chimesfreedom

Marty Brown on “Words & Music”

Continuing his comeback tour after his appearances on America’s Got Talent, Marty Brown recently appeared on Nashville’s Channel 5 on the show Words & Music. On the show, artists discuss and play their songs. On this episode, Marty Brown played his new single “Whatever Makes you Smile” and “I’m From the Country.”

In introducing his single, “Whatever Makes You Smile,” Brown explained how his wife Shellie tricked him into appearing on America’s Got Talent. [Update: Unfortunately, the video of the show is not currently available for embedding.]

Interestingly, Brown explains how the producers of America’s Got Talent knew about his 1990s recordings from the very beginning. In these Internet days, that news is not very surprising, but the revelation helps further debunk some Internet commenters who had surmised the show’s producers did not know Brown had earlier recorded some records.

I’m hoping we see Brown performing on some more TV shows. Marty Brown’s got talent.

What do you think of Marty Brown’s new single? Leave your two cents on the comments.

How Marty Brown Wrote “Whatever Makes You Smile”

Marty Brown’s Sleeping Wall

Marty Brown Interview on WBKO

Video for Marty Brown’s “Whatever Makes You Smile”

Sneak Peak at Marty Brown’s Video for “Whatever Makes You Smile”

New Marty Brown Single: “Whatever Makes You Smile”

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

The Civil War and Conan O’Brien

On November 6, 1860, the United States affirmed that a democratic system of government can work when the country elected what many consider the greatest U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln. The election occurred during a time the country was greatly divided, and three other candidates also appeared on the ballot splitting the vote: John C. Breckinridge, John Bell, and Stephen Douglas. Lincoln won with 40% of the popular vote. But the nation had to endure President James Buchanan for several months because Lincoln would not be inaugurated until March 4, 1861.

Lincoln had little time in office before the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. As the nation went into the bloody war, citizens had no idea what the future held — or that one day Conan O’Brien would visit with a group of Civil War reenactors.

What is your favorite Civil War story? Leave your two cents in the comments.

The Honored Dead and the Gettysburg Survivors

Anniv. of Civil War’s Start: Elvis’s American Trilogy

The Better Angels of Our Nature: Lincoln’s 1st Inaugural

Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln

A Lincoln Portrait

Ten Sentences: Gettysburg Address

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

New Trailer for 3D Lego Movie

The trailer for the upcoming 3D The Lego Movie makes the film look like an animated feature that adults may enjoy too. Character voices include Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Alison Brie, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, and Will Arnett (as Batman!).

The Lego Movie be be in movie theaters February 7, 2014.

Will you watch The Lego Movie? Leave your two cents in the comments.

Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt Travel Space in “Passengers”

A Crazy Violent Act and A Very Good Film (“The Dark Knight Rises”)

The Dark Knight Rises . . . In Legos

“The Grey” Is Not the Movie You Thought It Was (Missed Movies)

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” (Short Review)

The Unsatisfying Ending of Scorsese’s “Silence” That Is Still Perfect

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

“Star Wars” Blooper Reel

Author J.W. Rinzler, who has written books on the making of the original Star Wars trilogy of films including The Making of Star Wars, screened an unseen blooper reel from the original film for an audience at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. Now, you may check out the short blooper reel in the comfort of your own home. Note that some of the clips at the beginning did not include sound. Check it out.

What is your favorite movie blooper? Leave your two cents in the comments.

The Star Wars Holiday Special 1978

Weird Al Summarizes “The Phantom Menace”

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Comic-Con Reel

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Teaser Trailer 2

Imagining a Modern Trailer for “The Empire Strikes Back”

Auditions for the Star Wars Cantina Band

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

Who Had a Hit with “He’s a Rebel”?

On November 3, 1962, the song “He’s a Rebel” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single listed the song’s singers as The Crystals, and that is the name you will still see next to the song today.

But the famous recording was actually made by another group.

Recording of “He’s a Rebel”

Back in the early 1960s, producer Phil Spector rushed to have one of his groups record “He’s a Rebel.” He was in a hurry because a competing artist planned to record the song too.

But at the time, Spector was in Los Angeles and The Crystals were in New York. So, Spector’s other option was to produce the song with another group. He arranged for recording the song with the unknown group The Blossoms, headed by Darlene Love.

The record, though, was credited to the better-known Crystals. The song became a hit for The Crystals, which led to them having to lip synch to Darlene Love’s voice on national TV.

The Real Crystals

The Crystals continued to record using their own voices, scoring big hits with songs like “Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)” and “Then He Kissed Me” in 1963.

Darlene Love

Darlene Love did okay on her own too. Spector produced her singing one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time, “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” Until the show ended, Love annually sang the song on David Letterman’s show.

Love eventually became a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame too. Here Love sings “He’s a Rebel” in 2010 with the cast of the play Million Dollar Quartet, showing she still has the voice.