11/22/08 Playlist - 1963

This day, of course, was the 45th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963. So I took a look back at some of the music of that year and walked through history a little bit. Most of us who were around at that time no doubt remember where they were when the President was shot. Me, I was in 3rd grade when one of the other teachers told our teacher the news. We had a little reading lesson going on at the time. I was one of those "teacher's pets" back then so our teacher left the room for a little bit and she put me in charge. Only thing was the class and I were a little confused on whether she wanted me to watch the room or run the reading group. Not long after that we were told the President had died and we all were sent home. From then on it was a weekend of black and white images on TV none of us will ever forget and my mother telling me to keep the volume on the music that I played on my stereo soft.

There is an aircheck out on the internet from radio station KLIF in Dallas from the day of the assassination which is quite chilling. At around 12:30 p.m. DJ Rex Jones was doing his show as usual. When the first report of a shooting came in, they played commercials for Sandra Dee's latest movie and clothing stores and music…then when reports got more serious, things gradually changed. But while this song aired on KLIF, few knew what was transpiring not far away from the station and the innocence the song by the Chiffons portrayed was soon to be changed forever.

Chiffons - I Have A Boyfriend
Rick Nelson - Fools Rush In
Kyu Sakamoto - Sukiyaki
Lesley Gore - It's My Party
Inez and Charlie Foxx - Mockingbird
Del Shannon - Little Town Flirt

Going back to JFK for a second, I visited the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas a few years ago and it was quite the experience. One thing I picked up while I was there was a DVD called JFK-Breaking the News which is a collection on clips from the local Dallas TV coverage and interviews from people who were on the scene, so if you're a history and TV news enthusiast, you might want to try to find this one.

Picking Through the Record Box
For the record box, I've pulled out all my stuff ahead of time, so we're going to stay with 1963 for the most part. 1963 is the year that I have the most vivid memories of music and of my childhood. I was 8 years old back then (go ahead, do the math, I don't mind). There was always music around the house because my mother loved it and I had that older sister advantage that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. My family was also involved with an Irish music club, so on many occasions there'd be a lot of visitors to the outdoor patio...and maybe an accordion or two. I played some songs that seems to stick out in that era and stayed with me that everyone liked a lot.

(Obligatory technical glitch of the day: I wanted to play Jimmy Soul Clark's "If You Want To Be Happy" from a tape cassette, but it decided not to cooperate.)

Gene Pitney - 24 Hours From Tulsa
Jackie De Shannon - Needles and Pins
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
Supremes - When the Lovelight Start Shining Through His Eyes

Brenda Lee - Losing You
New Christy Minstrels - Green Green
Dixiebells - Papa Joe's
Steve Alaimo - Every Day I Have To Cry Some

Current music:
Scott Krippayne - What Breaks Your Heart
He was one of the American Idol finale songwriter winners a couple of seasons back. He co-wrote the song Jordin Sparks sang, This Is My Now.

Stephanie Mills –Born For This
This song was written by BeBe Winans who resides here in town. I heard him do this song last year in my church. He's an ordained minister as well as an artist and he preached his first sermon for us. He sang this song at the end, and there was an incredible move of the spirit. People were reaching across the aisles hugging each other and all. I'll never forget that experience.

Inspiration:

Next week most of us will be pondering the things we are thankful for. I'd like to suggest that if there are any people you are thankful for in your life, that you be sure to encourage them and tell then. Life is too short, after all. 45 years ago we lost a President in the blink of an eye. If someone were sadly snatched from your life, will he or she have known how you felt about them? I hope so. It doesn't take a whole lot to say so. I'm thankful for being in this town, for my friends, my singer/songwriter people who have encouraged me and my mission here, and for getting to do this show with some great people. And you do know who you are.