Getting Old At The Grand Ole Opry
Watching John McCain run for President is good for America. It shows that older Americans are vital, capable, and can even be more energetic than some of the journalists covering the Arizona Senator. You do not have to agree with McCain’s views to understand the powerful message he sends about aging in America. And for the sake of my argument let us forget his attempt at stand-up comedy during the past few days. The message that McCain sends is that growing older need not be boring, or sideline anyone.
Unfortunately not everyone has received that message. For starters consider the outlandish actions of the Grand Ole Opry, the longest continuous radio show in America that is now in its 82nd year. Every Friday and Saturday night country music stars perform one or two songs on the world famous stage in Nashville, followed by live commercials for such products as Martha White Biscuits, or Goo Goo Clusters that ushers on the next act. The radio show, about 2 and 1/2 hours long, is broadcast every weekend on WSM Radio (The Air Castle Of The South) before a couple thousand people.
The stars of country music, when the Opry was just getting established, are being forced off the stage. These are the stars with true talent at showmanship, which is far different from just being a solid singer or musician with a great manager. These are the voices and images that started during the formative days of the Opry, and are still eager to stand on that round circle at center stage. But the management of the Opry thinks they are to old, and so have removed them for younger artists.
Stonewall Jackson, Charlie Louvin and others say they joined the Opry decades ago with the understanding that if they appeared a required number of times each year at the peak of their career they could still play the Opry in the later years of their careers. Gaylord Entertainment, owners of the Opry, disputes that any performing guarantees were ever made, and insists that the older stars are not being pushed off the stage due to their age.
Last summer I had a most pleasurable conversation with 79-year-old Charlie Louvin who just released a new CD featuring one song with Elvis Costello. Charlie also did a number of shows with Elvis Presley in the 1950’s. While backstage in southern Wisconsin as he smoked a few cigarettes and signed my guitar and autographs for folks who ambled by, he kept telling me stories about the days traveling and singing with his brother, Ira. I was very interested in his stories and he seemed to get quite nostalgic as he spoke. Many a week would end for the famous brothers as they made a mad dash from far-flung places to get back to “The Mother Church of Country Music”, the Ryman Auditorium, and their set for the Opry stage. To be a member of the Opry one had to perform 26 times a year, and was paid $15.00, a far cry from what could be made on the road. Charlie estimated that an act lost on average over $50,000 per year, but he was proud to be a part of the Opry and never complained.
But now Louvin and others are losing their health insurance due to limited performances, as salaries from those performances are the basis for coverage from the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. There is something so very wrong with this action by Gaylord Entertainment and what it says about one of our most remarkable slices of Americana, The Grand Ole Opry.
As a boy on Saturday nights I would move the radio around in our living room in central Wisconsin, using the cord as an antenna for better AM reception until the music from Nashville filled the room. A couple decades later my parents would be recognized from the Opry stage by famed WSM musicologist Eddie Stubbs for their 50th wedding anniversary as we all sat watching a live Opry broadcast in Nashville.
This is not just another musical venue. This is about as real and authentic a slice of history as one can get about what early radio, and early country music were all about. As such, the closer one can get to the past and experience the living stars of yesterday, the more accurate is the understanding of the time when the likes of Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff were taking the stage. None of those singers and musicians knew what the future held, but were sure they wanted to be there when that big red curtain went up. For 82 years that tradition has endured and it is mighty sad to think that some still want to be there to perform, but have been rejected due to the age factor.
To remove the past at the Opry in order to bring on the latest singer with tight jeans and a cowboy hat (and often these days too much red-neck) is unseemly. I admit to being a bit of a purist on the issue, but there is a huge gulf between the likes of Little Jimmy Dickens and the latest singer today with a massive PR effort. It comes down to showmanship and on-stage talent.
Last summer in Wisconsin I again had the chance to see Little Jimmy Dickens on stage, and this time he had a 30-minute set. He was energetic, had a series of snappy one-liners, and even a slight costume change on stage. And he had the crowd in his control after all these years. I think the vast majority of the current ‘15 minute wonders’ will not be anywhere near a stage when they are 82. The old performers, the solid parts of the Opry, love the applause and it has been my personal experience that everyone gets a handshake and a chance to converse when around them. They are truly national treasures.
