Music from the 60s and 70s: Rhiannon and the Fire Breathing Dragon

During the month of August, Movies Broadway Singers and Beyond will pay tribute to many artists and musicians from the 60s and the 70s. 

The music of this time was the music of The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and all the way through disco. It was also the time of women singers and writers like Joni Mitchell and Carole King. This will be the mellower 60s and 70s. Think The Carpenters, Rick Nelson, Judy Collins, Sergio Mendes, and many more. 

So many young people wish they could be rock stars or be in the music business, but the music industry is a fickle lover. One day you are in fashion and filling stadiums and selling millions of records. Then, suddenly you’re not in fashion and you have to struggle to find where you fit in. It happened to Sinatra, Rick Nelson, and later it even happened to Michael Hutchence from INXS, and many other music stars faced a similar fate.

Ultimately, it is the passion for the arts that keeps these talented people hanging on. Success generally comes again. It did with Sinatra and Rick Nelson. Yet, one must have patience and not lose faith as the wheel of fortune rises and falls and rises again. Pay special attention to Brian Wilson of The Beach Boy’s I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times. The song was written by Brian and co-writer Tony Asher and it is beautiful and very telling. 

You will hear the exquisite voice of Judy Collins sing Both Sides Now written and composed by the wonderful Joni Mitchell. Joni has several of her other songs that she sings on this show. 

It has been said that the music of The Beach Boys, and Elvis, and that kind of music lost favor with the public because of the British Invasion and artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. However, there is always room in the arts for all kinds of music because we are all different. Karen Carpenter and her brother, Richard, faced all kinds of rejections when they began. It was Herb Alpert who recognized their genius and helped propel their careers at the same time The Beatles were recording.

If one is in the field of the arts, like music, acting, directing and art, you must have patience, courage and faith. You must accept the adulation when it comes with grace, but know, that as the wheel of fortune rises and falls, you may have some years while the wheel is down. But, if the passion for the art is in your soul, you must stick with it, and you will rise again. Ultimately, those who hang in there and stay true to themselves and their art will become legends and lead future generations, much like The Beach Boys and Rick Nelson.

Musicians and artists also need to recognize when they suffer from burnout and take the time they need to rebuild their spirit of creativity. It is not a down time, merely one of rest and transition.

As a person who has spent my life in the arts, I recognize the beauty of the profession and the challenges it can bring. 

Artists are sensitive creatures, optimistic but easily hurt. 

I am dedicating this show to the artists, writers, and musicians who have made this music come alive. Thank you, Stevie, Brian, Rick, Joni, and all the other artists on this show. Your music will live forever.

As usual, the show may not start exactly on the “o’clock”, but the first song is Tin Man from America and we will end with one of my all time favorites, Rick Nelson’s Fire Breathing Dragon.

“For me, the wind beneath my artwork has always been the music.” – Sherry

With a song in my heart.

Sherry

Show Times

Friday, August 6th 1pm Eastern Time 10am Pacific Time	Tuesday, August 10th 11 am Eastern Time 8 am Pacific Time
Saturday, August 7th 7pm Eastern Time 4pm Pacific Time	Thursday, August 12th 2pm Eastern Time 11am Pacific Time
Sunday, August 8th 10pm Eastern Time 7pm Pacific Time	Friday, August 13th 11pm Eastern Time 8pm Pacific Time