BITTER SWEET, Ky. — So many of my memories about music revolve around watching country stars on television with my dad when I was a kid. Amid so many of today’s television shows that are full of violence and adult themes, there really was a time when country music on television was popular.

One of my favorites was the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour that ran back in 1969 through 1972. It was billed as a variety show, but at the heart of every production was the music of one of the most popular entertainers of the day. Campbell’s music often crossed into the pop sector; but for me, his voice was country. His early songs, recorded in the late 1960s, were some of his best; songs like Gentle on My Mind, By the Time I Get to Phoenix and Wichita Lineman.

But I really enjoyed Rhinestone Cowboy, which became his biggest-selling single, Southern Nights and Country Boy (You Got Your Feet in L.A.) all coming in the 1970s. Campbell was also one great guitar player. He spent much of his early career as a session musician playing on recordings of such greats as Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Elvis Presley, to name a few.

He even dabbled in the acting business in both television and the movies but perhaps his biggest role – that of Texas Ranger La Boeuf – was opposite John Wayne in one of my favorite movies, the original True Grit. Incidentally, he received a Golden Globe nomination for that role.

But music was what he was most known for having spent a half century in the business, recording more than 70 albums and winning numerous awards and honors throughout his career including the Country Music Assoc.’s Entertainer of the Year in 1968.

All of his success makes it even sadder to me that Alzheimer’s disease will rob him of all of those memories.

The announcement of Campbell’s diagnosis came in 2011. He went on a goodbye tour after that with his last show coming in November 2012. Last month, his final recording/video was released; a song entitled I’m not Gonna Miss You. The song is featured in a new documentary, released Oct. 24, about Campbell’s final tour.

For any family that has gone through the agony of watching a loved one with this disease, this song will break your heart. I lost my dad to Alzheimer’s and as a child of someone who suffered from it, my chances are better than not that I’ll face the same fate.

It was hard to hear this song, but it carries a lot of truth. It will cause you to live life to the fullest and love those around you with all you have; a great gift from one of our greatest stars.

Campbell’s music gets an A+, but the treasures he has given us cannot be measured. May we keep him, his family and all those touched by this disease in our thoughts and prayers.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.