My Mother's Song
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey
By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey
Carolyn Donaldson Harwell
August 21 1935 - October 23, 2016
Because of my Mama, I grew up around the country music industry.
My first memories are falling asleep on a sofa,
in a circle of live musicians....
Mama started writing and singing at an early age.
She had that "cry" in her voice even then.
As a little girl she couldn't walk with her parents downtown,
without being bombarded with singing requests.
Grandpa would stand her up on the cab of his truck, and the concert would begin.
Some would shout out requests. "Sing "Oh Johnny," please?"
Glenda Carolyn Donaldson
She and her sister sang in the church, at campmeetings, etc.
Can you imagine the sweet harmony, of sisters?
I am sure they are singing duets for the angels!
Sisters, Glenda Carolyn, and Benny Ruth Donaldson
Mama's sweet personality, modest character,
compared to her passionate voice,
compared to her passionate voice,
made her an instant success, all of her life.
Though she was beautiful, not at all conceited.
Though she was quiet, she was fun, smart, and popular.
A good and wholesome American girl,
of Scottish and Welsh descent.
Born in Texas on August 21, 1935.
Raised in Tulare, California.
She moved to Bakersfield, California when she married my Daddy.
At only 6 years old, Mama announced her intent to play the piano.
Grandpa bought her an old upright piano at a fire sale for $7.00.
She had piano lessons, until the teachers quit!
She kept putting a bit of country spin on the classics.
She could play any stringed instrument.
She played first chair cello in the Tulare High School Orchestra.
I can remember
with we three kids, the neighbor kids, cousins, the dog barking,
I would stop in my tracks, as chills ran up and down my spine. Oh the way she sang!
The Piano!
I can still see my mommy sitting there at that same old piano, writing the notes, chords,
words to the most beautiful songs I will ever hear.
Mama's songs are not just precious treasures.
Her soul is in the song.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Harwell
Wedding Day, September 21, 1951
Though she was beautiful, not at all conceited.
Though she was quiet, she was fun, smart, and popular.
A good and wholesome American girl,
of Scottish and Welsh descent.
Born in Texas on August 21, 1935.
Raised in Tulare, California.
She moved to Bakersfield, California when she married my Daddy.
At only 6 years old, Mama announced her intent to play the piano.
Grandpa bought her an old upright piano at a fire sale for $7.00.
She had piano lessons, until the teachers quit!
She kept putting a bit of country spin on the classics.
She could play any stringed instrument.
She played first chair cello in the Tulare High School Orchestra.
I can remember
with we three kids, the neighbor kids, cousins, the dog barking,
I would stop in my tracks, as chills ran up and down my spine. Oh the way she sang!
I can still see my mommy sitting there at that same old piano, writing the notes, chords,
words to the most beautiful songs I will ever hear.
Mama's songs are not just precious treasures.
Her soul is in the song.
Wedding Day, September 21, 1951
When she and Daddy married,
Semi Moseley, daddy's buddy was best man.
He invented the "Moserite," guitar.
I have so many good stories about Semi and daddy.
He was from Bakersfield. One day after grade school,
Semi couldn't wait to show my Daddy the guitar he was making.
It was the first one of many more to come.
Semi Moseley, daddy's buddy was best man.
He invented the "Moserite," guitar.
I have so many good stories about Semi and daddy.
He was from Bakersfield. One day after grade school,
Semi couldn't wait to show my Daddy the guitar he was making.
It was the first one of many more to come.
People have tried to analyze how a central valley town,
Bakersfield California, had such an impact on Country Music.
There are many reasons. It is a major railroad town.
It is an old west cowboy town.
During The Great Depression farmers from
Texas, Oklahoma, etc. moved to Bakersfield.
Including mine.
Just to name a few.
It had a tremendous impact on mama and daddy.
The public demanded to hear her songs, and to hear her sing.
She began singing on the radio.
Later on KERO T.V.
At The Blackboard, The Lucky Spot, and The Clover Club in Bakersfield.
The Big Red Barn in Fresno.
She was a part of what is called,
"The Bakersfield Sound."
"The Cousin Herb Show" on an hour, before the nightly news.
Monday - Friday in Bakersfield.
Buck Owens, and Bonnie Owens.
Buck often called mama up to sing at The Blackboard.
He and Buddy Rich, singing back up, the Buckaroos playing.
Few women were in this group.
Mother is one of them.
She was a part of what is called,
"The Bakersfield Sound."
Monday - Friday in Bakersfield.
Buck often called mama up to sing at The Blackboard.
He and Buddy Rich, singing back up, the Buckaroos playing.
Mother is one of them.
Buck Owens "Crystal Palace."
