Question: What Plant City native born in July 1957 debuted at the Grand Ole Opry at age eight, singing Tom Dooley?
Answer: Pam Tillis
The daughter of country star Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis was born in Plant City in 1957 just as her father, who was working for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad in Tampa, was using his railroad pass to visit Nashville and break into the music business. The family moved to Nashville, where Mel Tillis became a singer and songwriter, frequently appearing in movies and television. Pam Tillis debuted at the Grand Ole Opry at age 8, singing Tom Dooley, and began taking piano lessons, then taught herself how to play guitar by age 12.
