"Rock and Roll, etc." Inductees; New Deb Browning song leads Beach Music Charge (SNS week of 5/8/2022)

 Well, I guess sooner or later, I'll have to address this.   The latest inductees of the so-called Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced.... which apparently includes soft rock, country, and of course, hip-hop.  But at least I was on the money on four of the new inductees into the class of 2022:

I predicted that Duran Duran, Carly Simon, Pat Benatar, and Eminem would get in, and they did; that Eurythmics wouldn't, but they did enter.   Also inducted were Lionel Richie, and Dolly Parton.  And so did Judas Priest, sort of...but more on that later.

Early 1980's rocker Pat Benatar is one of the inductees into the latest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class.

Actually, the list of inductee is pretty diverse, and since that "d" word is what works nowadays, then it makes sense, although calling it "rock and roll" doesn't make sense, to be honest.    But Duran Duran definitely deserves the nod; that fivesome led that MTV-fueled New Wave charge in the early 80's and were successful through that decade.  Eurythmics, which featured Annie Lennox, which pretty much came over on that same wave, made it in as well.    I didn't think they would, since it seems that one to a genre would suffice a year (that theory still held true with Eminem getting in, but not A Tribe Called Quest).    Probably the most deserving was Pat Benatar, a fan favorite from the last time she was nominated, but getting in on her second try paid off.    She was legitimate rock and roll, and probably the first woman to have consistent solo success in the rock world.    While some may question Carly Simon, remember that she was part of the early 1970's singer-songwriter movement and her induction is very deserving.    She had success well into the 1980's.   

As for Richie and Parton, I have some questions.   First up, I love both of them, their music was very much a soundtrack to my life.     I think Lionel should have gotten in with his former band The Commodores, who, aside from the Richie-led ballads, started out as a funk band.    But if you call Lionel Richie "soft rock" I guess you would make a case for him to get in.    Richie, now a judge on American Idol, was presented with a special cake on that show in the shape of a record turntable on his induction.   And Lionel was more than just a balladeer; he wrote songs for others, namely Kenny Rogers, who had a huge hit with Richie's "Lady".   

Which brings us to Dolly, who co-sang with Rogers on "Islands in the Stream".    Ms. Parton, of course is a country artist by trade.   While in the late 1970's, she moved in a more pop directions (similar to what Taylor Swift did in the 2010's), is it really "rock and roll"?  Parton herself even requested that she be removed from the nominated list and admitted she isn't a rock artist.   She however wasn't able do so, thus, she changed her mind, and she was inducted regardless.

So the questions I have are:  If Richie got in, should somebody like Luther Vandross be next?   We already have Whitney Houston in, so it seems like a possibility in the future.  And if Dolly is in, should be expect people like Tammy Wynette or Reba McEntire to be next?    If both are the case, perhaps that name "rock and roll" should be retired, and something like "Contemporary Music Hall of Fame" should be used.   Then again, does the term "rock and roll" differ, and only serve as an "umbrella term"  from what would be "sub genres" such as R&B, hip-hop, hard rock, heavy metal, punk, grunge, country rock, et cetera, et cetera....?    Or is it pressure in the "woke era" to include those outside the rock realm?

To be honest, this whole system of having a "hall of fame" is pretty ludicrous.   What goes into consideration?  Record sales?  Critical success?  Sold out shows?    The thing is, there are so many artists out that who are worthy of consideration that technically there should be at least ten times that many inductees than there are now.  And do we really need a system to "award" music excellence like a "Hall of Fame"?  We have Grammys, AMA's, VMA's, Billboard Awards, gold and platinum record awards, and of course charts.

I mentioned Judas Priest earlier.  They were nominated as well but got in only as an "award for music excellence".  What the heck is that?    This used to be called the "sidemen" award, which previously was awarded to The E-Street Band.   While I get that one (being Bruce Springsteen's band and all), who did Judas Priest "side" for?    Why couldn't they get a regular induction?  Aren't all these artists cited for "musical excellence" which got them in the Hall in the first place?   

Finally, I want to address the "early influence" award, which this year went to calypso artist Harry Belafonte, and blues artist Elizabeth Cotten.  They finally got it right this year, as their career pre-dated the era of rock and roll.   While that seems like a no brainer, remember last year when socially aware poet and spoken word artist Gil Scott Heron, and electronic group Kraftwerk got that award, in spite of both artists careers started well into the rock era, when both should have gotten outright inductions?   

