vjjack04

So in Arizona it ain't that late... but in some of y'all's AORs it is...Anyway, here's the guy who originally sang this song. Which is, I know, country...(but was the last of country, when it was country) nonetheless...moreover...(last video is just NC boy guilty pleasure)
https://youtu.be/_e3szB1biHg
https://youtu.be/VWbylRhmfHI

https://youtu.be/yXNExFeNiVg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V
WbylRhmfHI


"...pick up that oldies show, especially late at night".....and to think, I have a trashy "retard-mod' in progress...

JPB04619

just nice................

vjjack04

I can't post right....was supposed to show this:

Railroadman

For those into music the last link in the OP is a great interview with one of the songwriters who created this.

Kerrmudgeon

But, but, but....what happened to the car after the crash?



Funny how that was my first thought when I heard the fiery crash line in the song.

Todd H.

I think the car was toast, at least if the fiery crash was in the '60s.

I just played that song a few days ago on my show. We still run it, because I think it's good country... and besides it's about a Corvette! And a serviceman, which makes it even better.

When I started in country radio 41 years ago the comments about Top 40 Country were much the same. "It's just pop music now!" Certainly some acts today sound more like pop, but there's still a few that sound like country. All popular music formats are always in transition.

Railroadman

Do you still play George Jones Corvette Song? "She was hotter than a 2-dollar pistol....."

427 Sidepipes

If you listen to the interview video ( ), Wood Newton talks about a guy with a 1966 Corvette website... that was me. After the song was a hit, I had a bunch of communication with Thom Shepherd (the other co-writer)... I learned they even used a photo of my car (with the original owner) for their demo CD. Some of the song lyrics changed from the original writing... here are some excerpts from our emails:

ME: I recently saw an online interview with Wood Newton regarding "Private Malone" and was taken aback by his quotes. The website he was referring to sounded all too familiar ... Is there any chance it was mine? My site is dedicated to a '66 Corvette (pictured at the bottom of the article from nashvillentrak.org) and I also have pictures of the original owner standing by the Vette. I just think it would be kool to know if my website was part of an inspiration for a song ... Especially one as special as "Private Malone".

SHEPHERD: Yours is the site Wood mentioned! We got a book from the library and picked out a silver-pearl '66 as the one we were writing about. When I found your site, I was thrilled! Perfect color and everything.

I'm sure as a car buff you've heard the story time and again about guys finding their dream car in a barn for pennies on the dollar. That idea was my initial inspiration, along with a story I had read as a child about a guy with a haunted car. I hope you don't mind - I used the picture of the original owner standing by the Vette on some promo CDs I made - everyone wanted to know who it was and where I got it!

I wanted to get in touch with you to ask permission but didn't find any contact info on your wonderful website. Too bad we didn't have your car for the video!

ME: Too bad I missed a wonderful opportunity of having my Vette in the video. If you are ever in Massachusetts, I'd be happy to let you take it for a spin.

SHEPHERD: Thought you'd like to know - the original line we wrote in the song was "what she called a Chevy...was a silver-pearl Corvette". We decided on the year '66 instead - it was easier to sing and nailed the Viet Nam thing.

Another line we changed was "it was dated 1965 and this is what he wrote". We wanted to be clever, showing that Malone bought the '66 new in the fall of '65. Then we thought it would confuse too many people. So we made it "the date was 1966 and this is what he wrote."

NOTE- The reference to purchasing the Corvette the fall of 1965 reflects the date of November 1965 on the original photos posted on my ancient website (CLICK HERE).

Todd H.

yes, but only occasionally. Along with he stopped loving her today. Of course, in the song the girl was hotter than the Corvette. Go figure.

vjjack04

Todd H,
What radio station? Can I access on-line? ...that is if its "classic" country. Hard to believe that folks would ever think of Merle Haggard or Lefty Frizzell as "pop music". New country is absolutely terrible. I haven't listened to that dribble in years....since about the late '80s...glad there is "Spotify".

Todd H.

https://kb101fm.com/ But you probably won't like it. It's current Top 40 Country, which has been our bread and butter for all of these years.

When I started, people said Kenny Rogers, Eddie Rabbitt, even the Oaks and Crystal Gayle were too pop. "Bring back Ferlin Husky,,, Webb Pierce, and Hank, Sr.! That's real country..." The names change, and you learn that you can't be everything to everyone. In radio we're especially trying to appeal to people 25-54, and lots of them like the current stuff.

Todd H.

Private Malone has to be the best country Corvette song ever, followed Closely by George Jones' "The One I Loved Back Then".

Then there's a less complimentary song about Corvette drivers by Maddie & Tae. Don't get offended now! They don't even use a Corvette in the video...

Ol Blue

427 Sidepipes. I enjoyed your story on your website. I've been thinking about doing something like that for my car. Nice to see an example like yours.
Thanks
Gary

vjjack04

Todd H. Yep, modern country, no likey. I do like this one song, "Take it outside" because when we (the Army) first went into Crapghanistan that was a favorite...heck though, thats been over 15 years ago now...anyway....i always thought being a DJ would be fun...but at 56, i am too old to start something new. One funny point, i run operations for an office of Army soldiers who train troops all over the world. A few year ago i stopped shaving, and i have grey/white hair. Some of the younger soldiers (in their late 30s) Started joking that i looked like Kenny Rogers ( i dont really)....one young Major retiring even gave me Kenny's first album as a gag gift...still behind my desk for all to see...you know he did a car movie...
Like some Erin Gray

Todd H.

vjjack... well, it's fun (usually). I'll give it that. I'm lucky, because I work for a GREAT company. It doesn't always happen like that.

Kenny Rogers was a really nice guy. I had a nice long chat with him about 4 years ago.

I'm glad that good guys like you are working with our soldiers!