Tom T. Hall -We've Lost An All Time Great

Paying my respects to the great, Tom T. Hall. He died at his home in Franklin, Tennessee on August 20, 2021.
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Tom T' Hall
I Love
The Year Clayton Delaney Died
A Week In A Country Jail
#TomTHall

[@olebubby]

One time Shawn Camp and I were headed to Charleston to play Mountain Stage so, while passing Olive Hill, KY we took a little detour to check out Tom T’s hometown. We were standing on Main Street which had been named Tom T Hall Boulevard or Street in his honor. We immediately realized we had to let Tom and Dixie we were there.. not sure if we sent an email or left a message but we got a message back from Tom T saying, “You’ll notice it’s a street that leads one way, out of town…” We have indeed lost one of the greatest of all time.. aside from the music and songs, Tom T was one of the most down to earth, gracious and generous men you could ever want to meet. He was a superstar to me… RIP Tom T… #flylow

[@otisgibbs]

Much love to ya, Mike!

[@brianb.5473]

Mike, I am not far from Olive Hill just across the state line in WV. I have been to Mountain stage too many times to count. I imagine that is a great gig to play. Because they always get some great musicians.

[@olebubby]

@@brianb.5473 I’ll be at the Fly In Festival this coming Friday in Huntington.. come say hi!

[@brianb.5473]

@@olebubby Mike I saw your on from 9-10. I will do my absolute best to make it. I will be the old guy in the Townes shirt.

[@SuperBollus]

Hey Mike, I'm a fan from Australia and I have loved Tom T from the time I first heard him. Only last week I was doing a stupid Facebook thing about how many songs in country/ folk/ bluegrass mention Harlan, Kentucky and of course I put up "Hero In Harlan". I think "Sam Stone" is an amazing song but right along side it sits "Hero In Harlan". I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Take care and stay safe and all the way around I'll still keep playing Tom T songs.

[@TexasSapphires]

If I can’t dance it’s not my revolution - Emma Goldman I can’t dance - Tom T. Hall

[@johnrosier1686]

He was a songwriter’s songwriter all the way. Phrases like “baloney, eggs, and gravy” make you laugh while “old dogs and children, and watermelon wine” can leave you in tears. There are a lot of folks sharing your grief today. A class act and all around great guy! RIP Tom T.

[@professortraceycppvirtuall7807]

Ravishin' Ruby and Old Dogs... All of them, really. Thanks for your tribute to my hero! RIP TOM T.

[@pauldenali6367]

Thanks Otis. You did Tom T. proud with this video. Impossible to name my favorite. But I often think of "(If they) Hang Them All" as one of his best that isn't so well known. He always blows me away with powerful understatement. Definitely "Americana" before someone thought to coin that word as a genre. BTW I thought you were going to say you got the key to Spokane. I heard he got the key to that city after writing Spokane Motel Blues.

[@jakeyboy8402]

Tom T. Hall a unique God given talent! I love his music! He was one of a kind! Him and ol’ Clayton are reunited once again playing those “Lovesick Blues”. My favorite song of his would be “Homecoming”! God Bless you neighbor!

[@alwayscrazy1]

Loved his sense of humor.... Salute to a Switchblade-- Little Lady Preacher.... oh man Homecoming is on a whole other level! .... Half Pound of Ground Round... Trip to Hyden.... How I Got to Memphis.... geez.... it literally goes on n on n on. God Bless TomT!! RIP, Good Sir. :(

[@aliciahager2961]

I was not very familiar with Tom T. Hall and his work. However, his ability to paint the small town every day life into a masterpiece that anyone could relate to

[@aliciahager2961]

I apologize, hit the send button too soon. Perhaps technology is a very poor substitute for the quiet rhythms of small town everyday life that Tom T. Hall was so good at bringing to his songs. Watermelon Wine is his song that I am most familiar with, didn't realize Harper Valley PTA was his. Loved them both. I think St. Peter already has a song of Tom's already picked out.

