Some of my favorite mail from friends around the country and the world.  Write to me with your stories and comments and we will put them on the Mail Call sectilon for folks to enjoy. 

 Stan

 Email from Lila Smith

 "We received your book and read it from cover to cover immediately. It is a great book. My husband, Bud, really appreciated the nice things you had to say about Mickey Newberry. They graduated from Sam Houston High School in Houston together and saw each other occasionally through the years. We agree with you that Mickey was a great singer and we have probably listened to the "Rain" album a thousand times or more.

Start another book. We will be waiting."

JC FROM GNAT FLATS

"I've laughed so hard at some of the stories in your book. Especially the "religious experience".

And, you could have made it as an artist too. Those paintings are just outstanding. What really gets me about your book is that a lot of the stories run parallel to some of the things that happened to me, although on a much lesser scale.

Here is a little blurb about a fellow that I grew up around. He and my Dad were partners in the Trail 80 Cafe in Mineola, Texas. Jack was the town bootlegger among other things. I remember David Houston hanging around out at the motel and Jack made a record on him. It was 3 minutes of David whistling bird sounds. The cafe was halfway between Shreveport, La. and Dallas, Tx so all the stars would stop in for something to eat on their way from the Big D Jamboree to the Louisana Hayride. Webb Pierce drove me around town one time in his Silver Dollared pontiac (I think it was).

A lot of those folks, expecially Jack, had their dark sides but all in all they were just good old boys trying to make it.

I did not know that Jack had his name on so many songs. The only one folks around Mineola knew about was "Silver Threads". His sons, Billy Jack and Don, still live there.

Once again, you've got another hit on your hands with the book and thanks for the songs.

I wish ya the best,"

JC from Gnat Flats

Fayette Kirk, California (handwritten letter)

Dear Stan Hitchcock,

"I really enjoy Blue Highways.  I found out how much when I missed a whole day of BHTV.  

Music really fills the sould.  How thankful I am for the talents shared.  Too often we don't know the price payed for such talent to develop and the years of hardship it takes.....

....We didn't have cable until our chnildren were grown.  How I enjoyed TNN when we got cable....then TNN went downhill till it is no more.  BHTV fills the void.

You are really a great interviewer along with Bill Gaither and Ralph Emery.  Thanks for the history of the music.

May you have a long and healthy life and continue to be a leader in clean and wholesome entertainment on TV.  

May you be blessed,

Fayette Kirk