Mel Tillis stories are far better told in person and not in written form – because Mel, despite his lifelong stutter, had an absolutely incredible understanding of the art of communication and he used it beautifully. His vocal inflections, his timing, his choice of words, his facial expressions and his body language made his stories simply priceless. Since I can’t tell you this story in person (Believe it or not, I can do a fairly good impression 🙂 ), I hope those of you who are familiar with Mel will be able “hear” him as you read.
Mel was one of the first Nashville celebrities to build his own theater in Branson. He was also one of the first to copy the practice established by local Branson shows of meeting and greeting the audience in an autograph line after each performance.
Always a gracious host, he cared about his fans and would pose for pictures, shake hands, and visit briefly with anyone who took the time to stand in the (always) long lines to meet him.
One night in August, 20 years ago, I went to see Mel’s show at his Branson theater, sitting in my favorite row (L) about halfway back in the crowd. After the show, I waved to Mel as I was leaving, not wanting to disturb the autograph line, but wanting to wish him a late greeting for his birthday that had passed just a few days before. (It was a big one!). He smiled and waved me over for a hug. As I got closer he grinned mischievously and said, “Heyyyyy, Lisa! Did you know I’m goin’ on 80 years old?” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw several people in the autograph line turn and stare in surprise at this news.
I rolled my eyes and said, “Mel, you’re 70!” I heard a few chuckles. He looked at me with a sincere face but a small hint of a grin and said, “I know that, Lisa….dat’s a-goin’ on 80!” Everyone started laughing. Even in the autograph line, he was working the crowd, delivering humor and bringing joy.
It takes enormous talent and determination to be a successful country music singer or song writer. Mel achieved both…….but even more impressively, he was a gifted, talented, intelligent, creative, and intuitive entertainer.
Today, on what would have been his 90th birthday, I’m thinking about so many stories and smiles. I am blessed to have known him.
Managing My Perspective
I love the blessings and beauty of nature! Anyone who knows me well knows that I enjoy photographing and celebrating beautiful, unspoiled scenes.
When I first bought my current home, one of the selling points was the privacy, solitude, and quiet of the views behind the property. I absolutely loved sitting on my back patio. The land behind my home was wooded – so I had the luxury of watching the leaves change every fall, of watching snow fall among the trees, of seeing the grasses and leaves bud out every spring, and of watching the trees sway peacefully whenever the wind blew. It was all so peaceful and lovely.
Then, a nearby resort decided to build multi-level condos on that property – almost in my back yard. I was so upset when I first heard it – and the thought of losing those lovely views made me incredibly sad. After feeling sorry for myself for a few days, I firmly made up my mind to make the best of things and find the positives to focus on about the new development. I will admit – it was a little challenging at first. I could talk about some sad moments I had, grieving about what was being lost…..but what purpose would that serve? In the end, with a little effort – I found so many good things!
As it turns out, the lights from the completed resort are actually quite pleasant – and now make things much nicer when I sit on my patio in the evenings. The landscaping and upkeep are very well-done so it’s overall very pretty to see. I was pleased to find that the birds, the squirrels, the deer, and the other wildlife I was accustomed to are still around regularly, dropping by in the early mornings and late evenings routinely. You want to know the best part? It is absolutely wonderful to see and hear families coming and going on vacation – just enjoying one another and having fun.
During the recent months of the pandemic quarantine, things were back to being quiet again. The resort sat vacant, and our little tourist town of Branson was strangely empty. I could once again sit on my patio with no cars driving back and forth, no voices interrupting the solitude, no noisy children playing, no people coming and going……it was in some ways back to the way it used to be……and you know what? I missed it all!!!
Sitting on my patio now as I type, I have to smile. The peace and quiet have once again been replaced…..with so many wonderful sounds!!! Just a bit ago, one family of young teens was playing basketball at the nearby court. I smiled as I heard them giving each other grief, laughing, and enjoying the afternoon. Shortly after they gave up the game and disappeared inside, two little girls emerged to play on the playground. The thin little girl all in black who obviously much preferred climbing up the slides to sliding down them – and the tiny determined little girl dressed all in bright purple who practiced throwing a bright blue kickball over and over – trying so hard to get it up and through the basketball goal. As I’m writing now, two older gentlemen have emerged from the condo they are sharing with their wives and are carefully tending a meal on one of the resort’s charcoal grills. It’s fairly hot out – but they are sitting in the shade, enjoying one another’s company, and carefully checking the grill routinely. Whatever they are cooking smells wonderful – and every few minutes one of their wives walks out of their fourth floor condo to peer off the balcony, call down, and see how things are going. I’m smiling again!
The birds are chirping and the breeze is blowing, so it’s very pleasant. I can also hear muffled traffic sounds from the nearby world famous 76 Strip – people driving back and forth to see the sights. A few times each hour, a helicopter flies over carrying tourists toward Table Rock Lake. Every 20 minutes or so, I can hear the “volcano” erupt at Dinosaur Canyon Mini Golf a mile or so away, probably startling and delighting the guests playing there. (smiling again!) The young attendant at the resort occasionally comes racing down the street behind me at a high rate of speed in his golf cart, always with his left foot dangling happily out to the side and bouncing against the cart. (Who wouldn’t smile when you see that? 🙂 )
There was a time when all the noises and distractions could have bothered me. I’m so glad I made up my mind to see the positives. Sitting here by myself on my patio, I do not feel alone. I feel surrounded by people having fun. People who smile and wave as they drive by, people who are working together to have fun and celebrate life.
I am smiling again.
I hope you are also.
