Our Music----"That Old Time Rock n Roll!"

FOR OVER 20 YEARS I HAVE PLANNED AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE MUSIC WE LOVED AND IT'S IMPACT UPON OUR CULTURE AND THE IMPACT OF OUR CULTURE UPON OUR MUSIC. 


A SEMI-INVALID WIFE, RAISING THREE GRANDCHILDREN, AND SERVING AS PASTOR OF A RURAL OKLAHOMA CHURCH HAVE SHORTENED MY ACCOUNT TO THE SEVERAL POSTS THAT WILL APPEAR FROM TIME TO TIME.


1. Did You Know? This topic is well studied and documented; go to Amazon and look up books on the history of Rock n Roll and you get several hundred hits. Google the same subject and a million and one half hits will appear. Here's a shocker: Several universities offer courses in the history of Rock n Roll: Hold on to your 45RPM Elvis record for this tidbit: Doctoral Thesis have been written on this subject!

2. Different Approaches Taken:  : Some writers focus on the many blended genres of Rock and Roll---Gospel, Blues, Big Band, Country, Rock-a-Billy, Jazz, and other musical forms. In a word or two: They are all correct.


Other books focus on the disc jockeys such as John R in WLAC, Dick Clark, American Bandstand, and Allan Freed, east coast DJ convicted of accepting Payola. They too are on target,


Still others to turned the spotlight up to high beam on the upstart record companies like: SUN  label---Elvis, Johnny Cash,  and Jerry Lee Lewis. DECCA, and ATLANTIC were the new kids on the block and making money, big, big money. Another right answer.


All histories highlight the major role of African-Americans in this  art form. Rock n Roll was light years ahead of major league sports in providing opportunities to be the best--regardless of color.

I'll probably never get to write THE definitive history of WLAC in Nashville, TN and it's positive impact on race relations. Name dropping again: I have communicated with a screenwriter who has done a pilot for a mini-series on WLAC. So far he has not sold the idea. My guess it will only appear, if it ever does, on late, late night cable TV. The personal and on-air-lives of some of the WLAC DJs is not Sunday School material! One of the DJ's finished off a bottle of Scotch every show. The studios were near a local hotel, at the same higher story level, and a lot of binocular testing took place!

3. What Started It All?  Here there is much disagreement. Some say as early as 1939. Others say 1951-52. Most, including this Blogger say 1955 with Bill Haley and The Comets with their "Rock Around the Clock" smash hit. Bill has my vote.

Most writers believe the epicenter of Rock n Roll was 1955-59. Isn't that amazing??  We experienced something very, very special.


An interesting side note to "Rock Around the Clock" is one of my high school cousins, who lived in Kentucky, and his friends played the song so many times on a local Juke Box the recording groves were worn smooth in  just two days! Then it was only a nickle a play.

4. My Approach:  I'll cover Groups (especially Doo Wop--I probably know more about Doo Wop music than any other pastor in OK! That may not be a good thing!), Singles, Instrumentals, One Hit Wonders, Country Cross Overs, Novelty Songs, Parent- School-Teenager Songs, R and B, Old Timers Still Holding On and other issues.


We experienced something that happens very infrequently---the birth of a truly new American musical art form. 


FOR THE RECORD: I do not listen to what is called Rock n Roll today. In fact, I stopped listening when the saxophone disappeared from Rock n Roll music. That was, long long, long ago. While I am confessing: I also do not like most modern Country and Western music---it is only modern Rock n Roll with cowboy hats and boots on! That is probably more than you wanted to know about my musical tastes. 


I am working on a Post that will surely draw lots of criticism: I contend Our Rock n Roll started to die when the Kingston Trio hung "Tom Dooley" and was pronounced dead by the BEATLES when they sang "I Wanna  Hold Your Hand"


 GOSH, I LOVED, AND STILL DO, THAT SPECIAL, SPECIAL MUSIC DURING OUR PCHS DAYS!

Home Sweet Double Wide Home

THIS IS A FICTIONAL STORY I POSTED ON A RELIGIOUS BLOG SOMETIME AGO. IT IS LONG, BUT I THINK WORTH THE READING EFFORT---ESPECIALLY FOR ANY TEENAGE GRANDCHILDREN. I KNOW IT DOES NOT TALK ABOUT OUR CLASS, BUT IT DOES TALK ABOUT LIFE!

                            HOME SWEET DOUBLE WIDE HOME

Before Cindy Armstrong got off of the bus she knew she

 didn’t like Your Town. She only made the six-hour trip because her mother and her latest boyfriend were going to spend a week in Las Vegas. This 14 year girl had no other option but to spend the next seven days with her aunt, uncle, and two cousins in Your Town.

She had never been to Your Town and had only met her mother’s sister’s family at Grandma’s funeral.  They were all at the bus station to greet her. Cindy had her sunglasses pushed about two inches above her forehead and the white ear buds on her MP3 player were still stuck securely in her ears.

