Welcome to the new series of Posts from Your Archives, where bloggers can share posts that might not have got all the attention they deserved back in the early days of the blog.. or posts that the writer would like to share with a new audience mine. The blogs should be over 12 months old for established writers and over 6 months old for those who started blogging in the last year.
Details on how you can share your blog posts can be found here: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/happy-new-year-and-the-start-of-the-2018-series-of-smorgasbord-posts-from-your-archives/
Please read through before sending as there are some time restrictions on the post and information I need to do the article justice.
Now time to meet author Billy Ray Chitwood with the first of his archive posts. Today Billy is nostalgic for the music of his hell-raising years, when stars such as Frank Sinatra and Kay Starr made a highball taste better……
Classical music has always had a soothing quality for me. Those plaintive country songs, ‘Mama’s gone – I’m sad – too bad,’ were part of my early life in Tennessee, and they still have a certain resonance for me. Never ever liked the heavy metal music, the loud ear-drum jarring sounds that came from the discotheques during my hell-raising years, and, generally, all those songs that might have had some fine lyrics but got lost in all the high drum rolls. the heavy strumming, and the screeching brassy noise.
Now, don’t mind me. It’s just my being an anachronism, one of those guys stuck right in the middle of some century in which he likely doesn’t quite belong. The ballad has always been my musical preference, and, yes, I suppose the pretty ladies might have had something to do with that. The ballad sort of went with my soft southern gentleman style, that incurable romanticism that seemed ever-present, that mysterious wanderlust that kept me moving over God’s glorious acres. A bottle of wine, ‘ole blue eyes’ Sinatra singing “Three Coins In The Fountain,” and a pretty lady sitting with me in a gin mill booth, hey, there was no tomorrow — just that night of soft light and touches and a ‘glow’ as big as the moon.
So I sit here looking out at the steady ebbing and flowing of The Sea of Cortez and wonder how the world has changed. Have no doubt about it…the world has changed. Sure, one generation moves along remembering the ‘good old days’ and gives way to a new generation that finds different sounds and words to describe their feelings. Of course it’s inevitable. Time doesn’t move without changes.
Just why is it that some of us sort of stay where we’ve been all our lives? New jobs, maybe. New houses, maybe. New friends and acquaintances, sure. Maybe it’s just me, stuck in a time-warp thing. Maybe I’m homemade vanilla and don’t want raspberry, mocha, or one of those thirty-one flavors. Politicians make me mad (nothing new there). Still got some Hitlers in the world (nothing new there). Still fighting wars (something new there — different ‘ammo!’).
The big thing is, we don’t have the Frank Sinatras, the Perry Comos, the Dean Martins, the Jo Staffords, the Joni James, the Kay Starrs, all those beautiful ballad-loving gents and ladies that made a highball taste better, made a kiss at the end of an evening the goal of the day.
Know what? It’s just me, being an anachronism. The world’s all okay… I’m just stuck here!
©Billy Ray Chitwood 2012.
A small selection of the books by Billy Ray Chitwood
A recent review of Mama’s Madness
A chilling and disturbing story based on a true event. I had difficulty putting the book down hoping that the main character would be found and punished. There were some editorial issues and at times there was too much repetition, but overall a good book. I appreciated the author’s epilogue which gave the story more meaning.
And one for Stranger Abduction
“Stranger Abduction” is a well-written novel based on an actual event. A mother and daughter walk from their home to a store in Arizona and never make it back. Mr. Chitwood gives a very viable and chilling account as to what might have happened next. Doris and Deena find themselves thrown into the human trafficking trade, while the Deputy Jack Kiefer never gives up on finding them. The details and characters kept this a page turning book as well as the side story with the Deputy. This is a glimpse into an evil that is going on around us as “products” (a label used for Doris and Deena) are being drugged and used for other’s gratification or service. I highly recommend this book, because even with a dark subject matter there are always heroes.
