George Croft’s American Music Show

Eddy Arnold was a Tennessee farm boy who became one of country music’s smoothest crossover stars, helping shape the Nashville Sound and charting hits for more than four decades. Early years Eddy Arnold was born Richard Edward Arnold on May 15, 1918, on a farm near Henderson/Chester County, Tennessee, the youngest in a large farming family. His father died when he was eleven, the family farm was lo...

John A. Lomax, a pioneering folklorist, discovered blues musician Huddie Ledbetter (Lead Belly) in 1933 while recording inmates at Angola Prison in Louisiana, alongside his son Alan Lomax. John helped secure Lead Belly's parole and hired him as a driver, assistant, and performer, signing a management contract in 1935 that later soured due to disputes over money and control, leading to a settlement...

Sister Rosetta Tharpe — the gospel legend who electrified the world with her powerful voice and groundbreaking guitar skills. Often called the "Godmother of Rock & Roll," she blended sacred gospel with raw rhythm and blues, shattering barriers and directly inspiring legends like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Johnny Cash. From her humble beginnings performing in churches as a...

June Carter Cash (born Valerie June Carter, June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was a legendary American country singer, songwriter, comedienne, actress, musician, and author, widely regarded as a key figure in country music history and a member of its "First Family." Early Life and Carter Family Roots Born in Maces Spring, Virginia, in the Appalachian foothills, June was the middle daughter of Ezra "Ec...

Diane Jean Diekman grew up on a South Dakota farm, attended a one-room country school in the Hidewood Valley, and graduated from Clear Lake High School. Today she is a retired U.S. Navy captain and published author. Four years at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with a triple major in elementary education, English, and Spanish, provided her Bachelor of Arts degree. When a mandated c...

Jimmie Rodgers (September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933), born James Charles Rodgers in Meridian, Mississippi, is widely known as the "Father of Country Music." He earned nicknames like "The Singing Brakeman" and "America's Blue Yodeler" for his distinctive yodeling and blend of styles. Early Life and Railroad Days Rodgers grew up as the son of a railroad section foreman. His mother died when he was youn...

Faron Young was a prominent American country music singer, songwriter, and performer, best known for his honky-tonk style and a long string of hits spanning several decades. He was born on February 25, 1932, in Shreveport, Louisiana, as the youngest of six children in a family that ran a dairy farm outside the city. Growing up in modest circumstances, he initially aspired to sing pop music but shi...

This week we got the chance to sit down with the members of Pocket Full of Whiskey. This local band has spent the last few years keeping the people of Yuba/Sutter out on the dance floor and it was great to catch a quick chat with them after their latest recording session with  @Tylerandcofilms  . Enjoy!

Now Hear This President Bruce Wawrzyniak has been promoting for many years.   A cum laude graduate of Medaille University in Buffalo, New York, his background runs the gamut from marketing to broadcasting to public/media relations and promotions.  He has served industries such as sports/entertainment, radio/TV (on-air positions in both), and full-service (advertising/public relations) agencies.  H...

Grammy Award winner Don Henry's songs have been recorded by legends like: Ray Charles, Patti Page and Conway Twitty By country crooners like: Gene Watson, John Conlee and B.J. Thomas By young hit makers of today like: Blake Shelton, Lonestar and Miranda Lambert …. .....and the list goes on. And he’s shared the stage with performers as diverse as Joey Ramone to Keith Urban. The wit and wisdom of Do...

Garden Groove is a high-energy tribute band dedicated to capturing the essence of Sublime’s iconic sound. Blending ska, punk, reggae, and rock, we bring the raw energy and laid-back vibes that made Sublime legendary. Our setlist spans fan favorites and deep cuts, delivering an authentic experience for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. We keep the crowds dancing and singing along, providing a...

Little Richard, born Richard Wayne Penniman on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, was one of the pioneering architects of rock and roll. The third of 12 children in a large family, he grew up immersed in gospel music through Pentecostal and Baptist churches, where he sang and played piano from a young age. As a teenager, he left home around age 14, performing on the Chitlin' Circuit (Black enter...

