Merle Haggard > It’s All In The Movies
Composed by Kelli & Merle Haggard

Growing up in the New York metro, home of everyone from Frank Sinatra to Sonny Rollins, country music wasn’t exactly at the top of my list. For the first six months I worked in the anomaly of a New York City country music radio station, I practically kept cotton in my ears. After all, it was the era of Barbara Mandrell and Ronnie Milsap.

One day I was working on a radio spot when a voice cut through the ubiquitous live air check that played on the station’s PA. A resonant voice, a moving voice. Merle Haggard’s It’s All In The Movies drilled it’s way into my head and through the other side. I’ve never been the same and neither has my former tin ear.

Wimp Week #6 
Ballad #14 
Legends of Country #1

Isley Jasper Isley > Caravan of Love
Composed by Ernie Isley, Chris Jasper and Marvin Isley

I’d missed the Isleys so much (who hadn’t?) by the time this record came out in 1985 that I hardly noticed Ronnie’s absence. What a great track, but it became permanent in our lives when it became the soundtrack for a video of our first son’s first year.

Wimp Week #5 
Ballad #13

Larry Graham > One In A Million, You
Composed by Sam Dees

I’m thankful to Larry Graham for two things. He invented the funk slap bass while he was in Sly & the Family Stone. And, while everyone else at the wedding feels like they’re going to kill themselves when this song comes on, I get a quiet smile for the deep, deep melody, while my eyes start to fill from the completely sappy lyrics.

Wimp Week #4 
Legends of the Bass #1 
Ballad #12

Dionne Warwick featuring Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder >
That’s What Friends Are For
Composed by Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager

Burt Bacharach has written and produced some of my favorite records of all time, most (not all) done with Dionne. A lot of you would disagree but for me this song stands up with his very best.

Fitting for wimp week, not a few of the Bacharachs can make my eyes water. The all star team put this cover together for AIDS Research, and when I put that together with my thoughts of my own friends…

Wimp Week #3 
Legends of Songwriting #7
Legends of Pop #2
Cover #33

James Taylor > Shower the People
Composed by James Taylor

This song was James’ right on the nose Obama inauguration song, but it pretty much makes me cry anytime I hear. Especially with my family around.

Wimp Week #2 
Legends of Singer/Songwriters #4

Heatwave > Always and Forever
Composed by Rod Temperton

Can’t help it, I’m a sap at heart.

Wimp Week #1 
Ballad #10