Music Deaths: Jamie Oldaker, Drummer with Eric Clapton, Member of the Tractors

JAMIE OLDAKER, 68

Died 16 July 2020

Drummer country/blues/rock.  Played with Eric Clapton.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Played with Bob Seger, Leon Russell and Eric Clapton.  Played on the "461 Ocean Boulevard" album.  Also "Behind the Sun" and Eric Clapton when he was on Live Aid.

One-time member of the Tractors also recorded with Bellamy brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, Peter Frampton, Stephen Stills, Freddie King and the Bee Gees.

Asleep At the Wheel: One of My Favorites

From Reuters.

Like they say, "Western Swing Ain't Dead, It's Asleep At the Wheel."

And I have about ten of their CDs to show I'm a fan and have seen them once in a great show at Woodstock, Illinois' Opera House.  Now that was some big fun.

And, they've been singing those great Western Swing songs for 42 years ever since front man, 6'7" tall Ray Benson, started the group in 1970 in, get this, Paw Paw, West Virginia.  Back  then, he had no idea the group would still be around, though I believe he is the only original member and it has had a bit of a revolving door for other members.

In the process, they have wracked up nine Grammy Awards, released more than 25 albums, recently performed with Willie Nelson, and even released an album with him.

Two years ago, the band celebrated its 40th anniversary and Benson's 59th birthday, at an invitation-only party March 16th in Austin.  I was NOT invited.

In 1970, the band opened for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna.

In 1973, Asleep At the Wheel moved to Austin, Texas, at the invitation of Doug Sahm and Willie Nelson.

Of course, featuring Western Swing as they do, they play a lot of Bob Wills music.

Bob Would Be So Proud.  --RoadDog

Answers for yesterday's WHICH CAME FIRST:

Pressure Cooker (1690), Zipper (1893),  Pop-Up Toaster (1930), Electric Blender (1963)

Asleep at the Wheel

Here is what the Woodstock Opera House had to say about Asleep at the Wheel:

"Asleep at the Wheel, the nine-time Grammy winning Kings of Western Swing, is on the road and out touring behind their latest record, Reinventing the Wheel; the follow-up to the critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning, Gold-selling album, Ride with Bob.

The band's newest member, Elizabeth McQueen, brings her acting, vocal and guitar-playing ability to the fold and truly gets the Wheel back to band-leader Ray Benson's original "revue concept". Asleep at the Wheel's live set features everything from traditional Western Swing, country, blues and jazz with a cool retro edge and a good dose of humor. This is one ride you won't want to miss."

Setlist- June 29th- Woodstock Opera House

1. Miles and Miles of Texas
2. Get Your Kicks on Route 66
3. Don't Fence Me In
4. I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine
5. Eliza Jane
6. Sitting on Top of the World
7. Take Me Back to Tulsa
8. (I'm an) Old Cowhand from the Rio Grande
9. Your Mind is On Vacation and Your Mouth is Working Overtime
10. The Cape
11. This Old Cowboy
12. Pancho & Lefty
13. I Guess My Heart Just Settled Back to Earth
14. You're My Sugar (But, You're Never Sweet to Me)
15. Am I Right or Amarillo
16. San Antonio Rose
17. Faded Love
18. We're the Texas Playboys from the Lone Star State
19. Wonderful World
20. Choo Choo Ch'Boogie
21. Hot Rod Lincoln
22. House of Blue Lights

encore

1. Big Balls in Cowtown
2. Happy Trails

Mighty Good Show!

That Pretty-Well Sums It Up for Me. --RoadDog

Asleep at the Wheel- Part 3- Western Swing Ain't Dead, It's Asleep At the Wheel

They then did a song by the Blind Boys of Alabama called "The Cape" and dedicated it to all who have at one time that all they had to do was tie a cape around them and fly. There was then an extended jam on their jazzy take of "This Old Cowboy".

