Stressed? Victim of a stroke? We can help!

I have always contended that Americans are overstressed and need a “trip to yesterday” every now and then to decompress. Our “tag line” is that our music will take you back to a time when you didn’t have a care in the world.

A new medical study, published today validates my suspicions and takes it even further.

A daily dose of one’s favorite pop melodies, classical music or jazz can speed recovery from debilitating strokes.

When stroke patients in Finland listened to music for a couple of hours each day, verbal memory and attention span improved significantly compared to patients who received no musical stimulation, or who listened only to stories read aloud,the study reported.

Those exposed to music also experienced less depression than the other two control groups.

Three months after a stroke, verbal memory was boosted by 60 percent in music listeners, and by 29 percent n non-listeners. The differences held true after six months as well.

The lead author of this study, published in the Oxford University Press Journal Brain, is Teppo Sarkamo, a neuroscientist at Helsinki University.

Sarkamo’s findings bolster a growing body of research pointing to the benefits of music and music therapy for conditions including autism, schizophrenia and dementia.

But this is the first time music alone has been shown to have a positive effect on victims of brain injury such as stroke, he said.

“Everyday music listening during early stroke recovery offers a valuable addition to the patients’ care, especially if other active forms of rehabilitation are not yet feasible,” said Sarkamo.

Sixty victims of left or right hemisphere cerebral artery strokes were randomly divided into the three groups in a single-blind trial between March 2004 and May 2006.

Most of the patients, whose average age was just under 60, had problems with movement, as well as cognitive processes such as memory and focusing their attention.

Every day one group listened to at least two hours of self-selected music, “The idea was to include only music with lyrics the patients could understand,” said Sarkamo. A second group listened to audio books, and a third to neither.

The 54 patients who completed the study were subjected to a battery of cognitive and psychological tests.

Sarkamo speculates that three mechanisms in the brain account for the startling impact of song and melody.

One is an enhanced arousal of a part of the brain implicated in feelings of pleasure and reward that is stimulated by the release of dopamine, a hormone and neurotransmitter.

Previous research has shown that increased dopamine enhances alertness, speed of information processing, attention, and memory in healthy humans.

Music also directly stimulates the damaged areas of the brain, as well as the more general mechanisms related to “brain plasticity,” the ability of the brain to repair and renew its neural networks after damage.

Sarkamo cautioned that his findings should be replicated by other larger-scale clinical trials before music is systematically integrated into the recovery regimen of stroke patients.

And music listening may not work for all stroke victims, he cautioned.

But if validated, the study points to an easy and cost-effective therapy for recovering stroke patients.

When you hear certain songs, you’re right back at the Prom, or in your best friends basement listening to 45’s, or enjoying Grandma’s apple pie. Forget the troubles of the day, three minutes at a time… you’ll feel better after you click here —> TUNEDEX MEMORIES

 

Don & Juan – from painting apartments to climbing the charts with a bullet…

Claude Johnson had a taste of success and his first “15 minutes of fame” with the group The Genies. They hit the charts with “Who’s That Knockin’” in 1959, but quickly fell into the “one-hit wonder” category. In just a couple of years, with little or no success with follow-up recordings, the group disbanded. Claude found himself painting apartment with another singer friend, Roland Trone. The painting went a little quicker when they sang, and as luck would have it, they were “discovered” while on a painting gig. Claude jumped at the chance to record again. He became “Juan” and Roland became “Don”. Claude had written a song called “What’s Your Name” and the duo took that song all the way to number 7 on the National charts for BigTop records. A follow-up single “Magic Wand” charted, but with little or no impact. Their last recording for BigTop was the Burt Bacharach composition “True Love Never Runs Smooth”. While they had no success at all, Gene Pitney released his version and went to number 21. They moved to Mala records next but once again, they simply couldn’t rediscover the magic of “What’s Your Name” and called it quits in 1967. Roland died in 1982, and Claude passed in 2002.

You’ll hear all these songs and MORE at: TUNEDEX MEMORIES

 

The Jamies are connected to Fenway Park?

