Andy 60's Music First Time Favourites Since The 50's

COWBOY SONGS

they were once called. Now it's

COUNTRY AND WESTERN

'San Antonio Rose' - Lou Baldino 

(Featuring House of Hamill and Ken Nelson) 

YouTube Video by: House of Hamill.

Here's a video on Lou Baldino's 'San Antonio Rose'. My kinda music I could listen to all day...

When I sent this song around among my WhatsApp connections, they replied with all the support and agreed with my selection of what music was like those years when we were younger. 

Here are some reactions and replies from viewers:

Eddy Eng:

This is music!

Richard Rajoo:

Yes, I really love San Antonio Rose too, because I started learning to play the guitar with an elderly neighbor of Bukit Merah. He plays with the Clan Association in Chinatown. So I sing at all their events, mainly Hank Williams and others at the music sessions. It was a real experience for me to sing to mostly vernacular speaking audiences.

Rickie Chng:

Simply nice and relaxing.

Tan Soo Khoon:

Very enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.

Vincent Tan:

Thanks for sharing.

👍👍👍👏👏👏

Merlin Lim:

Reminds me of the late, great Chet Atkins. Beautiful way of playing; all the fingers and thumb are alive. Played chords instead of single notes; makes the sound whole, complete and rich. Would have loved to learn that style of picking and playing. Had the intention to learn but lacked the motivation. Thanks Andy.

Johnny Yeo:

Nice! Nowadays I also like erhu since I have been attending weekly classes for the past two years. I love the old spaghetti Italian cowboy movies and their soundtracks.

Horace Wee:

Good to know your endorphins are working well.

Not dolphins 😅

Ronald Ho:

Thanks Andy. I listened with my bass headphones. They are excellent musicians. Yes, my kind of music too. I grew up on country music. Thanks.

Cedric Collars [Perth/Aust.]

I remember that song played by Chet Atkins and sung by Willie Nelson. Ah yes, we did enjoy them but nowadays they don’t play that style of music artistry. It has been put in the annals of music history. Sadly, it is we people who lament on their passing.

Richard Tham:

Andy, I love country music. It makes one wanna get up and dance! Thanks for sharing.

Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson.

When Music Hits You, You Feel No Pain.

Jimmy Chng:

Yup, it's all pleasure to our ears! Good morning, Andy.

Wilfred Lim:

Yes, music lingers on momentarily... then it's whisk off like a puff of smoke...  Such is our life span... we're here today... gone tomorrow! Unless our lifetime is recorded in stone or digitally... we sail into oblivion. Cheers.

Merlin Lim:

Music gives you the highs, lows and flats. Without the cravings and withdrawals...

Anonymous: 

I remember calling them cowboy songs, like Have I Told You Lately That I Love You, and China Doll. Later on, we know them as Country and Western songs. Again, lyrics today would be understood differently, "I'm tired of crying, and all your lying. That's why I'm buying a China doll. Her eyes are bluer; her faults are fewer..." Not today's China dolls! Ha! Ha!

More comments are welcome!

Slim Whitman: 'China Doll' [1952].

(Country Music Greats) HQ

YouTube: FromTheBasement.

Images: Google.

When Andy 60s Music Goes Roaming In Singapore Meeting Friends.

It's March 2025 and there's been delays in posting 

photographs on this blog. Here are a few taken 

near the end months of 2024.

No showing off; just camaraderie!

"Old friends, old friends

Sat on their park bench like bookends

A newspaper blown through the grass

Falls on the round toes

Of the high shoes of the old friends..."

[Simon n Garfunkel]

The guitar champ.

With Ivor Lesslar, lead guitarist, black cap. 

We were @ Novena Square. August 2024.

The Pop Pianist n Singing Wife.

With Mr. Sammin Ang and his wife Esther, two very accomplished musicians. 

Of course there's Mr. Everywhere Jimmy Yap in the flowered shirt.

It's at a Singapore HDB coffee shop neighbourhood.

September 2024

The Elvis of Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Tall Happy Tay, the Vancouver Elvis and James Kwok 

after a coffee session at Clementi Mall in 

Singapore when Happy visited our island.

August 2024

I saw this sign in another country. Can't remember where. 

Could be Thailand or Japan. Not a bad idea but I don't drink.

Singapore Recording artiste Tony Goh

With the very talented recording artiste Tony Goh who owns 

a huge recording studio himself near the business district 

around Shenton Way. Tony was from the pop 70s group, 

TONY, TERRY and SPENCER. The vinyl costs some today.

