A salute to "The Possum"

Two phrases have been running through my mind after hearing the news of today’s passing of Country music legend, George Jones.

“He stopped loving her today” and “Who’s gonna fill their shoes”

Those phrases, of course, are titles of two of the biggest hits from the man known as “The Possum.”

-- He said I'll love you 'til I die. She told him you'll forget in time. As the years went slowly by, she still preyed upon his mind.

He kept her picture on his wall. Went half crazy now and then. He still loved her through it all, hoping she'd come back again.

Kept some letters by his bed dated 1962. He had underlined in red every single ‘I love you’
I went to see him just today, oh but I didn't see no tears. All dressed up to go away. First time I'd seen him smile in years.

He stopped loving her today. They placed a wreath upon his door, And soon they'll carry him away. He stopped loving her today.

You know she came to see him one last time. Oh and we all wondered if she would. And it kept running through my mind - this time he's over her for good. –

George could tug at the heart strings with those soulful tear-jerker songs,like "If drinkin' don't kill me," "a good year for the roses," "If my heart had windows," and "a picture of me without you."

He also was adept at effortlessly switching directions and kicking it up with songs such as "the race is on," and "white lightning."

And of course, when I think of George Jones, I usually think of him and his ex-wife and duet partner, Tammy Wynette.

George & Tammy were shining brightly at a time when the male/female country duet was prevalent in Country music, along with Johnny & June, Conway & Loretta, Porter & Dolly, and even George with Melba Montgomery, and Kenny Rogers & Dottie West. It’s something that I’ve missed in the last couple decades; something we’ve only heard a few times since the start of the 1990s, like singles from Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss with “Whiskey Lullaby” and Kid Rock & Sheryl Crow with “Picture”.

And then there’s the duet that George did with his daughter, Georgette – “You and me and time.”

I guess it would only be fitting that I end this by asking the question – who’s gonna fill HIS shoes?

--

You know this old world is full of singers, but just a few are chosen to tear your heart out when they sing.
Imagine life without them - All your, radio heroes, like the outlaw that walks through Jesse's dream. 

No, there will never be another Red-headed stranger, a Man in Black and Folsom Prison Blues. The Okie from Muskogee, or ‘Hello Darlin’. Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes.

Who's gonna fill their shoes? Who's gonna stand that tall? Who's gonna play the Opry and the Wabash Cannonball?

Who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you? Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?

God bless the boys from Memphis, Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis. Much too soon he left this world in tears. 
They tore up the Fifties - Old Jerry Lee and Charlie, and ‘Go Cat Go’ still echoes through the years.

You know the heart of country music still beats in Luke the Drifter. You can tell when hew sang ‘I Saw the Light’. 
Old Marty, Hank and Lefty - Why I can feel them right here with me on this Silver Eagle rolling through the night.

Who's gonna fill their shoes? Who's gonna stand that tall? Who's gonna play the Opry and the Wabash Cannonball?

Who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you? Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes? --

Rest in peace, George.

Monday This N That

After a week of vacation, sitting at home doing basically nothing, I’ve realized that…I really LIKE doing nothing!

However, vacations must end and it’s time to return to that 4-letter “W” word. (please, don’t make me say it.)

For the tv viewing schedule, this week seems to be kind of “messed up.”

First of all, tonight brings the mid-season finale of Revolution. I will admit that this show has grown on me more each week. I attribute that to the increased screen time of Daniella Alonso as “Nora.” She brought a female toughness to the show when all of the other females seemed to be whiny, timid, and scared.

Daniella’s “other” show returns tomorrow night. Yes, I know that Daniella was only a recurring character, Riley, on Rizzoli and Isles, but it was because of seeing her on this show that made me want to keep watching Revolution. And the Angie Harmon ‘kiss of life’ syndrome continues as well. Donnie Wahlberg, Billy Burke, Chris Vance, and now Daniella Alonso all hooking on to other shows after being on R&I. Hopefully, since R&I is actually a “summer” show, maybe we’ll still get to see Riley in a few episodes. I know she’ll be in at least one of the upcoming 5 “winter episodes.”

I had re-watched Sasha in “The Last Lullaby” and “Coming and Going” again last week. I keep enjoying her performances a bit more every time I see them. However, no matter how many times I re-watch her NCIS episodes, I still don’t like her as Kate. For some reason, I see Kate as too whiny, bumbling, and nowhere near an equal to any of the guys. I didn’t like that.

