George Harvey Fisher 1937-2012

A great voice has gone on to heaven to sing with the angels...George Harvey Fisher, my Daddy, left this world behind on August 20, 2012.  He loved to sing and listen to good music.  He sang lead, tenor and bass and knew how to read music, even shape notes! 

He installed a stereo system in our home in Henderson, Nevada, so that we could here the music inside or outside!  He was a member of the SPEBSQSA in high school and won 1 chair bass and the opportunity to go to state!

Daddy sang for weddings, funerals, church specials, at home gathered around the piano, over the phone to his father before he passed away in 1969, on the radio, on road trips, while driving an 18 wheeler across the eastern United States, on a buffalo ranch in Wyoming, for a Senator's luncheon, with his son, daughter and grandsons!

I miss you, Ditters!

http://www.pjscorner.net/Unforgettable.mp3 

p.s. read more about my Daddy by clicking on the tab entitled "George Harvey Fisher 1937-2012" at the top of this blog!

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

Mandolin Buyers Guide

I have for years wanted to play the mandolin! This Squidoo lens (link listed below!) is chock full of useful information to get me or you, started in the right direction. Maybe I will find one under the Christmas tree this year? Making music is a part of my spirit and the memories that I have of play together with my father, brother and sons, will keep me going for a long, long time!!

Mandolin Buyers Guide

Merry Christmas to All!!!

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

Happy New Year!!!

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

An Online Metronome...

To play a piece of music in the exact tempo that it was written, there are a couple of things you need to look for at the top of the staff. For instance in a piece of music "I Saw Three Ships / Away In a Manger / Sussex Carol by ENGLISH CAROL, JAMES R. MURRAY and TRADITIONAL, the tempo is marked a dotted quarter note is equal to 84. If you have a metronome then slide the weight down the metronome stick until it is in line with 84. The metronome will rock back and forth giving you the perfect rhythm to count out the time to this piece.

If you don't have a traditional metronome you can go online to METRONOME ONLINE and set it!

Song History...No Other Love...

o Other Love, Could Love You More...with Valentine's day just around the corner, I will be concentrating on the Love Songs that we sing. There were two songs back in the 50's that were titled "No Other Love".

In 1950, Bob Russell wrote the words to a popular song derived from Frederick Chopin's Etude No. 3 in E, Op. 10, and a show tune was written in 1953 by Rodgers and Hammerstein for their musical "Me and Juliet". After looking at the score of Chopin's piece that is pictured with the 1950's love song on Wikipedia, the "No Other Love" that we sing is the 1950 song.

Jo Stafford recorded version of this song hit the Billboard charts at No. 10 in 1950. Our home recorded 1998 version is sung by my father, George Harvey. I do suggest that you turn your volume down before starting this song as it was recorded on a high bias cassette tape and has a resonating quality to it if turned up too loud.

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

FFS Adds "FuelMyBlog" to Directory...

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

Happy New Year!!!

appy New Year to everyone!!! We look forward to a music filled year!!! I will continue to bring you the history behind the songs we sing, as well as give music theory tips. Fill your 2008 with music!!!

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

Christmas Songs Are HERE!!!

hristmas time is our favorite time of the year! And we love all the old Christmas Songs. You will find a list a the Christmas Songs that we sing in the side column...we suggest you start with the instrumental version of Feliz Navidad to get you in a holiday mood...George Harvey plucks his bass violin, Tony strums the acoustic guitar, Travis tries out a steel guitar sound and Janey Loree plays the keyboard...Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas!!!)

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

Soundtrack: The Man From Snowy River...

his post was written for the Authors go GONZO! Carnival.

To take a cue from our post, Poem vs Movie: The Man From Snowy River, over at Mustang 'n' Cowboys, we would like to comment on the music that makes up "The Man From Snowy River Soundtrack" for our favorite movie based on a poem.

