Special Request: "The Ballad of A Gentle Laxative (The Doxidan Cowboy Commercial)" (1987)

 From the mailbag....

Hmmm...Not really knowledgeable about diamel, Rd. But when you mentioned the Doxidan Cowboy, you hit solid gold.

Everybody sing!:

When I’m irregular
Here’s what I do
I take Doxidan because it works
When I expect it to
Doxidan, gentle Doxidan, I get no surprises
I feel better in the morning
Sure as the sun rises
Doxidan, Doxidan
When nature needs a helpin’ hand
Get overnight relief with Doxidan
As sure as the sun rises.

The Doxidan Cowboy was a 30 second TV spot, circa 1987. And from the YouTube comments on this commercial, I'm starting to think if Doxidan's parent company had released this as a promo 45/cassette single with each package of Doxidan, it might have been played at weddings.

He's not quite George Strait. More like Don Williams in a porn 'stache. As smooth as, well, the effect of this product. But really, this should've won the CMA award that year.

Tragically, the Doxidan Cowboy remains anonymous. So it's unknown if he made any recordings of this jingle. Or has any albums. But here at History's Dumpster, he'll always be our Roy Rogers.

Kenny and Dolly: A Christmas To Remember (1984)

"The Devil Went To Jamaica" Travis Meyer (1998)

Lost stoner classic, often miscredited to David Allen Coe or "Weird Al" Yankovic. Happy 420!

"C.B. Savage" Rod Hart (1976)

The Johnny Cash Christmas Show (1977)

John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas TV Special (1975)

Complete with original 1975 TV commercials!

Yes kids, TV really did look like this in 1975.

And who knew John Denver invented the Bio-Dome?

"Dear Mr. Jesus" Sharon Batts & PowerSource (1986)

Listen here.

Oh no, it's another one of those damn child singer records. But on a more serious subject.

PowerSource were a Texas based Christian pop group. Like many acts in this genre, they were/are largely unknown outside these circles. And "Dear Mr. Jesus" is unquestionably a Christian themed song about child abuse, sung from the perspective of a 6 year old girl writing a letter to Jesus after seeing a TV news report of "a little girl beaten black and blue". Not only that, she confesses at the the end "Please don't tell my daddy, but my mommy hits me too."

Six year old Sharon Batts, the lead vocal on this song, wasn't the designated lead singer of the group. Just on this particular song. And thankfully, she wasn't physically abused.

This song almost became a Top 40 hit in 1987. CHR, Adult Contemporary, Country and of course, Christian radio stations were playing this in December of 1987 shortly after the track was added to the playlist of New York City's influential Z-100 and the song broke. A distribution deal was quickly secured, leading to a nationwide re-release of the song.

It was also timely, as the story of a little New York City girl named Lisa Steinberg made national headlines then after she died after being beaten by her adoptive father while he was under the influence of crack cocaine.

The song made #61 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the charts for seven weeks.

Happy Mother's Day

 

"I.O.U." Jimmy Dean (1976)

Chris Gaines

In 1999, a greatest hits album dropped onto the record store shelves that left everybody puzzled in how to explain it without saying "You better sit down for this".....

It was from somebody named Chris Gaines. An Australian singer who did something no other Australian singer could do; look and sound exactly like Garth Brooks.

This of course, was actually a Garth Brooks album. The concept behind it was a planned, but never materialized movie called The Lamb starring Brooks as Chris Gaines, an Australian pop singer who's life, from the early press buzz at the time, seemed loosely based on the life of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence (who died in 1997.)

Garth Brooks' fans literally thought he lost his mind. Country stars aren't supposed to do that.

But with all fairness, it did reveal Garth Brooks wasn't just a one trick pony. He could cross genres and do a very good job of it musically. Some say (and I still think) his biggest mistake was the Chris Gaines alter-ego. If he had just kept the Garth Brooks identity and said this was a pop-leaning album, he might have had another mega-platinum smash.

While the Chris Gaines album went double platinum (still very respectable in 1999), it was Garth Brooks' LEAST selling album.

In a way, it might have been a blessing. Garth Brooks was at the very peak of his fame and the endless touring, TV appearances, interviews and record company obligations to Capitol was getting too much for a now very wealthy man who was witnessing what everything was doing to his young family. Something had to give.

The songs range from classic Garth sounding numbers ("It Don't Matter To The Sun"), to an R&B vocal track that sounded like anything L.A. Reid and Babyface could have produced.

 
 ("Lost In You" - credited to Chris Gaines and not Garth Brooks, actually got airplay on Smooth Jazz radio stations in 1999/2000!)

"Me And The IRS" Johnny Paycheck (1978)

 

Happy Tax Day!

