Remembering Tom T. Hall

Contemporaries, close friends, and longtime admirers have taken to social media and other outlets to express warm regards for singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall, the multitalented Country Music Hall of Famer who was 85 when he passed away Friday at his home in Franklin, Tennessee.

A native of Olive Hill, Kentucky, Hall earned the nickname “The Storyteller” for writing distinctive and enduringly popular hit songs for himself — including  “(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine,” “I Love,” “Country Is,” “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died,” “A Week in a Country Jail” and “Faster Horses (The Cowboy and the Poet)” — and such artists as Jeannie C. Riley (“Harper Valley P.T.A.”), Alan Jackson (“Little Bitty”) and Johnnie Wright (“Hello Vietnam”). He also achieved success as a novelist and short-story writer, joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1971, and hosted the syndicated TV show Pop! Goes the Country from 1980 to 1982.

But he didn't stand alone. As Rolling Stone writer Jon Freeman noted: “Hall’s work was often intertwined with that of his late wife Dixie, a songwriter and musician who became his collaborator until her death in 2015. From their Nashville-area home known as Fox Hollow (which inspired Hall’s beloved 1974 children’s album Songs of Fox Hollow), the pair wrote and recorded bluegrass music, championing the careers of other bluegrass musicians as well. His last studio album, 2007’s Tom T. Hall Sings Miss Dixie and Tom T., was a collaborative effort between the two.”

Among the notables who have paid tribute to Hall since Friday:

The Oak Ridge Boys: “In 1978 when we sang at Mama Maybelle Carter’s funeral a saddened Johnny Cash walked up to the podium and asked Tom T. Hall to stand with him. Johnny said ‘I draw strength from you Tom!’ Thank you Tom T. Hall for the songs and the strength you provided to so many.”

Janie Fricke: “Tom T. Hall made a great impact in country music and beyond, with the social messages written in his songs, such as ‘Harper Valley P.T.A.,’ a huge hit for Jeanie C. Riley. I just visited with her at a show I did in Carthage, Texas and it brought back great memories of that era and time in my life. Greatly missed, and loved.” 

Lacy J. Dalton: “I loved him — he was always so kind and good to me — and so complimentary — when I was first in Nashville and he heard me sing, he said he thought I must be the reincarnation of Hank Williams — what a lovely thing to say. I will miss him.” 

Larry Gatlin: “Tom T. was one funny human being. He gave me a bull 35 years ago. He wrote me a note explaining his gift of the bull. ‘Larry my young friend, I’m mighty fond of this old bull because he’s got a bad knee, and that’s what kept me out of the Army.’ Kinda funny considering the fact that he joined the Army and later he performed for our military personnel all over the world. Yes, my friend Tom T. was one funny human being. One genuine, good human being and one of the very best wordsmiths on the planet. REST IN PEACE, my friend. Steve and Rudy didn’t get a bull but they loved old Tom T. too.”

John Anderson: “Tom T. was the ultimate storyteller. His songwriting had the ability to make you see a story unfolding in your head. Such a unique and incredibly talented man. He will be missed.”

Ricky Skaggs: “I was saddened to hear of Tom T. Hall’s passing. I loved him. He was a great Kentuckian with a heart of gold. He was a kind and gentle man. Lots of people come to Nashville to write songs, but Tom T. came to tell stories. These stories are everyone’s story. They are America’s story. Now he can truly say, ‘Me and Jesus have our own thing going.’”

Ronnie Milsap:  “Tom T. Hall was a great storyteller, artist, poet, friend and especially husband to the great love of his life, Miss Dixie. The only comfort I have in this loss is the idea they're reunited tonight in heaven.”

Jerry Lee Lewis: “Another good friend, another legend, Tom T. Hall has left us! Tom T. was a true songwriter. The Storyteller was a great nickname for him because he really was the epitome of that. I am so glad I got to know this wonderful man. May he Rest In Peace and God Bless his family.”

Bobby Bare: “I’m devastated at the loss of one of my oldest friends of 57 years, Tom T. Hall. We were more than friends, he called me ‘Brother Bob’ and we had so much in common. We were both from the same part of the country with a similar childhood — but he was a brilliant storytelling songwriter, a trait I always recognized and admired. I think I recorded more Tom T. Hall songs than anyone! I just miss him a whole lot, there will never be another.”

Mickey Gilley: “Tom T. Hall one of my favorite songwriters, two of my favorite songs are 'I Like Beer and 'Shoeshine Man!' Of course the masterpiece was 'Harper Valley PTA,' what an awesome song. He will be missed.”

T.G. Sheppard: “The one thing I could always count on when doing shows with Tom T was that there would be laughter. His incredible poetic writing talent and storytelling genius will for sure be deeply missed. He truly was one of our industry’s great treasures.” 

Graham Brown: “Tom T. Hall was a one-of-a-kind human being. He left us with a body of songs the likes of which we can only dream of. His records were hits. A successful author, his books were always a fun read. He made us laugh and cry. He was a Hall of Famer and will be deeply missed. That is the mark of true greatness. Rest easy, Old Storyteller.”

Tim Atwood: “Tom T. Hall loved honest, open smiles, kisses from a child, tomatoes on the vine, and onions. He was the quintessential artist who painted life’s portrait with an economy of words, a storyteller with a philosopher’s wisdom, and a poet with the common man’s heart. I remember one glorious day at Fox Hollow with Tom and Miss Dixie — sitting around their kitchen table sharing stories — hoping that in some crazy way I would absorb even an ounce of his genius. He pulled out an old guitar that day and began to sing ‘The Homecoming.’ I was spellbound as he wove his tale of a country music singer standing on his father’s doorstep after years on the road. There’s a sadness at the finality of Tom’s road days coming to an abrupt end, but peace in the fact that he is home for good now still loving winners when they cry, losers when they try, music when it’s good, and life.” 

Don McLean: “I worked with Tom on several occasions, and he was always a gentleman. He was a very interesting songwriter and a fun person to be around. He contributed a great deal to country music and he got to live a full life.”

Shane Owens: “What a sad day in country music. We’ve yet again lost another legend. Truly an icon to so many in this business. Gone but will never be forgotten. RIP Tom T. Hall. Prayers sent!” 

Joe Newberry: “I only met Tom T. Hall once. Mike Craver, Bill Hicks, Jim Watson and I sang at Janette Carter’s funeral, and he made a point to come up and thank us. As he wrote, ‘I love winners when they cry, losers when they try. Music when it’s good. And life.’ And we loved Tom T. Hall, too.”

Elizabeth Cook: “He told our story and made it relatable while doing it with such care heart and craft… he is as revered as ANY literary great in my book. Even More. He has set a standard for me and I continue to strive for it. He spoke for my people. RIP Tom T. Hall.”

Kelly Willis: “Rest In Peace, the amazing Tom T. Hall. Incomparable talent.”

J.D. Shelburne: “I’m shocked and saddened to hear the tragic passing of fellow Kentuckian Tom T Hall! One of the pioneers of songwriting and a hall of famer that was known everywhere. Country music has lost one of the good ones. Prayers to the family.” 

Randy Owen of Alabama: “One of my heroes. An artist for all the ages!”

Travis Tritt: “RIP to Tom T. Hall. One of the greatest story telling songwriters ever! I used to pick and sing with him every year at Earl Scruggs’ home.”

Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO: “Tom T. Hall's masterworks vary in plot, tone, and tempo, but they are bound by his ceaseless and unyielding empathy for the triumphs and losses of others. My bet is we won't see the likes of him again, but if we do I'll be first in line for tickets to the show.”