Chicken Soup for the Country Soul Read online

  What People Are Saying About

  Chicken Soup for the Country Soul . . .

  “The critically acclaimed Chicken Soup with a country twist—how fitting! Country music has always been a storytelling medium. . . . Just like music, this book has captured the heart and soul of America. Just try to put it down without finishing!”

  Mark Edwards

  operations manager, Country Coast-to-Coast,

  ABC Radio Networks

  “Chicken Soup for the Country Soul is absolutely the most fascinating thing that I could have read. It makes you realize there is love out there.”

  Lindsey Rawl

  segment producer, Crook and Chase

  “Like the dish for which it’s named, this all-country serving of Chicken Soup will fill you up with something good.”

  Neil Pond

  senior entertainment editor, Country America Magazine

  “Chicken Soup for the Country Soul proves once again that country stars are not only talented, creative individuals, but ‘real’ human beings, filled with love and compassion for their fellow man.”

  Dick McVey

  Nashville senior news editor, Performance Magazine

  “Our Internet site, country.com, allowed country music fans to rate proposed Chicken Soup for the Country Soul stories by their favorite artists. Thousands of country fans shared their personal views and heartfelt emotions with the coauthors of Chicken Soup for the Country Soul, assuring that this book has the power to touch lives in a most positive and uplifting way.”

  Martin Clayton

  vice president, CBS Cable and country.com

  “Chicken Soup for the Country Soul is a true testimony to the power of country music, a window into each artist’s soul and a revealing look at the lives they touch. Hooray that country music is in the hands of such loving, compassionate people!”

  Linda Fuller

  senior producer, SJS Entertainment,

  a nationally syndicated radio network

  “Chicken Soup for the Country Soul is a marvelous collection of stories gleaned from the hearts of those who have truly experienced that we can learn from the youngest child, gain strength from the frailest life. Each is inspiring, often heartrending and always memorable.”

  Loudilla Johnson

  president and cofounder,

  International Fan Club Organization

  “Like country music itself, Chicken Soup for the Country Soul is warm, soothing, heartwarming and full of life-affirming messages. There may be ‘star power’ behind the stories, but the love and strength in the tales will touch everyone.”

  Jackie Jarosz

  editor, Teen Country Magazine

  “Chicken Soup for the Country Soul is an uplifting and dramatic book that has the power to make you laugh, cry and feel down-home good. This one will follow the path of all the Chicken Soup that has been laid before it!”

  Paula Ghergia

  entertainment editor, The Inside Connection

  The Premier Motor Music Networking Company “

  Chicken Soup for the Country Soul shows that everyone has the opportunity to be a positive influence in the life of another. Broth for the soul!”

  Ray Pilszak

  director of national sales, Amusement Business

  “You should keep Chicken Soup for the Country Soul on your nightstand—and every night before you go to bed and every morning when you rise, read a story. It will give you a feeling that goes beyond grateful and will motivate you through your day. You will carry yourself with a vigorousness and appreciation of your own life.”

  Erin Morris and Jim Della Croce

  The Press Office

  “Chicken Soup for the Country Soul is a heartwarming collection of stories that speak directly to the soul. They prove that there’s a lot more depth to country stars than just a smile and a song.”

  Bob Cannon

  editor in chief, New Country Magazine

  “My grandmother used to make the best chicken soup in the world. It tasted so good and made me feel so warm, cozy and happy, I’d always want more. Sort of like this book!”

  Mike Greenblatt

  editor, Modern Screen’s Country Music Magazine

  “This long-overdue installment of the Chicken Soup series is a moving testimony to the human spirit that lives inside us all.”

  Richard McVey II

  managing editor, Music City News

  “This book makes you realize that country music is more than just a form of entertainment. It also has the ability to have a real impact on the lives of listeners. Chicken Soup for the Country Soul brings out the best of these characteristics.”

