Kitty Wells

In the 1950s, I went to see a C&W show featuring Kitty Wells at the state fair. I sat close to the front, as I was an aspiring steel guitarist/singer and wanted to see the musicians.

As the first sparsely-attended show closed, there was a break before the next. I went out, paid a second admission, then went back in, hoping to talk to the steel guitarist or other band members about how they got their start in the business.

Well, in marches Kitty Wells, storming up to me, viciously yelling that I hadn't paid a second admission (I had). She yelled at me so long and so hard, her face screwed up into horrible scowls, that I was speechless and couldn't get a word in edgewise. I just shook my head, sat down and watched the second show, my enthusiasm gone.

After the second show, I talked briefly with several band members, purchased their photos, then left.

I never listened to Kitty Wells again, and to this day (nearly 50 years later), I still remember her nastiness to a sensitive young fan.