Category: Heaven & Earth

Barry Manilow is an American singer and songwriter who is known for his popular ballads and contemporary sound. His best-known songs include “Looks Like We Made It”, “Mandy”, “Can’t Smile Without You”, “I Write the Songs”, and today’s attached song link. Throughout his career, he has won several Grammy Awards, including “Best Pop Vocal Performance” (for today’s song choice). On this very day, June 17th 1943, Barry Alan Pincus (known professionally as Barry Manilow) was born in New York City. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen a song with…

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Gino Vannelli is a Canadian singer and songwriter who’s known for his distinctive voice, eclectic music style, and a career that spans over many years. A winner of multiple Juno Awards, some of his biggest hits include “I Just Wanna Stop”, “Living Inside Myself”, “Wheels of Life”, “Black Cars”, and today’s attached song link. On this very day, June 16th 1952, Gino Vanelli was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen a sexy disco-infused song that was one of his first hits in the U.S.…

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Ella Fitzgerald (often referred to as the “Queen of Jazz”) was an iconic singer who was born in Newport News, Virginia on April 25th, 1917. She was particularly known for her mastery of scat singing (a vocal improv with wordless syllables and nonsensical phrases). Throughout her incredible career, she won an unprecedented 13 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award (in 1967). On this very day, June 15th 1996, Ella Jane Fitzgerald died from a stroke (at her home in Beverly Hills, California). She was 79 at the time of…

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Boy George is a British singer and songwriter who rose to fame (in the 1980s) as lead vocalist for the pop band, Culture Club. Some of this groups’ best known hits include “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”, “Karma Chameleon”, and today’s chosen song link. Aside from his distinctive voice, Boy George is also known for his androgynous appearance and unique sense of style (which often included colourful outfits and elaborate hats). On this very day, June 14th 1961, George Alan O’Dowd (known professionally as Boy George) was born…

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Dennis Locorriere is an American singer and songwriter who is best known as lead vocalist (and guitarist) for the rock band, Dr. Hook. Some of this group’s signature hits include “Sylvia’s Mother”, “Cover of the Rolling Stone”, “Only Sixteen”, “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman”, and today’s attached song link. On this very day, June 13th 1949, Dennis Michael Locorriere was born in Union City, New Jersey. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen a very sexy tune that charted within the Top 10 in both Canada and…

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Chris Young is an American vocalist who gained prominence (in 2006) after winning the television singing competition, “Nashville Star”. Since then, he has released several hit singles, including “Gettin’ You Home”, “Tomorrow”, “I’m Comin’ Over”, and today’s attached song link. In 2011, he won the ACM award for “Single of the Year” with his hit song, “Voices”. On this very day, June 12th 1985, Christopher Alan Young was born in Murfeesboro, Tennessee. In celebration of his birthday, I’ve chosen a country party tune that gets me riled up every time…

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Graham Russell is a songwriter, musician, and vocalist who is best known as a founding member of the soft rock band, Air Supply. This group achieved international success with a string of popular ballads, including “Lost in Love”, “Every Woman in the World”, “The One That You Love”, and today’s attached song link. In 2013, Graham Russell (and band mate Russell Hitchcock) were both inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame (in recognition of their contributions to the music industry). On this very day, June 11th 1950, Graham Russell was…

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Ray Charles was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who was born in Albany, Georgia on September 23rd, 1930. In spite of losing his sight at a young age, his career was full of chart-topping hits, including “What I’d Say”, “Georgia on My Mind”, “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and today’s attached song link. Throughout hiscareer, he received numerous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2004, the biography film, “Ray” (played by Jamie Foxx), brought renewed attention to his incredible life in…

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Jackie Wilson was an American singer who is often cited for being an influence on legends like Elvis Presley and James Brown. One of his most enduring hits is “Higher and Higher” (which is particularly known for its uplifting melody and passionate vocal performance). Nicknamed “Mr. Excitement”, in 1997, Jackie Wilson was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On this very day, June 9th 1934, Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. was born in Highland Park, Michigan. In celebration of his heavenly birthday, I’ve chosen a classic track…

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Bonnie Pointer was an American singer who was born in Oakland, California on July 11th, 1950. She was best known as being a founding member of The Pointer Sisters (alongside siblings Ruth, Anita, and June). Together, this popular group released a string of hit singles, including “Fire”, “He’s So Shy”, “Slow Hand”, and “Jump for My Love”. In 1974, she co-wrote the hit single, “Fairytale“, which won the group their first Grammy Award, and in 1994, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (along with her sisters).…

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Tom Jones is an iconic Welsh singer who’s best known for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. His most popular singles include “What’s New Pussycat?”, “Delilah”, “Green Grass of Home”, “She’s a Lady”, and today’s attached song link. Throughout his spectacular career, he has received many accolades, including the Grammy Award for “Best New Artist” (in 1966). In 2006, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his services to music and charity. On this very day, June 7th 1940, Thomas John Woodward (known professionally as Tom Jones) was born…

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Billy Preston was an American singer and musician who was born in Houston, Texas on September 2nd, 1946. He was often referred to as the “Fifth Beatle” due to his association with the boys from Liverpool. Some of his most notable hits include “Will It Go Round in Circles”, “Outa-Space”, and today’s attached song link. Throughout his career, he received several Grammy Awards, including “Best Pop Instrumental Performance” for “Outa-Space” (in 1973) and “The Wildest Organ in Town” (in 1974). On this very day, June 6th 2006, William Everett Preston…

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Conway Twitty was an American singer and songwriter who was born in Friars Point, Mississippi on September 1st, 1933. Some of his most well-known songs include “Hello Darlin’”, “I’d Love to Lay You Down”, “Tight Fittin’ Jeans”, and today’s attached song link. He was not only a successful solo artist but also collaborated with Loretta Lynn on the duets, “Lead Me On” and “After the Fire Is Gone”. His many awards include a 1999 induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame with his popular single, “Tight Fittin’ Jeans”. On this…

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El DeBarge is an American vocalist and songwriter who rose to prominence as lead singer of the family music group, DeBarge. This band gained popularity (in the early 1980s) with a string of hits, including “All This Love”, “Love Me in a Special Way”, and of course, today’s included song link. El DeBarge’s falsetto vocals were a primary feature of their distinctive sound. In 1986, El DeBarge pursued a solo career, and went on to release hits such as “Who’s Johnny” and “Love Always”. On this very day, June 4th…

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Dan Hill is a Canadian singer and songwriter who is best known for his soft rock and pop ballads. His most notable hits include “Can’t We Try”, “Never Thought That I Could Love”, and today’s included song link. In addition to his own successful singing career, Dan Hill has been a prolific songwriter. He has written songs for many artists, including Celine Dion, Britney Spears, and Reba McEntire.Top of Form On this very day, June 3rd 1954, Daniel Grafton Hill (the fourth) was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In celebration…

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