The Opry is making a huge mistake by removing some of the performers that made that stage so mighty impressive over the decades. We are displacing a part of the past before they will leave the stage for the last time and go to the biggest Opry show to be played. It does not need to be that way. Gaylord Entertainment is greedy and as a result we all lose something.
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I was honored and privileged to be a “special guest” of Mr. Roy Acuff for many years during his shows on the Grand Ole Opry. During that time, I met and visited backstage with many of the ledgendary performers. These ‘old timers’ were and still are the backbone of the Opry. These truly GREAT musicians, artists and entertainers are legends and have dedicated their lives to the Opry. They have earned their spot in traditional country music history and paid their dues to stand in that “circle!” Ask any one of them what it meant to stand in that circle. More likely than not, you will see tears. Tears not for what has been but tears of joy and love; love of country music,love of a special friendship and family. A far cry from today’s performers!
Most of the new generation of performers have ARRIVED to stand in that ‘circle’ via talent contests and star searches of which winners talents were: long flowing blonde hair, deep plunging necklines, tight jeans, open shirts exposing bare chests and tanned biceps. Eye Candy!
The legends of county music will forever be the REAL country music artists! County music LEGENDS will live forever in the hearts and souls of those who knew and remember the time.
the opry with out the opry stars is just a big building in which will be empty like opryland, now a parking lot,these stars made the opry and you owe them anything they want, cheap bastards,the new outlaws, we love the opry stars, keep doing your thing brothers and sisters,larry casabella
Oh, Bill, with such disgusting ignorance toward others you would be an excellent addition to the Gaylord’s stuff as his primary assistant – if you re-read above articles once again, you maybe notice polite, professional opinions about Country and concern about her existence in today’s modern world… Nobody forces you to buy or to listen to anything, no one is calling you by ‘basement-level’ words… Tossing out the roots and legacy of a pure country music is like giving up on the tradition and culture America was born…Following your thought’s direction I would say ‘why celebrate 4th of July every year? or Veteran’s? or Christmas? Wake up and live in a new century!” – A person, who has respect for himself never will use degrading words nor show offensive attitude toward others… Your used of the word ME couple times and it tells ME you hardly see the objectives of all discussions, you are just in a ’subjective mode’.
I’m not born in America but it’s my honor to live here and interact with people struggling to preserve everything what the best for the country, who’s patriotism and love for this land is the priority to them…When something is going wrong, they are right there to fix so they are here talking about Country Music and Country Legends…
Good grief people…. stop living in the past!! If you don’t include NEW artists, when your beloved older artists are dead and gone — the Grand Ol Opry will board up it’s doors and turn out the lights.
I’ve been to the Opry many times and always enjoy the shows — every time I’ve been, it’s a mix of young and old.
And to heck with the guy that blames ME for buying a Carrie Underwood album instead of a Porter Waggoner album. What a jerk. If I liked Porter’s music… I’d buy it! I don’t. So, you’re going to blame people like ME for what you perceive to be a down turn in country music? What an idiot.
Wake up folks… it’s 2008….. stop living in 1950.
It seems Gaylord has bought up an incredibly large chunk of what comprises our “Country Music” industry. I do believe they wish to “own” country music
outright, whereby they can manipulate it and control it to their devious ends.
Any aspect of American life can be compromised when one entity owns too
much….or has too much control over it. That it why monopolys were outlawed
or regulated.
They own The Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman, Opryland, WSM and who knows
what else. Soon they may own all of the major Nashville labels. Look at what
Gaylord did to “Hee Haw”. They bought it, messed with it and killed it.
These parasites must be stopped. They are industry PIMPS looking for quick
cash at the expense of both artist and fan, and destroying an 82 year old
industry in the process.
Country Music, to the fan, is not an industry to be toyed with. It is home and
the artists are family. AND YOU DON’T MESS WITH FAMILY!!
It seems Gaylord, the record labels and radio stations are morphing Country
Music in order to provide “…a brand of so called Country Music to people
who really don’t like Country Music. Kind of like pouring chocolate sauce
over broccoli so as to make it more palitable; so you won’t know it’s broccoli.
During the late 50s, when Country Music and the Opry really took a direct hit
from the new music called rock and roll, Country Music stood it’s ground
and finally came back bigger than ever. It didn’t attempt to change itself in order to please, but rather weathered it out.
Today, Gaylord, the record labels radio stations and others are attempting
to “make over” Country Music into something it is not, and was never intended to be. Take the “apples” out of an apple pie and it is no longer an apple pie.
