At this point in time, this is likely to be one of the lesser known acts I will be writing about in this series on Pacific Northwest music legends. On the other hand, they were big nationally, a #1 with a bullet act, in the pre-British invasion years.
Now, almost everyone who knows Seattle's history will think of the jazz clubs of the 1940's and 1950's, the birth of garage bands in the 1960's and, of course, Hendrix and more recently grunge. Most people probably do not know that an act from the Pacific Northwest was one of the first big doo-wop groups.
Doo-wop from the northwest? You betcha! The band was the Fleetwoods -- one guy (Gary Troxel) and two blond girls (Barbara Ellis and Gretchen Christopher). In that era, the pre-fix for telephone numbers in Olympia was "Fleetwood", hence the name. The kids met while attending high school in Olympia in the late 1950's. Their first big hit -- and it was a smash -- was released in 1959 on a Seattle record label, Dolphin. Pat O' Day at KJR had lots to do with the success of this initial release.
The song was called "Come Softly to Me." The Fleetwoods had a smooth sound and Come Softly to Me sold a million and went gold. They had another good-sized hit with Mr. Blue. They were the first group to ever have two #1 songs in the same year -- 1959. They had a few other releases, but none that hit like those first two.
The performers, for the most part, stayed here in the Pacific Northwest. Gary Troxel worked as a longshoreman in Anacortes. Gretchen Christopher seems to have stayed near Olympia. I always thought it must be strange to go from instant fame back to working a less glamorous job. How weird -- Imagine that you are sitting with friends in the lunch room and your former #1 smash comes on the oldies station, or maybe you are in the theater and your song is in a blockbuster like American Graffiti. Do you nudge everyone nearby and say "hey that is me" or do you smile inside, or do you wonder what circumstances might have led to greater fame and fortune?
Today, from what I have read, it seems that there is a dispute going on over who has the rights to the Fleetwood name. Gary Troxel has a Fleetwoods website, but Gretchen Christopher has one too. It looks like anyone, who was interested, could hire a group called the Fleetwoods to work parties and events. One group would feature Gary, the other would feature Gretchen.
There is no question about it, one of the biggest moments in the history of the original Fleetwoods was an appearance on American Bandstand and we are in luck.
Thanks to youtube, we will turn back the clock to the year 1959 -- I was seven years old.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Pacific Northwest's own #1 doo-wop act, the Fleetwoods from Olympia, Washington.
For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar 
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
This blog, in my series on Pacific Northwest Music Legends, is the only one I will write featuring a person who is famous on the northwest music scene but not famous, specifically, as a musician. This man is a very important figure in northwest rock n' roll history. He was a star-maker during the 1950's, 1960's and into at least the 1970's. There is no question about it, he was the most famous, and powerful, disc jockey and radio professional, ever, in Washington State. I am talking Pat O' Day.
I lived on the west side of the mountains and grew up during the 1960's listening to AM Channel 95, KJR Seattle and Pat O' Day. If you have any interest in the formative years of rock music history, like crazy inside stories about early rock or radio, then Pat has written a book that you will love -- especially if you grew up listening to Pat. The cover from the book is below -- Pat with Jimi Hendrix on the cover.
Pat's story is interesting. As a youngster, relatively speaking, he worked as a deejay in Astoria, Oregon -- a small coastal town. Before long, he was hired at major market station, KJR, Seattle. This legendary radio station, under Pat's tutelage, become dominant in Seattle -- to this day no station has matched the audience share that KJR could deliver. Heck, I listened to it in Bellingham, 100 miles away. During Pat's reign, he developed some of the best air personalities of the rock era. Pat also broke regional songs, giving chart momentum to northwest artists. This man had power in the industry with the clout of KJR behind him. Pat also formed Concerts West. The firm promoted concerts for the most popular acts of that era. Jimi Hendrix was one of many performers contracted to Concerts West.
In Pat's book, "It Was All Just Rock n' Roll" he talked about meeting Jimi Hendrix for the first time. At the time, Pat was a KJR employee and also privately sponsoring teen dances in the Seattle area. There was a problem with amplifiers of that vintage. An amp would blow and it would create no end of problems for the bands who would then be down one instrument.
