Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 29, 1998

DEAR JERRY: I just want to thank you for the nice words (about me) in your column recently. I am glad you like my CD, “The Best of Bobby Goldsboro: Honey.”

Nowadays my big project is “Bobby Goldsboro's The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon,” a children's television show which we film at WEDU-TV, in Tampa. It airs from 11 a.m. to noon on the Learning Channel, Monday through Friday. We just finished our 52nd episode.

If you're in our area next time we're filming, you are welcome to drop by. Thanks again!
—Bobby Goldsboro, Ocala, Fla.

DEAR BOBBY: I appreciate you taking the time to write, and thank you for the offer to meet. Next time I'm in Florida I promise you a visit. I'll tell you the (1965) story of how I once overruled my fellow dee jays and made “If You've Got a Heart” our station's Pick to Click.

One impressive detail regarding “The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon,” which you modestly omitted, that I'd like to share with readers, is the magnitude of your involvement. In this live action series, Bobby writes the scripts, composes and arranges all the music, plays all of the instruments, and even does all the animal character's voices.

Readers always enjoy learning what their favorite music stars of the past are now doing. Especially when the update comes right from the horse's — er, make that swamp critter's — mouth.

DEAR JERRY: Awhile back I saw the fabulous video of Lisa Marie Presley singing along with her daddy, doing his hit song, “Don't Cry Daddy.”

Having never seen or heard Lisa perform, I was quite surprised to see how good she is. Does she have aspirations to record on her own, or was this just a one-shot deal?
—Roberta Lewelen, Lancaster, Pa.

DEAR ROBERTA: Gary Gersh (President of Capitol Records) and Glen Ballard (President Java Records) recently announced the signing of Lisa Marie to an exclusive Java recording agreement.

“Lisa Marie and I met through a mutual friend in December of 1997,” states Ballard, “and I was struck by her intelligence, her talent and her passion for music. There has been a genuine creative connection between us and it is clear to me that Lisa Marie will make an artistic statement that is unique and compelling.”

Gersh adds: “We at Capitol are thrilled to have them as part of our family, and we look forward to having the opportunity to work with Lisa Marie on her musical debut.” Sounds like this talented young lady, blessed with can't-miss genes, is on her way.

DEAR JERRY: Can you give me the details of a song about “Little Kathy Fiscus,” a girl who fell into a well and drowned. What year did this become popular?

Also, is Buddy Knox, of “Party Doll” and “Hula Love” still alive?
—Helen Jones, New Freedom, Pa.

DEAR HELEN: Based on a real-life event, “The Death of Little Kathy Fiscus,” by Jimmie Osborne (no relation) is a Top 10 C&W hit from mid-1949 (King 788).

At last report, Buddy Knox is doing fine and, I'm told, residing in Port Orchard, Washington. He occasionally appears and performs at such shindigs as the annual Buddy Holly Memorial in Clear Lake, Iowa.

IZ ZAT SO? Talk about coming full circle. In 1962, a few months before his first chart hit, “Molly,” Bobby Goldsboro appeared on a record by the Webs titled “Lost (Cricket in My Ear).” Bobby played the part of the frog, doing convincing frog sounds.

Now here he is 36 years later with The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon, providing animal voices.






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