It is wonderful to hear that their music touched so many lives. It amazes me just how many people still remember them after all this time. I enjoyed reading the memorial posted above that was given on WCNY-FM shortly after Lula Belle passed. Her husband at the time did not want to do an obituary for some reason and she never had a memorial service up there in Spruce Pine. She and Scotty are buried at the little Methodist Church they belonged to, Pine Grove Methodist Church. This is also where the road dedication ceremony was held in 2007.

When my mom was growing up they spent summers in Spruce Pine at their summer cabin, which burned down a couple of years ago. Home Coming Time in Happy Valley was written about Spruce Pine. They loved that area (Scotty's family settled in the area in the 1700's). Every August the church has decoration where they get together with food/fellowship and decorate the cemetery. This activity is referenced in the song.

Lula Belle was just as silly in real life as she was on stage. She had a great sense of humor and she laughed a lot. Scotty was more low key. In his later years he was a home builder and he had a herd of cattle. They had a house overlooking the valley and when we'd visit we'd go out on the porch in the evenings. Scotty would play the banjo and they'd sing while we caught fireflies. Grandma was a wonderful cook and would always have a pineapple upside down cake waiting on us when we came to visit. She had a huge garden and we'd have fried chicken for dinner and whatever she pulled out of the garden that day.

Actually, she was good at whatever she put her hand to. She taught herself to play guitar. She sewed her own costumes when they were performing. She and Scotty had bowling trophies all over their house. She knitted sweaters for us, clothes for my dolls, bonnets and dresses for me, she made needle point pictures. She was even a head candy striper at the local hospital at one point.

Out of all of her accomplishments in her career she said was most proud of being elected to the NC State Legislature because she was the first woman and democrat elected from her district.

Considering their contributions to music that is probably surprising to many people. She truly loved people and was born to serve in some capacity, whether it was on stage, as a volunteer in her local community or in politics.

For those with fond memories of the Barn Dance there will be a documentary coming out hopefully within the next year. A gentleman out of Chicago is putting one together (for PBS I believe). He has done a fantastic job on it - I have had the privilege to review the snippet on Lula Belle and Scotty. If/when I get more news on this I will try to remember to post it here.

There is an another little known story behind "Have I Told You Lately". Scotty almost did not get credit for writing this song. I'll try to dig up the story if anyone is interested.