» Fisher To Lead ACM:  Grand Ole Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher has been named CEO by the Academy of Country Music. Fisher will lead the Los Angeles-based organization beginning Jan. 30, relocating there from Nashville. He fills the post vacated by Bob Romeo in May (Breaking News 5/16), with EVP/Managing Dir. Tiffany Moon serving in an interim role since. Moon remains with the organization.
Fisher spent 17 years at the Opry, overseeing a wide-ranging transformation of the historic institution. Prior experience includes management and a joint-venture publishing-label post with Warner/Chappell Music and Warner/Reprise Records. Congratulate him here.
"My 17 years at the world's longest-running live radio show ... has been the experience of a lifetime," Fisher tells Country Aircheck. "I'm incredibly proud of all that our team has accomplished and the Opry is well poised for great accomplishments in the future. I'm excited about this new chapter in my career. My passions align perfectly with all that the Academy of Country Music represents, whether it's serving our industry, celebrating the accomplishments of our country music family, or lending its heart to worthwhile causes and I especially look forward to amplifying the Academy's already strong relationship with Country radio."
"We were blown away by the quality of candidates who came forward," ACM board Chair Ken Tucker tells Country Aircheck. "It took longer than we wanted it to, but we were dedicated to a thorough process and found the right person to move the Academy forward. The Grand Ole Opry when Pete Fisher took over is not the Opry we know today, and he would be the first to point out the team involved in making that happen. And that's just another reason we are excited to have him at the helm of the Academy's already very accomplished team. In addition, his passion for charity work – whether it's his missions to Haiti, serving on the board of MusiCares or his work with the Opry Trust Fund – will serve the Academy's own charitable efforts through ACM Lifting Lives."
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"The Grand Ole Opry when Pete Fisher took over is not the Opry we know today." Talk about a straight line for a comedian.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to think...
ReplyDeleteCould Travis Tritt's February appearance have any connection to this news? Could be a coincidence, but I'm just saying...
ReplyDeleteJoe
And two acts added to the cast in recent weeks
ReplyDeleteWill certainly be interesting to see what changes - if any - result from his departure. Would like to think things will improve, just hope it's not too late.
ReplyDeletePete will be a MUCH better fit at the ACM.
ReplyDeleteI like the guy personally, but I'm not sure he ever really grasped what the 'Opry is all about.
Hopefully somebody familiar with the history and long-standing traditions of the 'Opry will take his place.
I nominate Bill Cody or Eddie Stubbs.
I forgot to give my name in the comment nominating Bill Cody or Eddie Stubbs.
ReplyDeleteNat Hill IV
CONGRATULATIONS TO TRUE OPRY FANS. GONE AT LAST. BUT WHAT WILL WE GET NEXT? JIM HERZOG
ReplyDeleteI havent always been one to always support Pete Fishers decisions with the Opry, but he always seemed like a nice guy. Im very happy for him to get this new role that I believe would better suit his ideas about music, and I wish him success in it.
ReplyDeleteWhile several of his member choices seemed to be less than regular opry visitors, he really ended on a high point by inviting 2 greats acts to join the Opry.
Im not sure who the Opry has in mind for the new heads, but like the others, I too believe Eddie Stubbs is a great choice. Im not very good at history of Opry managers, but wasnt Hal Durham an Opry announcer before he became manager?
However, in the case of Eddie Stubbs, if he did get the job, I believe he wouldnt be able to host his radio show as frequently, or at all.
An actual opry member like Vince Gill or Connie Smith or Bill Anderson also would make interesting candidates as well for the job. Most likely, though, the job will go to an unknown (that being said, I think I'll send them a resume).
Kyle, back in the old days of the insurance company owning WSM and the Opry, most of the Opry's general managers came up through the ranks of either the radio or television station. While Pete was an outsider when he was hired, he was not the first.
ReplyDeleteAs to the direction I think the Opry will go, personally I think it will be much the same. While Pete was the public face of the Opry, Collin Reed and Steve Buchanan are in the higher positions of authority. I think one of the reasons Bob left in the late 1990s was that he could see what direction the company wanted to take with the Opry and he didn't feel comfortable with it. I do think that this is a chance for the Opry to put a fresh face in place moving forward.
If nothing else, Pete Fisher was very successful in helping to expand the Opry brand, and make a lot of money for Gaylord/Ryman Hospitalities. If there is one item that I am disappointed in it would be the fact that he brought in a lot of fresh, young talent at the expense of many of the veterans. Perhaps moving forward, the Opry could have more of a balance.
Nuance is often missing in many public discussions these days. The fact is nothing is all good or all bad and Pete Fisher’s tenure as the General Manager of the Opry is no different.
ReplyDeleteI was watching an Opry Encore episode on RFD the other night. Loretta Lynn—a superstar by any measure—was headlining and there were entire sections of seats open at the Opry House. That is rarely the case these days, and Pete Fisher and his staff deserve credit for that.
At the same time, the Opry is a cultural institution which must be revered, honored and protected. And while I would argue that he protected the institution by keeping it on stable financial footing, I can make a good argument (oft repeated here) that he didn’t properly revere and honor the history and tradition of the Opry.
This is, without doubt, a difficult job. Maintaining the sanctity of the institution while continuing to keep the institution financial viable can’t be easy. I’d love to see more members, longer shows, and to see the Opry become the place where the walls within the broad genre of country music come down all while honoring the history and tradition which make the Opry the Opry. That may have been too much to ask of Pete Fisher and it may be too much to ask of anyone.