AATW had recently been out on the road with Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price in an oldies revue. They did a great take on Willie and Merle's "Pancho & Lefty" and a new one by Willie called "I Guess my Heart Just Settled Back to Earth". PBS will be airing the show of these country stalwarts in August. Ray Benson said they just backed them, but he thinks they did a pretty good job.

Next up was the hilarious "You're My Sugar (But You're Never Sweet to Me)" which was sung by the girl, Elizabeth McQueen and the fiddle player. One line went, "That new fur coat you bought me just got up and walked away."

From the new album came a great play on words song, "Am I Right or Amarillo". The fiddler did a lot of playing on this song. Ray said this was a big hit in that panhandle town. They then stayed in Texas with "San Antonio Rose" complete with Bob Wills-style "Oh Yeahs". You'd almost swear the Texas Playboys were there in the house. Then came "Faded Love" sung sad enough to make tears well up in your eyes. Shivers down my spine on, "I miss you darling, more and more each day."

Next was Bob Wills' theme song "We're the Texas Playboys from the Lonestar State". Ray said you can check out some cuts from their "Ride With Bob" album at ridewithbob.com, but doubted that Bob Wills ever had a .com.

Then Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World" and Choo Choo Ch'Boogie". That's right, "Take me right back to the track, Jack!" This was all calls, boogie-woogie piano, and sax. One of their best songs.

Next to last song of the show was "Hot Rod Lincoln" Ray did a long solo guitar play and later there were flashing lights and sirens at the point where they got pulled over. Ray went into an account of what happened at that point. And it just continued to get worse. Everything he said just got him into more trouble with the cop. "Busted in Mundelein again" brought a big laugh as that is a nearby town. But occifer (trouble), I was operating this vehicle Asleep at the Wheel (more trouble). Here's our latest CD in form of a bribe (even more trouble). Then he got thrown into jail and his dad was called to throw his bail. And he said, "Son, you're going to drive me to drinking if you don't stop driving that hot-rod Lincoln." This brought down the house.

The last song was the "House of Blue Lights".

The first encore was "Big Balls in Cow Town" and then "Happy Trails".

I went to the table where they were selling souvenirs at near the end of the first encore so as to beat the rush. I wanted to buy the new album "Reinventing the Wheel" but didn't when I was told it would be $20, a bit too much. I did buy two bumper stickers, including one that said "Western Swing Ain't Dead, It's Asleep at the Wheel".

Listened to AATW's greatest hits CD on the way home.

I partied with AATW. --RoadDog

Asleep at the Wheel Part II- cont. from June 30th

The band came on the stage, and with no banter, launched immediately into "Miles and Miles of Texas", one of my favorites. Ray Benson looks a lot like current country star Trace Atkins, both are tall with deep voices and long pony tails. Besides Benson on lead guitar, there was an upright bass, a steel guitar (also played the sax), a woman on guitar, drummer, and another man who played mandolin, fiddle, and guitar. They were very tight in their sound.

The second song, we boogie-woogied down the Mother Road with "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". Ray, the fiddle player, and the girl took turns singing it. This really got the crowd going. AATW 's (Asleep at the Wheel) version is, to my way of thinking, the very best of all of the seven or eight hundred versions of the song. If it doesn't get your toe to tapping, you've got a dead toe.

Then, they played "Don't Fence Me In". From their newest album, "Reinventing the Wheel", they played "I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine". The girl took the lead on this one. Ray still calls them albums and he talked about a new play he and the band were involved in about Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. They're still looking for someone to play the role of Bob Wills. Ray says he's too old and doesn't look like Bob so he can't play the part.

Next song was "Eliza Jane" with the fiddle player doing the Bob Wills calls. Then, Ray showed his guitar chops on the bluesy "Sittin' On Top of the World." Watch out Buddy Guy! Roy can do his licks.

Then "Take Me Back to Tulsa"-one of my favorites and, off the new album, "I'm an Old Cow Hand from the Rio Grande". AATW put a lot of songs that'd been wanting to perform on this new collection. "Your Mind is on Vacation and Your Mouth is Working Overtime" was hilarious as the title would suggest. With lines like, "If silence was golden, you couldn't raise a dime," how could it not be. At one point, Ray was singing as deep as the member of the Oak Ridge Boys on "Elvira".