This whole thing just makes me dizzy, but congratulations to the 2022 inductees.

KEYS TO THE TOP:  The Black Keys narrowly hold off Train to stay in the number one slot on my blog playlist this week as "Wild Child" spends a second week at #1; the song also tops Billboard's Alternative chart this week, and holds at #2 on Triple-A (after being at #1 a couple weeks ago).  Either one of those songs could head the list next week, but positions #3 to #6 are very strong as well with David F. Porfirio, Deb Browning (more on her later), Curtis Harding and Florence + the Machine very solid.  The latter is still #1 on Triple-A.  And watch out for Tim Izzard's "Glam Rock Star (Tribute)" which jumps 18-9, giving the British artist a fifth straight top 10 showing.

Strong in the second ten include Avi Wisnia, Anna Lavigne, Hegazy (Impact award to nab two entries in this week's top 20) and Lesa Hudson's "Sunny Days" which joins Ms. Browning in the top 20 as two Carolina beach music songstresses.

THE BEACH INVASION:   It was just a few years ago that I would, at this time of year, add  a few songs from some of the beach music charts and then let them run its course, then wait almost a year before doing it again.    Three of the eight adds this week are by beach music artists, two of them already mentioned in the top 20.

Deb Browning's new single, "3 Minutes More", is the top debut at #38 this week.

Topping the list at a very lofty #38 is Deb Browning's new song "3 More Minutes".    The song and video were premiered last week on a live feed on Facebook and on Eric Bowman's show on 99.1 "Fun One Radio" which also featured an interview with Ms. Browning preceded by the video's premiere.   Browning wrote the song, and helping her is sort of a "who's who" in current beach music circles.   R. Mark Black, who reached #36 last year with a cover of the Jackie Wilson classic "Whispers (Getting Louder)", played Saxophone on the track.  Producing and engineering belongs to Tim Sidden, who is a member of the Cat5 band, currently at #25 with "Ain't Nothing Better".   A big thanks to Sidden for sending me a complimentary mp3 of "3 More Minutes", as well as two new songs by the Cat5 band.  Very much appreciated!  As for the song, Black's sax leads the way, which segues into Deb's beautiful and heartfelt voice.    The video features two young people dancing, accompanied by others at times.   Deb's voice and Black's sax continue to interweave each other.  At the end, the two youngsters are looking at the "Keepers of the Dance", shaggers hall of fame.   Another winner for Deb who now has five songs on the SNS 100 this week, the most for any artist in recent memory. I think Adele had five at one time back in the summer of 2011, but nobody since (Anna Lavigne has had four songs for the past few weeks, and ScreenAge had four much of the time in 2021).  Ms. Browning, aside from "3 More Minutes" at #38, moves up to #4 with "Take Me By the Hand"; her 2019 debut "Dancin'" is at a bulleted #28; 2020's "In My Dreams" a bulleted #40, while last year's hit "Stop Messin' With My Man" is still hanging in there at #60 after 35 weeks.

Rick Strickland is another seasoned beach music veteran who heads a band that bears his name, but last year recorded a solo outing, "Dream Come True" which is still high on many beach music charts.  This is a nice, feel-good, classic beach music-mode song.   Strickland sings with much soul and the harmonizing (presumably with his band, although he's credited solo on this one).  This is what beach music is all about.

With her "Sunny Days" rising into the top 20 this week, I was going to hold off on the new Lesa Hudson song "Breathless" until the former song ran it course, but since Ms. Hudson is a new Facebook friend (thank you!), I am adding the new one now.    Lesa is also a member of Rick Strickland's band and shares co-vocals with him.    Lesa has been around for several years and followers of her music know that she is a diversified artist.   So no, "Breathless" isn't in the "Sunny Days" mode, instead, she goes into a rather funky pop retro direction punctuated with keyboards.  Although their voices are different, the song reminds me of something that Toni Tennille did back in the 1970's.   Lesa belts out the voice with so much authority.  Love the sax and horns as well.  A very catchy song that will find its way up my chart (and beach music charts) quickly.

