Kenny Rogers & The First Edition - Voice Your Choice

Kenny Rogers was born on August 21, 1938 in Houston, Texas. Quite versatile, he became a country singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor.
In high school he had a group called The Scholars in 1958. He also became the bass player of jazz group the Bobby Doyle Trio, which recorded for Columbia Records. First recorded for Carlton Records in 1958.

He became a member of the Kirby Stone Four and The New Christy Minstrels, in the mid-1960s. He went on to form and front The First Edition in 1967. Original lineup included Thelma Camacho, Mike Settle, Terry Williams and Mickey Jones. All but Jones were members of The New Christy Minstrels. Group hosted own syndicated TV variety show Rollin' in 1972.

Rogers split from group in 1973. He eventually starred in movie Six Pack and several TV movies including The Gambler I, II & III miniseries, Coward Of The County, Wild Horses and Rio Diablo.

He was married to actress Marianne Gordon from 1977-93. Later started the Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant chain.

His accolades include being named the #1 Hot 100 artist of 1980! Check this out: his total; number of Number One hits: 2,  Top 10: 11 / Top 20: 21 / Top 40: 28 Top 10 Albums: 4

That is a substantial career in entertainment!

Voice Your Choice presents Kenny Rogers and the First Edition with two of the group's hit records for your votes. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Ruby, Don`t Take Your Love To Town or Something`s Burning. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of our Annual Canadian Thanksgiving Special on Sunday, October 7th.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - September 23rd to October 6th, 2012

September 23rd, 2012 to October 6th, 2012

Yes, you did read the above dates correctly. I'm taking a one week vacation next week, so there will be no new live show. There will be, however, an encore presentation of the show for the week of September 30th from 2011. Seeing as a whole year has passed since you heard that show, it may feel like a new one. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it. LOL I'll be back with a NEW Live Show October 7th and it'll be our Annual Canadian Thanksgiving Special.

We're still working out the bugs in the new Chat Room. And  I am unsure as to whether screen readers are able to read the chat page. If you use a screen reader, I invite you to try using the chat room to check out if it will work for you. Please let me know, as I definitely want to have the Chat Room inclusive for everyone. Please send your comments and feedback to x7chat@treasureislandoldies.com.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is playing one of the top English groups from the British Music Invasion of the 1960s. In a live performance of Carrie-Anne, it's The Hollies with our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice will return October 7th for our Thanksgiving Special with Kenny Rogers And The First Edition. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town or Something's Burning. The winner will get played in the 3rd hour of the show.

If you have a birthday coming up, send the details of your name, city and birthday date to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'd sure like to help celebrate your birthday too, by wishing you Happy Birthday on the show and also by playing Birthday by The Beatles.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of September 23rd, 2012

And here's the Top 5 Countdown from this week in 1965.

See you when I return from my one week vacation on our Annual Canadian Thanksgiving Special, October 7th.

Bye for now.

Michael

The Hollies - Song Of The Week

Treasure Island Oldies takes great pleasure in presenting a different music clip every week for your enjoyment here at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

This week I`m pleased to play for you one of the most popular bands to surface during the British Invasion of the '60s.

Here are The Hollies with a live performance of Carrie-Anne. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week of September 16th, 2012

September 16th, 2012 to September 22nd, 2012

As you know by now, the regular Chat Room server malfunctioned last week before the end of the show. And so far, the technicians at our network have been unable to repair it. I'd like to thank our Webmaster, Eddy Fisher, for his quick action in finding a great solution. He has put into place a new Chat Room that works really well and is quite easy to use. One thing is that we have not been able to have it tested for ease of access for the visually impaired. If you or someone you know is visually impaired and uses a screen reader, please ask them to try out the chat room and give us some feedback. One thing to be aware of is that this new chat room powered by X7 Chat is NOT compatible with mIRC software. It is a stand-alone item. I hope that you found it easy to use this week; and if you missed the live show, then I hope you'll give the new chat room a try. Just so you know, it is quite possible that this may become our permanent solution for the Chat Room. If you have any problems registering and/or logging in, please send an email to x7chat@treasureislandoldies.com and we'll do our very best to help you.

If you have a birthday coming up, send the details of your name, city and birthday date to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'd sure like to help celebrate your birthday too, by wishing you Happy Birthday on the show and also by playing Birthday by The Beatles.

Sad news with word that Phyllis McGuire, one of the three McGuire Sisters, has died at age 84 from Parkinson's disease and age-related dimentia. More details are at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog. I was pleased to pay tribute to the McGuire Sisters during both the Rock & Roll Reunion and the Spot Dance. If you missed the Live show, be sure to listen to the Archive at the Listen Page. And we continue our tribute at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog by playing a clip from the Perry Como TV show with guests The McGuire Sisters and they perform their million selling hit record, Sugartime. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy! Phyllis McGuire, R.I.P.

