Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,Dave S
Date: 09 May 09 - 02:01 PM

Nobody could make you "feel" the pain he lived,better than Vern Gosdin.He had the unique ability to translate his life experiences into music,and then hit you right in the Heart with them,like no other could do.
    I think it is a complete travesty that this great performer NEVER got his dues from the Nashville community.He wasnt a pretty boy with long flowing locks,he wasnt flamboyant,all he was was the best damn singer I've heard in 67 years of life.
       "THE VOICE" will now get his dues from the Country community,and will be recognized as one of the greatest of all time,but in my humble opinion,its too little and MUCH too late."THE VOICE" will never be silenced..God rest your soul Vern,and the hell with the rest,YOU were the best.I miss you already.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 01:56 PM

Others included were Lefty Frizzell, Skeeter Davis, Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, Hank, Sr., Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson, Loretta Lynn Randy Travis, Ernie Ford, Hank Snow, Hank Cochren. The format was two 'current hits', 1 'classic', then 1 'older current hit'. Then a commercial break.

What I did was make my own tape from the collection of 'classic' stuff. I included 'He Stopped Lovin' Her Today' which was current at that time. My show ran from 7-12 Sunday night...all automated. Canned everything...announcers, station ID's, etc. My job was to follow the list and push the buttons. I HATED most of the 'Vegas Country' at the time, so I decided to do a shift 'I' wanted to hear. Was making minimum wage and knew it was going to cost me my job, but I didn't care. I loved Vern Gosdin and Gene Watson in particular.

Years later I had a chance to meet Gene Watson. When I told him the story he threw back his head and laughed out loud. He GAVE me a picture, signed. I still treasure it. Never had a chance to meet Vern though my wife was his PT over the last days and said he was disoriented, but went out very comfortably in his sleep.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,kathy
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 09:42 AM

sorry to hear of Mr Gosdin's passing.the world has lost a great singer.our local classic country radio station plays a few of his songs once in a great while.I called a few times to tell them not to be so stingy with the Vern Gosdin.It didn't help.thank God for youTube.we will be listening again today with a heavy heart. a new voice in heaven.Our Lord will be pleased.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: bankley
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 09:05 AM

good on you Jeff....
Gene Watson's voice cut thru, as did John Conally.... there's some more obscure ones I admire like Dick Curliss 'The Baron' from Maine who had a hit called 'Tombstone Every Mile' and Daryll McCall who worked with Ray Price...   but this is about Vern.. and his passing evokes memories......

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 02:56 AM

Guestjeff-I wish I'd met you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,jeff
Date: 30 Apr 09 - 02:08 AM

Discovered Vern Gosdin while working at a small radio station in rural PA, USA. It was during the time of Kenny Rodgers, Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap, etc. Early 80s. The 'Nashvegas years', I call them. We had an 'automated format'. My job was to punch the buttons for the 'self-cued, pre-programed tapes'. Made my own tape of nothing except The Georges Jones and Strait, Vern Gosdin, Gene Watson, Keith Whitley, Ricky Skaggs and Patsy Cline from the automated ones. Played it for an entire shift one Sunday night and was fired the next day. Totally worth it. RIP, Mr. Gosdin you were one-of-a-kind.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: topical tom
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 11:11 PM

Another great voice has been stilled. A fine singer who hopefully sings on in another time and place. RIP Vern Gosdin.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 10:59 PM

Vern, the Gosdin Brothers, the Hillmen, all favorites. He could sing just about anything, and do a great job at it, too.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,Giveitallthegusto
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 10:46 PM

This wonderful man was so gentle & kind. I am blessed that I had the great honor of meeting him. I brought Vern into my life 30 years ago with his beautiful voice/music & thats where he will remain. I am in disbelief that the world has lost this legend today. Vern you will be missed more than you could ever have known.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 08:41 PM

I did have a fondness for his way with a country ballad. Hate to think there will be no more Vern Gosdin recordings to discover. He even did a credible performance of "If I Can't Have All Your Love, Give Me What You Think Is Fair" and "All Over You Again Tonight". I could never understand why the Gosdin Brothers were not more popular as a duo. Really enjoyed their versions of "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face", "Catch the Wind", and "Love of the Common People".

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 07:07 PM

A damn fine singer.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: Severn
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 06:10 PM

One of the better "pure" country voices out there. Definitely a great loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: M.Ted
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 06:00 PM

This is a shock--I've always thought of him as one of the "young guys", and proof that country music was still alive.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: bankley
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 05:30 PM

"That Just About Does it, Don't it"....

what a good singer.. one of my favorite smokey country vocalists along with Keith Whitley and George Jones

happy trails Mr. Vern

Subject: Obit: Vern Gosdin RIP (April, 2009)
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 29 Apr 09 - 05:18 PM

From the Nashville Tennessean:

Country star Vern Gosdin dies at 74

Country music star Vern Gosdin, known for such hits as "Set 'em Up Joe" and "I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)," died at midnight tonight. He was 74.

Gosdin, who suffered "a pretty bad stroke" about three weeks ago, died peacefully in his sleep at a Nashville hospital, his administrative assistant Dawn Hall said this morning.


A one-time bandmate of The Byrds' Chris Hillman, Gosdin covered a variety of musical styles, working early in a bluegrass act and even writing a song that appeared on the soundtrack to the rock biker classic Easy Rider.

But Gosdin found his greatest success doing mainstream country, as he scored No. 1 singles with "I Can Tell by the Way You Dance," the Ernest Tubb quasi-tribute "Set 'Em Up" and "I'm Still Crazy."

His recording of "Chiseled in Stone" claimed the Country Music Association's song of the year honor in 1989, and George Strait found success by rerecording Gosdin's hit "Today My World Slipped Away."

He was born in Woodland, Ala., on Aug. 5, 1934.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.