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My fimmaker partner Moises Gonzalez and I met Bill Blackburn while we were making a film on Eddie Hinton with whom Bill had written some wonderful songs. His gentleness, warmth and sincerity touched both of us.
Having met Bill, no trip to the Shoals was complete until we'd visited with him. He always left us laughing and grateful for the time spent with him.
We came to the Shoals once, ostensibly for interviews, but scheduled our visit so we could attend the benefit Bill's numerous friends had arranged for him. At one time, onstage, singing in Bill's honor was an assemblage of musicians St Peter would have died for just to have them singing for him. Long-time amigo/blood brother Donnie Fritts with Delbert McClinton, Russell Smith, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, Scott Boyer, NC Thurman,Kelvin Holley, Mickey Buckins,Charles Rose, and Harvey Thompson all stood shoulder to shoulder and sang for BIll.
Moises wrote this for Bill for some of our pr

PRODUCTION NOTES
"Bill Blackburn"
Our first interview was with Donnie Fritts, the "Alabama Leaning Man." His story, with acting gigs in Peckinpah movies and touring with Kristofferson, was interesting enough. But then he suggested we visit Bill Blackburn. Bill and Eddie Hinton had written songs together. Bill told us some wild stories. Sitting on his trailer porch, his face hidden behind a huge salt-and-pepper beard, Bill's kindness and gentle sense of humor struck me. Bill has been very ill with kidney and heart problems. I wish him the best and count myself lucky to have spent an hour or two with him."

Bill, you left us some beauty with your smiles and your songs-- but you left us too soon.

Vaya con dios, Hermano
Deryle Perryman

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