The Roots
It all started about a half a million years ago when a group of Cavemen tired from the hunt placed their spears on a hollow log and noticed a distinct tone and rhythm emanating from the openings... but I digress.
The AXTON family Musical Legacy started in the summer of 1956 when my grandmother, Mae Boren Axton, a full-time English teacher and part-time public relations maven, met a young man named Elvis Presley. She promised to write him a “hit” song and a short time later that came true, co-penning Elvis’ first million selling chart-topping hit, Heartbreak Hotel.
A Musical Dream Was Planted
At the same time, my father, Hoyt Axton, a semi-standout athlete at General Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida, sat down at the kitchen table to make himself a triple decker peanut butter and jelly sandwich and overheard Elvis and Mae talking about music and the crazy life that goes with it. And right then and there, a dream was planted. After a short stint in the Navy, he grabbed a guitar, jumped in his car and made his way to San Francisco quickly becoming a staple in the West Coast folk scene, writing his first hit Greenback Dollar, for the Kingston Trio in 1964. After a solid decade of success as a singer, songwriter, actor extraordinaire, he decided to go find his next "inspiration place" and moved to beautiful Lake Tahoe, California. On a particular night in search for musical talent, he met a young lady named Donna Roberts playing piano at a local bar. And after a little courting and many concerts, they fell in love. And found me.
A Songsmith With Strong Connection to Music and Stories that Make Songs Come Alive
My father was the Great White Okie, a True Songsmith with a distinctly strong connection to the words, music and stories that make a song and life come alive, his roots ran deep in folk, but crossed into the Country western - Boogie Woogie - Gospel - Rock n' Roll life and Blues with ease and continued to grow into every avenue of entertainment and art. He always said that he was just the lucky satellite dish that could grab the tunes that were floating in the cosmos, and he was one of the best.
My mom is the Classic Music Maestro in every way. She started her musical journey at the tender age of 5, while dangling her feet of a piano bench, exclaimed, I love this! I love music! We are now one Mr. Piano! and I will do this forever more. (or something like that). She continues to grow her love and dedication to keeping all forms of music alive, while also nurturing and teaching generations of young minds to find their own love of Music and the deep connections with life it brings. I can Guarantee you if there was a Musical Olympics she would at the top of list and battle for gold in every event.
Pulling Inspiration From Every Life Journey
I like to try and ride the line in between this Country Bumpkin and this Music Master, pulling inspiration from every life journey, weather its the simple joy of fresh air on a beautiful mountain day or the grind of an packed overnight ride to the next gig. Having a song connect and bring a smile or a tear to the face of a new friend is about as close to magic as I have found in this life.
So the Axton family way of having an open musical mind and going wherever the song takes you seems to be the best way to travel, and I hope you can join us somewhere along the way. I am eternally proud to be part of this ever expanding musical legacy, and will do my best to connect the words with the notes in the right order and bring just a lil more ...
JOY TO THE WORLD !!!
And as always joy to you,
Matthew C. Axton
Mae Boren Axton - "Queen Mother of Nashville"
Mae was a public relations maven in Nashville, one of the few females in the higher echelon of Nashville Music. Mae co-wrote Elvis' first million selling single, Heartbreak Hotel. She nurtured and gave Many top artists their first "break" in the music industry including Willie Nelson ,Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks among many others. Mae was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
See Mae Boren Axton Wikipedia page.
Hoyt Axton - Singer/Songwriter/Actor
Hoyt began his career in the 1960's folk music scene in the San Francisco Bay Area. His first major hit was Greenback Dollar (1964) performed by the Kingston Trio. His biggest hits were in songwriting with Joy to the World (1971), Never Been to Spain (1971) both recorded by Three Dog Night. The Pusher (1968) & Snow Blind Friend (1970) both recorded by Steppenwolf and The No No Song (1974) recorded by Ringo Starr. Hoyt had many small hits of his own lead by Della and the Dealer (1979), Boney Fingers (1974), When the morning comes (1974), Evangalina (1980) Hoyt also had a very successful acting career spanning over 35 years which included such film as The Black Stallion (1979) & Gremlins (1983). With countless TV-voiceover- Commercial work including, Bonanza (1965), I dream of Jeannie (1966), Bionic Woman (1976) & growing pains (1980). Hoyt was inducted was into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
See Hoyt Axton Wikipedia page.
Donna Roberts Axton - Composer/Conductor
Donna is a life long educator in many fields including music, math and psychology. She met Hoyt Axton in Lake Tahoe, California and joined his band as the pianist. She toured many years with Hoyt. Now she is head of the music department at Sierra Nevada College. "Mom had me sitting on the piano since I was a baby. She gave me my pitch."
Read more about Donna Roberts Axton.