Voice Your Choice presents perhaps the quintessential folk-rock duo of the 1960s, Simon And Garfunkel. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Scarborough Fair - Canticle or Homeward Bound. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of September 16th, 2012

And here's the Top 5 Countdown from this week in 1962.

With the announcement of the release of the new iPhone 5, more and more folks will be "mobile" than ever before. With that mobility, you'll still want to be connected to Treasure Island Oldies, and you can.  All you need is the Tune In Radio app. You can listen to the Live Show, the Rock & Roll News Podcasts, and the Archived Show as well. Just be sure that to do a search for Treasure Island Oldies. Get more out of your iPhone or other smartphone with the Tune In Radio app, available at the iTunes Store.

Show the world you're a proud Islander! Send your photo and we'll post it to the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Send it to listenergallery@treasureislandoldies.com

Hope you have a great week. See you on next week's show.

Bye for now.

Michael

Simon And Garfunkel - Voice Your Choice

Simon and Garfunkel, two names synonymous with the folk-rock era of the 1960s, were from New York City. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel first recorded as Tom & Jerry in 1957 and had a song hit #49 on the charts, Hey, Schoolgirl.

The duo split in 1964, with Paul Simon off on a solo career in England, while Art Garfunkel went to graduate school. They reunited in 1965 and were signed to Columbia Records and their first single under the Simon And Garfunkel banner, The Sounds Of Silence, shot straight to the top of the charts and also became their very first Gold record. Between 1965 and 1982, they had 8 Top Ten hits and 4 Gold Records.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice spotlights Simon and Garfunkel with two of their well known and loved songs. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Scarborough Fair - Canticle or Homeward Bound. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

The McGuire Sisters - Song Of The Week

Treasure Island Oldies pays tribute to the late Phyllis McGuire (please see the Blog post below) by having the Treasure Island Oldies Blog play a great clip for you.

The McGuire Sisters debuted Sugartime, a record that would become a Million Seller, on the Perry Como TV show. Here they are again with Perry after their record has sold one million copies.

Here then are The McGuire Sisters performing their signature hit song, Sugartime. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Phyllis McGuire, R.I.P.

Unfortunately, I am unable to embed the video clip, so here is a link to watch.

New Chat Room For Treasure Island Oldies

I'm pleased to let you know that we now have a brand new Chat Room. It is initially intended as a temporary substitution for our regular Chat Room, which has been down for well over a week. The tech folks at the network are looking into the problem and hope to get it fixed soon.

In the meantime, this new Chat Room is easy to use. It is quite possible that this temporary solution will become the long term solution. However, in order log in, you must register with a working email address.Come to the Chat Page at Treasure Island Oldies for more information and easy to follow instructions.

I look forward to you joining the Nuts In The Hut as we greatly enjoy our weekly visit together. Many folks in the Chat Room have been returning every week for over 10 years. Be part of the fun yourself.  Join the Nuts in the Hut, the Treasure Island Oldies Chat Room.

We're mostly harmless!

LOL

Michael

Dorothy McGuire - The McGuire Sisters Has Died

(Taken in 1953, this photo shows Christine, Phyllis and Dorothy, left to right)

Dorothy McGuire, one of the singing McGuire Sisters -- along with Christine and Phyllis -- died Friday (September 7) at her son's home in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The 84 year-old had suffered from Parkinson's disease and age-related dementia. 

 

The trio hailed from Middletown, Ohio and got their break on Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" radio show in 1952, eventually joining the old Redhead as regulars on his show. From 1954 to 1961, they charted 32 times, earning 5 top ten hits, including their versions of "Sincerely" (#1-1955) and "Sugartime" (#1-1958). The group broke up in 1964 when Phyllis went solo but reunited in 1986. The sisters were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - Week Of September 9th, 2012

September 9th, 2012 to September 15th, 2012

Thanks for spending another four hours together again this week on the "Island". It's always a pleasure to have your company for however long you are available to listen. Even if you miss some or even an entire show, you can always catch up via the Archive at the Listen page. And thanks for your nice comments on our salute to Joe South, a terrific recording artist, songwriter and producer. I enjoyed playing some of Joe's hits along with song songs he wrote and produced for other artists such as Billy Joe Royal and Lynn Anderson. If you'd like to find out more about Joe South, I invite you to read my post at the Treasure Island Oldies Blog.

Just near the end of the live show, our Chat Room server went down and everyone got disconnected. It took me by surprise too, as I was also disconnected. Our network technicians are looking into the problem and hope to have everything resolved by next Sunday. If the problem persists, another option is in the works.

