The Storyteller

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They called Tom T. Hall "The Storyteller." Rarely did he write songs that were outside the realm of a finely-detailed snapshot of life. Oh, he could, such as the brilliantly beautiful "That's How I Got to Memphis," but he was far better known for writing novellas set to music. Tom T. Hall died today (8/20/21). I'm proud because he was a Kentucky boy, born in the eastern Kentucky town of Olive Hill (that's also known for Carter Caves State Park). He did a stint in the Army then started writing songs. And oh, did he write songs. He had his own string of hits, of course; however, there were songs that were hits for others. Most notably: "Harper Valley PTA." The song, a figment of Hall's imagination, became a massive hit for Jeannie C. Riley and spawned a TV movie and TV series. There were others, most of which did not cross over into pop and popular culture: "(Margie's At) The Lincoln Park Inn" by Bobby Bare, "The Pool Shark" by Dave Dudley (which turned out to be Dudley's only #1 hit, despite all those truck driving hits from the 60s), "Hello Vietnam" by Johnnie Wright, "California Up-Tight Band" by Flatt & Scruggs, and "Little Bitty" by Alan Jackson. Oh, and "That's How I Got to Memphis." Bobby Bare had a hit with that, and it's been one of Hall's most-covered compositions. Jeff Daniels sang it in the finale of the HBO series The Newsroom. I got to meet Hall at the International Bluegrass Music Association conference. A gentleman in every respect. He will be missed by country music....by all music. Tom T. Hall was 85.