1980 - March: Molly Hatchet "Flirtin' with Disaster"

Many folks know that the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd came out of Jacksonville, Florida.  But they weren't the only big southern rock band to arise from that city.  Molly Hatchet was another southern rock band from Jacksonville, also sporting three guitars.  The band formed in 1971 and shares a lot of the inspiration and influence of Skynyrd.  their best selling album was their second one, Flirtin' with Disaster, which peaked at number 19 and became a 2x platinum seller in the United States.  The name of the band comes from the legend of a Salem-era prostitute who supposedly mutilated and decapitated her clients.  The band was not only famous for its music, but for its album cover art.  Fantasy artist Frank Frazetta created the cover, depicting a Viking-like warrior with a winged helmet and battle axe.  Personnel for Flirtin' with Disaster included Danny Joe Brown on vocals, guitarists Dave Hlubek, Steve Holland, and Duane Roland, Banner Thomas on bass, and Bruce Crump on drums. While Flirtin' with Disaster is the band's most successful album, they also found considerable success with the eponymous debut album released prior to Flirtin' and the third album, “Beatin' the Odds,” released with new front man Jimmy Farrar who replaced Danny Joe Brown who left for a number of reasons including diabetes.  The band would not achieve similar success with its future albums, though Brown would return to the band by their fifth album.  Molly Hatchet remained a popular touring band, though today all the original members have died.  Friend of the show Craig Dale joins us as Wayne brings us this Southern rock classic for the podcast.  Let the Good Times Roll<br />While this may be considered a deeper cut, the track which closes out the album did receive significant airplay on rock stations when the album came out.  “Give me wine, women, whiskey and rock 'n' roll and let me sleep my days away.”  Flirtin' with Disaster<br />This is the timeless classic from the album, the title track, and the opening song for side two.  Although this is considered their breakout hit and highest charting, it only went to number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The song has been used in a number of films and television shows including Suspect Zero, Straw Dogs, My Name is Earl, and King of the Hill.Good Rockin'<br />This deep cut is one in which all band members share writing credits.  It was not released as a single but did appear as a B-side to their second single, “It's All Over Now.”  It is simply a straightforward rock party song - “So if you're feeling good, if you feel alright we're going to have a rock 'n' roll time tonight.”Whiskey Man<br />The leading track from the album is a well-known Molly Hatchet song, though it failed to chart.  It is an anti-drinking song in which the lyrics discuss the hazards of alcohol.  “You start to get straight, then you get weak, can't you see you're on a losing streak?” ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Coal Miner's Daughter by Loretta Lynn (from the motion picture “Coal Miner's Daughter”)<br />Sissy Spacek won the Academy Award for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in this biographical drama.  STAFF PICKS:Back On My Feet Again by The Babys<br />Bruce brings us the number 33 hit by John Waite and the Babys - their fourth and final top 40 hit.  This is off their album “Union Jacks.”  They opened for Journey on tour, and their keyboardist, Jonathan Cain, would wind up joining Journey when the Babys broke up.  What I Like About You by The Romantics<br />Rob