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Scott Harmon in Phenix City, Alabama, my niece Sara Korytowski and friend and colleague Colin McDonald, both in Vancouver British Columbia. If you have a birthday coming up, send the details of your name, city and birthday date to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'd sure like to help celebrate your birthday too, by wishing you Happy Birthday on the show and also by playing Birthday by The Beatles.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog continues our tribute to Joe South with a song he wrote and produced for Billy Joe Royal. Here's Down In The Boondocks with Billy Joe Royal. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents The Spinners, with one song from their Motown days and the other when they later signed with Atlantic Records.. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Could It Be I'm Falling In Love or It's A Shame. I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of September 9th, 2012

And here's the Top 5 Countdown from this week in 1957.

I'm pleased that I continue to hear from listeners who are enjoying the show on their mobile smartphone. You can too. All you need is the Tune In Radio app. You can listen to the Latest Show, the Rock & Roll News Podcasts, and the Live Show as well. Just be sure that to do a search for Treasure Island Oldies. Get more out of your iPhone or other smartphone with the Tune In Radio app, available at the iTunes Store.

Show the world you're a proud Islander! Send your photo and we'll post it to the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Send it to listenergallery@treasureislandoldies.com

Hope you have a great week. See you on next week's show.

Bye for now.

Michael

The Spinners - Voice Your Choice

The Spinners, at one time in their career, were signed to Motown Records and appeared on the V.I.P. label for the Top Twenty hit It's A Shame. They were from Detroit, Michigan and were discovered by Harvey Fuqua, the producer and lead singer of The Moonglows.

In 1972 The Spinners switched over to Atlantic Records and their career took off, attaining 7 Top Ten hits and 7 Gold Records between 1972 and 1980.

This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice presents The Spinners with one Motown and one Atlantic hit from each label. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Could It Be I'm Falling In Love or It's A Shame. 

I'll play the winning song in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Billy Joe Royal - Song Of The Week

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog continues our tribute to the late Joe South with a song he wrote and produced for Billy Joe Royal.

From 1965, here is the Top 10 smash from Billy Joe Royal and Down By The Boondocks. It's our Song Of The Week.

Joe South R.I.P.

Joe South Has Died At Age 70

Songwriter Joe South, who penned the classics “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden” and “Down in the Boondocks” , has died at age 70. His career included time as a hit artist, songwriter, producer and sideman. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Recently he had been in failing health.

Born Joseph Souter in Atlanta on Feb. 28, 1942, he got his start in the music business at age 12 with a radio show on Atlanta’s WYST. Local music publisher and radio vet Bill Lowery helped guide his career. South was eventually hired as a staff writer and musician by Atlanta’s National Recording Corporation, where he met and played with NRC artists Ray Stevens and Jerry Reed.

In 1962 South wrote and produced his first charttopper, The Tams’ “Untie Me ”. He wrote and produced Billy Joe Royal’s soon-to-be-classic “Down In The Boondocks.” Royal also recorded South’s “Old Bridges Burn Slow,” “I Knew You When,” and “Yo-Yo,” which was also covered by the Osmonds. South’s career as a producer included work with Royal, as well as Sandy Posey, and Friend and Lover.

As an artist, South won Grammys in 1969 for Best Contemporary Song and Song of the Year for “The Games People Play,” released on his Introspect LP (Capitol). He followed that success with the hits “Walk A Mile In My Shoes” and “Don’t It Make You Want To Go Home.”

Perhaps his greatest professional achievement came with the international success of Lynn Anderson’s recording of “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden.” It earned Grammy nominations for him in 1970, and secured a win for Anderson for Best Country Vocal Performance. South would go on to pen more hits for Anderson, such as “How Can I Unlove You” and “Fool Me.”

But the warm glow of triumph was shadowed by a personal loss. In 1971, his brother Tommy, who also played on many sessions South produced, committed suicide. In the aftermath, South retreated to Hawaii.

South was also a prominent sideman, playing guitar on Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools,” Tommy Roe’s “Sheila,” Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde and albums by Eddy Arnold and Marty Robbins. He recorded with Simon & Garfunkel, and there is some debate about whether or not he played on their landmark hit “The Sounds of Silence.”

South’s other hits as a songwriter include “Hush,” recorded by Deep Purple and Kula Shaker; Gene Vincent’s “I Might Have Known” and “Gone Gone Gone;” and songs for Dizzy Gillespie and Jerry Lee Lewis.

