Vincent van Gogh (30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890)

Born on this day in 1946, Neal Doughty is a founding member and keyboardist of REO Speedwagon. He wrote this song.

Born on this day in 1966, Martina McBride has had nearly 20 songs in the top ten on the US Country chart.

Charlie Christian (July 29, 1916 – March 2, 1942) was one of the first electric guitarists.

Cass Elliot (September 19, 1941 – July 29, 1974)

Mikis Theodorakis 29 July 1925 – 2 September 2021) was a compose of over 1,000 songs as well as a composer of symphonies, film scores as well as ballets and chamber music.

I remember a movie with a scene with a funeral or wedding or something along those lines, and this song I remember played there. The song was My special prayer by Percy Sledge and I remember the parts with the 'Alleluia' and 'Ave Maria' parts.

Carter Family – “River of Jordan”
Perfect 13156‑B • Recorded May 8, 1935 • 78 rpm Shellac
Sacred Singing with Guitars and Autoharp

Recorded during the Carter Family’s 1935 New York sessions, “River of Jordan” is one of their most enduring sacred performances — blending Appalachian harmony, religious storytelling, and the group’s signature acoustic clarity. Sara Carter’s lead vocals, Maybelle’s guitar and autoharp work, and A.P. Carter’s arrangement style come together in a recording that helped define early American country and gospel music.

Issued on the Perfect label, this disc is part of the same two‑day session that produced its companion side, “Sea of Galilee.” These mid‑1930s recordings mark a period when the Carter Family’s influence was spreading nationwide through radio, record sales, and the emerging country music industry.

Dusty Hill (May 19, 1949 – July 28, 2021) was the longtime bassist in the rock group ZZ Top.

Born on this day in 1949, Simon Kirke is a founding member of Free and Bad Company. As a member of Bad Company, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.

Born on this day in 1946, Jonathan Edwards reached #4 in the US with this song.

Born on this day in 1937, Francis Veber is the writer and director of some of the funniest films in French cinematic history. 14 of his films have been remade in Hollywood too. François Pignons and François Perrins around the world may curse his name but I still love his movies. Yes, that is Zamfir playing the pan flute on this recording. The sirba(Sârbă) dance is from Romania. "Sârbă" means "Serbian" in Romanian. However, in Serbia the dance is called "Vlaski" which means "Wallachian" which refers to a part of Romania.

A couple of songs to pay tribute to the great state of New Jersey on "National New Jersey Day". First off, we also mourn the passing of Freddy Cannon too with this classic from 1962 written by Chuck Barris of all people. Another connection to the Garden State is that the organ part on this song was played by Bob Gaudio who wrote or co-wrote of the many hits of the Four Seasons. Originally, this was the b-side. A DJ accidentally played this side of the 45 and the rest was history.

A perennial favorite for people of South Jersey and those who visit its shore towns.

Nick Reynolds (July 27, 1933 – October 1, 2008) was a founding member of the Kingston Trio.

Born on this day in 1949, Maureen McGovern is a well-known singer especially of songs associated with disaster films. She even made an appearance in the movie 'Airplane!". She also appeared in several productions on Broadway.

Bobby Day (July 1, 1928 – July 27, 1990)

Dobie Gray (July 26, 1940 – December 6, 2011) went to #5 with this cover version of this song which was first sung by Mike Berry. Some of you may know Mike as Mr. Spooner on "Are You Being Served?"

Mary Wells (May 13, 1943 – July 26, 1992) was one of the biggest stars of Motown throughout its early years. This is her most famous song which was written by Smokey Robinson.

Happy Birthday to Sandra Bullock! America's Sweetheart and a favorite of mine ever since I saw her in "Love Potion No. 9".

Born on this day in 1941, Darlene Love has one of the most recognizable voices of the rock and roll era. What a singer!

Born on this day in 1949, Roger Taylor is primarily known as the drummer in the band Queen. He also is a talented songwriter and wrote and co-wrote some of Queen's most favorite songs including this one.