Saturday, November 13, 2021

 Johnny Western - Minnesota's 

Hall of Fame Singing Cowboy!


How many people get to do the things they dreamed of as a kid?   

Five year old Johnny Westerlund of Northfield, MN knew back in 1939 when he saw a singing cowboy movie starring Gene Autry in Guns and Guitars that he wanted to do that too.

And 17 years later, Autry would put Johnny under contract and take him all over the U.S. and Canada until Autry retired in 1957.  Then Johnny worked with singer-songwriter, Johnny Cash, for almost 40 years!  

Plus making his own adventures in the country music business.  He was under contract to Columbia Records as a singer but could also play on other people’s recording sessions as a guitarist.  “So I played on 71 singles and five albums for Columbia with Johnny (Cash),”


I want to be…

Johnny Westerlund came from a musical family.  His mother,                    Dolly, “had studied to be an opera singer when she was young…until the money rang out during the depression and she took a job as a secretary.”  His dad, John, worked his way through college playing piano in college dance bands.

“Neither one was in country music,” Johnny recalled, “but they were both very musically inclined and I liked all kinds of music because of that.”

And when his folks got him a guitar when he was 12, Johnny was on his way!

Having moved from Two Harbors, MN to Northfield in 1941, Johnny recalled that the town had a population of about 5000 people in the summer.  It’s over 20,000 now.

“Our family’s big thing of the year was to go up to the twin cities and shop at Dayton’s (a large department store).”

Radio opportunity…

As a teenager, Johnny got the opportunity to host a 15 minute radio program on KDHL at its Northfield link.  Paul Shea, KDHL program director recalls: “Johnny Western was and is a talented broadcaster, actor, and musician and we at Townsquare Media were fortunate to have Johnny bless our airwaves during his broadcast career. He is a true Hall of Famer.”

It was on Johnny’s first show in July 1950 that the announcer decided Johnny needed a different name than Westlund.  They were going on the air in one minute when the announcer looked at a calendar on the wall and saw the sponsor’s name: Great Western Salvage Company.

He told Johnny: “You’re going to be Johnny Western”.

A couple years later Johnny legally changed his name to Western.


His hero - his guest!

  Gene Autry showed up as a guest on his show in Northfield.  The situation led to Autry commenting: “if you ever come to Hollywood kid, I’ll try to help you.

Johnny added, “And that’s exactly what he did.”

But there is more to the story.

Johnny married in 1953 and left Northfield for a job in the Austin, MN broadcasting system.  Then moved to Hollywood in 1954.  

So how did Gene Autry help him?  It happened when Johnny was the entertainment at a private party at a ranch in the San Fernando Valley.  Guests were Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, all of the Sons of the Pioneers and their wives… along with Gene Autry.  Two weeks later, Autry’s personal guitarist for 30 years decided to retire and Autry got hold of Johnny. 

It was 1956 and Western was just turning 21 years old.

“I went all over the world with him for the next two years.  More people in the world knew who Gene Autry was than knew who the president of the United States was.” he recalled.

 

Greatest era of country music…

And so Johnny got to be in “the beginning of the greatest era of country music starting 71 years ago.”

When Autry retired a couple years later, it gave Johnny “prestige for my first film”.  This venture included parts in western TV shows like a gunfight with Richard Boone in the TV show, Have Gun Will Travel. 

It was this show that captivated him on the day his daughter Leslie was born.  While waiting to return to the hospital to see her (they had different rules about “visitors” then), Johnny explained that he was going to be alone “so I picked up my guitar and the idea was in place and I wrote that song in 20 minutes.”  It’s “The Ballad of Paladin,” from the television show.  

Another time, Cash and Western combined their talents to write  lyrics for the theme song for Bonanza.

Singing in the prison…

  Every year in California, some of the best musicians would be featured in a show in San Quentin prison.      

Johnny Western was there with the Johnny Cash concert.  He recalled, “When Cash came on the stage and sang "Folsom Prison Blues” (the place) just went crazy!”

Western noticed one prisoner, a trustee, sitting in the front row.  Afterwards he talked to him.  It was Merle Haggard.  He was finishing a sentence of 2 1/2 years for attempted armed robbery.

  Haggard told Western, “I want to be a country singer when I get out”.   He was coming up for parole in a few months.

