RIP Tom T. Hall

Some deaths leave a hole. This one leaves a crater.

Family says country singer Tom T. Hall, who composed “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” has died at 85 – KTSM 9 News

One of the greatest songwriters of all time.

Pour one out and raise it to old dogs, children and watermelon wine. Probably should be a beer, though.

 

Damn it.

 

I believe he is revered in the biz for his songwriting skills.
HV PTA is a classic tune and I love the guitar work by Jerry Kennedy, every player is envious.

 

Miz Dixie and the Bassetts were probably ready for him with big hugs.

They could be depended upon to step up when a cause needed a public face and someone to offer a gentle reminder to do better. (Miz Emmylou has taken on some of those duties.)

He could have stopped writing after "Old Dogs..." and he'd still be a southern-fried bard to me.

 

I was a fan of "I Love" ... always liked it when that song came on the Top 40 shows on XM-7.

He seemed to be a favorite of the MST3K guys, too ... I can think of at least three references to him.

 

Crap. Raise your glass.
I Like Beer
That's How I Got to Memphis.

RIP

 

Nobody could describe hard times or hurting in fewer words than TTH.

I’m going to listen to Homecoming, Mama Bale a Pie, How I Got to Memphis, Cold in Des Moines and Don’t Forget the Coffee and I’m going to be a mess.

 

Sigh. Dammit. This one hurts.

 

The Year That Clayton Delaney Died
Ballad of Forty Dollars
That Song Is Driving Me Crazy
Country Is
Sneaky Snake
Faster Horses
Ravishing Ruby
A Week In A Country Jail
Watermelon Wine

... and many, many more.

The storyteller is silent. But oh, what stories he spun for us to remember him by.

 

It's been mentioned already, but I remember my dad always wanting to play this and sing along with it: