Faith, Folklore, and Friends

The song Fallen Leaves starts playing in my head when I'm walking around these days, with the wind blowing  colorful leaves everywhere. The song was first recorded by Porter Wagoner, and was written by Louis M. (Grandpa) Jones.  The Primitive Quartet have sung it ten thousand times, and you can hear them sing it again here . Fallen Leaves by  Grandpa Jones Fallen leaves that lie scattered on the ground The birds and flowers that were here now can't be found All the friends that he once knew are not around They are scattered like the leaves upon the ground  Some folks drift along through life and never thrill To the feeling that a good deed brings until It's too late and they are ready to lie down There beneath the leaves that scattered on the ground  Lord let my eyes see every need of every man Make me stop and always lend a helping hand Then when I'm laid beneath that little grassy mound There'll be more friend...

 In Loving Memory  Norman Wilson July 2, 1944-October 15, 2014 Yesterday, my beloved brother and friend, Norman Wilson, took his final flight, the one without an airplane.  For 41 years, he traveled and sang the gospel with the Primitive Quartet.  We met him when the group was just getting started, when my sons were little "burr-headed" boys, and have followed them all these years. I have never had a better or dearer friend. Here we are, laughing at a festival in September last year.  It was hard not to be happy around Norman.  He encouraged everyone he met, and had a constant, contagious smile.  These photos are from the National Quartet Convention on September 24, just twenty two days ago.  When the show was over, there were many people in line waiting to see Norman.  The NQC people were telling us to clear the building because they had to do sound checks for the next show.  Finally, I saw Norman in ...