Harmony Highways

Story and photos by Kathleen Walls

Ever wonder about what goes on behinds the scenes in your favorite singer or musical group's life? In the past few years, I have visited places and met either those singers or their family or friends. it gives a new and interesting aspect now when I hear their music. I'll share a few of these fun experiences.

Lizzy and Little Roy playing Bluegrass

Lewis Family: One of the biggest names in Bluegrass and Gospel Music is the Lewis Family. It was sad news to all of their fans when the Lewis Family announced their retirement a few months ago. But the good news is that part of the tradition is still ongoing. Little Roy Lewis and his foster daughter, Lizzy Long, are continuing the tradition.

I caught up with them at the Lewis County Historic Park. This wonder facility showcases the lifestyle of early Lincoln County settlers with a grist mill, 1840's vintage animal powered cotton gin, blacksmith shop, country store, 1790's vintage log cabin, a working portable 1950s saw mill, doctor's office and home, and the Lewis Family Pavilion, which provides a setting for musicians and performers and had been dedicated to Lincoln County's own first family of music, the Lewis family.

Little Roy and Lizzy offered an impromptu performance in the general store for our small group. Words can't express how this felt. It was like finding some long lost family and getting together with them on their back porch for some singing and picking. When discussing the Family's retirement Little Roy gave his reason for continuing on "I'm just a recycled teen."

Hearing him play and sing I have to agree. Lizzy, on the other hand, doesn't need recycling. She has youth and talent. You just can't stand still when Lizzy and Little Roy get going.

Herman Webb at the Homesite

Loretta Lynn: I've been a fan of Loretta Lynn ever since I was a teen. I've attended one of her concerts and loved it but visiting her home site was the biggest thrill ever. This is a shrine for all country music fans, Butcher Hollow, home of Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle. Having read the book and seen the movie several times, I was excited to get the opportunity to see for myself, close up and in person, the land and the people that molded a Coal Miners Daughter into the Queen of Country Music.

I was not disappointed. Loretta's brother, Herman Webb, gave the tour along with a few antidotes about the hardscrabble existence of the Webb family. The cabin is tiny especially when you realize there were eight children in the Webb family. It's small and dark but when you look at all the pictures, you see what Loretta meant when she sang, "We were poor but we had love." Sure enough, the "well where she drew water" is still in the front yard. I asked Herman when the family realized that Loretta had a special talent. He replied, " We all sang. Shoot, she was just one more kid with a loud mouth around here."

Herman took us through the house and then brought us back to his modest general store for a moon pie and old fashioned soft drink. Loretta's niece, Sarah McCoart, sang Coal Miner's Daughter for us. Although she is just in her teens, she had already performed with her famous aunt. It's easy to see where the next generation on Nashville greats will come from.

Polly Judd poses at the Highlands Museum and Heritage Center in Ashland, KT

The Judds: I recently traveled along the Country Music Highway, AKA Kentucky 23. Some of country music's best and brightest have – and continue to –follow that asphalt strip out of Kentucky's small coal mining towns directly to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

When the Judds sang "Love Can Build A Bridge" they also showed the world that the generation gap could be bridged. Naomi and Wynonna Judd may be one of the most successful singing duos in history but the bridge across the generation gap started before The Judds ever stepped on a stage.

When I visited Ashland, Kentucky I had the good fortune to meet Polly Judd, Naomi's mother. It is very clear that Polly is the first and strongest rung on the ladder. At 70+ she is the most youthful senior I ever met.

Her stories of having her house moved - literally - not once but twice, prove her adventurous spirit. Of course anyone who tools around in a yellow BMW Roadster convertible has to be daring.

Polly combines her freewheeling spirit with a sense of community and wisdom that is hard to beat. Her modesty and understanding of her famous daughter and granddaughters, Wynonna and Ashley, is a clue to how these three remarkable women achieved such fame. They had a wonderful role model at home.

Want to visit the home towns of these musical greats? Here are the contacts:

www.lincolncountyga.org
www. visitpaintsvilleky .com
www. visitashlandky .com