Vern Dailey Tribute Page: October 2012

Our good friend Vern Dailey went on the the great Songwriter Roundup in the shy, on October 3rd, 2012.

He frequently won the Best Songs Of The Meeting at our 2nd Tuesday Meeting and was our Songwriter of The Year 2004 - 2005 and 2009.

The funeral is Sunday at 2 at the Hyett-Lybrand Funeral home east of Wills Point on 80. Their phone number is 903 873 2242.

Viewing is Saturday at the funeral home from 6-8.

We've asked if musical instruments are welcome, and it is unclear.

Buck spoke with Vern's son, Greg, and his daughter, Debby. They are recording his songs to play at the funeral.

Here's a link to an article from a few years back when he last won Songwriter of the Year. http://dsapress.blogspot.com/2010/08/legend-in-his-own-time.html

DSA Past Prez Mark Hughey presenting Vern with Songwriter of the Year, 2004

What they are saying about Vern ........

I had the good fortune to pen a couple of songs with Vern, some of my best. I've known him since he first came to the Dallas Songwriters in the 80's.

Vern was such a talented lyricist and songwriter. He was hard to beat as Songwriter of the Year, each year, his songs were so good that he held that award a number of years in a row.

What I really loved about Vern is that he was such a funny guy. He made me laugh at times when I thought I could only cry.

The year of Katrina, Vern travelled with me and Don for a vacation at Nancy's mountain home in Ruidiso. We had a barrel of laughs all the way there and back.

Here's a couple of songs Vern and I wrote together:

Poor Ol' Bill
http://soundcloud.com/barbara-mcmillen/poor-old-bill-a-min

Hello Texas
http://soundcloud.com/barbara-mcmillen/hellotexas

I've had some really good times with Vern and will cherish the memories.

Barbe

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Dear Buck, Barbara and DSA-

so sorry to hear of Vern's passing. It looks as he was very loved by family friends and DSA members.

Hopeful heaven has gained a new songwriter!

bless sings,

Jerialice

Hi Barbara,

I was so sorry to hear that Vern passed away. At 83, that was way too young for Vern to be leaving us.

I always knew that if Vern were in the crowd on meeting nights, any song I brought in for the critiques was going to have some stiff competition - and Vern was always in the crowd. Vern's style was 100% old school country, but his form, his ideas, his rhyme schemes and melodies, they were always on the money. He really knew his craft.

I know how much the DSA will miss his presence, and I will always remember him with a great respect.

Kindest Regards to you everybody at the DSA,

Ed. Williams

Buck asked me to write a little something about Vern. It is hard to write a little something about someone who was such a big part of my life. I met Vern about 15 years ago when we were cast in the same play. We did several plays together after that: always had a great time whether we did it right or not!

When Mr. Peppermint got too sick to perform, I had the privilege of becoming Muffin's new sidekick, Bonnie Buttons.

Vern was a showman who could do anything. He loved to laugh, cut up, joke and pull pranks. No wonder we became such good buddies. Believe me, he could make a snappy comeback as good as he got. He showed this in the way he wrote his scripts and songs. Vern wore many hats as an actor, producer, director, writer, cartoonist, puppeteer, character creator, award winning songwriter, Emmy winner and my good friend. He lived an incredible life; loved to reminisce, and I loved to listen to his crazy stories. Vern so much loved kids, animals, family and friends, and better yet, they sure loved him back!

Bonnie Reichel

Barbe
I'm so sad to hear about Vern....will miss him.
Helene