I met Tom T. Hall in May of 2004. He had a home near the Carter Family Fold, in Hiltons, VA, and took a big part in moving and renovating A. P. Carter's birthplace. The home now sits next to the Fold. Tom also built the benches outside the Fold, but Tom wanted his involvement to be kept quiet. He wanted the Fold, and A.P.'s birthplace to be the star of the show.
Tom sat with Janette Cater, A.P. and Sara's daughter, as they re-opened the home, and helped Janette cut the ribbon in front of an adoring audience. Tom, Janette and her brother Joe have all now gone to rejoin their family in the sky, but the music and the Fold lives on, The Fold reopened last month, and please visit and support a place that will always have a special place in my heart, if you have the chance.
Standing with Tom after the ceremony, I asked Tom if I could take a photo of him leaning on the chimney of A.P. Carter's birthplace. I knew that he wouldn't pose in front of the home, so this was my one chance to get a photo of him that with the place that owed a lot of its preservation to him. Tom thankfully obliged, a giant in music leaning momentarily alongside the history of another.
Here's to you, Tom. Tell Janette and Joe I said hello. Thank you.
In the sky, Lord, in the sky.
-Daniel Coston
August 22, 2021
photo copyright 2004 Daniel Coston
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