ARTICLES
View some of my published pieces. To see all of my articles published on Medium, please visit my profile.
"LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE"
December 2023 marks 90 years since Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers debuted in Flying Down to Rio. In the Summer 2024 issue of American Heritage, I explore the magic they created as Hollywood’s first iconic dance duo. For the article, I spoke with George Stevens, Jr., Fred Astaire’s grandson Tyler McKenzie, and Ginger Rogers' assistant, Roberta Olden.
THE COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER
OIn October 2020, Loretta Lynn's iconic hit celebrated its 50th anniversary. This article dives into the lasting impact of the legendary song and highlights the enduring legacy of Lynn herself.
MARILYN MONROE GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS
Published in the Spring 2023 edition of American Heritage Magazine, this article uncovers a little-known chapter of Marilyn Monroe's career. Discover how Hollywood's most famous star risked it all by challenging a powerful studio, revealing the sharp business mind behind the glamorous icon.
BICENTENNIAL AT THE INDIAN SPRING HOTEL
n September 2023, American Heritage Magazine sent me to cover the bicentennial of the historic Indian Spring Hotel in Flovilla, Georgia. This article delves into the hotel’s rich history, built by Chief William McIntosh, and features insights from Frankie Willis, president of the Butts County Historical Society, on their efforts to preserve this remarkable landmark.
GINGER ROGERS: HOLLYWOOD'S VIVACIOUS LADY
One of the most versatile and vivacious actresses from Hollywood’s Golden Age, Ginger Rogers danced her way into the hearts of millions in musical comedies and subsequently earned an Academy Award for her dramatic portrayal in Kitty Foyle. During her career, she appeared in over 70 films, starred on Broadway, and made dozens of television appearances. Her unabating work ethic made the equally tireless Fred Astaire refer to Rogers as "the hardest working actress I ever knew."
DEFORD BAILEY: COUNTRY MUSIC’S LOST ‘HARMONICA WIZARD’
The Historians Magazine
DeFord Bailey is known as country music's 'Harmonica Wizard.' As the first Black member of the Grand Ole Opry, Bailey broke down racial barriers and made music history. Yet he also faced several obstacles in the Deep South because of the color of his skin. Learn more about his remarkable story in The Historians Magazine. I also spoke with Opry member and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy about how Bailey paved the way for harmonica players like him.
VAL-KILL INDUSTRIES & THE AMERICAN ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT
This article uncovers the fascinating history of Val-Kill Industries, founded by Eleanor Roosevelt and her friends. During the American Arts and Crafts Movement, Val-Kill provided jobs in the Hudson Valley, blending craftsmanship with social impact.
CENTRAL PARK CASINO: THE EPITOME OF JAZZ AGE NEW YORK CITY
Take a trip back to New York City during the Jazz Age and learn about the rise and fall of the Central Park Casino. A premier restaurant and night club, the Casino was where politicians, Broadway stars, composers, and even royalty would gather to dine and dance. Mayor Jimmy Walker was the Casino's most stalwart champion, and his dismissal from office led to the downfall of this magnificent place.
THE RHINEBECK POST OFFICE: BRINGING ART AND HISTORY TO LIFE
The Rhinebeck post office is one of five Works Progress Administration (WPA) post offices in Dutchess County, New York. Yet this is no ordinary post office. President Franklin D. Roosevelt played a key role in its design and creation. When he dedicated it in 1939, even royalty joined him for the momentous occasion.
TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE
This article revisits the music of four legendary country music duos: Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn, George Jones & Tammy Wynette, and Kenny Rogers & Dottie West. Mandy Barnett, an incredibly talented artist, also added her own thoughts on what makes these duos so timeless.
DOTTIE WEST: RAISED ON COUNTRY SUNSHINE
Dottie West was raised on country sunshine in the tiny community of Frog Pond in Tennessee. As a young girl, her dream was to sing on The Grand Ole Opry. Dottie's traveled some arduous roads, but she made history as the first female in country music to win a GRAMMY. This article tells the story of Dottie's incredible career as an esteemed singer-songwriter. Her granddaughter, Tess Frizzell, also shares the story of her 2022 single, "The Wrong One," which her grandmother began writing in the 1960s.
THE PRIDE OF COUNTRY MUSIC
Charley Pride rose to fame in country music during a time when Black artists faced significant racial barriers, yet he broke through with exceptional talent and resilience. Born into a sharecropping family in Mississippi, he initially pursued baseball before finding his calling in country music. In the 1960s, with support from Nashville producer Cowboy Jack Clement, Pride recorded hits that crossed racial lines, eventually becoming the first Black artist to perform at the Grand Ole Opry since DeFord Bailey. His legacy not only solidified him as an icon in country music but also paved the way for greater diversity in the genre.