[@pjteleman]

Quickly, my favorite Tom T song is, "Joe Don't Let The Music Kill Ya". I remember the day I shook Tom's hand. He was just kind of standing there, Miss Dixie was sitting about 10 feet away. We talked music for a few minutes...or I should say, he talked music for a few minutes. And then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a green guitar pick and handed it to me. He said, "You're gonna need this".

[@libertyann439]

Hope you still have it!

[@telebender]

So many great songs, but I always come back to "That's How I Got to Memphis".

[@tvcdboombox1]

Otis, I really really like your observations, commentary and interviews. Totally authentic and full of heart. Thanks.

[@stevensmith1911]

Ballad of 40 bucks + Homecoming (tie for my favorites) RIP Tom, I have enjoyed your music for over 40 years.

[@kurtfoulke5130]

I love coffee in a cup Fuzzy little pups Bourbon in a glass & grass And I love Tom T. Hall

[@chriskleen5918]

I have always loved " I Hope It Rains At My Funeral " But there are so many close seconds like: Homecoming Fox on the Run That's How I Got to Memphis

[@susanbukera6368]

Hi Otis I always love Tom t Hall too since the kid I got to see him at yorkegheny lake Park up in the Uniontown mountains in Pennsylvania I believe it was 1974 I love always music especially ravishing Ruby... And I wash my face in the morning dew... Me and Jesus... And that's how I got to Memphis... And I ride a lot of trains... And of course always top hits so glad to hear others love and appreciate him too... That was nice video Otis very nice thank you sir 👍😁💕 Suz 🎵

[@spirit1965]

My mother was in love with Tom T. Hall. I really can't remember not hearing his music in the house when I was a kid. We saw him at a county fair when I was around 10 years old, I believe it was in Indiana. We drove for hours to get there. I've been to a lot of concerts and shows in my life and the thing that I remember most about seeing him was how quiet and well-behaved the audience was. It almost had a family reunion vibe, where everyone knows everyone else. Favorite song would have to be "I love".

[@mickeyphillips6603]

Same here, Scott. Never saw him live, but my Mom used to play his records for us when my siblings and I were young.

[@jessefillmore]

Tom T. Hall had a smokers, country voice . I was 6 years old in mid 1986 . I can remember cigarettes being smoked EVERYWHERE . My Mom used to let my Grandma and older cousin smoke in our house , today she don't lite smelly candles in the house lol . She would use a small saucer as an ashtray cause my parents didn't smoke LOL . Anyway's whenever I hear a good ole Tom T Hall song I think of a time when we didn't flip out on cigg smoke . Plus in the mid 80's my Grandparents were in their 50's so they were partying in Branson and in Orlando Cheyenne Saloon where greats like Tom T Hall would have the crowd wrapped around his finger singing a song about ......"I LOVE BEER !!" LMAO .

[@lincolnmaceachern2410]

I was 11 or 12 when "Old Dogs..." came out. It remains one of my all time favourite songs, taking me back to warm Saturday nights, working in the barn with my Dad, listening to country radio. The lyric, "God bless little children, while they're still too young to hate" may be the most brilliant and profound that I've heard in my 59 years; considering so few years had passed since MLK and RFK were murdered. First, Jesse Winchester, then John Prine, then Tom T. Hall; so many brilliant artists lost.

[@bglrj]

50 years ago, the only radio station in my rural college town changed formats from top 40 to country. My car radio antenna had broken off and I could only get that one station, and then only if I stuck a potato onto the stub. Thus begin my infatuation with Tom T. Hall. Among others.

[@billwhite7099]

Otis, Tom T. Hall is one of my favorites as well. I was telling my buddies the other day, that I bet Tom T. has more songs that I like than any other artist. He might not always be the first that I think of, but his songs catalog is more vast than any I can think of. Who's Gonna Feed Them Hogs, Little Lady Preacher, Week In A Country Jail, Legend of Bill Crump, Sure Gets Cold In Des Moines, are some of my favorites but it don't even scratch the surface.

[@brianhawkins3401]

Man Otis, this one is hard. My wife and I visited Olive Hill a few years ago. I was saddened there wasnt a 40 foot statue in the middle of town. Old boy deserved it for sure. I, too, saw him at Bean Blossom. The only time I had the pleasure. It was the year he and Jimmy Martin provided lunch for everyone. I met Jimmy a couple of times, but that year I figured I'd eat and then hunt down Tom T., who was standing around talking to people. Unfortunately, by the time I ate, he had retired to private quarters. What a fun show though! He was one of my first favorite singers so choosing a song is hard. I love Switchblade, Fox on the Run, Ballad of Forty Dollars, and of course Homecoming. I even though I've only been there once, I do have a special place for Thank You, Connersville, Indiana. Thank you, Tom T. Hall. You were the greatest.

[@jaredneisler1188]

You are spot on with everything, so glad I found this. Many thanks.

[@jamesdillman6811]

I’ve been a huge Tom T. fan for fifty-plus years. You spoke at length of his song Homecoming, which is my favorite Tom T. song. I recall Tom talking about being savaged by some New York music critic after Tom performed at Carnegie Hall many years ago. The critic made some reference to Tom’s music as kindergarten level or for kindergartners. Tom’s response was, “I couldn’t think of a higher honor.” That’s an example of the hard-hitting, yet gentle wit that made Tom one of our greatest songwriters.

[@brianbrino4310]

Thank you so much Otis for your such interesting information about Tom T Hall who I didn’t know much before your video. What an interesting life and what an interesting man he was and he apparently saw it all in country music and art. Thank you thank you thank you as always for your excellent videos and your most fantastic details about such important people related to country music. May God bless you and continue with such an interesting amount of information that only cut you can give us in such an entertaining manner! 👏👏👏👏👏🍀🍀🍀🍀🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@mistergrandpasbakery9941]

You are certainly NOT gushing. Those are raw and honest thoughts and that's what makes me like your channel soooo much!

[@keithpeeples3565]

" I drove by the grave to see her, boy, that really is a pretty stone." ( Gut Punch ). First Jerry Jeff and now this. I don't think we'll ever see their likes again.

[@TrueRoyalsFan]

Good one Otis. Awesome that you met him and shook his hand. Thanks for doing this. One of my favorites is "That's How I Got To Memphis."

[@barrygioportmorien1]

I am with you Otis, Tom T. Hall was a top notch singer songwriter, with so many great songs. RIP Tom T., "Old Dogs and Children, and watermelon wine" It takes a great mind to do just one song like that, and he made so many of that quality. I saw Tom T. on stage at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto many years ago, and he told some jokes, the one I remember most, was he said a bum walked up to him on the street and said, I haven't had a bite to eat today, Tom T. said, I told him, force yourself... knowing Tom T., he would probably never deny a hungry man a meal. I have 55 songs in my all time favourites list by Tom T. and so many more that i like also..... Then take a listen to "The Monkey That Became President" what a range he had, he certainly was a great poet. "Back When Gas Was 30 cents a Gallon". "Ravishing Ruby" excellent.

[@goddessmerveille783]

Tom's song "Homecoming" is the Hemingway iceberg principle set to guitar and piano, an entire Faulkner novel in three minutes. One person does all the talking and never once says what is really on his mind. And we get every word of it. And so does his dad. "I promise you I'll write."

[@1coopjsn]

Well, he's gone to see Ms. Dixie. And indeed -- that audiobook is really something else. I normally like books better, but this is one is built for the medium. You get these exquisite little poems or sayings by Tom T., too. He will really be missed.

[@darrellkinkade9205]

I also grew up in a small Ky town. The great Tom T (The Storyteller) was so easy to relate to. To paraphrase, "maybe the Good Lord likes a little storytellin too)...

[@woodygrounds5396]

Otis, I love and look forward to your stories. Everytime I see a new one, I listen right away. I started listening to some of your music and I sure hope your music career has gotten the attention it deserves. I love it when you say at the beginning of each episode "Friends."

[@mitchmatthews6713]

I met Tom T a few years back at the Station Inn. Humble man. I truly look at him as my biggest songwriting influence. I will surely miss him, but I will continue to sing his songs in my head, especially "Ballad of Forty Dollars." Otis, check out the documentary "The King of Bluegrass." Tom T talks about that performance with Jimmy Martin, saying he would have done it for a bologna sandwich.

[@drumminsonlive9199]

I remember Tom performing Mr Bojangles many years ago and he had a little square of plywood on the floor and he sprinkled some sand on the plywood and he would dance on it maybe the old soft shoe I don’t know and his clothes were kind of worn down kinda like a hobo. The song was more like telling a story speaking more than singing and I will never forget that performance and I’m sure that for those 3 minutes or so he was Mr Bojangles. Thank you Otis for sharing your life’s stories and recollections be they happy or sad I need to hear them all. Live well brother…

[@davidstokes2780]

Never be another Tom T. Tom and Dallas Frazier were the best songwriters ever in my opinion. Man we listened to Tom a many a day at work. About wore those cassettes out

[@rustysresale1967]

I totally agree. Every Tom T Hall LP has at least a few hidden gems. Always worth way more than the few dollars they are asking!

[@jeffmatuszak477]

Heartbroken today. Every single musician I've ever heard, from Punk to Classical, always compared everyone to Tom T. He was the Measuring Stick. I met him once and he was as advertised. A genuinely sweet person. Damn, Tom T. I just love you, dude. Rest well.

[@RandyH400]

never got to see him in person. And I don't know my favorite song... I never heard A bad one!

[@patricksaxon3983]

It is too bad that none of the Nashville country radio stations did not play any of his music in his memory. It used to be that when a recording artist passing away, they would play their songs on the radio. But today's so called radio is nothing but crap. But no one knows how he passed away?

[@jayjaynella4539]

I saw your tears Otis. I feel for you the same way. The best songwriter ever. His brother Hillman has some songs here. Hillman was also a gifted writer who never got what he needed to make it big.

[@jr642]

I Hope It Rains At My Funeral is my favorite but there are at least 30 others that are right there with it.

[@settermanfishing]

Hope it rains on that day 🙏

[@scotttracy2110]

45 or 50 is a closer estimate... I hope it rains is a great one.

[@11UncleBooker22]

Thank you sweet Lord for Tom T. Hall. WOW man that's heavy news to hear. 36 years ago this mid-Sept I met him in Evergreen, Alabama at a little hole in the wall clothing store. I worked at the local country radio station, 80,000 watt blow torch 93.3 F.M., and was driving through town when I saw his tour bus parked next to the clothing store. The bus had his nick name The Story teller on the side so I new it was his. I went in the store and he was standing in the store holding a pair of pants up to his legs to measure the length. We had some small talk, he invited me on the bus and autographed a hat for me on the spot. I was 18 with relatives in Evergreen but was raised in Akron, Ohio and that summer I was fresh out of high school. He told me he was on his way to do some bass fishing in Florida at a friends place and then a show at another location later that week. He was down to earth to say the least and I remember him encouraging me to continue my pursuit in broadcasting. I did and while I never made it to L.A. or New York, I always made time to play some Tom T. Hall.

[@washingtonbob49]

Thank you Otis for your fine tribute to Tom T. Hall. I totally agree with you about his songs and writing ability.

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Bob!

[@MenRising]

He was such an inspiration

[@clayc8115]

Apparently Tom T Hall is my mom's 3rd or 4th cousin. We never knew him but my grandmother did. I never knew much about him but it is wild how a distant relative impacted so many lives. I need to learn more about him.

[@clayc8115]

I searched for him on youtube after my mom told me he passed to learn more about him and found this video.

[@clayc8115]

Correction: He is my grandmother's 3rd or 4th cousin. I kinda look like him too if you Spanished him up lol.