While writing this post , I listened to the sound samples over at CD Universe. One of my favorite songs is Clancy's Theme. In the movie, Clancy is played by Jack Thompson. A nice touch is added as Clancy hums a bar from Clancy's Theme.

Listening closely you will find that the "Main Theme" is played thoughout the movie in different variations when "Mountain Theme" adds to the scene of Jim and Jessica taking in the view from a high mountain outlook. "Jim Brings In The Brumbies" is clearly a main theme as he rides into the Harrison station with everyone looking on, including Jessica. The main theme plays majestically as Jim single handedly brings in Old Regrets' colt, now a stallion, and the mares to Harrison's station.

"Jim's Ride" sets the mood for The Man From Snowy River's famous ride down the steep mountain side, as he chases the wild brumby's, the colt from Old Regret, and his mare that got loose the day his father died. You can almost hear hoofbeats as the music starts out soft and even, then as the music changes, your off down the mountain side...and "The Chase" adds its beauty to the awesome scenes of the wild herd of horse being chased by 30 or so mounted horses.

"Jessica's Theme" blends with the scene on the front of the CD adding to the story, letting you know that Jim and Jessica are falling in love. Listening to "Henry Dies", you can almost hear Jim yell into the forest when his father dies because of a timber accident created by Old Regret's colt, leaving him alone in the world. Jessica's aunt has lives at the station and is charged with raising her from birth. "Rosemary Recalls" is a hauntingly beautiful theme that adds to the intrigue of Jessica's past.

"Jessica's Sonata" depicts a wrestling time for Jessica with her feelings for Jim and sets the scene for Jessica as she runs away to the Snowy River country to find Jim. Even though Jessica is an avid horsewoman, she is not used to the ruggedness of the mountains. As it gets close to dark, a storm rolls in and Jessica falls from her horse, down over the side of a cliff and lands on a ledge. "The Brumbies" completes her mood of desolation as she falls asleep from exhaustion.

In the meantime, "Harrison's Homestead / Jim Gets His Horse", portrays the humble pride of the Man From Snowy River as he cuts out and takes his mare from the brumbie herd. Then as Harrison and his men ride out to find Jessica, Jim joins in the search as the storm rolls in and "Searching For Jessica" plays in the background.

The last song on the CD, End Titles (Medley), is a beautifully orchestrated medley that plays out during the credits.






Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

FFS joins Blogging Chicks...

Since Janey Loree is out-numbered by the guys in our family singing group, I have joined forces with "Blogging Chicks". Now unless they can find a blogging group called "Blogging Guys" or something like that...the girls have the majority!

FFS participates in the Authors go GONZO! Carnival...

The "Authors go GONZO! Carnival" is slated for November 5, 2007. "COME ONE, COME ALL!!!" This carnival is your opportunity to share about the book(s) you have written or are in the process of writing. Let us know who your favorite author is, which book or book series holds that special place on your bookshelf or what book based movie, in your opinion, is not as good as the book! This carnival is for those of us who love to read a good book and want to share our opinion. Tell everyone about this carnival of reading fun...pun intended!

more info...

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

Song History...Try To Remember...

Try To Remember is a favorite song of ours. This song looks at the season a little differently than yearly seasons. I have included two versions that we recorded. A vocal version sung by my brother Douglas Wayne and my father, George Harvey. And an instrumental version played by yours truly (Janey Loree). These are home recordings so we didn't get all the mistakes out! Enjoy!!

This post is entered in the BLOG VILLAGE Fall Fest Carnival!

Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain so yellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a young and a callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow ( follow ) follow ( follow ) follow . . .

Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow ( follow ) follow ( follow ) follow . . .

Deep in December it's nice to remember
Although you know the snow will follow
Deep in December it's nice to remember
Without a hurt, the heart is hollow
Deep in December it's nice to remember
The fire of September that made you mellow
Deep in December our hearts should remember

Then follow ( follow ) follow ( follow ) follow . . .

read another
Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

Satellite problems...

"Twiglet" the Little Christmas Tree...a story of discovery, miracles and friendships...: Satellite problems...

