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Lordy, I feel so unnecessary . . .

If you can tell me who said that, like on a Saturday night bill, you're are a fan of "old country music". . . like before Garth Brooks came along and turned country into high school rock-a-billy

You're also among the loyal readers of my mistakes who were more than willing, yea unto even eager, to e-mail or grab the phone and let me know I don't know diddly squat about:

"Satin sheets to lie on,

"Satin sheets to cry on . . ."

Which, I thought, was a really clever lead-in to the story I did this past Wednesday on Hayward Pierce, who lives in what he calls "downtown Forney," which is in the northern end of Cherokee County (Alabama 29).

The only trouble with those particular satin sheets is I prefaced my bit of cutesy with:

"A radio, hidden somewhere in the jumble of the front porch, was waling out Jeannie C. Riley's ...

That's when the "Gotchas" hit the fan with (from the phone):

"Hey, George ... can't believe you . . ."

And e-mails:

"George, how come you write so dumb . . ."

That's the gist of the firestorm (and it was that) I got caught in just because I put my (typing) hand on the wrong Jeanie.

Jeanie C. Riley was the min-skirt mom in "Harper Valley PTA."

Jeanne Pruett was the lady who jumped to fame on "Satin Sheets."

And what added insult to injury is the fact Jeanne Pruett is from just down I-20, Pell City.

She still has kin in the area and I heard from at least three of her cousins.

Now, to add injury to the insult to the injury (plain as day to me), is I REALLY DID KNOW BETTER!!

It is a Saturday night in 1973 and I'm at the Grand Ole Opry in the old Ryman Auditorium. I am actually on stage with Roy Acuff and a bunch of my heroes. How I got there is another story, but there I am, passing a bit of time chatting with a very nice and friendly lady.

Her name is Jeanne Pruett, I know she's from Pell City, and sometime after our chat, she walks to center stage and belts out her legacy:

Satin sheets to lie on,

Satin pillows to cry on ...

And I'm telling you the flat-out truth there, even if it is a bit of "name-dropping."

Born Norma Jean Bowman on January 30, 1937, she was one of 10 kids.

Her husband, at one time, was a guitar picker by the name of Jack Pruett who did some really great stuff on the Marty Robbins gunfighter albums.

Satin Sheets was Jeanne Pruett's biggie, actually leading to her becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1973.

A couple of other "charters" for Jeanne were I'm Your Woman, also in 1973; and Back to Back in 1979.

One other thing.

A sincere thanks to all of you who called or e-mailed, even if you were playing "Gotcha!"

I could say I planned this just to check out my readership, also to get some attention.

But what I really need from you is the name for "Lordy, I feel so unnecessary." I know, but after Satin Sheets, I'm a bit jumpy ... so you tell me, OK?