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The EvO:R - Most Important Songs in My Life Section
Welcome to the Most Important Songs in My Life Section.
As a musician for over 30 years I would like to think that every note that I played came from inspirations that I created myself.
My ego would have me believe that my improvisational skills are like knowbody else and every note that comes from my strings are mine and mine alone.
Then the real world hits me. Every note I play, string I bend, hammer-on that I create came from something that I saw or heard at some point in my life.
I would love to believe that every song I ever wrote was exclusive to me alone but this is not true.
Our music was inspired by someone else. A song on the radio that we heard, a live show we attended, a CD we purchased all could be laying the foundation
for our musicial direction today and in the future.
In May 2009 I asked the members of the EvO:R group to give me a list of the 10 most important songs in their lives. Songs that either inspired them to follow
this new direction or songs that paved the way for them to take a new musicial avenue. I was very pleased to see all the responses and as a result we
told the group that we would publish the results on our website.
I hope this section will be interesting and ultimately, motivational.
Bend'em
Charlie Harrelson
Founder of EvO:R
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Submitted by original EvO:R Member, Jimmie Vestal
"The other EvO:R Jimmy"
1. That’s All Right Mama (1954) - Elvis Presley
His first rockabilly song inspired me, many years later, to record a song based on a poem written by my grandmother.
My 1998 recording of “That’s All Right” had a different melody and different lyrics. It became a 7” 45 RPM vinyl
record pressed in three different colors on my Sand and Palms label.
It was on a CD sold at CD Baby and also became a music video. Today you can hear it in thousands of restaurants,
bars, clubs, taverns, and AMF bowling centers on their TouchTunes, Rock-Ola, and Rowe- AMI digital jukeboxes.
Listen to Jimmie's version
2. Susie Q – Dale Hawkins (1957), Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968)
I liked the James Burton style guitar picking and the beat of this song. It influenced me to write my song,
“What’s Cookin’ (2009), which is also a music video. I use Dale’s last name in my video character, Marshal Rowdy Hawkins.
Listen to Jimmie's version
3. Peggy Sue (1957) - Buddy Holly
I was fascinated by his Fender rhythm guitar strumming and the rolling drums. My songs, “Stampede” (1968),
“Love To Stay” (1991), and “Racing Round The Track (1996), were inspired by Buddy Holly.
4. Walk, Don’t Run (1960) - The Ventures
Loved the sound of their electric Fender Stratocaster guitar with the vibrato bar. I sent my Gibson Les Paul Special guitar out to have one installed on it.
5. Hello Mary Lou (1961) – Rick Nelson
I like the cowbell intro to this song. Christopher Walken might say that it needed MORE cowbell! My
favorite part of this song is when James Burton comes in with his amazing Fender Telecaster chicken picking
guitar lick. I never reached his expert level of guitar playing, yet he has influenced many of the lead guitar breaks in my songs.
6. Wooly Bully (1965) – Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs
This recording inspired me to record my song, “Wooly Bully Again”. It was originally recorded in 1966 with my band, The Soul Brothers,
and was pressed on 7” 33 1/3 RPM vinyl records with 5 other songs. A new version of it was recorded in 2007, a country line dance
version (2009), and a video. It is also on the digital jukeboxes mentioned above.
Watch Jimmie's version
7. Shotgun (1965) – Junior Walker And The All Stars
I thought it was very unusual to hear a song that stayed mostly in the same chord throughout the entire song. Another one like
this was “I Need Your Loving” (1962) recorded by Don Gardner and Dee Dee Ford. This inspired me to compose my own songs using this technique.
These were “Fishin’ Wire Eddy” (1992), “Who Dat?” (1992), “Clubbin’ In Myrtle Beach” (2003), “Gums” (2006), “My Pal, Wild Bill, Needs $70 Grand”
(2006), “Big Beautiful Women Know How To Strut Their Stuff” (2007), “Spread The Wealth” (2008), and What’s Cookin’? (2009).
Watch Jimmie's version
8. Polk Salad Annie (1969) – Tony Joe White
One of the early “swamp music” songs with a James Burton style of guitar picking. It has that slower beat that I love, similar to “Susie Q”.