Western reminisced, “The next time I saw Merle - he was playing with a band in Bakersfield for $15 a night. And he thought it was ‘all the money in the world’.“

Western continued: “That’s a true story.  I was booked in that night club as the guest star and (Haggard) was in the band.”  

Later on, when Haggard got popular, Governor Ronald Reagan   pardoned him.

Years later, Western booked Haggard in Wichita, Kansas for a show.  Western recalled: “The ballroom seated 2000 people and I paid him $25,000 for that one show.”


Recalling the traveling…

  “As of January this year,” Western explained he had “been on the road over 4 million miles…100,000 miles with Johnny Cash, 100,000 miles with Gene Autry and then all the concerts with my own band.”

Western has been all over the world. From hosting The Great American Cowboy in a sold-out Carnegie Hall in New York to being part of a musical group playing on the Great Wall in China in 2006.  The latter was a result of the show at Carnegie and a two year negotiation by the Chinese who had seen it.

Another country music icon, Waylon Jennings, introduced Western to his wife… now of 55 years.  His first marriage had ended in divorce.  

Jennings had booked Western for a three day stand back in April 1966.    On the second day he introduced Western to this nice gal and four months later they married.  

The 86 year old Johnny Western happily recounted they have a family of several daughters, 17 grandkids and 20 great grandkids - with more on the way!

  

Country music today…

Western’s thoughts on country music today?  “It’s not country music today… basically.  1950 - 2010 was the high in country music. 

“There are a few people like George Straight that keep making country records, but most are like rock and roll… they’re just recording pop songs.”

“We have lost so many great artists.  These giants will never be imitated… but we have the memories.”

Western continued, “People are hungry to hear real true country music.”

And that’s what you hear when you listen to Johnny Western (The Singing Cowboy from Minnesota!). 


Photo of Gene Autry and Johnny Western in 1958.


Photo of Johnny Cash and Johnny Western in 1978.











  


 


 


 

 


 

 

   

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Wynne's 90thhttps://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZiWSpbB6Is/X1qgx6Pb_mI/AAAAAAAAC3U/s_IvgdYhKlg0I8Naemoz0u4W10PexM3fACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN5534.JPG Birthday Party Celebration


                    When you want a party... 
             someone figures out how to have one!

     Ray and Mariellen Wynne have been married for 66 years... but they could not see each other since his surgery due to covid19 virus regulations. They are waiting outside the Mayo Health System building in Cannon Falls to see what Ray thought would be a few family members wishing him a happy 90th birthday,



When you can’t have a party!


He thought it would be nice to have a band at his 90th birthday celebration, Ray Wynne’s wife, Mariellen recalled.  But that wouldn’t happen because Ray fell recently and was rushed to the emergency room in Red Wing with a broken hip.  

Ray had surgery last Saturday and was sent to the Cannon Falls hospital to recuperate.  But because of safety regulations with the covid19 virus, even his family wasn’t able to see him. 


The Wynne's have been living in Red Wing since they moved from their home in the Cannon Falls area where Ray had a farm and also was a barber for many years.


According to their son Greg, now living in San Diego, CA, he started the ball rolling to have a “Drive By” birthday party for his dad.  Then, when he heard how well the party planning was going, he hopped on a plane to come back home and join in!

When he arrived, he borrowed a bike and decorated it and rode in the parade celebrating Ray’s birthday with a couple dozen cars of friends plus police and fire vehicles carrying greetings, balloons, etc.  

And Greg really surprised his dad - as if he had ridden the bike all the way from California.


        Mayo Clinic staff did their part by getting Ray ready for the celebration and bringing him outside for the parade.

Ray had been told that some family members were going to stop by outside and wave.  But he had no idea so many others would bring their greetings too.











HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAY!


                                                                     


Friday, June 19, 2020



A graduation speech not given….  
A pep talk not shared…. 
Advice only for myself!  
(Or if it works for you!)
   
What do you want?

