Monday Overnight Open Thread – 12/20/2021

LOUNGE BAND PROMOTIONAL PHOTOS

When I was a child in the ‘70s and my family went on vacation, we’d stay at motels such as Holiday Inn or Best Western, and I could sometimes peek in and take a look at the swank, grown-up entertainment that was taking place in the lounge. Just outside of the lounge there was always a promotional photo of that evening’s entertainment.

The typical lounge band had a female singer plus a couple of guys playing guitar and/or keyboards. There was a good chance the singer would also be shaking a tambourine.

If the band didn’t have an attractive female lead singer, there would need to be some good instrumentation. I hope these awesome, open-collared tuxedos didn’t distract the audience the from the dulcet music of “Sax & Sounds.”

I think “Mel, Bobbie, and Larry” were more typical of the lounge bands at the motels where my family stayed.

Lounge bands still existed the first time I went on a college-era road trip with my buddies in the ‘80s. I recall one motel lounge with two dudes in Urban Cowboy gear performing soft rock and country covers. Perhaps it was these guys, “Twice The Life.”

There’s something about “Three Bees And A Queen” (below) that appeals to me. I bet I’d like them.

More photos at the link.

NICK THE LOUNGE SINGER

Here’s Bill Murray doing his “Nick The Lounge Singer” routine when he was still with Second City.

VERY LOST RUSSIAN EAGLE TAKES TOUR OF NORTH AMERICA

This Steller’s Sea Eagle has trekked almost halfway around the world from its home about 8,000 kilometres away on the eastern coast of Russia.

While it is not unusual to find a smaller feathered creature such as a hummingbird or warbler on a wayward course, Lund said there’s no precedent for finding a Steller’s Sea Eagle in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and certainly not Texas.

“It would be like a Canadian arborist finding a palm tree growing on the tundra, or a fisherman finding a blue whale in their local pond.”

MEANWHILE, A STOWAWAY ROADRUNNER TOOK A TRIP TO MAINE

Las Vegas bird can’t remember how it ended up in Maine.

A father and son were in for a bit of a shock this past Saturday when they discovered an unlikely stowaway that had traveled with them all the way from Las Vegas to Maine. The intruder, a greater roadrunner, had spent four days in their rental van without giving itself away.

Of course, the usual method of travel for roadrunners isn’t in a moving vehicle—they typically zoom around on two legs, despite having the ability to fly.

For now, this hitchhiking roadrunner’s only threats are New England weather and another potential cross-country trip. Staffers at Avian Hill and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are working with contacts in Nevada to see if they can fly the bird to avoid another days-long car ride.

I’m glad the roadrunner is OK. I can’t help but wonder if this might have been the result of “fowl” play involving a coyote.

THE GLOBAL WARMING HOAX

LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

If any of y’all are looking for a last-minute gift idea, you really can’t go wrong with a Willie Nelson Chia Pet.

What were some of the worst gifts you ever received? Or perhaps, any gifts that you came to regret giving?

NINE-PIN BOWLING

Nine-Pin Bowling was once the predominant form of bowling in America, until it was made illegal in much of the country during one of this country’s periodic moral panics.

In the early 19th century, bowling alleys were primarily owned by Bars and Pubs. A culture of crime and gambling became associated with it, and eventually, bowling gained a poor reputation. In 1841, Connecticut banned ownership of nine-pin lanes in an attempt to curb gambling and crime. To get around the law, players simply added one more pin, which nullified the ban and the modern game was born.

Connecticut was far from the only state to ban nine-pin bowling. But only in Texas did the game survive. German-Texas bowling clubs were not gambling halls, they were social halls for families to gather, drink, and socialize.

By World War I most Texas bowling establishments, both private and commercial, had changed to tenpins. However, ninepins remained popular in predominantly German communities like Fredericksburg and New Braunfels, until the introduction of fully automated pin-setting machinery in the 1950s caused most of them to make the change as well. Those bowlers who still preferred the teamwork and camaraderie of ninepins then moved to the ninepin clubs in small outlying communities of Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties.

The pin-setters to this day are still children perched at the end of the lane. They set the pins up and roll the ball back to the bowler. In this photo (taken by @TracesOfTexas) you can see the boys in the background.

Here’s an interesting little news piece about nine-pin.

THE WISDOM OF BUM PHILLIPS

Oail “Bum” Phillips coached the Houston Oilers for only six seasons (1975 to 1980) but he sure left a legacy in the NFL and in his home state. I miss that NFL. The current NFL might as well be pro lacrosse, I don’t watch it or know anything about rosters or coaches any longer.

Bum had the privilege of coaching Earl Campbell in his prime. Here are some of Bum’s famous quotes regarding The Tyler Rose:

Asked to comment on Earl not finishing a one-mile run: “When it’s first and a mile, I won’t give it to him.”

When asked if he noticed how slowly Earl got up after being tackled: “Yep. And I noticed how slowly he went down each time, too.”

Contrasting George Rogers and Earl Campbell: “Rogers sees daylight. Campbell makes daylight.”

Here are some other great quotes attributed to Bum.

”Two kinds of players ain't worth a damn: One who never does what he's told, and one who does nothin' but what he's told.”

”The harder we played, the behinder we got.”

”I don't mind people thinking I'm stupid, but I don't want to give them any proof.”

”There's two kinds of coaches, them that's been fired and them that's gonna be fired.”

OLD COMMERCIALS

Guys today are toasting with IPAs, and women are toasting with Prosecco, but once upon a time the beverage was high-end beers such as Lowenbrau, at least for the guys.

Does this look like a Bachelor Party dinner that any of y’all attended?

If this Jello commercial is representative of the ‘80s, then that decade looked exactly like the ‘80s cliche.

THROCKMORTON’S FIRST LAW OF LIVE MUSIC: IF THERE’S AN UPRIGHT BASS IN THE BAND, IT’S PROBABLY GOING TO BE GOOD

I can’t imagine what it must have been like to be a kid in the late 1950s and see Larry Collins, who wasn’t even in high school yet, dancing around the stage and shredding a guitar in a manner that would impress the best rock and roll guitarists.

With his sister Lorrie, “The Collins Kids” became regulars on Los Angeles music shows, including one hosted by Gene Autry. They didn’t have many big hits, but they are legends in rockabilly circles. Larry also co-wrote several songs which became hits for others, including Delta Dawn and You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma.

Lorrie died in 2018 but Larry is still rockin’.

“I Got Stung” – The Collins Kids (1958)

Here are the Collins Kids performing half a century later, in 2007.

MERRY CHRISTMAS Y’ALL

Blessings to all of you this Christmas. Here’s a little Robert Earl Keen holiday music to get you in the mood for your upcoming family gatherings.

Tonight’s overnight thread has been brought to you by Tumbleweed Snowmen.

*****

Thanks to Ace, the other Cobs, and the horde for letting me play host tonight. Please feel free to offer any helpful feedback, insults, or tips at buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com

posted by Buck Throckmorton at 09:58 PM

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