To Be Continued.....

Western Swing Ain't Dead, It's AATW!!! --RoadDog

Asleep At The Wheel--Live in Woodstock, Illinois

"Western Swing Ain't Dead, It's Asleep at the Wheel." That's what it says on the bumper stickers, tee shirts, and brochures. If there is a band anywhere that better represents this genre of music, I'd sure like to know who they are.

Ray Benson's band since 1970 had the packed Opera House in Woodstock, Illinois, rocking and swinging for almost two hours during their show last night. I was in one of probably the worst seats in the place, made even worse by the lady with the "big hair" that sat in front of me, but even then, I had a good view of the center of the stage and stage right.

I hadn't bought my ticket until about two weeks ago, the day of my first encounter with one of those 17 year cicadas. The couple next to me bought just the day before, and that is why we were in the "cheap seats" even though all seats were the same price, $28. If they come back, I will get my tickets right away. First row in the balcony will be my choice.

While waiting to go in, I walked around the beautiful town square and saw a lot of the sites from the film "Groundhog Day" that starred Bill Murray. Most of it was filmed right here in Woodstock which stood in for Punxsutawney, Pa., something that still irks the good folk there.

There is a Stage Left room attached to the Opera House (which was originally Woodstock's City Hall built in the 1890s). They were having an open mike night with some good performers.

The couple next to me were from Woodstock and had lived there for 22 years. She agreed with me that Illinois Route 47 is a nightmare as far as traffic, and they avoid it whenever possible. Fortunately, they know a lot of ways around it. She drives Bull Valley Road every day during the school year since she is a teacher at West McHenry High School. This is one of the most beautiful drives anywhere in Illinois.

Her husband had been an extra during the filming of "Groundhog Day". He said he was behind Andie McDowell in one scene at Gobbler's Knob, and had had to do about twelve takes on one scene by the bed and breakfast.

The show started right at 8PM, as advertised (I always hate it when you have to wait an hour or more for a performer to start their show). Ken Wilkins was the opening act and did a solo show for about 20 minutes. He said he played most Wednesdays at Stage Left and, after hearing him, I plan to see him. He has a great voice and included yodeling.

The Show will be continued.... --RoadDog

Strange 4th of July Weekend Coming Up

This will be a strange one with the actual Fourth falling on Wednesday. Around here, some of the towns are celebrating this weekend, others will be on the Fourth, and still others on the following weekend. I'm figuring on making three of them. I love the entertainment, and then the oohs and ahhs of the pyrotechnics

I kick off tonight with a performance by ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL at Woodstock's historic Opera House, dating back to the late 1800s. It used to be the City Hall. I was late getting my tickets and probably have the worst seat in the house, but all are up close so it shouldn't be that bad. They're one of my favorite bands. As they say on their website "Western Swing Ain't Dead...It's Asleep at the Wheel."

They do what I consider to be the definitive version of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" which, as you know is MY ROAD. The band formed back in 1970 at Paw Paw, WV, moved to California, and ended up in Austin, TX, at the suggestion of Willie Nelson. Since then, they have won 9 Grammy Awards. There have been over 80 members, but Ray Benson and a couple others are in for the long run. He is the lead guitarists, vocalist, and leader of the group.

Other big hits are "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" and "The Letter that Johnny Walker Read". In 1977, Rolling Stone honored them as Country and Western Band of the Year. They're heavily influenced by the music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys who are the originators of Western Swing. To my way of thinking, Asleep at the Wheel is the best thing to listen to while cruising down this nation's great two lane roads.

TWIN LAKES, WI. -LIBERTYFEST

Saturday, it's a short drive up to Twin Lakes for their annual Libertyfest. There will be a parade at noon, which means a stop at Main Street Tap before and after where we will meet lots of friends. Then some NTN at Donovan's. That evening, the Caribbean Castaways play at Lance Park and the the Aquanuts will have their ski show. Of course, then there's the fireworks.

