Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF March 22, 1999

DEAR JERRY: I purchased the boxed CD set, “Garth Brooks The Limited Series.” I would like to know if this set is expected to increase in value and eventually become a collectors' item. Any information you can provide would be appreciated.
—Adam (ARZD90A@prodigy.com)

DEAR ADAM: The key word you use is “eventually.” If we heed the lessons of the past, there is every reason to believe this set will eventually show some increase in value.

Keep in mind, though, that albums and CDs that sell millions of copies, such as most of Garth's, are seldom scarce enough to fetch premium prices.

There are many recording artists with impressive sales to their credit that simply fail to inspire the collectors market. Brooks seems to be one in that category.

To further illustrate this point, acts like Madonna, Rod Stewart, Chicago, Bee Gees, Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, Perry Como, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston have sold millions and millions of records. Millions more than, say, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, and countless no-name rockabilly and R&B artists. Yet records of the latter group are far more collectible and valuable.

Now on to our next Garth Brooks question:


DEAR JERRY: I'm not particularly a fan of Garth Brooks. In fact, I couldn't name more than about two of his songs. However, I am a baseball fan and Brooks has piqued my interest by playing pre-season baseball with the San Diego Padres.

Have there been any other country and western singers who have played professional baseball?
—Geoff Malone, Huntsville, Ala.

DEAR GEOFF: There may be others, but two country singers immediately come to mind are Slim Whitman and Charley Pride.

Otis Dewey “Slim” Whitman pitched in the Orange Belt League, and Charley Pride was a position player for both Detroit and Memphis in the Negro American League.

Both had many more hits after they quit trying to get hits.

DEAR JERRY: Recently we went to see “Finian's Rainbow.” I especially found the songs “Old Devil Moon” and “How Are Things in Glocca Mora” sung so beautifully. It got us to wondering who had the hit recordings of those two songs.

Some of our group suggested names like Dinah Shore and Jo Stafford, but none of us are sure. Please supply the answers.
—AnneMarie Lux, Chicago, Ill.

DEAR ANNEMARIE: Margaret Whiting had the big hit of “Old Devil Moon,” in 1947. Martha Tilton is one of four with a Top 10 hit with “How Are Things in Glocca Mora.” Others cashing in on the “Finian's Rainbow” fever, in 1947, are Buddy Clark, Tommy Dorsey, and Dick Haymes.



What's it Worth? Get fast appraisals by e-mail!

DEAR JERRY: A song keeps running through my head, which I believe is titled “I Don't See Me in Your Eyes Anymore.”

Is there such a song, or is this just a product of my imagination?
—Tom Keating, Milford, Conn.

DEAR TOM: First a hit in 1949 by Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra, and by Perry Como, “I Don't See Me in Your Eyes Anymore” is a real, not imagined, hit song

A remake of this tune by Charlie Rich, issued in 1974, reached No. 1 on the C&W charts. Chances are it is one or more of these three versions that is roaming in your mind.

IZ ZAT SO? What kind of year did Charlie Rich have in 1974? Not bad. The Silver Fox had three albums and five consecutive singles reach No. 1 (seven singles if you count a couple at the end of '73). He capped 1974 off by walking away with the prestigious CMA Entertainer of the Year award.






Return to "Mr. Music" Home Page