I remember back in the early ’80s, I was living in Todd County and had just gotten into my pickup, fixing to head to town, when a song came on the radio called “Swingin’.” I remember thinking to myself, “Who is that? I’ve never heard a voice quite like that before.” Little did I know that one day our paths would cross, and I’d get to know the man behind that voice.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and work with quite a few country music stars, but John was one of those people I’ll always remember.
Several years ago, when I was working as a cameraman for Knight & Hale Game Calls, I had the opportunity to film a turkey hunt with John. We didn’t kill a turkey that day, but I sure enjoyed spending time with him.
A couple of years later, Harold Knight and I traveled to Iowa to film the Governor’s Hunt. It was a special event where celebrities and other invited guests came to hunt, and local families opened their homes to give them a place to stay.
That night, a blizzard came through, and the next morning, with the snow still coming down hard, Harold and I headed out to film. Unfortunately, the snow was so bad that it shut my camera down. I finally gave up and went back to the house where we were staying.
As luck would have it, John’s brother was there. He had come along with John, and I already knew him from meeting him backstage at a concert some years earlier.
We ended up sitting there for six or seven hours, talking about everything from the country music business to how John got his start. I wouldn’t trade those hours for anything.
The following night, John put on a private concert for all of us, and afterward, everyone gathered for a meal.
I remember sitting down at a table when John walked over and sat right beside me. We started talking like we’d been friends all our lives. That’s just the kind of fellow he was. He didn’t act like some big country music star. He was just John.
Years passed, and about 15 years ago, I traveled down to John’s home to interview him for a documentary I was producing about Knight & Hale.
After we finished filming, we just sat around and talked. John started telling me stories about the old days, about bird hunting with Johnny Cash, and about all the famous people he’d known and the experiences they’d shared.
I could have listened to him for hours. There was something special about hearing those stories firsthand from a man who had actually lived them.
Looking back now, I realize the best memories weren’t necessarily the hunts, the concerts, or even the filming. They were those quiet moments when the cameras were turned off and we were just two fellows sitting around talking about life.
John Anderson gave the world some wonderful country music, but I’ll always remember the man behind the songs.
I was saddened to hear today that John had passed away at the age of 71. Rest in peace, my friend. I’m thankful our paths crossed, and I’m even more thankful for the memories you left me with.
The songs will always be there, but it’s the conversations I’ll miss the most.