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George Strait had already established himself as country music royalty by 1987, but what happened behind the scenes of his landmark "Oceanfront Property" album reveals a depth of character and resilience few artists have ever demonstrated.

Just three months before entering the studio, Strait experienced the devastating loss of his 13-year-old daughter Jennifer in a car accident. In the face of unimaginable grief, he made two decisions that would define his career: to continue making music while retreating almost entirely from public life. "I just didn't feel like talking about it, so I quit," Strait later revealed in a rare 2017 interview. "If it's going to cost me my career, then so be it, but it's the only way I'm going to be able to cope with it."

What followed defied all industry logic. Without the promotional interviews and media appearances considered essential for success, "Oceanfront Property" became the first country album ever to debut at #1 on Billboard's charts. This historic achievement kicked off an unprecedented run of success - 11 consecutive #1 singles across four chart-topping albums between 1986-1989. All while Strait maintained his authentic neo-traditional sound during an era when pop-country crossovers dominated Nashville.

The album's impact reverberates beyond its commercial milestones. Strait channeled his personal tragedy into establishing the Jennifer Lynn Strait Foundation, supporting children's charities throughout San Antonio. His commitment to authenticity - both musically and personally - created a blueprint for generations of artists who value artistic integrity over celebrity. With over 120 million albums sold worldwide and the most platinum certifications of any artist in history, George Strait's legacy reminds us that true greatness often emerges from our darkest moments. Listen now to discover how the King of Country Music turned grief into his most enduring masterpiece.

Walt's Vinyl Albums podcast is on 14 other podcast stations including, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Deezer, and many more. You can contact us via email at: walter@waltsvinylalbums.com

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Dive into the fascinating story of Maggie Bell, Scotland's answer to Janis Joplin, and her criminally overlooked masterpiece "Queen of the Night" from 1974. This blues powerhouse emerged from Glasgow's notorious Maryhill Estate—a neighborhood with no hot water or indoor plumbing—where girls were expected to either get pregnant young or work at the sausage factory. Bell had other plans.

By age 15, she was performing in rough bars frequented by American soldiers and local gangsters, discovering that music could be her escape route. Her journey took her through various bands before forming Stone the Crows with her brother Leslie. Tragedy struck when Leslie was electrocuted on stage during a soundcheck, but Bell persevered. She became the first woman signed to Swan Song Records, where she collaborated with legendary producer Jerry Wexler (who had worked with Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles) to create an album of remarkable depth and versatility.

From the heartbreaking ballad "We Had It All" to the jazzy intrigue of "After Midnight" to the soul-stirring "A Woman Left Lonely," Bell's voice carries both grit and smoothness, capturing raw emotion in ways modern recording techniques simply cannot replicate. Though she toured with AC/DC and Earth, Wind & Fire, mainstream American success eluded her—making this episode an essential introduction to a blues icon who deserves wider recognition. At 80, Bell continues creating music and leaving an indelible mark on Britain's musical tapestry.

Hit the notification bell to be notified of future deep dives into vinyl treasures, and remember to spend those albums loudly and proudly. The emotion captured in these vintage recordings—musicians playing together live in the studio—offers a musical experience we can never duplicate today.

Walt's Vinyl Albums podcast is on 14 other podcast stations including, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Deezer, and many more. You can contact us via email at: walter@waltsvinylalbums.com

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What makes a podcast a podcast? After much consideration, I'm taking Waltz Vinyl Albums back to its audio roots. The decision to drop video wasn't made lightly, but came with the realization that true podcasting deserves to honor its heritage as an audio-first medium.

Did you know the concept of podcasting might have originated with Lucille Ball? Before "podcasting" was coined by British broadcaster Ben Hammersley (combining "iPod" and "broadcast"), there was "audio blogging." Lucille Ball pioneered this format with "Let's Talk With Lucy," interviewing countless celebrities in what could be considered the first true podcast. This fascinating history reinforced my decision to embrace audio-only content creation.

The benefits are numerous. Video editing consumes excessive time and resources that could be better spent crafting compelling vinyl stories. Audio allows you to listen while commuting, exercising, or relaxing without being tethered to a screen. There's something beautifully intimate about the audio experience—your imagination fills in the visuals while my voice guides the journey through vinyl culture and music history. With weekly episodes now available across all major platforms—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and many more—finding Waltz Vinyl Albums has never been easier. Search "Waltz Vinyl Albums" wherever you get your podcasts, and join me in celebrating the true spirit of podcasting. After all, if it's on video, is it really a podcast? Keep spinning those albums loudly and proudly!