These to called entreprenuers of entertainment need to take many of these
newer so called Country artists and create their own, all-new genre of music
and venues to display it. Leave Country Music alone.
Any comments?
Steve
I work for a large school district in a suburb of the Twin cities. When I last attented a meeting at one of our sites, I was reminded how important the senior citizens are in our community. In fact, there was a poster that summed it up real well….It went something like this..” If you are seeking a person to fill a job position, look no further than to a senior citizen.They have plenty of experience, and they have a strong work ethic”.
I guess the management of Gaylord is trying to convey to our youth of today that growing old really has no place in our society.
I am 48 years old. I am a musician. I have always admired older musicians. My first band that I joined was “fronted” by a fellow in his 50’s. I was 26. But I remember when I was nine years old seeing Larry Schorn and his band perform. It was unbelievable! I respected him then, and I respected him when I was part of his band!
Come On Steve Fisher, and others who are shunning the veterans of the Grand Ole Opry. You can do better than this!
There is plenty of room for both the new artists and all of those who are long standing members of the Grand Ole Opry.
I like the older artists, and, many but, not all of the new acts; I just don’t care for the “clutter’ of the production basically.
If this continuation of discrimination cannot be resolved fairly I have another idea….
Build another facility and call it the “Grand New Opry”.
Then you can fill your roster with all of the new acts that seem to come out about every other week.
And the older artists can still remain in their home.”Home Of The Grand Ole Opry”.
God Bless,
Kenny
Great thread. I just found it researching a radio story I’m working on about Charlie Louvin, whose new album is amazing. There was a story on NPR a few weeks ago about this issue, and I’ve reported on it in Nashville myself. Stonewall’s case has been blown somewhat out of proportion, and few people believe Pete Fisher said what he’s accused of saying. Pete is careful about his words, very diplomatic, and furthermore, he does love old country music. You wouldn’t see so much of Porter, Jimmy DIckens, Jean Shepard and others if he didn’t care. He’s in a tough position between programming the old/new/traditional/alt/hit country music. I believe they do an amazing job and that the Opry is still one of the greatest shows in the world. My work lets me get backstage from time to time and it’s electrifying. Deke I would have written you privately about this but it seems like you might be somebody interested in the book I have coming in October. “Air Castle of the South: WSM and the Making of Music City” is about how Nashville became an entertainment town and how WSM became a historic broadcaster. I have good friends in Madison. Wonder if we know anybody in common. Drop me a line if you’d like. Craig Havighurst
http://www.stringtheorymedia.com
Thanks Donna! You have stated is very well and I appreciate your input.
In defense of Pete Fisher, I must say that he has given a couple of my artist friends countless Opry slots BECAUSE they are traditional country artists. A couple of them have performed more times on the Opry than many Opry members — and at career “lows” when they didn’t even have record deals. Unheard of support, by Music City elite, for an independent artist.
From personal experience with Gaylord, they won’t hesitate to send anyone to the gallows in defense of their bottom line. They are soulless.
RE: the comment about sending Nashville’s tourists to Sevierville (Dollywood), good GOD no! We’ve got enough tourists there already and don’t need anymore PAVEMENT, thank you.
Plowing down the Smokies in favor of more water parks…tearing down Opryland Park to make Opryland mall…crowding out Grand Old Opry founders…replacing old Country with “new country”…it’s all the same mentality. We can blame Pete Fisher, we can blame Gaylord. And, sure, they deserve some of that.
I blame the people who buy tickets to Dollywood but never visit or contribute to the park. I blame the people who buy Rascal Flatts records and tickets to see Carrie Underwood but not Porter Waggoner’s new record.
The overwhelming success of one film and one soundtrack – O Brother Where Art There – is responsible for the resurgence of traditional music in popular culture. And many of those type artists have secure Opry slots as a result.
However, the “country music” industry chose to ignore it. Same as L. Lynn’s Van Lear Rose. But if people keep supporting what’s right LONG ENOUGH they’ll finally figure out that our money is just as green as those who buy “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”
Support those artists who have traditional ties and still have power in the industry – we all know who they are. That’s all I know to do, folks. I’m just as heartbroken over the state of things as everyone else here.
Thanks for this forum.
