tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post2212116732863544147..comments2024-03-28T21:22:49.157-04:00Comments on Fayfare's Opry Blog: Grand Ole Opry 3/17 & 3/18fayfarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00173166778978335059noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-82778397313896875642017-03-22T20:46:14.793-04:002017-03-22T20:46:14.793-04:00Jim;
Oh no, you had nothing at all bad to say abou...Jim;<br />Oh no, you had nothing at all bad to say about Connie.<br />I think what broke my heart was that Connie was so wonderful, and I was so full of anticipation for Marty that I just hated it when my ears couldn't stand the volume.<br />I even went out in the hall and tried to listen from there, but nothing worked.<br />Would love to see you at the Train Museum and/or Scottsburg.<br />Thanks!<br />Nat<br /><br />ps. I will try to find your email on the web and reach you as well.Nat Hill IVnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-28287239014177162392017-03-21T22:50:24.070-04:002017-03-21T22:50:24.070-04:00Nat,
I hope I didn't come across as not enjo...Nat, <br /><br />I hope I didn't come across as not enjoying Connie's show. She was WONDERFUL as always and I would not have gone to see just Marty. I was at the show with my brother and two older friends. I told the lady I appreciated how well they played their guitars but Buck Owens was about as loud as I wanted to hear a Telecaster guitar. My electric guitar enjoyment is the likes of Pete Wade, Billy Byrd, Billy Grammer, Sammy Pruitt and Joe Edwards. <br /><br />I understand why you would have left after the first three songs. Shame on Marty and too bad for you because as I reported, there was some other performances that were far from the Rock guitars.<br /><br />Too bad we didn't meet up. Someday we need to get together at the Train Museum in Terre Haute. I'll see if I can find your email. Mine has changed.<br /><br />By the way, can't remember if you enjoy Bill Anderson but he is supposed to be at the Ross Country Jamboree in Scottsburg in August. I don't think tickets are on sale yet.<br /><br />Thanks for the response.<br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsville, IN Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-77402873331887136262017-03-21T08:54:39.560-04:002017-03-21T08:54:39.560-04:00Way too LOUD for me, not "too old for me.&quo...Way too LOUD for me, not "too old for me."<br />Wish there was a way to edit typos. :)<br /><br />Oh yea, the above comment is mine.<br />Nat Hill IVNat Hill IVnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-73381722899095971972017-03-21T08:52:52.303-04:002017-03-21T08:52:52.303-04:00Jim;
We must have attended different concerts.
Con...Jim;<br />We must have attended different concerts.<br />Connie was WONDERFUL.<br />Marty had the sound cranked up way too old for me. I tried earplugs, but all I heard was bass.<br />Finally looked at my wife, and we drove home after three Marty Stuart songs.<br />I love Marty, his music, and all that he has done for country music.<br />Glad you enjoyed the show Jim, I really am.<br />But my ears could not stand the volume.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06111248376319647136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-49213284653652208232017-03-19T15:24:07.976-04:002017-03-19T15:24:07.976-04:00Barry, it is sad that the voters seem to forgot th...Barry, it is sad that the voters seem to forgot those who have passed away. There needs to be a category just for that group. I really enjoy the analysis and the time that you took researching the credentials of each one. No complaints on my part. Personally, I just have a feeling this could be the year for Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle or Ray Stevens. All deserving. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-15164222022981928972017-03-19T15:21:44.152-04:002017-03-19T15:21:44.152-04:00Barry, thank you for the great analysis in the son...Barry, thank you for the great analysis in the songwriters category. If there is one area that the Hall of Fame is really behind in is in regards to songwriters. So many great ones and so few in the Hall. I can't disagree with any of your choices, and your thoughts on Bob McDill and Dallas Frazier being popular members of the Nashville music community will not hurt their chances. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-43206304860990196902017-03-19T15:18:11.551-04:002017-03-19T15:18:11.551-04:00Jim, appreciate the great review of the Marty Stua...Jim, appreciate the great review of the Marty Stuart/Connie Smith concert. I have seen them both in concert and I agree, each does a fantastic job. Very different styles makes for a great evening of entertainment. Glad Connie stayed around long enough to do a meet & greet. Sorry that Marty had to rush out. It is nice that there is some good country music to be seen in your area of the country. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-58484943781508733012017-03-19T00:41:32.990-04:002017-03-19T00:41:32.990-04:00Not sure this is of interest but I like to let eve...Not sure this is of interest but I like to let everyone know how a performance of one of our Opry friends turns out. In this case it was two of our Opry friends.<br /><br />Connie Smith and Marty Stuart played at the resort in French Lick, Indiana Friday night. The room seats 2200 and I judge there were about 1600 in attendance.<br /><br />Connie performed first taking the stage at 8:00pm. The Sundowners consited of Rod Ham on bass, Jack Daniels(formally of Highway 101) on lead, Gary Carter on steel and Kenneth Smith on Drums. She performed for one hour and did 17 songs with the band doing one instrumental. Most of her set was vintage RCA sides with a couple of newer songs and three gospel songs.<br /><br />When Connie was done the band unplugged and Rod Ham introduced Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives who came right on stage. The band consisted of Chris Scruggs on bass, Kenny Vaughn on lead and Harry Stenson on drums. Gary Carter came on and off stage to play on certain songs and Marty had him do a solo of "Last Date". Each band member got their solos and at one point Marty was left on stage alone to play his mandolin, and talk about Ervin Rouse as he did the "Orange Blossom Special" as a high energy solo. A fantastic job and he got a long applause. He was also doing songs from his new project "Way Out West". All of Marty's show was good but my favorite performance was when Marty, Chris and Harry gathered around on mic recreating the Marty Robbins trio with Don and Bobby and did El Paso. Marty remembered Grady Martin before doing the song and Kenny Vaughn did a great job doing the guitar work that Grady did. Connie came out and they talked about Merle inducting her in the HOF and they did "Today I Started Loving You Again" together. Kenny Lovelace, fiddler for Jerry Lee Lewis and a member of the Rock and Roll HOF, played on two songs with Marty then picked up the guitar and did "Making Love Under the Apple Tree". They finished at 10:20 after leaving, getting a standing ovation, and doing one encore song. We got almost two and half hours of entertainment, 39 songs by two great stars with two great bands. <br /><br />Connie's performance was pure country and as Marty said "formal" As you would expect, Marty's covered a lot of variety from folk, loud telecaster guitars, classic country, classic rock, roots country and just plain original Mary. <br /><br />Matry did not stay to sign autographs. They were headed north to a show on Saturday. Connie did sign even though they were headed back to Nashville for tonight's Opry. It was about 10:45 when she got the the table and the line was already about 150 deep. We had over a two hour drive and since we had met Connie several times, opted to head home.<br /><br />One performance I know Connie and Marty will be doing in the future is Renfo Valley, Kentucky. If you like their music, you would surly enjoy their show.<br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsvill, IN Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-71462172882409588952017-03-18T10:30:14.651-04:002017-03-18T10:30:14.651-04:00My picks for the hall of fame 2017 SONGWRITERS Jen...My picks for the hall of fame 2017 SONGWRITERS Jenny Lou Carson,Don Schlitz,Dallas Frazier,Mac Davisjohnnynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-87059957221655084962017-03-18T06:55:10.827-04:002017-03-18T06:55:10.827-04:00SONGWRITER
Two of my original top 3 picks are not...SONGWRITER<br /><br />Two of my original top 3 picks are not eligible for induction this year having passed away during the past year: Curly Putman and John D. Loudermilk. There are a lot of deserving songwriters out there but for sheer volume and quality, no one comes close to any of Dallas Frazier, Bob McDill and Wayland Holyfield.<br /><br />1. DALLAS FRAZIER<br /><br />Song Catalog includes 2 country standards, “There Goes My Everything” and “Elvira”.<br />“Alley Oop”, “Ain’t Had No Lovin’”, “Ain’t Love A Good Thing”, “All I Have to Offer You Is Me”, “Beneath Still Waters”, “Fourteen Carat Mind”, “If It Ain’t Love Let’s Leave It Alone”, “If My Heart Had Windows”, “Mohair Sam”, “Johnny One-Time”, “Just For What I Am”, “Son of Hickory Hollow’s Tramp”, “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor”, “The Who Am I”, “Run Away Little Tears”, “What’s Your Mama’s Name” and “Will You Visit Me On Sundays”.<br /><br />2. BOB MCDILL<br /><br />Most of the biggest hits of Don Williams came from the pen of Bob McDill.<br />“Turn Out the Light and Love Me Tonight”, “Amanda”, “Good Ole Boys Like Me”, “I’ve Been Loved by the Best”, “If Hollywood Don’t Ned You”, “It Must Be Love”, “Rake and Ramblin’ Man”, “Say It Again”, and “She Never Knew Me”.