REMINISCE MAGAZINE: DAD’S FIRST CAR
I was in the process of a little spring cleaning when I came across this copy the October ’99 issue of Reminisce magazine. It has been nearly a year since my father died at the age of 93 and coming across this magazine brings back a lot of memories.
I had done a drawing of Dad sitting on the bumper of what he always referred to as his first car. On one occasion when he was reminiscing, I encouraged him to write down his recollection of that car, which he did. After a little editing, I submitted it along with the drawing to Reminisce. Never said anything to him about the submission until one day, I received notice that they liked the story and would like to use it.
I believe it made him feel good to pull out the article and talk about it to everyone. He had a copy of the article framed and hanging in his living room.
The original art was done with pencil, color pencil and an acrylic wash.
FLASHBACK: SPECIAL TIMES, LORETTA LYNN
I had the good fortune of meeting Loretta Lynn in July 1969 where she was performing at the county fair in Mayfield, Ky. She was on the back of a flatbed truck, playing a guitar, barefoot, and the crowd loved her.
Over the next year we ran into each other in different towns as we were both traveling, her with concerts and me with my artwork. In the early 70s we moved to Nashville. Johnny Cash was doing his television show and we were back stage during the taping of an upcoming show that featured Loretta along with a number of other performers like Chet Atkins and Rick Nelson. At that time she was also still doing the Wilburn Brothers Show and the tapings were at a local television studio where we were able to visit and watch. That was pretty exciting for a young 24 year old, and a music lover like me.
It was during one of these tapings that she and Mooney invited my husband and I to go with them on their next concert tour. I learned a lot about life on the road and had a wonderful time getting to know Loretta better. She is a marvelous, wonderful human being and a pleasure to spend time with. I have lived a blessed life and along the way encountered many wonderful people and Loretta is definitely one of those individuals I truly treasure, and consider myself very fortunate to have known.
Thought I would share with you some of the art I have done of Loretta Lynn and for her along with a few photos from my personal collection.
In 1972 I had my fourth child and named her, what else, Loretta Lynn Harper.
FLASHBACK ’78: “BILLBOARD UNVEILED TO WELCOME ELVIS FANS TO MEMPHIS”
The billboard of Elvis from Betty Harper’s original American Trilogy was revealed in ’78. This was the first official act to publicly pay tribute to the cities lustrous citizen and to welcome all those coming to Memphis just because of Elvis.
FLASHBACK ’89: Mae Axton and Me
One of the most interesting women it has been my pleasure to have known was Mae Boren Axton, co-writer of Elvis’ first hit, Heartbreak Hotel. Ms Axton was an amazing lady who was at the beginning of it all, contributing a great song that would be a major influence on the direction our music would go.
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