Are You Ready for the Country?

Are You Ready for the Country

EUGENE JOHN  | 2023

Waylon Jennings - Are You Ready for the Country
> PLAY MUSIC <

80’s - Growing Up Country - Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, John Denver, Waylon Jennings & Kenny Rogers were on everything I seen from Movies to T.V. shows. They were so warm, welcoming and too much fun. From Dolly’s jubilant laughter, Willie’s kindness, to John Denver’s warm smile, they left an impression on my soul.

90’s - Twang on this! - In my teens it was English bands that made the “TWANG” cool: Depeche Mode, PJ Harvey, and Alien Sex Fiend, and later, the Californian, Chris Isaak , and the N.Y. band, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. PRIMUS’ “TWANGiNESS” also had a HUGE influence on me. While hardwired to Industrial Music throughout the 90’s, I have always been attracted to any kind of band or artist with a hint of that cool “TWANG” in their music. 

2000’s - The Rising Sun - The “TWANG” had a name: Rockabilly. I immersed myself in all the Rockabilly Sun Records had to offer. I devoured everything Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Charlie Feathers, and Eddie Cochran. For yeeeaars I enjoyed Sun Records Rockabilly every summer. That “TWANG” resonated with my soul. It felt just right.

2010 - Beyond The Sun - I absolutely love everything Johnny Cash produced while at Sun Records. Everything. It was time I explored beyond Johnny’s Sun musical output. With Johnny Cash, and then, Waylon Jennings, it was Country music, the final destination for the “TWANG” my soul so very desired all these years. I am finally home. I am beyond satisfied and damn near closed to leveling up to adorning a cowboy hat. 

Johnny Cash:

After The Ball

> PLAY MUSIC <

Dolly Parton:

Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)

> PLAY MUSIC <

Waylon Jennings:

 Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way

 > PLAY MUSIC <

Loretta Lynn:

You're Lookin' at Country

> PLAY MUSIC <

Merle Haggard: 

(My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers

> PLAY MUSIC <

George Strait: Heartland 

(Official Music Video)

> PLAY MUSIC <

Dwight Yoakam: 

Guitars, Cadillacs (Official Video)

> PLAY MUSIC <

Marty Stuart: Tempted

(Official Music Video)

> PLAY MUSIC <

Garth Brooks: 

The Beaches of Cheyenne

> PLAY MUSIC <

Clint Black:

A Good Run of Bad Luck

(Official Music Video)

> PLAY MUSIC <

Alan Jackson: Gone Country

 (Official Music Video)

> PLAY MUSIC <

Clay Walker:

If I Could Make A Living 

(Official Music Video)

> PLAY MUSIC <

Toby Keith: You Ain't Much Fun

> PLAY MUSIC <

And now for some records. Some other time I’ll share with you my extensive record collection. I’m pretty sure I have an enough 7” country records for a jukebox. 

Waylon Jennings vinyl albums

Hank Williams

Here’s some 7” records | Zoom in for more info 

Johnny Cash

Part 1 - Click to enlarge

Part 2 - Click to enlarge 

80s ☆ High Gear ☆

📚 BOOK II UPDATE 📚 

Quechua Book II is still in the works and it’s coming along somewhat nicely. It’s a beast of a project ‘cause there’s a WHOLE LOTTA translating and remixing to be done.

Quechua Book II is a wee bit more complicated than Book I ‘cause this time there’s phrases and sentences involved. Being equipped with loads of Perseverance + Imagination is very important when taking on a massive project involving various languages, and also, striving to make it an enjoyable experience for the reader.

Jaku Ripuna! | Come On! | ¡Vámonos!

The General Lee & K.I.T.T.

And now, for our feature presentation.

Rewind back to the early 80s, when I was a T.V. maniac, these two shows + cars: K.I.T.T (Knight Rider) & The General Lee (The Dukes of Hazzard) captivated and mesmerized me like no other 80s cartoon could. 

Both shows offered memorable, funny and great characters as well as music that has never stopped playing in my subconscious. My love for the Synth 🎹 and that infectious 🎸 Twang can be traced back to these two amazingly entertaining T.V. shows.

Oh yes, I still randomly watch both shows and they’re charming and immensely enjoyable.

• Knight Rider theme song by Stu Philips:

> Knight Rider Theme < 

• The Dukes of Hazzard theme song: “Good Ol’Boys” by Waylon Jennings: 

> The Dukes of Hazzard Theme < 

***The title of this post was inspired by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion song: High Gear***

> JSBX: High Gear <

The Twang Heard Around the Universe

 

Sometime back in my teens, early 90’s to be exact, I just had to get my hands on everything, anything Wax Trax! Records. There was some kind of magical quality to music & band’s associated with Wax Trax! 

I give major thanks to Uncle Al (Al/Alien/Alain/Alejandro) Jourgensen for his prolific and super-random output through the label—with extra super-special thanks to Jim Nash & Dannie Flesher. I gobbled up all the music and still enjoy it immensely to this very day. 

“I like [Wax Trax! Records] because they’re full of Get-Up-and-Go!”***

Ministry • Front 242 • KMFDM • My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult • Chris Connelly • Rev Co & . . . 

Fast forward to present day, now in my 40’s, and it’s Sun Records illuminating my days and nights with pure Rockabilly (& Blues) glory. 