Read the reviews and discover and buy the books: https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Ray-Chitwood/e/B00502520Q
And Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Billy-Ray-Chitwood/e/B00502520Q
Read more reviews and follow Billy Ray on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4832225.Billy_Ray_Chitwood
About Billy Ray Chitwood
An Appalachian hill boy from east Tennessee, Billy Ray Chitwood has family roots that go back to tenth century England and a hamlet just north of London called Chetwode.
Billy Ray received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, taught high school ‘Advanced Writing’ in Lorain, Ohio. He has served honorably and proudly in the United States Navy. Aside from sales/marketing management positions with top textbook publishers, he has been a model and an actor in film, stage, television. He is still active in his own business as the CEO of Chitwood, Inc.
Billy Ray has written fifteen books, most of which you will find on amazon and amazon UK. Many of his novels of fiction were inspired from actual crimes. His first book, “The Cracked Mirror – Reflections Of An Appalachian Son,” is a fictional memoir which has much factual and historical accuracy about the author’s own life.
Currently, Billy Ray spends his time on the Cumberland Plateau in Middle Tennessee with his lovely wife, Julie Anne, and their feisty but lovable Bengal cat named George.
Connect to Billy Ray
Website: https://brchitwood.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brchitwood
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/billyrayscorner/
Thanks to Billy Ray for sharing this nostalgic post today and to be honest he is not alone….who does not love a bit of Frank….Thank you for dropping in today and it would be great if you could leave a comment and share the post. Sally
Cool idea. Enjoyed this one
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Thanks very much…Enjoy your weekend.
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Thanks for the comment, ‘philosophermouseofthehedge’. My best wishes to you. ♥
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Thanks for introducing me to this author.
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Pleasure Linda.. hugs xxx
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Loved ‘Uh Oh’! Linda! I’m now following your blog…keep’em coming. AND, PLEASE, don’t mind my teasing remarks – if you perchance read one of my comments further down here! 🙂 ♥
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So nice to see Billy Ray’s post featured, and some great reviews. Thanks for sharing, Sally. 🙂
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Thank you Diana.. great to have him here.. xx
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Thanks, Diana, for commenting. Have a great weekend! I ♥
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A lovely post by Billy Ray. I also like Frank Sinatra and my favourite song is New York, New York
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Thanks Robbie.. another great song.. I was always partial to It Was a Very Good Year… xx
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Me, too! ♥
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I agree with Billy Ray, it’s hard to find music that resonates with me anymore. Rap is big, but I can’t understand half of what they say, and rock feels more like punk. There is one great Canadian ballad singer I love though, Michael Buble. One of my favorites is called Home: https://youtu.be/lbSOLBMUvIE
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Love Michael Buble and so pleased that his son has made a full recovery from his cancer.. I think I read that they have another baby on the way… great voice and lovely family man. hugs.. xxx
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I sound like a stuck needle on an old 45rpm, but, ‘Me, Too’! Thanks, Jacquie and Sally!. Love Michael Buble and did not know of the cancer. Thank God it’s gone! Great talent! ♥
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Reblogged this on The Final Curtain1.
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The tears almost came, sweet Sally! Thank you so much… ♥♥♥
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Thanks for a lovely post Billy Ray.. and clearly going down well with everyone.. hugs xx♥
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You chose well, Sally! ♥
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Hey Billy Ray. I enjoyed this look at being stuck. Of course, you know there are a whole new bunch of balladeers out there. Michael Bauble, Conif, and even Uncle Kracker. Grab a Willett and hit Spotify and take a look. Super Post. Thanks, Sally.
