June 1, 2001


I guess the most asked question is, "Where does time go?"  Time is what makes us older.  Boo, on time.  A few days ago, one of my friends in Nashville celebrated fifty years in country and bluegrass.  Mac Wiseman is one of our stars that we couldn't do without.  I met this giant at the Ryman in the early 60's, during a DJ Convention.  If my Alzheimer's isn't progressing, I
am pretty sure that he came to Nashville with Bill Monroe's "Bluegrass Boys." Mac was the A&R man for Randy Wood's Dot Records for years.   He had a country hit with Pat Boone's "Love Letters In The Sand" while Boone was with Dot.  Since those years, Mac has been working bluegrass festivals and producing his cassettes.

Next, I need to correct an error which appeared in the previous edition. Bob
Powers' new band is GATOR DELUXE, featuring, David Morgan, Trine Mitchell,
Billy Helms, Steve Mancuso and Bob.  Robert, your E-Mail failed to come
through clear.  The gator was gonna bite off what if I didn't correct the
name.

In the NEWS, I referred to Gene Ridgewood's ROLLIN' RIVER BAND as the Lazy
River Band, because they left Kelly's in Seffner for some R&R.  The band is
rolling again as James will fill in for Gene.  James, Shawnee and Rich opens
June 1st at Eastside Lounge on Broadway, between Highway 301 and Orient Road
in Tampa.

A BELATED happy marriage to two good friends, Joe Dougherty and Lori
Ferguson.  They are both excellent entertainers.  I met Joe when he was
helping to start the Broward County Chapter of the FLORIDA COUNTRY MUSIC
ASSOCIATION.  Joe now wears green underwear and sings Irish songs at Briney's
Irish Pub in Pompano Beach.  His hours are; Thursdays, 9:00 to 1:00 and
Sundays, 4:00 to 8:00.

Ashley West, from the Orlando area, is just back from Nashville and playing
the Bluebird Cafe.  She wowed 'em.  While in the city country built, Ashley
enjoyed an Opry performance, appeared at the Hall of Fame Lounge ad was
present for the opening ceremonies for the new Country Music Hall of Fame.  
Ashley is 15 and can sing the music out of Music City.  She says that she
left her soul in Nashville.  She plans too go back later this month.

DJ's SOLD COUNTRY MUSIC THE CHARLIE DOUGLAS STORY
I don't care what anyone says, DJ's popularized and sold Country Music.  A
farmer could raise the best corn crop this side of the Jolly Green Giant, but
if Farmer Jones couldn't get his crop to market, he would have to eat the
corn and swallow the profits.  The DJ's took Country Music to market.  Jimmie
Rodgers happened when radio was an infant.  DJ's were a commodity to come
later.  So, the Father of Country Music didn't sell enough records to wad a
shotgun.  I began listening to Charlie Douglas on WWL-New Orleans in the
early 70's.  He trucked with the truckers 'til the rooster crowed.  He was
better than excellent.  Think he gave Ralph Emery, who was doing the same
thing on WSM--Nashville, a run for his money.  The thing that endeared Ralph
was that he had named artists at his beckoned call.  Douglas had style and a
voice, which were unbeatable.  In the late 70's or early 80's Charlie was
hired by WSM, where he was a Grand Ole Opry announcer and a DJ.  He has since
retired and lives in Nashville.  I always thought that Charlie didn't have
the freedom at WSM that he had in New Orleans.  Charlie was a devil of a
comedian with recordings of his funny side which he played at WWL and not at
WSM.  When Charlie left for a hillbilly's heaven, Dave Nemo was put into
Charlie's chair.  I can't say that Charlie was better than Dave or vice
versa, but Dave quickly filled Charlie's shoes.  Dave has since syndicated
his ROAD GANG show, still on WWL, and WLAC-Nashville, plus, I believe a
station in the Midwest.  Also, at www.theroadgang.com.  This is going to bee
a series in the next few editions.  But, we have trouble as I'm writing the
series from memory.  And I'm having a hard time remembering whether to put
the old cat in or out at night.

Do you remember the name of the DJ who attempted a truckers' show in the
early 70's at WWOK-Miami?  I can't.  The station's signal disappeared faster
than a man disappears into a closet, when he hears, "Honey, I'm home."  It
was a splendid show, but it didn't work in Miami.  I think he went to WHO-Des
Monies.

Another reason for The E-Mail Edition is to continue to fight to save
traditional country.  My General, like Storming Norman in Desert Storm is
Carl Vaughn. His ranking is Five Stars with a blue ribbon in steel guitar.  
Carl stands tall.  He's untouchable.  He's from Texas and plays mostly in the
Lone Star State.  Recently, I reviewed his CD, "Forever Yours."  I keep it in
easy reach.  The title cut, written by Red Simpson is a beauty.  One of the
best songs I've ever heard.  Carl picked songs from a lot of my favorite
writers.  Song crafters such as; Darrell McCall, Jerry Max Lane, Dave Kirby,
and Warren Robb, plus Willie Nelson and Ray Price.  Carl sings Willie and
Rays great "I've Just Destroyed The World I'm Living In."  Other songs are;  
"Walk Off The World", "You Oughta Try Getting Over You", "Would You Want The
World To End," "Good Chance of Teardrops," "The Marionette" and Humperdinck's
"After The Loving."  Draft this traditional country, western swing album at:  
3112 Willow Park, Fort Worth, Texas  76118.  www.raftervrecords.com

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---------------------------------------------Hi Randall,

Just an old friend who happened to get the Buster Doss newsletter with your
comments.  How ya doing?

