I just saw this article on the passing of Damon Black. It is almost a year old.

Damon Black was a man of many talents, politics not being the least of them.

The native of Bonne Terre was the consummate politician, having been elected county assessor an unprecedented seven times - serving in that office for 29 years. Though a staunch Democrat, Black knew that it took more than party affiliations to be successful in St. Francois County elections and thus played to all voters.

As outgoing as he was as a politician, this Democrat was paradoxically shy in regard to other aspects of his life. Like many members of the Black family, Damon loved to play music and to sing, but was a reluctant performer. What many people did not know was that Black was an accomplished song writer. He wrote scores of songs that were recorded by some of the most famous names in country music, the likes of Mel Tillis, Porter Waggoner and Dolly Parton - just to name a few.

There were many in Nashville, the Music Capital of the World, who urged Black to relocate there and make music his full-time occupation. Instead, Black was more comfortable with his friends in the Lead Belt where he was born and grew up.

Black was often the champion of the St. Francois County property owners, even without their knowledge, as he did battle with the State Tax Commission over assessments. There were times, too, when he would, with a smirk on his face, play the Devil's Advocate in challenging other courthouse officials about local government issues. Sometimes it was in fun and other times it was deadly earnest.

Having struggled with several health problems over the last four years of his life, Black appeared to have won those battles when he suddenly died May 24 at a St. Louis hospital.

I Haven't Seen Mary In Years, Jake Satterfield, Tall Pines, Arkansas, and Brewster's Farm are among the many songs written by Black in the past 35 years. Bill Monroe, Porter Wagoner, Mel Tillis, and the Osborne Brothers are among the artists who recorded his songs.