tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post3830008234577522354..comments2024-03-28T21:22:49.157-04:00Comments on Fayfare's Opry Blog: Grand Ole Opry 8/1 & 8/2fayfarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00173166778978335059noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-17683775268898937552014-08-04T07:36:23.156-04:002014-08-04T07:36:23.156-04:00Fred, Bismarck:
Another thing that drove Sonny cr...Fred, Bismarck:<br /><br />Another thing that drove Sonny crazy -- and I got this off his blog while he was still performing -- was legitimate bluegrass acts who copied Osborne Brothers arrangements. He singled out for complaint Rhonda Vincent's job on "Bluegrass Express."<br /><br />I have that cut, from her first or second straight-bluegrass album, and -- Sonny's right -- it is a carbon copy of the brothers' wonderful job, c. 1965, on their own tune. On the other hand: I'm not sure how you're supposed to sing a previously recorded song without being more or less true to the original. Get too creative, and you can get in trouble too -- as when Webb Pierce was chided by Ernest Tubb for taking liberties with Jimmie Rodgers' "In the Jailhouse Now" and "Any Old Time." (Personally, I thought Webb improved both, and I'm a big J.R. fan.)<br /><br />And many of us will remember how Bill Monroe wouldn't talk to Porter Wagoner for a long time because of the liberties Porter took with the lyrics on his version of "Uncle Pen"!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-31758370829652516102014-08-03T20:52:18.517-04:002014-08-03T20:52:18.517-04:00I must say that the presentation made to Bobby was...I must say that the presentation made to Bobby was pretty weak by Buchanan. A little surprising because I thought he was a big proponent of bluegrass in years past. I remember a certain well known bluegrass performer praising Buchanan for his involvement with bluegrass and his involvement with the Opry when we visited with him in 1998. Bobby may have been a little flat but it takes guts and determination to go out there at that age a even think you can hit those high notes let alone do it.<br /><br />As for Sonny, several years ago he was very vocal about where bluegrass was going. He didn't appreciate all the non bluegrass acts whose career's were tailing off so they cut a bluegrass album since it had become a hot item. Listening to part of his views of the Opry and what it means to performers today both professionally and emotionally, or doesn't, with Eddie the other night makes me think he would just as soon stay clear of the Opry. On the other hand he seemed very proud of Bobby for staying with it and I thought he might just show up. As usual, we may be missing some things that would explain why he wasn't there. <br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsville, IN Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-25368162323716896042014-08-03T14:19:55.792-04:002014-08-03T14:19:55.792-04:00Jimmy Dickens was not on Saturday night.
As far ...Jimmy Dickens was not on Saturday night. <br /><br />As far as Bobby Osborne, John Conlee gave him a very nice introduction. Bobby did "Ruby" and talked after the song about coming to the Opry with his brother Sonny, who was not there. Bobby said he didn't know where Sonny was, that he was retired but hoped he was listening. I thought that was a little strange so maybe there was no intention to have Sonny there. As far as who was there, in addition to Bobby Osborne, Jr., there was Wynn and Dean Osborne with the group. <br /><br />Steve Buchanan did the formal 50th anniversary presentation to Bobby after "Rocky Top", and he seemed to have stumbled through it. Not as smooth as when Pete Fisher does these events, and I will say that Pete does a very nice job with these special presentations. I don't know why Pete didn't do it last night, or if he was even at the Opry last night. <br /><br />As far as the audience, there was a long standing ovation and well deserved. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-8305734843884843392014-08-02T21:51:27.823-04:002014-08-02T21:51:27.823-04:00From Anonymous in PA: missed the first segment, d...From Anonymous in PA: missed the first segment, did Jimmy Dickens make it tonight ? was that a negative for Dean Miller? Thought the presentation to Bobby Osborne was a little flat - in defense of Pete Fisher, he usually does a better job than that for special presentations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-74916470301938410692014-08-02T21:43:45.096-04:002014-08-02T21:43:45.096-04:00Fred, Bismarck:
Thought I had posted before, but ...Fred, Bismarck:<br /><br />Thought I had posted before, but I guess not.<br /><br />Loved Bobby Osborne tonight. If you're going to present yourself to the folks into your 80s, the only way to do it is as he did, letting it all hang out, flat notes and all. The point was the energy -- still there -- the history and the ample love for the Osborne Brothers showed by the audience.<br /><br />Great!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-85252838012301505232014-08-02T21:13:14.831-04:002014-08-02T21:13:14.831-04:00Fred, Bismarck:
