Joseph said the spice sells well and Ellison sometimes even comes in to promote his seasoning when he’s in town. Hamlin American Legion Post renamed in honor of hometown hero General Chuck Yeager “People ask us what did you guys do to your rotisserie chickens and we’re like ah, it’s a secret,” said store president and owner Jeff Joseph. The Piggly Wiggly on Bigley Avenue in Charleston has sold the spice for several years and uses it to season its rotisserie chickens. He’s also branched out into the food business. He makes a seasoning called “Some Kind of Wonderful” seasoning. “Someone from the coalfields of West Virginia ventured out and pursued their career and made it!” Ellison exclaimed.Įllison is kind of a Renaissance man and he has other interests besides the music business. Music was his ticket out. He taught himself to play guitar at 13 with a guitar his older brother brought back from the army. He moved to Rochester, New York at 17 and has been playing ever since. Don’t let anyone kill your dream because dreams become reality,’” Ellison said.Įllison’s family moved to McDowell County when he was eight. His father worked as a coal miner, and he experienced extreme poverty and racism. “My message is, ‘Hold onto your dreams, there are a lot of dream killers in the world. Ellison said he hopes to motivate people in his hometown and do whatever he can to promote the area. The city is planning to put up a sign recognizing Ellison’s birthplace and the famous song he wrote. West Virginia native Homer Hickam visits WV Teacher of the Year’s classroom

“His testimony and what he did in this world and what he’s done and to know that he was born right here on the banks of the Kanawha River in Montgomery, West Virginia we’re just so happy and proud of him,” Ingram said.

In October, Montgomery Mayor Greg Ingram and the city council honored Ellison with a key to the city for his contributions to music. Ellison back in Montgomery,” said Mayor Greg Ingram. But his roots are in the mountain state. He was born in Montgomery, West Virginia and spent his early childhood here. It’s been recorded by more than 60 artists, including Grand Funk Railroad, Joss Stone, Conway Twitty and Rod Stewart.Įllison was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2015 and has performed all over the world like the Porretta Soul Festival in Italy. Former mayor recognized as the 2021 New Spirit of Hinton, West Virginiaĭuring that “Live on the Levee” concert, Ellison was presented with proclamations from the State of West Virginia and the City of Charleston.Įllison is best known for writing the song “Some Kind of Wonderful” in 1967 and first performing it with the Soul Brothers Six.

Some kind of wonderful reverse