Cousin Clara Osgood, also 14, was the first to hug the artificially blonde relative from the big city.  Others followed Clara’s lead and warm words of greeting seemed to be coming from the entire Osgood family all at the same time. Clara’s father, Bill, and her brother, Claude, each took one of her two new suitcases and carried them to the rear of the Osgood’s ten-year old green car. The luggage was placed in the trunk and Clara, Cindy, and Bill were squeezed together in the back seat. Bill and wife Mary sat in the front and each wondered silently how they were going to make it through the coming week with a niece who had already established a record of running away from home and shoplifting.

Cindy spoke little and only acknowledged the questions from Bill and Clara with short answers. The ride to the Osgood’s home was through the main part of Your Town and Cindy sized up the place as a dead, no-fun, not cool location. She saw individuals stopping each other to chat or just show off the newest grandchild. Some people could be seen with their heads poked inside parked cars and laughing with the folks inside. All of this only confirmed Cindy’s evaluation of Your Town as “Hicksville.”

She almost gasped out loud as Uncle Bill turned into a trailer park and wound his way back to the Osgood’s double-wide trailer. The Osgoods lovingly referred to the double-wide as their “Home Sweet Double-Wide Home.” Cindy wondered how anyone could live in such a place. She could not believe anyone could ever be happy living in a place where speed bumps seemed to appear every 25 feet and where mailboxes were in fact placed side-by-side for twenty five feet. This was going to be dull and boring week for Cindy; at least that was her first impression.

After unpacking and accepting the idea of sleeping double with Clara in her bed, she asked Clara, “Where can we meet some boys? I have half a pack of cigs left and I‘m wanting to walk around some after that long bus ride”.

Clara responded to Cindy’s comments in reverse order. “I’ll be happy to walk around with you and I have never smoked. Most of the boys I meet are at school or in our church youth group. Since school is out that kind of narrows down the choices.” Cindy thought she must be in a time machine that has carried her back to the 1950’s TV shows that only showed simple, naïve, and obedient children and always available Moms and Dads.

Clara excused herself to go help her mother get supper ready. Cindy sat on the bed and looked at the walls that contained no rock stars or movie posters; instead she saw Bible verses and a list with lots of names on it. She peeked inside Clara’s closet and could not find any suggestive or revealing clothing. Just modest clean clothes neatly placed on colorful hangers.

At supper Uncle Bill thanked God for their food and for Cindy’s safe arrival. Then he prayed something that got Cindy’s attention when he said, “Dear Lord, may Cindy find true happiness here.”

As Cindy picked at the supper of beans, ham, and cornbread she could not get the closing words of Uncle Bill’s prayer out of her mind. True happiness, she thought to herself, doesn’t really exist, you have to make your own happiness.

That night the two girls talked about girl things and laughed a lot. Suddenly, Cindy became very quiet and said to Clara, “Does your Mom and Dad really love you?” Clara could not remember anyone asking her that question before. “They sure do,” replied Clara.  Some additional light teenage chatter followed and the two cousins drifted off to sleep.

On the second day Cindy told Clara that she felt unloved by her never-at-home Mom and her absentee Dad. That night as they talked Cindy asked Clara, “Why is my name on the long list on the wall?” Clara replied, “Oh, that’s my prayer list and I want you to find happiness like I have.”

Clara started to wonder if all this talk about happiness was genuine or just some gimmick to make her feel guilty for some of the bad things she had done. Whatever the reason she knew she was happy because she had everything any teenage girl could want and it was none of anyone’s business about her mistakes and bad choices.

                                                              

It was Wednesday night when she accompanied Clara and her family to mid-week church services that caused her to wonder if she was really happy. People there didn’t talk about things or entertainment celebrities. The talked about their relationship to Jesus Christ and prayed for people in the church and those outside the church. They all seemed very happy. Cindy wondered what made them so happy.

After returning home, Cindy and Clara spent most of night talking about real happiness. Cindy knew deep down Clara had something she didn’t have. Clara shared how she came to be a Christian and how Cindy could become one also.

The next three days produced many more of these very serious and vitally important conversations between Cindy and Clara. Sunday morning the family again went to church where Clara heard a message about Sin, Death and Hope that must have been prepared just for her. As the invitation was about to conclude, Cindy gripped Clara’s hand so tight Clara thought her hand would break. Cindy said to her cousin, “Will you go with me to the front?” Through her tears Clara softly said, “Yes.”  In a few moments Cindy and Clara where at the front where Cindy said “Yes” to Jesus Christ. Tears and hugs abounded.

