There is sad news from the Grand Ole Opry tonight as George Hamilton IV has passed away. On Saturday, he suffered a massive heart attack from which he was unable to recover.
Known as the "International Ambassador of Country Music", George performed and brought country music around the world. During his career, he brought country music to England, Sweden, Finland, Holland, Norway, Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria. He was the first American country singer to appear in Russia and Czechoslovakia.
George started out as a pop singer, but switched to country and came to the Grand Ole Opry in 1960, joining on February 6. He left the Opry in 1971 to return to North Carolina with his family, but returned in 1976 and has never left. The hits he had included "Abilene", "Forever Young", "A Rose and a Baby Ruth", "Early Morning Rain" and "Break My Mind." A case can certainly be made that George should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity and honor to have met George several times. The first time was in the 1990s, when I met him at Opryland. He was kind enough to sign a birthday card for my wife. Years later, I met him again several times backstage at the Opry. He was kind and generous with his time, taking the time to actually have a conversation with you.
While he was not scheduled to perform on the Opry each weekend, for the past several years he would be backstage each weekend that he was not out on the road, greeting those who paid to take the backstage tour. I would watch as he would talk, sign autographs and have pictures taken. I never saw him once treat anyone with disrespect.
His son, George Hamilton V, who usually was there with his father each time he was at the Opry, wrote a song "We Will Meet Again." Anytime an Opry member died, or someone who George felt close to, he would sing that song on the Opry in honor of that person. I would hope that on Saturday night, time is made that would allow the performers to do this song in honor of George.
Over the past several months, we have lost 2 great Opry legends. First, Jimmy C Newman and now George Hamilton IV. Even at their age, both were sudden and something we really didn't expect. Knowing George as I did, and the respect that I had for him, this one is going to hurt a bit.
I am sure all all of us extend our prayers and thoughts to the family of George Hamilton IV.
The circle keeps getting smaller. After 1992 when we lost Roy Acuff it just seems year by year it's another and another. I know at this time the focus should be on the legendary career of George IV . He did promote Country music world wide like none other really; The classic songs he left will always endure. But I personally cannot help but be sadden at the direction of the Grand Ole Opry in general at this point in time. Jean Shepard, Jan Howard, Bill Anderson, Jim Ed Brown, Jesse McReyonds, Bobby Osborne, Jimmy Dickens... all regulars and all older than George IV.... "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes". ?... Blake Shelton? Keith Urban? It's not happening. And at this point I personally don't believe there is anything than can be done. So here's to the Music of George IV ... It'll be in my collection regardless if the Opry survives.
ReplyDeleteByron, I know you had met him and talked of what a wonderful man he was.
ReplyDeleteI'd add Earl White to the list. He had been at the Opry before Jimmy and IV. It's been a tough summer for a lot of people.
Fred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteGeorge was one of the few whose music was genuinely country-themed, and his love for it and for the people he sang for shone through. My appreciation of him grew over the years. We will miss him indeed.
George was a very nice man and when you met him he didn't just answer your question, he wanted to know about you as well. He was a people person and interested in who his fans were. He always had time for you.
ReplyDeleteHe was a great historian as well and well studied on all sorts of history not just country music.
Not the right time for complaining but if he was backstage on some of these recent weekends why oh why did he not make it out front to perform.
And just think this weekend we get Ry Cooder. Maybe he can pay tribute to George. I'm sure George would have had nice things to say to and about him and gave him a pleasant introduction.
Treasure what we have no matter how much their performances might be slipping these days. We are on borrowed time.
Jim
Knightsville, In
If you go to Bill Anderson's website, he has a really touching tribute to IV.
ReplyDeleteI have to mention that one of my first exposures to the Opry was the two-volume record Grant Turner did in which he refers to how IV "just glided out there." Graceful in every way.
