Uncle Dave Macon featured

DAN WHITTLE/ The Cannon Courier

MORRISON - Uncle Dave Macon's legend lives, due largely to his great-grandson Dr. Michael D. Doubler, an author and scheduled headline speaker at this year's "Hear Tell Storytelling Fest" at Morrison Public Library on March 5, 10 a.m.

Doubler is expected to share that Uncle Dave operated a mule wagon hauling business between Woodbury and Murfreesboro before he launched his music/entertainment career.

In his future book, "Dixie Dewdrop: The Uncle Dave Macon Story," the author confirms that Uncle Dave's legend started at Morrison.

"The first time I ever played and sang in public," was in 1921, at Morrison. "The Methodist Church there needed a new door. I gave a show, then passed the hat and collected the money, $17."

Uncle Dave went on to become the first nationally-known "super star" of Nashville's Grand Ole Opry that launched on the radio in 1925.

Uncle Dave will be the focus of this year's second annual "Hear Tell" Storytelling Fest, a free event, starting at 10 a.m. that Saturday.

A multi-published author, Rutherford County resident Doubler is under contract with a major publisher to complete "Dixie Dewdrop: The Uncle Dave Macon Story" as the first book-length biography of the Opry super star.

"I'm also a consultant for the upcoming stage production - "Walking In Sunlight" - a musical about Uncle Dave's life," confirmed Doubler, who also heads the Macon-Doubler Fellowship and participates in the leadership of the annual Uncle Dave Macon Days' festival in Murfreesboro.

Persons wanting more information about the Morrison story-telling event can contact call 931-635-2060, ask for Bonnie Davis, director of the Morrison Public Library, 138 W. Maple St., Morrison, Tn., 37357.

Doubler is a graduate of West Point, having served active duty 23 years in the Army and Army National Guard. He holds a doctorate degree in military history from Ohio State University.

Doubler previously authored "Closing With the Enemy; How GIs Fought the War in Europe, 1944-1945," which received two national book awards, and "Civilian in Peace, Soldier in War: The Army National Guard, 1636-2000," considered the definitive history of the Army Guard.

He's appeared on The History Channel, CBS News, ABC World News Tonight, The Truman Jones on WGNS Radio in Murfreesboro, and National Public Radio, plus serves as a frequent lecturer. He can be contacted at mdoubler@comcast.net.