'Merica Notes

A genre typically overlooked by mainstream contemporary radio, parody music has had its share of popularity throughout the years. Artists range from the internationally renowned "Weird Al" Yankovic to the lesser known artists (but just as great) Cletus T. Judd and Corsi. Here, I'll review some of my favorite parodists. Some are very well known, others are fairly local with their notoriety. Here, I'll look at artists such as Bob Rivers, Rucka Rucka Ali, Weird Al, Shirley Q Liquor, Lil Dicky, and Hayseed Dixie.      Everybody has heard of Weird Al Yankovic. Even if you have never heard the name, chances are you've heard his music. Yankovic's career stretches as far back as the late 70s. Still active today, his most popular songs include " Eat It ", a parody of Michael Jackson's " Beat It "; " White And Nerdy "; and " Amish Paradise ". Most all of his songs are family-friendly and clean, making him perfectly accepta...

One of my favorite artists of all time, Ray Charles was a pioneer of soul music, integrating R&B, gospel, pop and country to create hits like “What I’d Say,” "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on My Mind." A blind genius, he is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. Charles's mother died when he was 15, and for a year he toured on the "Chitlin' Circuit" in the South. One of my favorite songs by him being his duet with Willie Nelson "Seven Spanish Angels". At the of age 16, Charles moved to Seattle. There, he met a young Quincy Jones, a friend and collaborator he would keep for the rest of his life. Charles performed with the McSon Trio in 1940s. His early playing style closely resembled the work of his two major influences—Charles Brown and Nat King Cole. Charles later developed his distinctive sound. In 1949, he released his first single, "Confession Blues," with the Maxin Trio. The song did well on the R&B...