Nashville suburb, the two superbly talented families came together and produced a night of such startling magic that I frequently held my breath. Guitars were pulled out and blood harmonies — a sound created only by people who share the same DNA — twinkled like crystal through Becky’s living room.
Each Isaacs or a couple of the entire family sang, switching off with the platinum-award-winning twins — known as Nelson — who sang their hits then stunned us with their quicker versions of their dad’s (they call him Pop the way Ricky called Ozzie) biggest hits, such as Garden Party, Traveling Man, Hello Mary Lou, and others.
Adding to the stars’ light was Jimmy Yeary, Sonya’s husband, who is one of Nashville’s most successful songwriters. He won every award possible for a song called I Drive Your Truck, a heart-tugging ode to a brother killed in battle.
During a slight pause, I asked quietly, “Jimmy, will you please sing I Call Mama?”
Tim McGraw, a strong admirer of Jimmy’s, had taken that song to number one. For those of us who had a good Mama, it rings powerfully true. After learning that a friend died an untimely death, the singer grabs a Coke and a beef jerky, then goes to sit down by the river and reflect. After a bit, he dials a number and hears the smile on his Mama's face when she realizes it’s her baby.
Jimmy is soulful. He feels deeply, so he writes and sings deeply. As the room, again, held its breath, he sang, and a few times, his mournful eyes met mine, and I wiped away a tear or two.
As we drove away that night, both Tink and I were speechless. The music had an authentic harmonic authenticity that haunted us into complete silence.
Much later, Tink whispered, “That was magic.”
I nodded.
“What a privilege.”
It turns out that the nudge that pushed me to bring those families together was also in perfect harmony. They became friends quickly and will write or work together. Or both.
The next night, Tink, Gunnar, and I watched from the wings of the Grand Ole Opry stage while Matthew stayed home to be a dutiful father, as his Pop had taught him. The Isaacs ended the Opry show with three songs, finishing a cappella with Chicago’s You’re My Inspiration.’
Everyone backstage froze in disbelief at the astounding, powerful harmony. It was angelic.
It, too, was magical, but no better than the previous night, when the Nelsons had also performed.
We had all become family. In harmony.
Gunnar and Matthew Nelson’s ‘What Happened To Your Hair?’ is available from independent booksellers and online stores.