Beech Tree News Network

I’m finally getting around to the second of my four-part “When I Discovered” series.  I first chronicled Queen.  This week: CCR.  I first discovered the John Fogerty-led group during my time at BCMS.  Sure, I may have heard them before but never paid attention.  It wasn’t an introduction where I was aware of what I was hearing.
I recall that we were in English class.  Why in God’s name CCR was being played in English class was beyond me.  It must’ve been towards the end of the year, possibly finals week where those exempt are dismissed to the gym while everyone else takes their test.  Bobby Willoughby played their song “Cottonfields” from their 1969 album Willy and the Poor Boys.  I loved it! The song had this country (back when there was real country) feel.  I had him play the song a few more times. 
Having listened almost exclusively to country music growing up, I had a lot to learn.  This began my crash course in music education.  I dove head first into classic rock.  One of my few good memories of my two years in middle school, it’s where my love of classic music began.  This is where my Queen obsession began, as did my love for CCR.
I was buying up CD’s like they were candy at the time, much to the hurt of my miniscule bank account.  I did stumble upon the BMG Music Service, where you could order music in bulk, which I did on almost a monthly basis.  I’d get everything from Country to Rock, Classic to Rap.  After a few years, the service got on my nerves and I quit.  But back to the story.
I played the crap out of both of CCR’s Chronicle CD’s.  “Cottonfields” came from Volume II.  I bought both I and II at the same time, because it was my feeling that you can’t separate a series.  I would then get into a bunch of other classic rock bands and would become somewhat of a music trivia buff. 
The early ‘90’s was when my CCR love began, but what about a group like Alabama? Well that was much earlier.  When I was a kid, my parents listened to country music all the time, with the occasional oldies station mixed in.  I bet you wouldn’t have guessed that there was one particular old country song I’d sing as a kid.  For that, though, you’ll have to come back next week.