Circles of Hope Telethon, Jackson, TN: Tuny, Carl, Wes and more...

Sunday, we traveled to Jackson, TN to play at the 30th Annual Circles of Hope Telethon in Jackson, Tennessee to benefit the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Centers for Prevention of Child Abuse.  Hard to believe, but I worked as an emcee at the very FIRST telethon, years ago, while I was working at WBBJ-TV in Jackson.  I worked the telethon for several years with Carl Perkins himself, and local TV legend Doris Freeman....aka Cousin Tuny!  I love Tuny.  Hard to believe, but I first me her in the early 60s when I appeared on her show!  I was only 5 or 6 years old, I think.  Tuny's persona was part Minnie Pearl, and part Speck Rhodes and she was GREAT, and a wonderfull person off camera as well!  Unfortunately, I think this was the first telethon she wasn't able to attend due to her health.  She's on up in years.  I hated to miss her but everyone told me she's still as warm, wonderful and caring as ever!

 Some of my fondest memories of this telethon were sitting backstage, shooting the breeze with Carl Perkins and listening to his priceless stories.  I never got enough of that!  Carl was one of the most genuine, wonderful persons you'd ever want to meet!  He made me laugh so hard with his stories about everything from working with Dave Edmonds, etc, to everyday stuff, like working in his beloved flowers.

 

At the telethon, I was so glad to see my former co-worker Brenda Dewberry. I found out she had continued to work every telethon, even after leaving WBBJ...so this was her 30th Telethon! Amazing! As I went to plug in, I found my 335 had a short in a switch or pot, so I was in TROUBLE.  I had only brought one guitar! Luckily, my old friend, Wes Henley was working sound and had two great guitars onstage.  I grabbed one of them and it played like a dream!  Wes is one of the finest if not THE finest guitar players I've ever known, so I was honored to play his Gibson Gold Top for the show!  I just hope he forgives me for sweating on the strings....

I also saw several other old broadcast and Jackson friends, including Ernest Harper, Julie Cook, Mark Brooks, Jerry Gay, Steve Bowers, Tom Britt and more!  It was a nice day, and a GREAT cause!