Artists and Industry Friends Reflect on Passing of Tom T. Hall

 Artists and Industry Friends Reflect on Passing of Tom T. Hall

23 Aug 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tom T. Hall was dubbed “The Storyteller” by Country Music Hall of Fame member Tex Ritter. He was known for writing songs distinguished by their narrative quality, their rich detail, and their keen insight into the beauty of everyday life,” described by the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Country music singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall died Friday at his home in Franklin, Tennessee, at the age of 85.

Artists and industry friends reflected on his passing:

“It is difficult to believe the Storyteller of our time is gone, his stories have been told and that is so hard to imagine, as we all want to hear more.  If you listen to “I Love” you know Tom T,  and you also know that’s why HE was loved so much. He reminded us that those little things were so special, like little baby ducks. One of the treasures that I regret losing in the flood was a handwritten note to me from Tom T. for the ‘recipes’ I had written for the Animal Land Cookbook. He said it was a gift to be able to make someone laugh in one paragraph and cry in the next, and he should know because he did that often. The treasure I regret losing most of all is Tom T. Hall as he was truly a gift. It helps to know that today he is reunited with Miss Dixie and all the dogs they’ve ever loved.”– Jeannie Seely

“Tom T Hall was one of the greatest songwriter/poets of our time. He could paint wonderful, vivid pictures with his words – a great fellow Kentuckian, and a wonderful person.” – Marlon Hargis-Exile

“We have lost two awesome story tellers over the past year, Charlie Daniels and now Tom T. Hall and we will miss them both tremendously. Tom T. made all of us Kentucky folks proud, and we will brag about and honor him and pray for his family! Rest In Peace Tom T.” – Les Taylor-Exile

“Oh my gosh. My hero is gone. A true genius. “Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine” was my favorite country song of all time. This is a big one.” – JP Pennington-Exile

“For this Kentucky boy dreaming of being a songwriter, Mr, Hall was a North star and inspiration. He came from a small town in Kentucky and his songs reached folks around the world. He wrote about real people and real life with his own unique style. He certainly was one of a kind and a gift to me.” – Kent Blazy

“When we were kids, we had many musical heroes. We were inspired when we heard them singing on the radio or telling stories about their lives in music. We saw that through hard work and sheer talent, they deserved every ounce of their success. We looked up to them and dared to dream. It is sometimes said that you should never meet your heroes because they may not live up to your expectations, but when we started our band in 2007, we never imagined it could be possible that many of our musical heroes would eventually become our friends. Tom T. Hall, a giant among musical heroes for many, was so much more than we imagined a hero could be. Along with his wife, Miss Dixie, he was always so very kind and giving of his time to us. They loved our music, and from the very beginning, they believed that with time…if we stuck it out…we could experience great success, too. They were BIG reasons that we  pursued our career and knew that we could do anything we set our minds to. That’s what it felt like to be around Tom T. – like greatness was possible. He knew how to be great and made those around him want to be great, too. We are saddened to hear of his passing, but we know that he anticipated his glad reunion with Miss Dixie since her passing in 2015. Thank you, Tom T., for your inspiration and friendship, and for leaving the world with songs and stories that will continue to be told for generations to come. We already miss you.” –Darin and Brooke Aldridge

“Tom. T. inspired me so much with his conversational lyrics. It doesn’t get any better than “That’s How I Got To Memphis”. As a kid, in my mind, I spent a week with Tom T. in that little country jail, I could almost taste Watermelon Wine and I could just picture the lonely Dad in “Homecoming”. Tom T. sent me a note several years ago. It read, “Have fun in the music biz, but don’t try to have as much fun as I did. All the best, Tom T”  I’ll treasure that note forever.” –Bobby Tomberlin

“Tom T Hall was one of the greatest songwriters in the history of music. He will live on through the many great songs that he wrote. Prayer to his family and loved ones in their time of loss.” – Taylon Hope

“My family and I are so saddened to hear about the passing of Tom T. Hall. Growing up on traditional country music, some of my most favorite songs are “Harper Valley PTA” and his version of “Fox on the Run”. What a tremendous songwriter and storyteller. Country music will greatly miss Tom T. Hall” – Dallas Remington 

