Mel Tillis had one hell of a run. By every single account we have read, the guy was loved by just about everyone that ever met him and his story of rising up to country music prominence is both heart warming and inspiring. A guy who figured out how to use a lifelong stutter to his advantage, he could sing like a boss and he was a brilliant song writer. It was the famed Minnie Pearl who convinced Tillis that when he stuttered as he spoke in front of audiences they weren’t laughing AT him, they were laughing WITH him. Once he had that chance of perspective he was able to become a comfortable front man and true to her word, Peal was right.
In terms of the gearhead world we all know what you thought when you heard of Tillis’s passing. Cannonball Run. He and Terry Bradshaw had the hot rodded Laguna S3 that they tore up the streets with and then jumped into a pool. The huge and affable Bradshaw was the driver and the self-depreciating and funny Tillis was his right hand man. One of the best lines in the movie is delivered as the Laguna was headed for its watery grave. “I can’t see shit…” Gets us ever time!
Mel, we’ll miss you but frankly we cannot be sad at your passing. 85 years of a well lived, well respected life that leaves a legacy of songs people will enjoy for 100 years. No one can ask for more than that.
Mel was a c,c,c,class act – R.I.P.
Very funny and talented guy. Loved his music. REAL country music, not today’s crap.
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Oh man, those two scenes bring me to tears! Damn that was one funny movie and Mel was AWESOME in it!
I bought “Cannonball Run” on DVD over the summer at a car show. This is a sad reminder I haven’t watched it yet.