WHY LORETTA LYNN IS THE "FEMALE HANK WILLIAMS" OF COUNTRY MUSIC
Owen Bradley, Loretta Lynn's longtime producer and collaborator, paid her the ultimate compliment as a songwriter by dubbing her the "Female Hank Williams." Learn more about Lynn's songwriting and her influence on country music in this article. Producer Steve Buckingham also shares insight on working with Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tammy Wynette, and Lynn's grandson, Anthony Brutto, speaks about his role as the General Manager of the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
THE LONELY BOY FROM HOBOKEN: THE EARLY YEARS OF SINATRA
When it comes to iconic names, Sinatra is at the top of the list. This article explores the early years of Sinatra and his career, from his upbringing in Hoboken to his early days playing with the Tommy Dorsey Band.
HOW FRANK SINATRA BECAME “THE SULTAN OF SWOON”
In this second article on Frank Sinatra’s life and career, I dive into his transformative 1940s—when "Ol' Blue Eyes" went from band singer to breakout solo star. After leaving the Tommy Dorsey Band, Sinatra skyrocketed to fame with show-stopping performances at New York’s Paramount Theater and a glittering new MGM contract. But by the end of the decade, both his career and personal life were teetering on the edge.
THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX
In this third installment on Frank Sinatra, we explore the rollercoaster 1950s—a decade that nearly broke him. With his career at rock bottom and a stormy romance with Ava Gardner fueling the chaos, Sinatra’s future looked bleak. But in true legend fashion, his Oscar-winning role in From Here to Eternity ignited one of the greatest comebacks in showbiz history, as he soared from the ashes like a phoenix.
THE HEAD OF THE SUMMIT: HOW SINATRA’S CAREER EVOLVED IN THE 1960S
It was the dawn of the “Swinging Sixties,” and Frank Sinatra was coming out of the 1950s with an Academy Award and several Gold and Platinum albums. But the emergence of rock and roll and the likes of Elvis Presley inspired Frank Sinatra to modernize his image and music. Learn more about the evolution of Frank Sinatra during the 1960s in the fourth article in the Sinatra series.
“OH! LOOK AT ME NOW”: FRANK SINATRA’S MOMENTOUS COMEBACK IN THE 1970S
In 1971, Frank Sinatra shocked the world by announcing his retirement. But this was not the end of the road for the legendary singer and entertainer. In the 1970s, he found love with his final wife, Barbara, experienced a deep personal tragedy, and made a momentous comeback.
THE FINAL CURTAIN
In this final chapter of Frank Sinatra’s life and career, I dive into his unforgettable final decades and lasting legacy. Discover the magic behind his record-breaking Rio concert, the heartfelt mission of the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, his nostalgic last tour with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., and so much more that cemented him as a timeless icon.
HARRY TRUMAN: THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE
Harry Truman was not the Democratic Party bosses' first pick for vice president when an ailing President Franklin D. Roosevelt ran for a fourth term in 1944. Learn about his unexpected rise to the presidency in this article published on Medium.
ROOSEVELT AND CHURCHILL: COMRADESHIP DURING CRISIS
In the wake of Pearl Harbor, Prime Minister Winston Churchill embarked on a historic visit to President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House. Over the course of a month, their meeting led to fascinating stories and forged the most crucial alliance of the 20th century. Dive into the details in this article!
HOW FRANKLIN AND ELEANOR ROOSEVELT RESPONDED TO PEARL HARBOR
December 7, 1941...the date which will live in infamy. We know of those infamous words spoken by FDR the day after Pearl Harbor was attacked, but did you know that the president was not the first one to address the nation? Eleanor Roosevelt was. Learn more about how this remarkable couple rallied an anxious nation in the midst of crisis.
MOVING FORWARD WITH STRONG AND ACTIVE FAITH: FDR’S FINAL WORDS TO THE NATION
Having had the great fortune of interning at FDR's Little White House, I was thrilled to see the draft of FDR's undelivered Jefferson Day Address. These poignant words, Roosevelt's last, offer us a message of hope and faith during our own uncertain times. Explore these critical words in this article.
THE MAKING OF A PRESIDENT
This article takes a look at Truman's early life in Independence, Missouri. The man who would become the 33rd President of the United States grew up with a loving, though often overprotective, mother and a firm father. Learn more about the trials and tribulations of his early life shaped Truman's character.