Roy Clark
Most Saturday mornings, I turn on the stereo when I wake up to listen to Wayne Glenn’s “Old Record Collector” program on KTXR 101.3. This morning, Mr. Glenn introduced an old favorite of mine and when the first notes began playing, I stopped my housework to sit down and listen to Roy Clark singing “If I Had to Do it All Over Again.” I have long enjoyed hearing this song. I think it is such a joyous celebration of love and life. Hearing it makes me happy and hopeful for that same type of relationship someday. Sitting this morning and listening, it also made me think back….
One year ago last month, I made the familiar drive southeast to Nashville to attend a memorial celebration for Lonnie Melvin “Mel” Tillis. Two smaller, private funerals had already been held in his honor. This service was to be a day for family, friends, and fans to come together and celebrate his remarkable life and career. The program that morning was lovely, with many of Mel’s contemporaries and colleagues on hand to pay tribute. Some performed and some paid honor simply by their attendance. Held at the “Mother Church of Country Music”, the Ryman Auditorium, on a bright but chilly Wednesday morning in downtown Nashville, the service was well-attended. If you have ever been to the Ryman (built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892), you know that the original entrances face 5th Avenue. When the rear addition was added to the building during a renovation several years ago, the main entrance was moved to the 4th avenue side – entering toward what used to be the back of the old building. An additional small entrance opens into the tiny parking lot on the north side of the building. Security guards were at each entrance and the area inside the doors was roped off to help direct attendees. Family and friends were given armbands which allowed them to enter from the north side entrance and sit on the main floor. Fans and admirers entered through the 4th street (main) entrance and were directed to the balcony seating in what used to be named the “Confederate Gallery”.
After the service, most everyone lingered to visit and reminisce a bit longer. Knowing I needed to started on my drive back to Branson, I left sooner than I would have preferred. Before leaving the Ryman, I joined many others waiting in line for a necessary stop at the restrooms just off the lobby. As I returned to the crowded lobby and headed back toward the north exit, I smiled to see I was standing behind Roy Clark and members of his family. At the age of 84, he walked with the help of two canes and a person on each side of him holding onto his arms for support – but his eyes and his smile were as bright as ever. He had a little hat on his head, cocked to one side, and he was smiling at the people in the lobby who waved and were taking his picture as he walked back toward the corded off exit. As guests approached the roped area, the guards would ask to see our armbands and then allow us back behind the cords. When Mr. Clark started through, I was surprised to hear a young security guard ask to see his armband before allowing him to reenter. Polite but mildly taken aback, he showed the armband and started on through. The young guard then asked to see the armbands of the two people who were helping to support him as he walked. “They’re with me”, Mr. Clark stated. I thought about how those three words from Mr. Clark would have opened many doors for others back in the day. The young guard, however, said that he would still need to see the armbands. One lady told him she had discarded it while in the restroom – thinking she no longer needed it since they were leaving and not reentering the auditorium. The young guard started to (very politely) tell her that she would not be able to reenter the roped area and go out the entrance near where they were parked. Another guard walked over about that time and told him to let them go through. It was all very polite and was resolved quickly with no problems. The young guard smiled, opened the roped barrier, and let them pass – it was really no big deal….
….but it made me thoughtful for my drive home. I wondered how many times Roy Clark had played the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman during his successful decades-long career. According to his obituary in Variety, a long-popular entertainment trade magazine, Mr. Clark played backup for an impressive list of popular singers when he was first getting started in the entertainment industry – Hank Williams Sr., Red Foley, Grandpa Jones, Ernest Tubb, Jimmy Dean, and even Elvis Presley. When Roy Clark was able to break out on his own – his accomplishments were incredible. A legendary musician, comedian, and actor, he performed on many popular shows of the day including “American Bandstand”, “The Beverly Hillbillies”, “The Flip Wilson Show”, “The Jackie Gleason Show”, and “The Muppet Show”. He gave an amazing guitar performance of “Malagueña” on an episode of “The Odd Couple” in 1975 that is remembered to this day.
He also served as guest host numerous times for Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show”, starred in a movie called “Uphill All the Way” (with Mel Tillis), and of course – served as co-host on 294 episodes of the highly popular weekly show “Hee Haw”. He won numerous CMA awards and even a Grammy. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He came to Branson in the mid-1980’s and opened the Roy Clark Celebrity Theater – which completely changed the course of Branson, MO. In other words, HE WAS A BIG DEAL! However, there he stood in the Ryman Auditorium – a venue where he had undoubtedly appeared so many times with so many of his famous friends through the years – and the young guard working there obviously had absolutely no idea at all who he was. I wondered how that felt.
A little over nine months later, Roy Clark passed away at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 85.
Fame and power are sometimes very fleeting. Sadly, some of the notoriety and influence Mr. Clark once had was perhaps partly gone on that January morning last year. And, in fact, many people who read this blog may or may not remember Roy Clark and/or all of his accomplishments.
Nevertheless, this morning, Wayne Glenn played one of Roy Clark’s hits over the air….and I feel confident that many others, just like me, smiled and enjoyed hearing Mr. Clark’s song. What an absolutely lovely lasting legacy – to bring a smile, to lift others up, to make them hopeful or happy. Thank you, Mr. Clark.
To hear Roy Clark sing “If I Had To Do It All Over Again”, click here: https://open.spotify.com/track/7FNbGMIzuziW72TtinDdfs
Resources:
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/roy-clark-legendary-country-guitarist-and-hee-haw-star-dies-at-85-1203029645/
https://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/how-i-got-here-from-the-tonight-show-to-hee/article_14dd3f5a-89ed-5716-98eb-b0ded58c3655.html