Bakersfield, California
Mama started singing in the bars before Merle Haggard.
It wasn't long until Merle had the opportunity to sing with my mama.
Even after he was famous, he stayed the same.
on stage at The Lucky Spot,
he sang with her, and played his guitar with The Strangers.
Mama never ever bragged in the B.C. years or after.
When I saw Merle Haggard being honored at the
"The Kennedy Center Honors in 2010 it made me happy.
To know we country folk of Bakersfield,
had one of our own being justly honored.
Mama never ever bragged in the B.C. years or after.
When I saw Merle Haggard being honored at the
"The Kennedy Center Honors in 2010 it made me happy.
To know we country folk of Bakersfield,
had one of our own being justly honored.
Look closely...
The Honorable Mr. Merle Haggard is wearing a Cowboy Western Suit!
Yes, that is Sir Paul McCartney also being honored.
Yes! White Cowboy Boots!
Sitting next to Oprah!
The Honorable Mr. Merle Haggard is wearing a Cowboy Western Suit!
Yes, that is Sir Paul McCartney also being honored.
Yes! White Cowboy Boots!
Sitting next to Oprah!
Artists such as "Marty Robbins," and others, wanted to record Mama's songs.
Her star was beginning a meteoric rise.
She was on her way.
Those who love country and western music, wanted her!
None of this went to her head.
She signed a recording contract, and began working on her first album.
One day she would be recording at the studio,
and the next day, she would bring neglected neighbor
children into the house, feed and clean them up.
She was compassionate.
At that time I didn't know she had been a Sunday School teacher.
She was compassionate.
At that time I didn't know she had been a Sunday School teacher.
My mother was a stay-at-home mom.
She was always in love with my Daddy.
She loved her kids, and everybody else's too.
She seldom drank alcoholic beverages.
She didn't smoke or use drugs.
I didn't think anything about her singing or going Honky Tonkin with Daddy.
"I had a good teacher, I learned everything from you,"
is a line from one of her songs.
It was about my daddy wanting her to party with him.
She wasn't about to see her handsome husband go without her.
No "Honky Tonk" devil woman would get near her man!
I didn't think anything about her singing or going Honky Tonkin with Daddy.
"I had a good teacher, I learned everything from you,"
is a line from one of her songs.
It was about my daddy wanting her to party with him.
She wasn't about to see her handsome husband go without her.
No "Honky Tonk" devil woman would get near her man!
She was a wife and mother.
She could of been anything she wanted,
and what she wanted was us.
Our Beautiful Mama, Steve, Leasa, and I!
She could of been anything she wanted,
and what she wanted was us.
Look under meek in the dictionary, and you'll find my mother.
Look under humble in the dictionary, and you'll find my mother.
I do not remember ever going to Church with my parents growing up.
She didn't read the Bible.
She didn't go to church.
Not yet!
The Blackboard
She was singing in Honky Tonks every week-end.
She was a recording artist.
On January 15, 1968, everything changed.
All the time before, I aptly call the B.C. years.
"Before Christ."
All the time before, I aptly call the B.C. years.
"Before Christ."
My faithful mama and my hard drinkin',
car racing, horse breaking, wild cowboy daddy
car racing, horse breaking, wild cowboy daddy
found "Jesus!"
Or should I say,
"Jesus," found them!
She was 32.
He was 33.
All my life, I watched my parents walk in one direction.
That day I saw them turn and walk the opposite way.
And they never looked back!
Everybody said, it won't last.
But it did!
I watched my wild cowboy daddy, pour all the booze down down the drain.
He never drank again.
Throw away cartons of cigarettes.
He never smoked again.
I never heard another cuss word out of his mouth.
I never saw my daddy cry!
Cry he did, when Jesus washed his sins away.
He has said, he could NOT clean himself up.
He had tried, and could not.
But, in a split second Jesus did!
Mama didn't have to throw away anything.
I really didn't see her cry.
But cry she did, when Jesus washed her sins away.
In the Church, at the alter, on the same day, at the same time.
They sold out to God!
Totally!
It changed EVERYTHING!
They were Born Again.
Everybody in Bakersfield phrased it this way,
They got Saved!
My Mama's talents were a blessing to the cause of Christ.
She wrote Christian Country (published.)
As soon as she gave her life to Christ, The Oak Ridge Boy's,
The Happy Goodman Family, The Rambo's, and others wanted to meet her.
She gave them a private concert. Just her publisher, manager and daddy, were there.
And all of Bakersfield knew that God had something special for mama and daddy.
She really did not want to pursue it.
She walked away from it all.
All she wanted to be
is a Godly wife and mother.