WHER.....1,000 Beautiful Watts

Ladies, if you ever needed something to play on the stock car radio of your brand new 1955 Dodge La Femme, then Memphis was your kind of town.

Because also debuting in 1955 was radio station WHER. At 1430 on the AM dial, WHER was the first radio station completely staffed, programmed and operated entirely by women. The only Y chromosomes at WHER were there to write the checks and fix the transmitter whenever it got wonky. The women controlled everything else.

A terrestrial radio station with a mostly female staff is still a very rare thing. But in the 1950s, it was extremely rare to hear a female DJ with her own program. The 1950s were a pretty sexist time and the ceiling wasn't glass in the radio industry. Most women in air positions at that time were network voice actresses or they were local socialites who read recipes during the midday show. But most women overall however remained behind the scenes, doing office work.

WHER was owned by local record mogul Sam Phillips of Sun Records and Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson. Phillips used the money he got for Elvis Presley's recording contract from RCA Victor records as seed money for WHER.

But surprisingly, WHER played no rock. Probably because of the uncomfortably close link between Sun and WHER (the payola scandals around the country were just beginning to simmer.) The music on WHER was a mix of easy listening, jazz and country swing.

WHER became an instant sensation and inspired many imitators (including KPEG in Spokane, WA.)

An early press release for WHER described the station as this : 

“The studio and offices have been feminized from front door to rear exit. The disc jockeys are called jockettes, the studio is known as the doll’s den, the control rooms are called playrooms, the hallway is mirrored, the equipment room has been decorated with murals depicting the evolution of feminine clothing, the stationary is perfumed, the advertisers are listed in a date book, and the exit to the parking lot is labeled “Bye, Bye ‘Till Next Time”.

You were clearly in their world.

WHER was managed and programmed by Becky Phillips (wife of Sam Phillips) and Dottie Abbott. And from 1955 to 1966, WHER was exclusively operated by women. However after Abbott left, it seemed time to let the guys in. The station changed call letters to WWEE, or "We" radio.

1430 kHz in Memphis today is WOWW, a repeater for country music station "95.3/97.7 The Rebel" WEBL.  

More info on WHER:

WHER Radio Station

The Kitchen Sisters documentary on WHER (Complete with audio!)

"Why Daddy" Ronnie Dove (1976)

This is a BIZARRE country Christmas tearjerker. By way of Motown.

That's right, Motown.

In the 1970s, Motown. The legendary home of snazzy R&B pop diversified a bit, starting Melodyland (which changed to Hitsville Records) for country music.

This wouldn't be Motown's last foray into country. In fact, Motown saw it's biggest country hits with Lionel Richie a decade later in the 1980s ("Stuck On You" and "Deep River Woman" w/ Alabama)

Pat Boone (yes, THAT Pat Boone) recorded some country albums for Melodyland/Hitsville. TG Sheppard recorded his first albums for them. And they signed Ronnie Dove. Who has been around as a Baltimore area country/pop artist since the '60s.

You can tell by the year this was released (1976) he was cashing in on the popularity of Red Sovine, who released another country tearjerker involving a little boy called "Teddy Bear" earlier that year that was a huge hit, cracking the pop Top 40 that year.

Only this one was....Wow....

"The Ballad Of Thunder Road" Robert Mitchum (1958)

"Thunder Road (1958) was loosely based on an incident in which a driver transporting moonshine was said to have crashed to his death on Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee, somewhere between Bearden Hill and Morrell Road. According to Metro Pulse writer Jack Renfro, the incident occurred in 1952 and may have been witnessed by James Agee, who passed the story on to Mitchum – who not only starred in the movie, but also produced the film, co-wrote the screenplay, and is rumored to have directed much of the film himself. Mitchum also co-wrote (with Don Raye) the theme song, "The Ballad of Thunder Road." - Wikipedia

THIS Is What $37,000 Sounds Like

A copy of legendary country-blues singer Tommy Johnson's 1930 recording "Alcohol And Jake Blues" recently sold for $37,100 on eBay.

 http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Rare-Tommy-Johnson-1930-Blues-78-Rpm-Record-Goes-for-37100-on-Ebay-20130930

The B-Side "Ridin' Horse"

As you can hear, the only other known copy of this record has lots of wear and is barely audible through the record wear and surface noise. The copy sold on eBay is reportedly in pristine condition and the buyer plans to digitally restore the recording.

Cristy Lane

 Someone asked me a question the other day "Who is Cristy Lane?"

Well, damn good question really. It seems like the only place people ever know her from is her TV ads. And one might even compare her to a vanity act like Dora Hall. But even though that wouldn't be totally accurate, there's no denying the ubiquitous TV direct marketing campaigns she's had over the last few decades.

But a primer.....

