GA Russell

This Washington Post obit is a little vague about who was the first to create the cowboy shirt, but it does say that this man "created a slim-fitting shirt with a cut, cuffs, pocketing and fastenings that would make it immediately recognizable." http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-...0,1884484.story Jack A. Weil, 107; designed, popularized cowboy shirts with snap fasteners Email Picture Barry Gutierrez / Associated Press Jack Weil, founder of Rockmount Ranch Wear, puts on his hat at company headquarters in Denver last year. “You have to appeal to the cowboy in everyone,” he once said. By Martin Weil, Washington Post August 19, 2008 Jack A. Weil, a celebrated entrepreneur of the American West who added snaps and snappiness to cowboy shirts and then sold the garments to thousands who never saw the sagebrush, died Wednesday at his home in Denver. He was 107. As founder and head of Rockmount Ranch Wear, Weil was regarded as a successful businessman and a symbol of longevity. Jack Weil Considered the Henry Ford of the western shirt and a major force behind a notably American fashion, he was also said to be America's oldest chief executive. A visionary and a classic innovator, Weil conceived the idea more than 60 years ago that "Westerners needed their own fashion identity," according to grandson Steve Weil. Aiming to give western wear a look as distinctive as the region's topography and lifestyle, his grandson said, Weil created a slim-fitting shirt with a cut, cuffs, pocketing and fastenings that would make it immediately recognizable. "Every design element was given a flourish," his grandson said. Distinctive in their dash and flair, the shirts featured a special yoke and elaborate hand embroidery. Other designers, of course, helped create the western look, but Weil was there at the beginning and was considered "the father of the snap western shirt." One of his company's designs, saw-toothed pocket flaps and diamond-shaped snap fasteners, is "the longest-running shirt design in America," said his grandson, who is president of Rockmount. Weil was born March 28, 1901, in Evansville, Ind. His father came from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France. Weil moved to Denver to sell garters for a Chicago firm and later became a partner in a company that sold work wear to cowboys. He began making western shirts based on designs he saw in movies. In 1946, he founded his own company. It soon became identified with the snap fastener, which was said to have the advantage of popping open if pulled, thus saving a shirt's fabric from tearing. Weil also popularized the bolo tie. Known as an inventive marketer and astute businessman, Weil joked that the family "would have starved if we only sold to cowboys," his grandson said. "You have to appeal to the cowboy in everyone," Weil once told the Associated Press. He popularized his products in many ways, his grandson said, offering buyers around the world wearable symbols of the romance of the West. As a manufacturer, he offered small retailers the same prices as big chains, and felt strongly that when possible his products should be made in the United States. According to the company, Rockmount shirts have been worn by many entertainers, including the cast of the film "Brokeback Mountain." "He lived a vibrant life for 107 years and five months," his grandson said, "and he never got tired, until the last few weeks." Weil's wife, Beatrice, died in 1990. His son, Jack B. Weil, who had been active in the company, died this year. In addition to his grandson, Weil's survivors include a daughter, Jane Romberg of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; four other grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The team and Seattle finalized their settlement today. http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...Basketball/home

The 400 Blows

Here's a Vancouver Province article that says that the Bills-Steelers NFL game in Toronto the other day was papered, and that scalpers were getting only $10-30 for $300 tickets. http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/spo...86-426f0bb6a0bb

It's been thirty years since I've seen it, but as I recall Kovacs did a trick photography thing of filing cabinet drawers opening and closing in rhythm to an Esquivel recording.

My earliest musical memory (from the early 50s) is listening to my parents' record of the Three Suns' Twilight Time.

Thanks Kevin. I'll take some time to do that later this evening.

Guys, I use Windows 2000. There is no firewall that I know about. Where do I go to find "system restore"?

Thanks guys. I use Firefox. At your suggestions I went to the Tools/Options/Privacy and saw that both "Accept cookies" and "Accept third-party cookies" were checked. Any other ideas?

About ten years ago I bought a CD compilation of his on RCA called something like Space Age Bachelor Pad Music. I enjoy it and can recommend it. But having that one, I've never been moved to get another.

Does Jim Nabors count?

Me too, Valerie. Also, there were a number of categories that I wasn't sure of who did what in the past year. I guess I haven't been in touch the past year as much as I have been. Mostly I listen to Sirius, and they don't play much new music.

Last week while I was logged onto the internet, we had a brief power outage here. I started up the computer, and ever since have had a problem. All of the forums I visit fail to recognize me, and require that I log in. This is so even though I always check the "remember me" box. Any ideas? Thanks!

RIP. Clave, can you think of any of his songs that were recorded by any of the Verve artists?

You can now vote for this year's Down Beat Readers Poll here: http://www.downbeat.com/ Click on the area by the number "73" in the upper left. I think the deadline is a week or so away.

I have no opinion regarding any of the individuals named in this thread. However, I have noticed over the years that when a magazine or TV show does something about the idea of black artists of the fifties not being paid the royalties due them, the examples used were always Atlantic artists. As I recall, these items never mentioned Atlantic by name. The point was never to single out one label. Usually the point made was that these artists weren't paid what they were owed when their records were selling, and now they are old and broke and could use money. Still, I found it odd that it was always Atlantic artists who were the subjects of the profiles.

Congratulations Ed! Hope to see you posting here again more often.

Thanks Cyril!

Montreal Alouettes 32....Toronto Argonauts 14 http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home I heard the fourth quarter in my car listening to Sirius, and it was pretty boring.

This reminds me of everyone's favorite joke when we were in sixth grade: What do you call a tired guy from southern Germany? A bushed Bavarian!!!!

Could someone please post the cover of If's fifth album, which was called Double Diamond?

Fred Williams Week 8 preview http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform...aspx?id=4171971 ***** Winnipeg Blue Bombers 37....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 24 http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/R...tsFootball/home Kevin Glenn called his own plays for the first time in his pro career. Charles Roberts rushed for 100 yards for the first time this season.

Happy Birthday SS!

Yes indeed! I didn't know that he was under-rated in Britain. In the US, his name is unknown.

BClug, I believe that Printers has yet to throw a TD pass! Fortunately for him, much of the money of his three-year contract was paid up front. ***** The Bombers held a players-only meeting due to the ruckus caused by the Troy Westwood article mentioned above. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Win...435901-sun.html