by Ron Johnston
My sister and her hubby recently visited Amarillo, Texas. While in the Lone Star State, I suggested that they go to Luckenbach, but it’s quite a distance from where they are, now.
Luckenbach?
Remember “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)”? Back in the spring of 1977, it was a hit song for country music artist Waylon Jennings. One of my favorite tunes.
Actually, every state in the union has a Luckenbach-type town or city in it. I’d like to think that in my native New York State, Riga Center (two miles due south of Churchville) would be that town.
So without any further ado and with an “apology” to the late Mr. Jennings, I’d like to share some lyrics of “Riga Center (Back to the Basics of Fun)” that I composed to the melody of “Luckenbach, Texas.”:
Let’s go to Riga Center, New York
With Rog, Ron, Bob and the boys
That long-ago life we lived
Got us laughing and making lotsa noise
Between Beatles romance songs
And Beach Boys dance songs
And Dylan singing, “How does it feel?”
Out in Riga Center, New York
Ain’t nobody think it’s a big deal
The only two things in Monroe County
that make it worth while
Are Churchville Park
And a good-looking smile
Don’t need my name on the highway billboard
Got my car gassed up and ready for tonight
Maybe it’s time to get back to the basics of fun
My sister — who’s also originally from the Riga Center area – and husband are planning to drive to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a couple of other states out there. And I’m sure they’ll be listening to the radio on their journey.
Wouldn’t it be funny if on an oldies station, “Luckenbach, Texas” was played? (Well, you never know.) Thing is, she would never tell me if it was.
Note: Ron Johnston, a 1966 Churchville-Chili graduate, is the author of One-Game Wonder.