Well said Woody.
DeleteI like Woody's response better than my earlier one.
DeleteThe 'Opry is doing quite well attendance wise, and while I have problems with lineups and memberships, I have to give Pete credit for that.
Re: Pete: "We are excited for [new ACM CEO Pete Fisher] and believe this position is a tremendous opportunity for him, the ACM and our industry," Ryman Hospitality Properties Chairman/CEO Colin Reed says. "I feel certain that the Opry will continue to have a great relationship with him in this new capacity. We have begun our search for someone to fill this key role within our organization and will have more to share once we have identified that individual." Fisher is leaving his role as Grand Ole Opry VP/GM for the Academy, as reported earlier via Breaking News. Congratulate him here.
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteAs unhappy as most of us were with Pete Fisher, he didn't change the Opry as much as country music has changed itself in the last 20 years.
Blame radio; blame record producers like Billy Sherill (sp?), who thought "He Stopped Loving Her Today" sounded more "beautiful" with strings than fiddles; blame the artists and fans themselves, raised on satellite TV.
(There are no more "country" folk. Everybody's been to town.)
As I've argued ad nauseam, the real article is still out there, in acts old (but now resurrected on CD) and new; but it requires us to look in places other than, for instance, country radio and the Opry.
I suspect we'll have better success doing that than waiting for radio and the Opry to return to what we so fondly remember.
Fred, I suspect you are right. It is country music that has changed in the last 20 years, and country radio with it. The Opry just reflected that change.
DeleteWell! See ya Pete! Now maybe we can be rid of the cast of Nashville, Chris Janson will become a member, and Eddie Stubbs will be named both the Friday and Saturday night announcer! He doesn't need to leave WSM unless he wants to! The man is this generation's Grant Turner!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is HUGE news! My husband will be happy to hear this; has never been a fan of P.F. I have never been a fan of the ACM. It will be very interesting to see what changes evolve from his departure from the GRAND OLE OPRY - hopefully it will be GRAND again.
ReplyDeleteIf a double Pittsburgh sports team win wasnt enough on my birthday, this tops my birthday cake......... GOODBYE STINKY PETE, DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU IN THE ARSE ON THE WAY OUT........ I never liked the guy, never will, and now get someone in there that grasps the history of the Opry and goes old school while keeping it modern. Also one who is not afraid to revoke membership of those who dont come around!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo more words to express how this has made my day here in Spain!!!!!!!!
MY SUGGESTION FOR OPRY MANAGER IS KYLE CANTRELL. WHAT DO YOU THINK? JIM HERZOG
ReplyDeleteKeith Bilbrey works for me as well.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like to dream, at the end of the day, Ryman Hospitalities will chose a new Manager, and they will have to report to the CEO of RH, and they will have to make $$$ for the RH shareholder. The way the Country Music industry makes more money, is to appeal to more listeners, and that leaves us "true country" fans out in the cold, and like mentioned above, we will have to resort to finding our own music, apart from Country Radio, and the Opry.
ReplyDeleteIt does sadden my heart, but it is what it is.
I've been away from this site for a few weeks now so this is quite the news story for me. I've never been a big fan of PF with his tinkering of the show so to me this is the first good news of 2017.
DeleteSome have mentioned that Eddie Stubbs would be an excellent replacement and I agree. Mr. Stubbs' dedication to the traditions of our music is beyond question It has been said here that he is the Grant Turner of our time and I couldn't have said it better. I am certain when Grant Turner, George Hay and so many others we've lost tune in Eddie's shows on WSM in hillbilly heaven's living room that they are swelling with pride and approval. Unfortunately, in this flawed world we live in, respect for traditions is viewed as a weakness by huge corporations who value only the bottom line. As Opry manager, Eddie would likely be forced to abandon his principals to boost the profits and I honestly believe Mr. Stubbs would not do anything to discredit or dishonor the Opry just for a few bucks. There are countless lost souls who would willingly throw themselves to their knees to please the corporate gods to further their own selfish interests...Eddie Stubbs is not one of these.
Fred, Bismarck:
DeleteExcellent point, Anon.
I've bit my tongue,as I watched things "go south",with the direction of PF,the past 17 years. I'm sure he can't take the credit for all of the "change". When Radio Shows,like the fictional (now retired) Home Prairie Companion,was trying to follow the Opry,except with Fake Commercials, the Opry,was throwing away that Charm. If Roy Acuff,hadn't of died, it would've of surely Killed him.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could live without Eddie Stubbs on WSM, 5 Nights a week,Live.And if was to be a GM, he couldn't do both.
DeleteYou make a great point.
DeleteKind of sad that listening to Eddie at night means so much to a (soon to be) 69 year old man like me, but it does.
I just hope the 'Opry can hire somebody who at least understands it. It is NOT your usual corporation.
I just read the heartbreaking news that after nearly 150 years that the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus will go out of business. In the press release, CEO Feld remarked that tickets sales have plunged ever since they decided to discontinue having elephants as part of the show largely due to demands of ultra-liberal groups, primarily PETA. As a result, another American tradition that has spanned generations will cease to exist.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson here for Opry management is that failure is almost inevitable when core values are forsaken. Ringling Brothers learned this the hard way when they turned their backs on generations of devoted circus fans to appease a bunch of leftist radicals who had no intention of ever attending a performance. If the Opry continues to push the traditional country music aside it will find itself joining Ringling Brothers on the ash heap of history.