If your a guy and say sixty-five-seventy plus years old you probably need no further information regarding that quote and who you are referencing.
In 1976 I was sitting in the dressing room at the Grand Ole Opry of the legendary country performer Roy Acuff. The real estate lady whom we had purchased our home from her father was an old country music performer who appeared often on the Opry. His eye site and driving ability had faded and often she would ask if I would drive him and kinda be responsible for him on the nights he was appeared on the Opry. Would I? That's like asking Cleghorn Leghorn if he would like to torment Barnyard Dog or put an egg under Miss Prissy. Yes.
One evening I was sitting in Mr.Acuff's dressing room which by the way was such a treat. You never knew who was going to walk in. His personal dressing room was always filled with folks. Mr.Acuff often sat in a chair as his health and eye site both were failing and he would greet everyone sitting. On this evening I turned to see who had walked in because I heard Mr.Acuff's react like seldom he did when someone came in. Also i noticed he was out of his chair walking across the floor to meet the one who was coming in. Big white hat, out sticks his hand and the two of them slap one another on the shoulders and kinda semi-embrace. "Well, my, my lookie whose here," Mr.Acuff's words. And look who was here, on my, oh my immediately I recognized the visitor. I thought "this can't be, me sitting here and here he is." The visitor was none other than a childhood hero of thousands young boys. It was yes it was, Gene Autry.
Since then I have read a number of books on the life of Mr.Autry. Some great lines of his that I remember:
He once said of his father:
"Some days he would bring home five hundred dollars. Other days he would bring home only the lint in his pockets."
In the life of most of us we probably also have known too many "casual providers."
"In Tigoa, Texas the three most popular spots when I was growing up was the barbershop, the country store and the church."
"The barbershop was as close to a public library as we had."
His mother once said about opportunity: "You go, there might not be a next time."
"I didn't know enough to be discouraged."
"I traveled more back roads that a bootlegger."
"Songs are forever."
"Success is meant to be enjoyed."
"I not only liked music. I liked the people who made music."
"It occurs to me that music, with the possible exception of riding a bull, is the most uncertain way to make a living."
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April 11, 2017
Keep on,
Larry Adamson