Speaking of NCIS, I saw this lovely list for Sasha’s ‘replacement’, Cote de Pablo.

The other day, I ordered an NCIS Bert the Farting Hippo keychain. It should arrive in the next couple days. It would be cute to have a big one like Abby, but this small one should suffice. 

Let’s not forget about the guys now. ‘People’ had their list of ‘hot guys’ in a recent issue, and it included Michael Weatherly, along with Michael Ealy (did they really have to cancel Common Law? Damn!) and Eric C Olsen. However, I have a big issue concerning their ‘graying’ list. Seriously, no Mark Harmon, or even Bruce McGill? Really?

Speaking of Bruce – I heard that he was on the latest episode of “The Good Wife.” I’m not a regular watcher of the show (legal shows bore me to death) but I’ve gotta track down that episode to see him. I still wish that CSI would have revisited the storyline of Bruce as Catherine’s mentor, Jimmy Tadero, in the later seasons. Although, I guess at least they mentioned him in her final episode.

On the subject of CSI, even though I’m not a faithful watcher of the show anymore, I do somewhat enjoy Elisabeth Shue’s character, which I categorize as a mix of early Cath & Sara – fiery, spirited, outgoing, and confident. Two of my favorite EShue movies are “Adventures in Babysitting” and “Cocktail.”

On a sad note, I heard that Larry Hagman passed away on Friday. He was such a wonderful actor. I remember him from his comedy days as Major Nelson on “I Dream of Jeannie” with Barbara Eden. Of course, he will forever be known to all as the ruthless J.R. Ewing on “Dallas.” The catch phrase “Who shot J.R.?” will probably make the Top 10 list for an entire millenium.

 

Friday This n That

I got the new issues of EW and People in today’s mail. I was a bit surprised to see all of the raving over the new movie, Super 8. I’ve seen the previews and was a bit intrigued by it. I had to chuckle at the comparison to a mix of Goonies/ET/Jaws.




Another movie that intrigues me is Beginners with Christopher Plummer.



As for TV shows – I’m looking forward to the new Noah Wylie scifi series, Falling Skies. I think the best part is that Colin Cunningham is in it!



Other new ones that caught my eye include Ally Walker in the Protector on Lifetime. Alphas on SyFy, and a new one that I just noticed, which is called Combat Hospital.

The first thing I thought of when I heard the title is China Beach. Maybe this is an updated version of CB? I wonder if Combat Hospital also has a hooker as a main character! It seems that Elias Koteas is the only name I recognize from the main cast.

As for returning shows: Jane & Maura will be back (can it be sooner?) and of course I need my Betty White fix with Hot In Cleveland (although I think I’m still a few episodes behind on this from last season)


Catching up with a few celebs, including Mary McCormack and Kevin Bacon.


People had a look back at Top Gun 25 years later.

Why do I always feel like breaking out into an off-key version of “You’ve lost that loving feeling” every time I think about this movie?

On a final note: remembrances for James Arness and Jeff Conaway.

James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon was such a tv icon. Gunsmoke was amongst my favorite old tv shows.

Friday This N That

It seems that a little bit of sunshine goes a long way – especially in terms of brightening my mood. Now, if I could only get it to stay out more than a day or two at a time.

Strangely enough, it was a small article on Queen Elizabeth II in the new issue of In Touch that brightened my mood today. Usually I get a bit of a “stuffy” feeling when I think about the British royal family. (why do they always have to be so prim & proper?) However, I was delighted to see the, “move over Marg Helgenberger” comment in regards to the Queen overseeing a mock murder scene.

Yes, when it comes to a mention of CSI, the first thing that always comes to mind is Marg. Now I know that every time I hear mention of the Queen, I’ll think about Marg & CSI. I’m just hoping the reverse isn’t true!

I was very saddened to hear of the death of Jeff Conaway last week. His role in “Grease” will always be a classic in my eyes. I liked Kenicke & Rizzo together.


On a final note – let’s talk about celebs & their kids. Or rather, let’s just take a look.

It’s been a while since I’d seen Dermot. I didn’t realize he had the gray hair thing going. He was so great in “thing called love” with Sandra Bullock. I really should get out his Low & Sweet Orchestra album & play it again one of these days. Yes, you may not know, he’s a very good cello & guitar player.