What's your favorite Tom T Hall song? I'm partial to Homecoming, The Little Lady Preacher, Trip To Hyden and Fox On The Run, but there's no shortage of great Tom T songs. What's your favorite?

You are so great for bringing these fantastic stories up from the singer's biographies ! Tom T. Hall's music helped me love REAL country music more than anyone except for the icon George Jones. In 1971 I was 13 years old and my best friend played a guitar and played country half decently. His Father loved country music and hailed originally from Flint Michigan, but had moved to Toronto Canada years earlier. Whenever I was in their car, the few times I was, the car radio would be playing country from our only local country AM radio station CFGM 1310. (How I miss that station today) I recall two songs that made me fall in love with country that we big at that time and had a lot of airplay, they were, Tom T. Hall's "I Remember The Year That Clayton Delaney Died", and "Kiss An Angel Good Morning" by the great Charley Pride. Awhile later, a year or two, I bought a stereo with an eight track player in it from Radio Shack. The first eight track tape I bought was a Tom T. Hall true classic..."In Search Of A Song". That tape got played endlessly. I had never heard country ballads like his ! I was instantly hooked on, "It Sure Can Get Cold In Des Moines", "Trip To Hyden", and "February 27th 1971". They painted pictures in my mind...pure Americana ! I had already loved "Old Dogs And Children And Watermelon Wine", and "Ravishing Ruby" (I still love that Mexican flavour in the music of "Ravishing Ruby"), from earlier, having heard them often on country radio. Tom T. Hall's songs have given me a mountain full of joy. As the great Loretta Lynn put it, "Nobody, and I mean nobody can put a song down like Tom T. Hall". It those LYRICS ! Lastly I always love to hear "Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine...I mean. "WHO doesn't ? Thanks again, Mr. Gibbs.

Grew up on tom t y’all country songs for children! My mom would have us all Belting sneaky snake and fox hollow!!! I still tear up when I hear “I love” and remember my mamas self proclaimed harmonies

My first experience with Tom T. Hall was in 1980 when I had to sit through a taping of "Pop Goes the Country" at Opryland. 30-minute show that took two hours to film ... at 9-years old I was bored as hell. At the end of the show, the audience was encouraged to approach the stage to shake hands with, get autographs from, Tom T and his guests (one whom was Helen Cornelius). First time I encountered the man. Fast forward 8 years and I was a freshman in college. One of my best friends was the nephew of Stonewall Jackson. We could go backstage at the Opry, for free, any time we wanted. By this time, I'd listened to my Dad sing "I like beer/It makes me a jolly good fellow!" every other time he popped the top on a cold one. I met Tom T again at the Opry, and I told him about my Dad's favorite beer-drinking song. He loved my story. A decade passed and I was filling in on bass at a Justin Tubb (another family friend) club gig. Tom T was there after the show. I told him about "Pop," my Pop, and how I'd listened to his 1974 children's LP 1,000 times. We talked about fishing, the reopening of the Ryman, old-school Tennessee politics, and how to write a song. I could've listened to him talk for hours, but it was not to be. I'm just glad I got to meet a man who was Nashville royalty before country music went to hell.

"Faster Horses." Been playing it since my 1st gig. It's a true to my Life cover for me to give the folks. Saw Tom T. when I was 16. Mind blown ever since.

Tom T Hall played in my hometown of claremont new hampshire when I was young. Very exciting for us back then. We made signs with the titles of his hits and held them up in the small opera house he performed at

One of my favorites is Turn it on, turn it on, turn it on. Thanks for spreading the Tom t. love. He’s a giant, no question

That’s How I Got To Memphis

"A Week In a Country Jail" is my all time favorite. I spent fifteen years of a thirty-three year career in construction on the road and back in my younger days was well acquainted with small town jails through out the south. Minor stuff, drunk and disorderly, bar fights and general stupidity.

Otis, I would like to thank you for all of the (off of the beaten path) musical characters you have introduced me to. Having been a player/musician who played back in the 70s, and have dabbled ever since… It is such a joy to listen to stories of the road and interviews by musicians in sidemen. After listening to your Tom T. Hall stories, I immediately got the audiobook, and have treasured every minute of listening to “the storyteller”. I was almost in tears as the book came to an end, mainly because I did not want it to end. What a phenomenal human being he must have been. You have no idea how blessed I feel to have stumbled upon your channel. By the way, let me return the favor, and ask you to take a look at “Thanks a lot Mr. Kibblewhite” Roger Daltrey’s my story. I have never been so pleased, and so surprised by an audio book. I thought I would hate, and ended up loving it!!!

thanks for that my favourite Tom T Hall songs : Old Dogs, and Children and Watermelon Wine , l Love & Ravishin Ruby

Love Tom T. One of the very first country songs I learned was "I Remember the Day that Clayton Delaney Died." The story touched me so, that that's when I started getting ahold of every country song I could find.

I got interested to learn "Pamela Brown' via Leo Kottke way back when I was just starting out in my early twenties. maybe not my favorite but I could still play it for you and I am sixty five now.

My uncle was one of those local musicians who played with him one night in middle Georgia, once upon a time.

How got to Memphis ,old dogs....... thanks Ottis

Clayton Delany is my favorite! Love Tom T.

Sneaky Snake has always been my favorite since before I can remember. I still have that record

This story is incredible! Tom is my all time favorite! Hilarious!!!

The Year That Clayton Delaney Died is one of my favourite songs.

Yeah Tom T Hall was the 1st story telling songwriter I started paying attention to as a kid.

Clayton Delaney, Ballard of 40dollar, first herd them as a kid and almost forgot the homecoming all great songs 👍

I love a good hell gig story. That's a great one.

Thanks Otis love me some Tom T..... Faster Horses is one of my many favorite Tom T songs.

Clayton Delaney ; my first guitar teacher died of cancer at age 21 and his younger brother is named Clayton. I always related to that song.

I laughed through that entire story. Great reading, your voice made it Otis. 7 guitars... all out of key, my favorite part of Christmas was going to my kids elementary school Performances, the all out of key Orchestra of under 11's... Fantastic start to another day in paradise 💟

Homecoming is my favorite. On the other hand I can''t think of any song of his songs I don't like. I learned to play the guitar on his songs. What a great song writer.

Otis, thank you for that reading. Tom T. is a brilliant songwriter, singer and musician, has a wonderful sense of humor and I always thought he was attractive too.

Great story. These days my favorite is "Just The Way I've Always Been"

First album I ever owned or was given as a child was Tom T Hall and I wore it completely out. Old Dogs Children and Watermelon Wine is my favorite.

The homecoming is one of my Tom T favs. That was one funny story. I live in Kentwood, about half hour north of Ponchatoula. I love listening to Tom T. Hall. I'm digging your channel too. Thanks for sharing all of these interesting stories.

Love your stories and found your music on Spotify this morning. Great stuff!

Hello Vietnam is my favorite song ever written by him but favorite song he ever did,.... man... “The Year that Clayton Delaney Died”. Maybe the first and only acceptable bar anthem in my book “I Like Beer”

Otis, you've introduced me to so many great artists on this channel. This was a great rabbit hole to go down.

"Who's gonna feed them hogs?" He's just got so many excellent songs, where do you start, lyrics and tunes. I've always loved "Homecoming" Lyrics are great but that guitar riff, I just love it, I can't describe how good it is. Just listen. Thanks Otis...

Otis this is one your best reviews ever. It's fascinatingly interesting and it's about Tom T. Hall. Yet it is also about Ponchatoula, Louisiana and ironically I am here right now as I am viewing your post. It's a small town and mostly known for it's Strawberry Festival. I had suffered some pretty heavy losses from a flood a few years ago and ended up here while getting my new "digs" together. Tom T Hall has always been one of my favorite song writer story tellers. Funny how the first thing you hear from an artist is most likely going to be a favorite, that is if you like it. With him it has to be his "The Year Clayton Delaney Died!" Keep Em Coming Otis! You have a Gifted story telling ability yourself, I really enjoy your stories.

Homecoming is my favorite Tom T. Hall song mainly because of how many questions it makes me ask regarding the narrator's relationship with his family. He missed his mother's funeral and his only comment is how pretty the headstone is, he corrects his dad and calls them night clubs instead of beer joints, defends the ring he's wearing. It really is a homecoming, not just any other visit home.

Nice. I grew up near Ponchatoula. Famous for strawberries some as wide as your hand, antique shops and the alligator that lives downtown in a cage.

I like several Tom T songs but "Harper Valley PTA" is at the top of the list for me.

Good story. I'm guessing that this story took place in 1966 when I was a young teenager. At that time, our school group would take a bus from New Orleans to Ponchatoula Beach on the river outside of town for a day of tubing and fun. My wife and I have been living in Ponchatoula for the last 30 years. It hasn't changed much since Tom played here. It turns out that one of the forgers in Stalag 3 (The Great Escape) is from Ponchatoula and owned Ponchatoula Beach.

Love the stories from those days. Those stars paid their dues which is what made their songs tear our hearts out. Tom T songs were all great 💚

Lol Thanks for the great story! I love Tom T. But I can't name a favorite song there's too many great ones! Thanks again

There are six different men somewhere in the world setting on their front porch playing guitar and singing to their grandchildren and telling them "when I was your age I played with Tom T. Hall"

Tom T is definitely on my short list also. Blessed with the precious talent of conveying, through his songs and stories, his inner feelings to all who hear him.