David Crosby (August 14, 1941 – January 18, 2023) was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose distinctive harmonies and influential work helped shape folk-rock and classic rock. Born in Los Angeles to a cinematographer father and a musically inclined mother, Crosby began his career in the early 1960s folk scene before co-founding The Byrds in 1964. The band pioneered folk-rock w...

Clarence White (1944–1973) was a groundbreaking American guitarist who transformed bluegrass and country rock. Born in Maine and raised in California, he rose to fame in the 1960s with the Kentucky Colonels, revolutionizing acoustic flatpicking with a powerful, melodic lead style inspired by Doc Watson. In the late 1960s, he became a top session musician, co-invented the B-Bender (StringBender) de...

Tyler Johnson is a world class videographer and musician. Based in Yuba City California, his company Tyler & Co. Marketing is changing the game when it comes to affordable high quality productions for businesses, families, and artists. He is also a phenomenal guitar player and is featured on two of my latest singles, "High Sierra Coming Down" and "To Be Enough". Follow him on Instagram @tylera...

Porter Wagoner (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) was an influential American country music singer, songwriter, and television host from West Plains, Missouri. Born into a farming family in the Ozarks, he began performing early, signing with RCA Records in 1952 and scoring hits like "A Satisfied Mind" (1955). Known for his flashy rhinestone Nudie suits and blond pompadour hairstyle, he hosted th...

Chester Burton Atkins, known to the world as Chet Atkins, was one of the most important and beloved figures in American music. Born on June 20, 1924, in the small mountain community of Luttrell, Tennessee, he rose from a shy, asthmatic child who taught himself guitar by a wood-burning stove to become the architect of modern country music and one of the finest guitarists who ever lived. Atkins deve...

This week we sit down with Ritch Shefke. Ritch is a multi-instrumentalist who has spent decades in the California music scene. He is currently the bass player for LaineyWood and Moonshine Crazy. Please check out their music and enjoy this wide ranging conversation.

This week we got the chance to sit down with Germane Smith. Germane is a booking agent in the Sacramento area with more than 20 years of experience in the music industry. Please enjoy our wide ranging conversation about what new artists might not know before getting into the music business.

Jim Reeves, born James Travis Reeves on August 20, 1923, in Galloway, Texas, was a country and pop singer known as "Gentleman Jim" for his smooth baritone and polished style. One of nine children, he grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and excelled in baseball, pitching in the minor leagues until a leg injury ended his sports career. He worked as a radio announcer and DJ while briefly at...

Gordon Lightfoot (1938–2023) was a Canadian singer-songwriter and folk-pop icon. Born in Orillia, Ontario, he rose to fame in the 1960s Toronto folk scene. His songs were recorded by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and many others before he became a star himself. Major hits include “If You Could Read My Mind” (1970), “Sundown” (#1 U.S., 1974), and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976). He rel...

Stevie Ray Vaughan, born Stephen Ray Vaughan on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, grew up in a turbulent household marked by his father's alcoholism and frequent relocations. The younger brother of guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, he was a shy child who discovered his passion for music early. At age seven, he received a toy guitar as a birthday gift and began learning by ear, heavily influenced by his b...

Johnny Paycheck: The Outlaw Country Legend Johnny Paycheck (born Donald Eugene Lytle) was an iconic American country music singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and a quintessential figure in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s. Known for his raw, honky-tonk vocals, working-class anthems, and a hard-living lifestyle that mirrored his lyrics, Paycheck recorded over 70 albums and notched ab...

Patsy Cline: The Queen of Country Music Patsy Cline (1932–1963) was an American country music singer whose powerful voice, emotional delivery, and crossover appeal made her one of the most influential figures in country music history. Often called the "Queen of Country," she broke barriers for women in the genre, blending heartfelt ballads with pop sensibilities. Her career was tragically short, b...

Conway Twitty (September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician, born Harold Lloyd Jenkins in Friars Point, Mississippi. He had a prolific career, recording 55 No. 1 singles, more than any other artist in any genre at the time, earning him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Early Life and Career Shift Twitty grew up in Helena, Arkansas, and st...