We called him Papa J.
J.T.Upton, his wife Wilma and their four children moved to Russellville sometime in my early teen years. The entire family was musical. J.T. played a
mean saxophone, daughter Judy played a mean trumpet, and son Richard, a young lad, was just awesome on the drums. Wilma played the piano well,
and daughter Gretchen sang in the All State Chorus. Today, youngest son John has a wonderful band called "One Shot Johnny." John sings the vocals,
plays drums and can play the piano .(He's a true Upton!) I love to listen to them!
Judy and I played in the RHS band together, became friends, and I came to know all of the family. J.T. began to put together a band, thus beginning a
wonderful experience and many happy memories. We were called "The Uplanders". By then J.T. had become Papa J, or Papa J.T. to us, and of course, he
played the saxophone. Judy played the trumpet, Richard was on the drums, and I played the piano. I think Lon Sosh was on clarinet. I can't remember if
there were any others with the original group. There were many others, off and on who played with us: Claude Warden, George Milam, Pittman Spears, and
others I can't recall. Their piano player after me was Connie Brown.
But back to my time with "The Uplanders." We absolutely had a ball! We all played "by ear," so we needed no sheet music. I can still hear "When The
Saints Go Marching In", with Papa J.T. making that sax sing! We played in many places all over this region, including Hopkinsville. Some of the places
were country clubs, and Papa J always had one stipulation: There was to be no alcohol served while we were there. Our parents never worried about us,
because they knew we were safe with Papa J. We were even on Channel 4 TV, on the Noon Show at the time!
Papa J had this wonderful enthusiasm, and he was a kind soul with a joyful nature and a twinkle in his eye. We all just loved to be around him, and
loved him. No telling how many hours he spent with us, practicing and playing. What a wonderful way to spend our time as teenagers, and how
giving and unselfish he was! (And he had as good of a time as we did.) I remained close to Papa J through the years, and he kept that wonderful
enthusiasm, kindness, and the twinkle in his eye throughout his life.
We shared so many laughs and good memories. I still miss seeing him.
My life is richer for having known and loved J.T. Upton. And I wouldn't take anything for having had my time with him and "The Uplanders.".
Not tall in stature, he was a mountain of a man.
He was remarkable.