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!

Fun-filled question for the weeks of July 27 & August 3:         

Comprised of Neil Tennant on vocals and Chris Lowe on keyboard, this English group rocked us with “West End Girls,” “Opportunities,” and a high-energy remake of “Always on my Mind.” Name the act.

A. Maxi Priest

B. Pet Shop Boys

C. Timex Social Club

D. Times Two

ANSWER: (B) Okay, I think this one was obvious, right? “West End Girls” was the Pet Shop Boys’ only #1 hit, but the others all made the top 10; in fact, the only song in their short career that was not Top 10 was “Domino Dancing,” which hit #18 in 1988, then they were gone! Oh, and these other groups…forgotten! 

New fun-filled question for the weeks of August 10 & 17:         

In the 1980s, soap operas were at a peak of popularity, and many soap stars also made hit records, with two going all the way to #1. Which two soap opera icons from the 80s had #1 songs?

A. Rick Springfield and Jack Wagner

B. Jack Wagner and Gloria Loring

C. Gloria Loring and Michael Damien

D. Michael Damian and Rick Springfield

Since school is back in this week, let's do some EXTRA CREDIT: For 2 points each, name their #1 songs.

MORE EXTRA CREDIT: For 1 point each, name their soap.

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!