Campbell’s roots firmly planted in Arkansas
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article about one of Glen Campbell’s visits home appeared in the Sunday, Aug. 22, 1976, edition of The Sentinel Record. It was written by Melinda Gassaway, then a reporter for the hometown newspaper. Among Campbell’s many honors was his induction in the Arkansas Walk of Fame in Hot Springs.
ARKADELPHIA — Glen Travis Campbell, the “country boy with his feet in L.A.,” still has his roots firmly planted in Arkansas.
And the 40-year-old singer flew home Saturday to help his parents, Wesley and Carrie Campbell of Delight, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
When Campbell stepped off his chartered jet at 12:40 p.m., he was greeted by a small but enthusiastic gaggle of fans who clustered about, hoping for a handshake, a personal hello, and perhaps even an autograph. Casually attired in jeans, a white short-sleeved shirt with red initials and a Razorback, and black Western boots, the entertainer engaged in a bit of small talk as he waited for the rental car that would take him all the way home.
“It does feel good to be back in Arkansas,” he acknowledged quietly. “It really does. My folks knew I was coming, but they didn’t know exactly when. I guess they’ll be surprised if I’m early. I’ll only be here until Monday.”
On his way to the private air service office, Campbell met an Arkadelphia woman who gave him some original poetry in honor of his parents’ anniversary. The woman, Mrs. Neville Saylor, said she sat down and composed the two poems as soon as she heard he might
be passing through town.
“They’re not polished or anything,” she explained. “But, I wanted to do something for Glen and his folks. We love him down here. He’s an Arkansas boy and he makes us all proud.”
Tanned, but thin, the fourtime Grammy Award winner mentioned a recently completed two-week engagement at Lake Tahoe and an upcoming October play date in Las Vegas. “I’m pretty pleased with the way things are going for me now — personally and professionally,” he remarked. “But there’s not much you can do about things, really. Whatever life deals out, that’s the way it is, I guess.”
Campbell, somewhat restless and reticent, nonetheless seemed pleased at the attention he’s received.
“I don’t get tired of it, of having people ask me for my autograph,” he said. “I guess if they ever stop asking, I’m really in trouble.
“I figured they would hear I was coming in and might come out to see me. I appreciate it. I don’t tell everyone when I’m going to Delight, though. You get home and everybody wants to come to the house. You don’t get to talk to the folks that way. That’s the drag.”
With Campbell was Sarah Davis, who has been to Arkansas before because “I have lots of relatives in Missouri.” She remained in the background as Campbell talked to his fans, but she did have one comment, “It sure is hot here.”
Nine-year-old Liz Garner of Hot Springs, who accompanied her grandfather, Jess Kimball of Spa Flying Service and The Sentinel-Record reporter to Arkadelphia, observed, “I liked him. I don’t know though. He’s different than I thought he would be. I thought he’d be shorter. He’s nice. And I love to hear him sing, Yeah, I really do.”