“He has more talent than anybody outta have”, Bobby Bare said as he introduced Glen Campbell on the 1999 Ryman Country Homecoming show. He sure was right.
A classic clip captures a moment in time, here on Americana UK, that’s a moment of music. When I was thinking about what to settle on from the moments of country music history that I’ve waded and wandered through, there was one recording that instantly came to mind: Glen Campbell’s performance of ‘Gentle On My Mind’ filmed at the Ryman Auditorium in 1999. It’s no surprise that Campbell has found his way into a couple of Classic Clip pieces, but this one stands out to me, too much for me to overlook.
The John Hartford-written masterpiece is my favourite song of all time – for someone who has most waking hours filled with music, that’s a big statement, but it’s one I’ve stuck to for quite some time. ‘Gentle On My Mind’ is a song of simple life and simple love; it has a warmth of memory and a movement of comfortable freedom, and really, it’s just beautiful. “Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines/ And the junkyards and the highways come between us” followed up by “but not to where I cannot see you walkin’ on the back roads/ By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind” – well that’s just perfect.
Whilst I suppose Hartford is the one to be thanked for those words, the storytelling in this case comes straight from Campbell. As he says in this clip, “it is amazing how some songs will affect you”, and this is the one that has affected me, enough for this to really be a classic clip.
I could ramble on about the lyrics of ‘Gentle On My Mind’ and Campbell as an artist for hours on end, but this little article is a reflection on a specific four-minute clip. It’s taken from a night of legendary country music, a special event where countless country pioneers came together to celebrate, respect and listen to each other. Sitting on stage like a Mount Rushmore of country music are musical icons from Waylon Jennings to Willie Nelson and Ralph Emery to Crystal Gayle. However, as the Rhinestone Cowboy throws himself into a guitar break with an all-too-natural ease, there are a few names and a handful of reactions that reflect just how respected Campbell was by the people who really recognised immense talent.
Glen Campbell is one of the greatest guitarists to have ever lived – that’s a hill I’ll die on. As that statement is proven in this clip, Chet Atkins watches on, just his presence making this moment a little more special. Willie Nelson turns his head to admire when Campbell says “I’ll play one” before that magical solo, respect in those wise eyes. There’s no other word to use than “mesmerised” to describe how Roy Clark looks watching Campbell lose himself in the song. The Roy Clark, in complete admiration, a pride radiating from one of country’s most influential guitarists. This clip entirely captures the supreme talent that Glen Campbell was, and the joy that he brought to those lucky enough to surround him. An all-timer being appreciated, celebrated, uplifted, and recognised by his fellow Country Greats. It’s a classic.
Fantastic Daisy! Thanks for posting. And as Albert Lee says “God bless Glen Campbell”.
Peerless his last few records are timeless.
This is a fine piece on what one of my feeds calls the greatest country song. Not sure I can agree with that, but it certainly evokes a time and spirit we’d all be a bit better off for.
One quibble, and this goes to the editing: the Bobby Bare quote should read, “oughta have,” not “outta have.” The latter means “out of,” not “ought to.”
Thanks for posting this, I remember watching this with my late father, both trying to see how many stars we could name in the background. Fantastic piece of music and excellent clip
That’s a really great memory to have attached to a really great piece of music