As far back as I can remember, I always had a thing for that certain TWANG in music. Especially when I really got into music, that certain TWANG would make me smile. I blame that amazing catchy The Dukes of Hazzard theme song, Goold Ol’ Boys, by the legend, Waylon Jennings. It’s been roaming my brain ever since I was a TV manic growing up in the 80’s.  I always found the TWANG familiar, cool and very, very  appealing: Depeche Mode: Personal Jesus, Alien Sex Fiend: I Walk The Line, PJ Harvey: 50 ft Queenie, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion: TWANG here & there, Misfits: American Nightmare, The Reverend Horton Heat: One Time for Me, Bob Dylan: Subterranean Homesick Blues, and it goes and on.

Elvis Presley • Johnny Cash • Carl Perkins • Jerry Lee Lewis • Roy Orbison • +Charlie Feathers+ & . . .

And take one extra step to this very day, and I’m enjoying Classic Country. It feels just right. 

For further info, follow this link: [ ENTER ]

 

Judas Priest / Screaming for Vengeance / 1982

Who knows, by the time summer time comes to an end, I’ll probably switch gears and dive face forward into 80’s Metal 💿 Pop Metal?

KISS • Judas Priest • RATT • Dokken • Alice Cooper • Def Leppard • KIX • Queensrÿche • Van Halen, The Transformers Soundtrack & . . . 

Bob Dylan / Nashville Skyline / 1969

***The Jetsons: Elroy’s Pal (1962) Season 1, Episode 14.

“Hey, Porter!”

Johnny Cash | Listen: Hey Porter

My annual Summer (Sun Records) Rockabilly Fun has inspired me to totally immerse myself in 

Classic Country.

It’s all thanks to Johnny Cash, Charlie Feathers and growing up in the 80’s. Way back in early 80’s I clearly remember Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, John Denver, Reba McEntire, George Strait… It seemed like they were everywhere. The Dukes of Hazzard theme song, by the legendary Waylon Jennings, has never stopped randomly playing in my Surreal Pop mind.

Charlie Feathers made me bonkers for Rockabilly and appreciate Classic Country music. Charlie Feathers music has a, Come Si Dice*, a certain kind of relaxed, cool essence to it. I love the Rockabilly parts of it as well as the Country flavor in Charlie Feathers songs. 

I absolutely love everything Johnny Cash recorded while at Sun Records. This time around, instead of enjoying all the Rockabilly Sun Records has to offer, I felt the need for more Cash after Sun Records, and so far, I truly enjoy what I hear.

The story so far…

Hank Williams • Johnny Cash • Buck Owens • Merle Haggard  • Waylon Jennings • Kris Kristofferson & it keeps on going.

Waylon Jennings | Lyrics

I've always been crazy, and the 

trouble that it's put me through

Been busted for things 

that I did, and I didn't do

I can't say I'm proud of all 

of the things that I've done

But I can say I've never 

intentionally hurt anyone

I've always been different 

with one foot over the line

Winding up somewhere 

one step ahead or behind

It ain't been so easy, but 

I guess I shouldn't complain

I've always been crazy, but 

it's kept me from going insane

Beautiful lady, are you 

sure that you understand

The chances you're taking 

loving a free living man?

Are you really sure you 

really want what you see?

Be careful of something that's 

just what you want it to be

I've always been crazy, but 

it's kept me from going insane

Nobody knows if it's something 

to bless or to blame

So far I ain't found a rhyme 

or a reason to change

I've always been crazy, but 

it's kept me from going insane

Waylon Jennings

Listen: “I’ve Always Been Crazy”

*Quoting Michael Corleone in 

The Godfather part 1, restaurant scene.

Focused + Brainstorming

Working on Quechua Book II, taking it easy (rare, yes, but very much needed), and having fun reading Batman  graphic novels.

I’ve been brainstorming… 

One of my favorite unintentional pastimes is brainstorming the most random stuff that sometimes gets conjured up or just causes me to smile.

Click to enlarge 

BATMAN: Arkham Asylum

Director: Guillermo del Torro…

or Roger Eggers… 

or Ari Aster…

¿Anthology kind of film?

Or each director gets an 

Arkham inmate to focus on…

Screenplay: _____________

Music: Geinoh Yamashirogumi >Information<

Opening credits / title sequence: 

Dave McKean

Starring: Josh Brolin, Nick Stahl, Sylvia Hoeks, Jackie Earl Haley, Mads Mikkelsen, Jennifer Hagan, Ron Pearlman, Megan Gale

*Bonus*

Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again

ALFRED. 

COMMAND: 

DESTRUCT.

CODE: 

ZAP. BIFF. POW.

100,000 Years of iNSPiRATiON

 KISS: 100,000 Years of iNSPiRATiON

“Do you believe in rock and roll?”

KISS - 100,000 Years (Live at Winterland)

🔊https://youtu.be/9GKhMFAhqmk

Quechua for All 🍀 Reload

Click image to enlarge 

Runasimi Ta Yacha Kusani: 

I Am Learning Quechua

Book Available Everywhere 

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Google: “Runasimi Book”

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🔘Whether you speak English or Spanish, with this book you now have the wonderful opportunity to learn Quechua.

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🔘Quechua was the official language of the

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