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David Eli Grimes of Bellview was just 10 years old when he bugged his father for a guitar after being inspired by the movie Your Cheatin’ Heart about country music legend Hank Williams Sr. More than half a century and six albums later, Grimes is still picking and grinning while writing songs that come straight from his heart.
In recent years, Grimes has focused his songwriting on subjects that really matter to him. In 2022, he wrote the song “We Never Will Forget” just in time for Memorial Day, a tribute to the more than 400,000 veterans buried in Arlington National Cemetery that received positive attention. Another song, “Sequoyah,” shares the moving story of the Native American legend.
He wrote “Ukraine I Can’t Even Imagine” about Russia’s invasion of the country. “You Are Our Angels” is about first-responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Back to the Good Ole U.S.A.” was dedicated to the service men and women who just want to come back home. And “Furrever Friend,” about a little black kitten that stumbled across his path, has been used by the Humane Society of the United States.
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Grimes’ love of animals continues today with clever AI-powered videos featuring Lucy the cat – and now Elvis the hound dog, of course – that aim to inspire folks to adopt pets into loving homes. The videos have made their way into animal shelters and businesses across the tri-state area, but with a caveat.
“Remember, the videos come with a warning,” he said with a laugh. “They just might melt your heart.”
To view the videos and hear Grimes’ music, visit eliscomingband.com.
- I was talking with Santa Claus – yes, I have that kinda pull south of the North Pole – after the Murphy Christmas Parade on Dec. 6. After riding in many such events over the millennia, he was none too pleased that someone was highly critical of the annual event, which is produced by volunteers with floats built by local residents, businesses, government agencies, churches and nonprofits.
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“I’ve often heard that ignorance is bliss,” Santa said, adjusting his corncob pipe after calming down, “but rarely have I seen it expressed so blatantly.”
- The Murphy Town Council has a come out against a push by North Carolina legislators to turn non-partisan municipal elections to partisan, plus combine those elections with state and federal races. Council members – who are Democrat, Republican and independent – unanimously approved a resolution opposing state-mandated changes.
“The United States is already experiencing historically high levels of political polarization, and extending this polarization into local government would only erode community cohesion and detract from the effective and nonpartisan problem-solving that municipalities are known for,” according to the resolution.
I couldn’t agree more. Politics should play a lesser role in government, especially elections, as “the people” should always matter far more than “the party.”
- While there has been some talk nationally about whether elections can be postponed in times of war, they never have been in U.S. history. The following is from a history professor I graduated with at International Bible College:
1) The War of 1812 did not stop normal presidential and congressional elections from taking place in November.
2) The Civil War did not stop normal presidential, congressional, state and local elections in November 1864. President Abraham Lincoln still had to run for re-election – and could have lost.
3) Neither World War I nor World War II interfered with presidential and congressional elections at the usual time.
4) Neither pandemics, wars, earthquakes, hurricanes nor politicians of any stripe have ever stopped elections before. Nothing should stop them today.
David Brown is publisher of the Cherokee Scout. Call him at 828-837-5122 or email dbrown@cherokeescout.com.