Sunday, March 22, 2015

Random Opry Thoughts/Country Music Hall of Fame

Since I was in Nashville over the weekend, attending the Opry and checking out a few other things, I didn't get the opportunity to respond to the comments that were made regarding the shows this past weekend. I did receive texts and facebook messages from several of my friends and blog readers, asking my thoughts about the Opry and the upcoming Hall of Fame announcement, and also offering comments on the pictures that I posted on my Facebook page (Byron Fay). In no particular order, here are a few of my thoughts and personal observations from this past weekend.

Let's start with Chris Janson. I don't particuarly care for him. I can't put my finger on it, but there is just something about him that I don't like. But that's ok, as there are other members of the Opry, and in country music, that I don't particuarly like either. I have seen him at the Opry several times and I will say that he is talented, has a lot of energy and gets very good crowd reaction, especially from the younger fans. And, based on his new single being #1 on iTunes this past Friday, perhaps he is ready to break out. Yes, he gets a little preachy at times, but so have others. Don't be surprised if he becomes an Opry member some day. Remember Brad Paisley and Josh Turner? When they first came to Nashville, the Opry took great interest in their careers and heavily promoted both of them. Brad and Josh, much like Chris, made dozens and dozens of Opry appearances before they finally hit it big. Once they did, an invitation to become a member followed. Don't be surprised if it happens in this case also.

And then there is Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers. First, it was nice to see all three there. The majority of the time, it is just Larry and Steve, with Norah Lee Allen filling in for Rudy. And yes, Larry has a lot of energy on stage. For those who were not there, when Larry opened on Friday night with "Houston," he was out in the audience dancing with several ladies, including an elderly lady with a handicap. When he and his brothers did the gospel number, they stood with their dad around the piano while their mother played. Considering how old Larry and his brothers are, their parents must be in the mid-80s, or close to it. On Saturday night, when Jim Ed Brown was singing "The Old Lamplighter," Larry was singing along with the Opry singers. Also on Saturday, the bit where he stopped "Houston" after he started and did the Elvis song was pre-planned. The band already had the sheet music and the stool was already out for Larry to sit on. What I really like about Larry is the time he has given the Opry over the past several years. He has been there more than the majority of the members, and that is nice to see.

It was nice to see Jim Ed Brown again on the Opry. He is looking pretty good and his voice seems to be getting stronger each week. He did make a couple of mistakes when announcing acts, such as saying it was the Nashville Square Dancers and the Nashville Square Dance Band, and his thoughts seemed a little scattered. But he did a nice job hosting the segments.

Holly Williams did an awesome job with the two ballads that she did, especially the second one each night, "June" which was dedicated to her grandparents (on her mother's side of the family). It was just her and her husband and their guitars. Well done.

Gary Morris was tremendous, as was Ray Stevens. Gary has such an outstanding voice, and the second number, "Faith and Freedom," which was done with the high school orchestra from Texas, received a standing ovation. Ray had the audience laughing away and his new song, "Taylor Swift is Stalkin' Me" was well received.

I have a hard time with child acts and on the Opry Friday night was EmiSunshine. All dressed up with make-up at the age of 10. I hope someone is watching out for her and saving her money. I think we all know what happens to most child acts when they grow up.

It was my first time to see Pure Prairie League, one of the pioneers of country-rock, and a group that Vince Gill was part of at one time. They did "Aimee" which you would expect and the audience was singing along. And you know what? While not a country group, they sounded more country than most of what is on the radio today.

Among the others, John Conlee, The Whites, Jeannie Seely and Bobby Osborne all did solid jobs. Mike Snider was funny and kept things clean. His group is very, very talented. Shelley Skidmore is a nice young talent, both as a singer and as a songwriter, while The Henningsens did a nice job also. All in all, a pretty good weekend at the Opry.

Now a few thoughts on the Hall of Fame, which will announce the newest inductees on Wednesday morning. By now, all those who will be elected, or their families if deceased, have been notified. (Each year I am surprised that even with the advanced notice, the word never gets out. It also shows how much the media in Nashville cooperates with the Hall.) I am sure there are people out there checking concert schedules and artist's websites looking for clues. But remember, even if an act is out on tour, Nashville is a short airline flight from most of the United States.

