Smilin'
Jack eventually hired Michael's mother Marilyn "Mickey"
Herring
to sing in his band and they were married not long afterwards
Jack
also hired Michael's Grandfather, the late legendary
musician, singer and songwriter Shorty "Train,
Train" Medlock of Blackfoot and Lynyrd Skynyrd
fame to perform at several shows. Smilin’ Jack
was introduced to Tommy Durden by the SwingBillys'
lead singer "Pee Wee" Jenkins in Jacksonville,
FL after Tommy's performance on the very popular local
TV show The Toby Dowdy Show. Michael's Grandpa Shorty
was also a regular performer on the Toby Dowdy Show
during that time.
|
Grandpa Shorty performing at one of Smilin'
Jack's shows
in Fanning Springs, FL, which is "Way down upon
the Suwannee River" |
|
From
left to right: Imogene Waters, Ira Louvin, Eddie Hill, Armaline
Waters, Charlie Louvin, Mickey Herring (pregnant with daughter
Doris)
|
