If you had asked me before the summer of 1979 if I was a Commodore fan I would’ve adamantly declared “Hell No! I only listen to rock”. I have since expanded my horizons and enjoy all types of music, rap, country, funk, etc., In the summer of 1979 I was a staunch rock and roller.

So it was somewhat out of character that I took a liking to The Commodores during the summer I spent working at a church resort ranch called Mo Ranch is South Texas. I was working at the ranch as part of a summer youth staff that were appointed from various churches around Texas. I was best friends with Bill who happened to be a member of a protestant church youth group. Somehow I was part of that youth group as well and we were volunteered/nominated for summer jobs by the church preacher, having no idea what we had volunteered for.

We arrived at the ranch in early June 1978 and quickly met the rest of the youth staff and were assigned our jobs. I somehow pulled housekeeper duty (a story for another time). Bill and I had no idea we could bring music but one of the other youth staff, Rick, brought his stereo complete with a turntable and records. He had quite a mix of music. Here is where I first heard the Commodores Live! album and I took a liking to it, so much so that I went out and bought it when I returned home from that summer job.

Commodores Live! Was released in October 1977 and featured some of the group’s hits at the time, Just to be Close to You, Easy and of course Brick House. All great songs that I enjoy listening to anytime. Many times that summer Mo Ranch staff would put on this album and dance around wherever we had set up to party. Yes, we partied at the church resort. We bonded. It was a summer of learning and maturity. I had never been away from home so this was an experience that prepared me for going off to college the Fall of 1979.

Many memories of that summer surface every time I put this album on. For that reason I decided to make it the first Album of the Month for 2025. January 2025 Album of the Month – Commodores Live! By The Commodores.