Pam Tillis with the Pops Orchestra in 2012
Pamela Yvonne Tillis is an American country music singer and actress. She is the daughter of country music singer Mel Tillis. Originally a demo singer in Nashville, Tillis was signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1981 for which she released nine singles and one album. Tillis was born on July 24, 1957 in Plant City FL. She grew up in Nashville and made her first debut on the Grand Ole Opry at age 8, singing Tom Dooley. She also began taking piano lessons at this age and taught herself how to play guitar by age 12.
Her father, Lonnie Melvin Tillis was born August 9, 1932 in Tampa FL and died on November 19, 2017. Her brother, Mel "Sonny" Tillis, Jr. is also a singer and songwriter. One of their father's biggest hits was I Ain't Never.
Pam's father found a way to turn his speech impediment into an asset by using his ready smile and innate comedic timing to get his audiences to laugh along with him. He stuttered his way to regular appearances on television talk shows and to clowning bit parts in Hollywood movies. He even went so far as to make the nickname Stutterin' Boy the title of his autobiography (written and published in 1984) and to have it painted on the side of his tour bus! He named his personal airplane Stutter One and referred to his female backup singers as the Stutterettes. He certainly had a sense of humor despite it all.
Mr. Tillis stuttered only when he spoke, not when he sang. His stutter might not have figured so prominently in his career had he focused exclusively on songwriting or had country entertainer, Minnie Pearl not asked him to perform some of his songs on her television show.
Mel was named entertainer of the year by the CMA in 1976. He was also inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007.
September 1, 2012
On that date after Pam performed on the floating stage she drew the Car on the Barge winning ticket for Neil Boardman (story published April 18). The proceeds from this car raffle benefited WCA's Sharing the Gift of Health which was the capital campaign for their emergency department.
Julie Morton, RN at WCA Hospital; Tim Shults, President/Owner Shults Chevrolet and Todd Glenn, New Vehicle Manager join Neil Boardman
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
