RIP Jack Barlow

[Jack Stoner]

I knew Jack and met him several times, including at Kelso Herston's "Jingle Studio" in Nashville when they were doing the Big Red chewing gum commercial in 72. Our Bass player, Bernie Waldon, got Jack's DJ job at WIRE in Indianapolis when Jack left for Nashville. Jack used to winter in this area of Florida and he would come to some of our weekly shows at Catfish Johnny's and a couple of the Tommy Cash shows when Bernie Waldon and I were working with Tommy.

The Kraft commercials on the CMA Awards shows back in the 70's was voiced by Jack.

Here is the passing announcement from Marty Martel:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COUNTRY MUSIC LOSES ANOTHER GREAT ARTIST

JACK BARLOW PASSES ON AT 87



It is with great, great sadness that I bring you the news that Jack Barlow has passed away. One of country music’s great stylists, we have lost yet another of our legendary country music artists. At the present time I do not have complete details on Jack’s passing, but I will send more information as I receive it tomorrow.



BUTCHER BARLOW, Jack Harold-Age 87 departed this life July 29, 2011. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Harold and Jennie (Hyink) of Fruitland, IA; daughter, Shane Hemphress, and sister, Lorraine Hoyt of Muscatine, IA. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Dianne (Gobelet) of Linden, TN, and brother Keith of Muscatine, Iowa; 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. Jack was born in 1924 in Moline, IL. After serving in the Navy during WWII, Jack began doing farm work, but quickly became a disc jockey.



During the mid 1960's, Jack started working as a singer/songwriter and recording artist and released his first song, "I Love Country Music" which topped the charts at number one. Jack later moved to Nashville where he continued singing Country Music with such great artists as: Johnny Cash, George, Jones, Lefty Frizzell, Dottie West, Patsy Cline, Mel Tillis, Porter Waggoner, Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph, and more. Jack went on to record 4 albums and numberous singles including "Catch the Wind" which reached the top 10 on Billboards top 100. Jack continued entertaining his fans during many appearances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN; the Landmark and Golden Nugget in Las Vegas; and at the Montreal World Fair. Jack also appeared in several movies.



In 1972, In addition to his singing career, Jack recorded a jingle for Big Red Chewing Gum. He continued recording jingles for many years and was the voice of several commercials for major brands, such as Busch Beer, Budweiser, Chrysler, Dollar General, Kraft, Uncle Ben's Rice, Dodge, Kelloggs, etc.



A Tribute to Jack will be held on August 13 from 5-9PM at Harpeth Hills in Nashville, TN. The public is invited. Please mark your calendar to be a part of this tribute for Jack. He was so much a part of our country music industry and community.



Please keep in your thoughts and prayers Jack’s family in this time of deep sorrow at their loss.



MAY HIS SOUL REST IN THE PEACEFUL ARMS OF OUR BLESSED LORD, WHERE HE WILL SUFFER HEALTH ISSUES ANYMORE.



Jack was a dear friend of mine and I will miss him.

[Thomas Pickett]

I got word of jacks passing also yesterday from his brother keith and his son cole. I was his drummer for about 3 yrs. at a club called the harmony lounge in e. moline ill. once a month we had guest artist appearances with our band. lorretta;dottie west;billy grammer,coney smith just a few i remember it was such a great gig jack was always a hit when he performed with that great voice you could reconise anytime if it record or commercial.he also had a t.v. show for wqad t.v. here in moline ill. every sat. back in the 60.s jack was also a member of the mississippi vally country western music association of the quad-cities wich is has been for 51 yrs. and was a founding member.a while back me and my son had a chance to visit and talk about the times on his front porch.i was hoping to doing it again.to jack stoner i,am a good friend of cal akers tell him hello. i will also be in st.lois for scottys steel show would enjoy meating you. i will be at russ hicks late nite show if i don't see before then. we will all miss our good friend jack our hearts and prayers go out to his wife diane and family in this sad time.will try to make it to nashville for the service. rest in peace tom pickett sr. and tom pickett jr. family

[Jack Stoner]

Tom, I sent you a forum PM.

[Fred Jack]

Some of you must have heard the tune he recorded called the man on page 602, about an underwear ad for Sears that was a little over "exposed". funny funny funny. We actually had that catalog for years but its gone now. Fred

[Jack Stoner]

I was reminded about that "page 602" song last night at a gig when we were talking about him. Our lead guitar player used to play bass for Jack in Moline Ill and was close friend. And our Bass player who I mentioned in my original post that Jack got him his DJ slot at WIRE in Indianapolis.

[GaryHoetker]

Please check out his fabulous yet obscure recording "Smile On My Face" on youtube. I think you'll agree it's a work of art. RIP Jack.

[Dave A. Burley]

Jack was a friend of mine back in the late sixties. I knew him when I lived in Nashville and when I moved back home in Michigan, I invited him up to spend a week at my cottage on Wolf Lake. He taught me how to fly fish. He also appeared at the old HorseShoe Lounge that week and tore em up. What a great big voice he had and what a great entertainer. Rest in peace my friend.
Dave A. Burley

[Roger Miller]

He used to play Gulfport, Il. in the 70's. The only thing I remember other than that big voice was, "Shut your mouth woman". What a line, I believe that was the "Birmingham Blues", not for sure. BIG VOICE

[Buddy Carter]

I grew up with two of his singles in the household; 49/51 / After All, on the Soma label, and I'll Cry My Tears Today/Kicked Around By Experts, on the Hit-Tone label. Anyway, these are some of my earliest musical memories, and were a big influence on my perception of what country records should sound like.

Someone posted Kicked Around~ on Youtube. It sounds like Pete Drake and James Burton on the rides. James Burton is just all over that cotton-picker.

My uncle, J. P. Carter, who was a Moline-area entrepreneur/restauranteur/etc., was associated with Jack Barlow in some capacity in the 60's. I guess he introduced my mom and dad to Jack one time when he came to Chicago to play the WLS Barndance.

Also, I see Jack's son, Beau, has posted quite a few of his records to Youtube.

All I can say is if I could sing like Jack Barlow, I'd never sing like me again...

[Buddy Carter]

Tom Pickett, speaking of Youtube, have you viewed the video for I Love Her Still? It's a live recording from the Harmony Lounge. You might get a kick out of the ending.