Clyde 'Boots' Harris
Jackson
"Clyde "Boots" Harris, 80, a noted musician and composer died Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday from the chapel of Wright & Ferguson Funeral Home on High Street, burial will follow in Lakewood Memorial Park South. Visitation is 4-8 p.m. today and will resume at 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home."
"Mr. Harris was born October 20, 1923, the son of the late George and Ada Harris in Henderson, Ala. and was reared in Opp, Ala. Boots, as he was affectionately known, learned to play guitar at an early age. A veteran of the U. S. Navy, he began his career in the music industry, forming a band with his brothers. Boots decided to move to Montgomery and search for employment and began playing with Hank Williams, Sr. and the Drifting Cowboys in 1941 at the age of 17, and continued for a year. In 1944, Boots wrote the song George Steel Guitar, recorded by the Georgia Peach Pickers, and used as the band's theme song. He also recorded the song Mississippi with the band. A member of the Grand Ole Opry from 1942 to 1945, Boots was a master of his musical instrument and was the first allowed to play an electric steel guitar on the Opry stage. Mr. Harris' music has been heard on stage, radio, movies, and on television around the world. Boots moved to Mississippi in 1954, and began entertaining at Club Catherine, where he performed for 18 years with his band, the Boots Harris Band. Boots was a regular on the Farmer Jim Neal radio program. In 1976, Mr. Harris opened and operated Boots Hat & Cane Club, a club featuring the best traditional country music in Jackson, until his retirement in 1997. An avid sportsman, Boots enjoyed hunting and deep sea fishing. He was a member of Drakes United Methodist Church in Flowood."
"Survivors include: 62, Boncile "Bonnie" Harris of Jackson; daughter, Sylvia Goodwin and her husband, Joe of Jackson; son, Eiland Harris and his wife, Linda of Jackson; son, Jerry Harris and his wife, Nedra of New York, N.Y.; daughter, Donna Bryant of Jackson; daughter, Deborah Carlin and her husband, Bill of Jackson; son, Tim Harris and his wife, Teresa of Brandon; son, Tom Harris and his wife, Debbie of Jackson; 21 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews."
" Memorials may be made to: Tom Harris Multiple Sclerosis Fund, P.O. Box 1339, Jackson, MS 39215. Harris"
The Clarion-Ledger (Mis.)
Author Unkown - Staff
