Musicians are paying tribute to legendary country music singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall, who has died at the age of 85.
Country stars like Keith Urban, Jason Isbell, Travis Tritt and many others took to social media on Friday (Aug. 20) to remember Hall, who penned such hits as “Harper Valley P.T.A.” and “I Love.”
“The simplest words that told the most complicated stories,” Isbell tweeted. “Felt like Tom T. just caught the songs as they floated by, but I know he carved them out of rock.”
Nicknamed “The Storyteller,” Hall — who was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019 — was renowned for his songs’ rich narratives, vivid descriptions and homespun observations.
“My second concert (at the age of 5 !!) was Tom T. Hall,” Urban added on Twitter. “What a gifted literary musical artist he was. Peace be with all of his friends, family, and admirers today. Thank you Mr. Hall.”
Tritt paid tribute to Hall, tweeting, “RIP to Tom T. Hall. One of the greatest story telling songwriters ever! I used to pick and sing with him every year at Earl Scruggs’s home.”
Luke Bryan also showed his appreciation for Hall. “Literally one of the finest song writers to ever live,” the singer wrote on Instagram. “Truly the most unique creators of lyrics and artistic abilities ever. A sound for the ages. Thank you Tom T. Hall for your life and the way you told it. Words can’t explain your genius way of telling a story.”
During his career, Hall amassed 50 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, including seven No. 1 hits. He also landed seven top 10 albums on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, including reaching No. 1 on that chart with The Rhymer and Other Five and Dimers in June 1973.
In addition to his success on the charts, Hall was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1971, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1978, the Kentucky Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
He garnered six Grammy nods, including song of the year in 1968 for writing “Harper Valley, P.T.A.,” but he won his only Grammy in an unlikely category: best album notes for writing the liner notes for his 1972 release, Tom T. Hall’s Greatest Hits.
See more tributes to Hall below.
My second concert (at the age of 5 !!) was Tom T. Hall. What a gifted literary musical artist he was. Peace be with all of his friends, family, and admirers today. Thank you Mr. Hall 🙏
— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) August 21, 2021
The simplest words that told the most complicated stories. Felt like Tom T. just caught the songs as they floated by, but I know he carved them out of rock. #RipTomTHall
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) August 21, 2021
RIP to Tom T. Hall. One of the greatest story telling songwriters ever! I used to pick and sing with him every year at Earl Scruggs’s home.https://t.co/uGJSzecxms
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) August 21, 2021
In the finale of Newsroom, his THAT’S HOW I GOT TO MEMPHIS was beloved by fans of the show. #RipTomTHall https://t.co/Z0nnVn2NzY
— Jeff Daniels (@Jeff_Daniels) August 21, 2021
One my heroes. An artist for the ages!!!! -Randy Owen#RIPTomTHall pic.twitter.com/mTIpD54PG6
— ALABAMA (@TheAlabamaBand) August 21, 2021
In 1978 when we sang at Mama Maybelle Carter’s funeral a saddened Johnny Cash walked up to the podium and asked Tom T Hall to stand with him. Johnny said “I draw strength from you Tom!” Thank you Tom T Hall for the song’s and the strength you provided to so many. #RIPTomTHall pic.twitter.com/M1chsdo3TR
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) August 21, 2021
#RipTomTHall Damn. The greatest storyteller songwriter of all time. A writer’s writer.
There’s at least a dozen categories of song that he wrote arguably the best ever example of.— Drive-By Truckers (@drivebytruckers) August 21, 2021
He told our story and made it relatable while doing it with such care heart and craft…he is as revered as ANY literary great in my book. Even More. He has set a standard for me and I continue to strive for it. He spoke for my people. RIP Tom T Hall pic.twitter.com/aAuiReSuBL
— Elizabeth Cook (@Elizabeth_Cook) August 21, 2021
If you have no idea who Tom T. Hall is, please listen to this: https://t.co/oWj3cwPaW5 Country music lost an icon…
— Rissi Palmer (@RissiPalmer) August 21, 2021
I wanna take a minute to remember Tom T Hall, my favorite country songwriter, who passed at age 85. He wrote so many incredible songs..little short stories full of humor & reality. His book 'Storyteller's Nashville' is fantastic and one of the best books about songwriting. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/xsbpex9ciT
— Low Cut Connie (@LowCutConnie) August 21, 2021
It saddens me to think Tom T. Hall has passed away. His Faster Horses album was in constant rotation on my turntable for years. He was as complicated a gentleman as he was a masterful storyteller and poet.
I admired the man. I miss him already.
Rodney pic.twitter.com/w4napmUVgl— Rodney Crowell (@RodneyJCrowell) August 21, 2021
I pay respects to my dear friend Tom T. Hall today. RIP dear, gifted storyteller. Thank you for the massive amount of incredible music you left us.
— Stella Parton (@StellaParton) August 21, 2021
Tom T Hall was an absolute titan. If you ever met him or worked with him you saw it immediately. His songs live on forever to prove it. Thanks for setting the bar so high. My sympathies to his family. pic.twitter.com/C2nlILkfQx
— Will Hoge (@WillHoge) August 21, 2021
In honour of the late Tom T Hall who died today here's
a repeat of "THAT'S HOW I GOT TO MEMPHIS"
BY TOM T HALL RS
https://t.co/H8WY3dSs0x via @YouTube— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) August 21, 2021
Tom T Hall songs take me back to the vans days. So many late nights after a show listening to him. What a legend man RIP!
— Parker McCollum (@ParkerMcCollum) August 21, 2021
Rest In Peace , the amazing Tom T Hall. Incomparable talent.
— Kelly Willis (@KellyWRobison) August 21, 2021
Rip Tom T Hall … my neighbor. Sad to lose another legend.
— Chris Janson (@janson_chris) August 21, 2021
Rest In Paradise to Tom T. Hall. A hero of mine whose approach to songwriting has had a profound influence on me. Thank you for the songs & the constant inspiration. pic.twitter.com/86lkuIpron
— Roger Harvey (@xorogerharvey) August 21, 2021
I hate to hear of the passing of @opry member Tom T Hall. His songs are the epitome of great storytelling. He will be greatly missed. RIP Mr Tom. https://t.co/u6XhsdATew
— Mark Wills (@MarkWillsMusic) August 21, 2021
That’s How I Got to Memphis – Tom T Hall
— Maggie Rose (@IAmMaggieRose) August 21, 2021