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Country music legend Mel Tillis dead at 85
Fox News ^ | November 19, 2017 | Katherine Lam

Posted on 11/19/2017 9:59:24 AM PST by jazusamo

Country music singer Mel Tillis, whose six-decade career included hits such as “I Ain’t Never” and “Coca Cola Cowboy” and who never let his stutter get in the way of him becoming a legend, died on Sunday, his publicist confirmed. He was 85.

Tillis passed away at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla., his publicist Don Murry Grubbs said. The music legend is believed to have died from respiratory failure after he never recovered from intestinal issues he has been battling since 2016. He leaves behind his longtime partner, Kathy DeMonaco, his six children and six grandchildren.

Tillis recorded more than 60 albums and had 35 top ten singles in his decades-long career. His 1979 “Coca-Cola Cowboy” was one of his biggest hits, along with “Southern Rains” in 1980 and “I Believe in You” in 1978.

Tillis also appeared in television shows such as "Hee Haw" and "Hollywood Squares," as well as movies, including "Smokey and the Bandit 2." He also did commercial work for Wataburger, according to the Tennessean.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Tennessean reported. His daughter, Pam Tillis, who is also a country music singer, inducted him into the Grand Ole Opry in 2007. Her rep released a statement on her official Facebook fanpage saying the death "was sudden and unexpected."

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: countrymusic; halloffame; meltillis; music; obit; obituary; tillis
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RIP, Mel Tillis.

He was one of the greats.

1 posted on 11/19/2017 9:59:25 AM PST by jazusamo
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To: jazusamo
Coca-cola Cowboy
2 posted on 11/19/2017 10:03:02 AM PST by jazusamo (Have YOU Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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To: jazusamo

i’ll remember him as wonderful talent and funny, too. RIP.


3 posted on 11/19/2017 10:07:55 AM PST by dadfly
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To: jazusamo

Yes he was. I don’t even like country music, but Mel Tillis was one of the few I could actually listen to.


4 posted on 11/19/2017 10:11:31 AM PST by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists Call 'em what you will, they all have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: jazusamo

I hate to hear this. I’ve loved Mel Tillis for years. RIP Mel and thanks for the wonderful memories in your music.


5 posted on 11/19/2017 10:11:56 AM PST by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: jazusamo

Cassidy, Tillis, who’s number 3?


6 posted on 11/19/2017 10:13:07 AM PST by Az Joe (Gloria in excelsis Deo)
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To: jazusamo
Whataburger.

-PJ

7 posted on 11/19/2017 10:13:35 AM PST by Political Junkie Too (The 1st Amendment gives the People the right to a free press, not CNN the right to the 1st question.)
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To: Az Joe

Malcom Young of ACDC


8 posted on 11/19/2017 10:14:24 AM PST by waterhill (I Shall Remain, in spite of __________.)
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To: waterhill

Ahh yes


9 posted on 11/19/2017 10:16:45 AM PST by Az Joe (Gloria in excelsis Deo)
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To: Political Junkie Too

Bump! :-)


10 posted on 11/19/2017 10:18:50 AM PST by jazusamo (Have YOU Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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To: jazusamo

Yep. One of the good guys. RIP


11 posted on 11/19/2017 10:26:01 AM PST by sparklite2 (-)
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To: All

As everyone doubtless knows, Mel had such a stammer he could hardly speak. Yet, when he sang, the stammer vanished. He thought it had to do with the rhythm of music.


12 posted on 11/19/2017 10:27:57 AM PST by sparklite2 (-)
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To: jazusamo

N..N..No, N.N.N.Not M.M.M.Mel....


13 posted on 11/19/2017 10:31:18 AM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: sparklite2

He use to appear on Johnny Carson & would laugh at himself stuttering through the interview, but sang great.


14 posted on 11/19/2017 10:31:34 AM PST by gubamyster
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To: sparklite2

Yep...Many years back I saw him interviewed a couple of different times and he talked about that.

He said he never had the problem when singing but it was sure evident when he spoke, he just joked about it.


15 posted on 11/19/2017 10:33:14 AM PST by jazusamo (Have YOU Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

LOL! That’s the guy.


16 posted on 11/19/2017 10:34:30 AM PST by jazusamo (Have YOU Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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MAGA!

Lets git ‘er done, folks!

Please bump the Freepathon or click above to donate or become a monthly donor!

17 posted on 11/19/2017 10:36:59 AM PST by jazusamo (Have YOU Donated to Keep Free Republic Up and Running?)
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To: jazusamo

RIP.


18 posted on 11/19/2017 10:42:35 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj ("It's Slappin' Time !")
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To: jazusamo
One of my favorite songs, Who's Julie. RIP Mel and thanks for all of the wonderful songs you left us. You done good!
19 posted on 11/19/2017 11:01:59 AM PST by FlingWingFlyer (2017 - The year the liberals' "sexual revolution" strikes back!)
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To: sparklite2

There are several people that I know that stutter but when playing a guitar and singing, the stuttering stopped and they all sang very well.


20 posted on 11/19/2017 11:08:32 AM PST by Maine Mariner
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