A View from the Front Porch

"A View from the Front Porch" is a memoir of my life growing up in rural South Carolina in the groovy 1970's. Or at least the way my 2020's brain remembers it! From the old, green, creaky wooden swing on my Grandaddy's front porch to the barnyard of un-rideable pigs, unfriendly wasps, and perilous cow-poop, this is the hilarious tale of a pre-teen farm boy with way too much time on his hands and too little common sense to know any better. All at once heartwarming, hysterical, and embarrassingly true, "A View from the Front Porch" will remind you of a simpler time, when sittin', swingin' and growin' up were just a part of everyday life!

A true labor of love to write, "A View from the Front Porch" is available now.

While "A View from the Front Porch" is all about the 1970s, I am a humongous fan of the 1980s! And there's nothing I like more than 80s music and pretty much everything about it. So let's have some fun. Every two weeks, we will add some fun fact or trivia question centered around the best era of music EVER. If it's a question, we'll post the answer on Sunday. If it's just a fun fact, you'll have a chance to respond with your thoughts. So, have at it, get excited, and, by order of the Dean, HAVE FUN!

Previous FUN-filled question (weeks of December 28 & January 4):         

The Jackson 5 in the 1970s, and later the Jacksons in the 1980s, is one of the biggest-selling groups of all time. Hit after hit came from this band of brothers, but do you know who they are? Which of the following was NOT a Jackson brother?

A. Randy

B. Tito

C. Michael

D. Terry

E. Marlon

F. Jermaine

G. Jackie

ANSWER: (D) Of course, there was no Terry Jackson in either version of the band! The original Jackson 5 were Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael, but in 1975, when the group moved from Motown to Epic Records, Jermaine temporarily left the group and was replaced by Randy. Jermaine came back for occasional appearances, but it was Randy who was that fifth member in the 80s while Jermaine had a solo career. Oh, and don’t forget, there are also Rebbie, LaToya, and Janet, the Jackson sisters! Wow, what a family! 

New fun-filled question (weeks of January 11 & 18):         

Let’s test your knowledge of the top songs from each year in the 1980s. Match the song below with the year for which it was top dog, from 1980-1989.

A. Look Away (Chicago)

B. Every Breath You Take (The Police)

C. Faith (George Michael)

D. Call Me (Blondie)

E. Physical (Olivia Newton-John)

F. Walk Like an Egyptian (Bangles)

G. Bette Davis Eyes (Kim Carnes)

H. That’s What Friends are For (Dionne Warwick & Friends)

I. Careless Whisper (Wham!)

J. When Doves Cry (Prince)

Without searching the internet, see if your 80s music knowledge is as good as you think it Is, and we will celebrate those who got it right next time! And like I said...have fun!