  Jon Rawl

  Country Music Journalist

  “The series of Chicken Soup for the Soul books has become a legend. Now Chicken Soup for the Country Soul has been added to the series, and it’s natural—country music, along with music of the west and the cowboy, is synonymous with heartfelt stories about real life that stand the test of time.”

  Vernell Hackett

  editor, American Song writer Magazine

  “I’ve been involved with country music for over twenty years in my career in radio and TV, and I’ve seen performers put on pedestals by their fans, while really, all along the stars are just people like the rest of us. Chicken Soup for the Country Soul reveals that human side so well. The collection illustrates so well the little things that make the biggest differences in the lives of the stars and, really, in the lives of all of us. Next time you’re feeling down, read Chicken Soup for the Country Soul. It’ll pick you back up right away.”

  Al Wyntor

  host, NASCAR Country and On-Line to Music Row

  CHICKEN SOUP

  FOR THE

  COUNTRY SOUL

  Stories Served Up

  Country-Style and

  Straight from the Heart

  Jack Canfield

  Mark Victor Hansen

  Ron Camacho

  Health Communications, Inc.

  Deerfield Beach, Florida

  www.hcibooks.com

  www.chickensoup.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Chicken soup for the country soul : stories served up country style and straight from the heart / [compiled by] Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Ron Camacho.

  p. cm.

  ISBN-10: 1-55874-563-7 (hardcover)

  ISBN-13: 978-1-55874-562-9 (tradepaper) ISBN-10: 1-55874-562-9 (tradepaper)

  eISBN-13: 978-0-7573-9713-4 (ebook) eISBN-10: 0-7573-9713-1 (ebook)

  1. Spiritual life. 2. Country music—History and criticism—Miscellanea.

  I. Canfield, Jack, date. II. Hansen, Mark Victor, date. III. Camacho, Ron, date.

  BL624.C4574 1998 98-7072

  158.1'28—dc21 CIP

  ©1998 Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Ron Camacho

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher.

  HCI, its Logos and Marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

  Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.

  3201 S.W. 15th Street

  Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190

  R-07-05

  Cover design by Andrea Perrine Brower

  This book is dedicated with love

  and appreciation to the performers of

  The Grand Ole Opry and to ALL the people

  who have enriched our lives by singing, performing

  and working toward the evoluti
on of country music.

  We have been lifted out of loneliness, reminded

  of our core American values, heartbroken

  and healed, and inspired to go for greatness

  by your songs and your lives.

  The last two years have seen the

  passing of far too many legendary personalities.

  Chicken Soup for the Country Soul would like to

  remember: Owen Bradley, Sarah Ophelia “Minnie Pearl”

  Cannon, Floyd Cramer, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe,

  Patsy Montana, Carl Perkins, David “Skull” Schulman,

  Chuck Seals, Cliffie Stone, Justin Tubb,

  Tammy Wynette and Faron Young.

  Your memories will live in our hearts forever.

  This book is dedicated to country life

  and the tradition that has come to

  be known as country music.

  Country music is America. It started here, it’s ours. It isn’t something that we learned from some other nation; it isn’t something we inherited, and so it’s as native as anything we can find. It comes from the heart of America. It talks about family. It talks about religion, the faith of God that is so important to our country, and particularly, to our family life; and, as we all know, country music radiates of this nation’s patriotism; it’s good for Americans to hear it. We come away better for having heard it.

  Richard M. Nixon

  At the Reopening of the Grand Ole Opry

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Introduction

  We’d Like to Hear from You

  1.ON LOVE AND KINDNESS

  Giving Randy Travis

  Love Goes a Long Way Whisperin’ Bill Anderson

  Sir . . . My Waiting Room Angel Carla M. Fulcher

  Bottom Dollar Robert J. Duncan

  The Man in Black Richard Tripp

  O Holy Night Jean Calvert

  The Chain of Love Jonnie Barne tt and Rory Lee

  A Special Gift Marijoyce Porcelli

  The Trophy Billy Walker

  Ole Charley Joe Pritchard

  They’re Waving at Me Robert Crum

  The Farm Horse That Became a Champion Philip B. Kunhardt Jr.

