Tribute to Jim Weatherly: All-American songwriter, athlete, gentleman

We'll remember the Hall of Fame songwriter (and former All-SEC quarterback) Jim Weatherly; with singer-songwriter Taylor Hunnicutt and special guest Cary Hudson!

February 13, 2021 at 7 pm (CT) Mississippi Public Broadcasting; 9 pm (CT) Alabama Public Radio; 3 pm (ET) University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Thursdays 6 pm (CT) University of Mississippi; Fridays 9 am (CT) WYXR Memphis Community Radio

Saturday, Feb. 13 – Jim Weatherly, a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame (“Midnight Train to Georgia,” among others) and former All-SEC quarterback, died at his home in Brentwood, Tenn., on February 3 at age 77. The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour will honor his memory and remarkable life with a rebroadcast of his October 18, 2018 visit to our show.

In our interview, he discusses his memoir Midnight Train, SEC football in the early 1960s, Hollywood parties with Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen and how his life changed when Gladys  Knight put five of his songs, including “Midnight Train to Georgia,” on her 1973 album, Imagination.

With alt-country singer-songwriter Taylor Hunnicutt (“Flower in a Drought”) and our special guest, veteran songwriter and longtime friend of our show, Cary Hudson (“Town and Country”).

Hosts: Jim Dees and our house band, the Yalobushwhackers

Air times:

Saturday, Feb. 13– 7pm (CT) Mississippi Public Broadcasting

9pm (CT) Alabama Public Radio

3pm (ET) University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Thursdays 6pm (CT) WUMS – University of Mississippi

Fridays 9am (CT) WYXR Memphis Community Radio

 

Featuring

Author

Jim Weatherly

Jim Weatherly is the co-author (with Jeff Roberson) of Midnight Train (Yoknapatawpha Press), a memoir of his life in sports and show business. Weatherly has been writing songs for almost 50 years, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014. His best-known composition is “Midnight Train to Georgia” recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks among many others.

Weatherly, a native of Pontotoc, MS played for legendary Ole Miss Coach Johnny Vaught and was voted second team All-Southeastern Conference quarterback and honorable mention All-American on the 1964 team. He was also a member of the only unbeaten and untied national championship squad in University of Mississippi history in 1962 – a team that captured the SEC championship that year and again in 1963.

 

Music

Cary Hudson

Cary Hudson is a singer-songwriter, former Oxford resident and former front man for the rock band, Blue Mountain. Hudson has released seven solo albums including his latest, Hobolochitto.

Hudson has been named one of the Top Ten Alternative Country Guitar Players by Gibson magazine and continues to tour and write songs in a career spanning 30 years. Hudson splits his time between south Mississippi and New Orleans and hopes to someday, “whistle like Professor Longhair.”

Taylor Hunnicutt

Taylor Hunnicutt is a singer/songwriter based in Birmingham, Alabama. With roots in blues, soul, country and Americana, Taylor’s performances cross genre lines and give audiences a unique and authentic storytelling experience. Her latest release is the EP, Flower in a Drought.

Check out the show!