Ben E. King (1987)

“I’ve come to accept that ‘Stand By Me’ is my secret key to survival…” In early 1987 Ben E. King – who died April 30 at 76 – was enjoying an entirely unexpected return to the upper reaches of the pop charts. The original recording of his 1961 song “Stand By Me” had become a […]

Chet Atkins

“I never listen to my records. I can’t stand to hear them.” October, 1994 By phone from Chet Atkins’ Nashville office “Simpatico” duet album and tour with Suzy Bogguss It took me a long time to learn to appreciate Chet Atkins. Under the influence of the Gram Parsons/Clarence White-era Byrd’s “Sweetheart of the Rodeo,” I […]