A lifelong beloved hometown friend of Sonny has passed. Legendary record producer and Fame studio owner Rick Hall, the man regarded as the “Father of Muscle Shoals Music,” died early Tuesday morning on January 2, 2018. Rick was 85.

We mourn his passing and offer our deepest condolences to his family.

Rick’s Grammy-winning production talents and drive touched nearly every genre of popular music from country to R&B, and his Fame Studio and publishing company were a breeding ground for future legends in the worlds of songwriting and session work, as well as a recording home to some of the greatest musicians and recording artists of all time, including Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Wilson Pickett and many more. To date, the studio and its publishing company have been responsible for an estimated 350 million record sales, with songs by everyone from the Beatles to George Strait.

In a phone conversation with Rick on July 29th 2016 which would last over an hour, Rick and Gary Robble reminisced about Sonny and the special friendship and times the two had spent together both fishing the Tennessee River and working in the studio over many occasions. Although it’s never really been noted here or anywhere else, during a struggling time in Sonny’s career long after “Young Love”, in 1962 Sonny and Doris had moved back home to Hackleburg, AL from Hollywood, CA. It was also a time when Rick was building his new FAME Studio however he still had his original studio up and running but just wasn’t producing any official projects at that time as the new building was his primary focus. With Sonny back home and Rick in transition to his new studio, the two would meet up at the old studio and with Sonny on guitar and vocals, and Rick on bass and vocals, the two would work for a few hours getting ideas down on tape but only after they had spent the mornings fishing. During the conversation Rick made a point to mention how he and Sonny were like brothers when they were together.

With the successes which would soon follow in Sonny’s career beginning in 1963, there is no doubt Sonny’s use of R&B material was greatly influenced during these private sessions with Rick and the confidence this provided Sonny in taking these ideas further would soon become a historic direction for Sonny’s career culminating in a streak of 16 consecutive #1’s. A streak which would not have been accomplished without the R&B songs and influence of Rick Hall.

During what would become the last visit of Sonny to my home for a few hours of organizing some business and story telling, I had specifically shared with Sonny how amazing it would have been if in the late 1970’s he had simply gone home to Hackleburg and recorded up the road in Muscle Shoals while turning to Rick as his Producer. The two of them could have put down some very serious guitar based R&B in Sonny’s unique country style but with Rick pushing the edge of that envelope as only he could do. In that moment, Sonny agreed with his boyish smile. But I got the overwhelming sense that the two had already been there and done that — together.

Following Sonny’s passing Rick gave the following gracious interview to local Muscle Shoals paper, Times Daily:

During the internationally televised Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 13, 2017 with a total viewership of 24.95 million the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences honored Sonny James by including him in not only their full textural listings of those who passed, but graciously included video and audio of Sonny performing “Young Love” during the televised broadcast. Sonny’s performance video was respectfully placed between his Capitol Records peer and friend Merle Haggard and long-time friend and Elvis Guitarist Scotty Moore.

Truly, a gracious recognition of our beloved and dear friend whom we greatly miss.

Grammy Awards In Memoriam Segment Video:

As far as Sonny James and The Southern Gentlemen were concerned Lin Bown was the best blending first tenor that ever was. Originally from Easton, Massachusetts, Lin was the youngest of the Parsons when he took over the 1st tenor spot with this church college acapella quartet in 1961 at the age of 17. Their unique blend and close harmonies identified them as a group rather than as four distinct individuals. Their sound captured the attention of many people even before they joined Sonny in Nashville. They did all the vocal background for the first country music extravaganza held in the old Madison Square Garden in early 1964 which led them to doing all the on-screen vocal background on the movie Second Fiddle To A Steel Guitar. When they joined Sonny James for the first time in August 1964, Sonny’s next single went to #1 on the Billboard charts which was Sonny’s first #1 since Young Love nearly 8 years before. There was really nothing special to say about Lin Bown, Gary Robble, Duane West and Glenn Huggins other than when they put their voices together magic happened and everybody recognized it.

