Gerry Wood - Tales from Country Music

My co-authors have been by my side for a dozen years, honoring me with total devotion, unaffected affection, hilarious shenanigans, and priceless brown/white/black fur for my fingers to luxuriate in when I seek total peace and serenity. As I write, they gather close for encouragement and support, never knowing that I worship them more than they worship me, if that is at all possible.

Captain and Calhoun enjoyed the high life of Key West, stars in their own right as tourists adventuring past our home, East of Ernest, snapped photos of the Southernmost Beagles, posing proud and protective on the front porch. Their favorite guest was Jerry Jeff Walker, who sang his hit Mr. Bo Jangles for them. The Beagle Brothers didnt like the line about the dog up and died, but I understand the message of the lyric, after 20 years he still grieves.

Later, they moved to Nashville, dragging me along with them, where they cavorted with the dog-loving country music stars. Tammy Wynettes tiny pet Killer traveled with hera dogs life aboard a luxury tour bus. Wynonnas menagerie keeps expanding. Tom T. and Dixie Hall once raised more than 50 Bassett hounds. K. T Oslins dog loved the daily walks in New York Citys Central Park. When K.T. learned her dog was dying and was too weak for the walk, she hired a limousine, rolled down the windows and took her furry friend on a final trip through the park in style.

Sadly, during the writing of this book, Captain died. He was such a special spirit, a nourishing healer who helped rescue a young woman from a breakdown, attached himself to a shy neighbor kid whom I later learned had been sexually abused, worried himself silly about me, and found Heaven on earth any time he could snooze with his chin on my lap or Calhouns back. Because of Captains perpetual motion tail, his momma Carol tagged him The Wags. She described the impact of our loss by saying, Im doing okay except Ive got this big vacant spot inside me where Captain used to be.

The Beagle BrothersCaptain, left, and Calhoun, right. (Photo courtesy of Gerry Wood)

Calhoun continues his heartbreakingly futile search for his missing brother, and then, with his ears pinned back, his big beagle eyes stare at me, pleading and confused. Knowing that Ive always made everything right for him, Calhoun cant understand why Im unable to do that one more time and bring back his brother. I try to explain it to him until I realize that I dont understand death either. Then I just tell him that Captain would want us to carry on, and thats what we are doing. As author James W. Hall observes, Though the pain of their loss is great, the loss of their joy-giving would be even more difficult.

In remembrance of our late and great co-author, Calhoun and I dedicate this book to Captain. Thanks, Wags. Like Ive always said, you and Calhoun are the best beagles in the business. We love you and miss you.

Calhoun and Gerry Wood

Nashville, Tennessee

2003

Beyond the Beagle Brothers, this book is dedicated to the Harnisches of the Hamptons, where I give thanks when spending Thanksgiving. For Louise Harnisch, the Grand Duchess of the Hamptons, thanks for making me family. For Bill Harnisch, your scorched friend is happy to serve as your heat shield any time you need it. For Ruth Ann Harnisch, heres hoping that someday Ill be more worth than Im trouble. Your friendship through the decades deserves that.

Sorry, George Strait, but none of my exes live in Texas. Everlasting love, respect and appreciation go to my ex-wife Ellen in Nashville and my ex-fiance Carol in Key West. Hmmm, whats wrong with this picture?

My heartfelt appreciation to Naomi Judd for contributing her brilliant foreword. Shes the beautiful incarnation of what a countrv music star should embody in talent, intelligence and compassion. Naomi, Wynonna and Ashley Judd not only have the best taste in basketball teamsthe University of Kentucky Wildcatsthey share a family tradition of remarkable performances on record, on the stage, on television and on the silver screen.

Another honor comes from one of my heroes, Garrison Keillor, allowing the inclusion of his masterful eulogy for Chet Atkinsthe centerpiece of Chets memorial service. Garrisons profound and eloquent tribute raised the craft of writing and potential of verbal communication several notches beyond all pretenders to his throne. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but Keillors words about Chet are worth a thousand pictures.

Kudos to some special family membersJudi and Graham Wood, Linda Ford, Stephanie Ford, Calhoun Wood and my heaven-dispatched parents Gladys and Albert Woodnow dogsitting, and loving it, with Joe Roach and Captain Wood.

Ive worked with editors at Random House and Simon & Schuster, but nobody tops Erin Linden-Levy of Sports Publishing L.L.C., with her skillful advice and inspiring support. Thanks to Paul Zamek for guiding this project into my corner and to Bob Snodgrass for pushing it into reality.

Good friends will be with you through thick and thin. Great friends will be with you through thin and thin. Some of my great friends: Charlie Monk, Tom Webb, Joe Sweat, Chuck Neese, Dave Springer, Stella Parton, Ed Morris, Susan Niles, Merle Kilgore, Caroline Davis, Bob Beckham, Rhonda Smith, Walter Sill, Lorian Hemingway, Jeff Baker, Shannon Parks-Denton, Harry Warner, Debbie Holley, Bucci Brother Terry Brown, Charlie Neese, Pegg Vanek, Tom Jernigan and Roxane Robinson, Charlie and Lorna Jean Walker, Tom T and Dixie Hall, and the worlds greatest photographerRaeanne Rubenstein, my Manhattan hillbilly friend forever. Our Raeanne/Gerry photographer/writer team routinely turns the blase into the bizarre. From heartbreak at Bobbie Cryners house to fake eggs in George Goober Lindseys kitchen, weve enjoyed and/or suffered it all.

Finally, a double Irish toast to the dear departed Ed Shea, my boss at the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. A whiz at remembering birthdays, Ed was a disaster when recalling names. After I had worked with Shea for five years, he once called me Bob Woods. Our assistant director Charlie Monk fared worse when Ed introduced him as Rufus Monk. One morning Shea told me he had seen Roger Miller perform on television the night before. Are you