Winsome Wisdom * Rocky Top, You’ll Always Be... by Steve Chappell
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It’s football time in Tennessee, and what a difference from how it was in the post-Philip Fulmer days, when the Vols won its
second national championship in 1998 defeating Florida State 23-16. The only other national title came in 1951 under coach Neyland (although some folks from Maryland might disagree). This year is a refreshing change from a too painful recent past.
But this isn’t about football... this is about that song you hear echoing throughout any given stadium when the Tennessee Volunteers are on the field, court, or diamond!
It's a fascinating story how Rocky Top evolved from a bluegrass ditty to the unofficial University of Tennessee fight song. But believe me, no one was more surprised at the success of Rocky Top than the man and wife songwriting team of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant who brought it to life through the Osborne Brothers in 1967.
During my radio days, I had the pleasure of meeting their son Del Bryant who was an employee of BMI in Nashville. For those of you unacquainted with the music biz, BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) is a intellectual property licensing entity which collects money from music consumers (radio stations, restaurants, theaters, etc.) and distributes those funds to writers and publishers. So happens I am a publisher member of BMI.
When I casually mentioned to Del that I would really like to meet his mom and dad, he reached in his coat pocket, pulled out a small notepad and pen, scribbled briefly, then handed me the sheet he was scribbling on.
"Here's their number in Gatlinburg," he said. "Give them a call. They'd be thrilled to hear from you." So I did.
First time I called, a male voice answered the phone. Nervous as a school boy waiting in the principal's office, I said, "Uh... may I speak with Mr. Bryant, please." To which the voice on the other end replied, "That would be my father, but he passed away years ago. I'm Boudleaux, if you wanna talk to me."
For several years thereafter until his death in 1987, Boudleaux Bryant and I had many stimulating conversations about everything from songwriting to sports. His intellect alongside his folksy humor always brightened my day, knowing that I was in the presence of a true American legend.
Perhaps the most intriguing story I recall is one where he told me his plans to file a lawsuit against another well-known songwriting team and their publisher for copyright infringement on one of the Bryant's best known works.
second national championship in 1998 defeating Florida State 23-16. The only other national title came in 1951 under coach Neyland (although some folks from Maryland might disagree). This year is a refreshing change from a too painful recent past.But this isn’t about football... this is about that song you hear echoing throughout any given stadium when the Tennessee Volunteers are on the field, court, or diamond!
It's a fascinating story how Rocky Top evolved from a bluegrass ditty to the unofficial University of Tennessee fight song. But believe me, no one was more surprised at the success of Rocky Top than the man and wife songwriting team of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant who brought it to life through the Osborne Brothers in 1967.
During my radio days, I had the pleasure of meeting their son Del Bryant who was an employee of BMI in Nashville. For those of you unacquainted with the music biz, BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) is a intellectual property licensing entity which collects money from music consumers (radio stations, restaurants, theaters, etc.) and distributes those funds to writers and publishers. So happens I am a publisher member of BMI.
I saw Del on several music-related occasions and never failed to mention how much I enjoyed the songs written by his mom and dad which include such standards as the Everly Brothers "Bye, Bye Love", "Wake Up, Little Susie", and "All I Have To Do is Dream" among many others. The Bryant's works have been recorded by artists at opposite ends of the musical spectrum, from Scottish hard rockers Nazareth's cover of "Love Hurts" to Buddy Holly with "Raining in my Heart."
When I casually mentioned to Del that I would really like to meet his mom and dad, he reached in his coat pocket, pulled out a small notepad and pen, scribbled briefly, then handed me the sheet he was scribbling on.
"Here's their number in Gatlinburg," he said. "Give them a call. They'd be thrilled to hear from you." So I did.
First time I called, a male voice answered the phone. Nervous as a school boy waiting in the principal's office, I said, "Uh... may I speak with Mr. Bryant, please." To which the voice on the other end replied, "That would be my father, but he passed away years ago. I'm Boudleaux, if you wanna talk to me."
For several years thereafter until his death in 1987, Boudleaux Bryant and I had many stimulating conversations about everything from songwriting to sports. His intellect alongside his folksy humor always brightened my day, knowing that I was in the presence of a true American legend.
Perhaps the most intriguing story I recall is one where he told me his plans to file a lawsuit against another well-known songwriting team and their publisher for copyright infringement on one of the Bryant's best known works.