[@darkomtobia]

This has been like watching a part of my childhood die in front of my eyes. Everything you hit on is right. It's like how I felt when Elvis passed. I had few happy times as a kid, but many were tied to Tom T Hall's music. RIP

[@Gratefulman1965]

Favorite Tom T. Hall songs are as follows……….All of em’ But “Faster horses (The cowboy and the poet”) holds a special place in my heart.

[@joeo9082]

I saw Tom T perform in Jacksonville AR and the Storytellers didn’t make it. It was just Tom T and his guitar, but he made it happen! I agree with you that finding an old Tom T album would be gold! His lesser known songs are some of his best! Like Tom, “I found out it ain’t too bad” the way he picked and sounds. He was my favorite singer.

[@HerbWalker]

In 1980-1983 I was stationed in Germany in The US Army. I had a Country band over there and we played every where. Several Germans always asked me to sing How I got to Memphis. :) You would be surprised how many older German people still remember when Tom T Hall was stationed over there too. He played in a few clubs and worked on American Forces Radio too. :)

[@Folkie44]

Thank you Otis.

[@jameswarner6899]

Watermelon wine

[@Gratefulman1965]

T.T.H. 🎶”Legend”🎶 R.I.P. Thanks Otis, Tom’ stories in song, made my childhood so much better.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@paulbcote]

My favorite is "Who's Gonna Feed Them Hogs?". Never fails to bring a year to my eye. Tom really knew exactly how to get a grip on the heatr-strings. Thanks Otis.

[@robertrohrs9195]

I guess as a guitar player, Clayton Delaney would be a favourite. However, he could tell a great story, so I love all his work.

[@INDYOSKARS]

"I could see him half-stoned picking out the "Lovesick Blues" -Tom T. Hall "They´s worth more now then when they´s a-living !" -Tom T. Hall He had many memorable lines that stuck in my mind.

[@chadbeermann2744]

The thing about his song catalog is: the deeper you dig, the more you discover how much deeper there still is to dig. And, "So let me say this, I never tried to hurt anybody Though I guess there's a few, that I still couldn't look in the eye" gets me every time.

[@scotttracy2110]

What a couple of lines , unbelievable how profound some of them are , a mountain of wisdom passed today. I can’t say enough about how great he is

[@Galiuros]

There are so many great Tom T Hall songs. I've been searching around and found one called Gimme Peach from Places I've Done Time album. It's now my "this week's" favorite.

[@bobblehead67]

This one hurts. When I was first trying to write songs Doug, my band mate/mentor told me "Listen to Hank, Hag, Harlan Howard and Tom T. Hall. Do what they do. That's it." We covered Fastest Rabbit Dog in that band. Tom T. was a giant.

[@raydavison4288]

"Clayton Delaney" is my favorite Tom T. song...or maybe, "Ballad of Forty Dollars".

[@soonerstan56]

My father was completely over the moon about Tom T. As a kid he was just a guy on the radio to me , but when Clayton Delany came on the radio I knew to shut up because Dad would't put up with any chatter while it was playing. I think looking back that song must have struck a chord with him growing up in rural Arkansas. Thanks Otis

[@otisgibbs]

What's your favorite Tom T. Hall song? Did you ever get to see him live? If you did, I'd love to hear about it.

[@jh5869]

Faster Horses, and no Sir. Wish I had been blessed to see him live. Thanks for the video, and delivering sad news in an honorable message.

[@RemingtonRidersMusic]

Otis, I'm so glad you started off with your description of The Homecoming and how he casually slips in: "I'm sorry that I couldn't be here with y'all when mama passed away." The Homecoming has been may favorite for decades. There is so much insight in that song.

[@RemingtonRidersMusic]

My second favorite is a Week in a Country Jail. I'm glad you talked about that one, too. "After seven days she got to looking so much better, I asked her if she'd like to run away." Pure genius.

