About Me
MyGen
Profile Generator
MyGen
Profile Generator
MyGen
Profile Generator
MyGen
Profile GeneratorStarted singing early on. Had wonderful teachers throughout all of my life. From elementary thru' college, plus a piano teacher who thought I hung the moon. At a certain point, probably around 10, I realized I HAD to sing and I felt comfortable singing and playing the piano at the same time. I was an only child until I was 10 so that may account for something to do with my time spent with the piano. At this point, pop and classical was where it was at. I got a small scholarship in music and enjoyed my "classical" period at Odessa Junior College. Between the great composers and operas I found another link to my heart. I progressed into my second year in college when Frank Sharp, a peer of mine asked me to join a band he was putting together. I jumped on it and was learning to play bass immediately. Frank showed me some moves and off we were to the private clubs as Uncle Frank's Pony Ride. Making good money and lovin' it!!! I was blessed to have a partner who cared about the sound and made an effort to get the best equipment, so I got spoiled early on with Fender amps and instruments and with Shure microphones. Mind you, this was the early 70's. We toured the coast of Texas when it was still just sand dunes and no buildings,except a few small bungalow beach houses. Those days are over, but the memories remain. Played Lake Charles, Louisiana where I met one of my best and dearest friends, Vickie. What a wild and wonderful time that was!! Played New Orleans and went to Nevada to play some casinos I will never forget. Tonapah, Lovelock...oh my!!! In the late'70's I went on to Nashville where within months I was touring with George Jones and the Jones Boys. My stage name was Connie Hays. We played for 10's of thousands in colliseums, and then the next night we might be in some honky-tonk. The main concern for me was how George was treated. He had an alchohol and cocaine problem and was really sick. Most of his entourage were not worried about him; they were only worried about getting him to the next concert, and getting their money. I can't believe he is still alive. He came so close to death so many times. Yeah, we were always wondering if "Possum" would show. The people loved him! He is an incredible talent! Met some greats and had opportnites I missed because I was too shy. Met Emmy Lou, Ray Benson, Willie Nelson,... After George went into rehab, I went on to tour with Vern Gosdin. Appeared on the Grand Ol' Opry because of him. The road was hard. We might be in Texas one night and need to be in California in two. We would go out for two or three weeks on the bus and be home for one. You would still be riding the bus during that one week off!! After that I became a hermit for about a year up on Love Circle in Nashville where I rented part of Lisa Silvers house. What an incredibly talented woman she is. I wrote music while I was there and took it down to some of the publishers where I wound up signing a 5 year contract with Acuff/Rose. I have mixed feelings about this, but it was chocked full of history (Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers...) . I did get to meet so many wonderful songwriters: Mickey Newbury (reason I signed), Whitey Shafer, Dallas Frazier, John Loudermilk, Eddie Raven, Paul Williams, Floyd Cramer, Eddie Arnold, Emmy Lou...so many! And the new writers, Mark D. Sanders ( a beautiful person), Randy Albright ( beautiful, too!), & Niles Borop (precious) were great to be around. I won't ever forget Merlin Littlefield with ASCAP, who believed I could go all the way as an artist, even when i was 8 months pregnant, but I bowed out to be a wife and mother instead. Didn't think I could do it all and make it right by my family. No regrets. Thanks, Merlin for all the encouragement you gave to me as to so many others! I was introduced to Sara Higgins who became one of the best friends I have ever had. We wrote some music together and had some incredible good times. She helped me through some rough patches. Don't know where I would be without her friendship! Music has taken me down many roads, and gotten me through tough times. There are many colors, many shades, and I have been blessed to experience quite a few! During this time I met and married Bob Ramsey. He has been my partner and father to our girls. For the past 14 years I have been recovering from an injury I suffered at a salvage yard. It was a long hard ride but I'm here and life is good. These last few years I have finally gotten back to my love of music, and writing. I joined NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association) and have been writing music on a regular basis. I have had and am having a great, incredible life!!!!
Thanks be to God. I may add more to this bio', but for now, this is it.
