I am quite sure there is no other liberal site writing about this story, as my blog is admittedly an anomaly, which coupled with my deep fondness for the Opry, requires this story to be reported and commented on. In addition this is a story about a man fighting to keep his insurance, no small issue in America! The bold lawsuit brought by Stonewall Jackson against the famed Grand Ole Opry created much interest around the country. The issue has been covered here, and also in a longer piece here about the topic of growing old at the Opry which generated more reads than any other post of a non-political topic on Caffeinated Politics. (I am very proud over that fact.)
The fight by Stonewall Jackson to sing and perform at the Opry was more than the mere right for one ‘old-timer’, but was in the estimation of many, the broader fight for all those who helped make the Opry an institution that turns 83 years old this weekend, and who were being shunned. (Look for a Birthday Bash post here on Friday.) When there was an attempt to limit performances by some of the older faces at the Opry there was some resentment, and even downright anger by singers and fans alike. There was a lot of national support for Stonewall, and as such, pleasure to see the issue resolved, and Stonewall back on the Opry stage.
Country singer Stonewall Jackson has settled his federal age discrimination lawsuit against the Grand Ole Opry and its management.
The terms of the settlement filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Nashville were not disclosed.
A spokesman for the 75-year-old singer said Jackson was “very happy to have this lawsuit settled and to be back singing his music on the Grand Ole Opry. Stonewall has a great love for the Grand Ole Opry and takes great pride in his membership with this great institution for over 50 years.”
Steve Buchanan, vice president for media and entertainment at Gaylord Entertainment Co., said in a statement Monday that the company was pleased to have the issue resolved. Gaylord Entertainment owns the long-running country music program.
“We’re glad to have him back on the Opry,” Buchanan said.
The company had denied all of Jackson’s claims in court papers.
Jackson filed the lawsuit last year against Gaylord Entertainment and Opry general manager Pete Fisher. He claimed his appearances on the show declined after Fisher was hired in 1998.
Jackson said the reduction in appearances hurt his livelihood and caused him to lose health insurance coverage through the Opry, which was tied to the number of monthly appearances he made.
He also said it breached a long-standing agreement between the Opry and its stars: Perform a set number of dates each year, even when they could make more money playing tour dates — and always have a place to play when the hits stop coming.
He sought $10 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages.
Jackson’s attorney, Kirk Clements, declined to discuss the terms of the lawsuit.
Jackson has been an Opry member since 1956 and had a string of chart-toppers in the 1950s and ’60s, including the No. 1 hits “Waterloo” and “B.J. the D.J.”
He’s been performing on the show again in recent months, alongside other veterans such as Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Anderson.
The cast of about 65 members also includes contemporary hitmakers such as Trace Adkins, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.
When I first ran this story Tommy Tucker from Idaho wrote what sums up my thoughts then, and still today.
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!
Technorati Tags: StonewallJackson, GrandOleOpry, Music, CountryMusic
CAFFEINATED POLITICS 
I had the pleasure of visiting with (Canadian in Nashville) Blake Emmons at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards Weekend a couple of weeks ago. He has been a member of the Grand Old Opry in the ’60s and ’70s. I also had an e-mail exchange with the eldest daughter of “Doc” williams (who, by the way. is still alive and well at 95 and just retired in ’06). She and her sisters were with the Doc Williams tour group for many years. They were wonderful people who were more than willing to help out and converse.
I feel that these old time performers have paid their dues and for the Opry to hassle them because of age is shameful. Hopefully the win by Stonewall Jackson will help to change all that
Just heard Stonwall on the Grand Ole Opry. He is still sooo good. My husband and I used to go to the Grand Ole Opry every year but since Pete Fischer, they would have to pay ME to attend the show. I hate it when they introduce some unheard of person and give them the time for two songs, but when they bring out the great Osborne Brothers, they just sing one song. I wish the greats like George Jones, Stonewall Jackson, Bill Anderson, etc. would start a REAL Grand Ole Opry of their own and let Pete Fischer take the young pop singers. I never even tune in any more. It’s disgusting the way they treat the older greats.
It is sad what country music has turned in to. Country music is gone. Makes me sad.