March, 2000

Hermitage, TN--Went down to Jimmy’s house for the first time. I didn’t take a crew with me this time. More than anything it was a chance for me and Jimmy to get to know each other. Spent the latter part the day shooting a little footage of Jimmy's property and his prized hunting dogs. The next day we spent with his hunting buddy Kenny Tillery and his wife Judy. Right before I left to come back to Chicago, Jimmy made a guitar out of a Prince Albert cigar can. When he was five years old in Sneedville, Tennessee he made his first guitar out of a Prince Albert can because Prince Albert was a sponsor of WSM's Grand Ole Opry. He thought maybe if he made a guitar out of a Prince Albert can they would let him come sing on the Grand Ole Opry. The first song he ever learned to sing and play on was Kitty and Sambo. Believe or not, he was pretty shy back then, and his mother would have to really encourage him to come out of his room and sing for visitors. [You can view a clip of Jimmy singing Kitty and Sambo (at age 72 and not very shy) by clicking on “Video” at the top of the screen.