A Face in the Crowd
Cecil Duke, shoe shiner, Broadway
How long have you lived in Nashville? Born and raised.
What do you do? I clean up around Laylas. And I shine shoes. Been shining shoes since I was 9 years old.
Tell us about your personal style I am what I am.
What’s the last good meal you ate? Ham ’n’ eggs this morning. Cooked by my wife Becky.
Where did you meet your wife? At a wrestling match in Madison.
Have you shined any famous people’s boots? Yep. Lorrie Morgan, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, even Garth Brooks.
Who had the best boots? Lorrie Morgan.
What are your thoughts on Nashville? My sister Claire and I used to have Claire’s Lounge. It closed in 1971. These clubs keep changing owners. Get rid of Gaylord and bring the Opry back to the Ryman where it belongs. That’ll bring the people back downtown.