Strawberry Farms is my favorite Tom T. Hall song. So incredibly haunting in chord structure, lyrics and the effects placed on his voice. The song leaves you yearning to know so much more about the story that led this boy to Strawberry Farms and then of course, what the future held for him. A memorable, unique song that touches the soul...a masterpiece!

Pay Attention To Alice..."She made that apple pie from a memory-She made them biscuits from a recollection that she had" Tom T Hall a true songwriting legend! I also love "Homecoming", of course I've never heard a bad Tom T. song! God Bless

I love

I smile every time Tom T Hall's "Homecoming" plays on Sirius XM radio's channel 59, Willie's Roadhouse. One of those songs that is genuinely pleasing to me.

I was fortunate enough to have a few of my songs recorded at Chelsea studios in Brentwood years ago. A studio that Tom T. started.

So happy I've found this channel. Great stories that keep me occupied for quite a while. Thank you Otis!

I would very much like to read that book, thank you Otis, for bringing it to my attention. I have many favorite Tom T. Hall songs, but the one off the top of my head that seems to stand out the most for me, is “Shoe Shine Man”, just because it really rocks and is such a toe-tapper - cool harmonica too.. runners up are “Homecoming”, and “Week In A County Jail”, with the bit about the jailers wife bringing hot baloney, eggs, and gravy, lol - love it!!

Hey @Otis Gibbs man thank you for all your work and my Dad used to play Tom T. Hall records in the house when I was a kid, along with a lotta bluegrass the real stuff Jimmy Martin Ralph Stanley Bill Monroe Seldom Scene and lotta crazy shit my dad bought us 2 albums when we were just kids, Sympathy for the Devil, and Music from the Big Pink, so I went to try to find Tom T. Hall stuff and was elated to find so much material to watch. Thanks for celebrating Tom T. Hall Mr. Otis, it reminded me of my Dad and when I was a kid thank you

Looove Tom T. Hall

Tom could sure tell a story, and that's a great one. My favorite is the one you'd expect it to be - Watermelon Wine. The melancholy of it gets me every time.....it's just one of those songs that make you think. Clayton Delaney does the same. Actually, seems like all his songs/stories do. Thanks for sharing.

Too many to pick a favorite but lately I have listened to "That's How I Got to Memphis" the most.

Homecoming Spokane Motel Blues and Subdivision Blues.

7 guitars in multiple keys... sounds like the last open mic I was at. Wagon Wheel "One more Time!" 😄

Side 1 of “We All Got Together and...” is my favorite Tom T. Hall song. What a remarkable songwriter and man.

Sort of a toss up for my two favorites- I Like Beer and A Week in the County Jail. There are several others that are great. He wrote so many memorable lines (faster horses, younger women and more money; baloney, eggs, and gravy; old dogs and children and watermelon wine; etc. and he always seems to be so down to earth. Tom is a songwriter’s songwriter!

Absolutely one of the all time greats.. check out “ he couldn’t understand the different feeling.. how about the shoes and dress that Alice wore.. nobody comes up with things like that

Tom T Hall - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine - Great song - just one of many. Tom T and Bobby Bare are 2 natural wonders.

Otis sir thank you for your reply your the first to . Tom t hall Old Gray Dogs and children water melon win

I live in a little cabin here in the woods of Alaska I usually put on an audiobook as I’m walking the trail to warn the bears I’m coming. I listened to the audiobook version for the first time last summer. It’s like you’re sitting at the kitchen table with a friend. Thanks for the recommendation earlier last year, Otis and thanks for keeping me diving into those glorious musical holes. My best to you and your family. I’ll see you next time.

TY for the laugh...6 kid guitarists! I love the stories about musicians...music got away from me as a parent until i got XM in 2009...ty Elizabeth Cook...When i 1st heard an Otis Gibbs song, I thought you were an old Texan...go figure.

Maybe not my favorite, but I wish "Thank You Connersville, Indiana" got more love.

I only heard this recently but Margie’s at the Lincoln Park Inn. What a song, amidst blissful domesticity and bible reading the protagonist can’t get Margie and the Lincoln Park Inn off his mind. The song and arrangement are first class and you get the lust yearning and guilt all within a couple of minutes! Top post again Otis you’re becoming my go to man on KZfaq!

Otis, great story, I never gave that band situation much thought before, but I bet that happenend a lot more than we know. I have seen stories on Chuck Berry and how difficult he could be on his band. That does make perfect sense as to why a performer would want to bring and travel with their own band.I am going to have to get that book, thank you for sharing!

Hey Otis. There are so many but "Hero in Harlan" is so damn good. "The world is a big place and maybe needs saving But what can a country boy do with a gun He used to win teddy bears down at the fairgrounds When living was easy and shooting was fun They fold up the stars and stripes for his mother And gently they trade the flag for her son A harder exchange never took place in Harlan But it's not the first time it's ever been done" Holy crap - are they powerful words!!

