(Note: this series was originally published elsewhere.)

Something in music: origin

One evening at a hot, trendy L.A. nightclub on a rare solo outing, yours truly found himself standing alone at the bar preparing to review the upcoming act. Before he had taken more than a few notes, however, he was bookended by a pair of vivacious vixens who insisted on engaging your rockin’ writer in cozy conversation. Strangely, the subject of “marriage” arose.

One of the young ladies noted that when a gal is about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those very same terms could be applied to music too: “Something old” or classic, “something new” or recently released, “something borrowed”, a cover, and “something blue”, a blues song or a song with “blue” in the title. The rest is history.

‘Something’ in Music 295

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “We’re An American Band” by the American rock group Grand Funk Railroad. It was written by drummer Don Brewer and produced by American singer-songwriter Todd Rundgren. It was the title track from their 1973 album of the same name. The song became the band’s first number one single.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new single and music video, “Find The Good”, by the American band Action Skulls. It’s off the act’s upcoming new release, From A Running Horse. The band roster includes actor, and singer-songwriter Bill Mumy on bass, piano, guitar and harmony vocals, Vicki Peterson on guitar and harmony vocals, and John Cowsill on drums, percussion and lead vocals.

In a recent e-communique Mumy briefly discussed the new track. He said: "It’s the first Skulls release in three years and we worked hard to bring some happiness and harmony your way. We wrote the song together.”

Mumy added: “I wrote the lyric and gave it to John (who sings lead) and he wrote the music and then Vicki wrote the bridge music and lyric. We all sang many harmony parts. Vicki played acoustic and electric guitars.”

He concluded: “John played percussion and drums. I played my 1968 Fender Precision bass (that I bought new in 1968), my Rickenbacker 12 string and some piano. Thanks for supporting Indie music. There’s more Action Skulls coming soon!”

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” this edition is the song “I've Always Been Crazy” written and first recorded by American singer-songwriter Waylon Jennings. It was the title track of his 1978 platter of the same name. This dedicated cover version is by American singer-songwriter and guitarist Jaime Wyatt.

According to a post on social media, this performance was shot at Cosmic Vinyl Cafe in 2017. If you would like to see Wyatt perform live, you’re in luck! She is heading out on tour!

Something Blue

Finally, our “something blue” this edition is the song “Spreading the Blues” written and recorded by the Somers Point, New Jersey-based act known as the Billy Walton Band. It’s off the act’s Neon City disc which dropped in 2019. In an e-communique band frontman guitarist and vocalist Billy Walton spoke of the band’s music.

He said: "The Billy Walton Band is a musical chameleon. We take the rock/blues/soul template and add psychedelic jams, and also mix in New Orleans-style grooves. The Jersey Shore vibe is in there, too, whether it's the show, the saxophone, or the vocals."

If you’d like to hear more of the band’s music, you’re in luck. The Billy Walton Band is performing live every Thursday at The Point in New Jersey from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Admission to this 21+ residency, a.k.a. “Rockin’ The Point”, is free.

Walton spoke of the event saying: "For our Residency at The Point, we'll dig into our back catalog, play some favorites, debut new songs, and jam on some classic covers. We even put our stamp on some more current songs. There's something for everyone.”

If you can’t make it to the band’s 2023 Thursday night Summer Residency at The Point, the group will be performing elsewhere too. the band will be playing at Havana in New Hope, PA on July 7th; the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey on July 8th; the Angelsea Blues Festival in Wildwood, New Jersey on July 16th; and the Rye Bread Music & Arts Festival in Schaghticoke, New York on July 25th and 26th.

The current band roster includes Walton (Southside Johnny, Little Steven, Gary US Bonds), bassist William Paris, singer and guitarist Destinee Monroe, saxophonist Tom Petraccaro, keyboardist Eric Safka and drummer Daniel Gonzalez.

Did we mention your favorite “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”? If not, let us know. Don’t forget to send us your bride photos too!

(Images courtesy of Sarah Maren, Jaime Wyatt, and Rock n Roll Bride respectively)