Wow, that’s a sad event but such a beautiful story! May you R.I.P. Tom T.
Has anyone ever recorded your song?
Mr. Tom T. Hall Passes, My Hero
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I’ve never recorded the song beyond the work tape we made after writing it. I need to do that.
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Thank you, Tom T. Hall for reminding us of the value of old dogs & watermelon wine.
EDIT: Trivia fact: Tom T. Hall & me both worked at the same radio station, though at separate times. It was long before he grew into a man.
Weird Observation: It strikes me Ben may be following in Tom’s footprints, both in song writing and helping others achieve their musical aspirations.
St. Teresa of Avila summed it up nicely: “What a great favor God does to those he places in the company of good people.”
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I never met or even saw Tom T. Hall live but because of the way he delivered songs you feel like you’ve known him I grew up hearing him on the radio, never really had any albums, but you hear certain subjects and it just reminds you of a Tom T. Hall songs. If you were from a small town, it kind of reminds me of a older man in a church that you grew up with every Sunday. You don’t see him very often after you grow up but you have such warm memories of things like church picnics and things. Kind of a bit of rambling but I think you get what I mean.
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What a great story, and a beautiful sentiment in your song! You are a lucky man to have had the chance to work with someone you admired so much.
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Ben, I know my feet don’t measure up… but I sure relate to how you feel about Tom T. Hall and I think i can safely say that we all feel the same about you.
Thank you for the sharing this treasure. I hope to meet you this side of Glory. Maybe pick on a tune and share a laugh.
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God must have had a plan for lots of people past couple days… My step-dad passed away last night… Unreal. Enjoy your time when you have it. It goes quick and your not guaranteed a full ride. It hasnt even hit me yet I just found out about it a hour ago…
Last night I remember telling my fiance that I had a off feeling that night. And it was kind of a spiritual universal message. Than i find this out and I’m in disbelief.
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Ben, you have so many great stories! I can’t wait to find the song and listen.
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Ben, thanks for sharing that story. You need to have that song recorded… awesome lyrics!!
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@BanjoBen I really like the lyrics of your song, and you should get it recorded ASAP! On a side note, it would be really cool to see a song writing course come to Cabin Camp. I have always wanted to write a song, but I’m not much of a Wordsmith, and I really dont even know where to start. I dont know what comes first…The lyrics, or the melody?? I have a few stories in my head, but if it were as easy as Tom says it is everyone would be writing songs. Teach us how to write a song…
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Love the story behind song and the best songs come from personal memories
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I read that you’ve not recorded it. Please do, we’d love to hear it.
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Thanks for sharing that story.
I also remember hearing that Tom T. Hall came up with the name Purple Hulls? If so you must have had a lot more interaction with him beyond this story. We would love to hear more if you will share it with us.
For me, when I was a kid, I had a album called Country Songs for Children. To this day I can still sing Sneaky Snake, Ole Lonesome George the Bassett, One Legged Chicken. The best of the bunch was I Love. Everytime I watch a sporting event and they interview the winner… and the winner kind of tears up I’m reminded of the Tom T. Hall line I love Winners when they cry, Losers when they try. That’s something he gave to me as a kid and I have kept it for 50 years.
I Love by Tom T. Hall
I love little baby ducks, old pick-up trucks, slow-moving trains, and rain
I love little country streams, sleep without dreams, Sunday school in may
And hay
And I love you too
I love leaves in the wind, pictures of my friends, birds in the world, and squirrels
I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups, Bourbon in a glass, and grass
And I love you too
I love honest open smiles, kisses from a child, tomatoes on the vine, and onions
I love winners when they cry, losers when they try, music when it’s good, and life
And I love you too
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Losing people we love and admire just hits places we don’t like to go. As I have matured in my walk with God I have learned from Him to focus on the eternal. Life on this earth is temporal though of extreme importance to the eternal. Brother Ben, I will pray for you this day as you morn the loss of your friend. Hopefully Tom T Hall has his name in the Lamb’s book of life and this won’t be the only song you do together!
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Yesterday I wrote to my “old lady” from '75 - '78 at TAMU, thanking him for introducing me to Tom T Hall all those years ago.
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Would love to hear you sing and play this song!
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I’d say sorry for your loss Ben, but I don’t think you’ve lost him as he lives on with you as your post so elegantly states.
By the way, did Dr Jimmy Olsen have an assistant by the name of Lois Lane? Just curious.
Cheers,mate
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Darn, Ben. This one might be one of your best lessons yet. Thanks for sharing. It was inspiring. All of it.
Andy
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