9. Green Onions (1962) – Booker T and the MGs
I always loved the beat of this instrumental, the Hammond B-3 organ, and the lead guitar part.
10. Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing (1997) – Chris Isaak
Here is that “swamp music” rockabilly style that I enjoy. This song, along with “Susie Q”, and “Polk Salad Annie”
were the songs that influenced my song, “What’s Cookin’? (2009).
Watch Jimmie's version
A few words about Jimmie Vestal from Charlie Harrelson- the founder of EvO:R.
Jimmie Vestal has been a member of the EvO:R family for over 12 years. I have always been impressed with his ability to find new ways
to promote himself and his music. One example is Jimmie's song Bold Head Diva which is the featured song for a line of steak sauce.
This is no ordinary ho-hum promotion. Restaurants and night clubs, that are contacted to sell the song on CD to their customers,
also have the opportunity to introduce the Diva's special sauce to their hungry guests.
Visit Jimmie Vestal on EvO:R
Submitted by original EvO:R Member, Jef Peace
Independent Musician and Music Distributor
Tough one for me. I don't really feel that any songs inspired me to create
music and my faves cover nearly every existing genre. I think I settled on
jazz more 'cuz the man who taught me to blow the sax was a jazz musician and
that's a style that kinda' gets in your blood. However, I've never composed
a jazz song, so I can't say any specific jazz tunes inspired me. I do have
a handful of songs that I hold against my own as a measuring device, so I'll
use that short list for you.
1. Dust In The Wind - Kansas.
This is what I consider to be the perfect
blend of instrumentation and vocal harmony. It literally raises the hair on
the back of my neck whenever I listen to it.
2. Turn The Page - Bob Segar
One of the few "commercial" songs completely
in my vocal range and I MUST sing along whenever I hear it. The poetry very
aptly chronicles the average touring musician's life and the music is raw
and earnest.
3. Birmingham - Bruce Cockburn
Another song I feel I must perform whenever
I hear it, but only the spoken parts. Mr. Cockburn is about a step and a
half above what I'm comfortable with in the sung parts. Stunning poetry
artfully delivered in a cool, personal manner. It just doesn't get any
better than this and it's the closest thing out there to the style of music
I helped create with Jazza Diction.
4. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Claption
Is there any better example of love
ballad in existence? I can't sing this one because I get choked up, it's so
fucking powerful - both lyrically and musically. If I ever write anything
that can wring emotion out of the crowd like this one, I'll consider my life
well-lived.
5. Doesn't Remind Me Of Anything - Audioslave
I like this one 'cuz it
doesn't remind me of anything. Very subtle and powerful lyrics:
The things that I've loved the things that I've lost
The things I've held sacred that I've dropped
I won't lie no more you can bet
I don't want to learn what I'll need
To forget
And the music is crafted so it's almost three different songs. Very, very
tasty.
6. Rumor Of Love - Berlin
This is the only Berlin song I know of with male
lead vocals and it makes me wish he had done more. Another song I can not
refrain from belting out at the top of my lungs whenever I hear it.
7. Paint It Black - Rolling Stones
This is the ONLY Rolling Stones song I
can stomache and it's near the top of my all-time faves. I can't really
explain what makes it THE ONE, so I'll have to just say I feel it, I really
feel it.
8. Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits
I relate to this song on an almost
embarassing level. It's almost as though my life is being told, except for
the names, which were obviously changed to protect the innocent. Sweet sax
peppered throughout makes it even more personal for me.
9. Down With The Sickness - Disturbed
Another song I relate to on a very
personal level and again, it's as though the poet penned my early teens
through mid twenties. I was a very angry young man and if there had been
music like this around when I was so angry, I wouldn't have felt so alone.
10. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
A shining example of less is more.
Whenever I feel something I've composed/written is sparse, I think of this
song and get over myself.
A few words about Jef Peace from Charlie Harrelson- the founder of EvO:R.
For years I was looking for a president or C.E.O. of an Independent Music retailer to join our group. Having a member at this level
would give the organization real credibility. I contacted all the major players at that time and as expected I got all the ussual excuses
why this person could not join our group. Jef on the other hand welcomed the idea and has been a vital part of our growth for years.
