Ain't No Grave by Claude Ely

Ain't No Grave by Claude Ely
msco
Posted: Friday, May 6, 2011 - 15:08

I heard a terrific story on NPR last night about Claude Ely--he wrote Ain't No Grave (the song on the last Johnny Cash album, which featured the Avetts) when he was 11 or 12. It was a pretty amazing story--he became a traveling preacher and spent most of his time in Appalachia. The story even talked about how Elvis and his mother were blessed by him. I think the Avett community would really enjoy this piece for many, many reasons--a connection to the band, a discussion on the power of music to inspire people, a bit of a history lesson on Southern roots music, the whole bit. And we all know that an Avetts concert is a bit like a tent revival at times!

Enjoy!

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/05/136019632/a-nephews-quest-who-was-brother-....


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Replies for this Board Topic

PGfromMatthews
Posted: Friday, May 6, 2011 - 16:05

What a great story...I could read stories about interesting people like that all day! Thanks for sharing with us!

LindaM
Posted: Friday, May 6, 2011 - 20:54

Thanks for posting this, I really enjoyed it!

waylonhawkins
Posted: Friday, May 6, 2011 - 22:28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il2xXRSJLmc

proudnsomanyways
Posted: Friday, May 6, 2011 - 22:43

msco,

It's pretty spooky that you posted this. I was driving home today, caught the end of the story on the radio, and thought that it would be really cool to hear the Avetts cover "Aint No Grave." Given their family's background in the church, I'm sure they're familiar with his story.