Not tall in stature, J.T. Upton was a mountain of a man
By: June Robinson
By: June Robinson
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.
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.
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June Robinson is a retired educator and government employee. She is a former chair of the Logan County Democratic Executive Committee.
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