Put A Record On: RIP John Anderson, An Artist Bigger Than His Hits

Anderson's passing is a shocking one — he's gone at just 71 years old, days after attending the Country Music Hall of Fame Induction ceremony and just a couple years after I was lucky enough to see him perform. I chose the above photo of Anderson because it reflects exactly how I saw him. In spite of his hitmaking and his advanced age, he chose to go out on the large theater stage at the Fort Worth Stock Show with just an acoustic guitar; he was joined by just one bandmate, also with an acoustic guitar. The performance was spellbinding; the audience, which was somewhat sparse due to one of the improbable and paralyzing Texas freezes, was rapt, no fireworks or wall of sound needed.

Anderson still sounded wonderful, his instantly recognizable, totally idiosyncratic voice seemingly untouched by time. I'm extra glad I got to see him now, of course, and sad that I won't get to again. I've collected a few favorites — what are yours?