Some have speculated that with Brenda Lee doing the announcement, there might be a connection. I doubt it and I would really be surprised if Brenda even knew at this point. Remember, this is just the announcement and not the actual induction. Brenda has been in this role before, as have Kix Brooks and Bill Anderson over the years. I guess if you wanted to speculate, let's consider the choices. It could be an act who's career began as a child. It could a group of females. It could be the Oak Ridge Boys, who Brenda has worked and recorded with. She made records for RCA, so it could be a member of the "A" team. You get the idea. There are lots of choices and good luck to everyone being considered.

For what it is worth, I did find it interesting that Larry Gatlin made a big deal about Ray Stevens not being in the Hall of Fame when doing the introduction of Ray on Saturday night.

Personally, I am still thinking Oak Ridge Boys, hoping for Jim Ed and the Browns, and as a musician, would like to see Jerry Reed go in.

Like I said, just some random thoughts..............

45 comments:

  1. What a WONDERFUL review of the show and great thoughts on the Hall of Fame.
    Thanks so much.
    This blog is a must for all 'Opry fanatics.

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  2. Byron:
    My guess is that Brenda Lee is hosting this simply because she is very active in the CMA. She in the past has been a board member and may very well still be active in that roll. In years past the "host" gave way to someone else to introduce the acts. Such as Bobby Bare announcing Hank Cochran, Jo Walker-Meador announcing Mac Wiseman, etc.
    I too raised a eye brow when Larry Gatlin made those comments regarding Ray Stevens. He also posted those comments on his Facebook page and a picture of him and Ray from Saturday night.
    I'd say Ray Stevens is on the radar. As he should be. But instead of him being a 2015 inductee, it could be that Ray is Larry's next "big push", meaning this could be the year that Dottie West is finally inducted. She is who Larry has been die hard pushing vocally and publicly for for many years now.
    As I said in my post from a few weeks ago. I'll make no predictions. Mac Wiseman (last year) blew us all out of the water. Of the Veterans category however, I have to believe it will be Dottie West, The Browns or Ray Stevens. A long shot possibly Hank Williams, Jr. From the Modern category The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs or Randy Travis. If the electors went really "modern", it will be Alan Jackson or Brooks & Dunn. On the musician/sideman category, how I would love it be Bashful Brother Oswald. Don Rich and Johnny Gimble also seemed to be talked about. I personally cannot see Jerry Reed getting elected in this category. I believe when he is elected it will be from the Veterans category, due to his successful recording career.

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  4. Thanks to Byron for a terrific update and to Byron and David for fine analyses of the Hall of Fame. I give up. I just hope it's the Browns.

    A note about Jim Ed. Not to be medical, but a lot of people will say they end up with "chemo brain"--sometimes a little bit of a fog sets in. That doesn't explain Mr. Acuff and Grandpa Jones, though!

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  5. If I had to pick one from each category today: Marty Stuart, Dottie West, and Don Helms.

    A.B.

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    1. Great Nashville recap, Byron ~ glad to hear you had such a great time at both Opry shows. And you had a very good seat in that house.

      Larry Gatlin has a lot of energy for sure - sometimes he is a bit over the top but he loves what he is doing. Glad he kissed & made-up with Nashville. Larry, the Opry & we fans are all the better for it. In my opinion, he still has one of the best voices in country music.

      I think Holly Williams is terrific & has a soulful/raspy voice - love the two songs she sang. She does them almost every time she is on stage & that's okay by me. Love them.

      Gary Morris - talk about powerhouse vocals - I just made it home to hear him sing the second song. He can sing the phone book & then some, in any genre of music & sound wonderful.

      As far as the Hall of Fame announcement - as ALWAYS I am hoping that Marty Stuart is elected. Maybe Wednesday - but if Marty is not chosen this yearr, my picks are Ricky Skaggs, Jim Ed/The Browns & Don Rich. And Byron, I think The Oaks should have already gone in & if it is their year & not Ricky Skaggs, I'm so good with that too. I'm always so happy for whoever goes in, only a few get in each year & not everyone will get in for one reason or another. Maybe it's The Judd's this year - they blew the doors right off things when they came out.

