Feature: Retro Redux

In his continuing quest to prove that the music of the past has a lot to offer today's music lovers, Big Geez takes time off from his busy duties as a hammock tester to write RETRO REDUX. For those who remember the songs, it's a journey into musical nostalgia that will take you to places you haven't been for a while -- not only revisiting many of your favorite songs (even those you might have forgotten), but also telling the often surprising stories of the people who made the music. For those music lovers who might have come along a little too late to have actually experienced the music of the past, it's an opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.

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• Retro Redux: Gabor Szabo - Connecting Hungary To Hollywood

  You won't believe which Hollywood star provided inspiration to this legendary guitarist.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 31, 2010

• Retro Redux: Doris Day's Favorite Singing Co-Star

  Here's a hint — it wasn't Rock Hudson.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 28, 2010

• Retro Redux: Vikki Carr - One Of Carson's Cohorts

  A musical treat in two languages — and a favorite of Johnny's.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 24, 2010

• Retro Redux: Wayne Cochran - The White Knight Of Soul

  So just how high was that hair?

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 22, 2010

• Retro Redux: Charlie Ventura - Bop For The People

  Was the record-buying public ready for what he was selling?

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 19, 2010

• Retro Redux: Shame On You, Spade Cooley

  His signature song turned out to be prophetic.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 14, 2010

• Retro Redux: Johnny Desmond - The Forgotten Italian Crooner

  One of his nicknames was 'The Creamer'

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 11, 2010

• Retro Redux: Lobo Still Loping Along

  I wonder how his career would have gone if he'd performed under his real name?

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 09, 2010

• Retro Redux: Queen Ida Still Rules

  A former school bus driver, she's now a legend.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 05, 2010

• Retro Redux: Tea Party Reminiscent Of Johnny Cash

  I wonder what the Man in Black would have thought about all this?

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Mar 01, 2010

• Retro Redux: Les Baxter - Master Of Exotica

  He covered everything from moon music to mood music on every instrument from bongos to a moog synthesizer.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 25, 2010

• Retro Redux: Buddy Knox vs Buddy Holly

  They had a lot in common — including growing up in the same area of West Texas.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 22, 2010

• Retro Redux: The Electric Prunes Embodied A Movement

  It was an era that seemed to have more than its share of oddly-named bands.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 19, 2010

• Retro Redux: Danny O'Keefe's Classic Lives On

  If you don't know this song, you should be ashamed of yourself.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 16, 2010

• Retro Redux: The Other Highwaymen

  So were they a quartet or a quintet — or both?

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 15, 2010

• Retro Redux: Have Guitar, Will Travel - Johnny Western

  Although he usually wielded a guitar, he could handle a six-shooter too.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 11, 2010

• Retro Redux: Driving The Who To Stardom

  A little story from the early years of the legendary band.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 08, 2010

• Retro Redux: Johnny Burnette Mirrored Elvis

  Among the many similarities they shared was a tragically premature ending.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 05, 2010

• Retro Redux: Groundhog Day And Dad's Polkas

  He never met a polka that he didn't like, but some were extra special.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Feb 02, 2010

• Retro Redux: Dem Bones Are Still Hangin' Around

  Airport X-rays can sometimes expose surprising secrets.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Jan 31, 2010