[@richardcleveland1763]

(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine

[@brianb.5473]

When I was about 5 or 6I remember beating on my Roy Rogers guitar and singing Clayton Delaney. Otis if you make it to Carter County KY at the welcome center in Olive Hill they have a bunch of Tom's memorabilia. I saw Tom play Camden Park not far from where I live in WV. A couple times. Got to shake his hand. RIP Mr. Hall.

[@VisitWithNanaAndPapa]

He was my friend, though he never knew it. Through a very trauma filled childhood, this voice sang to me (often without actually playing) 'I care, I do, theres no one else like you." The adult in me knows it wasn;'t written for me, but the little girl who knew way too much darkness will always be grateful for the voices coming through the transistor radio, especially the voice of Tom T Hall.

[@stevewuertz3598]

Thanks for the update-sad news. I regret I only own one Tom T LP-but it is a good one "In Search of a Song. " First Tom T song I fell i love with was Harper Valley when I was in 6th Grade and it was in heavy rotation that summer I regret I never saw him live. Love the story of the Estate Sale.. Favorite song-Clayton Delaney or Old Dogs Children and Watermelon Wine

[@chrissawyer4060]

I had just commented on your guitar player post last night about this. Man that sucks so bad. I wish my brother was still alive because he would be right with me on the commiseration today. He died in 2004 July 23rd. He turned me onto Tom T Hall, Johnny Cash, and all the older country and southern rock artists. I was a punk rock and thrash skater with a limited knowledge of older dudes like that. I sure appreciated him playing that stuff for me. Also when you get down to it the jump from bands like The Clash, The Violent Femmes, and Uncle Tupelo really ain't that far a stretch. I feel like you can play rock versions of country or country versions of rock. As music goes it's all the same there's only 12 notes and I only use 5 of them. Anyways as story tellers go Tom T. Hall was amazing. You have that same kind of delivery and ability... I play your stuff more and more and listen to the stories matter of fact the other day my wife said "That Otis Gibbs has such a nice voice. Comforting and sounds like people back home in Asheville. I could listen to him talk and sing all day" aside from that s#$* still been jamming on the songs you write. LOL

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Chris! : )

[@playmusic9104]

I loved Tom all my grown up and still do. Who's Gonna Feed Them Hogs and me and Jesus got our own thing going , are two of my favorites. Thanks Otis for sharing.

[@petermilne2354]

Deeply saddened that Tom T has passed. Everything you say about his songs is so true. A great writer - I have many of his albums and you're right there's many gems in the dollar bins. I would have to say my favourite at the moment is "By the Time I Get to Memphis."

[@amyjohnson8405]

"That's How I got to Memphis"💗

[@TomCwimpRock]

He’s one of my all time favorites too. Sorry to hear about his passing. “Week In A County Jail”, “Homecoming”, and “Shoe Shine Man” are my among my favorites of his..

[@waynemiracle8928]

Thanks so much for sharing this Otis. I too, am a major TTH fan. I recently had a trip to Memphis. Once I got back I have listened to “That’s How I Got to Memphis” 50 times by all kinds of different artists. Right now it’s my favorite song. As all his songs it contains so much emotion!

[@smyleitskyle]

Thanks for this lovely tribute. Tom T. Hall has been my favorite songwriter since my first time knowingly hearing one of his songs. I went and found a signed copy of Acts of Life so I can selfishly own a little piece of him. I think he told all the stories he needed to tell. I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'd been secretly hoping for an elderly Tom T. Hall record. My favorite Tom T. Hall songs are Mama Bake a Pie, Your Man Loves you Honey, and Homecoming. Now I have a question for you... Do you know what kind of flower the little green flower with the yellow on top is?

[@otisgibbs]

I'm not sure. : )

[@beaukemp5530]

Me and Jesus!

[@effinjeffin1811]

🎶 I like beer it makes me a jolly good fellow 🎶 Edit: The reason I feel that I like Tom, is that I always felt like he was honest in his song writing. He didn't have to shine it up bright or fancy. He just told it like it was. I realize that is SO cliché. But my ears always perked up went I heard Tom sing because he seemed to always say what needed to be said.