On November 14, 2016, after an extended illness, Lin Bown was peacefully laid to rest in his beloved San Isabel Mountains just outside of his home-place in Pueblo, Colorado joining in death baritone Duane West (June 2002), Sonny James (February 2016), and bass singer Glenn Huggins (August 2016).

For the third time this year we say another earthly goodbye, this time to our top-note, and may I say it again – the best there ever was. It is with great sadness that we say a temporary goodbye to our wonderful blending friend, Albert Linwood Bown, remembering that his favorite song we recorded with Sonny James was ‘Til the Last Leaf Shall Fall from the religious album we recorded in 1965.

Someone once said “the key to life is remembering”. We remember, now and for always – because we will always have the music.

He was their bass singer and by the time East Liverpool, Ohio’s Glenn Huggins had lived out every singer’s dream, he would forever be known as “Mr. Running Bear”.  Originally called the Parsons, their average age was almost 18 when they started singing at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts in September 1959. Little did Lin Bown, Gary Robble, Duane West and Glenn Huggins know what the next dozen years would bring their way – that’s what dreams are for. 

On August 28, 2016 in Greeley, Colorado, Glenn Huggins, “Mr. Running Bear”, bass singer in Sonny James vocal group The Southern Gentlemen, forever known for his bass part on the huge #1 song Running Bear in 1969, crossed the raging river to the other side.

It is with great sadness that we say a temporary goodbye to our wonderful friend – but those of us in the business know this one thing – the music lasts forever. It was a good ride Huggins – a very good ride – now soar with the eagles.

DATELINE: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2016

After hearing for decades about the town of Hackleburg, Alabama, I was finally able to make the pilgrimage there. The occasion was, by no means, a happy one. Jimmie Hugh Loden, professionally known as Sonny James, was laid to rest that day in his beloved hometown. He had died at the age of 87, from natural causes, on February 22, 2016 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. I attended the memorial service held in Brentwood, Tennessee two days before, however, I felt compelled to make the three-and-a-half hour journey to pay my last respects at his funeral.

CHURCH: BRENTWOOD HILLS CHURCH OF CHRIST

SERVICE PART 1

SERVICE PART 2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Saturday may be one of the few times crowds of people passed through the historic walls of RCA’s Studio A.

With cameras in hand and music in the speakers, visitors took a step back in time to celebrate the building’s 50th anniversary.

Little has changed since Studio A opened in 1965, but if it weren’t for a few key players it may instead be another new condo building in a growing Music City.

“It became the symbol for the change in Nashville, that wasn’t the good side of the change,” singer, songwriter, producer and current tenant Ben Folds said.

Last summer a residential developer bought the building. With the end in sight, preservationists stepped in to save it.

“Its not a feeling I anticipated. It was just a knee jerk reaction to get involved in something that didn’t have anything to do with me. By the time this thing was over, it’s a really good feeling,” songwriter, Terry Bruce said.

It’s been 50 years of music in the making.

“Whether it’s Elvis Presley, whether it’s the Everly Brothers, whether it’s Marty Robbins, Sonny James, Johnny Horton, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline,” explained investor Mike Curb.

The list is too long to name, but they linger there. It’s what makes the studio so special.

“You know I’m not a big hippie about these things, but you start to feel it, you can feel that the room is made for that,” said Folds.

In less than a year the building went from the demolition block to the National Register of Historic Places.

“They now understand the special nature of the sound here and how we almost lost this special place,” historian Dr. Carroll Van West said.

It proved the importance of preserving the past paves the way for the future.

“This is something huge for the community, not the music industry. I mean this is big for the music industry, but the ripple effect of what this building holds as far as for the city itself and tourism and education purposes is incredible,” supporter and historian enthusiast Mike Wolfe said.

