I mentioned at the beginning of the week that I’ve been listening to Rodney Crowell a lot recently. That includes the two albums he recorded with Emmylou Harris in the 2010’s. Hearing their version of this week’s tune led to its selection. Thanks, Emmylou and Rodney.

Invitation To The Blues was written by Roger Miller in 1958. It was first recorded by Ray Price and hit number 3 on the Country charts.

The featured image is of the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in 1975. Roger Miller could be somewhere in the picture. That goes for several other artists featured today including the man who first recorded the song:

Making her FCH debut, Reba McEntire:

Here’s the songwriter and everyone’s best friend:

Chris Hillman had a long and storied career in both rock and country music. He was one of the founders of three enduring bands: The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and The Desert Rose Band. This version of the Miller classic was recorded with his DRB colleague Herb Pedersen.

Emmylou and Rodney. Say no more.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without an instrumental version of the week’s tune? This time,  Jimmy Richardson and his swinging Hammond organ. Swing, Jimmy, swing.

That’s it for this week. Here’s hoping August will be free of tropical systems; something worth drinking to. It’s what Dolly, Emmylou, and Linda would want. Never argue with them.