Eddy Arnold, the Voice, is Stilled at 89

Eddy Arnold died today. I am sad to hear this news. He was a few days from turning 90 and has had a long, successful and I'm sure happy life. I always feel sad when someone who was part of culture and entertainment passes away. With them goes the chance for more material and their past works are part of my memory.

When I was a junior high student, I had a little square box with a hunk of plastic that I could put into my ear and search out tunes on AM or FM. It was covered in a black leather case that protected its gray metal surface. It was called a transistor radio. I'd get music from different parts of the country 'beamed' all the way to rural Maine and I loved the private concerts.

There were many singers and songs that I loved. I've had the ability to pick up on a song rather quickly and by the second time I'd hear it I could carry the tune and sing most of the words. Sometimes there would be this voice and the DJ would announce, "and now this classic from Eddy Arnold." There were times he'd be on the popular shows of the day, this big tall smiling guy who could command the stage and just sing. There were songs like " Make The World Go Away" , "Bouquet of Roses" and "Welcome To My World". He was like a classy cowboy at the time, wearing a regular suit, connecting with the camera with twinkling eyes, gentle voice and a big old grin when being interviewed by his hosts.

Then one day there came that "mellow baritone", that voice that sang "Make the world go away, get it off my shoulders..." and it was tripping up and down an unimaginable set of notes that defied copying. Who could sing like that?! "The Cattle Call". The Song! I didn't even realize that sound was yodeling. Even today I still think of it in some total other class than the standard yodel-ay-he-hoo that defines the word. This was unreal. When the DJ played that song my hand went to the volume and I cranked it up.

The sounds coming from me were pathetic. I'm sure the dogs on the hill across the way were howling in agony but I didn't give up. There's a good chance that's how one of the windows got cracked in my unused antique car that sat at the side of my shop. Who knows. These were ultra private concerts you know. They could be in my flower shop, down in the woods near our back yard or in my bedroom when I was home alone. I certainly was not going to let my parents or sisters know I was tackling this song! Although, at the time if I'd figure it might drown my closest sibling out I may have tried it on her during an argument. Don't worry there are no videos or recordings of these concerts.

If I sought out the song on You-Tube or iTunes and decided to hold a concert today be glad:

1. I do not have a video camera.

2. My dog would surely decide to join in the yodeling chorus with me and I would not want to be outdone. So, your ears are safe.

Eddy Arnold had a love of his life, Sally, who he married. She surely was his foundation, it is writen that he found her to be his inspiration and he lost her after 66 years of marriage this past March. He fell shortly afterward, injured his hip and has now died in a care facility near Nashville. There is a feeling that he died of a broken heart. He once sang a song "I Want To Go With You." I wonder if that was his heart's desire for the past few months.

Once labeled the second biggest country star next to George Jones, Eddy Arnold was a singer and entertainer for years. Many have enjoyed his mellow muti genre sounds and we are lucky to have that voice available to us today due to technology far superior to my little old transistor radio. I still feel the prickling of tears for someone who missed the love of his life these past weeks. Mr. Arnold, I'm proud to have have had a chance to 'sing along' with you. I will always love the "Cattle Call" mainly because it was an amazing use of a voice. Rest in peace dear tired soul.

"He rides in the sun
'Til his days work is done
And he sings up the cattle each fall....
Singin' the cattle call.