There was a country store and a country doctor, post office, church, and school in my little town.
Several years ago as the sun was setting on a summer Saturday, people poured along the mountain paths to the school yard of Mt. Rogers. A pink Cadillac was parked in front of the schoolhouse steps. It was a big car with big tires. The car looked like it had made 100 trips to Kentucky and back. The tires looked like they had slid all the curves in two states. The car was covered in road dust and exhaust smoke. A tall and erect man stood beside this car. He watched as three other men carried cased instruments up the school steps.
I was watching Charlie Monroe and the Kentucky Partners. Inside the gym was packed with eager and enthusiastic listeners. The stage curtains were pulled and when Charlie finished singing "Who's Calling You Sweetheart, Tonight," the crowd applauded their approval. Halfway through "Willow Garden", a drunken voice interrupted Charlie Monroe and he stopped. After a moment of silence, in a fearless voice, Charlie said, "We have come here tonight to put on a show for these good people and in spite of you, we are putting on a show. If no one is here that can take you outside- I can!" After another moment of silence, Charlie fiinished picking and singing "Willow Garden".
It was an exciting and entertaining ninety minute show. I heard such favorites as "Bringing in the Georgia Mail", "Sourwood Mountain", and "Valley of Peace".
I was young and foolish, I knew very little about music and musicians, but I liked to hear Charlie Monroe and the Kentucky Partners. At that time, they were the best. Now 60 years later, I think they are still the best.
Several years ago as the sun was setting on a summer Saturday, people poured along the mountain paths to the school yard of Mt. Rogers. A pink Cadillac was parked in front of the schoolhouse steps. It was a big car with big tires. The car looked like it had made 100 trips to Kentucky and back. The tires looked like they had slid all the curves in two states. The car was covered in road dust and exhaust smoke. A tall and erect man stood beside this car. He watched as three other men carried cased instruments up the school steps.
I was watching Charlie Monroe and the Kentucky Partners. Inside the gym was packed with eager and enthusiastic listeners. The stage curtains were pulled and when Charlie finished singing "Who's Calling You Sweetheart, Tonight," the crowd applauded their approval. Halfway through "Willow Garden", a drunken voice interrupted Charlie Monroe and he stopped. After a moment of silence, in a fearless voice, Charlie said, "We have come here tonight to put on a show for these good people and in spite of you, we are putting on a show. If no one is here that can take you outside- I can!" After another moment of silence, Charlie fiinished picking and singing "Willow Garden".
It was an exciting and entertaining ninety minute show. I heard such favorites as "Bringing in the Georgia Mail", "Sourwood Mountain", and "Valley of Peace".
I was young and foolish, I knew very little about music and musicians, but I liked to hear Charlie Monroe and the Kentucky Partners. At that time, they were the best. Now 60 years later, I think they are still the best.