Little Blue Suitcase

@littlebluesuitcase.bsky.social

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Mother-son (Patricia & Greg) music duo from Alaska. My mom toted her music in the little blue suitcase for years, inspiring our name & title track. I also really enjoy doing the research & posting images of my treasured record collection & chart stats.

(Same song on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record, "Living Proof”, by Ricky Van Shelton from the album, "Loving Proof" released on Columbia Records in 1988. I've been collecting 45 RPMs and record albums for a very long time. I'm grateful for my big music collection. This is one of several RVS songs I played a lot on the radio back then. It was in our hot rotation for several weeks during my radio days. (AM 650 KYAK 1987-1991)
An image of the 45 RPM record front sleeve of “Nobody Knows", by Mike & the Mechanics released on Atlantic Records, which includes a hype sticker saying, "Contains the Hit Nobody Knows" and no other mention of that title in the image. It's from their “Living Years” album released in 1988. This is one of several records that I rescued from being thrown away as they’d often receive duplicates at our (KYAK’s) sister station KGOT, the stations I worked for from 1987-1991.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, "Tonight I'm Here with Someone Else”, by Karen Brooks on Warner Brothers Records from the album "Hearts on Fire" released in 1984. It’s been a fun and exciting hobby to collect 45 RPM singles in my lifetime. I enjoyed listening to this song on AM 650 KYAK and that was my inspiration to go out and buy it. This single was Karen Brooks' second biggest hit of her career. Her biggest hit was "the #1 Country smash, "Faking Love", her duet with T.G. Sheppard. Her biggest solo hit was the single that preceded that, "New Way Out", (a huge favorite of my mom's) which peaked at #17 for two weeks and spent a total of 19 weeks on the chart. Also, she briefly was a part of a duo with Randy Sharp. They released an album entitled, "That's Another Story" on Mercury Records in the early 90s.
An image of the 45 RPM record, "I Could Use Another You”, by Eddy Raven on RCA Records and the title track from his album released in 1984. It’s been a fun and exciting hobby to collect 45 RPM singles in my lifetime. I enjoyed listening to this song on AM 650 KYAK all those years ago. It brings back good memories of that era.
A collage I created of mom and me singing at The Golden Lion in July of 2008. Our cousin Ramona and her husband Jerry filmed the whole thing.
(Same on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “Daydreams About Night Things”, by Ronnie Milsap released on RCA Records from his "Night Things" album in 1975. It’s been a fun and exciting hobby to collect 45 RPM singles in my lifetime. This is another favorite song that mom and I enjoyed singing at our gigs.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record of “Endless Love”, by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie released on Motown Records in 1981. The song also peaked at #1 for three weeks on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and spent a total of 27 weeks in its Top 50.
(Same on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “Paradise Tonight”, by Charly McClain and Mickey Gilley released on Epic Records from Charly's solo album “Paradise” in 1982 and their duet album “It Takes Believers” released in 1984. It’s been a fun and exciting hobby to collect 45 RPM singles in my lifetime. I enjoyed listening to this fun and bouncy song on AM 650 KYAK 4+ decades ago.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “Baby, What About You”, by Crystal Gayle released on Warner Brothers Records from her “True Love” album in 1982. The song, "Baby, What About You" peaked at #9 for three weeks on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and spent a total of 18 weeks in its Top 50. It’s been a fun and exciting hobby to collect 45 RPM singles in my lifetime. I enjoyed listening to this song on AM 650 KYAK about the time my baby brother was born, which inspired me to go and buy the 45 RPM single. It brings back nice memories.
(Same on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “If It Weren’t for Him”, by Vince Gill (w/Rosanne Cash) released on RCA Records from his album, “The Things That Matter” in 1985. This was Vince’s breakthrough single on the Country charts, reaching the Top 10 for his first time with his 5th single release on RCA Records and one of my favorite songs from 4+ decades ago. Extra cool note; this song was co-written by Vince Gill and Rosanne Cash.
An image of the 45 RPM record, "You Can’t Stop Love”, by Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet on MTM Records from the album, “S-K-O’” released in 1986. Practically from the first listen it became a favorite of mine, which inspired me to go out and buy the 45 RPM single, and album about 4 decades ago and gladly add them to my treasured music collection. Fun fact; the LP debuted on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart on January 31, 1987, at #58.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record of “Rock Steady”, by the Whispers from their album, “It Just Gets Better with Time” released on Solar Records in 1987. I worked for a Country station, AM 650 KYAK. But this record is from KGOT, our CHR sister station at that time. Many 45s would get thrown away and I'd rescue a few from the trash to add to my treasured music collection.
