Pam Tillis

by Frank M. Roberts

October 2016

Note - Thanks to '8' I've been out of commission for a couple months. '8'. I was born in '28 and Nov. 8 I turn 88. In other words, I'm an old dude and, as you probably know, that kind of age is accompanied by aches and pains galore. Quickie example, I have - honestly - toe trouble. My g.p. sent me to a specialist who, in turn, sent me to specialist number two. There - now back to work. Oh, send donations to the American Toe Society. My digits thank you. My main problem is bone degeneration, so I'm trying to write fast. Thanks.

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It happens every now and then- you get 'two-for-the-price-of-one.' I was interviewing some country performers at an outdoor concert and, on my list was the lovely Pam Tillis. She invited me to come into her bus, relax, and ask away. The 'two-fer' was when she introduced me to the pretty lady with her.

They met at the University of Tennessee, and became best friends. Callie Khouri was traveling with Miss T on this particular tour. If her name is not familiar, her story is. She wrote the critically acclaimed Susan Sarandon-Geena Davis flick about "Thelma and Louise," the story of two gals giving some cops a run for their money. They were after a man who had attempted to rape one of them, and the police were after them in a high speed chase.

As for Pam T. - I had briefly met her dad, Mel, earlier - she was pure pleasure but, her life was not always that way. She was in an automobile accident when she was 16-years-old - an accident that disfigured her face. She was in and out of surgery, eventually getting ahead of the game and 'facing' her fans with smiles.

Fans? Of what, exactly? She began her pro career singing a combination of jazz and rock, heading a group called 'Freeflight,' popular in the San Francisco area. She went to Nashville in 1978, wed, had a son, then divorced. As with many other performers her initial earnings came from session singing and songwriting.

After r 'n r - rest and relaxation - she went into r 'n 'r - rock and roll. And, she was a darned good songwriter whose efforts were performed by such respected folk as Juice Newton, Chaka Khan, Dan Seals, and disco artist (is that a contradiction of terms?) as Gloria Gaynor.

Next, it was Pam Tillis singing rhythm and blues and, next, disco. Is there no end to this gal's talent? Nope. Later, she sailed the ocean blue and 'concertized' successfully in England. Then, over to Nashville and, finally, following in dear ole dad's footsteps, she went country.

Gently, she hit the record books. An album called, "Don't Tell Me What To Do," (written by my wife) became the first debut record by a female country artist to hit number one in a number of years. And, she continued with her songwriting, collaborating with Bob DiPiero - collaborating musically and romantically.

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Pam Tillis-iana: What a background - part Irish, part Cherokee. (How does the latter open his door? With a chero-key); She was born in Plant City, FL.; Not surprisingly, she spent some time singing back-up with dear, ole dad; She often worked with other top femme singers; She performed in, "Jesus Christ, Superstar" and, on Broadway in ""Smokey Joe's Cafe." Her first number one hit - one of my faves - was "Mi Vida Loca," which translates to, "My Crazy Life."

Speaking of life -- You get out of life what you put into it - minus taxes - and - or - you shouldn't go thru life looking for something soft. You might find it under your hat.