  Great Love Michael Peterson

  Simpler Times Charle s D. Williams, M.D.

  A Christmas Guest Grandpa Jones, with an introduction by Fred Foster

  Momma’s Christmas Magic Nova MacIsaac

  The Right Spirit Merilyn Gilliam

  The Chain Gary Chapman

  Teddy Bear Red Sovine

  Teddy Bear’s Last Ride Dale Royal and J. William Denny

  I Meant to Do That Paul Brandt

  Raymond Luke Reed and Phil Thomas

  2.ON FAMILY

  Daddy’s Little Girl Kippi Brannon

  Mama Sang a Song Whisperin’ Bill Anderson

  Grandfather’s Clock Kathy Fasig

  Angel Unaware Dale Evans

  A Handful of Blackberries W. W. Meade

  Fishing with Granddaddy Jeff Foxworthy

  The Button Jar Susan Wells Pardue

  My Father’s Hands Floanne Kersh

  Bird Heaven Merilyn Gilliam

  My Angelique Ron Camacho

  3. THE POWER OF FAITH

  Virtuous Woman Jan Howard

  Deck of Cards T. Texas Tyler

  Promises Kept Reverend Malcolm Patton

  Too Broken to Be Fixed Victor Fried

  Goin’ Fishin’ T. J. Greaney

  Angels Among Us Becky Hobbs

  Nuns in the Country Dan Clark

  When the Frog Got His Wings H. R. Ayers

  4. LIVING THE DREAM

  What It Takes Merlin Little field

  In the Footsteps of a Good Man Marty Stuart

  A Little More Out of Life Mel Tillis

  Just a Plain Ol’ Country Girl Sarah Ophelia Cannon

  Confidence Builder Porter Wagoner

  The Dream John and Audrey Wiggins

  The Front-Row Seats Roxane Russell

  Dream Big Rita Batts

  Inspired by Love Lari White as told by Ron Camacho

  A Cowboy’s Last Chance Dirk Johnson

  Big House Monty Byrom

  5.OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AND HARDSHIPS

  Just Keep Walking John Jarrard

  The Gift of Dignity Jeanne Pruett

  Zell and Fuzz Zell Miller as told to Lewis Grizzard

  Tyler Joe Diffie

  God Bless the U.S.A. Lee Greenwood

  Living in a Moment Ty He rnd on

  Ballerina on a Pink Horse Barry Ettenger

  6. THE POWER OF A SONG

  Achy Breaky Heart Bruce Burch

  Just What the Doctor Ordered Whisperin’ Bill Anderson

  It’s Not the End of the World Emilio

  I Will Always Love You Dolly Parton

  Healing Music Walter Moodie

  More Chicken Soup?

  Soup Kitchens for the Soul

  Opry Trust Fund

  Trees Around the World, Inc

  Who Is Jack Canfield?

  Who Is Mark Victor Hansen?

  Who Is Ron Camacho?

  Contributors

  Permissions

  Acknowledgments

  First a huge thank-you to our families!

  To Jack’s wife, Georgia, and his son, Christopher, who in the midst of the pressure-filled weeks it takes to finish a book like this, constantly remind him to slow down, smell the roses, and listen to some music. To Jack’s parents, who instilled in him a love of music and helped him buy his first guitar.

  To Mark’s wife, Patty, who constantly supports his writing and editing work, and to his daughters, Elisabeth and Melanie, who share their dad with his work.

  To Ron’s beloved wife, Ellen, and precious daughter, Angelique, for their constant support and sacrifice. Through lengthy absences and heavy workloads their constant renewing energy kept him going and made this whole adventure worth it. To Ron’s mother, Angela Camacho, for her clairvoyant monetary donations and endless faith in Ron’s abilities.