One day, a skinny kid at the dance told Pat that he had backup equipment in his car. If anything should happen during a concert, he would loan the band his backup equipment. The kid had one condition -- if that should ever happen, and they borrowed his gear, then he would get to "jam" with the band. The kid showed up at all the dances. One weekend, something met an untimely demise and this kid went out and brought in the backup equipment. As was agreed in advance, he was allowed to play along with the band.
Pat forgot all about that kid until, a few years later, he met the rising rock star Jimi Hendrix. Jimi, at that time, told Pat that he was that skinny kid from out of the past.
Pat is also famous for being an announcer of the unlimited hydroplane races in Seattle. To see a special on that 40 plus year career, along with footage dedicated to Pat's rock n' radio career, check out this video.
This will be an interesting tidbit for AR members: For several years now Pat has owned a real estate office in Friday Harbor on the gorgeous San Juan Islands. Here is his website and, if you have any inkling of interest in the formative years of rock n' roll or lived in the northwest during the glory days of KJR, read his book. I thought that it was great fun. And, of course, I was right!
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
Talk about great participation, a world event, there are teams from Japan, Canada, Hawaii, Boston, Michigan, Utah, Illinois and other states. I attended today and all of the teams were playing with great vigor and making a sporting time of it, win or lose.
The weather was cooperating and beautiful. The teams are playing at the Northwest Soccer Park, a nice grassy field. To get there, drive north from Bellingham on Northwest Avenue. All the signs and cars will let you know that you have arrived at the big event. It is near the county planning office on Northwest Avenue. Food and concessions are being sold on-site.
Try to catch the fun, and watch a game, if you can.
Do any Active Rain members recognize this AR, and soccer, superstar?
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
This is another in a series of articles on Pacific Northwest music legends. So far, response has been good, so I plan to write more. Today's artist was not born or raised in Seattle. He moved to Seattle as a teen and considered the Seattle jazz scene of the 1940's as crucial in his development and career.
Ray Charles Robinson was born in Georgia but spent his childhood in Florida. Many music historians believe that the artist later known only as Ray Charles or The Genius, had more to do with changing music than any other performer. Step aside Dylan and the Beatles. Ray Charles combined gospel with blues and jazz, later country, and that was crucial to the development of early rock n' roll. Back then, music was segregated. There was music recorded for white kids and there was "race" music. The race music, played by African American artists like Ray Charles, is what the white kids wanted to hear. Their parents, on the other hand, wanted to limit exposure to those songs, except for a few race songs that were fed to them by white cover artists like Pat Boone. One of Ray's first national hits, and a true classic, combines all of those elements -- blues, jazz and gospel -- into a huge pop hit. This was Ray Charles at his best, early in his career.
Ray Charles lost his vision, undiagnosed glaucoma, when he was six years old. His mother sent him to a school for the blind in St Augustine Florida. Years passed, Charles did well at the school and then his mother died when he was 15. At 18, he had had enough of Florida and wanted to move. A map was put on the table and a line was drawn, one corner of the USA to the other, and Seattle was chosen as the destination.
A young lanky Charles played on Jackson Street, at Pioneer Square, for about two years. Part of that time he mimicked Nat King Cole, a big star of the era, and he was pretty good at it. But it was in Seattle that Charles began to meld together the different forms of music that would later be his legend. It is hard to believe, if you know Seattle now, but it was a real jazz town in the 1940's after the war. There were 30 jazz clubs and they were open 24 hours a day. All of the biggest stars dropped in to do their gigs, including Louis Armstrong.
Charles continued to work in Seattle and experiment with his music. In 1950, after having cut a record in Seattle that was not really a hit but it got the attention of bigger fish, Charles moved on to LA. He was billed as "the blind singing sensation". His first big hit landed in 1954 -- a 78 RPM recording called I Got A Woman. The tune was recorded with a seven piece band at a radio station. That was the beginning of a stellar career.
When Ray passed away in 2004, he was universally acclaimed as the genius. The video below, which is probably more jazz than blues, was always one of my favorite Ray Charles classics. I loved playing it on the radio, when I was a disc jockey. Realistically, music doesn't get much more original than the early cutting edge Ray Charles songs. This man was, perhaps more so than any other, the creator of the music that is now called rock n' roll.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
In the past, I have done a few blogs about entertainers who were famous here in the Pacific Northwest. These have always received interest and comments. Many people do not know it but, over the years, the Seattle area has produced some of the biggest names in musical entertainment. In some cases those musicians were born elsewhere and found fame in Seattle. Other times, it was the other way around:They were raised in Seattle but found fame elsewhere.