By: Jonquil Newland
Nashville News Channel 5: www.newschannel5.com/news/local-news/rcas-studio-a-thrives-1-year-after-near-demolition

Sonny James: The Southern Gentleman (1995)

Originally Published December 12, 1995 in Nash Country Weekly
Paul Ladd | Published: May 16, 2012

When you think about the all-time superstars of country music, the name Sonny James may not immediately pop into your mind. But Sonny, known as “The Southern Gentleman,” was a megastar, reeling off an incredible 16 No. 1 hits in a row.

No one’s done that before or since — and it’s doubtful anyone ever will.

To hear Sonny talk, with that gentle voice and modest, unassuming manner, you’d never suspect he was the Garth Brooks of his day.

In a remarkable career spanning more than 30 years, Sonny’s amazing achievements have earned him a secure place in the history of country music.

True, Garth’s sold more records than Sonny ever did; Eddy Arnold’s had more hits; and Conway Twitty had more No. 1 songs. But nobody except Sonny has ever put 16 *consecutive* hits at the top of the *Billboard* country charts.

And that didn’t even count his first No. 1 — monster hit “Young Love” — in 1957.

Born James Hugh Loden on May 1, 1929, in Hackleburg, Ala., Sonny got his first guitar, which was handmade by his father, when he was only 3 years old.

“It’s true, and that guitar is now in the Country Music Hall of Fame,” Sonny told COUNTRY WEEKLY, with quiet pride in his voice.

From age 4 on, Sonny sang with his sister Thelma and his parents, Della and Archie — “Everyone knew them as Mom and Pop” — in the Loden Family group. He had his own radio show when he was still a teenager.

After serving in the Korean War with his activated National Guard unit, Sonny was discharged in 1952 and went to Nashville to visit his old buddy Chet Atkins.

“I met Chet when I was a teenager,” Sonny recalled. “In fact, we roomed together in Raleigh, North Carolina, when we were playing at the same radio station.

“When I got out of the Army, I spent a week with Chet and his wife in Nashville. He introduced me to his friend Ken Nelson, who was with Capitol Records.

“After dinner, Chet and I began woodshedding on our guitars. We played a few songs I had written, then Chet turned to Ken and said, `What do you think, Ken?’ And Ken said, `I’d like to record him.’ ” That was the start of Sonny’s fabulous career. Billed as the Southern Gentleman because of his tall, elegant appearance and gracious manner, Sonny racked up a total of 23 No. 1 hits between 1957’s “Young Love” and 1974’s “Is It Wrong (For Loving You)”.

“Young Love,” was also a sensational crossover success, and soared to No. 1 on both the country and pop charts.

But it wasn’t until 1967 that Sonny launched his incredible streak of 16 chart-busters in a row. The No. 1s included:

1967 — “Need You,” “I’ll Never Find Another You” and “It’s The Little Things.”

1968 — “A World Of Our Own,” “Heaven Says Hello” and “Born To Be With You.”

1969 — “Only The Lonely,” “Running Bear” and “Since I Met You, Baby.”

1970 — “It’s Just A Matter Of Time,” “My Love” “Don’t Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Endlessly.”

1971 — “Empty Arms,” “Bright Lights, Big City” and “Here Comes Honey Again.”

What was it that made Sonny so popular? The 66-year-old living legend, now retired and living with his wife, Doris, in Nashville, paused before answering.

“I always tried to do material that fit me,” he explained. “We’d do a variety of material — ballads, up-tempo and even bluesy songs — but I stayed the same. I tried to give the fans the kind of songs they had come to expect. I think that was the reason I had such success.”

Sonny’s friend, Grand Ole Opry star Jim Ed Brown, agreed: “He knew his voice and he knew his music. He’s a good man.”

In 1973, Sonny changed hats and became a producer, turning out Marie Osmond’s cover of the pop oldie “Paper Roses.” It became Marie’s first hit record, crossed over to the pop charts and virtually launched her career.