Jean Granger/France and the Late Alfred Wong

With Jean [John] Granger from France and the late 

Alfred Wong who passed away in late 2024. We

were at a music pub in the Novena area. Alfred used

to provide free jam sessions at his apartment 

with coffee, milk and a huge spread.

'Old Friends': Simon and Garfunkel

YouTube Video by: kylecrazyford.

Which song are these lines from? 

Have a guess.

Mr Tan's Mystery Singer n Dancer

Tan Soo Khoon's [left] garden party guests in February, 2025.

One lady was a well-known singer, the other a dancer.

Know them?

Another verse of lyrics from a well-known song. 

Can you guess the title? Roaming in the desert?

"Riwayat mu-ini..."

We met by the Bengawan Solo River near

Serangoon Gardens in February, 2025.

                With Jimmy Yap, Larry Lai, Andy, Trevor Nerva and Terry Nair.

When Ricky n Rickie Meet

Fun jamming at Ricky Wong's [far right] home with friends 

that included Ricky Chng [checked shirt] and others. Meals were provided. 

Comments are always welcome.

And Alphonso Soosay 

sums it up on 3.3.25:

"Buddy Andy Young. Missing our 60’s days and catching up with our Ole friends fills our hearts with bittersweet nostalgia as our memories linger on as You have always shared with keeping closeness even though we are a distance away. Cheers."

Images: A Private Collection. Copyrights Reserved.

Tan Soo Khoon's Chinese New Year 2025 Garden Party With Singapore Celebrities.

 

CHINESE NEW YEAR GATHERING 2025 @ TAN SOO KHOON's GARDEN PARTY.

Standing [L to R]: Vernon Cornelius, Mr/Mrs Andy Young, 

Jimmy Yap, Friend, Irene Yap, Mr/Mrs John Cher.

Seated [L to R]: Mr/Mrs. Larry Lai, Sandie Loo, Aleena Tan.

Do you know the 4 singers, one DJ, one dancer and one drummer?

We had two great hosts, Mr n Mrs Tan Soo Khoon,

 good friends, good ambience and very good food.

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Ricky Nelson: 'Garden Party' [Live]

YouTube by: ShoutFactoryVEVO

"I went to a garden party

To reminisce with my old friends

A chance to share old memories

And play our songs again

I played them all the old songs

I thought that's why they came

No one heard the music

We didn't look the same

But it's all right now

I learned my lesson well

You see, you can't please everyone

So you got to please yourself..."

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Rick Nelson

Extracts from 'Garden Party' lyrics 

© Songs Of Universal Inc., 

Matragun And Hilliard Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BdG28kWf30&t=36s

John Cher, Jimmy Yap, Irene Yap, TAN SOO KHOON [host]

Actor Pierre Png and wife Andrea de Cruz.

Only part of the garden party. We didn't sing nor

dance but chatted and feasted the night away... Fun time!

Host and Hostess:

Mr and Mrs Tan Soo Khoon

[centre stage in red and white]

Fred Ching says:

"It’s really wonderful to see gathering photos of Mr Tan Soo Khoon’s Garden Party. This brought back memories whenever I visited my father-in-law living in Tanglin Halt Road. As I speak fluent Teochew, he never failed to speak very highly of Mr Tan with his praises. 

Mr Tan takes pride in his work despite his heavy schedule. As I look back, Mr Tan is truly a blast from the past and he reminded me of this singer with the warmest voice in the world. 

 Brother Andy. Cheers👍❤️🥰.." [Edited].

Photographs from Vernon Cornelius and John Cher.

Thanks guys.

Old Smart Phone: Sharp Images: Andy 60's With Tan Kheng Hua, Zoey Tay

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It is a journey and I can thank my blog for it. I kept many pictures on my little iPhone 4. Today, about 10 years later, they are still as colourful, clear and intact. Mostly family photos, I found some images I  have of our music friends and celebrities in Singapore during my exciting and rewarding adventure.

This post is another one without too many words, just some pictures. Ignore my face, just look at the celebs:

Ms Tan Kheng Hua who scored the latest hit in 

Hollywood, acting with 'Crazy Rich Asians'.

We did a documentary where she hosted oldie goodies.

Now here's a lady who's on Chinese TV 

@ MediaCorp, Ms Zoey Tay while on the set at 

KTPH shooting, 'You Can Be An Angel Too'.

  

With Tee Peng [guitarist], Henry Chua [Quests] and 

Larry Lai [Rediffusion] @ Tan Soo Khoon's CNY dinner.

*'Photograph' By Ringo Starr

YouTube Video by: richbuskin

*1973 song from Starr's third studio album,

co-written by George Harrison.

Big hit in 10 countries including #1 

in US, Canada, Australia.