Overall, beach music is as stronger than ever on the list this week.    Aside from the five Browning, two Hudsons, and the Cat5 band and Strickland entries, other songs in that genre are doing well.   Don Dixon, noted mostly (for me anyway) for his 1986 hit "Praying Mantis" and for producing the first two R.E.M. albums and several by The Smithereens, is at #39 with "Young Love"; Zac Brown Band regains its bullet at #46 with "Old Love Song" and Dr. Victor is hanging in at #99 with "Got to Be You".   The unlikely beach music hit "Cold Heart" by Elton John & Dua Lipa drops off the list this week after a 29-week run, peaking here at #7.

Of course, there are other debuts in the alternative rock and pop arenas.  Making an impressive debut is the latest by The War on Drugs, "Change".  This is an awesome exercise in melodic-filled alt-rock.  It's song like this that keep me interested in the genre.  The band has two top 5 blog hits to its credit, and this could make it a third.   Very memorable.

British indie-pop-folk R&B artist Arlo Parks had a mid-blog charter at the end of 2020, but she's back with "Softly", which encompasses all three of those styles.   Melodic and soulful which should top the previous "Hurt".   Jack White has had much radio success with his current album, but the two tracks I had featured were too off-beat (one was acoustic, the other had a fiddle-filled country mix).  However, his latest "What's the Trick" is rock music that put him on the map to begin with and should rise higher here than the others did.   

For some reason, I never gave Sia her due as one of the better pop artists around.   While perhaps her Hot 100 days are over, she still gets plays on the Adult Top 40 (Hot AC) chart, such as her latest, "Unstoppable". Shes done well with holiday songs here, but the two non-Christmas entries only made the 60's on my playlist.   "Unstoppable" was actually released in 2016 from that year's This is Acting set, but since I passed over it then, and it's on the aforementioned Hot AC list, it's worth an add.  This is a cool song/anthem of confidence.   Those who missed it the first time around (like me), get a second chance.

Rounding out the debuts are British indie-rockers Wet Leg's "Ur Mum", the follow-up to the mid-charting "Chaise Lounge" and indie-folk artist Phoebe Bridgers' "Sidelines".  Ms. Bridgers previously reached #27 here in 2020 with "Kyoto".

SOMETHING'S MISSING:  For the first time since September 15, 2019, Emily MacMahon is absent from my playlist.    It was a week later that "Vague" by her band ScreenAge entered the SNS 100.   Between the seven songs by her band (six of them going to the top) and her solo #1 "Only Us", she managed to keep at least one song on the list for well over two and a half years.     Without a doubt, a talent like her, she'll be back.  Incidentally, her new cover band August Rage, after a triumphant debut a couple weeks back, will return to Garwood's Crossroads rock club on June 10.

Scenes ‘n’ Soundwaves 100 Playlist

May 8, 2022  (week ending May 14)

