We’re sitting here eating supper in front of the TV, watching the Country Music Awards. And if I had TV trays and Velveeta and Rotel tomatoes, we’d be eating Rotel dip on our TV trays and we’d OWN it. Oh, wait. I do have TV trays, Velveeta, and Rotel. And, well, maybe that’s what we’ll have for dessert. So there.
When the CMA teaser said Hank Williams, Jr., was coming up, I tossed aside my filet mignon and grabbed my laptop for a quick ginnygram. This one goes out to my Nashville — wait! Band Perry is doing “Fat Bottom Girls” — wow — I’m back — friends.
ANYWAY! In 1966 or 1967, Daddy finished commercial flight school, and we all moved to Nashville, where he started flying for American Airlines. I was in the 4th grade. Bucky and I went to Burton Elementary School, where Pat Boone went to grammar school. And although I cannot find proof this was the real reason, we were told Dottie West’s house had burned down so she had to enroll Shelly at Burton; and Shelly was in Mama’s and my Girl Scout troop and in my classroom. Up the hill from us, Donna Fargo handed out FULL-SIZE Sweet-Tarts for Halloween. And Mama and I have recently remembered how she and Daddy got all dressed up to see Mel Tillis record. At Acuff-Rose, perhaps?
I have lots of really good — and some bittersweet — memories from those few years in Nashville. Bet you’ll read some future ginnygrams about our Tennessee years.
Here’s a funny Nashville memory for us: Gigi and Bruce had friends who lived next-door to Hank Williams, Jr. Or close to him, anyway. And when we’d go over to their house, we kids would sneak over to Hank Junior’s unlocked garage. He had a big stuffed owl in there and we’d peep in and dang-near scream! Its wings were all outstretched and it was AWESOME! We didn’t scream, because we knew we shouldn’t oughtta be there, and well, he was famous and all. And probably had dogs and bodyguards and stuff.
He didn’t. And I thank him for that.
ginnygram 
Love this!!