Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Gord tidbit from the Hawk, back in Arkansas

Auburn Annie · 11-18-2008, 12:05 PM

Good time in Arkansas: Ronnie
Posted By WERNER BERGEN, EXAMINER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Ronnie went home again; and he was a hit.

Ronnie Hawkins and his wife Wanda are back from his induction into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame Saturday night where he was the final inductee of the evening to be introduced.

"They saved the best for last," said Hawkins, with a big chuckle.

"Oh it was good. They said I had a good time," he said.

Hawkins and Wanda were flown by private jet to Arkansas Friday. "It only took us two hours to get there," he said.

Hawkins said he didn't realize how many superstars have come out of Arkansas.

Hawkins explained they sat in the front row with the governor and he was introduced by Roy Thornton, a long-time, powerful politician, someone Hawkins has known for a long time introduced him. Former U. S. president Bill Clinton was to have been there but was on business for president-elect Barack Obama.

Hawkins explained he knew Thornton from his university days when his band campaigned for him for president of the student body. It was the first time some had been elected who had not been sponsored by a fraternity, he said.

Hawkins said he remembers an evening out with Gordon Lightfoot after he had just finished composing Early Morning Rain. Hawkins said he knew someone who would love it so at 3:30 in the morning called Thornton and Lightfoot sang the song.

"Cowboy Roy Thornton was the first person to hear it," said Hawkins.

"I felt guilty about calling him at 3:30 in the morning and didn't call him again for a month," he said.

"It was a good party and good people," he said.

Wanda said it was a very special night for Ronnie.

The governor stayed for Ronnie, she said. "That was very special because they say he doesn't usually stay."

She said a Hummer stretch limo took them from the airport to the convention hall, a trip of about one hour.

"Ronnie wanted biscuits, gravy and sausage. So they called a restaurant; it was closed but they opened it up. It was great to meet old friends," Wanda said.

Wanda said she was impressed with the food during the entire weekend. "That's my whole thing when I go anywhere," she said.

She said Ronnie was a hit on stage. He was able to tell his stories and then walked off with Miss Arkansas. "But she brought him back," she said.

Article ID# 1301446

See also http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/243958/

11-18-2008, 12:05 PM	#1
Auburn Annie Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 3,101	Gord tidbit from the Hawk, back in Arkansas Good time in Arkansas: Ronnie Posted By WERNER BERGEN, EXAMINER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ronnie went home again; and he was a hit. Ronnie Hawkins and his wife Wanda are back from his induction into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame Saturday night where he was the final inductee of the evening to be introduced. "They saved the best for last," said Hawkins, with a big chuckle. "Oh it was good. They said I had a good time," he said. Hawkins and Wanda were flown by private jet to Arkansas Friday. "It only took us two hours to get there," he said. Hawkins said he didn't realize how many superstars have come out of Arkansas. Hawkins explained they sat in the front row with the governor and he was introduced by Roy Thornton, a long-time, powerful politician, someone Hawkins has known for a long time introduced him. Former U. S. president Bill Clinton was to have been there but was on business for president-elect Barack Obama. Hawkins explained he knew Thornton from his university days when his band campaigned for him for president of the student body. It was the first time some had been elected who had not been sponsored by a fraternity, he said. Hawkins said he remembers an evening out with Gordon Lightfoot after he had just finished composing Early Morning Rain. Hawkins said he knew someone who would love it so at 3:30 in the morning called Thornton and Lightfoot sang the song. "Cowboy Roy Thornton was the first person to hear it," said Hawkins. "I felt guilty about calling him at 3:30 in the morning and didn't call him again for a month," he said. "It was a good party and good people," he said. Wanda said it was a very special night for Ronnie. The governor stayed for Ronnie, she said. "That was very special because they say he doesn't usually stay." She said a Hummer stretch limo took them from the airport to the convention hall, a trip of about one hour. "Ronnie wanted biscuits, gravy and sausage. So they called a restaurant; it was closed but they opened it up. It was great to meet old friends," Wanda said. Wanda said she was impressed with the food during the entire weekend. "That's my whole thing when I go anywhere," she said. She said Ronnie was a hit on stage. He was able to tell his stories and then walked off with Miss Arkansas. "But she brought him back," she said. Article ID# 1301446 See also http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Style/243958/ Last edited by Auburn Annie; 11-18-2008 at 12:09 PM.