      @ A.B. I'm REALLY liking your picks as well ~

      Looking forward to watching the announcement ceremony Wednesday morning. To me, it is THE BEST DAY in country music - the pinnacle reached, the doors to the Country Music Hall of Fame swinging open for some very deserving artists. Since they already know they have been elected ... my congratulations goes out to whomever they are. :-)

      (Jeanene)

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  6. Jeanene;

    I wish all of us had your positive outlook.
    Thanks!

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    1. @Nat - good morning & thank you for the nice words.

      I just see it that they work their butts off from the time they hit the clubs/bar scene to full out touring to support music they have recorded. They travel the world around & put alot of miles on themselves as well as their odometers & they are away from their families. And then they are writing/recording their music. Some will hit it big (Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift) & others who are just great, (Jamey Johnson) get no commercial radio airplay or very little of it. I no longer have Sirius/XM radio, so I don't hear what is played & I am sure they play alot of Jamey Johnson on the Americana channel. As you know, he was recently on the Opry several times within a couple weeks & the audience just loved him. And trust me when I tell you, my computer speakers were turned up to 11 & they only go to 10. :-) I just think he's great & he does have quite the following. I just love his "In Color" song. As I listen to that song, he just paints a beautiful picture, unlike so many of the songs that are out there on "country radio" today.

      So for me, anyone that that set of doors on the Hall opens up for ... you go in standing proud that your plaque will hang in that gorgeous rotunda forever. Now I am not a Taylor Swift fan at all, I so do not care for her at all, but to many, she is the Ricky Skaggs/Randy Travis/Connie Smith of their time. I try to stay current with everyone today & for my taste in "country" music, many fail but I do like quite a few but I will always go back to Ray Price & Marty Robbins & Connie Smith - my three very favorite country music singers of all time. And ok, Marty Stuart as well. ha! Hopefully one day Marty gets into the Hall of Fame but until that time, I am happy for anyone who goes in as so few go in to begin with.

      I did fail to mention that it is possible that Randy Travis could go in tomorrow.

      And I agree with Byron on two fronts ... first, I hope when Larry Gatlin was bringing Ray Stevens to the Opry stage, that he didn't slip about Ray Stevens not being in the Hall of Fame. I would like to think that Larry is a whole lot smarter than that. Then everything Byron brought up about Emisunshine. She has a great, booming voice for her age, I really do hope the adults are watching over her & HER money. It would be so easy to get the latter all confused.

      Have a great day ~ tomorrow all of us will be chatting about those who were elected to the Hall of Fame ..... and those who weren't.

      (Jeanene)

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  7. Regarding the Hall of Fame, for what it is worth this morning, I saw over night that the Facebook page named "The Browns In The Hall of Fame" has been renamed to "Let's Get The Browns In The Hall of Fame." Not sure what to read into it, perhaps nothing. But on the other hand.......

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    1. It would be such a good year for another Jimmy Dean/Ferlin Husky tie. Hopefully with The Browns and Dottie West.

      I have never found nor has anyone been able to tell me what constitutes a tie for election. I've often wondered if an "executive" decision has not just been made in years past. As with Jimmy Dean and Ferlin Husky, both were in extremely bad health, with Jimmy passing away only a few weeks after the announcement and Ferlin living only a year or so.

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  8. OK, tea leaf readers, here's one for you. The Opry website has up this weekend's schedule. Saturday night, the Oak Ridge Boys are hosting the final segment. Jim Ed is on both nights, and on Friday it lists "Jim Ed Brown with the Browns." So we may presume that Maxine and Bonnie will be in Friday night. Hm. I hope, I hope, I hope.

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  9. Mike, thanks for noticing. You beat me on this one. I would say that there is a reason why the girls are going to be in town. If true, it would be a well deserved honor. On a low note, it would be too bad if it took a serious illness to Jim Ed to get them the honor they have long deserved.

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  10. I hope all of the Browns are on as well.
    Hopefully Maxine won't comment on Obamacare this time around.
    I'll bet she almost got an FCC fine the last time she was on.

    http://fayfare.blogspot.com/2013/08/grand-ole-opry-89-810-50th-anniversary.html

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  11. Byron, I cherish my rare small victory, though it was hardly that! But I remember Chet Atkins, who could be quite sarcastic and droll, telling Owen Bradley he was next to go into the hall because Chet had just gone in after having cancer, and Owen had just had a heart attack. Sure enough .... But we know the Browns have been under consideration for a while, so it should be just a matter of time. If it's happening, I'm glad it's while the three of them are here to enjoy it.

