Watch the video at the end of this article.
Introduction
When Ronnie Dunn steps into a song like “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” the result is far more than a simple reinterpretation. It becomes a gentle salute to one of country music’s greatest narrators, Tom T. Hall. Included on Ronnie’s 2020 solo album Re-Dunn, his take on the classic breathes fresh emotional weight into a song already known for its quiet power and understated heartbreak.
First written and recorded by Tom T. Hall in 1969, “That’s How I Got to Memphis” tells a profoundly human story. It follows a man traveling not in search of fame or praise, but driven by love, loss, and the need for understanding. His journey is rooted in longing — a desire to reconnect, or at least feel closer to the one who slipped away. The song’s strength lies in its simplicity, where every line carries meaning without excess, allowing the emotion to speak for itself.
Ronnie Dunn’s rich, weathered baritone makes him an ideal voice for this kind of storytelling. With decades of experience capturing heartache and vulnerability, he approaches the song with remarkable restraint. Rather than overpowering it, he allows the narrative to breathe, delivering each lyric with quiet intensity. The sorrow in his voice is unmistakable, yet it’s balanced by a sense of dignity — a reflection of both personal experience and deep reverence for the song’s origins.
Re-Dunn as a whole serves as Ronnie’s personal tribute to the music that shaped his artistry, and few selections feel as intimate as this one. His rendition of “That’s How I Got to Memphis” doesn’t shout for attention; it lingers gently, staying with the listener long after the final note fades. In Ronnie Dunn’s hands, the song becomes both a heartfelt homage to Tom T. Hall and a lasting reminder of country music’s unique ability to express the emotions we often struggle to put into words.