This Week On Treasure Island Oldies - September 2nd to 8th, 2012

September 2nd, 2012 to September 8th, 2012

I hope you enjoyed our salute to work, school and summer on our Annual Labour Day Back To School End Of Summer Special. Playing all those work songs got me exhausted! LOL It always surprises just how many songs fit into a specific theme. And getting all three themes together for this week's show was a blast. I'd like to thank you for the many requests I received. I always do my best to play them for you. In case you missed the Live show, be sure to check out the Archives on the Listen Page.

Our sincere condolences go out to my friend, long time listener and weekly contributor to the show, Rick Canode, whose dad passed away last Friday at age 92. Wayne Canode had just reached his 70th Wedding Anniversary but was in very poor health. Rick, my thoughts are with you and your family.

I'd like to wish Connie "Kitten" Howe in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania a very Happy Birthday. If you've got a birthday coming up, send the details of your name, city and birthday date to birthdays@treasureislandoldies.com. I'd sure like to help celebrate your birthday too, by wishing you Happy Birthday on the show and also by playing Birthday by The Beatles.

The Treasure Island Oldies Blog is keeping with our show theme this week and is playing a clip from the 1968 TV Special, The Beat Of The Brass. Here's Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass and The Work Song. It's our Song Of The Week. Enjoy!

Voice Your Choice presents Vanity Fare, a group from England. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice page for either Early In The Morning or Hitchin'A Ride. I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Here is this week's Rock & Roll News for the Week of September 2nd, 2012

And here's the Top 5 Countdown from this week in 1966.  

I'm pleased that I continue to hear from listeners who are enjoying the show on their mobile smartphone. You can too. All you need is the Tune In Radio app. You can listen to the Latest Show, the Rock & Roll News Podcasts, and the Live Show as well. Just be sure that to do a search for Treasure Island Oldies. Get more out of your iPhone or other smartphone with the Tune In Radio app, available at the iTunes Store.

Show the world you're a proud Islander! Send your photo and we'll post it to the Treasure Island Oldies Listener Gallery. Send it to listenergallery@treasureislandoldies.com

Hope you have a great week. See you on next week's show.

Bye for now.

Michael

Vanity Fare - Voice Your Choice

Vanity Fare were a short-lived chart success from england. The members of the group were Trevor Brice on lead vocals, Tony Goulden on guitars, Barry Landeman played piano, Tony Jarrett on bass and Dick Allix on drums.

They recorded for artist manager, producer and record company executive Larry Page on his Page One record label. He also was involved as the manager and producer of The Kinks and The Troggs.

In North America, they only appeared on the Top 100 charts on three occasions.

And this week Treasure Island Oldies is featuring Vanity Fare with two of their big hits on Voice Your Choice.

Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice Page for either Early In The Morning or Hitchin' A Ride.

I'll play the winner in the 3rd hour of next week's show.

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass - Song Of The Week

Herb Alpert became an incredibly successful record executive as co-founder and co-owner of A&M Records with Jerry Moss. He was also one of most successful and recognized instrumental artists of all time with the Tijuana Brass. Having worked at A&M Records as Vice-President A&R, I can tell you Herb was and is a very nice, humble and somewhat shy man.

This week the Treasure Island Oldies Blog is keeping up with the theme on this week's show, the Annual Labour Day Back To School End of Summer Special.

Here's Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass in a rare clip from the 1968 TV special, The Beat Of The Brass, performing The Work Song. It's our Song Of The Week.

Enjoy!

Michael

Legendary Songwriter Hal David Has Died At Age 91

Music is the one art that reaches deep down into the soul and grabs it by the collar. It connects with us in a way no other thing on this planet can. One way music touches our lives is through lyrics and the industry lost one of its icons, Hal David at the age of 91.
For those not familiar with David, he is renowned for writing and co-writing some of the most famous songs we have come to know. According to his website,

If you've ever had a lyric running through your head, chances are you've heard the work of Hal David.

Some of David's credits include "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", "What the World Needs Now is Love", "What's New Pussycat" and "To All the Girls I've Loved Before". From Top 40 hits to Grammy's and numerous awards including Hall of Fame status, David has impacted the music industry.

The gifted songwriter talks candidly on his website about the songwriting process and confirms much of how it really happens. That there isn't a formula, sometimes it flows smoothly and other times it is like rowing a boat upstream. Most often a lyric starts with a title. A line in a book I am reading may set me off. Other times some dialogue in a play or a movie becomes the catalyst. More often than not the idea just pops into my head-where it comes from I hardly ever know.

Hal David's passing was due to complications of a stroke. Deep condolences go out to his family during this time as well as sincere gratitude for contributions he made throughout his career.
The next time you have a lyric running through your head, think of Hal David and the many other talented songwriters who helped make that lyric addictive. He is a talent that will be missed.