Cristy Lane was a country singer from the '70s. And while she's considered a one hit wonder, peaking with her only #1 in 1980 with a cover of a song called "One Day At A Time", she actually had a few other lesser country hits.

But then she began marketing her gospel music side on TV. And that seemed to be where the money was, as she only had 11 studio albums and 26 compilation albums.

Most of which were sold on these TV ads. All of them featuring "One Day At A Time", either her original recording or a re-recording

But here's another fact, the original version of that song is by Marilyn Sellars, who made it famous in 1974 (the song was actually written by Kris Kristofferson.)

Most people assume Cristy Lane made the original version. But after Cristy Lane had her #1 with it with her relentless TV promotions of that song, that's probably to be expected.

It's not the only song she's covered and promoted to the point of confusion. She covered ABBA's "I Have A Dream", retitled "I Believe In Angels".

She owns a theater in Branson, Missouri and continues to perform today.

"Delia's Gone" Johnny Cash (1962/1994)

 Gotta have a little Johnny Cash. This is the original version of his classic "Delia's Gone" from 1962. The younger crowd are probably more familiar with his 1994 remake of this classic

Cricket Records

Someone once asked me about Cricket Records (as they always seem to turn up in any random box of musty old 45s and this label design is iconic, if the actual music garbage with modern kids)

Yes, they were a children's record label for 45 and 78 RPM records and they were an early product of Pickwick Records, a $1.98 budget record label of the '50s and '60s. In fact, Cricket was certainly the very last record label in America to regularly press 78 RPM records, well into the '60s (and by some reports, until 1968!)

Happy 420!

Today is 420 Day (aka Stoner New Year)

On 4/20 and especially at 4:20 PM, millions of people around the world smoke a much maligned, but fairly innocuous sticky green herb that relaxes people, reduces depression and boosts appetite.

I've smoked pot for nearly 30 years and compared to all other recreational substances (including alcohol), marijuana is the most benign. Today, there are synthetic and far more dangerous drugs easily available, such as bath salts and K2 that make marijuana, for all the reefer madness rhetoric about it that some STILL believe, appear as innocent as milk and cookies.

There's a growing awareness in even the most rigidly conservative states that marijuana isn't as bad as previously thought. (Even Mississippi decriminalized marijuana.) And with the onslaught of crystal meth and these new synthetic drugs and with a nation deep in debt and unable to sustain an abysmally failing war on drugs, something's got to give.  

People in Washington State and Colorado have a LOT to be grateful for today. I couldn't have asked for a better night than November 6, 2012. Not only my birthday, but Washington State and Colorado did the once politically unthinkable; they legalized the recreational use of marijuana.

They had to eventually. I knew it would happen in my lifetime. But I was about 10 years off. Who could have known it would have been voted for in near landslides in two states?  

But first.....

You toke the green hit buddy......

Marijuana wasn't always illegal. In fact, there were NO laws against marijuana whatsoever until the early 20th century. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew and used marijuana. Marijuana was used for treating everything from asthma to pain relief (It doesn't actually relieve pain, but it does take the edge off it.)

Doctor recommended......

Here's the ultimate playlist for your 420 holiday:

"The Great Smoke Off" Shel Silverstein (The One To Play at 4:20 PM)
"Legalize It" Peter Tosh
"Sweet Leaf" Black Sabbath
"Pass The Marijuana" Sublime
"You're A Viper"  Stuff Smith and his Onyx Club Boys
"Smoke Two Joints" The Toyes/Sublime
"Gimmie A Reefer" Bessie Smith
"Hits From The Bong" Cypress Hill
"Don't Step On The Grass, Sam" Steppenwolf

“You Don't Know How It Feels” Tom Petty
"Natural Mystic" Bo Marley
"High" Feeder
"Don't Bogart Me" Fraternity Of Man/Little Feat
"Hash Pipe" Weezer
"Wildwood Weed" Jim Stafford
"Because I Got High" Afroman
"Stoned Soul Picnic" The Fifth Dimension

