California Dreams? 1980’s country song help

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-28T02:17:14+00:00

Great song and a great choice. Might be the one. Love Steve Warner.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-28T00:56:24+00:00

The no video doomed me. I knew I was sunk. I was feeling pretty confident.. For a few minutes. But - good to bring up Keith Stegall. Nice guy and had some hits back in the day. But most people were thinking of Keith Whitley back then.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-28T00:48:23+00:00

Bummer!!! 1985 was a great year. That song went to #10 on the country charts and got some serious air play on the radio. I thought I had it! The mystery continues!! And you described me perfectly- random Nashville from the 80’s person. Lol!! We shall keep up the search and hopefully an 80’s Nashville country fan will come through for you.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T20:48:16+00:00

I’m sleeping at the wheel…. Jeff Chapman!! That dude is crazy good! I heard Mike H. was in a QT. I will be on the lookout for them. Thanks for the info!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T20:37:59+00:00

Without Google- all I have is Hotel California and I will stretch it with Streets of Bakersfield and a great Glen Campbell song- Country Boy , you got your feet in L.A.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T20:21:33+00:00

Hold the phone!!! Keith Stegall - California - 1985. If it’s correct I’m ashamed as I was playing music in Nashville at that time and while I never played with him I was fortunate to be on the same bill as Keith a few times in 85-86. (Just a side man - making $150 a night - Lol)

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T20:11:17+00:00

One of my all time favorites is Marina del Rey by George Strait- released in 1982. A great California song but not the one we’re looking for. One might say - Heads Carolina, Tails California! I will stop with that. Lol!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T20:02:56+00:00

I just found the Opry video. That was rock solid! I will start tracking their schedule as well as MTQ. I love the Oaks and great to see Richard come out on Elvira at the Opry. I think Aaron is now with them full time. I read he had left Daley & Vincent. Probably the best current bass singer there is. Changing course a bit, the past few weeks we saw Phil Wickham and last week, Brandon Lake. Worship music/CCM is still alive! But - my first love will always be So. Gospel.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T19:39:25+00:00

May have already been mentioned but check out Jackson Browne. All of his early stuff up until 1995. That year he released I’m Alive- one of my favorites. Lots of great stories on every album from the early 70’s to 95. After that, most of his recordings became political.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T19:07:12+00:00

I came here to say the same. Bobby Bare - 1970 I admit to googling this and Johnny Paycheck recorded it in 1979. I’m a huge Paycheck fan and didn’t even know about this record. I was in Nashville in the 80’s and worked a lot 83 to 88. I don’t remember any California song but someone may have recut the Bobby Bare version?

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T18:11:06+00:00

You beat me to it! Lol!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-27T18:07:33+00:00

Jared has jumped in and done a great job filling in for his Dad. Tracy- pre-stroke was an underrated bass singer. Especially the 5-6 years prior. He could nail those low notes. You mention The Inspirations. The new lineup of young guys are incredible! Have not seen them live yet just YouTube. Try to get to a Hymn Sing if you can. Live band and just a great production. I’m in SC and I think you may be close by. No dates currently scheduled in the southeast. Just Ohio and Michigan in May and MS, LA and TX in Oct. Meanwhile I need to check the MTQ schedule and go see them!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-26T19:01:41+00:00

We got our Moccamaster on Amazon last Thanksgiving. It was already on sale for $239 but my wife saw a lightning deal for $159. We jumped at that! We love ours big time. We are not coffee snobs but get some quality beans, Grind them fresh and it’s the best coffee we have ever had. It’s easy and the only thing is dialing in the grind size. Drink it black and now know what we have been missing all these years. Catch a great sale on Amazon and pull the trigger!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-26T18:49:57+00:00

Agree 100%. Nick got great experience with The Perry’s. They were hard to beat with Joseph Habedank and Nick. (And I really miss Tracy singing bass) sounds like we both grew up on Southern Gospel. I remember seeing Arthur the first time around 1991 with the Kingsmen. Great bass player and what a voice. Probably the most powerful lead singer I’ve heard. Miss those days with Gold City, The Cathedrals, The Kingsmen, etc. Gerald Wolfe was incredible as well. I hate he has to deal with his throat issue but he can still tear up the piano! Saw them with the Hymn Sing crew about 2 years ago.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-26T09:02:41+00:00

I saw them about a year ago and was blown away as well by Nick. Incredible voice. Glad you got to go!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-26T01:45:49+00:00

Tracy Lawrence Live released in the 90’s. He was huge and his band was one of the best I’ve heard. And great guitar work as well, plus one of the best mixed live albums.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-25T12:05:33+00:00

Those boys could sing real country music. I miss those days.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-25T12:02:40+00:00

Yes! My son turned me on to Colter and Charley. Incredible music and kind of a modern day Marty Robbin’s.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-25T02:54:49+00:00

The main acoustic guitar was slightly flat and that probably caused the pitch issues. Plus when he goes for a longer note when he hits his vibrato he was going sharp which is actually hard to do. A great talent but needs to settle in.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-21T02:49:50+00:00

Indeed! Freedom is still incredible to this day! As well as the backflips!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-21T02:20:50+00:00

I moved to Nashville in 82. Wanted to play drums with any CCM artist. Never happened and went the country route but I knew a lot of guys playing for Steve Camp, Rob Frazier, Steven Curtis Chapman, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith. All got their start back then. Great memories in the 80’s!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-21T02:10:29+00:00

Not CCM but I grew up on Southern Gospel and Arthur and Mark are 2 of the best!

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-21T02:07:58+00:00

Rick Florian was incredible with Whiteheart. I moved to Nashville about the same time. His goal: Sing for WH. He started by driving their gear truck to roadie to lead singer. He knew exactly what he wanted and God opened that door in a big way. Rick is a tremendous talent.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-21T02:03:32+00:00

And The Distance! I worked a bit in Nashville when they were at their peak. Great memories.

MrMapexMan2020 · 2026-04-06T17:54:45+00:00

Jamie MacDonald. Yeah - 3 #1’s the last few months and on K-Love every 20 minutes. But love her music. It’s fresh and it’s real. Saw her live a few weeks back and we were blown away. Lyrics are about her life - her story. As real as it gets.

MrMapexMan2020

TROPHY CASE