One of the more enduring “songs of the summer” was “Summertime Summertime” which was a Top 40 hit for the the Jamies in 1958. The song has the distinction of hitting the Top 40 again when it was re-released in 1962. The Jamies were from Dorchester, Massachusetts. They were led by and got their name from brother and sister, Tom and Serena Jameson. Jeannie Roy and Arthur Blair rounded out the group. The Jamies were discovered by then Boston DJ Sherm Feller. Sherm went on to be a legendary PA announcer at Fenway Park and entertained many a frustrated Red Sox fan over his 26 year career. Sherm co-wrote “Summertime Summertime” with Tom Jameson and got them a demo opportunity with Archie Bleyer, owner of Cadence records. Archie’s daughter was there that day and liked the demo, so Archie booked them for studio time. When his daughter heard the recording and decided she no longer liked it, Archie threw the record away. Sherm Feller offered to buy it, but Bleyer insisted that he simply take it, assuming it would never sell. Sherm wen to Epic records, got a $2,000 advance and began the group on a tour to promote the record. In the five weeks between July 18^th to Labor day it sold a quarter of a million copies. When it was re-released, it sold another quarter of a million copies. Archie Bleyer lost, Sherm Feller won, the Jamies had at least brief success, although they will forever be considered a “one-hit wonder” and after his DJ and music career was over, the fans of the Boston Red Sox won. Sherm never did see the Red Sox win the world series, but he did have a hit record to his credit.

Hear the Jamies here: TUNEDEX MEMORIES

 

What group gave Dick Clark a black eye?

With the success of “16 Candles” – the Crests were in demand. They played the Apollo, and the Paramount theater with acts like Jackie Wilson, the Moonglows, the Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Frankie Avalon and Dion & the Belmonts. One night at the Little Theater on 47th Street in New York, Dick Clark decided to check on the boys and talk about an upcoming appearance on his Saturday night American Bandstand radio show. I can best describe what happened next as a case of “grab-ass”… a term I coined after all too many experiences while raising three boys of my own. The group members were cavorting in the room and one of them was thrown towards the door just as Dick Clark was entering… the door hit Dick in the face, and Dick got a black eye for his effort.

Hear Johnny Maestro & the Crests at: TUNEDEX MEMORIES

 

What’s wrong with this picture?

This is the classic “early” picture of The Crests. The problem is that when they first formed, there were FIVE members… the one missing from the picture is the lady who sang with the group. She sang on “My Juanita” recorded on the Joyce label, but when the band got signed to Coed records, she wasn’t allowed to continue… her mother insisting that she return to school and graduate instead. Mom probably knew best, because she was only 15 years old at the time. What makes this story more interesting is that her family obviously had a lot of singing talent. Her name was Patricia, but her younger brother carried the torch for her family and made everyone proud. We lost him recently, much too early…. little brother’s name? Luther Vandross…

Listen for “My Juanita” on the Honor Roll of Hits, heard 24/7 at TUNEDEX MEMORIES!

 

Gary Puckett has sung of our troops at war for 40 years?

If you caught Steve Petryszyn’s last edition of “Record Roundup” you know he attended a concert in Michigan in February and was very moved by the song “Home” performed by Gary Puckett. Gary acknowledged ALL the veterans present in the audience and shook their hand. Steve heard this song for the first time, and thought it was written for our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Actually, it was one of MY favorite songs while still in the Air Force during the Vietnam conflict.

I admit to being very lucky. I never experienced what goes through a soldiers mind in time of war. I gave four years of service to my country, but I was never in harms way at any time. I lost friends in Vietnam, but no family, so once again, I was very lucky.

When I wore my uniform, I was subjected to ridicule, both in towns where I was stationed and when I came home. It hurt deeply, and at the time, and never understood the animosity. After some soul searching, I admitted to myself that I was happy to be alive, put Vietnam behind me and went on with my life.

Being the father of three sons, I can also say how deeply grateful I am that they were never subjected to war. As for the young men and women who serve today, my prayers go out to them and their family to just finish their job and come home safely. If you read Page 2 of the website, you know I was involved in a project back in 2003 called “Dedications from Home” (http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=13426) to help both the soldiers and families get through one of the toughest times of the year, the Holidays. Even though the site is now closed, I’ll always carry with me the emotions of the families and know that I helped bring them together for just a short while. We take so much for granted in this country, and sometimes forget and underestimate the sacrifices others have made before us to secure our freedoms and way of life.

