tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post2901777610554654190..comments2024-03-28T21:22:49.157-04:00Comments on Fayfare's Opry Blog: Observations From The Opryfayfarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00173166778978335059noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-8712195643962236512013-09-26T00:56:29.559-04:002013-09-26T00:56:29.559-04:00TIM Atwood is my Gem !!!!!!!!
From:: Mickey Mouse...TIM Atwood is my Gem !!!!!!!! <br />From:: Mickey Mouse ....1978Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-39303571766864081192013-09-25T01:16:51.838-04:002013-09-25T01:16:51.838-04:00I remember TIM Atwood from seeing him play at Appl...I remember TIM Atwood from seeing him play at Applachian Lake in W.V. It was 1978.. I still have his album , The Gems .....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-31741683612641889242013-03-27T15:07:05.143-04:002013-03-27T15:07:05.143-04:00Byron, I have to agree with your statement of supp...Byron, I have to agree with your statement of supporting the Opry. I'm not a big fan of most new country, but I understand the reason it needs to be there. In the long run, they (or at least the ones who manage to have some staying power) will be the lifeblood of the Opry.<br /><br />They also bring in younger fans, which is also an important ingredient. I love the Opry, and so does my family. We've developed a ritual on Saturday nights of tuning in via the iPhone app and the whole family sitting around the living room listening to the Opry. My kids are 2 and 4 and they love to listen (although they might not be a good gauge as they don't care for new country either :) ).<br /><br />I also agree that some of the members have probably been picked by virtue of what publicity they can bring. but I do think the flip side of that, from a business stand point is that they have picked people, like Alan Jackson who do once or twice a year, but it is almost guaranteed that those shows will sell out. If you spread enough of these part-timers out through the year you get enough sold out shows to help support the numbers for ad sales, and to bring in some money. Of course I don't have any firsthand knowledge of the business side of the Opry, so I could be way off.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I think you are right on the importance of being a member diminishing, but I think that is just the evolution of things. In the beginning people needed to be on the Opry because it sold tickets to other shows and they didn't have as many outlets to do that, especially ones with a 50,000 watt clearchannel. Now there are a lot more ways to promote yourself as an artist. but I think that has been gradually happening for years.Music Tomeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15095644588633855786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-24466318168032872202013-03-27T08:30:33.580-04:002013-03-27T08:30:33.580-04:00Best minute and a half of TV publicity the 'Op...Best minute and a half of TV publicity the 'Opry has had in a while...<br />http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/walmart-casher-career-encouragement-loretta-lynn-18810170<br /> (seems to work only in Internet Explorer for me)Nat Hill IVnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-70593724317926052982013-03-26T19:38:44.910-04:002013-03-26T19:38:44.910-04:00Just a few thoughts on Opry membership. I think th...Just a few thoughts on Opry membership. I think that over the last 5 years at least, the Opry is thinking more of what new member will give the Opry the most publicity in the media rather than who might be best for the show in the long run. If you look at the recent members, you have Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels and Carrie Underwood. All good performers, but probably not the most ideal Opry members. While Rhonda Vincent, Dailey & Vincent, Gene Watson and Tennessee Mafia Jug Band would be much better for the Opry in the long run, and would probably be more loyal as members, they would not bring that much publicity to the show. And publicity helps to create excitement and to draw the crowds. <br /><br />Look at the past weekend for example. Kayla Sloan, the Walmart cashier who has never had a record, was created as an overnight sensation on YouTube. Her dream was to be on the Opry. The Opry invited her, but look what it brought to the Opry. ABC News covered it in great detail before the show and during. Last night on ABC World News, she was a story. Jeannie Seely was shown introducing her, Loretta Lynn called her and in the center of it all was the Opry. Pete Fisher had to be smiling knowing that a few in the sold out crowd were there to see Kayla. And if they enjoyed the Opry, all the better as they will be back. <br /><br />When picking members such Urban, Underwood, Rucker, Shelton, etc., over Vincent, Watson, etc., I think it shows that the Opry is thinking more in the short term rather than long term. I think there will always be members, but the significance of being an Opry member will diminish. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-31931529763099742562013-03-26T15:52:02.370-04:002013-03-26T15:52:02.370-04:00Byron,