I moved from the North to Tennessee last year just so I could enjoy the finer more relaxed things in life such as The Grand Old Opry, Opryland, and the Opry Stars as I remembered them, and one by one, Gaylord is taking them all away from me. With all the money that Gaylord makes from the tourists who come to Nashville to see the Opry, they can’t possibly tell us that they can’t afford to pay for the star’s medical coverage now that they are in need of the basic health necessities. Don’t they know as with Opryland, the real tourists come to see the “REAL” stars, not the ones who bash our politicians and go to Hollywood and laugh at our boys who are fighting for our freedoms in Iraq and all around the world. I would love to know the name of the “stuffed shirt” who made that decision behind closed doors to close Opryland just to make room for more rich people to stay at the Opryland Hotel. That person must have a brain about the size of a pea to make that decision…and I would be willing to bet that is the same moron who is deciding that the REAL stars of the Opry are not important enough to retain for the tourists who travel hundreds of miles for the sole purpose of seeing them at the Mother Church in Legendary Nashville, TN…..Surely the other people who make decisions at Gaylord are brave enough to stand up and make our opinions heard so that another terrible mistake is not made again and we do not lose the Good Old Opry next… After all, if we wanted to see the modern hoopla stars, we would be following them all around Hollywood, not buying a ticket to see the Grand Old Opry and the REAL stars…
They need to wake up before it’s too late to fix this latest nightmare for us insignificant little tourists who pay Gaylord’s salaries by seeing the real stars at the Opry!!!!!
“True Country Professionals, Catch the wave!”
By Jimmy Stix
I hope someone who writes great country songs would make a song now with this Title; “Stand By Your Legendary Stars” ……………. by all means! Have you ever heard the phrase; “Catch the wave!” gang?
AllAboutCountry.com as you know reported on the week of the 1-16-07………… the below news reports of our Legendary stars fighting Corporate Country! Well………… what are you waiting for! Everyone should be putting the pressure on corporate country, and with no let up, continue to call every radio station calling themselves a COUNTRY station, and ask to hear the new country music from our legendary stars! And when they say they can not play this new country music……… ask them why? If you country music professionals do not back up these great legendary stars now……….. while they are coming out in the open to fight for their American Country Music Heritage Rights………….. then I think you should stop calling yourself a lover of our COUNTRY Heritage! Look below and see what’s happening………………….
Nancy Jones, Wife of George-Still Fighting Corporate Control of Country
The Nashville Tennessean continues to report on the conversation between Nancy Jones , wife of legendary George Jones, and Gerry House of WSIX/Nashville.
The on air conversation took place in the middle of December, when Jones called House on his WSIX morning show to talk about her disappointment of corporate control in radio station ownership, leading to less airplay for George and other Classic Country singers. It was a very heated conversation. Get more from the Tennessean
Stonewall Jackson Sues Opry
A suite has been filed against Opry General Manager, Pete Fisher, and the Opry’s owner, Gaylord Entertainment, for $10 million by Stonewall Jackson. He has been a Grand Ole Opry member for 50 years. Last Thursday, (Jan 11) the 74 year old Jackson filed papers to sue the Opry for age discrimination, breach of contract and retaliation because the number of his appearances on the show declined significantly after Pete was hired in 1998. According to the lawsuit, Fisher wants to feature younger artists on the Opry and that Pete told Jackson that he was too old and too Country. Steve Buchanan, VP of media and entertainment at the Opry, told the Tennessean, “The allegations of age discrimination are without merit, as evidenced by our lineups in each and every show. The Opry strives to appeal to all generations of fans”. Stonewall Jackson became an Opry member in 1956 and later had several Top 10 hits, which include two #1’s, Waterloo in 1959 and B.J. the D.J. in 1963.
All country music lovers who want to see ALL country radio play Bluegrass, Country classic, Country traditional, Country Folk, Country Blues, and yes! Even the young stars of today mixed with the legendary stars and their brand new music……………… as one big happy family…………. then don’t let this move of the legendary stars back-fire on them!
Did you read what was said about the radio stations threatening George Jones and other legendary stars with less airplay if they cause corporate country any negative pressure for their moves in country! If that is not a true form of terrorism threat to our COUNTRY friends…………… nothing is!