HIS BROTHER’S KEEPER — THE EARLY YEARS OF JOHN F. KENNEDY
Like countless others, I’ve long been captivated by the Kennedy family’s legacy. When I began writing eBooks, one of the first biographies I chose was on John F. Kennedy. What surprised me most were the untold stories of JFK's early years—how his battle with illness and living in the shadow of his older brother shaped the man and the president he would become. Explore the formative years of our 35th president in this revealing read!
THE FIRST LADY & THE CONTRALTO SINGER
This is the story of two influential women who courageously confronted racism in the segregated south and made history. Although Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson came from two totally different backgrounds, they intuitively recognized their commonalities and dedicated their lives to achieving racial equality. Read more about Marian Anderson's historic performance at the Lincoln Memorial, and the first lady that made it happen.
WHEN JESSIE DEPRIEST CAME TO TEA AT THE WHITE HOUSE
In June 1929, Jessie DePriest, wife of Congressman Oscar DePriest, made history by accepting First Lady Lou Hoover's invitation to tea at the White House—becoming an unexpected trailblazer in the process. Discover the remarkable story behind the "Tea Incident" and its lasting impact!
HOW ALICE HUYLER RAMSEY BECAME THE “WOMAN MOTORIST OF THE CENTURY”
On a rainy June day in 1909, a 22-year-old wife and mother from New Jersey left New York City to embark upon a historic journey. Learn the story of Alice Huyler Ramsey, who made history as the first woman to drive across the United States.
AUDREY MEADOWS: BABY, YOU’RE THE GREATEST
When I lived in New York, watching The Honeymooners was a Saturday night staple, and the quick wit and perfect timing of Audrey Meadows made an undeniable impression on her. When I was offered the opportunity to write short eBooks on well-known figures in history, I chose to write on Audrey. As the wife of the CEO of Continental Airlines, she designed the interiors of widebody jets and befriended presidents and dignitaries. Learn more about the incredibly talented and unique Audrey Meadows in this eBook.
ADELE ASTAIRE: HOW BROADWAY'S BELLE BECAME THE LADY OF LISMORE CASTLE
In my deep dive into the iconic partnership of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, I stumbled upon a hidden gem—the captivating story of Fred’s older sister, Adele. A vibrant talent with a bubbly personality, Adele enchanted audiences long before Fred hit the Hollywood scene, capturing hearts with her spellbinding dancing and acting on stage. Discover more about this trailblazing star who lit up the stage and left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment!
HOW CHARLES LINDBERGH SHAPED AMERICAN ISOLATIONISM
Charles Lindbergh is best known for his groundbreaking transatlantic flight in 1927, but the years that followed took a darker turn. After the tragic loss of their infant son, Lindbergh and his wife, Anne, sought solace in Europe. In my article, I delve into how his time abroad influenced his isolationist ideology and cemented his role as a leading voice in the America First Committee.
FIVE MUSICAL GENRES BRENDA LEE MASTERED
In this article for PBS American Masters, I delve into the five musical genres Brenda Lee mastered: rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, pop, country, and gospel. Join me as I explore her remarkable success across these styles, showcasing her incredible versatility and cementing her legendary status.
HOW THE WERTHEIMER FAMILY TOOK CONTROL OF CHANEL
When we think of Chanel, Coco Chanel naturally comes to mind as the legendary founder. However, it was Pierre Wertheimer and his family who transformed the brand into the global luxury powerhouse it is today. Discover the fascinating story behind their influence in my article published in Lessons from History.
LIZA MINNELLI'S FIVE MOST MEMORABLE FILM ROLES
In my article for American Masters, I explore Liza Minnelli’s five most memorable film roles, showcasing her incredible talent and versatility on screen. From her Oscar-winning performance in Cabaret to beloved classics like Arthur, the piece highlights the defining moments of her cinematic career.
LIZA MINNELLI INSPIRED THESE SIX PERFORMERS
Liza Minnelli's multifaceted talents in acting, singing, and dancing have profoundly influenced numerous artists across generations. In this second article I wrote for the American Masters website on Minnelli, I explore six performers - from Freddie Mercury to Lady Gaga - who have been inspired by the legendary EGOT winner.
EIGHT KEY WORKS BY ART SPIEGELMAN
In this article I wrote for the PBS American Masters website, I explore eight key works that define the groundbreaking career of Art Spiegelman. From his early experiments in underground comix to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Maus and the post-9/11 reflections in In the Shadow of No Towers, Spiegelman has reshaped how we understand comics as a literary and artistic medium. Published in conjunction with the documentary Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse, this piece highlights the lasting impact of one of the most influential cartoonists of our time.
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