“Blur”
Heard County, Georgia – 31 March 2013
Friday Photo: 5/10/13
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Tag Archives: Holidays
Happy birthday, Willie Nelson
There should be a law against saying “Willie Nelson” and “80th birthday” in the same sentence. Good thing there isn’t, though, because I’d be going to jail right about now.
In honor of the Red-Headed Stranger’s birthday, here’s his version of “The Rainbow Connection,” first made famous by Kermit the Frog in The Muppet Movie (1979). The video has quite a long intro; Willie comes in at 1:51.
Happy birthday, Willie! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
Roy Orbison: 1936-1988
Today would have been Roy Orbison’s 77th birthday.
The first time I’d ever heard of him was in 1987, when The Traveling Wilburys (Orbison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Tom Petty) released “Handle with Care.” I had heard Van Halen’s version of his classic “Pretty Woman,” but somehow failed to make the connection between Orbison’s original and the 1980s cover.
No matter. This song was so unlike anything on late-1980s radio that I couldn’t believe I’d never heard of Roy Orbison. That fragile, haunting voice—where’s it coming from? His mouth barely moves, yet all this world-weary heartbreak still pours forth.
But the next year, he died of a heart attack at 52, and his record company released Mystery Girl posthumously. My favorite from that album, “You Got It,” was a simultaneous #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Hot Country Songs charts. It was also his first hit in nearly 25 years.
Rest in peace, Roy, and thank you.
Happy birthday, Roy Clark
It doesn’t seem possible that Roy Clark can be 80 years old—today, or any day. In my mind, he’s forever 45 and hosting Hee Haw with Buck Owens, or making guest appearances on The Muppet Show.
Speaking of which…
For something a little more serious, here’s Roy in 1969 performing a blistering version of ”Malagueña,” which he’s made his own over the years.
Happy birthday, Roy! Thanks for sharing your many talents with us.
Happy birthday, Loretta Lynn
Her 81st birthday, no less!
“Portland, Oregon” is one of my favorite tracks from Van Lear Rose. The entire album is stellar, though, so it’s hard to choose just one. Since nearly everyone’s familiar with Loretta Lynn’s best-known work, I thought I’d share this in honor of her special day.
Forsythia in full bloom
Heard County, Georgia—31 March 2013
Luck of the groundcovers
The house was demolished years ago, but in what was once the front yard, clover and assorted early-spring groundcovers endure. Lucky, indeed.
LaGrange, Georgia—8 March 2012
Roadside Valentine
Troup County, Georgia—4 August 2012
Hover
The next season of the year is never far away.
(Heard County, Georgia—4 July 2009)
No groundhog? No problem.
(LaGrange, Georgia—23 December 2009)
Think he saw his shadow? Judging from the expression he’s wearing, it’s probably none of our business.
Special note: This marks WilliamsWrite’s 200th published post. Time sure does fly when you’re busy writing.