"Vern Gosdin's voice was truth — the hardcore country kind." That's how one singer/songwriter reacted to the news of Vern Gosdin's death. He had a "teary, flannel voice" that was "one of the most expressive instruments in country music history" (Pete Cooper, The Tennessean). Gosdin was greatly inspired by The Louvin Brothers (who hasn't been?) and was the "inheritor of the honky tonk style of Lefty Frizzell and Merle Haggard." When he reached his 50s, he considered leaving the music business after largely going unnoticed for 25 years when he struck gold with what became his signature song, "Chiseled in Stone" in 1987. It won the CMA's song of the award award and his music career was reinvigorated--an inspiration to a near-50 year old like me (all I need is a good song and tour bus!). Gosdin, known as "The Voice", was respected by his peers, but he was never truly appreciated by the general, country audience and, in recent years, was largely forgotten. But his music remains with us, classics like "Do You Believe Me Now" and "Hangin' On," a duet with his favorite singer, Emmylou Harris.
"Chiseled In Stone"
"Do You Believe Me Now" (audio)
"We Must Have Been Out Of Our Mind" (audio)
"Love and Wealth" (Charlie Louvin, Emmylou Harris, Vern Gosdin)
Porter Tubb
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