[@richardcleveland1763]

This is very sad news. I just heard it from you. Rest in Peace Tom T. Hall--the storyteller.

[@richardcleveland1763]

He wrote the liner notes for the first Billy Joe Shaver album.

[@thewinner6752]

So many great hits, “ She gave her heart to Jethro” and “The Little Lady Preacher” just to name some underrated ones.

[@PapaFixit]

Otis, you just gave the perfect description of Tom T Halls music I've ever heard. This is what I've been trying to say for years. Eyes getting blurry now. I got to go.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Dave!

[@jwilliams4052]

Hey Otis, I wanted to share this story with you. I attended the IBMA ceremony back in the mid '90's. After a week of shows and inservices they had a big finally show on Saturday. I tried to buy my ticket at the last minute even though I was sure it was sold out. The person at the box office said because I only needed a single there was a spot down close to the stage. Cool! As I settled in two nice southern belles sat next to me and struck up a conversation. They asked what I did and when I mentioned I was a Special Ed. teacher they became very enthused and we carried on until just before the M.C. came out. Just then Tom T Hall and Ernest Scruggs sat down next to these two women, their wives Miss Dixie and Mrs. Louis Scruggs and they introduced me and shook my hand. What an honor!

[@otisgibbs]

Hell yes! : )

[@INDYOSKARS]

Beautiful story.

[@MrConrad1950]

I love his music so much. I want to hear his music 🎶 over and over. One song I can’t get enough of is “We miss you on the old side of town”.

[@toterola451]

My favorite is "Homecoming". By a mile. But I could listen to him on a loop forever. Tom's a fellow Kentuckian, and he was as genuinely country as a fence-line mailbox next to a red gravel road. Thank you for the heartfelt tribute. It means the world.

[@freedomfries6618]

You feel like it's 1972 and you are right there with him. It really is a touching piece of music. I hope he knew how highly he was thought of.

[@kendallpigg5097]

As a kid, we'd always loudly sing "I Like Beer", though of course none of us had ever had a sip of beer, or vodka, or Champagne! I credit Tom, via "I Love", with stoking my current passion for old pickup trucks. Very sweet, heartfelt video by the way.

[@MrBsteve47]

WATERMELON WINE was my favorite!

[@ulrichfriehe3459]

Very sad. I love "Don't forget about the coffey, Billy Joe" by the Gibson Bros.

[@joshmaxwell7968]

My favorite one!

[@lukewest8889]

Homecoming, Bill Monroe for Breakfast, Don't Forget the Coffee Billy Joe, I Washed My Face In the Morning Dew, so many more. On the cover of his first greatest hits album is a plaque placed in his honor in his hometown. It makes mention of how he never forgot how he came from the soil and always treated his fellow man as friend and neighbor. There are many things that can be said in tribute to a person of such stature, but I think that simple phrase taken from that plaque is certainly fitting. Rest Well Tom.

[@samalvarado3957]

Just found out about "T's" passing a few hours ago. I just walked into the woods and had a good cry, I know there's a lot of big preachers who know a lot more than I do, and now I know that the the Good Lord likes a little Pick'in too. Thank you Mr Hall for introducing me to Luther Short, The little lady preacher, Pamela Brown, Clayton Delaney and to the ole boy who was wondering who was gonna feed his hogs and to all the make believe characters that you brought to life in my lifetime. Rest in Peace Storyteller, Rest in Peace.

[@jamesreedmusic4224]

homecoming, how i got to memphis and who's gonna feed the hogs may be some of my favorite songs of his. hard to say. rest easy, storyteller

[@lauraa7042]

The Song About the One Legged Chicken is my favorite. It’s like my bible.

[@TheDoug1980]

I don't know any one who dislikes Tom T ,a true American and says,the simplest things that mean the most ! Thank You Otis,for sharing this with us today !!

