In this episode, I reconnect with Ginger Eldridge, someone I’ve known for nearly the entire 26 years I’ve lived in Nashville. To date, she and I have the longest history together of any guest.

We talk about …

• music business life in Nashville
• the impact we both experienced knowing the late great Landy Gardner
• getting to second base with Dolly Parton
• doing life with an out ex-spouse
• and so much more

She’s a Mother. She’s a Survivor. And she’s an Honorer. Listen, you’ll see.

Big thank you to everyone who has subscribed and left a rating/review like this one about episode #6 with painter/songwriter Elizabeth Foster … “Loved this conversation! Was like I was sitting on the porch swing with you two.”

That much sums up with this show is all about. Everyday people having a conversation, telling stories of their lives, and learning new things about each other. More than an interview … it’s a conversation. Two sided; not just one. And in the social media age when most people have resorted to talking AT each other, this is an opportunity to talk WITH each other.

Like this episode with Ginger Eldridge … we go light we go deep then we go light then we go deep again then light again as we cover a lot of memory ground in this conversation.

For more conversations in this series, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, search for Collected Clan and subscribe. Ratings and reviews also help with spreading the word about these conversations.

Let’s get social at official Collected Clan profiles on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter too. Thank you.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• 0:02:14 College survival and Nashville arrival
• 0:09:16 Experiences in Christ Church Choir
• 0:13:10 Getting to 2nd base with Dolly Parton
• 0:21:14 Career on Music Row
• 0:27:10 Discarding stuff and heavy memories
• 0:31:30 The legacy of Landy Gardner
• 0:39:52 Coffee the Italian way
• 0:44:28 The legacy of Landy Gardner, part two
• 0:48:02 Adulting with an out ex-spouse
• 0:54:54 Stairway To Heaven
• :59:48 Non-Profit Spotlight: Alive Hospice
• 1:01:04 Celebrity bucket list introductions
• 1:08:40 Importance of divorced parents staying close by for the kids
• 1:13:16 Doing life with an out ex-spouse
• 1:39:24 My shocking musical confession

FOLLOW ALONG

For more conversations in this series, follow Collected Clan at these online destinations:

• Official Website
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Spotify Podcasts
• Stitcher
• YouTube
• Facebook.com/CollectedClan
• Twitter.com/CollectedClan
• Instagram.com/CollectedClan

GUEST SOCIALS

Connect with Ginger directly on Twitter. All others are set to private.

RELATED INFO

Photos and videos of topics we discussed are shown here for your viewing pleasure. Additional info and time stamps from the episode are listed in the captions.

Ginger Eldridge and her daughter Amanda, photographed at a special moment described at XXXXX

Ginger Eldridge singing with Christ Church Choir. Photo courtesy of Ginger Eldridge.

Ginger Eldridge (on Left in camouflage) singing “Eagle When She Flies” with Dolly Parton on 1991 CMA Awards show mentioned at 0:16:04. Photo courtesy of Ginger Eldridge.

This magical music moment with Dolly Parton singing “He’s Alive” backed by Christ Church Choir that Ginger mentioned at 0:12:58.

A few favorite photos with the CD wall mentioned at 0:25:21. Photos by Gregory Byerline.

“Gotta Go Through” by Christine Dente discussed at 0:29:57 and 1:38:35

Ginger Eldridge with music celebrities she’s met over the years. Top…Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and Dolly Parton. Middle Left…Billy Ray Cyrus. Middle Right…Don Henley. Lower Left…Mary Chapin Carpenter. Lower Right…Neil Diamond. Photos courtesy of Ginger Eldridge.

Landy Gardner Memorial Service. Video starts midway through the memorial service when his daughters Dionne & Lauren share their eulogies as discussed in this episode at 0:31:33. The entire memorial service is also worth watching and hearing.

Because it’s hard to *only* talk about this epic performance, mentioned at 0:55:47, one really needs to see and hear it too. Enjoy.

And because a conversation with me that includes music will likely include allusions to songs or lyrics because, in fact, the song remembers when indeed. Hear at 1:39:02.

An essential play for Tom Petty fans, or those of us who have yet to jump on the Petty train (as I mentioned at 1:42:46).

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Through her direct experience in the final days of her brother’s life, Ginger Eldridge has selected Alive Hospice for this episode’s Non-Profit Spotlight.

Alive Hospice provides compassionate end-of-life care, palliative care, bereavement support and community education while serving more than 3,600 patients and their families annually (more than 430 daily) and provides grief support services for nearly 600 adults and children in Middle Tennessee in addition to training for tomorrow’s caregivers and education for the community at large.

As the only not-for-profit, community-based hospice in Middle Tennessee, Alive Hospice never turns anyone away, regardless of ability to pay, insurance status, race, religion, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about Alive Hospice by visiting their official website, follow this great organization on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, and consider how you can donate or volunteer to support this great organization.