Stuttering Mel

I have interviewed a lot of country western singers and musicians over the past 40 years. Not to brag, but they have included some of the classic performers like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, Hank Williams Jr., Glen Campbell and many more.

But I never had the opportunity to meet Mel Tillis, who happens to be one of my favorite country artists of all time.

Tillis died at his home in Florida several days ago. He was 85 and country music lost one of its golden stars.

Mel was special to me for a number of reasons. First, like my brother John, he was a stutterer. If he wanted to have a five-minute conversation with you, it would take 10 to 15 minutes and probably more because Tillis would have you laughing all the way.

When a childhood disease left Mel with a serious stutter, his mother encouraged him to tell jokes. She figured a sense of humor was an essential ingredient of life and she was right.

Mel began telling and writing jokes. He also started writing songs and performing them as well. Like my brother, who stutters, he discovered when he was singing; the stutter would mysteriously disappear and let his smooth, strong voice take command.

When Tillis and my brother sing, a magical transformation takes place. My brother, for example, can outreach Elvis Presley, hitting three octaves. As any vocalist will tell you, that is no easy feat.

Tellis made a best-selling record called 'The Coca-Cola Cowboy' where he equated himself to somebody with an 'Eastwood smile and Robert Redford hair.'

For years I thought Tillis also recorded 'Faster Horses,' but I was wrong. It was the storyteller Tom T. Hall who made that record. It has a philosophical message where an older cowboy tells the singer the secret to life is 'faster horses, older whiskey, younger women, and more money.'

Mel lived a good life free of drugs and scandals that have destroyed or damaged other professional careers. He owned a theater in Branson, MO. where he often performed with members of his family.

His hobbies included gardening, fishing and painting. He sold many of his paintings and used the proceeds to benefit worthy charities.

Tillis wrote many hit recordings for other artists, including 'Detroit City' and 'I Ain't Never.' He also appeared in a number of movies with Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds and Roy Clark.

Because of his stuttering, Tillis could make his co-stars and guests feel comfortable. He had his own popular television show and appeared as a guest artist on many shows, including Glen Campbell and The Grand Ole Opry.

Behind that stuttering demeanor was a brilliant mind that understood and followed the road to success. When Tillis sang, the audience grew quiet and listened to his every word. It's the same when my brother appears with his group the Steel City Quartet in a Gospel concert.

I am heading for Pennsylvania next week to pick up a car I just bought from one of my brother's neighbors. We grew up with Michelle Allen, who lived just down the street in a friendly little town in Western Pennsylvania.

While I am back in my home state, my brother and I will visit The Meadows and the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh. I also plan to attend one of his concerts. I never get tired of hearing my brother sing. and he never gets tired of performing.