George writes:
Janesville, Wisconsin was home to a General Motors factory for about 100 years. It closed in 2009. . As did the Lear factory that made car seats, closed when GM shut down. It was also where Parker Pens originated. That closed long ago.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin was home to Gary Gygax, co-inventor of Dungeons and Dragons. I wonder how he reacted when in 2004 the Waupun prison banned D&D because it encouraged gang violence….
And I would like to say that Wisconsin was the inspiration for Little House On The Prairie, but it’s not. Although Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in the state. I suppose the “prairie” part is a bit of a give away that the state is not where that “The Little House” was located. Ms Wilder also wrote The Little House In The Big Woods, and this “The Little House” was in Wisconsin.
None of which brings us to this song, which references the capital city of the state
That song has been covered by Fleetwood Mac and George Thorogood. Of course neither version is better than that of Mr James.
Did you know that it was illegal to sell or use margarine in Wisconsin from 1895 to 1967. I suppose the vegan population would have had to spread marmite directly on to their toast. It is still illegal for restaurants in the state to serve margarine as a butter substitute unless it is requested.
Milwaukee is home to Happy Days!!! And is famous for its tradition of brewing , so unsurprisingly country star George Jones wrote a song about going to Milwaukee. It’s a bit more upbeat than the Bon Iver song (Wisconsin) that would never have featured here (dreary old nonsense). And here’s a song that must be familiar to you all.
In Milwaukee it is illegal to play the flute and drums on the streets to attract attention. I leave to to CC himself to insert a comment about a certain West of Scotland football club or right wing religious sect of total bigots of one of the countries of the United Kingdom..
That’s it from Wisconsin, the world’s largest producer of Swiss cheese.
CC writes
Re drums and flutes can I refer you to this
Research for yesterday's post tells me that Scott Walker is the Governor of Winsconsin
I went looking for the George Jones track you referred to and found this
Research for yesterday's post tells me that Scott Walker is the Governor of Winsconsin
I went looking for the George Jones track you referred to and found this
I have never referred to my partner as "the little lady"
ReplyDeleteNone of us are that brave
Deleteor stupid
DeleteAre you referring specifically to my partner, or is it a general comment about how we, collectively, refer to our own partners?
DeleteBoth!
DeleteFried cheese curds. That's about the best I can come up with when in comes to this state. As someone who lived in nearby Chicago for 14 years, you do not want to get behind a car with Wisconsin plates. You will be late. As you can tell, big fan.
ReplyDeleteYour mention of Lake Geneva made me think of The Finland Station, George. But I think that's probably the other Lake Geneva.
ReplyDeleteHalf Man Half Biscuit do an amusing take on What Made Milkwaukee Famous on their latest album... What Made Colombia Famous.
Other than that, I'm pleased to announce I have no songs in my library with Wisconsin in the title. A couple of cool Milwaukee songs though
The Both (Aimee Mann & Ted Leo) - Milwaukee
John Prine & Melba Montgomery (see Saturday!) - Milwaukee Here I Come