Merle Kilgore is a legendary songwriter, performer, and country music manager. He led a fulfilled life as a husband, a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a man of great character. He is dearly missed. You can help keep memories alive by adding your favorite Merle stories to this weblog. Visit http://www.merlekilgore.com for more information about Merle.
February 8, 2007 at 5:47 pm |
I shared many great and extraordinary times with Judy and Merle. There are so many memories I cherish deeply. But undoubtedly one of my favorites occurred backstage at a Hank Jr concert, after I had only known he and Judy for a year. Merle had arranged special passes for my friends and I. It was amazing to be considered close enough to garner an “All Access” pass. However, when I was looking around for Merle (who was hard to miss) I asked one of the band members where I could find him. “Who knows? He’ll be around”, he said. I proudly said, “But I am a friend of his.” He laughed and said “Honey, everybody is a friend of Merle’s”. Just then in came Big Merle. Above the noise of Charlie Daniels playing ” The Devil Went Down to Georgia” his booming baritone could be heard. “Baby – so good to see you could make it!” He came over and embraced me like a long lost “friend” I turned to the band member and said “I told you I was a friend of his!”
Over the years, I did come to learn this about Merle: He made everyone feel like THEY were the star of the show. THEY were the best friend, THEY were who he was waiting for and happy to see. That was one of the best gifts he freely gave to others. My children (now adults) were greatly influenced by his character, and the love he and his wife unfailing shared with me over the years. His physical presence may not be with us anymore, but his heart certainly is!