Betty A. Jones, a Flomaton native, always dreamed of her poems and stories being told in a song. In high school, Betty wrote a song that gave her the idea to be a country music songwriter. A country song has to be written as a story so as to be sung in three minutes or less. Betty wrote her song, but needed a melody writer. She found that melody writer in her friend Joffrey Tullis, another Flomaton native.
In the mid 1970's, Betty felt her time was right for making her dream of being a country music songwriter come true. The song was called, "Take Your Friend by the Hand." Betty had her song and the encouragement to head to Nashville. With grit and gumption Betty headed north from Flomaton on I-65.
She hit the pavement, knocking on doors, and got some appointments with publishers; first being Mel Tillis Music. The people at Mel Tillis Music liked her song. It got published but never got recorded. Betty learned quickly to get her songs recorded to have them played on the radio. She found a company that put her with melody writers. ABC Music V.P. Dianne Petty listened to Betty's story. Petty loved her songs and ideas and put her with melody writer Blake Mevis. "Learning to Love Again" was recorded by Dave & Sugar on RCA Records. Another melody writer Kelly Bach and Betty wrote, "What I Feel is You," recorded by three artists on different labels.
One special highlight in Betty's music writing journey was being in the audience listening to Dave & Sugar sing her song at the Pensacola State Fair as she, her husband Larry, and their two daughters stood while she was introduced as writer of the song. Betty shares that seeing her name on a record label is thrilling.
Betty traveled back and forth between Flomaton and Nashville to do writing with those talented folks in the music industry. During those song writing years Betty had five chart singles on Top 100 Country, she became a member of the Country Music Association, became a member of Nashville Songwriters Association, and the performing rights organizations ASCPA and SESAC.
The good times lasted between the 70's and 80's when Country music was still Country. Betty fondly remembers attending many CMA awards shows and was honored to vote on awards. One special song, "Love Ain't a Losin' Thing" written with Blake Mevis, was almost cut by Roy Orbison. He cut only 10 sides and the song she and Blake had written was number 11. That song is still with publishers. Blake also wrote a R&B song with it, so who knows?
One very special song was sung to Betty at the Grand Ole Opry by her favorite Country singer. She stood in the wings while he turned to point to her while singing, "A White Sport Coat." Lucky Betty; MARTY ROBBINS made all our hearts pound.
Eventually life and the changes in the Country music industry brought Betty back home to Flomaton. She tells us those years were some really good times learning the ropes in Music City while letting her creative side live in Country music songs; but things change and so did she. The sweet memories will last for a lifetime as will her songs.
Betty says the road wasn't easy, but worth all the hard work. She is still friends with many people in the music industry. Betty still has songs with major publishers, so who knows when one of her songs may put her back in the recording studio again?
Advice from Betty: If you have a dream, pursue it.
***Betty's songs by Dave & Sugar can be seen/listened to on YOUTUBE.***
