Congratulations, Luke Laird!

Luke Laird, formerly of Atlantic, is The Academy of Country Music Songwriter of the Year. Way to go, Luke! He is the second famous songwriter that hails from the Atlantic community. I wrote two weeks ago about former Adamsville resident James McGranahan, a nineteenth century composer.

Luke wrote such chart toppers as Frankie Ballard’s “Sunshine and Whiskey,” cowritten with Jaren Johnston, Blake Shelton’s “Hillbilly Bone,” cowritten with Craig Wiseman, Little Big Town’s “Pontoon,” cowritten with Natalie Hemby and Barry Dean, Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name,” cowritten with Hillary Lindsey and Carrie Underwood, and many others.

Luke worked at Fallowfield United Methodist Church’s Crawford County Fair booth with me. He was best friends with both one of my school classmates and my sister’s husband. It’s mind-blowing to realize that someone I spent time with has made such an imprint on our culture. I’m sure his family is very proud.

The cool thing about music is that it outlives the songwriter and singer. Songwriting touches people’s hearts. It’s poetry set to music, plain and simple. Poetry has been out of vogue for at least one hundred years. It’s a niche market. But most people love music, and lyrical music certainly sells more than instrumental. The best songs say what we can’t articulate in the moment. I can’t quote Luke’s lyrics without permission, but I’m sure you can find lyrics in his songs that pinpoint what you can’t express.

You probably won’t see Luke there, but why stop by Kennard United Methodist Church this Friday? They’re hosting a flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Refreshments will be available. You never know what you’ll find at a rummage sale. I know people who stocked their children’s entire wardrobes from yard sale wares.

Have a wonderful week. Blessings!

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