Melinda

Melinda

  • Joined: February 5, 2025
  • Articles: 11

The Story – Continued part 4

A couple years after Dad’s passing in 2009, it struck me like lightning that I didn’t have him any more, but I had a treasure-trove of his life’s work.  I began sifting through old 45’s and LPs, listening to his…

The Story – Continued part 3

I’d love to tell you some of Dad’s history in the legendary Springfield music scene.  After the Ozarks Jubilee ceased broadcasting, many performers made their exodus to Nashville, but here in Springfield there remained a plethora of talented and energized…

The Story – Continued part 2

It was during the period of mid-1950’s, at the same time The Ozark Jubilee was in full swing and had nation-wide popularity, that Johnny met Porter Wagoner at the short-order counter of a downtown Springfield drugstore within shuffling distance of…

The Story – Continued part 1

Johnny and Peggy Mullins shortly after they were married

John Lafayette Mullins was born on October 23, 1923 in a log cabin nestled into Layton Hollow just outside of Ridgley in Barry County, Missouri.  Dad always said the town was so small that if you turned around you’d be…

The Story begins…

Johnny Mullins in Ozark County, Missouri with suitcase, a crow on his shoulder, and song ideas in his head

 (revised/updated from 2017 essay written for OzarksWatch Magazine)   “The rich folks in the valley could hear the pretty music; Daddy promised some day we’d get a radio.  Maybe sell some chickens, the ones that ain’t a-layin, then we’d stay awake…

Layton Hollow — Let’s Road Trip There!

Johnny’s birthplace inspired the name of his self-published music “company” for several years during his songwriting career, but also made naming a band playing his legacy music pretty dang easy. The Layton Hollow Band was a full-fledged collaboration of some…