Murder on Music Row

I must issue a sincere apology to several of my readers for the fact that a bogus edition of "Hugh's News & Views" recently was sent out over my name, but of which I was not the author. Fortunately, the perpetrator of the hoax did not have my complete mailing list, and only a relatively few of my readers (mainly a score or so of preacher friends in the greater Nashville area) received the bogus issue.

While the counterfeit edition touched on a number of irrelevant matters, at its heart was the effort to make it appear that I love contemporary country music, falsely so called.  Nothing, of course, could be further from the truth, as those who know me know.  Garth Brooks is NOT country; he is a frustrated "Rock" star who gets his kicks out of busting up guitars on stage.  Kenny Chesney is NOT country.  The only thing "country" about Kenny is that he always appears to have a "dip" of snuff in his lower lip (not saying that he does, only that he appears to).  And I wish the boy would get some shirts that had the sleeves in them.  I would recommend that he consult with the company that makes "Little" Jimmy Dickens' stage clothes, or those who made Porter Waggoner's outfits, or even the fashion consultant of the late and lamented Dave "Stringbean" Akeman.  Most anything would be an improvement over Kenny's current wardrobe.

Admittedly, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and little Miss Taylor Swift (bless her heart, she's pretty, but she can't sing a lick) are sweet people with some limited talent, but to list them as country music stars makes ol' Hank turn over in his grave. Calling them "country" is the height of irreverence for such true greats as George Jones, Merle Haggard (I go back and forth between The Possum and The Hag as to which is the greatest male country singer of all time), Charlie Louvin, Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, the recently deceased great Earl Scruggs, Porter Waggoner, "Little" Jimmy Dickens (90 + years old and still going strong on the Opry), Tammy Wynette (the greatest female country singer of all time), Loretta Lynn (close second to Tammy), Jean Shepherd, "Mother" Maybelle Carter, the late, great Patsy Cline, and many others who brought honor and fame to the true country music genre. 

So, in spite of the imposter's efforts to make it appear that I appreciate "modern country," I must expose his impetuosity and total disrespect for the "true actual facts."  My real sentiments are lamentably expressed in the following song penned by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell.  I hope all will stand and that the men will remove their hats or caps as they read and reflect on the lyrics of "Murder On Music Row."

Nobody saw him running from 16^th avenue

They never found the fingerprints or the weapon that was used

But someone killed country music, cut out its heart and soul

They got away with murder down on music row

The almighty dollar and the lust for worldwide fame

Slowly killed tradition and for that someone should hang

They all say "Not guilty!" but the evidence will show

That murder was committed down on music row

For the steel guitars no longer cry and the fiddles barely play

But drums and rock 'n' roll guitars are mixed up in your face

Ol' Hank wouldn't have a chance today on today's radio

Since they committed murder down on music row

They thought no one would miss it once it was dead and gone

They said no one would buy them ol' drinkin' and cheatin' songs

Well there ain't no justice in it and the hard facts are cold

Murder's been committed down on music row

For the steel guitars no longer cry, and you can't hear fiddles play

With drums and rock 'n' roll guitars mixed right up in your face

Why the Hag wouldn't have a chance today on today's radio

Since they committed murder down on music row

Why they even tell The Possum to pack up and go back home

There's been an awful murder down on music row 

Yeah.  Sad—so lamentably sad. 

Speaking Schedule: I have just completed a three-week stint (Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening) with the Bethlehem Church of Christ near Lebanon, TN.  I will speak at all services at the Nashville Road church in Gallatin,TN on April 22 and again on Wednesday evening, April 25.

Hugh Fulford

April 17, 2012