Alan's Song

Last night was the Montana PBS premier of my granddaughter's. Ashly's band, "Little Jane & the Pistol Whips" had been filmed as the first musical in this series, with the private showing at the University. Up to this point, no one had even a peep at the film and Ashly beamed all night, as she did in the picture to the left.

Ashly's mother ( my daughter) in the photo below, is sitting next to Ashly's Uncle. There was a lot of sniffling and blowing in that row.

One of my favorite songs is called "Alan's Song." I met Alan 9 years ago at a Sunday tea dance and much to my surprise, he was one of the best swing dancers I've ever met in Montana. If you're looking for a romance, sorry, we were just exceptionally good friends and dance partners.
He was kind, a true gentleman and put people at ease with his gentle conversation. He showed me pictures of himself when he was in the Navy during WW2, stationed in CA and dancing in a swing contest. No doubt he had no problem attracting dance partners for he looked like my ideal Heathcliff, wildly handsome with his black shining hair and strong Native American features.

Two years ago, Alan died quite suddenly and I haven't stepped on a social dance floor since. Ashly asked about Alan and his life. I told her what I knew and she disappeared for a couple hours, returning with "Alan's Song." Alan had a beautiful singing voice and was a yodeling champion. Ashly doesn't yodel but there's a similitude of yodeling in the song.

Below is a video of my son playing hockey in the Senior Mens League with the music of Ashley singing "Alan's Song." Hockey has no real connection to the song but I just made it a family affair. :) Son, Zonnie is #8 in red. The video is a little longer than most of mine so just give it a peek.
Adios Bloggy Friends.
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Zip-pate Do Dah. I Sat In On A Recording

I'll let you in on a big change. They don't "sing into the can" anymore like George Cloony did in "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou." My Granddaughter, Ashly, is making her 2nd CD and I sat in on a little of it. The recording companies want the performer to be relaxed so they make the recording room personal by bringing in some of their items from home. Here is Ashly with her lamps and pictures and a big "I'm Gonna Ace This One" smile.

Ashly writes all the songs for her band, "Little Jane and the Pistol Whips." She lives and breaths Loretta Lynn, not that her voice is especially like hers, but she idolizes Loretta for her songs, lifestyle and the person that she is.

I had never set foot in a recording studio before. In the old movies (not the "can" one), the performers were always behind a big window and people could sit outside and watch. No. Not today. The performers are in this closed recording room, where all the personal stuff is set up with their instruments and techie stuff and you can watch what's happening on a big screen. (Of course, dummy Manzanita. Techie Time again.)

Below is Ashly with Doc, the head honcho recording guy, who has been awarded the coveted award of Grammy for outstanding achievement in his field. Doc is a charismatic artist who runs a relaxed but totally efficient ship. I sat behind him during a recording and watched him manipulate the big scary board with all the knobs, buttons and lights.

Below is a short vid that I made of part of a song being recorded. Nothing is more annoying to me than uninvited music on a blog, so I always give you a button and a choice.

Besos you little country gal.