WILL CAMPBELL
Will Campbell was a singer, songwriter, musician,
comedian, cartoonist, fireman, and a soldier.
We lost our friend on September 14th. 2018,
* * *
Here's an email Will sent me.
"Hey, Jack. "Actually, I didn't really want to go to Korea
because I'm not as brave and manly as I look.
But duty called, and I gladly went
after my government threatened to jail me If I didn't.
My motto was...'Join the army, meet interesting people, and kill them.'
"There were three of us who went Into the army at the same time:
me and the two MP's who were dragging me! I was so excited.
"One of the first things I did in Korea was go for my physical checkup.
They wanted to find out If I was healthy enough to get shot and killed.
My days in Korea were all about the same...Shoot somebody you didn't know...
and they would shoot you In return, and say things like 'Go Home Yankee.'
I would usually respond with 'Oh, Yeah...Make Me.'
This would really make them mad.
"The commanding officer told me that I was being returned to the states
because none of the men liked my guitar playing or singing.
When I finally got home from Korea,
I was totally ignored and dehumanized,
and made to feel unnecessary, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
* * *
Will Campbell sat in Tootsie's Lounge in Nashville.
Archie Campbell (No relation.) came in and sat next to him.
Archie said, "How're ya doin'?" Will said, "Kinda tired of sitting on this stool."
Archie said, "I have just the thing for you", and put a pill on the bar.
Will said, "Pain Pill?" Archie said, "No. A stool softener."
Archie took Will for a tour of the Ryman Auditorium.
Will went to the front of the stage and sang to the empty house.
He finally sang at the Opry.
* * *
Will told me, "When someone cuts me off in traffic,
I roll down my window and yell "YOUR SHOE'S UNTIED!"
Will said. "I leave you with this thought...
Betsy Ross said to George Washington,
'So you don't care for red, white, and chartreuse?'"
* * *
I wish I had called him more.
Jack Blanchard
Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan
Home Page: http://www.jackandmisty.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackandmisty
Billboard Duet of the Year, Grammy and CMA Finalists
© Jack Blanchard, 2019