Loved Bobby Osborne tonight. If y...Fred, Bismarck:<br /><br />Loved Bobby Osborne tonight. If you're going to put yourself out there and sing into your 80s, the only way to do it is the way Bobby did ... let it all hang out, flat notes and all. The point was the history, the remaining energy -- which was in abundance -- and all the love out there for the Osborne Brothers. The crowd sure seemed turned on.<br /><br />Dean Miller -- first I ever heard of him -- demonstrated that life is fair: Wealth and royalty may be hereditary, but talent ain't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-91100591880248573442014-08-02T15:06:21.811-04:002014-08-02T15:06:21.811-04:00Was it just me or did everyone on the Opry talk mo...Was it just me or did everyone on the Opry talk more than usual last night? I'm not complaining at all because over the years that is how I feel I came to know little things about all these folks that made them approachable and real people. However, in recent years, it has felt like everyone except the big star of the night or the new act being promoted was told to keep it short, do your song and get out of the way. I think Byron stated that they were ask not to promote show dates. Maybe I was just paying more attention last night. I will say this, if they have been ask to keep it short on talk Jesse and Bobby certainly do not fall in line because they always get their band introduced. Good for them!<br /><br />Thanks for the above response Byron and Michael.<br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsville, IN<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-84103779786279872002014-08-01T20:41:07.099-04:002014-08-01T20:41:07.099-04:00Jim, I know you do an excellent job at tracking th...Jim, I know you do an excellent job at tracking the weekly line-ups like I do, and I would tend to agree with you. Over the past couple of years, they seem to publish the weekly line-ups before they are completed. I don't know if the Opry is waiting for a few last minute commitments from people and decide to go with what they have, or if they are actually having trouble finding folks to fill out the shows. <br /><br />As far as cancellations, I think there have always been those. Usually someone will get a road date and obviously getting paid more than the Opry, will take the date. <br /><br />As far as not replacing the people, that does seem to be a new trend. Back in the day, if someone cancelled, you usually got a "special" guest in the spot. With only 10-14 acts a show, when someone cancels and no one replaces them, it really puts a hole in the schedule. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-67304576969559901732014-08-01T20:39:22.227-04:002014-08-01T20:39:22.227-04:00Jim, it seems to me that back then, at least on Sa...Jim, it seems to me that back then, at least on Saturday night, there usually were enough acts present for there to be no big deal when somebody canceled. There would be enough other acts present, or they would give the Carol Lee Singers or the staff band a number. Byron has posted about Roy Acuff's last Saturday night at the Opry. Bill Anderson has said that Hal Durham had come in and told him to be ready to host the Martha White segment because Mr. Acuff wouldn't make it. There were three other acts besides Bill on that portion, so the time would have been filled. It didn't have to be, as it turned out.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-18254093417751564182014-08-01T12:32:49.320-04:002014-08-01T12:32:49.320-04:00Anyone know if the schedule was as fluid 20, 30 ye...Anyone know if the schedule was as fluid 20, 30 years ago. I' m sure folks had to cancel but today it seems like we are not replacing people but adding still trying to get a decent show, a dozen maybe, wow, right up to the last minute. Are folks that busy or hard to come by or is it just that we only want certain acts on the show unless we are in total desperation, which I think we are!<br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsville, INAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-80068643532457262172014-08-01T09:52:21.268-04:002014-08-01T09:52:21.268-04:00A couple of changes for both nights. TG Sheppard h...A couple of changes for both nights. TG Sheppard has been added on the 2nd segment on Friday night. For Saturday night, add Kree Harrison into the 1st segment instead of Emily West, who slides down to the 3rd segment. Still a spot open for Jimmy Dickens. Dean Miller has been added into the 2nd segment, giving the Opry a "full" line-up for both nights. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-21211947069640401772014-08-01T09:23:15.830-04:002014-08-01T09:23:15.830-04:00Fred, Bismarck:
I posted the above before my reme...Fred, Bismarck:<br /><br />I posted the above before my remembering machine was done.<br /><br />Remember the good old days, when a really good country song would be covered by multiple artists? And, if you were like me, with limited money to spend at a whole dollar a pop, you had to choose among an embarrassment of riches?<br /><br />My first Osborne Brothers 45 was "Once More." I chose their version over the Roy Acuff cover, which was equally meritorious (and I caught up with a few years later, as an album cut). Both made the charts in a day when bluegrass could be played on the radio and, in any case, the most-important charts were based on sales rather than on what a consultant told stations to play.<br /><br />Memories!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-13744641088161335372014-08-01T09:05:23.489-04:002014-08-01T09:05:23.489-04:00Fred, Bismarck:
Bobby's run is truly amazing....Fred, Bismarck:<br /><br />Bobby's run is truly amazing. Perhaps because he is bluegrass, I sometimes forget to count him among that handful of 1950s stalwarts who are not just still out there but picking and grinning. My first Osborne Brothers -- one of those little yellow MGM 45s -- dates from 1958 and was bought with lawnmowing money. Now I'm an old man myself, and there's Bobby, still hitting those high notes! (In falsetto, it's true, but what the hey!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com