“There’s only the trying, the rest is not our business.” ~ TS Elliot
I’ve known Kenny Perry for about as long as I can remember. Not only is he one of the nicest people on Planet Earth, but he was probably the most athletic guy I’ve ever met. He used to train for triathlons and did really well in most of them. He also trained to be a contestant on Survivor. He would have probably advanced beyond the second round if he’d answered differently: “What would you do if, during competition, you came across another contestant, completely naked?” Apparently, suggesting everybody better have clothes on was not what the judges were looking for. Their loss, because Kenny has had a fascinating life despite their bad taste.
gravedigger
Although “gravedigger” is Kenny’s nickname, well earned since he’s done it for 30+ years and also served as Coroner for a time (shown above at Fred Linkous’ burial back in May), what many people probably aren’t aware of is how artistically gifted he is. Listen, Kenny is going to be one of those stories that ends up on CBS Sunday Morning one day because of the incredible work he does around his property with stone and wood. Shero and I will be making a trip to his home soon, and I’ll show you then what I mean. But he’s also an impressive songwriter. He’s written over a hundred tunes. Songs that are as catchy as all get out that would rival anything coming out of Nashville at any time in history. The man is just eat up with creativity, and he’s so humble and unassuming about it that a stranger would just think he’s a guy with a backhoe digging graves. Don’t ever let looks or first impressions fool you.
Kenny & Peggy
Kenny is also one of the luckiest men in the world. He met and married his delightful wife, Peggy, 40 years ago, but I had never met her before yesterday. For years, Shero, Hero, and Kenny all kept telling me that she was a gem. They were right. She’s as sweet as the day is long in summer. When Kenny contracted a life-threatening bacterial infection from a tick bite several years ago, she never left his side. After 21 days in a coma, he woke up singing a song he’d written for her called “Peggy, I love you.” I reckon he had all the doctors and nurses crying, not just that he woke up singing to her, although that was touching, but that he woke up at all. His near-death experience was remarkable to hear, and his survival nothing short of miraculous. I am so, so, so grateful that he was able to fight his way back to the land of the living, and I’m ever so thankful to have spent yesterday with him and Peggy. We had meaningful conversations, loads of laughs, and he even sang us a few songs. The only thing that was missing was Hero. I value my old friends more with each passing day, and I will always be grateful for yesterday.
old friends
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