    Nat, I'm trying to remember whether she swore--THAT would be the problem. You Tube now has the Opry telecast from the night Oswald became a member, and Porter made a snotty comment in response to Bill Clinton having sent a letter. Well, whatever my politics, it's the president. I think of Bill Anderson's great story. He was at opening night of the "new" building and looked at Ernest Tubb, who had spent so much of his life promoting the dignity of country music, and asked ET if he ever expected the president to come to the Opry. And ET replied he just wished it had been a different president! Well, I'll behave too! But I don't think we could make Maxine behave with an FCC fine, a writ of habeas corpus or a bazooka--bless her!

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  12. Michael, She did swear. I just listened to that clip, and it occurred when Maxine said Jim Ed seems in such good health that he'll probably make it another 50 years. Then Jim Ed asked her, "In 50 years, how old will you be?" She replied "s---, I won't be around that long!"

    I really hope the Browns do make it into the hall this week, and all 3 of them are able to be at the big induction ceremony they have in the fall.

    A few people have mentioned that they want Randy Travis to go in this year. I am a big fan of Randy's and fully support him going into the hall of fame, but I don't want it to happen this year. My reasoning is because he is not recovered enough from his stroke to be able to accept the induction, and we don't really know if he is well enough to understand if he receives the honor. I think we can all agree that when Randy is inducted, he should be fully recovered from his stroke.

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  13. Kyle I really Don't think Randy will get in until 2017 because his therapist said last june he could return to the stage again possibly in three years And three years from 2014 is 2017 that s why I think 2017 might be his year to get into the hall of fame

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  14. Seeing Randy at the Opry a few weeks ago, he really seems no better. While I am sure there is hope and encouragement for Randy, I would guess his performing days are over. He does seem engaged with those around him and obviously he is well enough for travel. Of course, if Randy's health takes a terrible turn for the worse, which I hope does not happen, he will get in right away.

    If The Browns do go in, as some of the signs show, I would say that Dottie West has got to be the clear favorite for next year, as she should be.

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  15. There is a video that Jim Ed has posted on his facebook page of him cooking dinner for his sisters, Maxine and Bonnie. He is looking good.

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  16. Does anyone know how many people vote on the finalists in each category?

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  17. Kyle, I thought she did, and that would be it. But a funny story. If you ever watch or listen to a baseball game, there's an announcement about "this copyrighted broadcast." One time, Vin Scully (of all people) joked about it in the middle of the announcement on NBC's Game of the Week and the FCC complained about it to NBC. But somehow I can imagine the FCC people saying, "Well, it IS Maxine ...."

    I saw the same video, and the other thing I noticed, besides Jim Ed looking good, is that he wasn't wearing a hat. I'm sure he lost his hair during the treatment, and it's coming back in nicely.

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  18. I guess the Hall of Fame live feed is having difficulties ?

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  19. difficulties is putting it mildly

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  20. fixed - Jim Ed Brown talking right now....

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  21. Oak Ridge Boys next....

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  22. Grady Martin. Great story by Brenda Lee regarding tracking down Grady Martin Jr.

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  23. A glorious day, despite the computer problems. All deserved. Grady Martin's name didn't come up much in the discussions beforehand, and now I'm saying to myself, how in the world wasn't he mentioned! Jim Ed got very emotional. And I read that Duane Allen said the only two times he's seen tears in Richard Sterban's eyes were when they joined the Opry and when they got this news.

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  24. I don't think anyone can complain about today's announcements. I did notice that on the Hall of Fame website they have it listed as Jim Ed Brown and The Browns, while on another site it is listed as The Browns. I think the plague will probably read the first as I would think one would not have gotten in without the other, and also to acknowledge Jim Ed's own career.

    Grady Martin was a total surprise to me and yes, I had not even thought of his name. It also shows how many musicians there are out there deserving of the Hall. With just one every three years, it is going to take a long time to get them all in. And, it was another Nashville based, studio musician.

    With The Browns now in, the focus next year will probably shift to Dottie West. Of the veterans not yet in the Hall, she is probably the one that stands out the most. And with the Oaks going in, following Ronnie Milsap and Kenny Rogers the last several years, I wonder if this will now open the door to Alan Jackson and the next generation.