[@thehonkytonkjukeboxshow]

Man i really love hearing your stories, especially the ones about the guys like Merle, Buck and George Jones, I've commented in the past on my other account, My favorite Tom T Hall song is probably Ballad Of Forty Dollars, just loved his story telling in lyrics, I would love to hear what you think of my podcast show called Honkytonk Jukebox, its mainly rarely heard music from my 45s collection of country singers from the 50's 60's and 70's, I think you might like the song that starts the latest episode #57 it can be found on mixcloud and itunes....keep up the great work, would love to meet you in person someday

[@richardmurray1682]

Thanks for this Otis. Much love from Belfast Ireland.

[@upta-q.a.m.p343]

That's a shame, I also enjoyed Tom T Hall as well.. But he had 85 years of sharing his talents. Thanks Tom . RIP..

[@ronaldzahursky9879]

I found my dad’s “in search of a Song” 8 track back the late 70’s and that was it. There’s a lot of great songwriters, A-LOT… but Tom T is the top of my list as well and the reason I took up writing songs. Best compliments I ever got on any of them; “Sounds like a Tom T. Hall song”.

[@wadewittscheck8269]

Hey Otis. I'm so sorry to hear of Tom T.'s passing. I grew up on his work, and he was an introduction into my appreciation to bluegrass. In my bluegrass bands, I always demanded (demanded) that we played "Fox On the Run" like he did.

[@stephenlamb3929]

RIP Storyteller. Each time one of these great ones die a little of my childhood dies as well! You nailed it driving around Texas with late my dad in early 1970’s and hearing Old Dogs and Children playing on AM radio and sing alone with him. My dad hummed that song all the time the rest of his life.

[@dukemantee2]

Great remembrance. You asked for favorite Tom T. songs: For some reason, "Week in a Little Country Jail" was the first ear worm I ever experienced when I was 8 or 9 years old. I still love that song. My sister-in-law lives in Germany, and when I met her, the first thing I asked her to do was to translate the German passages in "Salute to a Switchblade." And, I can't imagine what life would be like if I'd never heard the song "Old Side of Town." And...the "Magnificent Music Machine" album was the first time I ever "got" bluegrass music. I was thrilled when it finally came out on CD.

[@andygrace7652]

One of the greatest who I feel was under appreciated by many Rest In Peace Tom T

[@HootNightowl]

There's been & are alot of great singersongwriters. But, none any better than ole Tom T. He seemed like just a good man & decent person & how he loved Miss Dixie. You were my bearer of sad news, Otis. Just found out, through you. Thanks for the video & the Tom T. Stories. A sad day for country & bluegrass music. Tom did alot of good bluegrass. Prayers for the family.

[@RoryVanucchi]

Hard to pick a favorite with Tom. Ballad 40 dollars, Watermelon Wine, Harper Valley, Memphis, I Like Country, I Like Beer, I Love You..great writer

[@jeffmatuszak477]

Just watched your tribute. Really heartfelt. Only you, Otis, could've done this with so much grace and respect. Been listening to ' Fallen Women'. He had an uncanny knack of putting himself in others' shoes. Shows how much empathy he had for people.

[@scotttracy2110]

I’ll have to second this statement.. ThankYou Otis.. The man surely deserves all grace and respect you have shown him . Unbelievable talent this man had..

[@MrNatural73]

True Artist...👍👍 Heartfelt Creativity.

[@irenecoy4437]

I didn't know that he had passed away..and in such tragic circumstances.. I was so very upset... Loved his music.. I heard him on the radio when I was back home in Liverpool... My Dad went out and bought his records for me..such talent ...... Country people don't shine their shoes very often...and they don't shine other folks boots either.....Wow..isn't that something !!!!! Bless you my friend....

[@alanhope9139]

My favourite song writer of all time. Alan Hope, Old Hampshire, England !

[@PFB1994]

I'd give $100 for that key to the country jail. Rock on Tom T.

[@MrMusicfan678]

Homecoming is a gold standard for songwriting. Everyone who writes songs strives to write something half as good as that.