Jim McBride: A Celebration of Life, Love and Song

Tommy Towery

LHS '64

On February 19th, Sue and I joined many of my classmates to honor and remember Jim McBride with what I shall remember as the greatest celebration of life I have ever attended. That night we were treated to entertainment with the showing of videos of Jim's greatest song he has written and the ballpark food from his love of baseball. Jeanne Ivey McBride and family created an event which will long be remembered by those who participated in this memorial. Although there were three tables of Lee classmates, there were others who could not attend due to health reasons.

One of my favorite memories of Jim was made the night he was performing in Jackson, Tennessee, in one of his songwriters events. I drove over from Memphis to see him and he was shocked to see a Lee High classmate in the audience. He dedicated his performance of "Dixie Boy" to me that night. It was special. Rest in earned peace Jim.

The Wayback Machine

"Jim McBride"

Jimmy Ray McBride (April 28, 1947 – January 7, 2026) was an American country music songwriter. He has written five number one songs, ten top 10 singles, and eighteen top 40 singles. In 2017, McBride was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

McBride's songs have been recorded by more than eighty major artists, including Alabama, Trace Adkins, Johnny Cash, Tammy Cochran, Diamond Rio, Crystal Gayle, Vern Gosdin, Jack Greene, Wade Hayes, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Toby Keith, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lonestar, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, the Oak Ridge Boys, Johnny Paycheck, Charley Pride, Pam Tillis, Randy Travis, Conway Twitty, and Keith Whitley.

His most successful collaboration was with Alan Jackson, resulting in the five Top 20 singles and the chart-topping songs "Chasing That Neon Rainbow", "(Who Says) You Can’t Have It All", and "Someday". Their song "Chattahoochee" was selected as song of the year by ASCAP, American Songwriter, and the Country Music Association.

LEE LUNCH BUNCH

Classes of ‘64, ‘65, ‘66

Logan’s Roadhouse

Thursday, April 23, 2026

11:00 am

I decided to send out information about our next LLB a bit early to give everyone ample time to put it on your calendars. Hopefully you can set aside that date to spend at least the lunch hour together.

Thanks to the efforts of Judy Fedrowisch Kincaid and Ken Martz, we now have a reservation at Logan’s Roadhouse, one of our favorite restaurants for this group.

As we begin our sixteenth year of LLB, it has become apparent to most of us just how quickly the years are passing and most painfully as we lose our dear old friends and classmates. With that being said, I urge you all to make every effort to come, have a good lunch, and enjoy a little time with dear old friends. Hope to see you in April.

Patsy Hughes Oldroyd ’65 (256) 431-3396

Judy Fedrowisch Kincaid ’66 (256) 656-3667

Last Week's Questions, Answers, And Comments

Delores McBride Kilgore, LHS '66 , "Thank you."

Skip Cook, LHS ‘64, "I took Spanish in my sophomore and junior years but cannot remember the teacher's name.  I do remember that she was intense on her class learning to speak Spanish.  David Bess and Butch Adcock were both in those classes.  One assignment was to have a conversation in class with another student.  I believe that Butch asked David in Spanish "What did you have for dinner last night?  David replied "Una Pepsi Cola con ice cubimos".  Laughter from the class but a harsh warning from the teacher."

Cherri Polly Faber-Massey, LHS ‘66, "No apology was needed about my Sweetheart Pageant number.  Yes, I'll be your Valentine if you don't tell my husband or your wife.  🤣"

Butch Chaffin, LHS '66, "Could this possibly be the Washio you were talking about? He was an acquaintance of my wife, Jane, and he gifted his book to her. Thanks for all you do."

(Editor's Note: Yes it is.)