I plan to, as time allows, write a few interactive (thanks to youtube) articles on some of these famous performers. We will start with the heavyweight of them all. You might be thinking Jimi Hendrix. Nope, think again. Think Bing Crosby.
The first big name crooner was born in Tacoma. Bing (real name Harry), as a youth, moved to Spokane to study law at Gonzaga University. Ends up that, while in Spokane, he also played with a local band. Bing moved to LA to play and sing and, in the early 30's, a recording he made fell into the hands of the president of CBS. A crooner was born!
Ever heard the term "crooner" and wondered what it really meant? Well, best as I can figure, a crooner was a performer who learned how to use a microphone to his advantage. In the early days of singing, having a booming voice that would fill an auditorium was a must. After radio came into play, volume had little to do with it. A whisper could be amplified to an audible level so some of the crooners were more "intimate" or one to one. Subtle nuances were the rage. Bing was the master of this and, by some accounts, he is the most recorded human voice on earth, even today.
Below is a video of his single most famous song -- White Christmas. I know, not the right season, but his song is/was a monster. As someone who worked in radio, I read over and over in all the trade magazines that this was the best selling record of all time. Forget the Stones and the Beatles and Elvis. We were talking White Christmas by Bing. As a followup, it is my understanding that in the last few years White Christmas has dropped to number two. Elton John's tribute to Lady Diana -- Candle In the Wind -- has since bumped White Christmas out of that top spot. To see other articles in this series, click here.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
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Experience counts! Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #207. Licensed Structural Pest Inspector. Member Washington State Home Inspector Licensing Advisory Board.
If you compare our detailed inspection reports to those provided by our competition, we are confident that you will hire King of the House Home Inspection, Inc.
View a typical King of the House home inspection report:
Steven L. Smith, owner -- Washington state licensed home inspector
Experience, attention to detail, knowledge and ethics. Those are the attributes people are looking for in a home inspector. Steven L. Smith, owner of King of the House Inc, meets all of those requirements. More than 35 years ago, Steve performed his first inspection - locating wood destroying organisms that were severely damaging a home. Since that time, Steve has worked in the fields of inspection, building, remodeling and real estate investment. Steve is a WSDA licensed inspector and is top-ranked at the active rain real estate network. In 2008, Steve was appointed by the Governor to serve on the newly formed home inspector licensing board.
Choosing the right home inspector is an important decision. Steven L. Smith is uniquely qualified to help you evaluate the condition of a home that you plan to buy or sell. Steve has acquired many years of experience in purchasing, renovating, building and repairing residential and investment properties. When buying investment properties, or advising others in that regard, an inspector must have a critical eye and be able to identify those properties that are "sound" investments while eliminating those that are not suitable. Let Steve, a leading home inspector in the Pacific Northwest, put his experience and knowledge to work for you!
In addition to serving new clients and maintaining many repeat clients; Steve works as a consultant in the field of home inspection. Under the auspices of the state college system, he teaches home inspection, ethics and professional report writing to prospective home inspectors across the state. A King of the House home inspection is thorough and the written report is an industry leader, detailed and easy to understand. A King of the House home inspection includes virtually all areas of a home. To view a sample report, click here.
Steven L. Smith has lived in Whatcom County all of his life and is familiar with the problems and issues that afflict homes in our damp climate. If you hire King of the House to inspect your investment, you will receive the benefit of an honest report based on Steve's many years of professional experience and his industry knowledge. When you hire King of the House, you can count on a thorough inspection and a great written report. That is Steve's promise to you.
Based in Bellingham, WA I inspect homes in Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. One of my special interests, and very important in our damp environment, is discovering damage from wood destroying organisms. In fact, for a number of years I have taught, a course on identifying and inspecting for wood destroying organisms. I am a member in good standing of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors and also home inspection training coordinator for Bellingham Technical College which offers one of only two inspection training programs that are accredited by the state college system. If you ask a Bellingham home inspector, it is likely that he or she graduated from the BTC program. In fact, many home inspectors in both eastern and western Washington were students of mine. A bit of advice to homebuyers: If you hire a home inspector, make sure that inspector is a state licensed structural pest inspector. Any home inspection in this state, that excludes wood destroying organisms and conducive conditions, would be of little value and in most cases would be an illegal inspection. As an instructor of home inspection, and a working inspector, I am uniquely qualified to perform inspections throughout the region. I am knowledgeable, and keep up to date, in all areas of home inspection. Below are photos of three of the most common wood destroying organisms in this region.
