Charlie Louvin played in Edmond, Oklahoma in August of 2000, and I was on the front row. I remember I finished these boots for myself the day of the concert and proudly wore them to the show. I was so excited to see him in person and it was the only time I did. After the show he sat at a table and spoke to people and signed autographs. Dale had bought me the Louvin Brothers Bear Family boxed set the Christmas before and I took it with me and asked him to sign the liner notes; it’s now one of my most treasured possessions. I remember that he told me he’d noticed my boots while he was on stage and he complimented me on them, and I’m sure I floated home on a cloud of happiness.

For some reason I didn’t get a photo of these boots and after much hard wear I eventually gave them to a friend of mine who collected vintage western items. He died a couple of weeks ago and his widow generously allowed me to borrow the boots today so I could photograph them.

Edited to add: The boots never had a name! I will name them “I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby.”