For the first time in her life Cindy was happy, really happy. Sunday dinner was a joyous time of sharing mixed with eating and crying by everyone. Cindy began to feel sad when she remembered her mother promised to call her Sunday afternoon to confirm her return from Las Vegas. About three o’clock the phone rang and it was Cindy’s mom who shocked her by saying she and her boyfriend had decided to tour the West Coast and wondered if Cindy would ask Mary if she might stay for a couple of more weeks. Mary and Bill looked at each other when Cindy asked them the question and they simultaneously said: ”Yes!” Cindy started talking very fast and told her mother about her life-changing decision and for the first time in her life she was happy, very happy.

It was obvious by her closing comments that Cindy’s mom asked about the home her aunt and uncle lived in. Cindy said with all of the enthusiasm a new Christian could muster, “Mom, it’s a ‘Home Sweet Double-Wide Home !”

                                Glenn C. Peck, Pastor, FBC, St. Louis, OK

                                                

Other 1959 Famous Grads

This may be old news to some. I have a funny story at the end.


1. Ed Bradley---CBS Newscaster


2. Bob Dylan---I have his original "The Times They are A'Changin'" 33rpm Album. Wonder what it is worth?


3.  Rev. Jesse Jackson--- Famed Civil Rights Leader 

4. Martha Stewart---"That's A Good Thing" (I wonder if she made brownies in the Grey Bar Hotel?)


5. Barbara Streisand---Singer and Actress


While stationed in San Antonio, TX I served with an officer---Norm Comite---who was in Barbara Streisand's 1959 Class in Brooklyn. This story involves---Norm--- a true New Yorker and a died in the wool true Texan---Randy Hopkins. Randy was from Big D and mighty proud of it! The two argued constantly about which area was best---Texas or New York. Norm could see nothing good in Texas and Randy felt the same way about New York.


The argument, one particular day, centered on guns and violence. Randy maintained that New York City was the gangs,guns, and drug capital of the world. Norm shot back that Texans were trigger happy and would shoot first and ask questions later.


A couple of days passed and Norm came to work one morning wildly waving the latest edition of The San Antonio Light newspaper. Norm said, "Hopkins, this proves my point.". He found the story and started reading for all to hear. I present this abridged version. "A customer entered a bar in South San Antonio, produced a revolver and started shooting and six seated patrons returned the fire. (Emphasis is mine) Norm said , "See, I told you that Texans are gun crazy." Randy didn't have much of a rebuttal.


Part of the Rest of the Story--- Randy served his four years and got a job with Folgers Coffee in New Orleans and in a short period of time became the head brew master! I had to give up coffee in 1973 and when I prepare a pot of coffee for my wife, I often think of Randy--a real Texan! When I rotated Norm was still at the base.

Personal Comment: During 20 years in the USAF I was privileged to serve with the best and brightest this country has to offer.I must have several hundred stories like the one above. As mentioned in earlier Posts---We took our job of defending this great Nation very, very seriously, but we never took ourselves seriously. Late in the evening while seated in my recliner and halfway between sleep and awaken, I recall those exciting and challenging days with a sense of gratitude for being surrounded by such brave and brilliant people.

Like Father, Like Son, Like Brother

Please follow very carefully this amusing story that our youngest daughter brought home from her 7th grade class in Ohio:

A boy classmate did an imitation of his 4 year old brother imitating their father. Let's see if you've got the situation: A seventh grade boy imitates his 4 year old brother who is imitating their father. Got it? OK.

                    "Durn kids! On my nerves!"

Most of us got our parenting skills from what we observed in our family while we were growing up. I wonder what sort of parents these two brothers have become.

Someone described raising children this way: "It is like hanging wallpaper. When you figure out how to do it you are done!!!! "

As I have mentioned in earlier Posts, I did not do a very good job as a father. Hopefully, God has given me another chance by placing three wonderful grandchildren in our care.

Ronald "Ronnie" Harrison--A True Cornmeal Friend! V2.0

This newer version amplifies on the original. The changes are small but important.


A total stranger might let you borrow a cup of sugar, an egg, or a stick of butter. Ronnie is the kind of friend who would give you a sack of cornmeal and not expect it to be paid back.!



Looking back over our friendship which spans over 60 years, there are many facets that shaped and molded that strong relationship. Here are just a few:

• The beginning of our friendship started early at Lovett when we  discovered our families were both from Kentucky.

• Death has robbed many of his immediate family members at a very young age. In spite of that heartache, and his own heart condition, he remains steadfast in trusting that God knows what is best and he accepts that.

•  Our hunting and fishing adventures could fill a small book. I was never much on the hunting. I think Ronnie has some DNA from Daniel Boone (also from KY). Ronnie and his brothers were champion coon hunters. I liked to sit around the campfire. I didn't care much for trying to find lost dogs! I might have been a slightly better fisherman.

• Many, many times he would pick me up while I was hitch hiking. He also was the main reason I got to go to a few movies. He sometimes drove brother Benton's car. Ronnie later owned an awesome Pontiac.Ronnie made the Dupont Kustard Bowl our home away from home. Bob and Freda served us lots of hamburgers there.

