Beech Tree News Network

Each year the Green River Museum honors someone who has either impacted or preserved Butler County history.  The 2021 Impact Award recipient is the late Charles T. Black in recognition of his life and work.  A special presentation by Tommy Hines, Museum Director, and reception was held Saturday afternoon . Black's daughter Jan Embry and granddaughter Mary Beth Embry along with former students and friends were on hand for the presentation.

Tommy Hines, Museum Director making the presentation.

(Jan (Black) Embry speaking with Bob Wilson.)

Charlie Black was born in 1930, a native of Cherryville, North Carolina.  He was one of five children born to Clarence David and Dorothy Faye Grigg Black.  His first attempt at music ended in defeat when, at the age of seven, he gave up the piano after two years of lessons.  But as the years progressed his exceptional talent would be focused more on rhythm.  He attended Western Kentucky State College on a music scholarship and played drums n the Hilltopper orchestra and band.

 On Sunday, August 29, 1954, he married Mary Alice Motley at the old Broadway Methodist Church in Bowling Green.  The couple would eventually have four children: Charlotte, Carol, Mark, and Jan.

Less than thirty days after the wedding, while  still a senior at Western, Charlie was hired by the Butler County Board of Education, as the first high school band director.  Mr. Black described the situation he found at BCHS as "no music, only a lot of noiseand enthusiasm." But true leaders draw people to them and by the time the semester was underway, Mr. Black had 72 students in his fledgling band.

In 1956, the commencement exercises were opened and closed for the first time with a brass quartet, replacing the former practice of piano accompaniment.  The musicianship of the Butler County students continued to improve under Mr. Black’s leadership.  Community support was also growing, and it took only six weeks to raise $4,500 needed for band uniforms.

In 1959, just five years after Mr. Black’s arrival in Morgantown, the 84-member BCHS Band received an invitation to play at the Gator Bowl, held in Jacksonville, Florida.  Within four hours of receiving notice, the citizens of Butler County pledged to guarantee funding for the band to make the trip.  Approximately $3,500 was raised by the community, the effort led by the newly formed Butler County Band Boosters.  That sum of money would be equivalent to $32,000.00 today  (I will add that we cannot underestimate the importance of the Band Boosters over the years.  The work they put in supporting the band was truly incredible.  There were lots of candy bars and calendars sold by the students too.)

The band program continued to flourish under Charlie Black’s leadership.  He developed what he called a “farm system” to begin training 5^th and 6^th grade students in the musical arts.  Mary Alice Black was also a vital part of the music education program in the school system, as was lone Duke.  The band played at countless ballgames, parades, community events, high school musical productions, and made trips to perform in a variety of places, including a trip to Canada in 1973.

Charlie Black was not content to stay in the band room but participated in community activities as well.  He was active in the Jaycees and instrumental in organizing a Butler County Junior Chamber of Commerce.  He was a member of Cassia Masonic Lodge, chairman of the Board of Kentuckiana Children’s Center, and, beginning in 1978, owner of our local radio station, WLBQ.

In 1972, Mr. Black was elected mayor of Morgantown.  He would continue in the dual role of mayor and band director until 1985 when he resigned his position with the school system.  As mayor, Mr. Black helped bring industry to Morgantown, was instrumental in the creation of the Catfish Festival, and played an important role in the development of our city park, later named the Charles T. Black City Park in his honor. 

Mr. Black served as mayor of Morgantown until 2006, after leading the charge in that role for 24 years.  He passed away on January 14, 2012, leaving an incredible imprint on Morgantown and Butler County.  Over three decades as band director, he made a remarkable influence on hundreds of local students.  Over three decades as mayor, Mr. Black created progress from which we still benefit today. 

In a 1959 article in the Park City Daily News, the reporter noted that hanging in the band room were two mottos under which Mr. Black operated.  One of those was “You only get what you work for.”  The other one, much more familiar to anyone who ever knew Charlie Black was, “The world wants results not excuses.”

Charlie Black not only instilled that motto in the hearts and minds of his students but lived it throughout his life.  We are indeed fortunate that Charlie and Mary Alice Black came to Morgantown in the fall of 1954.  His impact here is immeasurable and that’s why we honor his memory today.