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62 texashighways.com | OctoBER 2015 Tex Riter image courtesy Hall of Fame OctoBER 2015 | texashighways.com 63 I grew up in a Texas family that loves country- music.

The lilt of a breakdown, the rhythm of a shuffle drum beat, the soulful wail of a —these sounds seeped into my pores in the and ’60s, for- evermore setting a button on my internal radio dial to “.” To me, many attributes of Lone Star cul- Clockwise from above: ’s jacket; ’s ture—the sense of place, pride of history, 1970 of the Year award from the Academy of and gift of storytelling—ring truest when Country & Western Music; ’s signature “Tex” experienced alongside a heartfelt country guitar; a replica of Henderson radio station KGRI. tune. Great stage moments stick with me, like hearing the late fiddle a waltz he once played with , the “King of .” And in my car, radio “driveway moments” hold me to the last line of a sad story song, like the tear- jerker “,” sung by Saratoga-born . The Hall of Fame & Tex Ritter Museum in Carthage puts these legendary musicians, as well as the special musical moments they create, into focus for country music fans. With a $1.5 million addition completed this year, the museum has expanded its exhibition space by 27 percent to 16,500 square feet. Located near downtown, with a bronze statue of Tex Ritter picking guitar out front, the red- brick museum offers a kaleidoscope of glit- tering costumes, vintage posters and pho- tos, and treasured musical instruments, all in honor of the musicians who have shaped country music in Texas. The Tex Ritter Museum opened two decades ago in a historic home to pay hom- age to its late namesake, a star of stage and screen who grew up near Carthage. The

64 texashighways.com | OctoBER 2015 OctoBER 2015 | texashighways.com 65 museum created the Texas Country Walker. There are also more recent music with other musical styles, from spotlights, which inspire special Music Hall of Fame in 1998 in trib- stars like chart-topping Neal McCoy , bluegrass, and boogie to gospel, musical memories for visitors. Roy and ute to other Texas country legends— and Grammy-winner Linda Davis— , and rock. Much of that blending Evelyn Peacock of Normal, , including another Carthage native, from Jacksonville and Dotson, respec- took place in Texas, explains museum pause at cowboy ’s singer —and launched a tively—and groundbreaking Latino founder and director Tommie Ritter exhibit. They check out one of his glitzy annual show to celebrate new singer from Sabinal. Smith, a cousin of Tex Ritter. favorite Western suits, his handcrafted inductees (typically held in August). Inductees either hail from Texas or “When I was researching the need Lucchese boots, and one of his signa- In 2002, the museum and hall of fame have had careers that contributed to for this museum, I was amazed at ture “Round Up” guitars. Sold in the moved next door into a new building, the state’s country music scene. Many how many Texas artists significantly 1930s by Sears, the guitar body bears which has since welcomed visitors also starred in movies and TV shows. influenced the development of country a stenciled scene of a mounted cowboy from every state in the union and 42 (A new exhibit also honors “Friends music,” Tommie says. “We identified rounding up cattle. The Peacocks other countries. of Texas Country Music,” such as more than 300 artists who qualify to remember listening, as children in To date, the hall of fame has induct- photographer Les be inducted into the hall of fame.” the 1930s and ’40s, to Gene Autry’s ed 46 members, each honored with Leverett and Nashville broadcaster Like many kids in the 1950s, yodeling songs on the National Barn a display case of memorabilia and .) Tommie knew Tex Ritter as A“ meri- Dance, a radio show that aired on biographical information. Inductees Collectively, their stories chronicle ca’s Most Beloved ,” station WLS. “We also went include early pioneers such as honky- the evolution of country music, a famous for B Western movies and hit to Gene Autry movies during the tonkin’ , “Texas Troubadour” distinctively American blend of tra- records, especially the 1952 Academy Depression, which was a great treat,” , and Cindy ditional , folk, and cowboy Award-winning movie theme “The recalls Evelyn, clutching a Gene Autry Ballad of ” (sometimes CD she bought in the museum store. called “Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Another couple, Rick and Peg Fehr, Darlin’”). As his cousin, Tommie drove from their Carlinville, Illinois, Like many kids in the looked up to Tex, literally. “He was home listening to Texas country tunes. 1950s, Tommie knew Tex such a big man, he loomed over me They came to view spring wildflowers Ritter as “America’s Most when he came to Carthage on family and to get a big dose of Texas country visits. He was universally loved here music, first at Hill Country dance halls Beloved Singing Cowboy,” and by fans across the world,” she says in Gruene and Luckenbach, and then famous for B Western as we walk through the enlarged Tex at the Carthage museum. They marvel movies and hit records. Ritter Museum. E( xpanded exhibits at how many country-music legends also honor Tex’s son, , the Texas has produced. Viewing the TV and movie star best known as exhibit dedicated to singer-songwriter and film star , they reminisce about the times they’ve heard him perform in person. Kris- tofferson’s display features leather jackets and pants he wore in the 1973 filmPat Garrett and , along with his khaki uniform from U.S. Army Ranger school. Jack Tripper on “Three’s Company,” exhibits focus on Tex’s movie sidekicks, At the Jim Reeves exhibit, I chat who died in 2003.) who provided comic relief. “Arkansas with South African natives Koot and A dozen or so vintage movie posters Slim” Andrews often appeared along- Hanlie Engelbrecht, who now live in line the exhibition walls, touting Tex side Tex riding a mule and playing Royse City, near . I’m surprised Above: Waylon Ritter movies. I particularly enjoy offbeat instruments such as a bicycle when they recall the country-western Jennings’ hat. the 1940 poster for Rhythm on the Rio pump or a Rolmonica (a harmonica stars they’ve enjoyed since childhood. Right: a picture Grande, which shows Tex waving a played like a player ), both “My parents loved the cowboy movies,” from Tex Ritter’s cowboy hat atop his signature rearing displayed in the exhibit. My favorite says Hanlie. “They called them ‘cowies.’ film Rollin’ West- steed, White Flash. Displayed nearby Tex artifact remains a 1930s Gibson They enjoyed singing along with Tex ward and a display is one of Tex’s silver-studded saddles, “Super Jumbo” guitar bearing the Ritter songs.” South Africans especially case honoring Texas similar to the one on the poster. Photos pearl-inlaid letters “TEX,” one of only loved the velvety vocals of Jim Reeves, Country Music Hall and outfits also recall Tex’s leading four Super Jumbos known to exist. “You still hear his songs on the radio of Fame inductee ladies, including South- The displays burst at the seams over there,” Koot tells me, including Linda Davis. worth, Tex’s wife for 33 years. New with memorabilia, dramatically lit by Reeves’ biggest hit, “He’ll Have to Go.”

