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 January 25 & February 1):         

Barry Manilow is known worldwide for his adult contemporary, pop-ballad infused love songs, still breaking hearts even today. Manilow’s biggest successes on the charts were in the 1970s (his first hit, “Mandy,” in 1974, went to #1!), and although he was still hitting the top 40 during the 1980s, he only had one top ten song in the decade. Name it. 

A. I Made it Through the Rain

B. Let’s Hang On

C. Read ‘Em and Weep

D. The Old Songs

ANSWER: (A) Just barely squeaking in to be the answer to the question, “I Made it Through the Rain” peaked at #10 in early 1981. “Let’s Hang On” was only able to make it as high as #32 in 1982, “Read ‘Em and Weep” peaked at #18 in 1984, and “The Old Songs” topped out at #15 in late 1981. No matter, he’s still at the top of many hearts, even today!

New fun-filled question (weeks of February 8 & 15):         

In the early 1980’s, country music superstar Eddie Rabbitt crossed over to the pop chart on a regular basis. All of the following hits reached #1 on the country chart, but only one hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100, too. Name it. 

A. You and I

B. Step by Step

C. Drivin’ My Life Away

D. I Love a Rainy Night

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!