August 25, 2026: "I'll Oilwells Love You" Dolly Parton remembrance.

A fun Dolly Parton note. She co-wrote  “I’ll Oilwells Love You” several years prior to her 1974 release of "I Will Always Love You.” 

 “I’ll Oilwells Love You” is on Dolly’s “Just Because I'm a Woman” album from 1968.

Of course in 1992 Whitney Houston’s version of “ I Will Always Love You” from  The Bodyguard soundtrack - is the cover most people can bolt out. 

So I’m looking for a more obscure Original and Cover to showcase for Dolly.

In 1974, Tina Turner’s debut solo album included a cover of Dolly Parton’s song "There'll Always Be Music.”

Parton wrote and first recorded it as a duet with Porter Wagoner in 1973. ®

She wrote “I will always love you” as a goodbye to Wagoner as she set out on her solo career.

 In 1967 Hank Williams, Jr. covered Dolly’s  “I'm in No Condition”

And in ‘68 Merle Haggard & The Strangers covered her 

"In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad.)”

Then in 74 covered Dollys Kentucky Gambler .

So many to name- let me know your favorite covers. 

Plus I’m sure this Christmas we will hear some Dolly, as she had not only  “Hard Candy Christmas” from 1982 but around 30 more - as well as holiday albums. 

Aug 24th. "Crazy" story of Willie Nelson's early days

While we wait for Ron's recovery and our return to the airwaves, I have a special signed “Random CD Pull” from dad’s collection. It also helps tell an early Willie Nelson story.

The CD is Larry Butler with Willie Nelson “Memories of Hank Williams, Sr.” It was released in 2000, but in the late 50’s, Larry Butler helped jumpstart Willie Nelson’s career.

Butler was the house performer at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston. Willie Nelson offered to sell Butler songs, including “Crazy” for ten dollars each. 

Instead Butler gave Nelson a loan and a job performing with his band. 

Esquire Ballroom is now Neon Boots Dancehall and Saloon. It was built in 1955 by Raymond Proske. My dad started working with the  Houston Police department in 1958 and was a regular. I was told they also wanted him around for security in case .

The Esquire used to hold reunions for all the old timers. Here’s dad at one. Nelson even went to one. 

I was fortunate to attend the 90th birthday of Esquire Ballrooms founder Proske back 14 years ago. He spoke about Grand Prize Beer. 

And of course Willie Nelson.

Larry Butler signed dad’s CD in 2003, probably at one of those reunions. Dad used to tell me about seeing names such as  Price, Cline and Haggard in the early years at Esquire Ballroom. 

Butler passed in 2017. Nelson posted a goodbye. 

Now it’s time to choose a Willie/ butler Hank Williams song from the CD!  Move It On Over, Your Cheatin’ Heart or??

 

Aug 16th royal births and deaths

 Both Elvis Presley, King of Rock n” Roll and Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, passed on August 16th. 

Elvis in 1977. 

Aretha in 2018.

Madonna was born on August 16th- she’s considered Queen of Pop.

Let’s play a song for each. Which is your favorite Elvis, Aretha and Madonna song?

And all known by first names. 

Albums turning 50 in 2026 summer recap

 Which album released in 1976 is your favorite?

Here is a recap of some of the albums turning 50 we have spotlighted on Magical Monday Musical Matinee as we await our return September 14th. July 6th- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers debut album was released in November 1976. “American Girl” was recorded July 4th 1976 and reportedly written the night before. On July 13th we featured Blue Oyster Cult “Agents of Fortune.” We played “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and original band member Joe Bouchard called in to discuss the anniversary. He’s also releasing new songs. Check em out. July 20th it was “Wild Cherry” by Wild Cherry.” The single of course - “Play That Funky Music” Next it was Steely Dan’s “The Royal Scam” playing “The Caves of Altamira.” We had Boston’s debut album “Boston.” Released in August 1976. “More Than A Feeling” And we still have this one on deck for our return show- Jimmy Buffet’s “Havana Daydreaming.” The choice song is his Steve Goodman cover of “This Hotel Room” Which 1976 album should be featured next?

Monday, August 10, 2026

 

Each week we spotlight an album turning 50 this year in 2026.

This Monday it is “Havana Daydreaming” by Jimmy Buffett. 

The song we will play for Magical Monday Musical Matinee is “This Hotel Room.”

It is a cover.

It was originally written and released by Steve Goodman the year prior in 1975.

Goodman is known for writing “City of New Orleans.”

We featured the song three weeks ago as our original and cover. Steve’s version from 1972 followed by Willie Nelson’s 1984 version. Arlo Guthrie had his only top 40 hit with a cover of the song in 1972.

——

Original and Cover 

The Kinks or Def Leppard?

Our Original and Cover feature this week is "Waterloo Sunset.”

It’s originally by The Kinks from the album Something Else released in 1967.

Def Leppard covered it in the 2006 cover album Yeah! 

Which version do you like better ? And can you hear sha la la in background vocals by default Leppard? It’s prevalent in the original. In the cover it sounds instrumental but I’m reading it’s their engineered vocal production and multi layering. 

I keep listening and —-

Let me know what you think.

As for this weeks La La song, it is a doo doo doo song.

It is “Spike” by Tom Petty in 1985 from 

Southern Accents, his sixth studio album.

———-

Random 45 & LP

We are going back to 1982 with Swingin’ from John Anderson. It’s the random 45 pull.

The random LP from the same collection takes us back to January 1960 with “The Village of St. Bernadette” by Andy Williams. 

We will play the title song from the album. 

That song was also released as a single with the B-side  a cover of Hank Williams “I’m so Lonesome I could cry.”

Just last week I pulled the Charley Pride 45 from 1980 with b side I’m so Lonesome I could cry” and A side Honky Tonk Blues.

August 1st birthday tribute "Friend of the Devil"

Planning for Mondays show, this Saturday, August 1st is a must mention for me for Magical Monday Musical Matinee. 

Today is the birthday of both the Dead's Jerry Garcia and Adam Duritz of Counting Crows.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BLPefd6DG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In honor of both of their birthdays, we are going to play Friend of the Devil- the Counting Crows cover.

Garcia cowrote the music. The song debuted on the Grateful Dead 1970 studio album American Beauty. Lyrics are by Robert Hunter.

Counting Crows covers the song live and included it in a 2003 compilation album.

Personal for me- I was in Greece wearing a Grateful Dead tshirt when I heard of Garcias passing on August 9, 1995.

And Crows made me really like the song. 

There are so many covers of the song.

Which is your favorite?

Or are you a friend only to the Dead?