Talk about timely! GREAT READ on TOM T. Kevin. I really appreciate that. You are a pretty good resource.
I have a guy coming here Monday for a tour, I was really in a quandry about. He is older (actually quite a bit older), really is a new writer, sings accapella, knows virtually nothing about the business but wanted to "peddle his songs" in Nashville. When I asked him what artists he felt would be good for his songs, he said "Tom T. Hall." Now, aside from wondering what someone like TOM T, would WANT with his songs, I really did not know what had happened to Tom.
I thought he, like so many of the older generations, had moved to California, decades ago and was living his life out there, in retirement. This article lets me know he is around, but pretty much retired as I thought. We have not seen or heard of him in this town probably for 20 years. Most of that generation, the 70's and 80's are now the "elder statesmen" and while may get a cut from time to time, are mostly tired of the industry, and long into something else.
I performed on a show last night, with a friend of mine who is one of those elder statesmen. His name is Jerry Foster and has had a huge string of hits with people like Jerry Lee Lewis, CHarley Pride and many others. His biggest hit was "I'll Think of Something" which was a big hit in the early 70's and then again in the mid 90's with Mark Chestnut. He was also an artist himself, and has been in movies with Burt Reynolds and others. He has a book now, and a lot of great pictures and stories from the 70's, 80' and 90's. He is in the songwriters Hall of Fame, and a TREMENDOUS GUY.
While I simply love him, if you listen to his songs, they are all very similar as many in those days did. Music as well as life has gotten more complicated and music expectations are higher. Why we have to keep learning and in my opinion, working with younger people to keep us connected with everything. Part of the process.
Well, I'm off to Townsend, Tn. for a songwriter's concert tonight. I love the Mountains of the Gatlinburg area and this allows me to see some friends I don't get to see often. Last year we got iced in so I hope that doesn't happen this year. After last week's "SNOWMAGADDEN" I have seen enough white stuff to last me a while.
MAB
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