An image of Greg and Tiger, or kitten we adopted. The old photo was put through a watercolor remix as though new life was breathed into it.
(Same on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “Dreams Die Hard”, by Gary Morris released on Warner Brothers Records from his self-titled debut album in 1982. It’s been a fun and exciting hobby to collect 45 RPM singles in my lifetime. I enjoyed listening to this song on AM 650 KYAK all those years ago. It brings back good memories of that era.
An image of the 45 RPM record front sleeve of “Cecilia", by Times Two released on Reprise Records from their “X2” album in 1988. So many records would get thrown away at the station I used to work for, 650 KYAK as they’d receive duplicates, and I’d go through and pick out ones I wanted to keep. This is from KGOT, our CHR sister station at that time.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record of “Nothin’ Ventured, Nothin’ Gained”, by Sylvia with a center picture of Sylvia including the original cover-art from according to the label on the record it’s the title track of the album, which was later changed to “Knockin’ Around”, then shelved by RCA Records for nearly 38 years before finally being released by Sony Music Entertainment in 2024. YAY! It was extremely exciting to see the album go Top 10 on iTunes after all those years of it just sitting in the RCA archives! I remember hearing "Nothin' Ventured, Nothin' Gained" on “American Country Countdown” with Bob Kingsley. I rarely missed an episode, especially when I knew a Sylvia song would be included. I was so excited that a new Sylvia album was in the works and this was the first single from it. I'm sure I was among the first to go and buy the 45 RPM record (B-side "Come to Me" - love that song too!) 4 decades ago and happily added it to my treasured music collection. Sadly, this single was Sylvia's last to make it into the Country Music Top 40.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “Sailing”, by Christopher Cross released on Warner Brothers Records from his self-titled debut album in 1979. The song also peaked at #10 for two weeks on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and spent a total of 19 weeks in its Top 50.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record, “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues”, by Lynn Anderson on Columbia Records, the title track from the album released in 1980. My grandma introduced me to Lynn Anderson’s music at a very young age. I’ve known and loved her singing from as far back as I can remember, and she became an absolute favorite of mine. I gladly have a huge collection of Lynn Anderson albums and singles.
(Same song on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “I Got Dreams”, by Steve Wariner, the title track of his album released on MCA Records in 1989. It’s been an exciting lifelong hobby to collect 45 RPM singles throughout the years. I'm grateful for my big music collection. I played this song a lot back then in my radio broadcasting days. (650 KYAK 1987-1991) It was in our hot rotation for several weeks back in the summer of 1989.
(Same on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “You’ll Never Be Sorry”, by The Bellamy Brothers released on MCA (Curb) Records from their album “Greatest Hits Volume III” in 1989. It’s been an exciting lifelong hobby to collect 45 RPM singles over the years. I'm grateful for my big music collection. I played this song a lot back then. It was in our hot rotation for a few weeks. (KYAK 1987-1991)
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record of “Sad Eyes”, by Robert John released on EMI America Records from his self-titled album in 1979. This song also peaked at #10 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and spent a total of 25 weeks in its Top 50. I still really enjoy listening to this song all these years later on my favorite 'Oldies' Gold Rush 590 radio station here in Anchorage.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “Up on the Roof”, by James Taylor released on Columbia Records from his 1979 album “Flag”. This song also peaked at #7 for four weeks on Billboard’s AC chart and spent a total of 21 weeks in its Top 50. It’s a song I still enjoy listening to on my favorite 'Oldies' radio station here in Anchorage.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record of “Ghostbusters”, by Ray Parker Jr. released on Arista Records from the “Ghostbusters” movie soundtrack LP in 1984. The song also peaked at #9 for two weeks on Billboard’s AC chart and spent a total of 13 weeks in its Top 50. Every time I listen to this song, I’m immediately reminded of the music video and liking it back then whenever I'd see it on MTV.
An image of my favorite old Canon camera that went with me many times to Jackpot, Nevada to see Sylvia (1995-2002) in concert at Cactus Pete's Casino.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “Talkin’ to the Wall”, by Lynn Anderson on Columbia Records from the album “Smile for Me” released in 1974. My grandma introduced me to Lynn Anderson’s music at a very young age. I’ve known and loved her singing from as far back as I can remember, and she became an absolute favorite of mine. I gladly have a huge collection of Lynn Anderson albums and singles, cassette tapes, 8-Tracks and a few CDs. Some of which are autographed from when I got a chance to see Lynn in concert and meet her afterwards in Reno from back in 1998.
An image of the 45 RPM record, "I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips”, by Louise Mandrell on RCA Records from the album, “Dreamin’” released in 1987. It’s been my hobby to collect 45 RPM singles. I remember hearing this song on “American Country Countdown” with Bob Kingsley. He always had such a way of making the artists and their songs even more intriguing with his unique voice and mountains of great information. Which very much inspired me to go out and buy this record 4 decades ago and gladly add it to my treasured music collection.
My grandpa wearing his sunglasses and black leather jacket a very long time ago. He passed away over 46 years ago, but this is how I like to remember him most.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone)”, by John Denver on RCA Records. It’s the title track from his album released in 1981. This song peaked at #10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and spent a total of 18 weeks on that chart. This was one of my mom’s favorites. She bought the album about the time my little brother was born in July of 1981. I've listened to it several times in the past few weeks and it always brings back good memories. Makes me want to go back to that time even for just one day.
(Same song on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo Test Pressing record “Hymne”, by Joe Kenyon with a very unusual plain looking label with a white sticker including the information typed on it. "Hymne" is also the title track of the album released on Mercury Records in 1987. I played this song back then on AM 650 KYAK, the station I worked for from 1987-1991. It was unusual to play an instrumental tune. I thought it was a nice change of pace though. I enjoyed every time it came up to be played on my music list.
An image of the 45 RPM record, "Dancing Your Memory Away”, by Charly McClain on Epic Records from the album "Too Good to Hurry" released in 1982. It’s been my hobby to collect 45 RPM singles. I remember hearing this song on “American Country Countdown” with Bob Kingsley. He always had such a way of making the music artists and songs even more appealing with all of his interesting facts, information and hearing his unique voice each and every weekend. I miss those days!
An image of my board game collection, a variety of several different board games that I've collected throughout my lifetime.
An image of the 45 RPM record of "Night Games”, by Charley Pride on RCA Records and the title track from his album released in 1983. The song turned out to be his very last #1 hit single of his phenomenal career with numerous #1s, Top 5s and Top 10s. It’s been my fun hobby to collect 45 RPM singles. I bought this song and gladly added it to my treasured music collection 4+ decades ago. My grandma and I went to see Charley at a concert here in Anchorage the same year, 1983 that this song was released. It was an awesome show we enjoyed it a lot! The icing on the cake is after his show we got the chance to meet him and get his autograph. Those were wonderful times and I'm so grateful for the memories that I will hold close to my heart forever!
An image of the 45 RPM record front sleeve, by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine of "1-2-3" on Epic Records from their 1987 released “Let it Loose” album. This was the 5th and final single from that particular album and the follow-up to their first Billboard Hot 100 #1 smash- hit, "Anything for You". I bought this album mainly for the song, "Can't Stay Away from You", and the song "1-2-3" became an instant favorite album cut. So, I was glad it finally was released as a single. However, I liked the single re-mix which was different from the album version. That inspired me to buy this 45 RPM vinyl record. It's also nice to see the Fred Meyer sticker. To this day I still shop there, although mainly for groceries these days.
(Same song on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “The Coast of Colorado”, by Skip Ewing, the title track of his album released on MCA Records in 1988. I played this song back then on AM 650 KYAK, the radio station I worked for from 1987-1991, and was able to add it to my treasured record collection as they'd receive duplicates and in addition to that we'd dub all of the songs onto cartridges that sort of looked like 8-Track tapes. But they were designed to cue up each time. Once you see the light blink on the tape machine that would mean it's time to pull out and put back in the rack and it'd be ready for the next time it's on our music list to get played. Maybe I'll post an image of the cartridge to help more with my description of it.
An image of my old board game, "Survive". My cousin's and I used to play it a lot back in our younger days!!!
(Same song on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “Hearts in the Wind”, by Gail Davies from her “Pretty Words” album on MCA Records in 1989. According to my reference book, it was her 22nd single release overall and her last one to chart. An extra bit of information; “I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)” was Gail's highest charting single of her career, peaking at #4 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and stayed a total of 16 weeks on the chart in late 1980 through early 1981.
