Michael Nesmith Was 'Almost Country'

Chances are you know Michael Nesmith as the stocking cap wearing member of the 1960's Pop Music Super Group 'The Monkees'.

Michael, Davey, Peter and Mickey sold millions....and I mean millions...of records. And of course, they had the hit television show that millions more watched every week.

But did you know that, for this particular 'Monkee', there was a whole lot more to the story?

Almost Country: John Mellencamp

Michael Nesmith was (and is) a musician, composer, author, songwriter, actor, director, producer and businessman? Whew!

And this 78 year old Houston, Texas native was, and is, a lot more 'country' than most people know.

It was back in 1976 that I first was introduced to 'Joanne'. The Monkees were already a part of pop music history and a record came into the KWYR studio in Winner, South Dakota.

Michael Nesmith singing 'Joanne'.

It didn't become a worldwide smash hit. But, for me at least, I thought it was one of the most beautiful songs of the year. It was one of those songs that wasn't popish enough for pop/rock radio, and it wasn't country enough to comfortably fit between Jones and Haggard. But one thing it was, was good.

And today it's a lot more country than a lot of 'country' being played on the radio.