Friday, November 13, 2015

Sharing My Gift With The Governor


One of my greatest honors as a singer/songwriter, was meeting Louisiana’s two-term governor Jimmie Davis. He was first elected to office in 1944, and then again in 1960. As a nationally known singer/songwriter, with several Top Five singles on the country charts during his first term in office, he was often referred to as the Singing Governor.

I had the privilege of sharing a concert stage with Governor Davis in 1982. After the concert, he expressed a love of our sound and an interest in my songs. At the age of 84, he was recording a "final" album for his beloved Louisianans, and he was searching for new material to include. Could we visit him at his home in Baton Rouge, and let him hear more of my tunes?

Of course, we could. ☺

Governor Davis and his beautiful wife Anna Gordon Carter (known for her alto vocals in the Chuck Wagon Gang) were the perfect hosts, and their home rightly reflected elegance and grace.

After sharing a meal around their dining room table, we drifted to the grand piano. Harmonies soon followed, and as I sat there, making music with the man, whose signature song was "You Are My Sunshine," I knew it was a moment I'd share with my children one day.

Later that night, all settled in my stately bed, it felt a little surreal, knowing the governor and his wife were sleeping down the hall. I remembered my favorite scripture in Proverbs: "A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men." For sure, that had been true in my life, and for sure, it was true tonight.

The next year, Governor Davis included two of my songs on his album, and we remained in touch through the years. After my daughter was born in 1985, he sent a personal letter of congratulations, which I still have tucked away in a box somewhere. 

Following his death on November 5, 2000, The New York Times published an extensive piece about Governor Davis's upbringing and his many accomplishments. His was a real rags-to-riches story, and I will always feel honored to have stitched one tiny thread in the giant tapestry of his remarkable life. ♦

8 comments:

  1. I'm so proud of you and honored to be your twin sister! I remember this story but had forgotten many of the details. The pics brought back sweet memories from the 80's. I wonder if you can find his recording of your songs on YouTube. If you can, I'd love to see them here.

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  2. How interesting! I know that you are a writer, but had no idea about the musical talent. I am certain that you have a number of stories up your sleeves and I am all ears.

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  3. Like Vee, I wasn't aware of your song writing talents either. What a great story and a wonderful honor! Would love it if you shared some of your songs on your blog too :)

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  4. This is quite an amazing story. I'm going to go and click on his album and enjoy listening to this story unfold through the music.
    Thank you for letting us be apart of this gift you were given.

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    1. Hey, Christine, I haven't been able to locate songs from that album online. I have a vinyl copy, of course. Sorry. :-(

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  5. Love this story--thank you for sharing this with us--

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  6. Hi, dear Gayle. I had NO idea... so I enjoyed these memories with which you've pleased us all today. I looked on your sidebar to find your music for sale. Now I'm disappointed. :-)

    Also noted: There's no more Kelley Highway, friend. Probably you could sweep it off of there to maintain the beauty of your sweet site. I truly appreciate your following the Highway while I was on that road. *wink*

    *hugs*
    Kelley~

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    1. Hey, Kelley. I wasn't able to upload your new blog for some reason. I will keep trying. :-)

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