And now he's in the news as the writer of the Dixie Chicks' controversial literal man-bashing ballad 'Goodbye Earl,' where the bully husband gets done in by his wife and her friend. Meet Dennis Linde, dubbed 'Nashville's Best-Kept Songwriting Secret.' It's no secret, though, that Dennis has crafted numerous songs for such multi-genre talents as the Fifth Dimension, Tom Jones, Elvis Presley, Blue Oyster Cult and a bevy of country hit-makers ranging from Garth Brooks to Mark Chesnutt. Obit Line, 641-2664.His power with lyrics is reminiscent of Harlan Howard, and his penchant for reclusivity ranks him with Howard Hughes. the list goes on and on, are mentioned last because if you were fortunate enough to know Dennis Linde, you know they were the least part of him.

His songs and the superstars he helped create with those songs like Burning Love for Elvis, Callin Baton Rouge for Garth Brooks, The Love She Found in Me for Gary Morris and other songs for the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Roger Miller, Eddy Raven, Don Williams, Tanya Tucker. He was an innovator, one of the first to utilize the computer in composing. It wasn't that those accomplishments meant nothing to him, they were a way to take care of the important things. He loved life and life loved him right back. Smoke filled rooms and party nights were for everyone else. The quiet man shared his true self with those he sheltered, those he cared for. It was his heart and soul and he shared his music with the world. He wrote music because it was a part of him. His family meant more to him than all the music business awards he had gathered. He acted like a loner but he was never alone. A truly chosen one, he walked paths no one else even knew existed. He accepted everyone he ever knew as an equal. There was nothing raucous or loud about him but there was always joy wherever he was. He not only competed, but he won and never compromised. He was a gentle soul with an unbelievable sense of humor who competed in one of the most trying arenas known. He took the gifts everyone is given, love, trust, joy, kindness, and music and got more out of them than most could ever dream of. That shyness disappeared when he wrote a song. It wasn't a lack of respect for those paying homage to him. A giant in the music industry but humble to a fault, he rarely showed up for functions honoring him. His music took him everywhere he wanted to go, which was always home to the family he lived for. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Vanderbilt Pulmonary Clinic in the name of Dennis Linde for research in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, 1301 22nd Ave., So., Suite B-817 TVC, Nashville, TN 37232-5735. Linde is survived by wife, Pam Linde children, Will (Mandi) Linde, Lisa (Jimmy) Marsden, and Katie Jo Linde grandchildren, Jack Marsden, Lindie Brown, Mary Marsden and Wren Marsden brothers, Charlie and Steve Linde of Colorado father-in-law, Bob Beckham who discovered the talented Linde mother-in-law, Shirley Beckham and sisters-in-law, Debbie Hall, Cindy Lawson and Gay Stought. If you want to skip the who's who of surviving family read only the bold type.:ДЄge 63, a major influence on the Nashville music scene and writer of classic hits like Burning Love for Elvis Presley, died Friday, Decemafter a short battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. We think it's a beautiful testament to the man, so I share it with you here. An honest to goodness newspaper obit that reads as if you were as unfamiliar with June Carter as any other name on the page, but an absolutely beautiful description of a life.ДЄnyway, my wife was quite taken by Mr. I'll never forget reading June Carter's obit in the paper. I guess she sees how family and friends remember everyday people and celebrities alike. I wouldn't have known except my wife likes to read the obits. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter's Hall Of Fame in 2001. One of my favorite Linde penned tunes was Joe Diffie's John Deere Green, a perfectly hokie country tune about a good 'ole boy's declaration of love to his woman, painted on the side of the water tower. He also wrote Callin' Baton Rouge for New Grass Revival (who also played on the hit version recorded by Garth Brooks) and many others. We lost a wonderful songwriter just before Christmas.Дennis Linde wrote hits from Burning Love for Elvis to Goodbye Earl for the Dixie Chicks. This comes a bit late, but I feel it's worth mentioning.

Dennis linde