Bedtime Stories, a.k.a. The Country Music Reader
Interesting stories, interesting websites, and other places to visit when you can't sleep or don't want to. Warning: don't visit these sites unless you have plenty of time. One stop makes you want to visit another.
- MenWhoLookLikeKennyRogers.com
- It's a warm summer's evening. You're on a train bound for nowhere......
- Homeless
in Miami
Jack Blanchard returns with a story of being homeless in Miami for a weekend- and the kindness of friends.
Pay
For Play
Eric Boehlert's insightful article about
how radio and
record companies skirt the payola laws.
Our Rogue's Gallery: The
Liar
In the music business, The Hustler comes
in many shapes and sizes.
Jack Blanchard tells the story of a memorable one.
- Shania's Swiss Castle
- Want a peek at Shania's stunning castle in Switzerland? The text is in French, but the pix are all of Shania Twain's Chateau de Sully.
- Johnny Cash Shoots The Bird
- The notorious American Recordings ad from the 3/14/98 issue of Billboard.
- The Major Record Labels Are Pirates
- Here are Courtney Love's insights on the unethical practices of major music labels. This speech was probably given at an industry meeting, but the exact circumstances aren't known by me. I picked it off a message board at the Just Folks website (www.jpfolks.com) and reproduced it for posterity. Added 7/12/00
- The Canonical List of Banjo Jokes
- The ultimate list of banjo jokes. Added 7/7/00
- Faking It: How Software Technology Eliminated The Need For Talent
- Charles Earle's article about how producers on music row use computer software to turn no-talents into country music stars. Reprinted from Nashville's INREVIEW. Visit their website at www.inreview.net. Added 6/16/00
- Bus For Sale
- If you wanna be a country music star, you have to start thinkin' about a bus. Here's one place to find them. Added 6/13/00
- Find A Grave
- This site specializes in celebrity grave locations. I checked two, Ernest Tubb and Hawkshaw Hawkins, and was impressed when complete details were returned in seconds. Added 6/13/00
- The Dead Musicians Directory
- This site is officially called "Fuller Up" in memory of Bobby Fuller of The Bobby Fuller Four ("I Fought The Law") who died when someone poured gasoline down his throat. Although the site name is a bit bizarre, it's a good place to look up published obituaries from the past few years. It's a sub-site of ElvisPelvis.com, so you will have to click through to get to Fuller Up. Added 12/13/99
- Katy K Designs
- A Nashville shop specializing in Nudie suits and other clothing of interest to entertainers. Added 6/13/00
- From Now On, All My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers
- Joyce Symans' account of life on the road with Merle Haggard. Added 6/1/00
- Anna Quindlen's Villanova Commence Address
- In this text, author and journalist Anna Quindlen gives excellent advice for finding true happiness in life. Added 12/24/99
- Gruhn's Guitars
- A guitarists' trip to Nashville isn't complete without a stop at Gruhn's. Added 12/13/99
- Ernest Tubb Record Shops
- The website for country music's most famous record shop. Added 12/13/99
- CKLW Tribute Page
- Incredibly thorough tribute page to the late, great Big 8 in The Motor City. Complete with sound bites, photos, surveys, disc jockey profiles and much, much more. Added 12/13/99
- The History of WLS Radio in Chicago
- Scott Childers' excellent site dedicated to the Big 89. Added 6/16/00
- The History Of KLIF Radio in Dallas
- A superb website honoring The Mighty 1190 with detailed information and pictures. Find the answer to this trivia question on site: "What former KLIF deejay's daughter plays a starring role on the TV show 'Frasier'"? Updated 5/28/01
- Origins of Radio Station Call Letters
- No, WHDH in Boston doesn't stand for "We Haul Dead Haddock". Excellent compilation by Bob Nelson. Be sure to click through to the second page for the long list of station call letters. Added 12/28/99
The Story of The Martha White Bus
Added 10/6/99- Renfro Valley Barn Dance
- Schedule for the long running show. Added 11/15/99
- Will Pat Quigley Destroy Music Row?
- Pat Quigley was President of Capitol Nashville and the marketing guy behind Garth Brooks when this was written. Quigley's now gone from the Nashville music scene, but his impact is still being felt. If you're struggling to understand what's happening in country music, this will give you some insight. This is a copyrighted article from the 5/28/98 issue of The Nashville Scene. Added 10/6/99
- Kris Kristofferson Articles
- Two articles written by Kris Kristofferson while a student at Pomona State College. These prize-winning articles were published in Atlantic Monthly magazine. Added 10/6/99
- The Broken Spoke
- Website for the self-described "Best Little Honky Tonk In Texas". Added 10/6/99
- Train Hoppers Space
- Do the songs of Jimmie Rodgers, Merle Haggard and Mickey Newbury make you want to jump a freight train? This website is a "how to" book for freight jumpers- it even includes a train schedule! Added 9/29/99
- The Historical Railroad Society
- Trains and country music go hand in hand. Added 6/13/00
- Mayberry RFD Home Page
- Can't get enough of Opie, Aunt Bee, Barney, Andy and the boys? A must see website for all lovers of Mayberry and its people. Added 9/29/99
- The Steel Pages
- Bobby Lee's excellent site for steel guitarists. Added 9/29/99
- Buzz Cason's Music Nashville
- Buzz is an accomplished writer ("Love's The Only House"), producer and studio owner who'd prefer to be known as a well-known golfer. His site covers his varied interests. Added 9/29/99