Good news/bad news.  Which do you want first?  OK - I’ll choose for you.
1 The Bad News - the sadness and pain don’t stop hurting but they may ease a bit.
2 The Good News - they don’t have to stop hurting for you to see good things happen.
Here’s the plan…
Whether it’s physical pain or emotional, whether it’s rejection or failure…  it’s rough, but here’s a plan:
    • You don’t stop hurting… you just take one step and then another.
    • You don’t stop being scared… you just take one step and then another.
    • You don’t wait until you feel happy… you just take one step and then another.
    • You don’t stop loving… you just - well, you know the routine.
Figuring out a plan…
Whether someone leaves you… or you find your job is no longer there… or your health is challenged…  
You might do some difficult things.
Then one thing looks pretty easy.  But you can’t do it.
So you put it aside… for another day.
And then you can take that step… or decide to give yourself a break and avoid it for awhile.
But you’ve considered aspects of the problem… and that’s taking a step too I guess.
Consider…
This is not the life I would have chosen… but it’s still good.
Just consider all the different choices I would have made for my life.
What do you want to be 
when you grow up?
As a little girl I would have chosen to be a “princess”!
Or a cowgirl!  (Actually, being a cowboy looked a lot better.  The girls in those western movies seemed kind of “dorky”.)
Then I would have chosen to have 12 children!
(Two were just fine, thank you!)
Or I would have chosen to be a space ranger.
Then I wanted to be a journalist!
Then I wanted to be with a guy named Paul!
Got the picture?
Some of those life choices came true.
But none of them were for “ever”.
The challenge now is to enjoy the choices that are available.
They can be good.
***
So, instead of being a “princess”… 
maybe I’ll be a “queen” … 
when I grow up!




Wednesday, June 10, 2020


  How dumb do you have to be... 
to be a farmer?

A recent political quote got some folks thinking about how dumb a farmer is. Although I’m not a politician, I’ve said some stupid things over the years myself. But I appreciated someone taking the time to educate me instead of just attacking my remark!
So here is some educating done by Anna Beckman, 20-year-old daughter of Jeff and Cheryl Beckman at Golden Meadows Dairy Farm south of Cannon Falls, as to what a dumb farmer - and his kids - really do out here in the country.
4 a.m.
Anna explains: “A typical day starts at 4 a.m. Why? Because we create a raw product that needs to be to the market quickly, or converted into a different product that can be stored.
“So the first thing we do in the morning is walk the animals to make sure all are healthy and doing well. This consists of looking at their eyes, watching how they walk, checking to see if they are chewing cud, which means that they are doing well and eating good, among checking a few other things.”
Next... cleaning and milking
“After that, we move the cows out of their area, clean that, then bring them in to get milked. When milking, we check each cow to see what their milk looks like and test it if something does not look right.
“It is important that I know and understand how to test the milk to make sure that the milk is safe for us to drink, as well as for where we ship it that it is safe to consume.”
Three hours later...
“Milking takes roughly three hours including prep beforehand and after. It is critical that our lines are sanitary so that our product is consumable, so we have been taught from a young age the importance of being careful and responsible to take care in everything we do.”
Time for a break...
“Now, if all goes well, we can take a break and go get some breakfast!
“But if a cow decides it’s time to have her calf, then we are there watching her to see if we are 
needed to assist in the birth.”
She delivered a calf!
“By the time I was 15, I was able to deliver a calf on my own, understanding when and how best to help, when to just watch, and when to call the veterinarian for additional help.”
Other aspects of farming...
“We work with a nutritionist and veterinarian every two weeks. This is to make sure our animals are healthy and taken care of. I have learned the importance of providing the right feed at the right time and how to care for the animals in the best way possible.
“Most families don’t see a nutritionist even once a year, let alone every two weeks. The point is, our cows are well cared for.”
Nutrition and nurturing...
“I am learning how to balance meals for the animals to meet all their nutrition needs as well as how to take care of a sore foot when that comes up. I am responsible for the animals when my parents are not around. The first time was at the age of 17.”
Why be a farmer?
“Why do I do this? It started because it was a part of our life as a family... that we all work together. Now it has turned into a passion for me.
“I love the cows and enjoy working with them as well as seeing the difference I can make first hand. It is hard work--mentally and physically, but it is also very rewarding.
“To know that I am responsible for the animal’s health and remembering the animals cannot tell me verbally what’s wrong... it is of huge importance that I understand and know how to accurately read the signs of a sick animal by looking at her and checking her over.
“After considering the possibilities and consulting with the veterinarian we treat them naturally when possible and make sure they are well cared for.”
And so Anna concludes her explanation of what it means to be a farmer.
***

Thank you Anna. 

