Dave Loggins was strolling alongside Augusta Nationwide’s 14th fairway when he stopped, seemed up on the Georgian pines and, in a second of serenity and readability, it hit him.
“Spiritually it was completely different. That course was only a piece of artwork,” he advised the Related Press in a 2019 interview. “I seemed over at some dogwoods and, man, I simply began writing the music in my head which is what I do once I get impressed.”
Loggins claimed that earlier than he even stepped off the course the primary verse was written.
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Quickly after, he would have an iconic piece that’s synonymous with one of many globe’s most revered sporting occasions, and each spine-tingling second it has produced within the colour-television period.
The theme is solely known as ‘Augusta’ – a peaceable, however highly effective, composition that includes a 12-string ensemble, mild piano melody and flippantly plucked strings on the guitar.
So well-known has the theme grow to be that each golf fan can choose it throughout the area of some notes, and is transported to Augusta’s pristine fairways and fluttering azaleas.
Immediately, it reportedly stands because the longest working sports activities theme in tv historical past.
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Loggins – a second cousin of US songwriting legend Kenny Loggins – wrote it in 1981 earlier than it was adopted by CBS’s Masters broadcast the next yr.
The community hasn’t stopped utilizing it since.
Loggins was at Augusta for the primary time when he was strolling the course with a pal who occurred to know CBS golf producer Frank Chirkinian, in response to the Related Press.
That connection landed Loggins in a room with Chirkinian who admitted, when requested if he had thought-about adopting a Masters theme music, that he was looking for one.
Loggins declared he was the particular person to put in writing it, and set about making a demo that might show it.
Sufficiently impressed by the demo, Chirkinian authorised for the music to be recorded in Nashville with a band and string ensemble.
Few know that the theme music even had lyrics that referred to Augusta Nationwide’s iconic options, in addition to a few of its previous champions like Byron Nelson, Gary Participant and Jack Nicklaus.
Whereas solely an instrumental was finally picked up by the community, it was a model with vocals from Loggins that was dropped at Chirkinian’s workplace in 1982.
“He stated ‘You bought one thing?‘” Loggins recalled. “I stated ‘Yeah, I feel I’ve received it.’ He put it on and listened to it and was barely shocked that it was that good.
“He performed it once more after which checked out me and stated, ‘You probably did good, son. You probably did actual good’.
“Coming from him, the pinnacle of CBS Sports activities? That was nice.”
Whereas he didn’t carry the identical status as his second cousin, Loggins had what it took to put in writing a success music.
‘Please Come to Boston’ was his largest hit in 1974, rising to No.5 within the US, whereas the earlier yr, ‘Items of April’ — which he wrote for Three Canine Evening — was a top-20 music.
Little did he know {that a} sports activities theme, that popped into his head whereas taking within the breathtaking great thing about Augusta Nationwide, was going to grow to be his most well-known work.
Former CBS co-ordinating producer of golf, Lance Burrow, stated that ‘Augusta’ and faculty basketball theme ‘One Shining Second’ sat in uncommon air.
“While you hear each these songs, you realize one thing particular is going on,” Burrow advised Related Press.
Particular as it could be, it definitely wasn’t for Loggins’ checking account. The songwriter pocketed little or no from the music till his loss of life in 2024.
He stated he initially was paid simply US$3,000 — an quantity made to look even measlier by the truth that he nonetheless needed to cowl prices — and given some writing royalties.
The music hardly made him an Augusta superstar both. He didn’t return to the Masters after the late Nineteen Eighties, whereas the final time he stepped foot in Augusta was 1996, one yr earlier than Tiger Woods slipped on the inexperienced jacket for the primary time.
Even so, Loggins remained a fan of the Masters which he continued to look at yearly on TV together with his nice tune because the backtrack.
Talking in 2019, Loggins stated he couldn’t imagine the longevity of the music, which shall be used for a Forty fourth-consecutive Masters subsequent week.
“We thought they’d air it only one yr,” Loggins stated.
“Now it’s been 38 years. Superb.”
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LYRICS TO AUGUSTA
Effectively, it’s springtime within the valley on Magnolia Lane It’s the Augusta Nationwide and the grasp of the sport Who’ll put on that inexperienced coat on Sunday afternoon? Who’ll stroll the 18th fairway singing this tune? Augusta, your dogwoods and pines They play on my thoughts like a music Augusta, it’s you that I really like And it’s you that I’ll miss once I’m gone. It’s Watson, Byron Nelson, Demaret, Participant and Snead It’s Amen Nook and it’s Hogan’s good swing It’s Sarazen’s double eagle on the 15 in ’35 And the spirit of Clifford Roberts that retains it alive Augusta, your dogwoods and pines They play on my thoughts like a music Augusta, it’s you that I really like And it’s you that I miss once I’m gone. It’s the legions of Arnie’s Military and the Golden Bear’s throngs And the wooden-shafted legend of Bobby Jones.
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The one place to look at the 2025 Masters LIVE is on FOX SPORTS, out there on Kayo Sports activities and Foxtel.
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The Masters protection will characteristic Fox Sports activities Australia’s Warren Smith and former PGA Tour participant Paul Gow who shall be on-location at Augusta Nationwide to ship insights and evaluation.
Outdoors of protection of all 4 rounds, the Masters providing may even characteristic a 4K UHD feed from Amen Nook in its entirety, in addition to separate feeds for the fifteenth and sixteenth holes and featured teams at sure instances.