Reply #50: Johnny holds a special place in my family [View All]

[TornadoTN]

Johnny was a family friend, through my grandparents, who grew up near Carter Fold. The thing that struck me was that my Grandfather, a WWII and Korean combat vetaran and my personal hero, spoke of him like Johnny was his best friend even after he was propelled to mythical heights.

One of my fondest memories was being at a local shopping mall with my grandparents when I was about 10 years old. My grandfather ran into Johnny, who was there doing some Christmas shopping. After some small talk between friends and learning that my brother (who was 2) and I were fans and aspiring to learn the guitar thanks to him, he walked back to his car and picked up an acoustic guitar, brought it back inside and asked the mall staff if he could play a few numbers at the customer service desk. He did this with my brother on his lap and me at his side. Needless to say, he grew quite a crowd for this impromptu session that I can remember just as vividly today at 27 as it was the day it happened. That Christmas, my brother and I both recieved a special gift from Johnny - two shiny new acoustic guitars that I spent many, many hours learning to play and perfect - all with Johnny's music as a guide.

In 2000, Johnny came and visited my grandparents at their home - unannounced. He just wanted to come by and talk with some "common folk". I was in college at the time and heavily involved in Democratic efforts at the time and my Grandfather called me to hurry up and get down to their house! I drove nearly an hour to their house where Johnny and Grandad were sitting on the front porch like two old friends discussing the weather. I went up onto the porch and apologized for my delay - Johnny looked at me and said "You're doing the right thing son, I'm proud of you". That by far was the most significant endorsement of my political and social ideals that I have ever and dare say will ever recieve - Johnny didn't wear his politics on his sleeve - he lived them without much fanfare. He just plugged on and did what he thought was right.