The first time I saw him he was carrying his guitar out to his car after doing a gig, I spoke, he smiled with a warmness and a gentleness about him. I later saw him standing with his wife an attractive and refined lady, the kind of woman that will remind one of the Aunt theyre drawn to but dont want to displease in anyway. Today, I call them King James and Aunt Jo---and they are just the kind of Aunt and Uncle any kid would want. From the words of wisdom and encouragement when you need them most to the surprise goodies from time to time baked with love and thoughtfulness, I am honored to have The Paynes as friends but I am blessed to call them family. I know they love me, I trust they both know how much I love them and how much I value them. Born in Leachville, Arkansas, he grew up on country music and Sunday Choir singing. His teenage dreams were mostly filled with country songs, and visions of living in Nashville, while dragging a nine foot cotton sack through rows of Southeast Missouri cotton fields. Picking cotton was a hard way to earn money, however, commonplace in those days. In 1957, he moved to St. Louis to work as a professional country singer. He met Chuck Glaser while in the US Army and played guitar with the Glaser Brothers band. Chuck Glaser took over his management when he formed his band, the Payne Gang. In 1969 Jimmy married his long-time sweetheart Virginia (Jo) and they are still living in the same home they bought the year that they married. As a songwriter Jimmy Payne has had songs recorded by Charley Pride, Ray Price, Bill Anderson, Glen Campbell, Grandpa Jones, Jim Glaser, Tompall and the Glaser Brothers, Cal Smith, Connie Smith, Jo-El Sonnier, Jeanne Pruett, Tammy Wynette, Dottie West, Daniel ODonnell, Frank Jennings and many others. Happy Birthday King James, we wish you many, many more---I ask King James how he won over Aunt Jo and he said well, first I wrote this song and then I sang it to her, when I ask him what song, he said its called......
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 19:28:53 +0000
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