And to Mr. Politician... this farmer sure sounds smart to me!


Tuesday, June 9, 2020


Whatever you call it... act of kindness... a day brightener... 
or finding “flecks of gold” sparkling in our lives. Share the good things you notice.  

 Ripples... a ripple of kindness
reaches the farthest shore

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Ever thought of doing something nice but "dorky"? And then wonder why you would do it because no one would ever see it?
Sad reminder...
So maybe just do it for yourself. And then the surprise can come when it means something to someone else!
An old toppled pine tree...
A couple of years ago, tornados tore through the Cannon Valley. My house was spared, but many beautiful trees were toppled.
One huge pine tree partially covered my roadway. I sawed off some branches but the main tree would have to wait.
It was so sad to look at, so I decided to put a sign on it... just a laminated piece of paper with a red heart and the words: “Love Lives”. Or something like that. Just to remind me of something better every time I passed by.
Maybe it was kind of “dorky”. But I smiled when I drove by. And who would ever see it?
Time goes by... 
A year went by. Then two. My little laminated sign got weathered and I took it down. 
But wait!
That’s when I met someone who had loved my old sign! He stopped by because he missed seeing it! It had meant so much to him.
He is a “sanitation driver”. I would hear the crunch of his truck coming down our gravel road. He would wave at me if I was outside. Then, after picking up my recyclables he would head back up the driveway.
Here’s the amazing part of the story...
Recently he stopped to share something with me. It was a beautiful hand crafted wooden sign he had made that said ‘WELCOME’ on one side... and “LOVE LIVES” on the other!
Here's how he explains his reason...
“I waited a long time to be married and have a family. Then I met the woman I fell deeply in love with. I wish I could tell you that it was going to be a happy ever-after but after several years it didn’t work out.
“I took the truck driving job and put my mind into my work. I had my fair days and days I just could hardly breathe.
“The only thing I knew to do was to push forward.
 Then...
“One day, when learning my new job, I was leaving your driveway and saw your sign.... “Love Lives”. I broke down and cried.
“I wanted to believe that “love lives” but my heart was so broken. I found myself wishing I could turn back time.
“But time kept going by... and every time I read your sign I prayed that the pain would be less and life was waiting to show me some happiness.
“I don’t know if it has but I’ve done my best to push forward.
“After two years of reading your sign and then seeing that it was gone... I couldn’t let it go.
“I knew from our visit that you were a widow. I thought to myself that you had had a special time with someone you loved. I enjoyed our conversation from time to time and to me this was something I had to do... your sign meant so much to me. But to me you needed to keep that sentiment as much as I did.
“Maybe someday love will live in my heart again. Until then I will just keep being me.”





Thank you my friend... and as for me, 
I will keep your gift in my heart forever.


Friday, May 29, 2020

What changes can come from the pandemic?