    Finally, you would think that on a big day like this they could have gotten the web feed right. Just a terrible way to start.

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    1. So thrilled for all who are going to "hang from the walls" in that beautiful rotunda.

      And yes Byron, the CMA/Country Music Hall of Fame had 364 whole days (since the 2014 CMHoF announcement) to get the web feed right & they couldn't/didn't. So much for high technology folks.

      Brenda Lee announced Grady Martin. Sorry we all had to miss it. So LOVED the story she told of how hard she had to work to track Grady Martin, Jr. down. Just hilarious.

      Congratulations to Jim Ed, Maxine & Bonnie Brown, The Oak Ridge Boys & Grady Martin on becoming the newest Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. So happy for you all. :-)

      (Jeanene)

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  25. Hey guys as of This Year they have changed the veterans criteria from 45 to 40 years after they first achieved national Prominence

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  26. Congratulations to Oaks, Browns, & Grady Martin! Very well deserved!

    Someone on another website mentioned that The Oaks and Jim Ed have the same PR firm and that through a coordinated PR push was how they got voted in. I don't think that had anything to do with it. Unless the PR firm knew who the secret voters were. I think it's just someone who thought someone else should have went in instead.

    A.B.

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  27. A.B., I saw the same thing on a few other sites. One one site it was also mentioned that the same PR firm represented Hank Williams, Jr., giving hope for his induction last year. I am not sure how it works now, but in the past when the voters received the final ballot for those nominated for the Hall, they also received a packet with a biography and career achievements of each of those nominated, put together by the Hall. I would assume something like that still is being done. I am thinking like you that it is stuff being put out there by people who thought others should have been elected in. Now I have been hearing a few comments about the number of males being elected over females that might have been considered. Not sure if that has any basis or not, but I have seen it out there.

    I guess if there is one group of fans who would be the most disappointed would be those who have been working so hard for the election of Dottie West. I know that for over three years now they have been working very hard to get the word out. It is tough. There are so many that should be in the Hall, including Dottie. As I mentioned before, I would think her chances are pretty good for next year.

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  28. I also wonder whether those PR pushes can backfire.

    I wish Dottie West were in. I also think Archie Campbell and Ray Stevens should have long since gone in, but I also suspect that in their case there's the old bias about comedians.

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  29. Nice. I'm just now picking up the papers and reading the news. For once, everybody was on my short list. The musician was going to be either Grady Martin, Hank Garland or Buddy Emmons. As a musician the old studio guys are very much on my radar and that list is very, very long. I also had Tommy Jackson, Pete Drake, Hal Rugg, Weldon Myrick, Boots Randolph, Bill Walker and the Anita Kerr Singers down further on that list (too many to really pare it down much). Of the touring musicians, obviously Bashful Brother Oswald is at the top of the list for his longevity if nothing else, but there would be no "Roy Acuff sound" without Oswald. The two go hand in hand. The same goes with Don Rich and Buck Owens, John Hughey and Conway Twitty and Ralph Mooney and Waylon Jennings. The Oak Ridge Boys were at the top of the modern list for me. The Browns and the Wilburn Brothers were my top 2 for the veterans. Jim Ed Brown has had 3 distinct careers (The Browns, solo and with Helen Cornelius) and has recorded what most would consider "standards" in all three. While the Wilburns didn't have the hit records they did contribute in important ways behind the scenes in publishing, talent booking and helping the careers of Loretta Lynn and Patty Loveless. If there's something personal going on among the electors, it's time to get over it. Doyle Wilburn has been dead for 32 years. I should have placed that bet in Las Vegas this year!.

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  30. Barry, on the Wilburns, while there may have been and still be some animosity, I really think part of the problem is that Doyle HAS been dead for 32 years, and Teddy pretty much quit performing after that except for occasional appearances. They are less remembered than they should be. But your list of possibles reminds us of how many deserving people there are, or at least deserving of being in the discussion. I admit I hadn't thought of Ralph Mooney and am properly ashamed of myself. Not just with Waylon but with Buck and Merle, and the co-writer of "Crazy Arms," which really made Ray Price into a star and created the new shuffle beat. And you'll probably remember Ralph Emery saying that he fell in love with Buck's version of "Under Your Spell Again" because of Mooney's playing on it, and that really launched Buck's career. But I hadn't thought of Grady Martin and he's so obvious, too.

