Friends in Low Places, Houston, Optimism, and Pantown

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Friends in Low Places, Houston, Optimism, and Pantown

What do the songs: “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Friends in Low Places" have in common? They both came from a group called the Blackwells, consisting of siblings Dewayne Blackwell, Ron Blackwell and Glenda Blackwell. Dewayne Blackwell and Earl Bud Lee gathered with some songwriting friends for lunch one day at Tavern on the Row, a popular Nashville eatery. When the check came, Lee realized he had forgotten his money. When asked how he was going to pay for the meal, he replied, “Don’t worry. I have friends in low places. I know the cook.” Lee and his songwriting partner, Dewayne Blackwell, immediately recognized that the line “friends in low places” had potential. They wrote the song on paper napkins in the restaurant. Guitarist Jim Garver added the name of the bar in the song, “The Oasis,” after an establishment in his hometown of Concordia, Kansas. Ron Blackwell wrote the song “Little Red Riding Hood (You Sure Are Looking Good)", but died in a car accident in 1966 before it became a hit by Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs (a 1960’s rock band that wore turbans). Their other hit was Woolly Bully. The Blackwells were a creative trio. Dewayne wrote the song “Mr. Blue” for the Platters. This was another one of his songs Garth Brooks redid with Dewayne’s permission. Other songs written by Dewayne Blackwell you might know are: "I’m Going to Hire a Wino” and “Honkytonk Man.” Dewayne Blackwell is now a millionaire who lives in Mexico.

Remember Creed from the office? He was born William Schneider, but goes by Creed Bratton. He was also a guitar player for the Grass Roots (Midnight Confessions, Temptation Eyes) on their first 4 albums.

My son Shane and his wife Rachael own a home in a suburb of Houston. They got 49 inches of rain, but fortunately their home was in a more elevated neighborhood and their house did not flood. Shane and Rachael did take in a friend (and his cats) who had to be rescued from his home by boat, and helped him begin to repair his home. Rachael also volunteered with their church cleaning up homes in the community. Tragedies sometimes give us an opportunity to see how kind so many people can be.

This photo was taken out of a window in Shane and Rachael's home of kayakers on the flooded road in their neighborhood. Food for thought: 1 out of every 5 people on earth today live in China. 17% live in India. Despite the fact that they account for 37% of the world’s population and have the biggest over-population problems in the world, they are the 2 most optimistic countries. 60% of the world’s population lives in Asia (4.3 billion of the 7.4 billion people on earth). According to a survey completed by Ipsos Public Affairs on 18,000 adults in 26 countries, China is the most optimistic country, with almost nine-in-ten Chinese believing their country is on the right path. China was one of seven nations surveyed in which more than half of the population had a positive view of their country's current track. China was followed by India (74%), Saudi Arabia (71%), South Korea (66%), Canada (58%), Russia (57%) and Serbia (51%). The United States is 10th, with 43% believing we are on the right track. At the bottom of the list was Mexico, where only 8 % believe their country is on the right track.

Pantown
There’s an area of St. Cloud people often refer to as “Germain,” that’s known by the oldtimers in St. Cloud as “Pantown.” Samuel Pandolfo was an American businessman who founded the Pan Town Motor Company (1917-1919) in St. Cloud. His demise may be an example of how difficult it is to take on big business. He created a car with high clearance (so it could drive on back roads), fold down seats that could be made into a bed for the tired traveler, and an ice chest to carry to carry food and other refreshments. The plant turned out 740 cars. It's believed only 4 continue to exist (2 are in museums are in St. Cloud). Pandolfo’s goal was to empower the everyday worker by providing them stock opportunites, which was a threat to organizations that were trying to beat down unions. Pandolfo threw a barbecue party in St. Cloud for the community that served over 15,000 pounds of beef. In the Pantown area of St. Cloud (northeast), 58 first class homes were built for the labor force. His troubles started when the Associated Advertising Clubs of Minneapolis (a forerunner to the Better Business Bureau) complained that he was spending more on advertising than its Minnesota charter permitted. These charges were dismissed, but then in 1919 he was taken to court for mail fraud. The criticism ultimately was the pamphlet offered a plane’s eye view which wasn’t actually drawn from a plane. The criticism in court was that the company was a sham, a shell company used to sell stock. Pandolfo asked to show a video of the cars being produced, but Judge Kenesaw Landis wouldn’t allow the video, stating it was too easy to manipulate people with film. So, the jury never knew that the company was actually in full production. Samuel Pandolfo served two and a half years of a three year sentence in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary and the company was lost. When Pandolfo was released he was greeted in St. Cloud by hundreds and a band playing. Samuel Pandolfo stated, “You don’t meet a crook with a brass band.”

Quotes:

Actually, the reason I look like this is because my father was from Sweden and my mother was Elton John. Jim Gaffigan

I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places. Henny Youngman

I went into a bar with a duck under my arm. Bartender says, "Where'd you get the pig?" I said, "This is a duck." Bartender says, "I was talking to the duck." Rodney Dangerfield

Thanks for listening,

Frank

Trudee Preimesberger helped Brenda and I get tickets for Janie Fricke and TG Shepard. Janie is amazing. She had 14 #1 country songs. Great concert at Rollie's Rednecks & Longnecks. Janie came to the Pierz Octoberfest with Trudee. Janie Fricke made a hit out of a Glen Campbell song called "Try a Little Kindness" back in 1977.

Janelle Kendall, Stearns County Prosecutor, singing Sweet Child of Mine at Summertime by George with her band Walter's Wheelhouse. Janelle and the band were great! The concerts at Lake George have been sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Cloud for 7 years. It's truly an amazing event!

This is a shot of the Lake George crowd Pierz football started the season with a 69-0 win over Milaca. My camera lens is in for repair so I had to borrow another. It was quite frustrating as I was in great position for a number of pictures but the the vast majority of pictures didn't turn out. I should have my lens back in 2 weeks. Here are a few of the best pictures.