The only Tom T songs I know all the words to and can play and passably sing are Clayton Delaney, and Old Dogs and Children, so they must be my favorite.

I LIKE THIS ONE

My first choice is the Home coming. Later, in life, he wrote and recorded Hero in Harlon. Being a Combat Vet, this one really touches me.

Harper Valley baby!

Haha!! Being from Baton Rouge, I know Ponchatoula. Would’ve loved to be there that night, especially in the band --

Love all of his songs. But the one Tom T Hall song that gets me is the one I'm gonna have them play at my funeral. Rank Stranger, from his bluegrass album.

Had to come back n revisit this one. Hilarious and favorite Tom T song idt I can. Kind of like Chris knight for me personally. I've probably got the one that comes to mind 1st but i wouldn't stop saying but this one.

My favorite Tom T. song is a tie between homecoming or That's How I Got To Memphis. I had to pick one of those because my wife is from Memphis. Peace,love and harmony Carl

There are 3 songs that are guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye; Teddy Bear by Red Sovine, Roll On 18 Wheeler by Alabama and Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine.

I heard Tom T passed away today 😢 I had to see this again 😭

I always thought Tom T Hall was John Prine if Johns family would have stayed in Kentucky. Tom is one of my favorites and has the ability like John to make a normal everyday thing a extraordinary song.

...in 30 minutes I was outta state. Do do dooo.... ;) hehehe

I have a few favs. But always loved his version of "Fox on the Run", to the point when playing in bluegrass brands, I'd insist on using his version.

I would have to say that Hero in Harlan is the finest war ballad I have heard. On so many levels. “He used to win teddy bears down at the fairground. When living was easy and shooting was fun’. My favourite line, however, is contained in Rodney Crowell’s Nashville 1972. With references to legends like: Clarke, Van Zandt, Skinny Dennis, Richard Dobson, Willie and many, many, others, Crowell writes: “Tom T Hall go drink your fill and blow us all away”.

I probably have 99.9% of Tom T's albums & Cd's. It would be impossible for me to narrow it down to one song but some personal favorites include Salute to a Switchblade, Pinto the Wonder Horse, Another Town, Hang Them All, The Carter Boys, The Last Country Song and Little Bitty. The Pool Shark (recorded by Dave Dudley) is another dandy!

Tom T. Hall is from Olive Hill Kentucky. The next town heading north from my hometown. Fox on the run and The winner are a couple favorites.

Thanks Otis, My favorite Tom T.Hall songs are A week in a country jail, Faster horses (The cowboy and the poet) Old dogs, children and watermelon wine. So real quick here, I want to say that when I hear Tom’s songs they work like a time portal, I’m instantly taken back to when I was ten, My Mom and dad were still alive and life in general had a quality to it that these days appears to be in short supply. By the way, Mr. Hall celebrates a birthday on May 25th of this year and he will be 85 years old. Great segment Otis!

I am from the same tiny Kentucky town as Tom T. & some of my relatives are buried in Garvin Ridge cemetery where "Ballad of Forty Dollars" takes place.

My favorite tom t tune is That’s how I got to memphis

🙏❤️

I like beer. And the song is ok too.😉

Another great story Otis!

This story proves that traveling musicians are true examples of 'Working Class Heroes'. :)

Living in the middle of Manhattan one can suffer from a deficiency of civility, graciousness and warmth as easily as one can from a lack of vitamin D .So I have used your posts as a supplement for such and have highly recommended it to my humanity -challenged friends as well.I don't have to tell you to keep up the good work. You just keep living.

Classic !

I really like Turn it On, Turn it On, Turn it On.

I just heard Tom T passed today. Not sure if it's true. Whether it is or not, I'll keep on loving his songs.

This must've been 1967 .... That year's #1 country hit was Jack Greene's "There Goes My Everything." Oh, and that $500 is equal to $4,000 in 2021. I can see why he left right quick after the show.

That's How I Got to Memphis is really good. See a lot of people doing it lately. Don't remember him having it out. Except as an album cut

Don't forget the coffee Billy Joe, Homecoming, I miss a lot of trains, just a few of many.

Lots of excellent songs listed below - Add to it: More About John Henry and Margie's At the Lincoln Park Inn.

Impossible to choose just one! My top three right now would be Strawberry Farms, It Sure Can Get Cold In Des Moines and Spokane Motel Blues

That's a good story. My Tom T story is. In the 80s, grocery stores would sell albums where I lived. I remember seeing a Tom T Hall album for sale. Sometime later, my folks came home from grocery shopping. They said there was a surprise. I said what is it? My dad said it's Tom T. I said, "You bought the Tom T Hall album?" No, he said. Tom T Turkey. They bought a turkey, not the album.