Stonewall Jackson is fighting a mountain of corporate greed that has no place in our treasured Heritage of country music! How can any country star, young…….. or old stand by and watch our legendary stars get hit with such disrepect! Big Corporate Country says; “business is business!” I say…………. NOT in our country it isn’t! There’s no room for segregated country in USA! Or for that matter, the whole World of COUNTRY want you to go away! Go to another style music and do your business! And GET OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!
If on the other hand, if corporate country would listen to reason! And change their attitude about our legendary stars, and appreciate country blues, country bluegrass, country folk, and other country music styles……………. by putting these on their playlist………. then we would welcome them to country! However! They do not want to be fair, and to secure our Heritage, so all will continue to benefit off their life’s work!
Instead……… they want to retire the old stars……….. claiming country people don’t want to hear them anymore! Which is such a lie………… everyone in country knows it! Even the ones who claim they agree with BIG corporate consultants about this……………. when corporate country isn’t looking, they admit they are wrong! They want to please both sides of this issue! You can’t please both sides for long folks! The other will find out sooner or later!
I know you are tired of reading my articles…………… and I get tired of typing this issue! And if everyone in the country music business would fight corporate country now, I would not have to type about this issue again! I am so proud to see that the legendary stars are not leaving our town without a fight! And that’s why I’m shooting out this message again! It’s “Highnoon” Gang!……….. and Big Corporation Country is getting SHOT by, Jimmy Stix………….. “The other man in black!”……………..The long-time country outlaw who’s fast with the draw! And I’m going to be standing in the middle of this COUNTRY Town, alive!
Legendary stars! George and Nancy Jones! And Stonewall Jackson! May God be with you, and may he deal fairly with those who are dealing unfairly with you! My cowboy hat is off to you! And I tell you now, I will not stop Shooting at Corporate Country until they either change their direction to benefit all of us in country…………….. or they Leave Town! You can count on me!
http://www.jimstix.com
jimstix@nycap.rr.com
Its a neat article, and all too true. Country Music started not being Country any longer in the 90’s. I listened less and less to Country on TV and Radio unless I can get the older music. Now It’s great on Dish TV with Sirius Radio. Even the CD channels are great for classic country. I end up missing a few really good singers in the modern music but not enough for me to try to listen to it. I used to love the videos but they have gotten “too modern” for me too. Mostly junk!!!!! It’s nice when one does come along again with a great voice and good music, rather than mediocre sounding like the rest and music thats not just noise.
I miss not being able to tell who the singer is by first notes and/or first words. Those distinctives sounds that tell how good one is at the beginning. It’s been a few years now I’ve completely ignored the opry, can’t stand most of the crap they put on. With none of the older to look forward to, to heck with it.
Where has the “Thanks for making country music, country music” gone? The old stars are still selling out live concerts, they have dedicated their lives to the Country music industry and this is the thanks they get. To be cast aside like an old rag. Why doesn’t gaylord open his eyes and realise that there are more people in the age group 40/75 than the 18/25 age group. They are missing a real solid market oppertunity. I’ve been to Nashville before they renivated the old oprey. Stood on the stage of the Ryman, cried as I stood there where all those stqars have once stood. Please don’t treat those great stars this way. Let them be part of something special, the world of real country music. They are legends, historical monuments, stars with a very special gift. Take away that gift and they have nothing. Don’t deny them their rights.
I agree with your feelings completely. So much is being lost in
America today because of the disrespect for our people once they
reach the senior years. Their knowledge, wisdom & talents are just
tossed away and it’s like they don’t exist anymore. This is so sad
in many ways! So much can be learned from these folks. And so many
more hours of enjoyment are still there, for them & us! But no one
even takes the time to realize this. Don’t they know one day they,
too, will be looked upon this way, and tossed aside? No one can
escape the aging process!
This same thing happened to my husband at work. He was a plumber,
and one of ‘the guys’, until the day arrived when suddenly he was
just the ‘old man’ to all his once upon a time younger friends that
had always included him in on everything going on. He begun getting
all the dirty jobs & those that lasted late into the night. He was
the ‘outsider’ now, constantly being joked about, or belittled. I
was so happy to see the day arrive when he could retire!
These people are entertainers, it’s in their blood to perform! They
can teach so much to today’s talent. Instead, they’re disrespected
and pushed aside and out of the picture. Doesn’t anyone realize
these people are still very much alive, and they have feelings, just
as much as the younger performers do? This is just so cruel! Their
careers are very important in their lives. For many years these
people have traveled to hell and back to entertain us. There weren’t
the big & beautiful buses back in those days! And now, not
even the radio stations will play their music anymore!! This is all
just so stupid and dumb. What’s this world going to have to come to
before it realizes the mess it’s making of peoples’ lives, or the
loss this is to this country?
