Country Music Songwriter Tom T. Hall Dies

Tom T. Hall accepting an award

Country Music Songwriter Tom T. Hall Dies

Tom T. Hall, member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, died Friday in Tennessee. Hall became known as “The Storyteller,” a moniker that speaks to his talent for storytelling—as evidenced in his compositions.

On Friday, Dean Hall confirmed his father’s death. He died in his home in Franklin, Tennessee. Hall was 85.

“Our family asks for our privacy during this difficult time,” Dean Hall said on Twitter.

Hall, of country music fame, wrote with conviction. His hits in the ‘70s, including “The Monkey that Became President” and “The Year Clayton Delaney Died” span a range of topics, from politics to his personal life.

The Kentucky native started writing songs at a young age. He began writing consistently in the 1960s, writing for Dave Dudley and Jimmy C. Newman, for instance.

Hall’s music followed a narrative and provided social commentary, alongside contemporaries Roger Miller and Kris Kristofferson. He wrote the hit “Harper Valley P.T.A.” in 1968 for Jeannie C. Riley’s record.

“Harper Valley P.T.A.” won single of the year by the Country Music Association, selling over six million copies. It topped charts, including the Billboard Hot 100.

Hall performed in addition to writing. He recorded over 20 hits that made it to the country Top 10.

In 1978, Hall earned himself a spot in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2008 and 2012, He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame 2008 and 2012 and later earned a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019.

“In all my writing, I’ve never made judgments,” said Hall in 1986. “I think that’s my secret. I’m a witness. I just watch everything and don’t decide if it’s good or bad.”

Musicians paid homage to Hall over the weekend.

“Thank you Tom T Hall for the [songs] and the strength you provided to so many,” wrote the Oak Ridge Boys on Twitter.

The Grand Ole Opry also tweeted about Hall: “Thank you for all of the music, Tom T. Hall. We’ll miss you.”

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