Roll Tide
In the town of broken dreams
The streets are filled with regret
Maybe down in lonesome town
I can learn to forget
~Baker Knight
It’s 1963, and Governor George Wallace ceremonially stands in the University of Alabama school house door, trying to bar the entrance of Vivian Malone (Jones) who becomes the first black to graduate from the University. This same year, 1963, Eric (Ricky or Rick) Nelson releases his last hit album, “For You.” Another Alabaman, Baker Knight, wrote Rick’s hit, “Lonesome Town” (later successfully covered by Paul McCartney
). Baker Knight suffered from agoraphobia
, a tough condition in “Lonesome Town” (Hollywood).
Alabama’s Crimson Tide
football team is undefeated, so we thought we’d make some sort of ODDassociation, but stars refuse to come into proper alignment. About the best we can do is something about football, and 1963 being a big year for Rick. In addition to his releasing his hit album, Ricky married Kristen Harmon, daughter of Michigan football legend, Tom Harmon
(and sister of Hunky Mark Harmon
.) Michigan did play Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl (Michigan won by one point in overtime—who cares.) Nope, doesn’t work.
How about twins? Ricky and Kristen’s twin son’s Matthew and Gunnar
are strumming their guitars in semi-obscurity and have a very bad website (not to be confused with another obscure twin singing duo, the Nelson Twins who also have a bad website
) . Just a minute, hold it, hold it—maybe we’re on to something. Obscure acts and siblings–that’s it. What’s the best movie ever about obscure brother acts? Why of course, The Fabulous Baker Boys
! Beau and Jeff Bridges ooze pathos and Michelle Pfeiffer on top of a piano, brings down the house (oh we love those clichés) singing, “Making Whoopee.” Baker Brothers to Barker Knight, we’re full circle. Okay, so we’re limping home.