•  Trust me here: We once saw a black bear on our way to North Vernon. Our story was first laughed at. A few years later one was killed in the near-by Jefferson County Proving Grounds.

• I think it was his sister that hosted a New Years Eve Party where we played Spin the Bottle. I never kissed so many girls in one night before or since. (I learned that night that there are kisses and then there are KISSES! A couple of the girls sure had a lot more practice at kissing than I did!) The party ended when heavy snow started falling. (This was one of the few times I didn't want to see it snow!)

•  Ronnie's cheerful, uplifting, and positive outlook is a real gift. In addition, he has the unique ability to make you feel like you are more important than you really are.

• He and wife, Bev, are very proud of their family's long association with Purdue University. As Martha Stewart says, "That's a good thing." (Yours truly, Purdue Class of '63)

• In spite of their many challenges, Ronnie and Bev have always found time to inquire about the welfare of the Pecks--in Indiana and elsewhere.

 A person might go through an entire lifetime without finding a friend like Ronnie Harrison.  

 The closing song from Toy Story 3 well describes my friendship with Ronnie Harrison---"You've got a friend in me."

Class Rings and Other Bling

A man as old as me should not even know what "Bling" is, much less use it in a Post. (Two of the three grandkids we are raising are teenagers, DUDE!)

Class rings were a big deal at PCHS. It meant you were a certified upperclassman and it meant you had the traditional "going steady" emblem.

I believe it was Herff Jones that sold us our class rings. Mine, without a stone, set my folks back $18.75. The ring has long since been melted down and recast into another type of ring.

Mustard seed necklaces were mentioned in an earlier Post.

Very few PCHS students had reliable wrist watches. The only one I can remember was worn by Dale Vaught. I never owned a wrist watch until my bride to be gave one as a pre-wedding Christmas gift. Today, I wear only the $20 Wal Mart Casio watches. When something breaks, I get a new one.

A very few fellows wore the heavy duty chain ID bracelet with their name or initials on it. Some even had expansion links like a wrist watch.

Most of the girls had clip on ear rings. Pierced ears were a few years away. I am not sure if pennies worn in Penny Loafers can be called Bling. What do you think?

By today's standards, we were rather plain vanilla. I've always liked vanilla!

WHEN----Dedicated to All PCHS 1959 Grads

                   WHEN

Before Reason and Logic came to stay
When Feeling and Fear had joint lease
We had a silent, joyful hope each day
Wide-eyed optimism gave an easy peace

Intoxicating honey suckle fragrance at night
Distant whippoorwills echoed their unseen love
Spring not bound by calendar--our year long delight
Starry orbs brilliantly shone for us in the limitless above

When did Spring become so difficult to be found
When did dreams become buried by winter snows 
When did our futures become so mortality bound
When comes Eternal Spring--only the Lord knows

                                          ---Glenn C. Peck    9/13/2011

Major Preview of Coming Posts

"I Was There When It Happened And I Guess I Ought To Know" ---Sung by Johnny Cash

By the end of this month I will be starting a series of Posts that deals with the music that we listened to during our PCHS days.

Most music historians acknowledge that 1955-1959 was the period when Rock and Roll (As we knew it) started and produced its greatest singers, musicians, songs, radio stations and their DJ's.  The music was for and , for the most part, about real emotions and concerns of American teenagers. We were most fortunate to be first hand participants in music history.For better or worse, our music defined us; and for many of us, it remains as the continuing sound track to our lives.

Stay tuned!

We Were So Poor.......

If the late Ed McMahon was reading this Post he might ask, "How poor were you?" Ed, we were so poor.....

I was adopted by a family in South Korea who sent me fish heads and rice once a month. The mailman told my Dad he didn't have to look at the addressee to determine who would get the package.

We were so poor....

My brother and sister were adopted by a family in Ethiopia and they were sent camel jerky each month. They said the jerky didn't taste all that good; however, they only had to take a drink of water every three days!

We were so poor...

My folks couldn't afford a family dog. Instead, they gave us a tumbleweed. That was OK but every time the wind blew really hard the tumbleweed would run away from home.

We were so poor....


After racing to the undecorated Christmas Tree on Christmas morning and seeing no presents, Dad would always say the reason we had no gifts was Mr. and Mrs Claus were getting a divorce and Old Saint Nick had to save his money for alimony payments. 

We were so poor....


The kids on the bus thought our clothes were always ragged because we were constantly rehearsing for the Jennings County Playhouse production of "Oliver."


OK. These original attempts at humor fail to make the "rim shot" category. But you have to admit, I didn't talk about walking barefoot six miles through waste deep snow to go to a one-room log cabin school house that was heated by potbelly stove and the teacher was a grade school dropout from Kentucky!