We have bumped heads on a number of topics and some gotten a bit heated. In the end I am proud to have him in the organization and am honored to
call him Friend.
Visit Jef Peace and his Band on EvO:R
Visit Peacework Music Network
Submitted by original EvO:R Member, Paul Dube
Member of Zingo Zango Generic Jug Band
Charlie we did this once before a few years back!
I'm getting old. I got no time for reruns!
Will work on it promise!
I am just so tired from our car wreck, our Saab saved our lives but not our instruments.
To get ins to pay for vintage instruments is going to be tough. It took a week to get a rental that would carry a bass.
Thank God for friends, we have a Gibson and a stand up bass loaned to us. But it is a real battle and it starts again
tomorrow morning, worse then pulling teeth, every stinkin step of the way!
Meanwhile here is a partial list:
1 Calendar Girl - Neil Sadaka
2 Julie Julie Julie Do you Love Me? - Bobby Sherman
3 I think I love you - Partridge Family
4 Sugar sugar - Archies
5 Flower Girl - the Cowsells
6 I'm gonna Buy Me A Dog - The Monkees
7 Goin To the Chapel - Dixie Cups
8 Guitarzan - Ray Stevens ( made us laugh, sing one Monkee!)
9 Brand New Key - Melanie
10 These Boots are Made for walkin - Nancy Sinatra
This is a horrible list, but this is what made us start playing, these songs were so terrible, we had to try do better.
A few words about Paul Dube from Charlie Harrelson- the founder of EvO:R.
Paul Dude is one of the oldest members of the EvO:R organization (not in age, but in membership years). Much like Jimmie Vestal, Paul has been with the EvO:R group since the very beginning.
I never knew what a Jug Band was until I meet Paul and company. The band introduced me to a type of music that was totally foreign in nature to my rock/metal
roots. Paul is a tireless performer and a wonderful human being. Having his band on EvO:R has been an pleasure.
Visit Paul and his band - Zingo Zango Generic Jug Band
Submitted by original EvO:R Member, Karl Kalaugh
Music Director-Discover Channel
I really debated as to whether or not I wanted to answer this question, to
be honest. LOL. I don't tour like Joel and lots of you... I compose and do
mostly studio-oriented stuff. What I DO do tends to be (Lord help me) "new
age" and World. Sometimes World Fusion.
So, with my yin-yang properly caveated, in ascending order (#1 having the
greatest impact:
1. Spiral - Vangelis
2. Strange Cargo - William Orbit
3. you name it.... - Phillip Glass
4. "The New World" Symphony, second movement, Largo - Antonin Dvorak
5. Third Symphony - Aaron Copland
6. the score from "The Natural" - Randy Newman
7. Welcome Back My Friends - Emerson, Lake and Palmer
8. The theme from Peter Gunn - Henry Mancini
9. The Unanswered Question - Charles Ives
10. In the Hall of the Mountain King (arrangement of Greig) - Hugo Montenegro
Sorry, I sorta mixed the format of large works and individual tunes. As I
finish writing that list, I'm thinking, "what kind of crazy is THAT?" But,
yes, these had the largest impacts. Indeed, there's a history behind each
of my 10. Yes, I know that its whacky. Fudge! I'M whacky. Why be any other
way, ya know?
Best to you all!
A few words about Karl Kalbaugh from Charlie Harrelson- the founder of EvO:R.
What can I say about a guy that gets off on blowing air into a giant tube? A couple years ago Karl sent me two didgeridoo's and my daughter spent
weeks trying to get sounds to come out of hers. Karl is an amazing musician and a top drawer studio engineer. He also has a warm heart.
All the profits from the sale of his CD Terra Nova are donated to feed the hungry.
Visit Karl Kalbaugh on EvO:R
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A Message from Our Founder
Charlie Harrelson
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The Independent Music world has become so fragmented that anyone entering into this arena will be lost without
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Thank-you for visiting EvO:R and tell the world that we are out here..
Charlie Harrelson
Founder of EvO:R
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