State

all about, telling stories. Sometimes de¬ aling them and enjoying — ot at least making the lx-st of — what comes his way. That includes the tecent discovery that he had lymphoma, an often deadly form of cancer. When a caller inquired recently about McClohon's condition, loonis turned the answer into а мену alxMit theway doc¬ tors thoughtfullv installed a plug in his chest so his chemothcraphy wouldn't injure his playing hands. “You know tlie medical profession gets a bum nip a lot." said Mc( Holton, but you know, there really at e a lot of thoughtful people in it." He paused, then said. “Well, you prob¬ Tar Heel P rofile By Tucker Mitchell Low-Key Music Man Composer Looms McGIohan is famous around the world for his music, but you wouldn't know it in his home of Charlotte. Loonis McGlohon, Charlotte's versatile music man, is known around the world lot the songs he's written and the music he plays, but back home it's all low-key. Which is fitting. Of all the keys he's played on his piano and written in. that's McClohon's favorite. He loves music and has made a decent living making it. but the fame Midi? It's not for him. He is a modcM and unassuming person in a busi¬ ness not known for that. How unassuming is he? Well, for one thing, he keeps his awards and diplomas in a closet. It's a big closet, but a closet nonetheless in the music studio that's attached to the carport ol McClohon's comfortable home in Charlotte's Cotswold neighbor¬ hood. The walls are lined with everything from honorary degrees to celebrity pic¬ tures to special awards from Loonis’ grandchildren to their favorite Grandpa. Why in a closet? ■There w-.es room for them there." says McGlohon. True enough, but there’s more to it called and wanted some laxinis memora¬ bilia to spice up the room. Maybe a photo and a plaque 01 two? No, said McGlohon. "I mean. I just than that. McGlohon is “one of those tremendous people who love to be kept out of die limelight,' saysjoe Sonderman. a longtime friend of Loonis. I ic promotes Loonis McGlohon shows cfl the magical fingers that hair earned him much musical acclaim over the years. neither his good works or his good music with much enthusiasm, and is genuinely uncomfortable with public displays of his fame. Several years ago. for instance, McGlo¬ hon agreed to yet another local charity gig. Tills time he didn’t have to peifonn or produce a piece of music. I Ic just had to lend his name and personality to a room in a designer house. An interior designer would uke the theme and run with it. Other local celebrities would do the same anti people would pay to come by and see the result. It sounded line, but then the designer couldn’t." he says. Quite plussed, the designer went on without it. extracting what pisses for inte¬ rior design revenge. The completed loo- nis room was sans memorabilia, but it included a huge tiger-skin rug and ром- tomadolike < lutter. “There was stuff everywhere." says McGlohon. The mantle had 98 candles. I stood there one dav and counted them. Ninety-eight! Can you imagine? It did work, though. People came from miles around just to stare at it." McGlohon tells the story without ran¬ cor and with a good «leal of mirth. Well, it's a story and that's what his life has been ably don't want to hear about that." Thai's typical McGlohon. He is con¬ siderate and, as he spins yarn after yam. he woirics that lie is Ixiring his listener. He interrupts the tales fieqtiently to apologize for being tedious and hum¬ drum. There is an element ol until there. McClohon’s stories aren't uproariously funny. But all cany a subtle humor, and they're decidedly human, пик h like the шип himself Despite a name that sounds like a fain- talc character or perhaps some exotic Scottish place or dish, loonis McGlohon is very much a North Carolinian. He was bom “down cast" in 1921 iiithe rVt.'V, VI I Mmu/> Ihe Sutp/M.iy ИЮ4 43