From Anonymous in PA: Very sad news. George Hamilton IV was a true gentleman. We had the pleasure of meeting him, once backstage at the Opry and once at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop after his "midnight" show. We also met him in Winchester, VA at a Patsy Cline anniversary event. He always spent time with each person and was genuinely glad to talk with you. I have wonderful pictures and even a video of him (don't tell management) from last year's Opry Anniversary. He also graciously signed my sheet music of "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" - had found it in my late Mother's piano bench; his picture is on the front. We already miss him.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is sad news indeed. As all have stated, George was a wonderful human being and a true asset to the Country music that we love. I remember vividly that George was on the very first Grand Ole Opry show that I attended back in June 1988. He hosted the 11:30PM segment that night; he was the perfect choice to close the show and send everyone off to the Midnight Jamboree. I only attended the TNN televised portion of the Opry once (my family and I almost always attended the second show), and George was on the show that night. He sang "I'm Using My Bible for a Roadmap" (Byron posted this lineup not too long ago; Jerry Clower was hosting). As always, George did a great job, and you could just tell from his comments what a sincerely genuine, humble, and gracious person he was. He will be dearly missed
ReplyDeleteBtw, Rolling Stone has a nice tribute to George. It's short, but very respectful and points out very well George's contributions to the Country Music Industry. I did not know this, but was surprised to learn:
ReplyDelete"Proud of his Scottish ancestors, Hamilton was instrumental in organizing London's International Festival of Country Music at Wembley Stadium in 1969. With fellow Opry star Bill Anderson, he persuaded the Country Music Association to present a Nashville version of that festival. First known as Fan Fair, it is now the CMA Music Festival. He also hosted several BBC television specials."
We have George (and Whispering Bill) to thank for Fan Fair!! What a nice tribute to George for all his contributions to Country Music.
Seeing all of these great musicians/ legends pass on just greaks my heart. Like some one said earlier the circle is getting smaller, and frankly I just dont see anyone there who will step up that is under the age of 60-70 ..... its a sad state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteWith each passing a link from what the Opry was disappears, and we are left with an Opry that we loved that can only be reconstructed through our personal memories and our CD collections. I know I will be playing a lot of Abilene and Rose and Baby Ruth this weekend.
I have listened to most of the dedications that Pete Fisher has done, and I will say that Pete does a very nice job with these, but I do believe that this is the longest Pete has taken to do one of these. 7 minutes. And well deserved and well done.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed a terrific tribute. I suggested on the Opry Facebook page that just as they had Bessyl play "Alligator Man" one last time after Jimmy C. died, the Opry should invite George V to come sing "We Will Meet Again" when he is ready to do it.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned at some point about the Opry since we lost "The King", Roy Acuff in 1992. Since his death we have lost the following Opry members in death: David Houston, Vic Willis, Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe, Hank Snow, Johnny Russell, Teddy Wilburn, Jim McReynolds, Bashful Brother Oswald, Justin Tubb, Don Gibson, Bill Carlisle, Johnny Paycheck, Jerry Clower, Boxcar Willie, Roy Drusky, Del Reeves, Skeeter Davis, Charlie Walker, Mel McDaniel, Billy Walker, Porter Wagoner, Ernest Ashworth, Hank Locklin, Charlie Louvin, Wilma Lee Cooper, Jack Greene, George Jones, Jimmy C. Newman and George Hamilton IV. And that's who I can think of off the top of my head. There may be more? Tammy Wynette? Not sure how her standing was with the Opry when she passed. Most all of the members (with the exception of The Possum and Gibson) were faithful regulars as long as they had good heath. And the majority of those deaths have came in the last 15 years not 22 (when Acuff passed). I did this to give us an idea of what we've lost in recent years. In my opinion we are not gaining at all. Will the Grand Ole Opry have a centennial celebration?
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky we had some of these folks as long as we did, considering that it's been THIRTY YEARS this month since E.T. died -- at only age 70.
As Byron's retro posts show, there was still some life in the old show as late as 10 years ago. All downhill from there.
David, Tammy Wynette was not a member when she died. She had been a member for a few years in the early 1970s. We also have lost "non-members" Earl White and Charlie Collins, who were the last members of the old square dance group still there, and don't forget retirements (Barbara Mandrell, Jeanne Pruett, Ricky Van Shelton) and those who choose not to discharge their obligations as members and should be dismissed (Tom T. Hall).
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard Eddie Stubbs say when he is doing a tribute show? Did I already miss it?
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN
Re: Eddie Stubbs - it is today (Wednesday the 24th). From George's facebook page: Special Tribute Program to George Hamilton IV on WSM Radio's "Eddie Stubbs Show" This Wednesday Night from 10pm Thru 12am Central Time!!! Listen LIVE on WSM 650AM Radio AND Around The World via: www.WSMonline.com !!!
ReplyDeleteThank You
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN