Part 35: The Women, The Encyclopedia
When I saw this drawing in my late father's box of personal mementos, I was stunned. How on earth did Riley get his wife to pose for this?
Part 34: Riley “Cooper” and Morris Levy, Roulette Records
Morris Levy was described by AllMusic as "a notorious crook who swindled artists out of their owed royalties."
Part 31: Outlaws in the Wild Wild West
In the late 1950s, something went terribly wrong for Riley. So wrong that he dragged his wife (kicking and screaming) out of NY.
Part 29: The Cat and The Ashes
*The role of Jo's cat in this blog will be played by Sarah Harlett's cat, Alfie... Alfie is a member of SAG/AFTRA and Equity.
Part 26: "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" and Riley Sells Songs...
Why did my father work so hard to get respect, fair treatment, and equal pay for hillbilly performers, only to squander his own money?
Part 25: Riley's Son, My Half-Brother, Richard Shepard
Richard told me that the night of his birth at the Doctor’s Hospital in Manhattan, Riley had made a bet that Truman would win the Presidency
Part 24: Living the Life of Riley
Victor Shepard had stories to tell. He loved to gossip. "Your father was the horniest man I've ever met," Victor said.
Part 23: "He Enjoyed Tricking People," She said.
Here's what I grapple with. Did my father believe his lies sometimes, or lie so often that he became confused about reality?
Part 22: Making A Brand New Start of It, New York, New York
If I had to point to a time when my father had some prestige and success, it would've been the years from 1944-1948. He was young, talented,
Part 20: WWll, Chicago, and Those Wacky Lectures
Dad was in his early 20s when the war broke out, healthy as a horse, tall, handsome, articulate. So why didn't he serve in that war?