"Diamond Dreams"
The "Diamond Dreams" are
what generations of us have shared in our
love for the Great National Pastime. The
four sided baseball "Diamond" is simply the
whole level playing field. Joe and I strived
to shape our project that way: an honest
narrative on a canvas of music with the
spirit and love for the game of baseball.
I first met Joe at an
after hours bar in Bally' Casino in Reno
Nevada in 1988. I was in to my sixth year of
what now has become my twenty-five years
playing piano for George Jones. We had just
finished playing the" Legends Show" in the
showroom which included George, Conway Twitty, and Merle Haggard. Joe was with some
of Merle Haggard's band members. Bonnie
Owens introduced Joe to me. He was an
instantly likeable guy. He was witty and
interesting and seemed to have a great love
for life. He talked about music, baseball
and solving the problems of this world for
most of the night.
We stayed in touch
through the years. Joe would show up to our
performances in Florida or North Carolina. I
knew Joe had recorded a country album of
originals and covers. One day we were both
working in Kansas City, and I told him about
the idea I had for a "spoken word" CD from
the heart of Joe West, the veteran umpire,
about baseball. "So you want me to talk on
the CD?" Joe said with a skeptical look in
his eye. "Yes, I want you to talk about
baseball like you did the night I first met
you in Reno and I will put the music behind
what you say." I replied, waiting for a
reaction from him. A long pause followed.
And then he spoke, "What, you don't like my
singing?" which was immediately followed by
that infectious laugh of his. We still laugh
today about that exchange. But the rest of
our conversation that day focused on the
concept for "Diamond Dreams".
As I look back on how
this CD came together, I realize that I am a
musician and Joe is an umpire. But his love
for music and my love for baseball bonded us
in this project. Thanks Joe, for believing
in this idea and thanks to all of you who
share in our Diamond Dreams!
- Kent Goodson/
Co-Producer
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"Blue Cowboy"
"He's country through and through....from the crown of his Stetson to the toes
of this boots...from North Carolina, where he was born, to deep in the heart of
Texas, where he lived for years. And his special brand of music, from the upbeat
"You Can't Run with the Big Dogs" to the heart rending "Take This
Bike to Tommy," does anything to believe this heritage.
One of Joe's personal favorites on this album is the stirring instrumental
"Dixie". Naturally, he doffs his hat, too, when he hears the fiddle
player Tommy Melder's stirring arrangement of "Take Me Out to the Ball
Game", because that's a big part of Joe West, too - Major League Umpire.
Joe's peers in baseball regard him as one of the finest umpires in the
league. With his singing and some writing style, it won't be long before he
builds himself a great reputation in the field of country music.
Out or safe, one thing is certain about Joe West, he's a hit!"
Baseball Writers:
- Gordon Verrell
-
Terry Johnson
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