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Vassallo: Why I Love Tom T. Hall
Being from Nashville, I guess music will forever be part of my DNA until I meet John Lennon and the other music greats in the hereafter.
In 1964, now music legend, Tom T. Hall, moved to Nashville with $46 and a guitar. The world of music would never be the same again. (I was just starting my senior year at Hillsboro High School in Green Hills.)
Earlier this year (May 25th) Tom T. turned 80. In his storied career, he has written “11” No.1 hit songs in addition to 26 more placing in the top ten! Superstars such as Johnny Cash; Loretta Lynn; Bobby Bare; George Jones and Waylon Jennings (among others) all recorded Hall’s hits.
My all-time two favorites are “Harper Valley PTA” and “Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine.”
In 1968 Jeannie C. Riley (note the middle initial) took PTA to No.1 also leading to a motion picture. On June 1, 2014, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Watermelon Wine as the 93rd song among its list of greatest country songs. These two “storytelling” classics clearly showcase the extraordinary talent of Tom T.
In 2008 Tom T. joined the Country Music Hall of Fame, an honor rightfully deserved. Originally from Olive Hill, Kentucky, this music icon has forever left his mark on the music industry as a songwriter, singer and novelist. “I Like Beer” was another of his hits that I can relate…but maybe not as much as old dogs and watermelon wine!
(Special credit to Wikipedia for its historical references.)
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
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