Country music stars sign on

Date: Tue, 13 May 2003 06:45:21 -0700
Newsgroups: rec.music.country.western
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Country music stars sign on
Adams has quilt bearing autographs of Nashville's most talented
By BROOKE BUNCH
Gazette Staff Writer
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Each Christmas, the mailbox of local resident Judy Adams is filled
with her usual holiday greetings -- from her sister, from her best
friend, from Alan Jackson.
Yes, it's true, Adams gets a Christmas card from country music singer
Alan Jackson. And it's not because she's famous, she's family, or even
a close friend. It's actually quite simple -- she quilts.
It all started when she stepped foot into a Vern Gosdin country music
concert 13 years ago. Seeing one of her favorite stars in action
inspired her to do the unthinkable, that and the advice of her sister.
"She said, 'Why don't you get a quilt and have it signed by all the
country singers?"
And so it all began.
Four years later, the quilt was completed -- a hand-made queen-size
blanket with 148 famous signatures, including Dwight Yoakum, Vince
Gill, Randy Travis and Trisha Yearwood to name a few. And that's just
the tip of the iceberg.
Twenty-eight of the stars have since passed away, including Johnny
PayCheck, Grandpa Jones, and Eddie Arnold, making the quilt that much
more valuable. So priceless in fact, that the creation might just land
her a guest spot on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno or Live with Regis
and Kelly.
Adams has complete confidence she'll make it one of the shows. And if
she does, she'll have a lot to talk about.
Stars have written her letters, sent her pictures, and even Christmas
cards.
"Everyone's been real nice," she said.
Everyone except maybe mega-star Garth Brooks who said he wouldn't do
it unless she paid him $4.50. The request came before he hit super
stardom. Mary Chapin Carpenter was another singer who refused --
unless the quilt went to charity.
But Adams wasn't looking to give away her prized possession,
regardless of the cost. She was offered $10,000 for the autographed
treasure.
"The appraiser said it's priceless," raved Adams. "There's nothing to
compare it to -- there's nothing like it. Especially with the 28
singers being gone."
So why the sudden decision to showcase the quilt she's had for nearly
a decade? Well, she wants to share the wealth.
"I recently had serious esophagus surgery," said Adams. "My health is
getting real bad -- that's why I wanted to show the quilt."
Adams has been a fan of country music since she was a little girl.
"That's all we heard when we were growing up," she said. "I could
listen to Dwight Yoakum 24 hours a day."
But Adams said her favorite was none other than Alan Jackson. He
ranked No. 1 out of the 148 country stars who penned their name for
Adam's prized possession.
"I just wanted to get everyone in Nashville and I did," she smiled.
(Bunch can be reached at 772-9372 or via e-mail at
email-address-deleted)
Originally published Monday, May 12, 2003
http://www.chillicothegazette.com/news/stories/20030512/localnews/287541.html