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Thanks John…. I like Conif too… xxx
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Can I finish my bottle of Maker’s Mark before purchasing that ‘dad-gone’ Willett? ♥
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Sure. Its your stomach. 😀
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John, what do you know that I don’t about MM? Don’t spare me, John! Just tell me! My head, heart, and stomach can take it! 🙂
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Thanks, good John. Join me with my Maker’s Mark & your Willett for Sinatra and two hot babes! NOW, SALLY, YOU AND AND THE OTHER GOOD FOLKS, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH THAT LITTLE ‘FUNNY STATEMENT’ – REMEMBER WHERE ‘I’M STUCK’!!! PLUS, MY WIFE IS LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER! (PLUS, I do have on occasion flashbacks of my former life! 🙂 ♥
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Ha ha ha. Speak for yourself, Billy Ray. Here’s to your health. (I think you need that protection.)
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We will let you off with a caution Billy Ray.. don’t keep all the good stuff to yourself.. xx♥
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Great post and reviews:) I am a Sinatra fan, too as well as many types of music. Its just appreciating good music no matter when it was made. Nothing like cooking to big band or cleaning to classic rock, but Sinatra had a class that oozed through. Enjoyed your take on music and seeing this feature!
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Thanks, DL, so glad you enjoyed the post! Have a great weekend… ♥
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Thanks very much… glad you enjoyed.
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I just found a fellow alumni! I also graduated from Lycoming College, Billy Ray! I wonder if we ever knew each other. I lived in Crever Hall and had a great time. I loved the English profs I had, like Dr. David Rife, and they’re the ones who encouraged me to go on for a MA in English and use my writing skills. Fun post here. I’m a huge Sinatra fan (and Beatles, and even some of the newer stuff). I raised my kids on my music, so they appreciate it now too. Looks like you’re quite a prolific writer and author. Congrats!
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It is a small world Pamela… how lovely to find a connection.. hugs xx
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Wow! Wonders never cease (pardon the cliche!). I was hoping one day to meet on the internet someone who attended Lycoming… We must stay in touch. I suspect my time at Lycoming was well before yours – I’m a rooster who forgot how to roost! I’ll be tweeting you! ♥
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Lovely nostalgic post from Billy Ray. I can relate to a lot of those songs and the romance of that era too, even though I was just a kid. Funny how a simple song can take us back to a particular time and place. 🙂 xx
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Thanks Debby and combine with a perfume of the time and it really gets interesting.. I cannot smell Youth Dew by Estee… and listen to Frank without getting nostalgic… xx♥
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Omg, I remember that one! 🙂 xxx
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Thanks so much, Debbie! I’ve taken ‘ole blue eyes with me’ on several dates in the past. I on occasion ran into him in Palm Springs at some of the clubs…that is, I saw him and his entourage! Thanks for commenting, Debbie. ♥
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Oh, how exciting was that Billy! There’s only one Sinatra! 🙂 x
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I loved this, Sally. Anyone who is stuck in the Frank Sinatra era and writes about it so well gets my reader vote.
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I agree Jennie and much more to come from Billy Ray in the next few weeks. hugs xx
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Looking forward to it!
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I’m taking that to the bank, Jennie! Such a lovely way to put your comment! Thanks so much for the reader vote… ♥
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I’m so glad, Billy. I look forward to more of your archives from Sally. Best to you!
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Very enjoyable musings there Billy Ray and Maybe it’s just me but there is nothing wrong being an anachronism! Especially by the Sea of Cortez. Will be checking your books too too. They look very interesting. Best Paul
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Thanks Paul… xxxx
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Thanks, Paul. That’s very kind of you. So glad you enjoyed my musings. My best wishes to you. ♥
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And mine to you Billy Ray mate! Paul
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Oh, I love this, Billy Ray! My late husband used to refer to himself as a dinosaur. Then he would follow that up with “Being a dinosaur ain’t bad.” Your post made me remember that. Thanks for sharing, Sally.
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Thanks Jan and I agree the older I get the more I respect the dinosaurs… they did quite well for millions of years… xxx
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Billy Ray is nothing if not entertaining! Thanks for hosting him Sally. Always love a good music post, no matter the era.
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Thank you Eden and he is a delight..
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