Wonder what Hank and Lefty would have to say about “demographics.” I don’t want to hear songs about love and loss from someone in a Guns’n Roses T-shirt who just lost their pet turtle or skinned their knee falling off their bicycle. Gaylord neither knows nor cares about the legacy of Nashville’s once-great country music community, it’s all about the money and Gaylord’s pimps don’t give a damn how they get it or who gets hurt in the process. After relocating the Opry from the venerable Ryman Audiorium to their “Opryland USA” complex (conveniently next to the mega-expensive “Opryland Hotel”) Gaylord once considered razing the Ryman (which they also own) but, after public outcry, relented. Gaylord also scuttled their (also overpriced)”Opryland” amusement park when they were convinced that a huge mall would make even more money. I’m not blaming Gaylord (or their “hatchet man” Pete Fisher) entirely for the death of what was country music in Nashville, but they’ve made it painfully obvious thru their vast holdings and actions that they are self-serving money-grubbing carpetbaggers who grow fatter daily at Nashville’s and by proxy, country music’s expense.
I have been a drummer for many years. I used to appear on the “Opry”, with many of the people named above. Now, when my name is mentioned, alot of the current “stars” say….JIM WHO? It’s tough being a “side man”, in the present state of things. Here’s hoping things change for the better soon!
This is horrible. They closed Opryland, built a mall, nearly killed Nashville with that decision, and now they make another decision to oust the real country music stars, out of the Grand Old Opry. That is completely inexcusable. They will be sorry and what tourists are left will all go to Dollywood. I think they should build the Grand Old Opry at Dollywood and show Gaylord who is boss.l
What would happen if we opened another venue in Nashville. Put the word out and let the fans choose. Gaylord will not hear our voices, they “hear” our money. Just a thought.
If you go to my website it says it all “Let’s keep this good OLD country & bluegrass music alive”. This stuff they call “country” anymore is just a bunch of roar to my ears. The Wheeling Jamboree theater just went down hill when they quit having the “older” stars. It once was thriving and had people from everywhere coming, busloads from Canada etc. The “older” musicians are the real STARS!
It is sad and dis hearting when this happens. I have been involved in the Western part of music. The same happen with it only a much longer time ago. It seems to be making a comeback , somewhat. The old timers need to get together and form an organization with health care. It can be done, it’s just a lot of work. I formed a 501 C 3 to benefit Western Music. No health insurance but it is a place for performances once a month. If you remember it’s a lot of work and needs more than one person to spread out the work, you can do it. As someone above said, there are folks that want this music. There is still a place for it. But, you have to stick together and work together. One person can not do it alone. The younger folks need to hear the older music. If they don’t hear it, you can’t blame them for going towards the modern music. ………Shame on Gaylord Entertainment for letting the money take over good values.
What’s happening to the great stars of the Grand Ole Opry is a travesty. I’m a DJ (in my 60’s) on a classic radio station in Lewiston, Idaho. In the past couple of years I have had the great pleasure to meet some these performers at the Casino in Worley, Idaho.
Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jean Sheppard, Stonewall Jackson, Kitty Wells, Johnny Wright, Bobby Wright, Tommy Cash, Doug Kershaw and Ralph Emery. Let me tell you, these are the friendliest, most talented and down to earth people you would ever want to meet.
These people paved the way for the “so called” country entertainers of today. To be given crumbs by the Opry when they should be in the forefront until those new country entertainers earn their way on that stage is an absolute slap in the face!
The main problem today. Even on the radio. If you are over 30, Radio, the Opry, Record Labels, Advertising Agencies don’t give a hoot about you! They don’t care! Everything is geared for the 12 to 25 age group.
I have had the privilige of meeting Garth Brooks twice. And it was great. This man is a class act and his shows were fantastic. But I also saw several Johnny Cash concerts. Johnny could wrap an audience around his little finger and did it without a laser light show, running around the stage, swinging on ropes or smashing guitars. He did it with shear talent and a great stage presence. And got as much response from his audience as Garth. Same with Haggard, Robbins, Tubb, Dickens, Lynn, Wynette and so many of the country music greats. Some of todays new country, without the glitz and glitter, would never make it!