What “good” can come 
from the pandemic?  
Part 2
We’re not denying the bad effect of the Covid19 pandemic but trying to focus on the possibility of finding some good things to come out of it.
I was fascinated years ago when reading about the Black Plague hitting Europe in the 14th Century.  That plague killed perhaps 50 million people.  
I read that one religious group wasn’t affected as much.   It is interesting to check out what they were doing differently.   
It appeared that they had many rules referring to sanitation… what you should eat, what you should touch, etc.   
This was the century when you had to watch out when walking along a street because household garbage and you can guess what else, was thrown out the upper windows.
Get the point?
At the start of the quarantine…
It seemed a little strange that I had just picked up a book, published in 2020, at the library telling how technologies were transforming business, industries and our lives.  (Title: The Future is Faster Than You Think.)
One study stated that the internet created 2.6 new jobs for every one it eliminated.
So what can we look for from a pandemic?  
The “Bard of Sogn Valley”
Here are some of the thoughts from Joe Garbarino from “Lake CoVidBeGone”.  (Hmmm.  I remember Lake Wobegon from A Prairie Home Companion.  Must be nearby.)
Here’s what Joe predicts:
My Bold Predictions for the Post CoVid World.  OK. So some are obvious.  
These are the “macro “ changes I see for the world where we will live.
Work at home…
Businesses will accelerate converting to more or all personnel permanently working at home. A lot of businesses will now view buying and maintaining a physical building is a big expense and time commitment. 
 Robots…
  Robotics will accelerate. Human workers will be seen as an expensive and fragile option. Just like hi tech military jets became drones because pilots became the weak link requiring too much support material.
Groceries…
  Grocery delivery systems will become a significant market share even outside of major urban areas. Local product delivery will eat into Amazon’s market share.
Restaurants…
  Eateries will expand their outside capacity for immediate social distancing reasons. But it will remain seasonally.
Remodeling…
Remodeling will be the construction industries’ sweet spot. Homes being modified for better home office space. Businesses becoming more social distance friendly.
Travel Industry…
  Who knows? Consumer attitudes will shape it. CEOs will be largely reactive.
Disposable products…
Disposable products will be back in style. Don’t bring your old cloth bag back to Aldi’s. Please use that disposable straw. Disposable restaurant table settings because who knows who ate off that plate or how well it was washed.
Large crowds…
Big crowds of people will be ones we know. Company picnic, Parish festivals. Want to kill attendance? Advertise as “This event will attract people from all over the world !”  
Elderly…
Care for the Elderly. More choosing to care Grandma at home than at “Petri Dish-like” nursing homes.
Career Choices…
Health related companies become a consideration.  
Rural migration…
With internet, working at home, and health issues… suddenly living in Podunk seems more attractive.
X Factor…
There will be a major shift in something we can’t now see - but in hindsight it will seem obvious.
***
(To our readers:  Your ideas on possibilities for the future are welcome.  There’s always favorite stock investment tips!)



Saturday, May 23, 2020

Can anything good...

Can anything good come
 from the pandemic?
    The pandemic crisis changed lives… 
But besides recognizing the difficult things… can we see any changes that could be used for good? That could make your life better,,, easier… more thoughtful? 
Or finally just obeying your mom who told you to wash your hands and stop touching your face!
Future scenarios?
Easier and safer visits to the doctor.  How about having doctor visits via “Zoom”- no contagion spread in waiting rooms which used to be petrie dishes of possible contamination or just miserably long waiting times.
More online meetings - a person doesn’t have to travel distances to present a 15 minute update.  Also, while watching online you can work out - clean your desk - or make snacks!  (Or scratch!) 
If you’re sick - zoom-watch: your church service, city council meeting, book discussion group, etc.
More online shopping… at least to check out what each store has to offer so you can get in and out quicker.
Keeping up with neighbors.  No, you’re not snoopy…well, maybe a little!  But they can be a safety net surrounding you.
Thoughts from folks on Facebook
So here are some ideas from folks on Facebook’s  “Cannon Falls Open Forum”.  
Emily Springer
“…thinking of “growing some of my own food (better gardening), the need to control more of where I spend my money (locally, smaller businesses), the importance of making and maintaining connections (phone calls, writing letters, sending birthday cards, letting people know you're thinking of them), how much clutter I've allowed into the lives of my family (over obligations, strict timelines, little free time, unnecessary physical items in our home).
“The importance of positive and realistic talks with the family about serious issues (we can be flexible, resilient, compromising, compassionate, and loving even in hard times of uncertainty and a lack of control) and allowing to hear their concerns... listening.
“Ultimately, it makes me re-evaluate and re-focus on how we want to live our lives and what's important. 
“Again, this is a personal perspective, I understand many cannot see the light in these "times as they are extremely strenuous, and my thoughts are with everyone who is struggling right now.”
Dawn Lanning  
“Young families enjoying time together instead of running from one activity to another.  Working from home -- employers are finding that employees may even be more productive working from home because they are happier and can better manage family and work life.”
Jean Radke  
  “I think people are learning they don't need everything and to be grateful for what you have.  Also  I think a lot of families are spending more time with their children at home and not running around. I also think that it's going to make people think: do I really need all the things that I have to have?”
Corey Landon  
“Community gardens/hobby farms would be good for if there were to ever be food shortages. Would most likely be a lot better for you too.”
Suzie Stachowski  
“I would hope that those who can work from home will. It helps decrease pollution, less traffic and maybe (we) won’t have keep building wider highways, etc.”

 More suggestions in following column.