Eddy Arnold

I don't think I can begin to tell you how big Eddy Arnold was in my house. When I heard of his passing, I was reminded of my mother who, I swear, would swoon at the mention of his name. With the passing of Eddy, I have officially lost touch with the very early years of my being. Hank's long gone, Ray died not too long ago and now, with this, a certain part of my life now drifts away on some iceberg that just broke free from my past, never to return.

What a voice he had. I can name ten of his songs right off the bat, just because they were played so much in my house. With his TV show and easy, breezy ways, you thought this guy was your favorite uncle that brought you a present every day he came to see you.

"What's He Doing in My World", "Welcome To My World", "Make The World Go Away", "Cattle Call","The Richest Man In The World" etc. I know these songs word for word after all of this time...he was second to George Jones in the number of individual hits on the country charts but, according to a formula derived by Joel Whitburn, is the all-time leader in an overall ranking for hits and their time on the charts. From 1945 through 1983 he had 145 charted songs, including 28 number-one hits. We may have had them all. He performed well written songs and surrounded himself with great musicians. He didn't wear the gaudy, sequined suits that other country artists did at the time. He wasn't big on honky tonk, he was big on love and the many intracacies of it. He recorded music at the age of 87 with the release of "After All These Years".

Married to the same woman for 67 years, she died in March of this year.

I guess it really doesn't take us long to go from here

To here...huh?

His last concert in 1999. Thanks, Eddy. You filled my house with gladness. Say hi to Mom.