(Same on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “Slow Dancin’”, by Kimberly Springs, a family vocal group from Oklahoma, four sisters and brothers and a cousin. This single was released on Capital Records in 1984. They played this song a lot on KYAK here in Alaska back then, so often that I thought it was a bigger hit. I like it a lot! It’s one of my all-time favorite songs! It’s one of several records I was able to take home and happily add to my treasured music collection from my years working at AM 650 KYAK (1987-1991). I started out there as an intern and my first job was to go through every 45 RPM vinyl single in the record room and alphabetize them. It was a dream-job for sure! I discovered there were several duplicates of the songs so thankfully they let me take some of those home and add to my treasured music collection.
An image of the front album cover, “Am I That Easy to Forget”, by Jim Reeves on RCA Records in 1973. I thought the cover art of this album was so cool. An oil painting of Jim Reeves. The title track was released as a single and went on to peak at #12 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart and spent a total of 14 weeks on the chart in 1973. My grandma and mom really liked his singing, and he's been a favorite of mine my whole life too, even though he died a few years before I was born. His music has lived on and on and he is in the truest sense of the words, ICON & LEGEND!!!
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “I Got a Million of ‘Em”, by Ronnie McDowell on Epic Records from the album, “Willing” in 1984. I liked listening to this song on the radio, which inspired me to go buy it to add to my treasured music collection 4+ decades ago. It’s been a fun and exciting hobby to collect 45 RPM singles over the years.
An image of the front compact disc cover of "Chasin' the Sun", by Lionel Cartwright released on MCA Records in 1991 which includes "Leap of Faith" his one and only #1 single on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. Ricky Skaggs recorded the song that kicks this album off, Track 1, "Waitin' for the Sun to Shine"; in fact, it was the title-track of his 1981 Epic Records album. It was not released as a single but still a favorite of mine. I equally like Lionel Cartwright's rendition from his underrated 1991 released "Chasin' the Sun" album on MCA Records. It was not a single for him either. The album peaked at #27 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and stayed on the chart for 18 weeks.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “She’s Playing Hard to Forget”, by Eddy Raven from the 1981 album, “Desperate Dreams” on Elektra Records. It was his 18th chart single overall and very first Top 10 Hit! This was one of my mom’s favorite songs. We enjoyed listening to it on the radio while she drove me around in her 1977 Lincoin Continental Mark V, 4+ decades ago. Such amazing memories that I cherish and very much miss and looking back feeling like I should have appreciated even more than I did throughout the years with my wonderful mom.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “The Eyes of a Stranger”, by David Wills from the 1984 “New Beginnings” mini album on RCA Records. It’s been my hobby to collect 45 RPM singles. I enjoyed listening to this song on the radio and went to my favorite record store to buy and added it to my treasured music collection 4+ decades ago.
(Same song on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record (3:45 Side-A) of “Give Me His Last Chance”, by Lionel Cartwright released on MCA Records from his self-titled debut Album in 1989. It’s been a lifelong hobby to collect 45 RPM singles. I'm grateful for my big music collection. I played this song on the radio a lot back then. It was in our hot rotation for weeks. KYAK (1987-1991)
This is an image of my grandma driving her Chevy II and how I remember looking over at her when I was little as we listened to Charley Pride and Lynn Anderson. Those are wonderful memories!
An image of Side 1, a 7”, 33 1/3 RPM record with 3 songs included; “The Snakes Crawl at Night”, “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)” and “Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger”. Charley Pride’s singing voice just might be the first singing by a male that my baby-ears ever heard. I spent lots of time with my grandma and she loved Country music. Lynn Anderson is probably the first singing my baby-ears ever heard by a female, other than my mom and grandma.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven”, by Reba McEntire on Mercury Records from the “Feel the Fire” album in 1980. It’s been my hobby to collect 45 RPM singles. I enjoyed listening to this song on the radio. It was Reba McEntire’s very first Top 10 hit. Three singles later she chalked up her second Top 10 hit with “Today All Over Again” peaking at #5 for two weeks.
An image of the 45 RPM promo record front sleeve of "Rhythm is Gonna Get You", by Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine on Epic Records from their “Let it Loose” album in 1987. This was the 1st single from their “Let it Loose” album following their quite successful “Primitive Love” album, which included the Top 10 hits, “Conga”, “Bad Boy” and “Words Get in the Way”.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “While the Feeling’s Good”, by Rex Allen Jr. & Margo Smith on Warner Brothers Records in 1981. It’s been my hobby to collect 45 RPM singles. I enjoyed hearing this song on the radio and went to my favorite record store to buy and added it to my treasured music collection 45 years ago. The song didn’t appear on either one of their studio albums.
