listen to "Hail the Onion"

Side One:
New York State Harvest
I Love New York in Song
Farm and City - Together
Getting in the Cows
I Love New York State Cheese
(Dairy of) Distinction
New York Central

Side Two:
Celebrate the Great New York State Fair
Knickerbocker Breakdown
The Drink of Love (Here's to New York Wine)
New York Country Song
Mountains of Forever
Hail the Onion
Wipe out the Loomis Gang


Robin is still going strong, performing his New York pride songs, and is available for special events, school assemblies, and parties:  Robin Schade

Beaumont is on the March

 Beaumont is on the March - Mrs. Ben Rogers

Beaumont Chamber of Commerce TE 2-7751 (1962)

The names Ben and Julie Rogers can be generously found throughout Beaumont.  Giving considerable amounts of time and money to the city - Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas named its cancer treatment center The Julie and Ben Rogers Cancer Institute after Rogers spearheaded a $1 million fund-raising drive. In 1988, The Ben Rogers/Lamar University/Beaumont Public Schools - "I Have A Dream Program" was established to commemorate Rogers’ 75th birthday.

Then there's the Julie Rogers Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Mrs. Rogers is backed by the Santy Runyon Combo (Clinton "Santy" Runyon moved to Beaumont in 1960, after years working in the Chicago Theatre Orchestra, and at Al Capone's Coliseum speakeasy).

Ben Rogers died in 1994. Julie Rogers passed away four years later.

(NOTE:  Beaumont became a town on December 16, 1838.  Happy birthday Beaumont!)

Happy 123rd Birthday, Montana!

Side One:
Montana Melody
Night Rider's Lament
Western Silver
Rainbow Song
Lost River

Side Two:
Jackson Hole
Last Frontier Inn
Man with the Big Hat
Montana Waltz

In 1983, the Montana state legislature decided they needed another "official song" to go along with the state song "Montana."  So they created House Bill 39 - a resolution naming the state ballad of Montana, "Montana Melody," written by LeGrande Harvey.

Listen to a sample of "Montana Melody"
To commemorate the official designation, LeGrande released an LP that same year, with help from a few of his friends, Junior Brown (steel guitar and dobro), Gary P. Nunn (bass, piano, and harmony vocals), and Lisa Gilkyson, who would later go on to be known as Eliza Gilkyson (harmony vocals).

More on LeGrande HERE.

We Love Iowa

We Love Iowa (United Federal Savings - 1979)   Side One:
We Love Iowa
When The Land Fought Back
Jenny
Commitment
I'll Say With You For a Lifetime
The Seasons
Peggy's Garden

Side Two:
Fishin' is Fine
Are You Goin' To the Fair
We've Got Spirit
The Letter From Home

Local artist comp commissioned by the United Federal Savings of of Iowa.
Recorded at Triad Studios, in Des Moines.
Vocals by Bob Cook, Sue Oatts, John Bartle, Barb Raney, and Eric Holtze.


Listen to a sample of "We Love Iowa" 
All songs by Bob Cook.  A few spoken word examples, but mostly "we got spirit" songs about Iowa.

Bob Cook was a well-known Iowa radio broadcaster.
Nice write-up on him, with an aircheck HERE.

Boston

"Boston" (Tea Party SR 101 - 1979)

"This song is dedicated to the people of Boston; past...present...future..." - David Ross

Flip is the same song - non-disco version.

Las Vegas

I've been to Las Vegas only once in my life.

I really had no interest, but in the 1980s, my ex-husband thought it would be fun to fly in for a 24-hour, non-stop gambling and partying trip. The only thing I remember was a $.99 prime rib dinner, a Las Vegas Strip cabaret with topless showgirls, and us coming home out a few hundred bucks at the casino.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

That said, I thought I would feature this single promoting what fun one can have in Sin City.


Listen to "Las Vegas"  (Contrast CR 711 - 1976) 
Phyllis Dorne was a Broadway actress, dancer, percussionist and singer who worked with her husband, Bobby Sherwood, also featured on this single. Dorne was the pretty one of the duo, who played vibes and drums, and sang vocals in his orchestra.

Their stage act at the Sahara continued until 1977. He and Phyllis divorced sometime thereafter, as a bio on Bobby Sherwood shows that she was the third of his four wives. Sherwood died in 1981.

The b-side of the single is the instrumental version.