Ricky Nelson - Fathers Know Best

Have I blogged about Ricky Nelson yet? Don't remember, but Ricky had an influence on everyones music, even all of Oklahoma. Every kid in Oklahoma couldn't wait until the next Fathers Knows Best show would come on, just to see if Ricky would introduce a new song. I have his greatest hits album. One of my favorite Ricky songs is, "Lonely Street." I can play it, but I have never memorized it.

His dad managed his career at first. They really were a family and his dad was a producer. Of course, when Ricky sang a song on the show, it would be lip-sinc, because the Jordanaires, a Gospel Quartet, would back him up. Later, Elvis made a better deal to his lead guitar man and bought him aboard his career. I'm going to check and see if I have blogged Ricky. If I have, I will add more here.

The picture above was with the Jordanaires. I met one of their original singers, once. He was the one who crafted, "There Will Be Peace In The Valley," for the Jordanaires and he never was given credit for it. His last name is Matthews and his son's name is Monty Matthews, I think. I will check on that.

"Warren (Monty) Matthews: Born August 25, 1927, was Baritone for The Jordanaires 1948 -1952.
Monty passed away March 5, 2005. One of the Original founding members, along with his brother, Bill Matthews."

Look at that, and you will notice that his brother and Monty were both original members of the original Jordanaires. I love to study about Quartets, and the Jordaires really didn't have to travel around and do shows. They were paid handsomely just to hang around Nasvhille and Memphis and do background vocals for Elvis and RIcky, and the many others that they worked with. I know that Monty has a son, and he was in the music business too. He went to Ozark Bible College, but they kicked him out, because they didn't like the way he dressed, nor the type of Gospel Songs he wrote and performed.