Posted 8/1/2007 8:20:48 PM by Webmaster
News from Randall Franks viewed 612 times
Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - Dayton, Tenn
It has been said that Ramblin' 'Doc' Tommy Scott, 90, has woven his character into the fabric of twentieth century America
"Doc" Tommy Scott relaxes under a tree at the Scopes Trial Festival in Dayton, Tenn. where his Last Real Old Time Medicine Show did two shows July 21. (Contributed photo by Butch Lanham)
"Doc" Tommy Scott, (standing, right) and his co-author Randall Franks (seated, second from left) visits with fans following a performance July 21 at the Scopes Trial Festival in Dayton, Tenn. Scott is comparing notes on life with fellow octogenarian Jay Hinch of Crossville, Tenn. (Contributed photo by Butch Lanham)
American music icon debuts new autobiography at Scopes Trial Festival
It has been said that Ramblin' "Doc" Tommy Scott, 90, has woven his character into the fabric of twentieth century America
Now he reveals all the colors and patterns of his life in the new book "Snake Oil, Superstars and Me," co-authored by Shirley Noe Swiesz and Randall Franks.
The 700-8.25x11-page soft cover book from Katona Productions, Inc. and Authorhouse navigates nearly a century of popular American entertainment.
"I am just so happy with the initial response for the book," Scott says as he relaxes beneath a majestic oak tree on the lawn of the Rhea County Courthouse, famous sight of the Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tenn.
Sitting in a red top hat, wearing multi-colored striped shirt and a worn leather vest, he sits with his legs crossed. His snakeskin shoes bounce to the rhythm of his co-author Randall Franks, "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night" as he performs his own show on stage.
Scott is one of the most recognizable faces in American pop culture, being seen on shows such as David Letterman, "The Today Show" and "Entertainment Tonight." His professional musical career began on "Doc" Chamberlain's Medicine Show in 1936, joining the Grand Ole Opry in the 1940s and then moving on to Hollywood for films and television.
He has just completed yet another performance of his now legendary roadshow best known as the Last Real Old Time Medicine Show continuing a 117-year tradition.
"Trials were the best place for a medicine shows to set up; you had an automatic crowd," he says.
This is Scott's first major appearance since the release of his autobiography. Fans young and old stop by, asking him for autographs or a quick photograph. Many are flipping through his book and waiting for a chance to talk to someone who has seen all the changes from Vaudeville to Hip-Hop.
"We have received nothing but praise," he says. "People are amazed at all the pictures — more than 800 spanning my life."
Scott's ride through twentieth century entertainment placed him on stages beside the some of the greats such as Johnny Carson, Harrison Ford, Oprah Winfrey and others. His business acumen kept many film and stage legends working for him on his show from Stringbean Akeman, Tim McCoy, Curley Seckler, Fuzzy St. John, Clyde Moody, Sunset Carson, Johnny Mack Brown, Junior Samples, Slim Whitman, Red Sovine and Curley Williams, among others.
Through his book he shares a very poignant love story with his leading lady Frankie Scott both on stage and off, experiences with his daughter Sandra growing up in world of the circus, and untold stories about dozens of notable stars who shared his ride along the trail.
Scott stops his conversation to clap as Franks finishes a rendition of Scott's "Say A Little Prayer."
He credits Franks and Swiesz for keeping him on track during the five-year writing project the trio experienced.
"We put it together almost year by year through taping interviews, telephone conversations, pouring over mounds of photos and paperwork," says Franks after stepping off stage and putting his fiddle down. "It was a labor of love for all of us. There were many people who granted interviews for the book, such as Ed McMahan, Jimmy C. Newman, Curly Seckler, and the late Billy Walker and Josh Graves just to name a few."
Scott says he plans to spend much of his 90th year touring while appearing on radio and television to promote the book.
"There are more unbelievable stories about people you've seen on TV, heard on radio than you can buy at the supermarket check out," he says. "My life's been an amazing ride, now everybody can get on board the medicine show wagon and ride right along."
Scott's book is available for $35 including postage from Katona Productions, Inc. Box 100, Toccoa, Ga. 30755, or Randall Franks, P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755, or by visiting Authorhouse.com. For more information about Scott, visit tommyscott.net.
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