Thoughts on random country artists that just happen to be on my mind at any particular moment. Today, remembering a '90s country hitmaker who stood out in a format of soundalikes.
I always appreciated Hal Ketchum, in part because he was an outlier, and I hated most of the mainstream country of that era. Still do. Really enjoyed this, as usual.
My first intro was “ Past the Point of Rescue” on an excellent Mary Black album. It then took be a bit of time to work out the writer and hunt out the past catalogue.
Some great songs, and great lines.
‘Is no word from you at all the best that you can do…’
I was also about 5 years into a 15 year career in radio in 1991, though AOR and oldies formats primarily (after deregulation and sale to faraway corporate boneheads, our "local cluster" added country that I programmed briefly). This post took me all that way back, especially receiving records via mail, and some very fond memories of label reps trying to schmooze for play. Back to this post, tho, I also thought Past the Point of Rescue was a solid album, and as you say, among the best of a weakening style.
Separately, your 2024 best of was fab. I'm still a little stunned by No One Gets Out Alive. Fantastic record, that.
Thanks for your writing and analysis, excellent stuff.
Yes, deregulation in '96 really was the coffin nail for radio IMO. I hung on until 2013 while managing programming in a variety of formats, but it was never the same again.
Hate to be picky, but he lived and died in Fischer, TX. Not Fletcher.
May be a minor thing but I know the little town was very proud of him.
Definitely not minor. I’m from a tiny town myself! I’ll make sure to correct it. Thanks!
Thanks! Hal did a few songs for a series called "The Dancehall Tapes" at Fischer Hall. I also got married there so Fischer is near and dear to me too.
I always appreciated Hal Ketchum, in part because he was an outlier, and I hated most of the mainstream country of that era. Still do. Really enjoyed this, as usual.
My first intro was “ Past the Point of Rescue” on an excellent Mary Black album. It then took be a bit of time to work out the writer and hunt out the past catalogue.
Some great songs, and great lines.
‘Is no word from you at all the best that you can do…’
I was also about 5 years into a 15 year career in radio in 1991, though AOR and oldies formats primarily (after deregulation and sale to faraway corporate boneheads, our "local cluster" added country that I programmed briefly). This post took me all that way back, especially receiving records via mail, and some very fond memories of label reps trying to schmooze for play. Back to this post, tho, I also thought Past the Point of Rescue was a solid album, and as you say, among the best of a weakening style.
Separately, your 2024 best of was fab. I'm still a little stunned by No One Gets Out Alive. Fantastic record, that.
Thanks for your writing and analysis, excellent stuff.
Yes, deregulation in '96 really was the coffin nail for radio IMO. I hung on until 2013 while managing programming in a variety of formats, but it was never the same again.
Thank you for the kind words!
I miss 1986-1995 every darn day. Best job I ever had 👍