Nashville Bound...

Back in May of 1999, I had the opportunity to record a couple songs in Nashville. After all the details were worked out, Travis Lee, Anthony Wayne and I hooked up the Avion trailer to our '92 Chevy Van and headed to Nashville. I just wish that my dad had been able to go back with us. Then he would have been able to do the harmony on "Cowboy You're Different" by Bobby D. Reed and "If Love Were A Flower" by Don Harp!



The inscription inside the CD Jacket reads:

To thank everyone that gave a part of their lives to make these songs a part of mine, would fill up several pages. Without performing with my father, George Harvey, my brother, Douglas Wayne and my boys Travis Lee and Anthony Wayne, as the Fisher Family Singers, this would not have been a possibility. To keep me going, I have my greatest critic and friend, my mother Phyllis Mae. Working with Shawn Gray and Michael R. Radford was a pleasure and the musicians and background singers were awesome. Thank you guys, you were great!!! Also, to the songwriters, without your songs this wonderful experience just wouldn't have happened! Thank you God for making "Cowboys Different" and allowing us to love again even when love does "Slip Through Our Fingers Like Sand".

Musically,

Janey Loree

The songs were recorded at the Legends Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. After meeting the producer, Michael R. Radford from A.M.I. Records, Shawn Gray my A.M.I. agent led me into the sound booth where I was introduced to the band! Ronnie Godfrey sat at the grand piano in the middle of the room, Tom Wild sat with his leg in a cast and a lead guitar in his arms backed up to the vocal sound booth, Dave Pomeroy was in the corner behind Ronnie and across from Tom with his bass guitar, while Mike Johnson and his drums were relegated to a sound booth all to himself. The acoustic guitar player, Leo Jackson was right out side the vocal sound booth door and the background singers Stephen Hill and Margie Cates recorded their parts in a different session on a later date.

After introductions, I was led into a sound booth where I donned the earphones. There was a microphone hanging from the ceiling between me and a big sound proof window and a music stand. If I strained real hard I could see another huge sound proof window to the left behind Tom and Dave where the engineer, David Boyer sat behind his mixing board! In front of the mixing board sat my sons, Travis Lee and Anthony Wayne on a huge 10' long sofa.

I place my copy of the words to both songs on the music stand and waited for David to give me some tips as we ran through a couple bars of "Cowboy You're Different". Once he had his controls set the way he wanted them, we recorded "C.Y.D." and "If Love Were A Flower" in one take each!!! The hours of practicing had paid off and I just closed my eyes and immersed myself in the music.

Something that was amazing to me is that I found out that Ronnie Godfrey was three quarters blind. If only I could play like that with both eyes open! Before the recording, the guys in the band were teasing me that I had the blind, the deaf and the lame playing for me. Mike (the drummer) was labeled the deaf one and Tom with his leg in a cast was the lame one!  Also, I received an autographed CD from Susie Luchsinger (Reba's sister) while she was performing at Cheyenne Frontier Days in '94 or '95. Dave Pomeroy was her bass player.

All told we were at the studio for about two hours and then we had the rest of the week to explore the sights and sounds of Nashville. We took in the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the Music Valley Wax Museum, the Music Valley Car Museum, the Train Store and Nashville Toy Museum, The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, The Grassmere Farm the Cumberland Science Museum, The Hermitage, The Parthenon, and the Grand Ole Opry to name just a few! On Mother's Day we went for a 10 mile bicycle ride through the backwoods of a little town north of Nashville where we had parked the Avion.


Pictures by Janey Loree ~ the water wheel picture was taken in Oregon. I added it to the slideshow to remind us that after we got home from Nashville, we pulled into the drive there in Cheyenne, Wyoming, packed Mom and Dad's stuff in the Avion and headed to Oregon.
Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

Guitar Tuning Long Distance...

bout a week after Travis and Tony moved down to Texas, I received a phone call. Tony was on the line and wanted to try something! I fired up my old Kurzweil Keyboard and we attempted to tune his guitar over the phone lines.

