I just heard from WSM in Nashville that Jim Ed Brown passed away on Thursday. He was an amazing voice and a beloved gentleman, even until the end. His most famous song was "The Three Bells," with the beautiful harmonies of this sisters. If you have never heard it, you have missed out on one of the most beautiful harmonies and story songs ever performed.
The sad and poignant part for me, though, is that they seemed to have waited just a year too long to induct him into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was to be formally inducted this November, along with his two sisters, who had long since retired. He had not, and was singing beautifully even until the end. He got lung cancer last year, and come through it with chemotherapy, and announced at the Hall of Fame announcement in the spring of this year that his cancer was in remission. He sang a few more times on the Grand Ole Opry, including a beautiful NEW song he released this year, called "When the Sun Says Hello to the Mountain," all in great voice for having just come through lung cancer.
But his daughter announced last week on his Facebook page that his cancer had returned, in another way, and he would appreciate prayers. According to the news, it became clear soon, though, that he would not have much longer. His family and the Hall of Fame contacted his longtime friend and fellow Opry member, Bill Anderson, to come and bring him his Hall of Fame medallion early, and present it to him at the hospital. It was bittersweet. He laughed and cried, as they talked about being able to sing in heaven, as he could not in his current condition at the hospital. Read more of that great story at the Tennessean,
http://www.tennessean.com/story/ent...11/country-singer-jim-ed-brown-dies/71097224/
But, mostly, take some time, if you haven't ever, or haven't lately, to listen to what made this man's voice so special to many. Here is a clip from this year (after lung cancer, and before the latest cancer), with his new song. He sounded great, as did his sister, Bonnie, and another lady. (His other sister, Maxine, could no longer perform.)
Beautiful, and 81 years old to boot.
Here is the song that made him and his sisters most famous, though:
What a great man. I was privileged to see him perform on the Opry in 2009. So glad.
Still wish they had chosen to induct him into the Hall of Fame earlier. He deserved to be there. It will be poignant in November when they do the actual ceremony, with his sisters and a missing space for Jim. But at least he knew about it and got the recognition.
The sad and poignant part for me, though, is that they seemed to have waited just a year too long to induct him into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was to be formally inducted this November, along with his two sisters, who had long since retired. He had not, and was singing beautifully even until the end. He got lung cancer last year, and come through it with chemotherapy, and announced at the Hall of Fame announcement in the spring of this year that his cancer was in remission. He sang a few more times on the Grand Ole Opry, including a beautiful NEW song he released this year, called "When the Sun Says Hello to the Mountain," all in great voice for having just come through lung cancer.
But his daughter announced last week on his Facebook page that his cancer had returned, in another way, and he would appreciate prayers. According to the news, it became clear soon, though, that he would not have much longer. His family and the Hall of Fame contacted his longtime friend and fellow Opry member, Bill Anderson, to come and bring him his Hall of Fame medallion early, and present it to him at the hospital. It was bittersweet. He laughed and cried, as they talked about being able to sing in heaven, as he could not in his current condition at the hospital. Read more of that great story at the Tennessean,
http://www.tennessean.com/story/ent...11/country-singer-jim-ed-brown-dies/71097224/
But, mostly, take some time, if you haven't ever, or haven't lately, to listen to what made this man's voice so special to many. Here is a clip from this year (after lung cancer, and before the latest cancer), with his new song. He sounded great, as did his sister, Bonnie, and another lady. (His other sister, Maxine, could no longer perform.)
Beautiful, and 81 years old to boot.
Here is the song that made him and his sisters most famous, though:
What a great man. I was privileged to see him perform on the Opry in 2009. So glad.
Still wish they had chosen to induct him into the Hall of Fame earlier. He deserved to be there. It will be poignant in November when they do the actual ceremony, with his sisters and a missing space for Jim. But at least he knew about it and got the recognition.
