Pam Tillis
Kurt L Moore
The first
time I interviewed Pam Tillis, we were sitting in the almost
empty office of her dad, Mel Tillis. Mel had just sold his
theater, ending a very successful 13-year stand in
I sensed at that time that Pam was, and always would be, daddy’s little girl. Mel’s eyes would glisten with delight, as he and Pam bantered the conversation back and forth. Their conversation could be likened easily to a tennis match. There were no outside calls and no one was keeping score. Both Tillis’ were in great spirits and the laughter, smiles and warm feelings flowed easily and in large helpings. Pam’s facial expressions literally glowed with admiration and respect for her father. Pam, at that time, was excited and agog with great dreams, hopes and expectations for the show that she was about to undertake in the coming months at the Yakov Smirnoff Theater. Mel would listen, as Pam, with great anticipation and hopeful acceptance, would tell of her plans to do this or do that on the stage. Mel would calmly offer suggestions and advice that only a loving father and not a great entertainer would give. The advice Mel gave her, stuck. The night I visited Pam’s new show, I was amazed at the difference that I saw in Pam herself. The self-confidence was there that I had not picked up on before. Pam had started her new show and you sensed that she truly was in charge of her life and her show. Pam Tillis was in her element and loving every minute of it. The Pam Tillis Show is one that I would ask you the reader to attend and see for yourself if Mel’s shoes are being filled. Mel has big shoes to fill and I, for one, believe that Pam is growing into them nicely. There will be a few growing pains, a few fallen arches and a few stubbed toes before they are a really good fit, but Pam is on her way and I do not think that she is stoppable. Pam has inherited the Tillis energy and stamina that served her dad for so many years. The Tillis sense of showmanship has been passed down to her as well. Pam spent her formative years literally sleeping in a guitar case while traveling with her dad. Pam has a destiny. The day will come when Pam, will not be known simply as Mel’s daughter. Mel will be known as Pam’s father. Mel left quite a legacy in his music and his daughter Pam.
KLM: “In 25 words or less, who is Pam Tillis?” PAM:
“Oh! Well Pam Tillis is a product of her environment. I grew up
in show business and it gets in your blood and, you know you are
born with a song in your heart. Pam Tillis is somebody who loves
to sing and loves to try to reach out and touch people
KLM: “I remember last December, when I interviewed both you and your Dad together, your dad was giving you some advice on show business and I thought that was really neat, because, from what I saw tonight, you followed every bit of that advice.” PAM: “Oh Good!” KLM: “The thing that I remember him telling you, chiefly, was that the people wanted to hear you. They don’t want to hear songs all the time, they want to hear you talk, they want to hear who you are.” PAM, “Oh yeah, that’s right, that’s exactly right.” KLM: “And you have a great mixture of it.” PAM: “Good, you know we meant to do that. (Laughs). You see, here’s the thing Kurt, you know, the gauntlet has been thrown down. Daddy made a great stand here. He had one of the longest “one night stands” in history. Thirteen years he was here and the people loved him. I felt a lot of pressure going into this show. I don’t even really think Daddy understood.”
“You know,
it’s like Pam, just do what you’ve always done. But you know
what? I wanted to do even more than that. I wanted to have a
totally entertaining show. A lot of people who have just seen me
with my dad have just seen a small part of what I do, because I
try to fit into his scene. It is his band and his show and I’m
just there to support and give people a little taste of my
music. Here was a chance that I get to stretch out and
KLM: “There’s been a lot of big name stars who have appeared at this theater, Loretta and Willie. So you’re in a long line of cool names appearing here.” PAM: “Yeah!” KLM: “Now the words out that this is a new trend you’re starting. I’ve been speaking to Joe Sullivan, the promoter and others. They think that you’re doing something really great, by getting the word out that it’s okay to come to Branson part of the year.” PAM: “That was another bit of pressure that I felt, because I think a lot of people are expecting me to prove that there’s an audience here, you know, for younger acts. I’m not a teenager, but I mean, more a baby boomer and more a broader demographic. Certainly we love our older fans, I cherish them. But Branson is also a family place. We get kids of all ages. Shoot, we had a three-day-old baby here the other day. There’s a 91-year-old lady and a 3-day-old baby in the same Autograph line. That’s a broad demographic. So we’re here to give something for everybody. You know what? Nashville has always had a little bit of an attitude about Branson, that’s not my problem. This town’s been good to my family and if some more of them want to come here, that would be great.” KLM: “What do you want to do with your career in the future?” PAM: “I want to do a little bit of everything. I want to write some more songs, I want to record some more albums, I want to do some more theater. I want to do more of everything I’ve gotten to do because I’ve enjoyed doing it. I want to come back to Branson. I want to play all over the world. I want to keep doing what I’m doing. Every year my challenge is to try do it a little bit better than the year before.” KLM: “You know I’ve heard singers all over town.” PAM: “And I’m one of them.” (Laughs) KLM: “You have possibly the purest voice I have ever heard.” PAM: “Wow! Thank you. That’s very nice.” KLM: (Laughing). “And I’m the only deaf Entertainment Editor that I know of.” PAM: (laughing) “Thank goodness for you.” KLM: “Seriously, even with these hearing aids, I have an excellent ear for music. The last time I saw you, you were with your dad. I forget what the song was that you sang, but you put so much emotion in it, that I wanted to cry.” PAM: “Wow!” KLM: “I’ve had only one other person who ever affected me in that way.” PAM: “That’s neat. Did it sound good to you tonight?” KLM: “It sounded great to me tonight, but I didn’t sense the emotion that I sensed when you were singing with your dad. Is there a reason for that?” PAM: “Oh, no, I was putting it out. I always get into it. I might have been a little nervous because I knew the video cameras were here, which makes you a little bit uptight.” KLM: “Because you know every move you make is being filmed, no matter what.” PAM: “Yeah, so it’s a little different. I was very aware of that, so I might have been thinking a little bit. You might come one night and get those goose bumps. What might not strike you one night, might strike another person. You never know. But do come back. (Laughing). I’m gonna have to get you now.” Kurt: “Pam, you have a unique approach to your salute to the veterans. It is different than any other I have personally seen in Branson. Why do you do it that way?” PAM:
“That’s a good question. I think that’s a really wonderful thing
to do, but I want to say thank you in my own quiet way. I feel
my way, which is the natural way for me, is the most respectful
way to do it, instead of doing it like somebody else does it. We KLM: “I have to respect that, that’s cool.” PAM: “Yeah, I just wanted to do it the way that I felt most natural.” KLM: “You are cool! I like that.” PAM: “Well, thank you.” Editor’s note: Pam Tillis is appearing with Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, in a Joe Sullivan Production, at the Welk Theater, call (417) 334-7469 for tickets or reservations.
|
Branson Critic™
Participate Show Reviews Branson Shows News/Events Show's Awards Other I want to work in Branson, MO! Branson Spotlight Winners 2005 Our Organization
|
