by Bob Berry

You probably have read about the passing of songwriter Wayne Carson, who died Monday at the age of 72. Mr. Carson’s songs, included two that proved the old adage “never sell your copyright”.  One of them, co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher, was   “Always On My Mind”; a hit for Elvis and for Willie Nelson, and the CMA Song of the Year in both 1982 and 1983.

The other title, “The Letter”, had a Keener connection you may have forgotten. Originally a million-selling #1 smash for The Boxtops in 1967 and a the Top Ten song in 1971 by Joe Cocker;  Keener fans will recall a local group, Ann Arbor’s, The Arbors, who received lots of airplay with their version of “The Letter”, a flip side of another cover, Blood, Sweat and Tears’ “I Can’t Quit Her”.

Here’s a triple play of three distinct versions of one of the great songs in rock and roll, beginning with the amazing harmonies of brothers Fred and Ed Ferran and Scott and Tom Herrick. The Arbors are back on Keener!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8OU8YHyXck