This Week	Last Week	ARTIST-Title	Weeks on List
1	1	NUMBER ONE: THE BLACK KEYS "Wild Child" Album: Dropout Boogie (2 weeks at #1)	9
2	2	Train - AM Gold	8
3	4	David F. Porfirio - Dreamscape	10
4	5	Deb Browning and  Six Piece Suits - Take Me By The Hand	8
5	7	Curtis Harding - I Won't Let You Down	5
6	6	Florence + The Machine- My Love	8
7	3	LP - Angels	15
8	10	Hegazy - Maybe If We Try	8
9	18	Tim Izzard - Glam Rock Star (Tribute)	5
10	13	Band of Horses - Lights	10
11	15	Parquet Courts - Watching Strangers Smile	9
12	9	Einstein's Dad - Here to Home	15
13	17	Avi Wisnia - Catching Leaves	10
14	11	Joy Again - Looking Out for You	10
15	20	Anna Lavigne -  Lavender Days	6
16	8	Mitski - The Only Heartbreaker	10
17	19	Heartless Bastards - You Never Know	8
18	12	Portugal. The Man - What, Me Worry	11
19	27	TOP 20 IMPACT OF THE WEEK: HEGAZY "Do You Want Me Now" (Single Only)	3
20	30	Lesa Hudson - Sunny Days	4
21	34	MOVER OF THE WEEK: MY MORNING JACKET "In Color" Album: My Morning Jacket	4
22	14	Red Hot Chili Peppers - Black Summer	12
23	22	Sharon Van Etten - Porta	7
24	16	Sadgirl - Little Queenie	15
25	28	Cat 5 Band -Ain't Nothing Better	11
26	29	Milky Chance - Sychronize	6
27	25	Cannons - Hurricane	5
28	26	Deb Browning - Dancin'	9
29	31	Donna Missal - (To Me) Your Face Is Love	21
30	33	beabadoobee - Talk	4
31	21	Papercuts - A Dull Boy	12
32	32	Harry Styles - As It Was	5
33	23	Anna Lavigne - Mindblown	14
34	24	Tim Izzard - Empty My Head	14
35	36	Bakar - Free	4
36	38	The Palms - Fire	4
37	37	Christina Taylor- Somebody Will	7
38	---	TOP DEBUT: DEB BROWNING "3 More Minutes" (Single Only)	1
39	43	Don Dixon  ft Dip Ferrell and the True Tones - Young Love	7
40	40	Deb Browning - In My Dreams	18
41	45	Adele - Cry Your Heart Out	6
42	46	Kacey Musgraves - Camera Roll	7
43	35	Hegazy - Oil and Water	13
44	49	Einstein's Dad - Back To You (Tribute to George Harrison)	4
45	39	Cuffed Up - Bonnie	17
46	52	Zac Brown Band - Old Love Song	12
47	42	Babeheaven - Don't Wake Me	14
48	48	Babeheaven - Heartbeat	6
49	57	Vance Joy - Clarity	3
50	53	The Lumineers - Where We Are	7
51	61	The Offspring - Behind Your Walls	2
52	41	Anna Lavigne - This Time	22
53	54	Ed Sheeran ft. Taylor Swift - The Joker and the Queen	9
54	51	Babeheaven ft. Navy Blue- Make Me Wanna	9
55	56	The Head and the Heart - Virginia	6
56	62	Eliza and the Delusionals- Bed Song	3
57	58	Joy Again - What Lovers Do	5
58	60	Nick Waterhouse - Place Names	4
59	44	Avril Lavigne ft. Blackbear - Love It When You Hate Me	9
60	55	Deb Browning - Stop Messin' With My Man●	35
61	69	Brandi Carlile - Broken Horses	3
62	---	War On Drugs - Change	1
63	47	Rex Orange County - Keep It Up	9
64	59	Caamp - Believe	6
65	67	Eavesdrop - Now You Know	3
66	73	Interpol - Toni	2
67	66	Bishop Briggs- High Water	4
68	79	Meg Myers - HTIS	2
69	---	Rick Strickland - Dream Come True	1
70	68	The Band CAMINO - I Think I Like You	5
71	---	Lesa Hudson - Breathless	1
72	50	Bob Moses - Love Brand New	13
73	---	Arlo Parks - Softly	1
74	81	SadGirl - Goodbye Queenie	3
75	78	Mt. Joy - Lemon Tree	3
76	82	The Regrettes - Anxieties (Out of Time)	2
77	72	Pete Yorn - Elizabeth Taylor	10
78	84	Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats- I'm On Your Side	2
79	65	Anna Lavigne - Dance the Last Goodbye●	25
80	77	Maggie Rogers - That's Where I Am	3
81	64	Weezer - A Little Bit of Love	7
82	---	Jack White - What's the Trick?	1
83	---	Sia - Unstoppable	1
84	85	Culture Wars - Faith	6
85	---	Wetleg - Urt Mum	1
86	63	Collective Soul - Right as Rain	15
87	---	Phoebe Bridgers - Sidelines	1
88	74	Brandi Carlile - Right On Time	29
89	80	Fleet Foxes - Featherweight●	27
90	75	Lord Huron - Mine Forever	19
91	71	Sam Fender - Seventeen Going Under	13
92	76	Billie Eilish - No Time To Die	6
93	87	King Tappa -Nookie	5
94	86	Lucius - Next to Normal	14
95	70	Nané - Seventeen	11
96	83	Arcade Fire - The Lightning	5
97	89	Swingadelic - The Late Late Show	14
98	88	Martin Stephenson and the Daintees - Harajuku Punks	21
99	90	Dr. Victor - Got to Be You	11
100	92	Eavesdrop - Alive	22

Songs with the greatest increase in favorite points over the prior week.   ● Songs with 25 or more plays on iTunes/iPods ▲   Songs with 50 or more plays.