Down the Old Road

Welcome to this page.  I am updating the donation information as soon as I have reliable and vetted information. Mountain Tough is no longer accepting donations. Thank you to all who donated and are a part of this project.

I am leaving the following information for now...so the links may help anyone who needs assistance and finds this page:  I have updated the songs so that they may be purchased. Each one has a base price of 99 cents. However, if you wish to donate more, you can set your own price during checkout. 100% of the money will go to Dolly Parton's charity, My People Fund.  Update: Dolly has allocated and given out the funds from her project, and is now referring all  donations to Mountain Tough. Click on Mountain Tough to learn more. We will also forward donations their way. Thank you. #PrayersForGatlinburg  #SmokyMtnStrong

On November 30th, 2016, I posted a song I wrote in sadness over the horrific wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg regions. My roots are in the area. My Papaw was from Metcalf Bottoms, as well as many other family members. As a child we went to the mountains almost every weekend, vacationed there and it is like a second home to me. My heart hurts from the losses this area is experiencing. The loss of human and animal life, and the the loss of so much history and environment. When I posted my song, it was more me crying aloud, trying to mentally deal with it I suppose. Not surprisingly, I was not alone. Many other wonderful artists and friends asked if they could record my words. I have agreed as long as it is a work of the heart, to bring comfort to us all. The song can be used to raise money for the charity effort, but never for profit. I am so humbled by the hundreds and shares and comments the song has received. A sincere, teary eyed thank you to everyone who is a part of this project and to those who support it. The East Tennessee area is strong, resilient and will overcome this tragedy through the love and support of one another. If you would like to record the song, please contact me. Thank you!  


Click below to read this amazing story of what a Dollywood employee found

Dollywood employee finds lone Bible page while cleaning up during fires


Down the Old Road

Oh, won’t you come to Tennessee 
Though I may not be the same 
One night the wind took hold of me 
And I fought the damning flames 
But I will sit here by this creek 
And if I allow my eyes to close 
I’ll remember the way it was 
The way the old road goes 

There is a mountain that I know 
Down the old road..... 
And the creek flows as it goes 
Down the old road... 
And the trees whisper my name 
Though I may never be the same 
After I take a walk 
Down the old road... 

The bridges have been burned 
But the faces still remain 
They’ve been my neighbors 
Through the fire and rain 
It’s an old road I’ve known 
I’ve walked it all my years 
But today has been the first 
I’ve ever walked it in tears 

There is a mountain that I know 
Down the old road..... 
And the creek flows as it goes 
Down the old road... 
And the trees whisper my name 
Though I may never be the same 
After I take a walk 
Down the old road... 

Granddaddy was raised up 
In Little Greenbrier 
I wonder what he’ld say 
About all these fires 
I can imagine a tear 
Falling from his eye 
And he was not the sort of man 
Who would up and cry 

There is a mountain that I know 
Down the old road..... 
And the creek flows as it goes 
Down the old road... 
And the trees whisper my name 
Though I may never be the same 
After I take a walk 
Down the old road... 

©November 2016 Beth Sutton/Sutton Aquarius

The first talented artist to record the song is Gene Blair. If you would like to learn more about Gene and his music, you can visit him at this link:
Gene Blair
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    That Old Country Road

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The next version we have to share is from Perry Bonck, Scott Neubert and Steve Holland. These talented gentlemen have worked really hard to create this great song.
You can learn more about Perry at this link:
Perry Bonck 
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    Down the Old Road

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David Hawkins was the next great artist I received the song from. You can learn more about him by going to this link:
David Hawkins