The 110th Anniversary Of The Oreo Cookie

by Kevin Burton    The legendary American treat Oreo cookie has its 110th birthday Monday.    I don’t mean our personal Burton-owned Oreo cookies.  They are not that old but they have been in the pantry for a while.    On the previous granddaughter visit we attempted but did not complete, creation of an altogether …

Karen Carpenter, Born 72 Years Ago Today

by Kevin Burton    No rock and roll artist discussion can make me more happy, but at the same time more sad and more angry than that of Karen Carpenter.     None of my other favorites, from Steely Dan to Gerry Rafferty, Motown to the Beatles, to Supertramp, Billy Joel, Elton John, Flans from Mexico, …

Happy 47th Birthday Drew Barrymore

by Kevin Burton    Once upon a time (90s and aughts) in a land far, far away (Ohio), I played out one grand obsession.     The object of that grand obsession, actress Drew Barrymore, turned 47 yesterday.    These days I have one thing I did not have then, a blog with which to embarrass …

Merry Birthday Or Something Like That

by Kevin Burton    What if your big day got overshadowed every year by the biggest day of all?    What if the season to be jolly also brought your birthday?    This is probably not just a problem for Christmas Day babies.  I would guess any birthday between about Dec. 22 and 27 or …

This Artist Socked It To Us Twice In 1968

by Kevin Burton    In 1981 Dolly Parton hit number one on both the country and pop charts with the song “9 to 5.”     But which female solo artist was the first to hit those two heights, 13 years before that?    Hint: It’s her birthday today.    The song in question was country …

Little Sis Had Her Day, Did It Her Way

by Kevin Burton    It was years after the fact when he told the story, but the anger was still there in his voice.    Apparently someone in obstetrics at the Minot Air Force Base suggested that my father could, or maybe should, allow my newborn sister Patricia to die.    This was before she …

Four Birthday Wishes And One Deferred

by Kevin Burton    My generous wife made an offer some weeks ago. Really it was a demand.     Tired of my elusiveness about what I wanted for my birthday, she requested in the strongest of terms, a list of five things that I wanted (see Five Bows On Five Boxes, Holy Smokes!, July 17).  …

“Be My Baby” Has Had A Huge Influence

by Kevin Burton    The story of a stunned Brian Wilson pulling over to the side of the road makes me smile every time.    Wilson is the driving force behind the Beach Boys. He was stopped in his and his car’s tracks, by the sheer brilliance of something coming from the radio that he …

Five Bows On Five Boxes, Holy Smokes!

by Kevin Burton    There was this last Friday from the heart and voice box of my loving wife Jeannette: “I want you to give me a list of five things you want for your birthday.”    This had already been an especially productive and fun day.  Then in the winding down part came this …

Favorite Songs With White In The Title

by Kevin Burton    White is clean in the Tide commercials, virginal in the wedding chapels. It’s a bit of a beginning or blank slate.   Honestly, this list leaves me with a blank stare.  As great as the music is, most of the lyrics are far from straightforward.    For a bonus track on …