SPRING CITY CELEBRATES HARGUS “PIG” ROBBINS WITH UNVEILING OF “TENNESSEE MUSIC PATHWAYS” MARKER IN MUSICIAN’S HOMETOWN

WHAT:

Spring City native and accomplished pianist Hargus “Pig” Robbins will be honored by the State of Tennessee with the installation of a “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker square in his hometown. At the marker reveal, hear from Robbins, along with local leaders, about the importance of this commemoration.

WHO:

Photo and interview opportunities include:

• Hargus “Pig” Robbins and family members
• Dave Jones, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
• Spring City Mayor Woody Evans
• Rhea County Mayor George Thacker

WHEN:

Saturday, June 12 at 11 a.m. ET

WHERE:

Spring City Museum & Depot

390 Front Street
Spring City, TN 37381

*Media requested to RSVP in advance to Amanda.murphy@tn.gov.

ABOUT HARGUS “PIG” ROBBINS:

Hargus Melvin “Pig” Robbins is an accomplished session pianist, appearing on countless hits by artists across country, rock, folk and pop. Robbins first gained notoriety for his contributions to George Jones’ No. 1 hit “White Lightning” in 1959. He has worked thousands of recording sessions for such elite artists as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Connie Smith, the Statler Brothers, Alan Jackson, Bob Dylan, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, John Denver, Neil Young, Randy Travis, Sturgill Simpson and more.

Robbins was born in Spring City on Jan. 18, 1938, When he was two years old, he accidentally blinded himself in one eye when he fell onto a knife. By age four, he was completely blind. At six years old, he was sent to the Tennessee School for the Blind in Donelson and began learning piano.

Robbins developed an ability to memorize melodies, chords and key changes after hearing a song only once and worked more sessions than any other pianist. He played the much-emulated piano parts on Charlie Rich’s “Behind Closed Doors” and the very familiar piano parts on Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” While he saw notoriety for his work as a studio musician, he also recorded occasionally under his own name and had two charting singles in 1979.

Hargus “Pig” Robbins was CMA’s Instrumentalist of the Year in 1976 and 2000. In 2012, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. For more of Robbins’ musical contributions, check out Spotify.

TN MUSIC PATHWAYS:

Launched by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development in 2018, Tennessee Music Pathways is an online planning guide that connects visitors to the state’s rich musical heritage at tnmusicpathways.com. From the largest cities to the smallest communities, Tennessee Music Pathways stretches across all 95 counties and features hundreds of landmarks from the seven genres of music that call Tennessee home.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Brenda Dodson, Town of Spring City

Bdodson@townofspringcitytn.org or 423-365-6441

Dave Jones, Tennessee. Dept. of Tourist Development

Dave.jones@tn.gov or 865-335-9142

Amanda Murphy, Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development
Amanda.murphy@tn.gov or 615-927-6081

EDITORS NOTE: Join the conversation on social using #TNmusicpathways.