God Bless Stonewall Jackson for having the fortitude to sue the Opry.
Tommy Tucker
As a “Western” music performer, I primarily appear at concerts, dinner shows and Cowboy Poetry/Entertainer Gatherings all around the Northwest. I even do a few bar-gigs once in a while. And, a prevelant opinion from my audience is that shown here…REAL country Music seems to be gone. What is left is music that appeals more to the City ideas of what Country is. Most of what I hear today seems to be along the lines of what we called “soft rock” when I was a kid.
I’m very aware of the fact that many people out there share my opinion of modern “Country” music as we get requests for “old” country all the time.
http://cowboyentertainer.blogspot.com
I personally have not yet been to the Grand Ole Opry…It is one of my dreams yet to be fulfilled, but let me tell you, that when I see the show on TV, it just isn’t the same when you see all the new age groups of country singers…Just like the rest of us TRUE “COUNTRY” fans, I most love to see shows with LORETTA LYNN, GEORGE JONES, DOLLY PARTON, and all of the LEGENDS…after all, isn’t that where the Grand Ole Opry began?
When I do watch the Grand Ole Opry, I tune in to watch the classic stars of country music, such as Loretta Lynn, Connie Smith, Dolly, etc. I feel the Opry is treating it’s older stars like the music industry itself is, no matter how good a Cd a classic artist releases, if it doesn’t “fit In” with what is the current taste in country music, it won’t get programmed. Look at Loretta’s “Van Lear Rose” Cd, no airplay but the Cd won two Grammy’s! Dolly’s current Cd “Those Were The Days” is wondeful but no airplay, thank God for the video people who played Dolly’s video “Imagine” from the Cd. It’s a total disgrace to these wonderful artists who made country music grow from it’s infancy.
I am stunned about forcing out the older Opry stars It is a crying shame to the Country music Industry. Grand Ole Opry Is more than just a place for country singers to Sing, Its a Shrine For the Country Music fans . I like some of the new singers But most would scare the heck out of The Country Spirits wandering around the Opry. . If Roy Acuff thought that Elvis wouldn’t be great and especially in Country music, My god, what would he say now with these uptown country Rockers.. He would wilt in his boots.. . . Keep the Old guys there, wE love them
Ed
Country Music is no longer Country Music. I have been to the Opry 3 times in the last 9 months and i miss seeing all the “Country Stars”!!! Thanks to PETE FISHER. That is what happens when you bring someone in from NY to Nashville. Country Music is no longer country music. I MISS the reall country stars! I love it when Loretta Lynn graces the Opry stage and you can just about bet the place will be sold out when she is there! It just isn’t fair to us REAL COUNTRY FANS to not see REAL COUNTRY music when we attend the OPRY! PETE FISHER you need to wake up and bring back “REAL COUNTRY to the OPRY STAGE”!!!
I think its a shame that a company can get so greedy. In my opinion Gaylord is being discriminatory by pushing the older performers off the Opry. You would think theywould have learned their lesson when they closed opryland but I guess you can’t teach them anything. I think people should stop going to the opry till the company gets its priorities straight .
Thanks for writing this and letting me know.
What a great tribute for these wonderful grand ole opry stars. I wish those responsible at the opry who book the performers could realize how many of us miss these great performers. Thanks again for your article about Del (Reeves). I have printed it out and shared it with the rest of the Reeves’ family. These folks you have written about were such great friends of Del’s and I am so glad that there are people who appreciate them.
Thanks for the visit, I see we agree abotu the sad state of the Opry and the sadder state of the Louvin Bros.
Your right they make big then they are gone.Won’t be back when they are 50 let alone 80.Where’s G. Brooks,S. Twain,Little Texas,Black Hawk.The list goes on and on.Thank’s for bringing it to the front.Stonewall told it would happen long ago.So did Charley Louvin. Jim Ed Brown.Wish they could join up with there own Opry and get Eddie Stubbs to put radio part together.More than short note but sore spot for me could go on and on.Lee
You have said it all in two perfect lines! Thanks!
The Grand Ole Opry was to be the last refuge for real country music–not modern “rural redneck contemporary.” Looks like Gaylord is finally wanting to bury it and bring on the young rednecks with the tight jeans and pretty belly buttons.