To be and stay in God's divine and perfect will.
My parents were so hungry for God, we attended Church nearly every night.
If our Church didn't have a service, we would go to one that did.
Instead of singing, in the Honky Tonks of Bakersfield,
They were singing in jails, prisons, nursing homes, and church.
My folks didn't live in the past. No more shame, no more heartache, from the B.C. years.
My mother is the only woman from
"The Bakersfield Sound,"
who became a Pastor's Wife, Missionary, Christian Writer, Teacher.
Possibly the only woman in the U.S.
Some say she is.
Everybody said, it won't last.
But it did!
I watched my wild cowboy daddy, pour all the booze down down the drain.
He never drank again.
Throw away cartons of cigarettes.
He never smoked again.
I never heard another cuss word out of his mouth.
I never saw my daddy cry!
Cry he did, when Jesus washed his sins away.
He has said, he could NOT clean himself up.
He had tried, and could not.
But, in a split second Jesus did!
Mama didn't have to throw away anything.
I really didn't see her cry.
But cry she did, when Jesus washed her sins away.
In the Church, at the alter, on the same day, at the same time.
They sold out to God!
Totally!
It changed EVERYTHING!
They were Born Again.
Everybody in Bakersfield phrased it this way,
They got Saved!
My Mama's talents were a blessing to the cause of Christ.
She wrote Christian Country (published.)
As soon as she gave her life to Christ, The Oak Ridge Boy's,
The Happy Goodman Family, The Rambo's, and others wanted to meet her.
She gave them a private concert. Just her publisher, manager and daddy, were there.
And all of Bakersfield knew that God had something special for mama and daddy.
She really did not want to pursue it.
She walked away from it all.
All she wanted to be
is a Godly wife and mother.
To be and stay in God's divine and perfect will.
My parents were so hungry for God, we attended Church nearly every night.
If our Church didn't have a service, we would go to one that did.
Instead of singing, in the Honky Tonks of Bakersfield,
They were singing in jails, prisons, nursing homes, and church.
My folks didn't live in the past. No more shame, no more heartache, from the B.C. years.
My mother is the only woman from
"The Bakersfield Sound,"
who became a Pastor's Wife, Missionary, Christian Writer, Teacher.
Possibly the only woman in the U.S.
Some say she is.
"Ken and Carolyn really got saved!"
My Daddy's Ordination Service.
He has been a Church of God Pastor, Missionary, and Bishop over 50 years.
My Mother loved the ministry as much as Daddy!
They did it all together!
They flowed together as one in the services.
She knew what to play and sing and when to do it.
Paving the way before Daddy preached.
He is a mighty, man of God.
An exploding fire of God preacher.
At 85 years old, he say's, and I quote
" I was born in the fire and I can't live in the smoke!"
Davao City, in the Philippines
Only their grandchildren could persuade them to dance after the B.C years.
Dad still preaching the love, mercy and grace of Jesus.
He asks,
"has there ever been a sinner as hard hearted as I?"
"If Jesus saved me, He will save you!"
Christmas
Mama teaching Kendra to skate.
Kendra and Jessica with Mamaw and Papaw.
My First Grandchild, and Mama's First Great Grandson.
Randy took me to see "Merle Haggard!"
He and his family performed in Chattanooga.
I am so glad to have seen him again.
He went to be with the Lord, April 16, 2016.
Just 6 months before my dearest Mother.
Merle Haggard
He was awesome.
I had not seen him since I was 15 years old.
For the first time, since Randy & I met
he saw the culture I came from.
I have seen both sides.
Jesus finding a family is the greatest of all miracles.
Had it not been for my parents,
I don't want to even think about it!
By the way.....
all my mother's songs, are in the vault!
Just A Glimpse of Heaven
By, Carolyn HarwellI’ve seen a rainbow at the end of a shower,
The beauty of a fragile flower;
But I have not seen even half of God's power,
Here on earth, so I know over there.
That just a glimpse of heaven,
Will be worth any sacrifice;
And just one look at the face of my Jesus
Will be worth it, whatever the price.
He gives me peace that passes all understanding.
In Him is a love un-ending.
No matter where, He's as close as a prayer,
To me on earth, so I know over there.
That just a glimpse of heaven,
Will be worth any sacrifice;
And just one look at the face of my Jesus,
Will be worth it whatever the price.
I'll follow thee Lord, wherever you lead me,
I'll trust you for the strength I need.
Whatever the task, I’ll do all that you ask,
Of me on earth, for I know over there.
That just a glimpse of heaven,
Will be worth any sacrifice:
And just one look at the face of my Jesus,
Will be worth it whatever the price.
Published in 1968