Thanks for the detailed report on your Nas...Byron,<br /><br />Thanks for the detailed report on your Nashville trip. <br /><br />Great to hear that Joe Edwards is still welcome backstage. I always enjoyed his fiddle and guitar work on the Opry and no offense to anyone after Joe but he was the best at playing fiddle behind folks like Charlie Walker. Joe is a nice guy and hails from Bloomfield, Indiana not to far form where Nat Hill and I live. The staff band is still great and they have evolved and adapted for today’s music and still do a good job for the veterans. However, for my music style you couldn’t beat the band that Joe was part of when they were broken up. Joe, Leon, Spider, Jimmy Capps, Weldon, Billy Linnemen, Tim Atwood or Jerry Whitehurst and the Davis brothers and Buddy Harman were a tight group.<br /><br />I must confess that I am glad the Oak Ridge Boys became members. They are a great act and deserve all the accolades they have received over the years and at this point in Opry time they bring good things to the show and they seem to be interested in participating. I also must confess that for my musical taste they will always be second to the Statler Brothers but they are still a great act.<br /><br />Although I have a hard time accepting some of the changes in the music, I agree there is something magical about being in the house when the curtain goes up. As far as change, I agree there must be change and we should try to accept it. My main concern is that once those we are now calling legends or veterans are gone, there isn’t anyone big or small to carry on the style of music they take to the grave with them. Just like the comedy acts that have not been replaced and now that tradition is just about dead and so will be the 50’s-70’s sound once the veterans are gone.<br /><br />In thinking about sustaining the Opry in the future it brings us back to those members that do not show up. We have been hard here on those who have accepted membership and then fail to follow through and show up more than once a year…..or maybe once a decade……can we say Reba! I think we are justified because as Byron has said, you sign up for something then you should participate. I was just thinking that in bygone years many big names walked away from the Opry rather than abide by the rules and forfeit the income they would loose by meeting the requirements. Eddy Arnold, Hank Thompson, Webb Pierce and Faron Young and even Jimmy Dickens and Roy Acuff walked away at least for a time. The difference is that they broke ties and in no way did they use the Opry name nor the Opry theirs as far as I know. This brings me back to the importance, or lack of, membership today. I believe Fred or maybe Barry has stated their belief that the show is headed for four acts in four half hour segments. I agree that something like that seems likely and I wonder if that would be the end of membership. Is that a possible path to survival? Byron, do you think membership would ever be phased out or would it even be possible to do it in fair and legitimate way? Not saying I’m for that, just thinking aloud!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I agree with Byron that the Opry is still worth supporting and anyone reading here who has not been should go and experience it soon before it further changes. That is not to say go now because it won’t be worth it later. Go now to get a taste of today and a glimpse of the past so if you go in the future you will have a better appreciation and understanding of the roots and tradition of the show. <br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsville, IN<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-4725377384565657442013-03-26T13:22:12.356-04:002013-03-26T13:22:12.356-04:00I was not surprised that Friday night was sold out...I was not surprised that Friday night was sold out with Alan Jackson and the Oak Ridge Boys scheduled, but Saturday did surprise me as the line-up, while good, was not especially strong. The Marshall Tucker Band and Ricky Skaggs were the strongest on the schedule. <br /><br />What I did notice on both Friday and Saturday nights were the number of groups that were recognized. It seemed more than the usual number and several of them were students and younger folks, which is good to see. They were loud and make their presence known. They also seemed to have better seats than in the past. Usually groups are in the balcony or in the back of the main auditorium, but I noticed many of them were in sections 3, 4 and 5, which are the prime areas. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-88123809663708269592013-03-26T07:52:09.623-04:002013-03-26T07:52:09.623-04:00Fred, Bismarck:
Thanks, Byron. Glad to hear of th...Fred, Bismarck:<br /><br />Thanks, Byron. Glad to hear of the sellouts, which (I agree) show that Gaylord is pleasing somebody with its approach. Especially impressive given the earliness of the season and the slow spring nationwide.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-24427151013500160112013-03-26T00:41:35.431-04:002013-03-26T00:41:35.431-04:00Hey Guys On The Hall Of Fame Because The Hall Of F...Hey Guys On The Hall Of Fame Because The Hall Of Fame Is Expanding This Year I Would Not Be Surprised At All That If We See Another Mass Induction This Year Just Like 2001 And Also Which 70s-80s Acts Do You Guys See Making It From The Modern Category In The Future Abd Which 70s-80s Acts Do You Guys See Making It From The Veterans Category In The Future Also?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-70197716164457922552013-03-25T21:57:26.432-04:002013-03-25T21:57:26.432-04:00Great update! Thanks.
I got to hear the first ha...Great update! Thanks.<br /><br />I got to hear the first half of both nights and I'll echo Byron's opinions.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-25241874410038790432013-03-25T21:42:52.202-04:002013-03-25T21:42:52.202-04:00On the radio side, Kayla Sloan sounded good. It f...On the radio side, Kayla Sloan sounded good. It felt to me as though Kayla basically stole the show.<br />Glad to hear she got a standing ovation.<br />She clearly "gets it" when it comes to what the 'Opry is all about.<br />I'm excited to be going to 'Opry Country Classics and Friday night Opry early in April. Still a fantastic show.<br />Thanks so much for the "felt like I was there" 'Opry report.Nat Hill IVnoreply@blogger.com