<br />Other song’s in McDill’s catalog include “You Never Miss A Real Good Thing”, “Why Don’t You Spend the Night”, “What She Is Is a Woman in Love”, “All The Good Ones Are Gone”, “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On”, “Big Wheels in the Moonlight”, “Don’t Close Your Eyes”, “Everything That Glitters Is Not Gold”, “Gone Country” , “I’ll Do It All Over Again”, “Nobody Likes Sad Songs”, “Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer”, “Right in the Palm of Your Hand”, “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful”, “The Door Is Always Open” and “We Believe In Happy Endings”. <br /><br />3. WAYLAND HOLYFIELD<br /><br />A frequent collaborator with Bob McDill and another of Don Williams’ go-to writers, his catalog includes “Could I Have This Dance”, “I’ll Be Leaving Alone”, “I’ll Do It All Over Again”, “I’ll Need Someone to Hold Me”, “Never Been So Loved in All of My Life”, “Nobody Likes Sad Songs”, “Only Here For A Little While”, “Put Your Dreams Away”, “Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer”, “She Never Knew Me”, “Some Broken Hears Never Mend”, “Tears of the Lonely”, “Til the Rivers All Run Dry”, “You’ll Be Back”, “You’re My Best Friend”, “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had”, and “Your Love Shines Through”.<br /><br />While Bob McDill probably has a longer list of hits to his credit, Dallas Frazier has been a very popular member of the Nashville music community for a few more years and I think that gives him a bit of an edge this year. <br /><br />Honorable mention to Joe Allison, Guy Clark, Zeke Clements, Paul Craft, Sonny Curtis, Jenny Lou Carson,<br />Mac Davis, Dickey Lee, Kenny O’Dell, Mickey Newbury, Ben Peters, Eddie Rabbitt, Bill Rice, Jerry Foster, Johnny Russell, Don Schlitz, Whitey Shafer, Sonny Throckmorton, Billy Edd Wheeler, Marijohn Wilkin, Townes Van Zandt and Jimmy Webb.<br />Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04287831362702766918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-32486301494528240842017-03-17T22:27:46.032-04:002017-03-17T22:27:46.032-04:00A request for our Opry historians who have kept su...A request for our Opry historians who have kept such great records of Opry performances over the years: Does anyone have the lineup from the last Friday night of January, 1975? That was my first trip to the Opry, and I no longer have my program from that night. I do remember Lester Flatt and George Morgan hosted segments, and Freddy Fender was a special guest that night.<br /><br />SteveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-72380209390190491792017-03-17T16:42:25.196-04:002017-03-17T16:42:25.196-04:00Here is my picks for the Hall of Fame 2017 MODERN;...Here is my picks for the Hall of Fame 2017 MODERN;Alan Jackson,Travis Tritt,Marty Stuart VETERANS;Habk Williams Jr.,Bradley Kincaid,June Carter Cash,Archie Campbell,Wilburn Brothers.johnnynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-22450464521812931572017-03-16T23:23:32.310-04:002017-03-16T23:23:32.310-04:00This seems like as good a place as any to stir up ...This seems like as good a place as any to stir up the pudding so....it’s purely academic and it’s my opinion only but here’s my annual take on the Country Music Hall of Fame and who I would cast my vote for (if I had a vote which I don’t). I’ll give you my top three choices in each category and why plus some other names that you may or may not agree with. Instead of boring you with biographies that you probably already know anyway, I’ll present some pertinent facts about my choices and let everyone fill in the details. Please feel free to rake me over the coals on any of these!<br /><br />This year’s categories: Veteran Era, Modern Era, Songwriter<br /><br />My choices in the Veteran Era category: <br /><br />1. The Wilburn Brothers. <br /><br />Facts:<br />Teddy and Doyle Wilburn never had a #1 record. But #1 records aren’t necessarily what make a Hall of Fame career.<br />Numerous Top 10 records in the 50s and 60s including “It’s Another World” and their theme song, “Trouble’s Back in Town”.<br />Long time, popular and loyal members of the Grand Ole Opry.<br />Hosted a long-running syndicated television show which was among the first to be broadcast in color.<br />Founded the Wil-Helm talent agency with Don Helms and Sure Fire Music, a major publishing company that was run by their brothers, Lester and Leslie.<br />Instrumental in launching the careers of Loretta Lynn and Patty Loveless.<br /><br />2. Dottie West<br /><br />Facts:<br />Two distinct career phases with major hit records in both.<br />Release 71 singles including 7 number 1 records and 15 Top 10 records.<br />Writer of her signature song “Country Sunshine”, considered a country standard (although it only reached #2 on the Billboard charts).