Honky Tonk Highway

Travis Tritt, Hank Williams Jr, Kid Rock and a host of other entertainers honored songwriter and promoter Merle Kilgore, recalling his friendship and his way with a quip and funny story. "Merle Kilgore - I can't say that name without smiling," said Tritt, who hosted Tuesday's service with Marty Stuart at the Ryman Auditorium, former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Kilgore died February 6 from complications related to lung cancer. He was 70. In a wide-ranging career, Kilgore wrote the hit song "Wolverton Mountain" and co-wrote "Ring of Fire" with June Carter, which became a hit in 1963 for Carter's future husband, Johnny Cash. He also managed the career of Hank Williams Jr. and worked with Hank Williams Sr. But it was Kilgore's humor that people seemed to remember most. "He brought laughter to every room he entered," singer Brenda Lee said.
Tritt said he often would call Kilgore during tedious recording sessions. "He would come out and spend hours with us telling stories that went all the way back to Hank Williams Sr. and before," Tritt recalled. "And by the end of the day I couldn't hardly even talk because my jaws were so sore from laughing." During his career, Kilgore was a singer, songwriter, disc jockey, radio program director, actor and manager. Detroit-area resident Kid Rock strummed a guitar and sang "I Saw the Light."
Other performers included Big & Rich; Holly Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Jr.; and Stuart and his wife, Connie Smith.