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Introduction
When Ronnie Dunn sings “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” it feels less like a cover and more like a reverent conversation with the past — a sincere acknowledgment of Tom T. Hall, one of country music’s greatest narrative voices. Included on Ronnie’s 2020 solo project Re-Dunn, his rendition adds a quiet emotional weight to a song already regarded as a jewel of lyrical storytelling.
First released by Tom T. Hall in 1969, “That’s How I Got to Memphis” tells a story of love that does not fade even after it has slipped out of reach. The song follows a man who travels to Memphis not for fame, fortune, or even resolution, but simply to find — or maybe just understand — the person who once meant everything to him. Its strength lies in what it doesn’t say. The lyrics are plainspoken, unadorned, and honest, capturing the feeling of heartbreak without ever raising its voice.
Ronnie Dunn, known for his rich baritone and uncanny ability to communicate longing, is uniquely suited to reinterpret the track for modern listeners. Rather than embellish or modernize the performance, he leans into understatement — the same quality that gave the original its enduring power. Ronnie allows the story to breathe. His voice carries the weight of memory, of roads traveled, and of love that refuses to disappear, even when distance or time says it should.
Re-Dunn as a whole is a deeply personal project, built around the songs that shaped Ronnie’s musical identity. Yet few selections on the album feel as intimate as this one. Ronnie doesn’t try to outdo Tom T. Hall — he honors him. He steps into the narrative gently, almost as if he’s sitting beside the original songwriter, listening and learning, then quietly offering his own truth.
In Ronnie Dunn’s hands, “That’s How I Got to Memphis” becomes more than a tribute. It becomes a reflection on how music preserves our deepest feelings — the ones we rarely speak aloud. It reminds us that the greatest country songs don’t just tell stories. They remember them.
Video