Doug Stone's CD, My Turn, photo courtesy of the artist.
Check in with Lew Jones for the latest on your favorite country legends!
Q: I read somewhere that Doug Stone's real name is Doug Brooks. I know sometimes singers use a stage name, but what was wrong with Brooks?
(Janet, Las Vegas, NV)
A: Doug answered that question in a radio interview that I did with him recently. He says, "Well, you know this guy named Garth? Garth Brooks and Kix Brooks were out at the same time. Kix was trying to do a single [had not hooked up yet with Ronnie Dunn]; and I'm thinking, three Brooks' in the pile is going to get confusing. Hindsight being 20/20, maybe I should have left it. Somebody at a record store might just decide to buy them all!"
Of course, at this point, Doug has done great as Doug Stone, with four No. 1 songs, including "A Jukebox With A Country Song", and 22 charted hits, the majority in the Top 10. And, long time fans should know he has a new CD out titled My Turn. Last we heard, he was currently touring in support of the new CD.
Q: Hi Lew, why has Nashville shunned Joe Diffie? Two of his songs were done by other artists, after Joe recorded them, such as "My Give a Damn's Busted". So, what's Nashville's side? Love your forum!
(Teresa, Stockton, CA)
A: Well Teresa, I don't think the powers-that-be in Nashville have blackballed Joe Diffie. It's a simple matter of the evolution of the business. New artists come along and are embraced by music fans. This means a more established singer such as Joe may slip off the charts. However, two things here work in Joe Diffie's favor. When Jo Dee Messina made a hit with the song you mention, Joe got paid anyway, since he was a co-writer of the song.
Don't count Joe out just yet. Many artists take a year or so off and then come roaring back onto the charts. And if you travel anywhere near Branson, MO this summer, you can catch him performing regularly at the Yakoff Smirnoff Theater. And, thanks for the good words about the column.
Q: All I can get in regards to Roy Drusky and Priscilla Mitchell's Love's Eternal Triangle album is a risky eBay LP — no SpiralFrog, no Napster, no YouTube. I'm 65 and miss my old LPs. Have you got any ideas?
(John, Elm City, NC)
A: Since you mention your age, John, it implies you're feeling old. However, you seem to have embraced a lot of new technology! And my research indicates, unfortunately, you are right about the lack of Roy Drusky CDs. Since most of his hit-making activities were in the 1960 to '77 era, they can be found mostly on vinyl. I did find Roy Drusky's Greatest Hits, Volumes 1 & 2 on CD. It's got hits such as "Anymore" and "From Now On My Friends Are Gonna Be Strangers", a Liz Anderson song you may remember better from the Merle Haggard version. However, it's woefully short on the Priscilla Mitchell duets.
So it looks like the album you want is indeed only on LP. Like you, I like the new technology, but I combine it with the old. I still keep a working turntable, and it's hooked to my computer. I bought a new cartridge and stylus for it a few years ago, and it sounds great. I've digitized many 45s and LPs this way, and then I use an editing program to filter out any pops and scratches. And, when I buy an LP from an auction site, I carefully check the seller's feedback. If it's good, chances are the record will be in good enough shape for transfer.
Q: Vern Gosdin had a video out a few years back called "The Garden." Do you know if that song was on one of his albums and, if so, which one?
(Betty, Culpeper, VA)
A: I found it on two of them, Betty. It came out originally on Out Of My Heart back in 1991. He also has it on Set 'Em Up from 1995. As the name implies, the second CD also includes his mega-hit, "Set 'Em Up Joe."
Q: Who sings "Wonderful Tonight"?
(Jennifer, Huntington, TX)
A: "Wonderful Tonight" was covered in the country field by David Kersh in 1998 and got into the Top 30. An earlier version by Butch Baker broke onto the charts in 1989 at No. 66. Also Jennifer, note that the song was written and originally performed by Eric Clapton, who had a No. 16 pop hit with it in 1978. And here's a hint to all fellow DJs: Despite its age, this song is huge at high school proms. All the guys want it dedicated to the girl they brought!
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