Carpenter ants, Point Roberts Anobiid beetle, Bellingham WA Wood rot, Blaine, WA
LEFT: This photo is frass from carpenter ants. They were chewing in the ceiling structure above. Most people think otherwise, but ants do not eat wood. They build in it and throw out the shavings, along with other debris. CENTER: This is one of the worst pests on the Washington Coast, the anobiid beetle. This destructive larvae is common in damp crawl spaces. While the adult beetle is tiny and will rarely be seen, an anobiid infestation can silently turn structural lumber into dust. RIGHT: This is rot, or wood decay fungi. About 80% of the time people mistakenly believe this to be dry rot. True dry rot comes in two forms and, in each case, it involves a vine that leaches moisture from the soil up into the wood. Rot does not form in the absence of moisture and dry rot has never been found in Washington State!
Bellingham Technical College Residential Home Inspection Training
Bellingham Technical College provides a course in Residential Home Inspection Training. This is a professional level home inspection education program that is offered in major cities around the state. The class, the curriculum of which is fully accredited by the state college system, attempts to improve the quality of home inspection training and the home inspection industry. The course is 160-hours, four weeks, of intense training. Students learn about wood destroying organisms, heating and air conditioning, ventilation, insulation, roofing, structure, electrical, plumbing, exteriors, etc. The course includes five field inspections, where a professional inspector supervises students. A goal of the program is to provide a more standardized inspection, so inspectors are more reliably calling "real issues" as opposed to making incorrect judgments based on having too little information or a poor understanding of a condition. Another offering from BTC is RHI 105, an affordable three-credit real estate clock-hour course designed to help realtors keep up with their continuing education requirements. Steven L. Smith, King of the House Inc, is the program coordinator, director of curriculum and an instructor of home inspection training at Bellingham Technical College.
Do it yourself home inspections and your well-being!
Are you, a friend, or a client thinking about doing an inspection without the help of a professional? Any person considering this option, to save money, should take the exam below to find out if he or she is really up to the job.
If you, or someone you know, has ever given serious consideration to performing a "do it yourself home inspection", this is your lucky day! Just for fun, and as a guide for those thinking about doing an inspection on their own, King of the House, Inc has designed a short, interactive, online home inspection aptitude test. The most common problems, found in new and old houses, are included in the easy to take exam and you receive your score instantly. Go ahead and take it, it is fun, enlightening and free! Unfortunately, if you score less than 100%, you should seriously consider hiring a professional inspector who is also state licensed to report on wood destroying organisms. To take the test right now, simply click on the link below and then choose your viewing preference. That setting is found at the upper right hand corner of the screen and lets you see questions individually or, the other choice, all of them displayed in order on one page.
Take the "Do It Yourself Home Inspection" Exam now
Professional Associations, Resources, Specialists
Any professional, including a home inspector, can run into a problem now and then that requires the attention of an expert. Realizing this, King of the House maintains excellent relationships with a number of other industry professionals. In fact, one expert was retained as a fulltime staff member of King of the House Inc. In memory of Topolino, the best cat friend I ever had, 2005-2007.
