Marshall Grant Thread by Joe Rome
Gene East Talks About Marshall
Subject: Marshall Grant
This email is addressed to my kids with copy to online friends who I know have fond memories of Marshall .
While we are sad our old friend is no longer with us, lets all look back on the fond memories we have of him.
I'm using this forum rather than tie up BRF.
My oldest son Eric was my only child during the time I was active on the racing circuit. Emily met Marshall many years later. Darin and Josh never had the honor of meeting Marshall , although they have heard me speak fondly of him many times.
Eric called this morning to talk about an incident involving Marshall over 35 years ago.
Marshall and I were talking in the pits, I believe at DePue. Eric was 5-6 years old and Marshall started talking to him
"Tell Mr. Grant who your favorite singer is son", I said, fully expecting him to say John ny Cash.
Marshall roared with laughter at my embarassment when Eric replied,
"Porter Waggoner".
After he composed himself Marshall asked, "Why Porter Waggoner"?
Eric said,"Because he wears red boots". Marshall replied, "I don't think we'll see John wearing red boots anytime soon".
Emily met Marshall at a Staler Brothers show. Marshall invited us to the theater 2 hours prior to the show to have lunch with him and the road crew, gave us a back stage tour and arranged for us to meet the Stalers.
We even sat on stage during the show at Marshall 's invitation.
That's the kind of man Marshall Grant was. As busy as he was with his music, racing, horses and his personal life, he always took time for other people even if it was just a little boy who liked red boots.
Like Ron said earlier on BRF, I too have an autographed copy of his book that is proudly displayed with my racing memorobilia.
We were all blessed by knowing him!
Rest in Peace Marshall, You've EARNED your spot at Lake Paradise !
Karne "Sis" Cadle Write "Unlce" Gene
I got permission from both Karen and Gene to post these emails. i just felt many people would enjoy reading them, as I have read them almost daily since August, 2011.
From: Karen Cadle
To: Gene East
Sent: Tue, August 16, 2011 8:57:24 PM
Subject: RE: Marshall Grant
“ Uncle Gene ” I agree to all you said. I can not remember a time I did not know Marshall, Miss Etta, Rosanne or Randy. My funniest memory of racing with Marshall and “entourage” was at Worlds in Alex. Rosanne is my age and it was a time when Rosanne was spending a lot of time with Marshall, Etta and “family”… weeeel in true Memphis “Southern Style” Miss Etta brought little Rosanne to Alex fully dressed in a polka dot dress, matching tights, patent leather shoes and a big ole’ bow… so what was a bonafide boat racing 3rd gen to do? Get that poor girl out of those clothes and into something COMFORTABLE and fitting for the pits. As a “seasoned” racing “kid” I knew to bring 2 or 3 swim suits, and 3 pair of Keds tennis shoes. I took Rosanne over to my Pop and Bill Collins trailer and re-dressed her. Took that damn ugly big ol’ bow out of her hair… , brushed her long brown hair, put it in a pony tail… told her to take those hot tights off, put her in my sun suit, my keds, and took her back to Miss Etta. (who didn’t know whether to thank me, or whoop my rear)… but Rosanne thanked me and thanked me again the next time we met.
Love to all,
~”sis”