66 texashighways.com | OctoBER 2015 Historical image (left) courtesy Texas Country Music Hall of Fame OctoBER 2015 | texashighways.com 67 The spacious Jim Reeves exhibit owned with legendary disc jockey Reeves at his gravesite three miles boasts one of his trademark red jackets, Tom Perryman, a member of the hall’s east of Carthage on US 79.) as seen on several of his album covers, Texas DJ Wall of Fame who is still on I meander past other exhibits as plus a couple of silky smoking jackets the air in Tyler. Another exhibit has the sounds of classic country waft and button-up sweaters that reflect Reeves’ baseball uniform from his from the museum’s jukebox, available Reeves’ sophisticated yet downhome short-lived pitching career with the for visitors to play for free. I take a ESSENTIALS image. There are also photos chroni- Lynchburg Cardinals, a St. Louis turn and punch in “,” Ray TEXAS cling his humble upbringing in Panola Cardinals farm team. Several artifacts Price’s 1956 hit that popularized his County, as well as a replica control room recall his popular musical comedy, signature “Ray Price shuffle,” a 4/4 COUNTRY of Henderson radio station KGRI— Kimberley Jim, which was filmed in rhythm with drums and a walking MUSIC with original ’50s equipment including South Africa and released stateside in bass line. His expansive exhibit features The Texas Country Music microphones, turntables, tape players, 1965, the year after Reeves died in a showy outfits like a navy-blue suit made Hall of Fame & Tex Ritter and a telegraph—which Reeves co- plane crash. (A life-size statue honors by Hollywood clothier , Museum is at 310 W. Panola sequined with dancing Cherokee St. in Carthage, next to the Indians in reference to Price’s band, Panola County Chamber of the Cherokee Cowboys. The exhibit Commerce. Hours: 10-4 also boasts musical instruments Mon-Sat; entry costs $5 for including Price’s Gibson guitar and adults and $3 for children. From left: Rudy a Sho-Bud played The museum offers group Gatlin’s boots; by band member . There tours, including options for a Mike Parker are also photos of Price with musical catered meal and music show, and Bill Smith friends, including , and with advance reservation and perform in the displays on his second love, raising a minimum of 15 participants. museum theater; thoroughbred racehorses. The museum store sells a replica soda I’ll never forget hearing Ray Price souvenirs, country music CDs fountain and perform at the 2001 Texas Country and DVDs, and gift items. working jukebox; Music Hall of Fame Show in Carthage, Call 903/694-9561; www. Bob Harness’ a star-studded affair that honors each carthagetexas.us/halloffame. sculpture of Tex new class of inductees. Even after The Texas Country Music Ritter and White more than 50 years of honing his style Hall of Fame presents occa- Flash in front of of country music, Price’s voice that sional shows at the Carthage the museum; Tex night showed its calm, strong integrity. Civic Center, 1702 S. Adams and White Flash. Each song held the packed house in St. (check the website for rapt attention. That’s the thing about upcoming events). The next country music, as the museum elu- Hall of Fame Show is sched- cidates for fans: It transports us to a uled for August 13, 2016. magical realm that’s timeless in its telling of the human condition. As the late, great Ray Price sings in his unfor- gettable song, “For the Good Times”: “Don’t look so sad, I know it’s over But life goes on and this old world will keep on turning Let’s just be glad we had some time to spend together ... .” ★

Tyler writer and photographer Randy Mallory grew up listening to Texas country music with his father, Tom Mallory, a lifelong Western Swing musician who played occasionally with legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble, also a product of Tyler.

68 texashighways.com | OctoBER 2015 Fame of Hall Music Country Texas courtesy image Historical OctoBER 2015 | texashighways.com 69