A Note From Billy . . . July/August (2005)
It is early evening and I am standing on the pavement of the new bypass in Ashland City, Tennessee. Even though I have never been here before it feels like home because it is where my father was born.
As I look down the road to each end, I can see people gathering for the dedication/ ribbon cutting of the new parkway (TN Waltz Pkwy). The lights are flashing from the police cars and fire engines that have blocked off the parkway for the event. They have arranged a podium for those who will be speaking, and several chairs are lined up for important guests. There is a beautiful blue ribbon for the cutting ceremony, balloons line the street, and next to the podium is an easel that holds a wonderful tribute, in a large picture frame, to the man they are about to honor. That man is my father!
As I wonder through the crowd of people, I am truly amazed at all of the new family members there, whom I have just met for the first time! There are aunts, cousins, second cousins, and even third cousins, that I never even knew existed. Seems my family is much bigger than I thought. There are even some government officials here that have come for the dedication- a congressman, a senator, a state representative, the city mayor, and even the county mayor. This is quite an event!
As the ceremony begins one by one each speaker gets up and pays tribute to my father and his music, along with their praise for the new parkway that the city has needed for so long. And as I sat there watching all of this, I realized how much impact my father and his music has had all over the world. I was beaming with pride when I stood up to receive the plaque that was given to me in honor of my father and his great song the “Tennessee Waltz.”
As I returned to my seat with plaque in hand it dawned on me that tomorrow was Fathers Day. Wow, I thought, what a great Fathers Day gift for my dad! I can't think of a better gift for my father than his own parkway! So, if you are ever in Ashland City, Tennessee take some time to drive down my father’s street! How do I find it you say? Just look for the sign that says (you guessed it) . . . . . . . . Tennessee Waltz Parkway!
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A Note From Billy