Glad to hear you are aive and well and hope this makes it to you.

John and I head out early in the AM for Hastings, Nebraska's Heartland
Jamboree and then on to Pineville/Hastings, MO for a Patsy Montana Music
Festival on June 1-2-3 then home so if I don't hear from you today I'll
answer you when I get home.

Janet McBride
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---------------------------------------------I've loved Janet McBride for
more years than I can count.  In the 60's, she recorded for Dewey Groom's
Longhorn Records.  Janet, and the late Vern Stovall had a chart topping duet.
 Years later, she started the Mesquite Opry in Mesquite, Texas.

Loretta Lynn's new museum opened May 26th. If you're motoring around the
Volunteer State this summer.  L.L's see-it-all place is in Hurricane Mills,
west of Waverly.  The Grand Ole Opry star has 8000 square feet of stuff.  
Once, I went through Barbara Mandrell's museum.  The only thing more boring
is watching rocks roll.  Dolly Parton tried a museum, but breezes kept
getting underneath her first training bra and lifting the structure from its
foundation.

Should you ever be a contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and asked a
question on Faron Young.  "The Sheriff" placed 89 songs on the country charts
between 1953 and 1989.  That's one reason why the newest member of the
Country Music Hall of Fame could thumb his nose at Music City.  I think Faron
Young was the greatest star in Country Music.  There damn sure won't be
another like him.  Though, he had a relative sad life.  Here's a memory for
my friends in central Florida. The last time I saw Faron in person was at
Lake Monroe Inn in Sanford.  Bill Nolte and Midnight Express was the house
band.  Bill told the management not to let Faron get anything to drink
between shows.  His first show was excellent.  But, somehow between shows,
Faron had a few.  He sang one song on the second show and couldn't continue.  
It was so sad.

The 15-year old, Whitney Jordan sure belts a country song.  A few months ago,
the Jordan moved to Nashville from Apopka.  Whitney is beginning to record
with two new producers, Dann Huff and Ellis Orvall, later this month.  The
event that made Whitney was singing at the NEWS' 40th Anniversary BASH in
August,' 99.  I can hear Jeanette, Whitney's Mom, "We whisper very low that
Whitney worked the BASH."

June 13th is the TNN/CMT Country Weekly Awards Show, hosted by Leann Womack
and NFL's Terry Bradshaw.  HO-HUM, another awards show - just what TV needs.  
Terry could do his TV commercial where he's served raw fish and says, "We
call this bait at home."  Chris LaDouix will be a guest.  This will be Chris'
first outing since having a liver transplant in Ootober.

On May 29th, Country Music Television launched "CMT Most Wanted".  That's all
I know about the show as of this writing.  I understand the show is a cross
between "Prime Time Live" and "Nashville Now."  The show's host is Larry
Scott.

I want to leave "reviewing" CD's to the bimonthly NEWS.  Harold Crosby of
Wichita Falls, Texas, sent his current CD, "Traditional Train."  He used to
live in Florida and was a member of the FCMA.  Harold does a song I hadn't
heard in almost a half century, "Harvey's Has It All But You."  Harvey is a
department store in Nashville and was a sponsor on the Opry.  I've forgotten
who did the song.  Harold, you did some researching.

In the current NEWS, one of the articles is on Jack Blanchard and Misty
Morgan.  I'm sorry to report that Jack hasn't been feeling too perky.  Misty
E''ed that his doctor blames it on stress.  On Tuesday, June 5th, Keith
Bilbrey interviews the couple live on WSM-Nashville at 1:00 PM (CDT).  He
will play cuts from their CD, "Back From The Dead, Vol. 2."  Jack and Misty
play in the lounge at Orlando Moose #766, tonight, (June 1st).  Hey Jack. if
Dave still tends bar at the Moose, asked him for a "Randy" drink.  It will
cure stress.  Of course, you'll have no legs and your better half will exile
your ass.

It's commercial time.  I have books.  Boy, do I have books.  ONIONS IN THE
PEANUT BUTTER (My Problem Is Cerebral Palsy, What's Yours?) is my
auto-biography.  You can read up on the book at http://amjon.com/florida.  
Its a tasty book, I know because I've been eating them.  Pour some gravy on a
book and.... taste just like chicken.  The price is $8.00.

It's time to let this edition fly.  Thanks for your time.

Randy

J. Randall Collier
Editor
121 N.E. 47th Street
Fort Lauderdale, Florida  33334
(954) 771-6479   FAX (954) 771-7106
E-Mail:  JCountrylad@aol.com