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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Big Geez

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• Retro Redux: Cher And Betty - The Shoop Shoop Girls

  Different eras, different singers, same classic song — almost.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Nov 05, 2007

• Retro Redux: Faron Young - The Hillbilly Heartthrob

  Young was a tremendously influential and popular country music star whose life was tragically ended by his own hand.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Nov 03, 2007

• Retro Redux: From Alvino To Zoot - The Name's The Thing

  Six (or fewer) steps of separation from one oddly named musician to another.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Oct 30, 2007

• Retro Redux: Al Hirt - More Than Just A Cup Of Coffee

  A lot of music fans will always wonder if he should have spent more time with traditional jazz...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Oct 26, 2007

• Retro Redux: Songs With A Message - Henson Cargill

  You could make a pretty good argument that country music has a long tradition of social commentary.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Oct 24, 2007

• Retro Redux: Kristofferson Gets Assist From Sammi Smith

  I have to confess that I've never been able to really warm to the singing of Kris Kristofferson.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Oct 16, 2007

• Retro Redux: Brainwashed(?) By Radio Moscow

  The Cold War era was a confusing time for a teenager.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Oct 12, 2007

• Retro Redux: Tinkering With Auto Radios - Simpler Isn't Always Better

  If you see me rolling along the highway shining a flashlight on my dashboard, try not to stare.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Oct 08, 2007

• Retro Redux: The Little Rascals And A Shot At Movie Stardom

  These guys traveled the country, selling parents on the idea that Hollywood talent scouts would see their kids and make them stars.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Oct 04, 2007

• Retro Redux: Jimmie Driftwood - A Teacher Who Became A Musical Treasure

  In the late 1950's and early 1960's, his songs were all over the charts — but usually by other singers.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Sep 30, 2007

• Retro Redux: Gogi Grant And Her Wayward Wind

  Considered by many experts to be one of the most talented but under-appreciated singers of the era...

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Sep 26, 2007

• Retro Redux: Hank Williams And The Hunt For The Elusive Sassafras

  The best trips to the woods were those made on hot Summer days.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Sep 24, 2007

• Retro Redux: Jazz At The Junction With Erskine Hawkins

  He was a talented trumpeter who loved walking the tightrope of high notes and also loved being known as the "20th Century Gabriel".

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Sep 18, 2007

• Retro Redux: Remembering Janis Martin - The Female Elvis

  The nickname helped make her a budding star - until she ran into problems with the moral codes of the 1950's.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Sep 14, 2007

• Retro Redux: Bobby Helms Was Something Special

  His clean-cut good looks - complete with dimples - soon had girls buying his records and lining up for his shows.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Sep 10, 2007

• Retro Redux: The Musical Side Of Desi Arnaz

  Before he was the partner of a certain ditzy redhead, he was a talented and well-regarded Latin musician.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Sep 04, 2007

• Retro Redux: Command Performances - A Specialty Of Roger Williams

  I guess you could say that early Christians facing the lions were giving a command performance too.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 31, 2007

• Retro Redux: Naughty Moments With The Ames Brothers

  One of the first words a kid learns while growing up is "naughty."

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 27, 2007

• Retro Redux: The Incomparable Erroll Garner

  His distinctive grunts and groans, combined with his equally special playing style, helped make his music instantly identifiable to fans.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 23, 2007

• Retro Redux: The Gentle Giant - Don Williams

  He's one of the best-selling country balladeers of all time, with over forty top-ten hits - seventeen of them reaching number one.

  Opinion by Big Geez — on Aug 19, 2007