With archeologist, Lim Chen Sian and Josh during

       the opening ceremony of MediaCorp's documentary, 

 'Treasure Hunt' at Stamford Museum.

Former Parliamentary Speaker, Tan Soo Khoon 

sings Elvis well.  At OLPS, before he went on stage.

With recording artiste Barry Walker and wife from England, 

on his visit in Singapore. Barry was with The Figures.

Camera crew @ Opera Estate garden during

a documentary shoot about SG music from the past.

With my first group when I started the blog and did 

a few documentaries with owner director, Ms Chang Soh Kiak

of 'Shooting In Pictures'. The group includes Peter Chan [pianist], Philip Chew [Mr Joo Chiat], Dick Yip [ukulele], and Lam Choon See [author].

Images: A Personal Collection.

Andy's 60s Music Friends: Holiday Season 2022 & 2023: Part Two

Photographs are not in any order. 

Most pictures have been taken with friends who love

and contributed to this Singapore 60s music blog .

Thanks guys.

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Lady is a Tramp... Frank Sinatra.

Rabbit takes over as Tiger quietly leaves.

Singapore pop music goes on.

The music makers are below...

At Tan Soo Khoon's Chinese New Year dinner [in yellow], 

former House Speaker who sings Elvis on stage. From left: 

Andy, Tony [Mysterians], Larry [Rediffusion], Selina, 

Jimmy, Eddie, Charlie [Locomotion], Vernon [Quests], Eric, 

Soo Khoon [Young Once], Henry [Quests].

Chinese New Year at Chinatown, Singapore 2023.

A mix of music: Rocker Lee [Chinese Pops] , Winston Koh [Trailers], 

Andy, Sam Toh [Quests], Edward Tham @ Shaw Centre for coffee.

The cops in New Zealand are very  friendly and very tall.

I thought I am but he's more than 6 feet and loves 60s music.

https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/raw-fish-yusheng-lo-hei.html

"Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think

Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink

The years go by, as quickly as a wink..."

"Always remember our historic meet up for the first time. Wonderful, 

humble Andy Young. It's among the highlights of our stall happenings." 

Colin Colin, music lover, owner of Chendol dessert @ Siglap, East Coast.

With Alfred Ng @ Cedele, Novena Square. I knew him as a youth 

but now a very successful business person who loves pop music.

Stephen Han is a blog contributor and writes 

about the many 60s concerts he attended @ the Clubs,

National Theatre, Vic. Hall, Cinemas and other venues.

Francis Tan, a bank Vice President n a former scouter, rescued  and 

guided me home from a bus-stop one night. Once a trooper, always... 

From: Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

Don, of Don Pies, with his Hwa Heng Beef Noodles

@ Tyrwhitt Road, Jalan Besar Stadium.

With Johnny Yeo, Polytechnic lecturer, an orchid 

and music lover. Lunching at The Ship, Orchard.

Blog contributor, drummer Jimmy Chng [centre] 

from 60s group, 'The Decibels with bassist Charles.

A Dean Martin composition:  

'Change Of Heart' [1955] by John Rox.

Anna Law runs ukulele classes at a Community Club. 

I visited her and husband Vincent Tan. Anna was a

member of the well-known ladies' group, 'The Teepees'. 

Anna Law, far right, conducting her ukulele class

at Marymount CC. Anna is all heart !

During a studio group recording with [clockwise]: Robert Koh, 

Chow Wen Hing, Rocker Lee, Winston Koh, Andy and Fidel.

Singer/song writer :David Gates, 'Everything I Own.'

Clarence Perera, drummer from The Dukes and a Keppel Club regular.

 We did not take photographs both times we met but he's been 

sending me prayers through What'sApp everyday for two years now.

Cedric Cork, a well-known percussionist 

who braved the Vietnam War, provided a powerful story 

about his music days in the 60s battlefield upheaval.

I have yet to meet Cedric personally. 😔

 Rocker Lee [Chinese Pops] , Andy, Sam Toh, [Quests], 

Winston Koh [Trailers], @ The Ship  for lunch.

Jimmy Yap practises what he preaches on his T-shirt, 

"Without music life would be flat."

Click for Part 1 :

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2023/02/andys-60s-music-friends-holiday-season.html

Frank Sinatra: 'Lady is a Tramp'

Frank Sinatra Concert Collection 

YouTube Video.

 The Tremoloes: 'My Little Lady' 

YouTube Video from: The Muzikmaker

Dean Martin: 'Change of Heart'

YouTube Video: Tim Gracyk

Images: A Personal Collection.

Disclaimer: This post does not promote any food outlet.