As it turned out, he had already tuned the first string perfectly to the right pitch of "E", so he would have been able to continue tuning the other five strings. There is a way to tune from string to string if you have the first pitch right.

Tony had not been sure if that first string was right, so he called and we had fun tuning his guitar over the phone lines. From there Travis will be able to tune his guitar and TnT can practice their guitars. I think that a tuning fork might be a great Christmas gift!!!

There are 6 strings on a regular guitar and they need to be tuned to an exact pitch so that when you strum your guitar with your right hand and play the chords with your left, the sound is melodic. I found this online guitar tuner over at guitarforbeginners.com and Wikipedia has a great article on How to tune a guitar!


Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher. The Music 'n' Sunflower Letter was created by Janey Loree with copyrighted artwork.

Song History...I Will Always Love You...

Written and sung by Dolly Parton in 1973, the country song "I Will Always Love You" was a huge success. It is the first song to show up on the songs charts four times. Sung by many different singers in many different genres that include jazz (Horace Silver), folk (Linda Ronstadt) and soul (Whitney Houston), The Fisher Family Singers welcome you to hear our version recorded in 1998 on our "Gathered Memories" tape.

History of the song

FFS is #44 on Top 100 Music Sites!!!
Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher

Song History...Harbor Lights...

UPDATE: This post has been entered in the "England Goes Gonzo" Blog Carnival being held on October 1st. For carnival details contact Naomi over at Diary From England!

Even though Harbor Lights originated in 1937 and was the background theme in a 1940's movie, it was not until the 50's that this song became popular. Written in England by Wilhelm Grosz and Jimmy Kennedy, Harbor Lights is a hauntingly beautiful song that my father, George Harvey and I, Janey Loree, sing for you here. BTW...my father was born in 1937!

History of the song
Note of interest: FFS is #68 on Top 100 music sites!
The "England Goes GONZO!" banner was created by Kilroy over at Fear and Loathing - The Gonzo Papers.
Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher.

Song History...A String of Pearls...

Janey Loree plays A String of Pearls on the keyboard.

In researching the origin of this song I could not
find much that would give statistics on this song.
A String of Pearls was written by Eddie De Lange and Jerry Gray. I remember listening to "Big Band Music" on LP. The Glenn Miller Band's instrumental version of A String of Pearls was always one of my favorites.

Over at the guitarguy.com, I did find the words that
I can remember my mother reciting to me when we first
started working on this song!

Ba - by, here's a five and dime,
Ba - by, now's a - bout the time
For a string of pearls a - la Wool - worth.

Ev' - ry pearl's a star a - bove,
Wrapped in dreams, and filled with love --
That old string of pearls a - la Wool - worth.

Til that hap - py day in Spring
When you buy the wed - ding ring,
Please, a string of pearls a - la Wool - worth.

Ba - by you made quite a start,
Found the way right to my heart
With a string of pearls a - la Wool - worth.

Wait til the stars peek - a - boo,
I've got some - thing just for you --
It's a string of pearls a - la Wool - worth.

I found a love so sub - lime,
Right in that old five and dime
With a string of pearls a - la Wool - worth.

Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!)

Setting up the new "Music Room"...

We are in the process of setting up the new "Music Room"! The sad part about it is that Travis and Tony moved out of this room and to Texas and they will not be practicing with us. However, they took their guitars with them and will be practicing on their own. I will be sending them the new songs that we are working on and they will reciprocate with the new songs they find!!!

I included a picture that Tony took of their living room because it has his guitar leaning up against the saddle rack!


Artwork Copyright 2007 by Phyllis Mae Richardson Fisher (my mother!) Photographs by Janey Loree Fisher & Tony.

As I am writing this post, I am listening to an instrumental tape that I recorded with some of my favorite songs. I will be adding an "Instrumental Song List" to the right column. I am getting that ol' nostalgic feeling mixed with sadness for missing my sons.