Charlie Louvin dies

Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Louvin has passed away at the age of 83 following a fight with pancreatic cancer.



Louvin was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2010 and underwent surgery, but the operation was limited in its success. It stabilized his health long enough for him continue working through the end of the year.

Charlie & his brother, Ira performed as the Louvin Brothers in the early years. The duo broke up in 1963, and Ira died in a car crash back in 1965. Charlie has been singing & performing for over six decades.

RIP Mary Travers

There’s nothing that can draw me to a song faster than hearing some great harmony.

Peter Yarrow, Noel Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers – collectively as Peter, Paul & Mary – were among the artists who could hook me in a heartbeat. As I was growing up, Peter, Paul & Mary was a group that I regarded as having the highest standard of harmony. After all, it was usually the three of them singing together with just a soft guitar. Unlike a lot of groups you hear - both current and past - all three of Peter, Paul & Mary’s voices were prominent throughout the song. Many times they’d each sing a verse and they’d all sing the chorus together.

Peter, Paul & Mary’s music was loved by all ages. That’s very rare in the history of music. However, their music wasn’t fluffy. Many of the songs they sang served as anthems for different causes – “If I had a hammer”, “blowin’ in the wind”, etc. They were also known for their political activism, and performing at rallies.

Tonight, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mary Travers at age 72. She finally lost her battle with leukemia.

“Don’t let the light go out! Let it shine through our love and our tears.”

Farewell to Michael

I will admit - I wasn't much of a fan of Michael Jackson. I never really understood the phenomenon of the self-proclaimed "king of pop". I considered most of his behavior throughout the years very strange. His music just didn't grab me the way music usually does. There are only a few songs that I would actually recognize as his - like 'Billie Jean', 'man in the mirror' and 'beat it'.

However, I did recognize the musical genius that he seemed to be. I think that 'genius' first caught my attention with the celebrity collaboration single, USA for Africa's "We are the world" - a song co-written by Michael and Lionel Richie. Another reason for me to send my gratitude to the "king of pop" is that he gave Sheryl Crow the springboard for her musical career - having her as one of his back-up singers on the "bad" tour.