Chapter 10

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to welcome each and every one of you here tonight, and thank you for coming out to help us introduce to Nashville, some of the newest talent this city, and this state has to offer. If you happened to be listening to the WSM AM Radio Sidewalk Broadcast earlier today, you may have heard these four talented young people perform.”

Most of those here must have been listening, the way they stood and cheered. I looked around at my three friends to see them looking at me, then each other. Before I realized what was happening, Jimmy was introducing me.

“To start the night off right, I want to introduce to you one of the most talented young musicians I have ever had the privilege of bringing to The Wild Horse Saloon, to perform.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, here he is, Beau William Carter. Better known to his fans, as Beau Billy.

“Help me welcome him to The Wild Horse. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

“Beau Billy, please come up here and give our friends some of the best Country Music they will ever hear.”

I could hardly believe the applause, as I followed the stagehand over to the steps, then grabbed the handrail to steady myself until the spotlights hit me. I can see the stool, my guitar and three mics.

When I turned to sit on the stool, I couldn’t see anything past the edge of the stage, with the spotlights still on me. When I pulled the stool closer to the mics, the overhead lights came on and the spotlights went off, just as I pulled my hat off and brought my harmonica over my head, and shifted it back in place.

The applause started again, but I wanted to start this night off right, and hopefully make them remember me.

I managed to swallow that knot in my throat ... and wave my hat overhead.

“HELLO NASHVILLE ... I’M BEAU BILLY CARTER.”

I didn’t wait, I grabbed my guitar while they were still standing and clapping. I had to wonder, did this many people really hear the WSM broadcast. Surely they must have played that entire radio broadcast again.

As soon as I cut down on my own, really slow version of Dixie, I fell in love with this sound system. The three mics make my music become even more alive, even better than the stereo at the studio earlier today. But I was wearing headphones then.

I wasn’t even through the first verse when the crowd really got into this one. Even the ones who weren’t standing earlier, are standing and cheering as I played my slowest version of this old Song of the South, over and over - four times.

Daniel Decatur Emmett ©

Oh, I wish I was in the land of cotton, Old times there are not forgotten. Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land!

In Dixie’s Land, where I was born in, early on one frosty mornin’. Look away, look away, look away Dixie Land!

I wish I was in Dixie, Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie’s Land I’ll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie. ---------------------------------------------------------------------

I didn’t waste any time, I started playing - For The Good Times -

For The Good Times Kris Kristofferson © 1968

Ray Price Arrangement

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 - There’s no need to watch the bridges - That we’re burning

Lay your head upon my pillow - Hold your warm and tender body - Close to mine

Hear the whisper of the rain drops - Blowing soft against the window - And make believe you love me - One more time - For the good times

I’ll get along - You’ll find another - And I’ll be here - If you should find you ever need me.

Don’t say a word about tomorrow - Or forever - There’ll be time enough for sadness - When you leave me - Lay your head upon my pillow - Hold your warm and tender body - Close to mine - Hear the whisper of the rain drops Blowing soft against the window

And make believe you love me - One more time - For The Good Times...

For my third number, I played another oldie that has been embedded in my mind since the first time I heard it.

TODAY I STARTED LOVING YOU AGAIN, by Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens© 1970

Today I - started loving you again, Now I’m right back where I’ve really always been,

I got all over you just long enough to let my heartache mend

And then today I started loving you again

What a fool I was to think I could get by With only these few million tears I’ve cried

I should have known the worst was yet to come And that cryin’ time for me had just begun

Today I - started loving you again And I’m right back where I’ve really always been

I got all over you just long enough to let my heartache mend

And then today I started loving you again

Today I - started loving you again And I’m right back where I’ve really always been

I got all over you just long enough to let my heartache mend

And then today I started loving you again

This crowd is really wild now, and for the first time ever, I felt like I just may be I as good as I’ve been told. I didn’t have time to linger on that thought, as Jimmy stepped upon the stage again to introduce Rily and Rita.

Even if these sisters weren’t even going to sing, just looking at them is enough to make the crowd cheer and whistle.

Those skin-tight, faded jeans, their boots and that long blonde hair, was enough to make this place tremble like an earthquake with applause.

They’re standing on either side, and out in front of me a little, as both of them turned to nod at me. We did the first three songs that we recorded at the studio earlier, and even as I played, the thought ran through my mind. There’s no doubt, these girls really are are going all the way.

HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT

Kris Kristofferson©

Sammi Smith arrangement

Take the ribbon from my hair Shake it loose and let it fall Layin’ soft upon my skin Like the shadows on the wall