Tribute to Mike Hutchens

February 13, 1951 - September 15, 2019

The CCCC’s Broadneaux-Baker Hall will be sponsored in memory of Mike Hutchens. Betsy Hutchens Sanford and Jerry Hutchens made this generous gift in their brother’s honor because it will create opportunities for Pulaski County residents of all ages to foster a love of music and, therefore, to allow Mike’s spirit to live on in his hometown.

About Mike

A written tribute prepared by his sister, Betsy Sanford

Mike was such a kind and loving person. He cared deeply about others and was always interested in “their” story. He lived a very humble life with no frills. He cared deeply about nature and the environment and it was always important to him that he do the right thing. His belief system was critical to how he lived his life.  Being an artist, he was very sensitive and saw small detail everywhere……right down to the wing of a bee. He enjoyed the world around him and saw the beauty of the world in a childlike way. More than anything he enjoyed making music and honing his craft. He was creative and filled with joy when he was playing guitar, writing, and singing music. He was gifted on all levels. As a human being and also as a musician. 

Mike taught guitar for many years in Nashville, TN. His students adored him and he not only taught them, but was a guide and friend to them. At his memorial service in Nashville, his students when speaking about him were tearful and grateful. He made a huge difference in their lives. He also volunteered with little kids in many elementary schools. Both teachers and children wrote him many letters of thanks and you could see the impact he made through their words and especially the pictures that they drew for him. He was proud to expose them to music and let them have fun with it. 

Mike also found great joy in songwriting. He wrote and recorded hundreds of songs usually playing all instruments involved. He wrote original movie soundtracks and performed his music in a variety of venues. Living in Nashville afforded him a lot of options. Mike’s family, friends and life experiences were very special to him and he used all of that material to tell his life story through music.

Of course, the beginnings of Mike’s musical career began in Pulaski. Tom Kegley, Mike’s dear lifelong friend contributed to this remembering of Mike’s journey. As Mike’s younger sister, I remember our house was always filled with music. Big Band, jazz, soul, blues. Our parents danced and listened to music constantly. Our Aunt Glenna Williams was a music teacher in the area, and piano lessons were expected for the kids. We were all influenced musically in many directions. Mike coming of age in the 60’s and 70’s meant things musically were changing and Mike was ready. He was in a talent show in 7th grade at Central Elementary School. He sang a capella with others on a couple of folk songs. Some of his early influences with music were Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and he realized that American rhythm and blues and soul music were a big influence on these artists. Wilson Pickett, James Brown (who I know he saw at least 5 times in concert), Marvin Gay, The Temptations. Tim Gress (a friend and former band member), recalls that he and Mike were at the Armory when Fontella Bass (Rescue Me) was playing there, backed by local heroes, the TrueTones with George Penn on drums. Mike’s early love of all genres was clearly connected with the wealth of local talent like George Penn and Tim Gress, Buck Moody, Ernie Garter, Bill Smith, Tom Kegley and great guitar player Milton Eddy. They were all brothers in Music. Mike’s bands were constantly practicing in our basement with a little sister (me) always perched on the steps watching and listening.  Other early influences for him were Santana, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman. He also loved the Young Rascals, Simon and Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Pat Metheney, Bonnie Rait and also many local Nashville musicians. There really wasn’t any genre of music that Mike did not respect, pull ideas from or enjoy. One of the best local bands of his Pulaski days was his band The Chancellors……Horns included. In the last years of Mike’s life, he was appreciating the simplicity of mountain/acoustic music. He loved it all, and the amazing thing is he could do it all. 

I believe that the rebirth of the Calfee Training School is a move forward for the future of Pulaski. At the same time, it is an opportunity to honor all the folks who have worked so hard for so many years to get an underserved and oppressed community some of the recognition and support that is so deserved. The people who taught there, cooked food there, did custodial work there. Folks who spent long hours trying to figure out how to give kids an education and support in a system that pushed them to the side and denied them. This center could be the catalyst for so many wonderful things and it is exciting to know that our family will be a small part of that. History will be learned and remembered here which is so important to help us try and not repeat some ugly truths. Children will be nurtured and given opportunity here. Connections will be made here that will help everyone to move forward with respect and understanding. Places like this will make change happen in ways that we might never imagine. This center means to me not only a place to honor our brother Mike and our late Father and Mother, but also a place where a community can take charge of their future with hope, joy and creative solutions to better the lives of so many. 

I hope that the Broadneaux-Baker Hall will be filled with music! Lots of good times filled with programs, learning, laughter, joy and fun. Having concerts there and providing a place for gatherings is very exciting. I also hope that the childcare center will be filled with music not only in hearing it but learning that they can play it too.  Music is a language that everyone can understand. If there is music there, Mike’s spirit will be there……he would write a song about it! 

We are so proud of our brother Mike, and we are so delighted to be able to help in supporting this wonderful Calfee Community and Cultural Center. 

In great appreciation and respect,

Betsy Hutchens Sanford

In Loving Memory of Mike Hutchens

Why The CCCC?

Although my first “real job” was in the Head Start program at Calfee in the mid-1970s, I didn’t learn about the recent effort to repurpose the building and recover its history until much more recently. I was reading the book Caste by Isabel Wilkerson and came across a passage describing that around the time that segregation was outlawed in public facilities some whites-only pools were filled with concrete to avoid sharing them with black people. This brought up an early childhood memory for me. When I was 4 or 5, I remember walking past a swimming pool in Pulaski. A swimming pool was unusual for the times, and I had never seen one before. That was all I remember. I was curious to know what happened to that pool and so started searching social media for some answers. That’s when I came across Calfee. I was instantly drawn to the project and all the potential for the community. I had been looking for a way to donate in honor of my brother Mike. I knew this was it! I knew it instantly! This was a project I knew he would be proud to support. I am also very delighted that my brother Jerry and I are doing this together.

-Betsy Sanford