Randall Franks (@RandallFranks)

🎻The amazing magnetic presence of Violet Hensley drew the eye, then the ear, and finally once focused upon her, the heart. Once she attracted you to what she was doing, you were a fan for life. I have been blessed to work with many legendary actors and entertainers—and to become friends with them. As a journalist, columnist and author, I have shared many elements of their stories. I have co-authored three autobiographies, work that brings you extremely close to knowing the deepest details of a person’s life. Today I learned that my final autobiography co-author, folk/country music personality Violet Hensley, passed away at age 109. From 2011 to 2013, we spent 20 months together on the phone several times a week, hammering out what we would share with the world in Whittlin’ and Fiddlin’ My Own Way: The Violet Hensley Story. We were together preparing for her Grand Ole Opry debut on this very day ten years ago—an opportunity born from just a few lines we put in her book. She was considered by many to be the oldest living country music star. Yet I, and the millions who met or saw her, simply thought of her as a fiddling friend. We were blessed by her presence. Rest in peace, Violet. My prayers are with the entire Hensley family