“Tom was a legend and a gentleman. He was a true supporter of young artists, always encouraging the next generation of songwriters. His impact on us will not soon be forgotten, and he will be missed dearly. Our regret is that we weren’t able to sit down and chat with Tom T. Hall  for our podcast series, Country Music Success Stories.  Tom’s vast experience in country music and his wisdom would have been an incredible experience for listeners.” – Country Music Success Stories – Candy O’ Terry and Jacy Dawn Valeras

“Tom T. Hall was quoted as saying ‘Remember that someone is always thinking of you and wants you to be happy. People like you better than you do. You’re ok.’ He was an amazing songwriter and what an impact he made on so many lives. He will be missed greatly! Thank you for your poetry and kindness.” – Kyndon Oakes

“Tom T. was one of the first people I reached out to when I moved to Nashville. I knew he was one of the very final links between Country Music’s golden era and the Music City that we live in today. While I’m sad he has left us, I’m glad he is reunited with Dixie. And luckily for us, he left behind a vast collection of stories that we are able to share with the many generations of poets and songwriters to come.” – Zacharia Malachi

“So sorry to hear this! Tom T. Hall was a legend and a great storyteller.” – Frank Myers

“I am so saddened to hear of the loss of the great storyteller of country music himself, Mr. Tom T. Hall. “Harper Valley PTA” was always one of my favorite hits of the many that he wrote. He will surely be missed, but forever live on through all of his songs.” –Dani-elle Kleha

“Rest In Peace Tom T. Hall. ‘The Storyteller’ of country music. Your legacy will live on forever.” – Rob & Jackie Wolf

“Very sorry to hear of the passing of Tom T Hall. He was the Storyteller of Country Music. My condolences and prayers for his family. What a gift he was and will always be to us all.” – Mickey Lamantia

More Fellow artists mourn the loss of their friend Tom T. Hall:

 

“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.” – Don McLean

 

“Back in 1978 when we sang at Mama Maybelle Carter’s funeral a saddened and shaken 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 … Rest Easy now and draw strength from the loving arms of Jesus… until the day.” – Joe Bonsall, The Oak Ridge Boys

 

“TOM T. HALL WAS A ONE-OF-A-KIND HUMAN BEING. HE LEFT US WITH A BODY OF SONGS THE LIKES OF WHICH WE WRITERS 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.” – T. Graham Brown

 

“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.” – Janie Fricke

 

“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.” – Lacy J. Dalton

 

“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.” – T.G. Sheppard

“I grew up listening to Tom T. Hall on the radio or being covered in the Oprys of Texas. He is and will always be a Legend. Never forgotten. We will miss you, Mr. Hall. Sending all my love and prayers to his family in this time.” – Mary Sarah

 

“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, loser’s when they try, music when it’s good, and life.” – Tim Atwood

 

“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!” – Shane Owens

 

“Frizzell and West enjoyed being the guests on the TV Show “Pop Goes The Country” with Tom T. Hall as host. We had a great time. ‘Say Hello To Heaven’, Tom T.” – David Frizzell

 

“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.” – JD Shelburne

 

“I recorded this back in 1999. [ listen ] It was a Tom T. Hall tribute by his favorite bluegrass singer Charlie Sizemore. It is one of my all-time favorite projects to ever work on. Tom T. and Dixie were with us every step of the way, and he was grinning from ear to ear the day we had The Oak Ridge Boys come in to add their signature sound to his classic composition “Me And Jesus.” Duane Allen is my father-in-law, and I know how important great songs are to him, so it was an easy task getting them to come in and sing on a song written by ‘The Storyteller’.

Every time I play this version, I am transported back to that day. One of the greatest songwriters combined with one of the greatest vocal groups coming together to document a moment in time.

There was so much fun and laughter in the studio that day. I have always believed that type of environment is what creates the best chances of capturing special moments. In my view, I believe we achieved our goal.” – Paul Martin, Rockland Road