Sunday, we will check out some of the bands and entertainment around the Chain of Lakes. Captain's Quarters is definitely a stop with a favorite band, The Rockin' Fenderskirts, playing. They do a sixties set that is hard to beat. During the 50s set, they use an upright bass.


SPRING GROVE, IL- FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Wednesday, our town will have its celebration on the actual day as it always has. There will be a parade through downtown and then festivities all day at Horse Fair Park (a lot of horseshows take place there). At 2, it will be the Rocking Fenderskirts again. I'll double my fun with them in four days. We might watch the fireworks there, or perhaps back in our front yard, as we usually do.

Our subdivision sits high up on a bluff, one of the highest points around. We get to see fireworks from Johnsburg, McHenry, and Fox Lake from the comfort of home.


FOX LAKE, IL- CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION and MINEOLA BAY FIREWORKS

Next Saturday the Village of Fox Lake celebrates its 100th anniversary with a parade, festivities, and later, that evening, the fireworks over Mineola Bay. About 5000 boats anchor in the water to watch them as well as parties at almost all the lakefront homes. Mighty good time.

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy. Three Fireworks. Practicin' my Oohs and Aahs Now. --RoadOhh

I Get to Meet a Cicada!!!

Much has been made about this "invasion" of the 17 year cicadas here in the Chicago area. There really hasn't been much to it as far as I'm concerned. If they're here, I'm not seeing them.

I did see one meeting its demise in the beak of a sparrow a few weeks ago (see earlier posting). There are very few in Chicago and it seems that the close-in suburbs like Highland Park and Lake Forest have huge numbers. I know of none here in Spring Grove.

I wouldn't expect any here at the house, as it was built in 1992 and cicadas don't do well where the soil has been disturbed. Plus, back in 1900, our house was in some farmer's field. (Our subdivision, Orchard Bluff Estates, also had a treed area and apple orchard).

Yesterday, after visiting with Liz's mom Frances in Woodstock (right on the historic square), I got to see one up close and personal. I'd just gone to the 1890s Opera House (formerly City Hall) to buy a ticket to the upcoming Asleep at the Wheel show later this month. This is one of my favorite groups who do my absolute favorite version of "Get Your Kicks on Route 66". I have most of their albums (for you younger folks, that would be CDs). They play a lot of the Western Swing music as popularized by Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys in the 40s.

On the way back, I saw a younger couple, probably about 18), and the guy was busily stomping something in the grass. I asked him if it was a cicada and he said yes. It had flown onto him and scared him. That cicada will scare no more people. I told him that was too bad, as I really wanted to see a cicada and hadn't seen one up close. By the way, the Woodstock Square dates from the 1850s, so there are some very old trees in it.

He said there was another one on the other side of the tree. I looked and there was!!! I picked it up and looked into those red bulging Marty Feldman (I'm watching "Young Frankenstein" right now; for the first time-ever) eyes. One of its wings was partly gone, so it couldn't fly away, but it did make quite a buzzing sound. This is one ugly insect and thankfully, they don't bite.

I have seen people putting netting on newly planted trees (which can be damaged by them). Plus, Walgreens is selling "I Survived the 17 year cicadas" teeshirts. Bob, you will be happy to know I didn't buy one. Why should I, I haven't really seen enough to make it true?

On the way home from Woodstock, I took one of the most beautiful drives anywhere I've ever seen, down Bull Valley Road, which is canopy for much of the way. At one point, I pulled over and turned down the sound on my new Toby Keith "Big Dog Daddy" album (CD for you younger folk) and had a listen. Supposedly, the male cicadas put out a big sound, akin to standing within 100 yards of a jet takeoff, while trying to attract a mate. I could hear something off in the distance, but don't know if it was the Sound of the Cicada.

Fly to Me, Fly to Me, You Ugly Cicadas. --RoadDog