171030 October 30, 2017
Jim McBride Inducted Into
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
Jeanne Ivey McBride
LHS ’66
Last Monday night in Nashville, Jim and I attended the 47th Annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction dinner, where Jim was an honoree. I know that Jim would never write this himself since he is not one to brag on his accomplishments so please allow me the pleasure of doing so.
From the Dallas Mill Village in Huntsville, Alabama to The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame was a 35 year trip for Jim. He went from a scared wannabe songwriter, going door to door on Music Row, trying to get his songs heard, to being a recognized and honored member of the Nashville music community. Jim knows what it is like to have your dreams come true. He also knows the hard work, sacrifice, persistence and disappointments that are part of the journey.
The NaSHOF was created in 1970 with 21 songwriters in the initial induction. Those writers included Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, A.P. Carter, Pee Wee King, Cindy Walker, Gene Autry, Fred Rose, Albert E. Brumley, Merle Travis, Ted Daffan, Johnny Bond and Rex Griffin. A short list of the songs that they wrote include “Your Cheatin Heart”, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, “T For Texas”, “Mule Skinner Blues”, “Faded Love”, “Here Comes Santa Claus”, “Back In The Saddle”, “The Tennessee Waltz”, “Wildwood Flower”, “The Wabash Cannonball”, “I’ll Fly Away”,”You Don’t Know Me”,”Dream Baby”,” Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”, “Born To Lose”,”I’m a Fool To Care”, “Lovesick Blues”, “Am I That Easy To Forget”, “Lonely Street”, “Tomorrow Never Comes”, and “Sixteen Tons”.
A few of the modern era members of NaSHOF include Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Roger Miller, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Joe South, Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams, Jr., Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, and Garth Brooks. These writers are recognizable because they also were\are recording artists. Most of the writers in the Hall are names you have never heard before, but, they have written the songs of our lives. Many of the songs have and will outlive us as well as the writers. Please go to the site, National Songwriters Hall of Fame, to see which writers wrote your favorite songs including Pop and Rock and Roll hits.
In the 47 years of the Hall’s existence, only 208 songwriters have been inducted. Only 208 members made out of the tens of thousands who made their way to Nashville to pursue the dream of professional songwriting. Having said that, Jim is honored and humbled to be in that select group.
Until four years ago, the NaSHOF was a virtual Hall. In 2013, a long held dream was realized when the NaSHOF Gallery was opened in the newly constructed Music City Center, across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Bridgestone Arena.
Lee Lunch Bunch Photos
Submitted by Linda Collinsworth Provost
LHS '66
L- R
Millie Hopkins Porter, John Scales, Linda Collinsworth Provost, Kathy Harris Jones, John Hudgens
All LHS '66
Terry Barnes & Curt Lewis
Barbara Rilman Dehay, Linda Collinsworth Provost, Ginger Gambrel
Sue Faulkner, Patsy - queen of the lunch, Judy Fedrowich Kincaid, Gary Metzger
Linda Collinsworth Provost, Kathy Harris Jones, Sarajane Steigerwald Tarter
Sharon & Gary Hatcher, John Hudgens
Memphis, TN - Busy week for me this last week, with two sets of company from out of town and one day-trip to the old Blytheville AFB. Friday night Sue and I sat in the cold and rain to watch the Memphis Tigers defeat Tulane in a football game.
Thanks to Linda Collingsworth Provost for sending us some nice pictures she got at the Lee Lunch Bunch gathering.
If you want to read a Halloween Story...then I refer you to the one I published a few years ago. Click on this link.
From Our Mailbox
Subject: Anna Estes Obit
Spencer Thompson
LHS '64
I saw on al.com obits Anna Estes passed. She taught 7th grade when we were there.
Anna Margaret Estes, who is 85, a devoted wife and mother, died on Sunday, the 22nd of October, 2017. Born on December 14, 1931 in Gurley, Alabama to the late James & Robbie McKee Givens. She taught at both Lee High School, Madison Academy, and Thursday and Sunday School for the church. She was a former member of the East Huntsville Church of Christ, Holmes Road Church of Christ and still member of Goodman Oaks Church of Christ. She worked for over four decades for Mary Kay Cosmetics and yes she had several pink Cadillacs. Burial was be on Thursday, October 26 at the Decatur City Cemetery in Decatur, Alabama. Along with her parents Anna was preceded in death by her husband Bill and her daughter Louisa. She is survived by her son Jim (Libby) Estes and son-in-law Mike Allgeier; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Anna loved life, the people and family in her life, and most of all was a devoted servant of God.
Published in The Huntsville Times on Oct. 25, 2017
