The Full Story
History
Well, I suppose this page is for telling a little bit about me, in detail. Some stories about my life and family, my time in the Marine Corps, my journey through music, cancer, and so much more.
Father & Mentor
REV. RALPH HOYT DAVIS , He was my Earthly Father, and what a dad he was. Never saw him smoke after 1960, never saw him take a drink. Saw him angry probably a couple times, both times in protection of his family. He was Ordained in 1960, and he took that seriously. Oh he would discipline us, sometimes having us cut our own switch, but never in anger. He made sure with a loving lecture before and after. He always had time to laugh and joke with us, even when things were bad. I remember that. I remember my dad baptizing me in White River in Indiana. Can't list all the good times I remember, and can't remember any bad times. I miss my dad, I miss both my parents.
They were married 71 years, so they had to be doing something right. Not trying to put dad on a pedestal, but he was a good man. Now, I am walking in his tracks, but will never fill his shoes.
Son of a Coal Miner
My dad was a Coal Miner. Hard work, got 13 cents per ton for what he loaded. Mom, from Native American roots, was a hard worker.
I was born in Muncie Indiana. I was about 4 days old when dad went back to McCreary County KY. That is what I still call home.
In 1960, dad was ordained a Preacher, Southern Baptist, Hard Shell Southern Baptist Church. (Basically, if it felt good, had to be a sin)
Church was a requirement. Sunday morning, night, Weds evening, and Saturday night.
Must say I resented that.
We always had a family quartet. I can remember Mom holding me in her arms, and we would sing.
Started singing bass with the Gospel Travelers when I was 15.
Cut my first album before I was 16.
The picture of my brother Alvin and I standing next to a historic picture of the mining tracks has 2 kids in it. Those kids are Alvin and I, as well. Pretty neat, huh?
Brothers in Arms
I'm still not to the point where I can write about Nam, or my time in Marine Corps.
Suffice to say I was wounded in combat, carried the M60 machine gun, and a .45 Colt automatic. And don't forget about "Trusty Rusty " a machete used to cut through the jungle and real handy when we were overrun a couple of times.
My brother Alvin and I were in Nam at the same time, for about 2 months, in Spring of 1969. He was Army, I was Marine. He drove a road grader down some dirt roads to see if mines had been planted the night before. He was in the Southern part of Country
We were in hand-to-hand combat 3 times.
My brother had a psychotic break shortly after I was shot. I spent 3 months in hospital before getting out.
Back to the Music
Music was something I grew up in. It has it own ties to God, in a spiritual sense. I think that's what helped bring me back into my faith after some pretty serious low points. With the End Of The Line band, not only did we get to open for some Nashville country music legends, but we won awards for best band, as well! Those were some great times.
To this day, I keep up with music. You can listen to some of my artistry on the Music page of this website. And I still put together shows, fundraisers, and events that give young musicians and artists a chance to be seen on the real stages of Nashville.
Just like God, I don't think music will ever leave me.