S.O.D. "The Streak" by Ray Stevens

4/13/2015     Time for a bit of comedy.  "Streaking" or running naked usually in a public place for freedom of expression or no good reason was a popular thing to do in the 70s.  Stevens capitalized on that with this 1974 #1 Country/Novelty hit that claimed a Gold Certification in the US and Silver in the UK.  In the video the reporter would interview the witness (both played by Stevens) at the scene of the streaking.  A fine, composer, Stevens wrote the music and lyrics and also produced the tune which went to #1 on the charts in the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.  

     Born Harold Ray Ragsdale in 1939 Georgia, Stevens had his first band in high school which he named The Barons, a rhythm and blues act. Upon graduating he attended Georgia State College with a music major.  Stevens wrote comedic, country and pop songs with half of them ending up to be comedic during his career.  Many awards have been bestowed on Stevens including two Grammys, many gold and platinum singles and albums, being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.  He was also named comedian of the year nine years straight by Music City News publication.  

     He plays piano, guitar, trumpet, and vibraphone and is now in his 57th year of making music.  His most recent work which just came out this March is called "Taylor Swift is Stalking Me" which centers around her appearance on so many albums and magazine covers.  He is one of my biggest influences.