<br />Recorded successful duets with Jim Reeves, Don Gibson and Kenny Rogers.<br />Was a hugely popular concert draw, particularly in the 1980s as a solo artist and on tour with Kenny Rogers.<br />Longtime, popular member of the Grand Ole Opry.<br />Instrumental in launching the careers of Larry Gatlin & Steve Wariner.<br /><br />3. Maddox Brothers and Rose<br /><br />Fred, Cal, Cliff, Henry, Don and Rose Maddox.<br />“The Most Colorful Hillbilly Band in the Land”<br />Active from the 1930s through the 1950s.<br />Had a popular radio show in California and were a top draw in California dance halls during the 40s.<br />Among the first groups to wear “fancy” stage costumes designed by Nathan Turk.<br />Highly influencial West Coast artists and were the first to play in the musical style that became known as “rockabilly”.<br />Mixed a variety of styles including cowboy songs, Western Swing, old-time folk, gospel, jazz, swing, boogie-woogie and what could be described as early rock and roll.<br /><br />My top three choices are at a disadvantage as they’ve had the bad manners to pass away. In recent years, the Hall of Fame induction ceremony has been an event and concert held at the Hall of Fame and the CMA voters seem to have a bias against those who would spoil the party by not showing up. That’s the reason I think the CMA should go back to adding a “Posthumous” category like they had in the late 70s and early 80s. Again, it could be a rotating category given every 2 or 3 years. It would provide an opportunity to honor a LONG list of deceased artists, many of whom are largely forgotten by the current group of HOF voters and who may never get their due recognition they deserve.<br /><br />Honorable mention: Jerry Reed, Ray Stevens, Archie Campbell, Bradley Kincaid, Lulu Belle and Scotty,<br />The Stanley Brothers (not eligible this year), The Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin, A.C. Robertson and Henry Gilliland, Leroy Van Dyke, June Carter Cash, Hank Williams, Jr., Tanya Tucker.<br /><br />Next up: Picks for the Songwriter Category<br />Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04287831362702766918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-58005560533282075042017-03-16T16:49:21.621-04:002017-03-16T16:49:21.621-04:00Wade Hayes has been added for Saturday night. That...Wade Hayes has been added for Saturday night. That should complete the line-up. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-62814257217408059542017-03-16T13:36:58.649-04:002017-03-16T13:36:58.649-04:00Excited to see two native Missourians make their O...Excited to see two native Missourians make their Opry debut this weekend. Here's hoping they Show Me some good music.Joenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-24796130507126763762017-03-16T10:40:37.256-04:002017-03-16T10:40:37.256-04:00Barry, not only that, but I think I counted 29 mem...Barry, not only that, but I think I counted 29 members that night in 1956. Hard to top THAT lineup.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-61051548422776211792017-03-16T02:10:09.132-04:002017-03-16T02:10:09.132-04:00If my math is right, there were 16 performers that...If my math is right, there were 16 performers that 1956 show who are now enshrined in the Hall of Fame and one more (Tommy Jackson) who should.<br /><br />I was watching an old episode of Pop Goes the Country with Mickey Gilley last night. I think people forget just how good he was in his prime...a great entertainer who put on a high energy show. Say what you will about the whole "Urban Cowboy" craze but it brought a lot of new fans to country music and Mickey Gilley was responsible for much of that. He's certainly underrated but he's on my short list for the Hall of Fame.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04287831362702766918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-13698365721774305362017-03-15T22:26:45.073-04:002017-03-15T22:26:45.073-04:00Who do you guys see going into the Hall of Fame th...Who do you guys see going into the Hall of Fame this year?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-75703319937221876482017-03-15T22:19:28.714-04:002017-03-15T22:19:28.714-04:00Connie and Marty will be playing in French Lick, I...Connie and Marty will be playing in French Lick, Indiana on Friday night!<br /><br />I can't see where anyone has mentioned it here but Don Warden passed on Saturday at 87. Most know he was the steel player for Porter and one of the original trio with Porter. Of course he managed Dolly since 1974. Maybe lesser know is that he spent time with the Wilburn Brothers in Shreveport before they came to Nashville. Help me out here. Are Buck Trent and George McCormick all that is left of Porter's most famous group of guys?<br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsville, INAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com