Pam Tillis is the daughter of Mel Tillis, a country music singer and songwriter whose career peaked in the 1970s during the outlaw country movement. Pam always knew she would be a singer, as her whole family was so immersed in country music, so she accepted her destiny. She spent many years touring with her dad’s band until 1991, when she decided it was time for her to go solo.
The aura that surrounded the Flickinger Art Center was electrifying. Everyone was excited to see Pam Tillis. Can you imagine Pam Tillis in little old Alamogordo? It was a sold-out crowd, everyone clapped before she even struck the first chord on her guitar. She brought with her a violinist, master of any string instrument, and pianist, all award-winning artists who each got a moment during the show to show us what they could do.
Tillis opened the show with “Shake the Sugar Tree,” which she followed with a story about how while going to the Grand Ole Opry since a child, she had met so many great female country musicians, but the one musician she is so sad to not ever meet was Patsy Cline. She followed by singing a Patsy Cline song, “Walkin’ After Midnight.” She made a comment that she had been in the business so long that she had noticed how fashion seems to never change. She spoke about her bellbottom pants and how, over her time performing, they had come and gone three times in fashion style.
She spoke often of her time performing with her famous dad, and she told a wonderful story about her dad and Minnie Pearl, who were close friends and performed a lot together. As you may know, Mel Tillis stuttered, and he was embarrassed by it. Pearl always wanted him to talk between songs, but he would always have a fellow musician speak for him. One day, Pearl went to Mel and said that he needed to connect with is audience more and speak to them, but his stuttering prevented him from speaking. She said, “It doesn’t matter what you sound like, Melvin, you’re going to have to talk to the people. You just can’t go out there and sing. That’s not going to get it.” He took her advice and later used his stuttering as part of his act, telling jokes, and later became the spokesman for the National Stuttering Foundation.
Pam had a great admiration for her dad, all the things he has overcome, and all his accomplishments. If it wasn’t for what he was able to do in his life, he helped Pam realize there are no limitations. She sang all her hits from the 90’s to the present. The crowd was silent, listening to every word, but they would sing along with the chorus and break out in clapping. Pam Tillis, with her soft speaking voice, quick wit, and knack to communicate with her fans, makes her a legend and shows why she has won award after award for her music. There is so much more coming from her and she has no vision of slowing down. If you ever get to see her in person, it is worth every penny. Here are some links to her songs and social media.
https://www.facebook.com/pamtillis
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLk26v1sZlvevAD0Agwkd-w
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