Author: chimesfreedom

Editor-in-chief, New York.

When We First Learned How to Get to Sesame Street

In November 1969, one of the most popular children’s programs, “Sesame Street,” debuted on television.

Big Bird

On November 10, 1969, the show Sesame Street, set on a fictional New York street, made its debut on television. Conceptualized by Joan Ganz Cooney as an entertaining and educational show to help underprivileged kids between the ages of three and five, the show became one of the most popular children’s shows of all time, eventually airing in 120 countries.

Below, you may watch the debut episode of Sesame Street. The show wasted no time, introducing us to classic characters like Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie in the first five minutes. Check it out.


What is your favorite episode of Sesame Street? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • I Love Trash

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    Chris Stapleton & Justin Timberlake: “Tennessee Whiskey”

    Timberlake Stapleton

    The Country Music Association Awards this year featured an unexpected duet showstopper with Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake joining forces.  The two performed “Tennessee Whiskey” and Timberlake’s “Drink You Away.” Stapleton also surprised many by winning Male Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year awards.

    The breakout appearance on the CMA Awards is making Stapleton a new household name as he only recently released his debut album Traveller (2015).  But he has been around a while. Although he was born and raised in Kentucky, the 37-year-old singer-songwriter moved in 2001 to Nashville, where he has written best-selling songs for other artists like George Strait. Notably, he co-wrote Josh Turner’s hit song “Your Man.”

    Stapleton has been performing for awhile too.  And from 2008 to 2010, he was the lead singer in the bluegrass band the SteelDrivers. After starting a Southern rock band called The Jompson Brothers, Stapleton went on his own in 2013.

    But Stapleton’s work this week with another artist, Justin Timberlake, may help make him more of a household name. Stapleton and Timberlake have been friends for awhile.  And the two talked of performing together even before the CMA show came along.

    Check out Stapleton and Timberlake giving a soulful CMA performance of “Tennessee Whiskey,” a song from Stapleton’s Traveller album.

    “Tennessee Whiskey,” written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove, became popular in the early 1980s in versions by George Jones and David Allan Coe.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Charlie Rich Sets Fire to CMA Entertainer of the Year Announcement
  • Chris Stapleton’s Compelling New Video Addresses Mental Health
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    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

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    Dylan’s Barking Dogs on “Every Grain of Sand”

    sand chimesfreedom

    One of Bob Dylan’s greatest songs is “Every Grain of Sand.” There are several wonderful versions of the song.  But one unique aspect of the version that appeared on The Bootleg Series, Vols. 1-3 : Rare And Unreleased, 1961-1991 is that you get to hear Dylan’s dogs barking in the background.

    So give a listen to this version of “Every Grain of Sand.” If you are interested in the dogs’ part, pay special attention starting around the 2:14 mark.  Also, listen at around the 3:09 mark.

    Check it out.

    “Every Grain of Sand,” which Dylan first released on Shot Of Love (1981), was listed by Rolling Stone as one of the ten best Dylan songs of the 1980s.  It comes in at number three.

    Photo by Chimesfreedom. What is your favorite version of “Every Grain of Sand”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Dylan Releases “Murder Most Foul”

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    New Beatles ‘A Day in the Life’ Video

    Day in a Life Video

    The 2000 release of number one songs by the Beatles, The Beatles’ 1, is getting a new updated release in a couple of different forms with music videos and the group’s short films. Among the video content, the new Beatles 1+ package includes the Beatles’ original video for “A Day in the Life” from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967).

    The video for “A Day in the Life” shows the playful side of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The video footage of them hanging out with friends like the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards also includes shots of an orchestra during the 1967 recording sessions. Check out the video for “A Day in the Life.”

    The 1+ package hits stores on November 6.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Hear the Beatles Sing Without Music on “Abbey Road” Medley
  • The Latest and Last Beatles Song: “Now and Then”
  • Ringo Starr Records a John Lennon Song (with a little help from Paul McCartney)
  • The Beatles’ 1969 Rooftop Concert
  • The Beatles: “Blackpool Night Out” Live Performance
  • The Beatles’ “Black Album” from “Boyhood”

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Fred Astaire As . . . Alfred E. Neuman?

    In 1959, Fred Astaire danced on television with the odd choice of wearing a mask of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman.

    Fred Astaire Mad Magazine
    Toward the end of Fred Astaire’s successful film dancing career, he made several television specials in the 1950s and 1960s. In the second of the four specials, Another Evening with Fred Astaire, Astaire donned a mask of an unusual choice. In a dance sequence for the 1959 show, he performed as Mad Magazine‘s Alfred E. Neuman.

    The dance creeps me out a bit, perhaps because the Neuman mask is such high quality. Astaire had the mask created by movie make-up man John Chambers, who did such great work on the Planet of the Apes films.

    In the segment, Astaire dances to Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady.”  The performance also features dancer and actress Barrie Chase with Astaire.

    2021 Update:  Unfortunately, the video of the dance is not currently available on YouTube.  But the video below intercuts some of the Alfred E. Neuman dance scenes, putting it to a polka tune. So if you wish to get an idea of the dance, you can check out the video.

    Apparently, folks do not really know why Astaire wanted to be a dancing Alfred E. Neuman, but the Mad Magazine fan in me likes it.

    What do you think of Fred Astaire as Alfred E. Neuman? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Classic Hollywood Meets “Uptown Funk”
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