More information on the late Mr. Toplino Stromboli, a multi-talented employee
Letters to King of the House Home Inspection, Inc
Steve, we appreciate the great job you did with our home inspection at Sudden Valley. We were able to rely on your report as a "to do list" as we made improvements to our new home. Clif Brown, Sudden Valley, Bellingham WA
Your inspection on the Point Roberts home was detailed to the point of being exhaustive. Thank you very much! Your efforts are appreciated as we work to make an informed decision. John, a buyer, Point Roberts, WA
We first found King of the House online. We appreciated your website and your attitude. Now we have your great inspection report to work from, as we get ready to put our Whatcom County house, in Everson, on the market. We will contact you when we are ready to buy another house. Thanks. Amy, a seller, Everson WA
Having been taught by "one of the best", Steve, I can hardly miss. My own inspection business is doing well and much of that is directly due to Steve's knowledge of home inspection and his abilities to share that knowledge....both with his students and, most importantly, with his own clients. I cannot give a higher recommendation to anyone, as an inspector and as a person. Randie Carlie, Simcoe Inspection Services, Goldendale, WA
We love the new house at Glenhaven and really appreciate the quality of your inspection. It helped us determine what needed to be done so there were no surprises. Mike, a buyer, Sedro Woolley, WA
I have referred Steven Smith to several clients and colleagues over the past years. His inspections are thorough and the written reports are concise and professional. Because of the positive feedback I have received, I highly recommend the services of King of the House, Inc from Bellingham WA. Curt Cummings, State Licensed Appraiser, Camano Island WA
Do you have any recommendations for a reputable contractor? We don't want to use someone who is flaky and way off the mark. We appreciate your help. By the way, we think you did an awesome job with the inspection! Our daughter recently hired another inspector to inspect her Seattle area home.Never again. Next time we will bring you down to this area instead. The Hoffmans, Bellingham WA
Steve, I have received the report and it looks good. Thanks so much for the inspection at Point Roberts.
Al L, a buyer, Point Roberts WA
As a realtor, I recommend King of the House because I value Mr. Smith's honesty, professionalism and commitment. When necessary, he goes beyond the call and researches issues that might require further clarification or investigation. His detailed reports and advice enable my clients in Whatcom county and Skagit county to make informed decisions and that reduces the anxiety that goes with purchasing a home. Lynda Spaulding, Realtor, Keller Williams, Bellingham WA
Your report on the Whatcom county home, in Bellingham Washington, is very detailed and easy to understand. I may call you with some more questions about improvements we can make. You have really gone out of your way to help us. Thank you again for being so detailed, prompt, professional and knowledgeable. K and Laura, buyers, Bellingham WA
The thorough home inspection and excellent written report you did for me, when I bought the Skagit county home, was very helpful. I like the house very much and it is conveniently located being near both Mount Vernon and Burlington. Mike C, a buyer, Mount Vernon, Burlington WA
Thank you for providing such a complete and detailed home inspection report on the investment property we were looking at in Island county, Anacortes. Your comments and recommendations were valuable to us as we considered the pros and cons of buying this home in Anacortes. Barb and Brad Clure, buyers, Anacortes WA
Thank you for the very thorough inspection at Point Roberts in Whatcom county. We appreciate receiving such a complete report. My wife sold real estate for several years and she said this was the BEST home inspection and the best report she has ever seen. Ron, a Point Roberts buyer, Delta BC
Boy, what a detailed inspection and inspection report you did on the home I was buying in Skagit county, in Mount Vernon WA. We ended up buying the home but the things you pointed out really helped us in the final negotiations. Thanks again. Robert P, Mount Vernon WA
Angela Gardner and I, Eric Badgley of Bellingham Washington, have been referring our clients to Steven Smith of King of The House Inc. for almost two years. Steven provides speedy, friendly and professional service. His inspections are detailed and provide our clients with piece of mind that the home they are purchasing is the right fit for them. We highly recommend Steven Smith for anyone in need of a home inspector; he will take care of all your inspection needs. Eric Badgley of RE/MAX Whatcom County Inc, Bellingham Real Estate Agent
Hi Steve. What a great report you did for me at the house in Blaine! This is the most comprehensive report I've ever seen for a home sale - excellent service & I really appreciate the recommendations for repair people. Thanks again. Elizabeth S, Blaine WA
Brandi and I, the principals at Property Watch in Blaine WA, appreciate your professionalism. That was brought home to us when we worked with another inspector who was hired by one of Brandi's clients. It was a nightmare! Brandi knew more about the inspection process, and what to look for at the house, than the "inspector" did! Thanks again Steve. We will keep sending you the referrals. Rose Abbaspour, CFO, Property Watch, Inc., Real Estate Management Solutions, Blaine WA
Steve, I was sooooo impressed with your report. You did a great job. I also sent my realtor friend, at Century 21 Bay Properties, a copy of your report. I was praising you as the best inspector in the business. So, my friend, thank you once again for the excellent inspection report. I will sing your praises for the rest of my life and I hope I will have a long ways to go. Peter, owner of multiple condos, Lynden WA
Thanks for looking at my activerain website!
Steven L. Smith
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