“Comfortably Numb” Pink Floyd
"Too Rolling Stoned" Robin Trower
"Marijuana In Your Brain" Lords Of Acid
"Four And Twenty Hours" Nana Mouskouri
"Pass The Dutchie" Musical Youth
"Texas Tea Party" Benny Goodman
"M.V. (Marijuana)" Nirvana
"Rainy Day Women 12 & 35" Bob Dylan
"Who Got The Hooch" Everything
"Champagne and Reefer" BB King
"Along Comes Mary" The Association
"Mary Jane" Rick James
"And It Stoned Me" Van Morrison
"Save The Roach For Me" Buck Washington
"My Name Is Bud" NOFX
"Muggles" Louis Armstrong
"Smokin'" Boston
"Billy Bardo" Johnny Paycheck
"The Ganja Man" Lee "Scratch" Perry
"Homegrown" Neil Young
"I Got Stoned And I Missed It" Dr. Hook
"Seeds and Stems (Again)" Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen
"Reefer Man" Cab Calloway
"One Toke Over The Line" Brewer & Shipley
"That Cat Is High" Manhattan Transfer
"Burn One Down" Ben Harper
"The Devil Went To Jamaica" Travis Meyer
"420" Kottonmouth Kings
"Panama Red" New Riders of The Purple Sage
"Cheeba Cheeba" Tone Loc
"Hash Cake '77" Hawkwind
"Roll Another Number" Neil Young
"White Punks On Dope" The Tubes
"Let's Go Get Stoned" Ray Charles
"Insane In The Brain" Cypress Hill
"The Thoughts Of Mary Jane" Nick Drake
"Marijuanaville" Tenacious D
"Puff The Magic Dragon" Peter, Paul & Mary
"And She Was" Talking Heads
"Copperhead Road" Steve Earle
"Tomorrow Never Knows" Beatles
"There She Goes" Sixpence None The Richer/The La's
"Are You Experienced" Jimi Hendrix
"Last Dance With Mary Jane" Tom Petty
"Bong Hits For Breakfast" Staind
"Heaven Is A Halfpipe" OPM
"Marijuana" Phish
"Marrakesh Express" Crosby Stills & Nash
"Smokin' In The Boys Room" Brownsville Station/Motley Crue
"What If God Smoked Cannabis" Bob Rivers

“Kaya” Bob Marley

“The Joker” Steve Miller Band

“Sinsemilla” Black Uhuru

“Let's Go Smoke Some Pot” Dash Rip Rock

“Captain Jack” Billy Joel

“Got To Get You Into My Life” The Beatles

“Little Green Bag” George Baker Selection

"Marijuana Australiana” The Layabouts

“Lady Jane” Rolling Stones

Exposed: A Cheap Peek At Today's Provocative New Rock (CBS, 1981)

Back in 1981, CBS Records released a 2 LP compilation of what was then some pretty cutting edge music called "Exposed: A Cheap Peek At Today's Provocative New Rock". It featured a few hits from Loverboy, Judas Priest and Adam & The Ants, but mostly selected album cuts from newer artists back then to the CBS house labels (Columbia, Epic and Portrait) as well as labels which CBS distributed (Nemporor, Stiff and Cleveland International.)

It sold on the counter of your favourite record store for a super cheap list price ($2.98, at a time when many rock acts were making double concept albums with more filler than you can shake a meatloaf recipe at for $15.98.)

It was what they called a "loss-leader", meaning if you liked what you heard on this sampler, you COULD be inclined to buy the full length albums from the artists you liked. But this 2 LP set was a nice way to come home from a fun day at the record shop with a little something extra in the bag to round out an evening of stereo fun.

Another act prominently featured on the set was Ellen Foley. Her name may not instantly ring any particular bells. But if you've ever wondered who that chick was who sang with Meatloaf on his hit "Paradise By The Dashboard Light"....

"STOP RIGHT THERE!".....That was Ellen Foley. But that's NOT Ellen Foley you see in the video. That's Karla DeVito lip-synching Ellen Foley's vocals......

You may also know Ellen Foley as Billie Young from the '80s TV sitcom Night Court. But in the early '80s, she took a stab at a solo music career, recording two albums. One of them, The Spirit Of St. Louis was recorded with The Clash as her backing band. She was going out with Mick Jones at the time, a relationship that didn't work out - he wrote "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" about her.

There are other lost power pop/new wave gems here (The Sorrows, Garland Jefferys), some early country/rock crossovers (Rosanne Cash, Steve Forbert) and others completely lost to time and memory.

It was also popular enough to spawn a sequel album later that year....

Easter Records

Easter music isn't anywhere NEAR as prolific as Christmas or Halloween music. A lot of people don't even know it exists.  

Here's a sample...... 

"Easter Parade" Rosemary Clooney (1955)

"Eggbert The Easter Egg" Rosemary Clooney (1952)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAYM2EBiVbw

"Little Johnny Chickadee" Rosemary Clooney (1952)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2g5M8qCtG0

"Bunny On The Rainbow" Rosemary Clooney (1952)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_n3YNDE1Zs

"Peter Cottontail" Rosemary Clooney (1955)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjrL9mPLOZA

"My Choc'late Rabbit" Rosemery Clooney (1955)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7GOFm3lFUk

While Rosemary Clooney has some sort of record in Easter song recordings. she wasn't the only one.

 "Easter Mornin'" Gene Autry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6m8WzBOSCI

"The Horse With The Easter Bonnet" Gene Autry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSnMZdjvcq4