Say Hey! The Willie Mays Song and Mobile (Alabama) History

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, two out of my three new book proposals have been approved. There is a “slight” hiccup on the Everyone’s Gone to the Moon contract, but that’s being ironed out.

As for the second title, the research is already beginning. Now, I know that my friends and followers from outside of Alabama and the Mobile area will probably say “ho-hum” with this title, but believe me, it’s a fascinating look at the 300+ year history of the Port City – Mobile – and it’s little known, hidden history. Hence the title, Hidden History of Mobile.

There is so much to the city’s history that has rarely, if ever, been told but I'll be combing the dusty city archives and the bowels of the Mobile Library to pull them out and bring them back to life. I think it will be a title you will all enjoy.

One aspect of the city’s history I will focus on is its musical side. Yes, we’ve had some notable musicians and singers from the Alabama Gulf Coast, everyone from Metropolitan Opera star Linda Zoghby to big band trumpeter Cootie Williams to Jimmy Buffet. There is one group from Mobile, however, that doesn’t get much recognition – the Treniers, or as they were originally billed, the “Rockin’ Rollin’ Treniers”.

The group was started by twins Clifton and Claude Trenier. After stints with Jimmy Lunceford's big band in the 40s, the twins struck out on their own and made a mark in the early history of Rock ‘n Roll influencing others like Bill Haley, England’s The Shadows, and more. They appeared in several early rock movies like Alan Freed’s Don’t Knock the Rock and The Girl Can’t Help It.

The Treniers in Don’t Knock the Rock

One recording by the Treniers brought my understanding of Mobile’s musical history and its baseball legacy (as seen in my book Baseball in Mobile) full circle. It was in 1955 when they recorded a classic song celebrating Alabama’s own Willie Mays – the song was Say Hey (the Willie Mays Song). What’s interesting is that the 45-rpm single that was released credits the tune to Willie Mays with the Treniers, although Willie only says 10 words in the song.

The Treniers: Say Hey (the Willie Mays Song)

Just some of the fun, sometimes tragic, but always remarkable history I’ll be uncovering and bringing back to life within the pages of Hidden History of Mobile.

The adventure is just beginning.

Planning for Best Dog Hike Events Begins

Perseverance (and a bit of whining) does pay off. Three of my new book proposals are now in the laps and hands of publishers – one is approved (I’ll talk about that in an upcoming blog), the other two are just inches away. Keep fingers crossed!

But that’s not why I’m adding an entry to the blog today. IF you read my blog entry from September 20^th (and if not – why not? J) I mentioned that my new book, “Best Dog Hikes Alabama” is on the fast track to completion with the final copy coming my way for approval shortly.

With the completion of the book, I’m ready to move ahead with plans I had early on to help some of the many no-kill animal shelters in the state raise awareness about rescue dogs, raise a little money to help them and their mission, and to maybe help some of their rescues find Forever Homes.

BUT, I need a little help – from YOU! – to make this happen.

Here’s what I would like to do. Remember, this will all begin around March 2019:

• Hold rescue events on the Gulf Coast (Mobile/Baldwin County), Montgomery, Birmingham, and Huntsville to start. After that, we’ll see how it goes to move it to other cities
• Each event will be a single day event with:Tents where local shelters can set up and accept donations and (hopefully) adopt a few rescues.
• I would like the event to be in an area where potential new puppy parents can “test walk” the dog they plan to adopt – a short hiking trail at the site is perfect
• Presentations to help you with your new friend on training and bringing them home by local trainers, info on medical care by local vets
• A shop where you can buy t-shirts and copies of the new book with proceeds going to the shelters
• Booths by local pet shops with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the shelters
• Food Trucks

 Whew! That should do it (what can I say? I think big.)

Here’s what I need help with. If you live in any of the areas mentioned, I am in need of contacts for any of the above – local animal shelters that need help, a couple of local vets and trainers who may be able to do a presentation or two, and a good venue in the area where this can be held and (since I’m out of area) a suggestion on who to contact to set up the venue.

I would really appreciate any suggestions! Please send me an email at joecuhajauthor @ gmail.com (take out the spaces), drop me a line on Messenger, or use my online Contact Form at www.joe-cuhaj.com/contact.html.

Of course, I will keep you posted as events are set up.

I can’t thank you enough for helping make these events happen! Until next time….