'Stay with me': Makky Kaylor returns to music, radio and family after open heart surgery

Columbia resident Makky Kaylor is no stranger to overcoming the odds, and on multiple occasions.

The Memphis native has endured many struggles over the years, all with the goal of getting back to the stage and being the "Swanky Southern Crooner" as he's always been known. He was also recently named as the "Tennessee Troubadour" by proclamation of the Tennessee General Assembly in April for his contributions to the music industry.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, Kaylor will return to the stage in celebration of his 60th birthday. The show is also one of his first following a long recovery after undergoing open-heart surgery in November.

The show will be hosted at Puckett's in downtown Columbia, the venue Kaylor has come to call home, as well as the place he recorded his 2019 live album "Live from the Swanky South," which was recorded prior to him suffering two strokes later that year.

More: Columbia's Makky Kaylor receives state proclamation as 'Tennessee Troubadour' for music

To Kaylor, music has always been his life's passion and what's gotten him through the hard times of medical scares and recovery. This latest bout with heart surgery also isn't his first, having undergone a similar ordeal in 2000 when he received a mechanical heart valve implant.

"With my last surgery, they said I'd probably make it 25 years before having to undergo surgery again, and I made it to 23," Kaylor said. "But I'm doing well and grateful to be getting back."

Sticking to his roots, radio and 'The Southern Sound'

In addition to his career as a singer and songwriter in Memphis and on Music Row in Nashville, Kaylor's most recent foray has been creating a new brand with Southern Roots Radio, which continues to grow into 2024.

The programming, as he describes it, features a mix of all things Southern, including country, blues, jazz, as well as a monthly tourism podcast with Visit Columbia broadcast from the Columbia Welcome Center on North Main Street.

More: Southern Roots brings music, culture worldwide with new Columbia station

"When people think about Southern music, it's not just country," he said. "It's also jazz, soul and all kinds of things."

Since its inception, Southern Roots has featured a large assortment of guests and shows. The station also recently launched a new YouTube channel, featuring videos of concerts, interviews and places Kaylor and fellow co-host Brenda Lynn Allen and co-founder Jack "JP" Plant visit.

Their "Swanky Southern Nights" show airs 7-10 p.m. every Sunday.

"We love doing that show, and it's a blend of jazz, country, a little bit of soul. It's like putting the best elements of country and jazz together," Kaylor said. "We just love it so much."

The station can also be accessed online at www.SouthernRootsRadio.com.

"We're trying to do a lot more footage and film anything we can get on YouTube. If anyone likes to subscribe, that would be awesome," Kaylor said.

Grateful to be alive, and a soon-to-be grandpa

Overcoming a second round of open-heart surgery last fall was something Kaylor said "was to be expected," following his initial surgery in 2000.

Only this time, the ordeal included a LifeFlight from Maury Regional to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, as well as a moment when things took a grim turn, requiring a crash unit after his heart stopped, and he was technically dead for a few minutes.

More: Makky Kaylor heads 'Back To The River' and Memphis roots with new release, Mulehouse show

"I spent Thanksgiving at Vanderbilt and was there for 16 days," Kaylor said. "I just went back a few nights ago and thanked the nurse that revived me. She cried, and we hugged, and she was so glad to see me. She was with me the entire time telling me 'Stay with me.'"

Since his recovery, Kaylor is eagerly awaiting his return to the stage, as well as becoming a grandfather for the first time. To him, music, family and the Maury County community he has loved has kept him moving forward.

"I'm just waiting for the call any day now, because my daughter is very pregnant, but she's doing very well," Kaylor said. "They're going to call me 'Poppy,' and I'm excited."

With a positive outlook on the future, for his health, his family and the Southern Roots Radio brand, Kaylor looks at broader horizons for the new year and getting back to what he loves most.

"I did a New Year's show, and I'm singing fine, in good voice," Kaylor said. "I'll get stronger with time. Otherwise, I'm fine, and we'll have a full band at Puckett's for my 60th. I'm grateful for that number, grateful for every number now, and it's going to be fun."

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: 'TN Troubadour' Makky Kaylor returns to music after open heart surgery