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  31. hey Guys What are your early predictions for next year

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  32. any Hall of fame will always leave out those oh so close candidates ---- and I know we all have our favorites,
    of course I won't mention the Glaser Brothers - best harmony ever after (or before) The Browns I guess and seldom mentioned in this blogs potential candidates !!!

    Dashmann - Flushing, Michigan

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  33. Fred, Bismarck:

    The Browns go back so far that not even the (Nashville) Tennessean could get their past right in yesterday's story, sounding as if the hits began only with "Three Bells," forgetting that originally it was just Jim Ed & Maxine (Bonnie had to grow up first), etc., etc.

    For a proper appreciation of the Browns, and for what Earl Weaver would have called the "deep depth" of their catalog, you really need the Bear Family box set with all the fabulous hard-country early- to mid-'50s stuff.

    Anyhow, a worthy entry to the Hall, altho I sure wouldn't have put them in ahead of the Coopers and Johnnie & Jack.

    Little girls get saddled with some tortured names remembering their fathers. Yesterday, Jim Ed paid tribute to daughter "Kim Ed," which sure provided a country moment.

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  34. Fred,

    One of my favorites in those hardcore pre Three Bells days was "The Table Next to Me"! I have the box set too!

    I think Kim Ed appeared on the Opry for a while in the late 80's with Jim Ed. Byron could probably back that up.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  35. FWIW, Kenny Rogers & Brenda Lee are part of that same PR firm as The Browns and The Oaks. Maybe that's part of the reason why Brenda Lee was the host yesterday morning? In fact, as I look at their client list, more than a few of their clients could be considered front runners for the HoF in the future. Just throwing that out there.

    A.B.

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  36. Does anyone know if the Country Music Hall of Fame has the induction video archived on their website? Unfortunately I was on the road when it happened, and missed seeing it.

    Congrats to The Browns, the Oak Ridge Boys, and the late great Grady Martin! A very well deserved honor!

    Music fans waiting for Dottie West to be inducted remind me of baseball fans waiting for The Cubs to win the world series. "Well, There's Always Next Year!" Hopefully the CMHF finally decides to honor her sometime soon.

    Does anyone think there's a chance Eddie Stubbs might be inducted into the Hall of Fame Sometime soon, receiving an honor similar to Ralph Emery's? I think he could get in as a musician alone, as well as really reviving the interest in a lot of "forgotten artists" of country music.

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    1. Kyle,
      It will be much farther down the road but I will say Eddie Stubbs will be in the Country Music Hall of Fame at some point from the non-performer category. He is one of the most loved figures in Country Music today, much like the late Grant Turner and yes, Ralph Emery.

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  37. Fred, Bismarck:

    Jim:

    You bet on "Table Next to Me"! It's one of those in the discography that I have marked with an exclamation point (my highest award). A couple of others are their takes on "Waltz of the Angels" and "My Isle of Golden Dreams."

    God love them, I would have left their sound just as it was. But right after those December 1956 sessions, the Nashville Sound began kicking in. Not that some great stuff didn't follow, obviously. But still ...

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  38. I wonder if anyone noticed that Ralph Emery was sitting near the back in the Hall of Fame Video, in the same row as Leroy Van Dyke(who had the green jacket on)? Ralph seemed to really be having trouble getting up, because the guy next to him seemed to have to pick him up when he was trying to get up and applaud. Poor guy.

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  39. As was noted in a comment made, the veterans category has been changed to those who have reached national prominence from 45 years to 40 years, which means for next year, those prior to 1976. While 5 years may not seem like much, it will kick a few more of the candidates that have been talked about into the veterans class and probably opening the door to have elected those from the 1980s and early 1990s. We have speculated that Alan Jackson would be the next from that generation to go in, and this might make it easier for that to happen. This might also be a move to get some of those bigger names into the Hall sooner rather than later.

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  40. Wow. It would be an interesting sight to see if Tanya and Marty were voted in in the same year. She'd be Veteran and he'd be Modern even though they both started in 1972, She immediately had national prominence though and he started in Mr. Flatt's band and hit national prominence later.

    A.B.

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