Mel Tillis

“Country Music legend, Mel Tillis always said he felt like he had an angel on his shoulder all of his life.” Growing up in rural Florida during the 1930’s, parents Lonnie and Burma Tillis, and their 4 children often struggled with the basic needs of life. Lonnie, a baker, worked as they moved from town to town. But, it was his strong mother, Burma who held the family together through tough times. Mel’s early life was primarily a happy one though a life-threatening illness, malaria, almost took his life. With a tenacious mother by his side caring for him, Mel survived, though he was left with a "stutter" after recovering from the illness. The disability became something to adjust to. But, an eternal optimist, Mel moved through life towards his destiny. He made the best of the disability. During his teenage years, Mel’s classmates predicted in jest that he and his older brother Richard, just 11 months apart, would become “hillbilly music” stars. Truly, they saw the talent they both so easily possessed. In future years Richard would become a support to Mel on the road; Mel, would march out his path in a different way - by becoming a legendary performer. Mel fondly recalled his Daddy playing a harmonica, and guitar. Mother Burma could pound out almost any gospel song on the piano. It was a family affair as sisters Imogene and Linda entertained too. Other family members encouraged his love of music, including his Uncle JT who gave him his instrument – a fiddle. Throughout his life, music was a constant. Sports became a big focus too and a life-long interest. “Gus” was a standout athlete for the Pahokee, Florida high school Blue Devils. However, he would turn his attention to music and entertaining once and for all playing and singing where he could. While serving in the United States Air Force in Okinawa, Japan, he was the lead vocalist for The Westerners a band that played the type of country music popular in the day by the likes of Bob Wills, and others. His first professional show was there in 1952. With that experience too he headed to Nashville soon after. Fellow songwriters, Wayne “Fluffo” Walker, Danny Dill, Billy Swan, Fred Birch and others began pitching each other’s songs around town as often as they could. Initially, there was little success. He traveled back and forth from Nashville to Florida with a growing family in tow. Again, the eternal optimist must have believed he would achieve success eventually – it was only a matter of time. Webb Pierce, one of the biggest stars at the time, hired Mel to write songs for him. The hits started coming for Webb, in part thanks to Mel. Other stars of the day took note – Patsy Cline, and the Everly Brothers just to name a few who recorded his songs. Mel had a gift for the "three chords and the truth" style that made the Nashville sound so popular. He wrote songs true to life with a memorable tune. He would then grab his own share of the spotlight with his first hit in 1965, “WINE.” Thus began a 60+ year career of songwriting, and performing that took surprising twists and turns along the way. When his songwriting began producing less fruit, he turned his attention to the pure craft of entertaining – following in the footsteps of his mentors like folk singer/ actor Burl Ives, band leader Bob Wills and even contemporary idols like Bob Dylan. He began assembling the best musicians he could find – dressed them well and led his band, “The STATESIDERS" (named after one of his first hits) all across the world. He entertained in clubs, honky tonks, casino showrooms, symphony halls, large venues, football fields, parks, his own theater or two, and wherever he could amass a crowd who liked pure country music and comedy. “ You see, I’ve got a television audience rather than a record audience. I think people come out to see the person, the character; they want to hear the stories that I tell on television along with my records. ” Mel shared one of his proudest moments in his career,