"And the Band Played On"

Music is well, music to my ears. If you listen carefully you can hear me singing as I write. It is as much part of me as breathing. This blog post is about the music that Bruce and I both like. And although we like some artists from this era, most performers and music styles go back a few years, especially back to the big band sound.

   Frank Sinatra is Bruce’s number one singer. Bruce sings along whenever Frank is singing. We have over a dozen Frank Sinatra CDs (Guess what music is going to be played at someone memorial service many, many years from now.) There is XM satellite radio in the car, almost always on the Frank Sinatra station. We have 4 books about old blue eyes.

   This past week Bruce read two biographies, one by Vic Damone and the other by Andy Williams. Andy has the Moon River Theater near us in Branson, MO and will be performing this fall and Christmas season. He still has a strong voice, always sings his old popular hits, tells funny stories, and packs the house every show. Across the street from the Moon River Theater is Andy's Grill, naturally called Moon River Grill. The deco is quite upscale..I love it.
   Vic Damone retired several years ago. His book was really a page turner, Bruce and I both read it in one sitting in a few hours. He started singing as a young boy because his mother made him practice. His talent was remarkable, even as a youngster he was singing for a few dollars here and there. He credits Frank Sinatra for getting him a start in as a professional. They remained best friends. When Bruce was just a teenager his family drove through New York City doing a bit of sightseeing on their way to West Point. Vic Damone name was on a marquee, all lit up in neon. Bruce has never forgotten how magical that was to a country boy from Missouri.

   Last night when Bruce was read the Andy Williams book he stopped and said out loud, “Boy, he did not like Frank Sinatra at all”. For a minute I thought Bruce was going to stop reading the book. What special memories the music of Williams, Damone, and Sinatra bring. Thanks fellows, you were swell.

Books mentioned can be bought on Amazon

Moon River and Me: A Memoir

Singing Was the Easy Part

The Brothers Crim

Bruce on left, Bill on right

   The photo to the right was taken a few years ago, Bruce is on the left. Poor guy, we had been traveling for a week, doesn't he look tired.
   Bruce likes to tell everyone that originally their name was Grimm, but soon after the first family moved to the colonies they changed their name to Crim. The family came from Germany, settling in the Virginia colony. Fast forward to Joplin, MO in the early 1930’s to where our story begins.
   Big brother Bill was 5 years old when baby John Bruce came along. Little sister Nancy arrived 5 years later. Their folks were typical hard working people; mother raised the kids while daddy worked. Bruce’s Dad, John C. Crim started and successfully ran a freight company during the hard depression years. Later, Mr. Crim became general manager of Campbell 66 Express moving the family to Springfield, MO.
   Bruce always looked up to Bill, wanted to tag along and do the same things. Of course, Bill thought Bruce was a big nuisance, especially when he was a teenager. Theirs was a typical family, some good times and some brotherly fighting.
   Bill, aka Colonel William T Crim, Retired, graduated from West Point, proudly serving his country until he retired. Bill and his wife, Claudia, live in GA. Bruce worked his way through Drury College here in Springfield. He went to work with Campbell 66 Express, following in the freight business like his Dad. Both of the Crim brothers are now retired.
   Both had busy careers, each doing their own thing although they have stayed very close. A few years ago, they started doing genealogy together; this has been quite a journey of memories. They met a couple of times in KY to research old records, cemeteries, and such. These were great times, two brothers reminiscing and sharing stories. They spend many hours online or the phone tracking down people and facts.
   Bruce and Bill do take different approaches to genealogy. Bill, forever the Army Colonel, has his records in perfect order, on paper and computer. Bruce has stacks of paper in folders, but in no particular order. (That difference shows in all aspects of life style.)
   Next time I will share about The Cooks, Bruce and Bill.

Bruce The Cook

    This image seems very fitting for the story I wanted to tell. Bruce cooked supper and watched Oprah at the same time. The subject on Oprah is “sex”, I’m sure he was listening carefully to hear if they mentioned 74½-year-old geezers.

    Anyway, here is the story; Bruce is doing more and more cooking. He actually is a much better cook than he thinks and certainty better than I am. When we first met, he told me he was good at making salads, toast, and putting things in the microwave. He could make more dishes; after all, he had been the caretaker for his first wife until she passed away and did all the cooking.

    Today he asked me how to make a meatloaf. I don’t have a recipe, never thought of confusing the situation by having him look one up. He did say he liked my meatloaves because I use oatmeal for the filler. I gave him simple instructions, including telling him to call my friend Vannie. She cooks and has “A Better Cook” site and "A Better Cook Journal". It all got very silly for words.

    His meatloaf turned out great, I’m sure he will be making it again. We had corn and sweet potatoes for supper also. (We have supper here in the Ozarks, but we go out to dinner.)

    Speaking of old geezers, this is the first in a series of blog posts I intend to do about The Brothers Crim. Last night I wrote a very short story to add to Bruce’s Heart Walk page. This got me thinking, “I have to write more about those two old geezers”.

Will Cook for Sex: A Guy's Guide to Cookingcan be brought on Amazon.