On the hunt for vinyl records in the bowels of thrift shops, you come across a lot of *ah-hum “Interesting” records. Notice I said interesting, because for all I know you may enjoy Leonard Nimoy’s The Way I Feel, or The Best Movie Scores of 1966 by 101 Strings, or many other selections that I personally don’t feel the need to add to my collection.
But in my search I have noticed some artist whose albums just continually turn up, almost by the wheel barrel full in every place I look. My particular question is, why? I can tell you that I’m not a fan because its just not my kind of music. But I’ll let you give me some reasons why you think they may not be popular, and/or tell me what artist and albums you run across regularly.
At number 1, in my hunt is Kenny Rodgers. Old Kenny “The Gambler” Rodgers just can’t get no love from vinyl collectors. No matter what resale shop I look in, there’s his stuff, not just one album but usually multiple ones. I remember he was big in the early 80’s with the whole cross-over country easy listening crowd. I even remember watching the famous Kenny Rodgers & Dolly Parton specials on TV, remember those?
At number 2, Crystal Gayle. Just like Kenny, Crystal can’t get no love. As a matter of fact in my hunts she is almost neck and neck with old Kenny. I have a vague recollection of one song she sang, but can’t remember what it was.
At number 3, Mitch Miller. Ok, from what I heard of this guy he is a Colonel Sanders look-alike, who originated the whole sing-along with the bouncing ball thing on TV. Apparently he had a TV show in which a group of singers all Colonel Sanders clones as well, would pull some really old songs out of antiquity, and sing them to a Rock and Roll-phobic audience. As I understand it Miller was a very anti-rock person, I guess he felt the fad would go away. Guess that’s why there are so few rock albums in the stores yet a ton of Mitch Miller
So what dogs do you run across on your searches? Comment back and let me know, I’d love to hear.