  We also wish to acknowledge the following people:

  Our dear friend and Ron’s partner, Julie Barnes, who introduced Ron to Mark and Jack and has been working alongside us for three years. Your personal and professional support made it possible for us to get through the many trials we faced along the way. Your love and support are inexpressibly dear to us. And your patience and inexhaustible enthusiasm are deeply appreciated. To Julie’s mother, Judy Barnes, for her constant energies in both problem solving and endless spiritual support.

  Heather McNamara, our senior editor, who was the project coordinator for this book. She was instrumental at every stage—compiling, editing, sequencing, choosing quotes and cartoons, and keeping the whole thing on track in the midst of constant chaos.

  Nancy Mitchell, who managed to continually find the gold nuggets among the thousands of stories we sifted through, and found cartoons and quotes. We also thank her for her incredible effectiveness and perseverance in getting all the permissions we needed.

  Patty Aubery, who contributed immensely during the final few weeks with the final selection of stories, editing and overseeing every aspect of the production, and still managing the day-to-day activities of the staff of The Canfield Group and Self-Esteem Seminars—all while being pregnant! Welcome Chandler Scott!

  Kimberly Kirberger, for being the managing editor of this project in its early stages and for continuing to show faith in this endeavor when things seemed to be slowing to a halt. Through her caring, consoling and hard work we were able to redirect and continue our efforts. Thanks for hanging in there with us through the tough times.

  Rochelle Pennington, for selecting many of the quotes we use throughout this book.

  Veronica Romero, Teresa Esparza, Lisa Williams, Laurie Hartman, Ro Miller and Robin Yerian, for holding down the fort while the rest of us wrote and edited.

  Leslie Forbes, for providing any assistance we needed to complete this project
, especially the wonderful aid in obtaining permissions that she gave Nancy.

  Preshias Tomes and Jeanne Cecil in the American Entertainment Concepts office, for keeping Ron sane and in one piece during the worst of it.

  Sharon Linnéa, Erica Orloff, Donna Peerce and, especially, chief storyteller Don Dible, for their excellent and timely help with editing some of the stories in this book— often with little advance warning.

  Anna Kansen at Guide posts, who once again came through at the last minute to help us identify several outstanding stories which we have used.

  Mark and Chrissy Donnelly, who helped us with some of the final stories.

  Porter Wagoner, for calling the session that brought us the incredible song “In the Shade of the Family Tree”— which we have included on the CD in this book—and to Porter and the 112 Opry stars and country legends who performed on the record. Special thanks to Capitol Records for Garth Brooks; MCA Records for Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood and Marty Stuart; Sony Records for Patty Loveless and Joe Diffie; RS Entertainment for Ricky Skaggs; Capri Chambliss, Porter’s assistant, for assisting us in all aspects of the CD project and permissions.

  Also to our personal friend Gwendolyn Kay Skipper, an artist as well as a former vocalist with Ronnie Milsap, for giving us the first drawings of this book cover. Your smiles and loving support helped us begin this journey. You left this world too soon. We miss you.

  Stormy Warren of Jim Owens and Associates, for helping us to get the first word out about this project through the TNN News and for helping us get on Crook and Chase. To Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, for having us on their show.

  Teresa George of the Country Music Association, for believing in us early on and for helping us get the word out through CMA Clo se Up.

  Phyllis Hill of TNN, and Ronnie Pugh and Kent Henderson of the Country Music Foundation’s library, for opening their archives to us and for all the assistance and information they provided us when we needed it the most.

  Kathy Gangwich, Bruce Burch and Vernell Hackett, for giving us their time and connections as well as their friendship. Also thanks to Vernell for assisting us with some of the editing.

  Bob Whittaker and Jerry Strobel, stage managers of the Grand Ole Opry, for their continuous hospitality.

  Ron’s brother in Christ, BillyWalker—the “Tall Texan”— who was a true friend and so graciously introduced Ron to all the people at the Opry.