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Phil, Inner Circle meet singer of song from film |
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Front Page -
Front Page Story
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Written by Tom Chapin
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Tuesday, 23 June 2009 |
Delbert McClinton (third from right), who sang "Weatherman" in the flim "Groundhog Day," meets Punxsutawney Phil. Looking are (from left) Bill Deeley, co-handler John Griffiths, Mike Johnston, McClinton's tour manager Keith DeArmond and Jeff Grube. (Photo by Tom Chapin/The Punxsutawney Spirit)
KITTANNING — What do singer-songwriter Delbert McClinton and Punxsutawney Phil have in common?
"Weatherman," of course.
Saturday, Punxsutawney Phil, members of the Inner Circle and a coalition of Punxsy residents traveled to see McClinton — who performed the opening song "Weatherman" in the film "Groundhog Day" — perform as part of Kittanning's Arts on the Allegheny, a free, outdoor concert series situated in an amphitheater right on the Allegheny River.
Because of some complicated orchestration in the song, however, McClinton did not perform "Weatherman" in his set.
The crowd in Kittanning knew McClinton had performed "Weatherman," which is requested but seldomly performed, he said.
"My daughter's crazy about it," he said.
McClinton explained that while director Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin were writing the film, Ramis and George Fenton — who wrote and performed a number of the instrumental tracks in the film — were writing "Weatherman."
"They were writing it while they were writing the movie," he said, adding that he was familiar with Groundhog Day prior to the film's release.
Jeff Lundy, the Inner Circle's Fair Weatherman, said he learned about McClinton's Kittanning appearance while looking for his other summer tour dates. Lundy said he's been a fan for about six or seven years after hearing McClinton on "Imus in the Morning."
McClinton explained Saturday that he and Don Imus are good friends, and he contributed his version of "Lay Down Sally" to a compilation called "The Imus Ranch Record" in 2008.
Proceeds from the CD go toward the Imus Ranch in New Mexico, where Imus and his family host more than 100 children with cancer each year at the working cattle ranch.
McClinton's music isn't heard much on Top 40 radio, but he has been performing and touring for more than four decades.
A native of Lubbock, Texas, he first got his start in the Straitjackets, backing blues giants such as Sonny Williamson, Howlin' Wolf, Lightnin' Hopkins and Jimmy Reed.
After relocating to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, McClinton partnered with Glen Clark for two albums before going solo.
Emmylou Harris had a No. 1 hit in 1978 with McClinton's "Two More Bottles of Wine," and his "B Movie Boxcar Blues" was used in the 1980 movie, "The Blues Brothers."
His 1980 album, "The Jealous Kind," contained his only Top 40 hit single "Givin' It Up for Your Love," which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.
McClinton has also won three Grammy awards, the first in 1993 for a duet with Bonnie Raitt entitled "Good Man, Good Woman," and two Best Contemporary Blues Album awards for 2001's "Nothing Personal" and 2005's "Cost of Living."
Keith DeArmond, McClinton's tour manager, said the band tours mostly on weekends about 50 or 60 dates a year.
In January, McClinton will again host his annual cruise, sailing from Tampa, Fla., aboard Holland America's MS Ryndam.
Lundy said he was surprised that many guests in the Kittanning crowd knew about the McClinton-Groundhog Day connection.
Punxsy Phil also had a steady stream of fans wanting photos and to catch a glimpse of the Seer of Seers.
He said he was also surprised to see so many Delbert fans at the event.
"I was surprised at the crowd reaction," he said. "It's either, you don't know Delbert, or if you do know him, you love his music."
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 June 2009 )
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