Today, we are a polarized country. But no matter your political affiliation, or opinion of the war, all Americans should support these brave young heroes and thank them for their efforts and sacrifices they have make EACH DAY for ALL OF US. Whether you believe in a God or not, we should all agree to remain the UNITED States of America. As Steve said on his show, if you know or meet a Veteran, THANK THEM. Unless you’ve been a part of defending freedom, you simply don’t know how difficult it can be…. so at the risk of “showing my age” or being “politically incorrect”…. God Bless America… and thanks to Gary Puckett and the Union Gap for capturing in song the pain and the heartache of war…

Hear “Home” by Gary Puckett & the Union Gap on “the Honor Roll of Hits” heard 24/7 on TUNEDEX MEMORIES!

 

Mama Cass’s sister hit the Hot 100?

Leah Kunkel, younger sister of ‘Mama’ Cass Elliott is the wife of all-star rock drummer Russ Kunkel. She enjoyed great success as a session vocalist including providing ALL the backing vocals for James Taylor’s album “JT” and remains the only female singer to ever sing back-up for Art Garfunkel. Also an accomplished writer, she released solo albums in the 70’s. In 1984, as one third of The Coyote Sisters, Leah co-wrote the song “Straight From The Heart (Into Your Life)” which spent 10 weeks on the chart and peaked at number 66.  We don’t play any of Leah’s songs, but lots and lots of Mama Cass – with and without the Mamas & Papas.  Listen to “the Honor Roll of Hits” 24/7 on TUNEDEX MEMORIES!

 

How Mike Clifford met Patience & Prudence

Mike’s dad was in a band in the 40’s and his roommate was the bands piano player, Mark McIntyre. Twenty or so years later, Mark, now a producer for Liberty records. records several hits with his 11 and 14 year old daughters. Mark asks his old pal’s son to sing with them. You can find the Liberty duets with Mike on the Best Of Patience & Prudence CD. Mark also had Mike record a demo of a song he wrote, but decided to use Jimmie Rodgers instead. Tucumcari, hit #32 for Jimmie, but Mike remembers fondly he recorded it FIRST.

We were proud to World Premiere cuts from Mike’s new CD with Sandy Zacky read about it at our website.  While you’re there, tune in and listen for Mike’s songs on “the Honor Roll of Hits” 24/7 at TUNEDEX MEMORIES!

 

Timi Yuro helped Phil Spector create “the Wall of Sound”

Frank Kramer (host of TEENAGE MEMORIES) and I talk about music quite a lot. One song we both share a fondness for is “What’s A Matter Baby” by Timi Yuro. Frank has read many times over the years that Phil Spector was involved in the production of this song. Frank has the original 45 and Clyde Otis is listed as the producer. When he asked me, I had no idea, but one of the reasons I’ve always liked the song was that wonderful string arrangement. Together with the help of the Internet, we found the answer from the liner notes of the Box Set called “The Brill Building Sound”.

“Timi Yuro had been recording for Liberty since 1959; she enjoyed a huge hit with ‘Hurt’ in 1961 but had been unable to follow it up. Then, with this song half-finished, Liberty’s East Coast A&R chief Clyde Otis abruptly resigned. At this exact moment, Phil Spector was trying desperately to raise funds to get his Philles label established; somewhat disingenously, he accepted Otis’ job (and a year’s salary in advance), which allowed him to make ‘Uptown,’ the Crystals’ hit Philles needed. Spector did little during his brief tenure at Liberty to justify the cash he’d received, but he did turn this unfinished track into a minor masterpiece (even though the record bears Otis’ production credit).”

You’ll hear lots of Timi Yuro 24/7 at TUNEDEX MEMORIES!

 

The Roses – provided backup vocals for Buddy Holly

A trio of native Texans, David Bigham, Robert Linville and Ray Rush, The Roses began their career by backing Roy Orbison on his Sun recordings. They met Norman Petty and replaced the Picks as the backing group for Buddy Holly and The Crickets. They can be heard on “Fools Paradise”, Think It Over”, and “It’s So Easy”. In addition to doing backing vocals for well over 100 recordings, they also released 45’s as The Roses. The Roses were inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in December 2000.  Listen for the Roses singing with and without Buddy Holly on TUNEDEX MEMORIES!