Today’s moment of Atlanta Traffic Idiocy: I almost mowed down a pedestrian today, who was not only jaywalking nowhere near a crosswalk, but walking against the light after stepping out from between two parked cars. That’s not the bizarre part - the bizarre part is that it was a COP! You’d think of all people, a cop would know better. At least she didn’t scowl and make a nasty gesture at me like I was the one in the wrong; she grinned and looked sheepish, and waved at me when I screeched to a stop and let her pass.

Bill Lowery died Tuesday and Ray Charles died yesterday - which is very sad, but the quirky thing is that they were, respectively, the first and second inductees into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. If you don’t recognize Bill Lowery’s name, you’d recognize his stuff; he was a great producer and a genius at discovering talent. His hits ranged from Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-a-Lula” to Joe South’s “Games People Play” to Alicia Bridges’s “I Love the Nightlife”. Are they dying in order? I wonder who Inductee #3 is, and if he’s feeling okay?

I looked it up here - inductee #3 is Zenas “Daddy” Sears, #4 is Ray Stevens and #5 is Johnny Mercer. I’ll start with the easiest, which is Johnny Mercer. Everybody knows at least a few Johnny Mercer tunes. Which do you like better, “Moon River” or “That Old Black Magic”? I’m partial to “Satin Doll” myself. Instrumental accompaniment notwithstanding, I’d consider Ray Stevens more comedy than music, and I don’t really think he belongs up there with Johnny Mercer, but they didn’t ask me so whatever. As for Inductee #3...hmmm...I guess it’s music trivia day on Helly’s blog. Zenas “Daddy” Sears was an Atlanta disc jockey, sorta the R&B version of Wolfman Jack. He was on WGST and I think eventually syndicated. He helped a number of performers get their careers started, among them Chuck Willis. [Don’t know Chuck? Ever heard “C.C. Rider” or “(I Don’t Wanna) Hang Up My Rock-N-Roll Shoes”? That’s Chuck]. Sears was considered a pioneer because in the 1950s he played what was called “race music”. The coolest thing I know about Daddy Sears is that when asked why he played “race music”, he answered, “I just liked it, and that’s what I played.” I think it’s the coolest because, in that time and that place, it was just that simple to him.

Inductee #6 is Dr. Thomas Dorsey, #7 is Joe South and #8 is Otis Redding. There’s nothing I need to write about the immortal Otis. Dr. Thomas Dorsey used to be a bluesman called Georgia Tom (“Tight Like That”), but he’s more famous as a gospel music songwriter. The only thing I know off the top of my head that he wrote is “Peace in the Valley” - not too shabby and I’m sure he wrote plenty of other, well-known songs. He founded the first black gospel music publishing company, too. Joe South is a great singer/songwriter: “Rose Garden”, “Don’t It Make You Wanna Go Home”, “Games People Play” and “Hush” (although honestly I liked Deep Purple’s version of “Hush” better). Anyway, Joe, live inductees are dropping like Ramones, so if I were you, I’d get a checkup.

Bye, Mr. Ray...
It brings a tear into my eyes
When I begin to realize
I've cried so much
Since you've been gone,
I guess I'm drowning in my own tears,

I sit and cry just like a child
My pouring tears are runnin' wild
If you don't think you'll be home soon,
I guess I'll drown in my own tears.

I know it's true: into each life
Some rain, rain must pour
I'm so blue here without you
It keeps raining more and more
I guess I'll drown in my own tears.

MONTOYA DELENDA EST!