An image of the 45 RPM record front sleeve of "Still They Ride", by Journey on Columbia Records from their 1981 album, “Escape”. This was the 4th single from the “Escape” album, the follow-up to the biggest hit of their career “Open Arms”, which peaked at #2 for six weeks, their highest reaching single on Billboard's Hot 100 chart of all and spending a total of 14 weeks in the Top 40.
An image of the 45 RPM record front sleeve of "Heart of Mine", by Boz Scaggs on Columbia Records from the album, “Other Roads” in 1988. This is one of several records that I rescued from being thrown away as they’d often receive duplicates at (KYAK)/KGOT. (1987-1991)
An image of the 45 RPM record front sleeve of "A Little Love", by Juice Newton from the album, “Can’t Wait All Night” on RCA Records from 1984. Collecting records is such a fun hobby! This is one of the older records that I rescued from being thrown away at our (KYAK’s) sister station KGOT, the stations I worked for. (1987-1991)
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “Tennessee Homesick Blues”, sung and written by Dolly Parton on RCA Records in 1984. It was her first #1 since “Islands in the Stream”, the smash, cross-over Kenny Rogers duet from 1983. I really enjoyed hearing this song on the radio and went to my favorite record store to purchase it and happily added it to my treasured music collection 4+ decades ago.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record of “You’re Gettin’ to Me Again”, by Jim Glaser released on Nobel Vision Records from his 1983 album, “The Man in the Mirror”. I very much enjoyed hearing this song on the radio and went to my favorite record store to buy and added it to my treasured music collection 4+ decades ago.
An image of the 45 RPM record front sleeve of "Invisible Touch", by Genesis and title track of the album on Atlantic Records from 1986. Shortly after seeing the video of this song on “Friday Night Videos”, I went to my favorite music store and bought this 45 RPM single to add to my treasured record collection 4 decades ago.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “One of These Days”, by Emmylou Harris on Reprise Records from the 1975 album, “Elite Hotel”. I’ve been listening to this song a lot lately. It was one of my mom’s favorites. She had this album when I was little, and it brings back so many memories of my childhood. I'd often hear mom playing her guitar and singing this song and she'd also sing the song, "Wheels", another one from the same album.
(Same on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “A Little Bit in Love”, by Patty Loveless from her album, “If My Heart Had Windows” released on MCA Records in 1988. It’s been my hobby to collect 45 RPM singles over the years. I played this song a lot back then at AM 650 KYAK, the station I used to work for from 1987-1991.
(Same on both sides) An image of the 45 RPM vinyl promo record of “Cross My Broken Heart”, by Suzy Bogguss from her 1989 album, “Somewhere Between” released on Capital Records. It’s been my hobby to collect 45 RPM vinyl singles over the years. I played this song a lot back then at AM 650 KYAK, the station I used to work for from 1987-1991. K. Fleming co-wrote the song "Nobody" that Sylvia recorded and had a #1 Country hit and cross-over smash with, along with several other hits. V. Thompson wrote several songs with Sylvia that appear on her latest release "Nature Child ~ A Dreamer's Journey" and also, he co-wrote the song "Come to Me" with Sylvia, which appears on the "Knockin' Around" album that was shelved back in 1986 by RCA and finally was released by Sony Music to streaming platforms two years ago.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “My Baby’s Gone”, by father-daughter duo, The Kendalls on Mercury Records, from their 1983 album, “Movin’ Train”. It’s been a fun and exciting hobby to collect 45 RPM singles over the years. This one I heard on the radio and decided to buy it and add to my treasured record collection 4+ decades ago.
The 45 RPM record front sleeve of "The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough", by Cyndi Lauper on Portrait (Epic) Records from the 1985 Motion Picture Soundtrack, “The Goonies”. Shortly after seeing the movie “The Goonies” at the 4th Avenue Theater in Anchorage, I went to my favorite music store and bought this 45RPM vinyl single to add to my treasured record collection 4+ decades ago.
An image of the 45 RPM vinyl record, “We Were Meant to Be Lovers”, by Photoglo on 20th Century Fox Records from the album, “Photoglo” released in 1980. This song peaked at #14 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and remained in that Top 50 for a total of 19 weeks. I enjoyed listening to the song on the radio and was compelled to go buy it at my favorite record store here in Anchorage and add it to my collection way back when.