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Last Song: Still Dreaming the Dream Finally it came time for me to accept the fact that the music world was a cloud I’d been riding for too long. I had experienced enough setbacks and frustrations to stay bitter for the rest of my life. Even today, it’s hard for me to understand why the Browns haven’t been accorded more recognition within the country music industry.The fact that we sold so many records,filled so many concert halls and still have so many songs in those“greatest hits”packages you see advertised in magazines and onTV is proof that we made a huge impact. But I long ago outgrew that old dead-end of self-pity.I have been able to recognize that most of the bad things that happened were beyond my control. J. E. has always said that we should never look back.And that seems wise.That’s where the pain is. But I think we must look back now and then,if only to find the meaning of things, good and bad. “To everything there is a season,” sang sweet old Pete Seeger. I haven’t said much about the trials and tribulations of my sons’growing up.Their father,Tommy,still relatively young,died just a few years ago. I hold no enmity toward his memory.Tommy was a wild, crazy fire that scorched everything in his path, and he burned himself out way too soon (or not soon enough, depending on how you look upon the tumult that was his life).My children had no father to provide guidance during their critical years,and their mother,I confess, was not the typical apple-pie mom, either. I truly believe that the good Lord had a hand in leading my two sons,Tommy Jr.and Jimmy, through the troubled times of youth. My daughter, Alicia, never needed much guidance, and she was the strength I myself came to depend upon. 277 29 I finally realized the turmoil my sons were going through.They were in high school when marijuana became the in thing with teenagers. Old stupid me, I thought Jimmy was growing those beautiful , green pot plants outside his bedroom window because he had become interested in horticulture.I knew I had no choice but to withdraw from show business and stay home with my children.I have never regretted that decision for one moment, even though I missed performing and being with my friends. My kids meant more.They have made me the proud mom I am today. Tommy Jr. majored in English at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas; Jimmy majored in business at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; and Alicia received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University ofArkansas at Fayetteville.Tommy Jr. lives in Payson,Arizona, with his wife, Colleen. He is an insurance broker and owns his own corporation that helps clients with advanced estate strategies. He also trains salespeople. Jimmy and his wife, Mary, have two children, Patrick and Katherine. Jimmy is a successful businessman and president of his own home-improvement company in North Little Rock,Arkansas.Alicia lives in Maumelle,Arkansas, with her husband, Curtis, and children Caitlin, Daniel, Meredith, and Eva. She seems to be content with being a wife,mother,and home-school teacher. Alicia is the most devoted and caring mother I have ever known. I have six beautiful, well-adjusted grandchildren who keep me busy, happy, and young. I think the reason I enjoy them so much is because I was able to watch them grow.I missed out on all those cute little things my own children did—taking their first steps,saying their first words,losing their first teeth.Each of my grandchildren has his or her own identity. Caitlin plays the piano and guitar, sings, and stars in theatre/art productions. She does Irish dancing with her younger sister ,Meredith,and her mom.They have won medals for their performances inArkansas,Missouri,Texas,andTennessee.Eva is only five years old,but it looks as though she will make the dance troupe a foursome in the near future.Oh yes,Meredith also excels in ballet,tap,and jazz. Daniel is a star pitcher and hitter for the Central Arkansas Baseball Club. Patrick’s basketball skills will no doubt get him a scholarship to college, and Katherine also plays basketball for her school. All my 278 Last Song: Still Dreaming the Dream [3...

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