Opry Members Fuming Over Changes

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 4 Oct 2002 3:29 am

The opry like many things had its grand day, but with the passing of so many stars there is not much left of the old guard.The opry that was, will never be,
and that is the way it is.The advent of rock has been mixed with country to form corock that is popular with the 20 something group.The next time your in Nash.go on the grave tour of the stars you will get the picture of why the opry is different.Tradition is not selling cds, corock is so were back to $$$.Money is what pays the bills at the Grand Ole Opry.The singers of corock with a little steel zip-nip are what the 20 something are buying and enjoying.It is all about $$$$.You should note that the little steel zip-nip is being heard less and less on the corock songs so the Opry stage may be without a steel,except as needed if it continues to go with what's selling.Have you listen to Larry Cordle's song Murder on Music Row?For the steel guitar no longer cries and fiddles barely play But drums and rock and roll guitars are mixed up in your face
Old Hank wouldn't have a chance on today's radio
Since they've committed murder down on music row.[This message was edited by Andy Alford on 04 October 2002 at 04:38 AM.][This message was edited by Andy Alford on 04 October 2002 at 04:56 AM.][This message was edited by Andy Alford on 04 October 2002 at 05:00 AM.][This message was edited by Andy Alford on 04 October 2002 at 05:01 AM.][This message was edited by Andy Alford on 04 October 2002 at 06:29 AM.][This message was edited by Andy Alford on 04 October 2002 at 08:53 AM.]

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 4 Oct 2002 12:19 pm

Fisher has sent a letter to Opry membership
saying profits are the best in years .

How can this be when 10 years ago the opry
had 4 shows in a weekend at the opry house
verses today when there are only 3 shows
and a couple months a year they are in the Ryman with less seats?

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 4 Oct 2002 1:29 pm

Cheap help.

Butch Foster · Post by **Butch Foster** » 4 Oct 2002 5:08 pm

For many people like myself, in their late 50's, the Opry has been:

The sincere vocals of Mr. Acuff
Oz hitting those beautiful backup notes
The velvet voice of Gentleman Jim, Hank Snow, Jimmy Dickens, Hank Williams, ET
Stringbean, Cousin Jody, Rod & Minnie
Skeeter, Jean, Kitty, Connie
Earl' banjo, The patterns Flatt & Scruggs ran, with Josh bobbing up with super dobro runs.
I had much rather hear Jimmy & PeeWee, Connie & Johnny, Jean & Dave, Jack Green, Stu, Charlie Walker,etc.
Yes, the Opry was a special place with memories that last a lifetime. Is the current show going to be like that?

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 4 Oct 2002 6:12 pm

Butch.
Being 69 yrs young. I can sure relate to what you say. I'm just thankful that I experienced those times, those entertainers, and their music!. I can hear Roy Wiggins on an Eddy Arnold record, and remember clear as day where I was, and who I was with, and what we were doing. Thats the legacy of the old Grand Ole Opry, and all those entertainers that shared most of my 69 yrs.
Now is another time. But I enjoyed my time.
Leigh

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 4 Oct 2002 11:12 pm

The most memorable years of my time in the music business were playing steel guitar at the Ryman with Billy Walker in '71 & '72 and Stonewall Jackson at the newer O'pry House in '77 & '78. During those years I got to meet many of the greats and they still remember me when ever we meet! It was an experience of a lifetime all rolled up in four years of my life! Oh for the good ole' days! "Big John" Bechtel

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 5 Oct 2002 3:41 am

I did some work with Billy Walker and Stonewall Jackson back in the 1960's...both down-to-earth personalities and not a bit of "star-complex" could be found in either one of them. What I remember most was Billy Walker leaving the bandstand one night to "warn" a persistant drunk away from my wife's table! www.genejones.com

Deana Clark · Post by **Deana Clark** » 6 Oct 2002 5:05 am

Charlie Louvin can out-sing, out-write, out-perform just about any other act I have ever seen on the Opry. There may be some folks, regardless of their age, who need to move on, but it is certainly not him. Obviously, I am a huge fan of his, and totally enjoy any air play that he gets. You may not be. As for gray hairs in the audience, I run a little show here in Ohio, and a good 3/4 of my crowd of over 500, are gray headed. I am proud of that. I don't mind at all giving the type of show that retired people enjoy going to. Retired people are who do most of the traveling/tourism things going on anyway, right? In most cases, they are the ones with the extra money to do things on, and the extra time. And just remember, we will all turn gray someday....[This message was edited by Deana Clark on 06 October 2002 at 06:09 AM.][This message was edited by Deana Clark on 06 October 2002 at 06:13 AM.][This message was edited by Deana Clark on 07 October 2002 at 08:07 AM.]

Billy Johnson · Post by **Billy Johnson** » 6 Oct 2002 7:55 am

Is anyone on here aware of the fact that Ira Louvin DIED in car wreck in 1965.
Charlie is the brother still living.

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 6 Oct 2002 9:01 am

Sounds like a real Opry fan there.....

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 6 Oct 2002 10:58 am

Deana.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It's nice to know us grey haired folks are appreciated! I compliment you on your unyielding stand in favor of tradition!

Leigh

Kenny Foy · Post by **Kenny Foy** » 6 Oct 2002 5:53 pm

P-E-R-F-O-R-M-I-N-G and NOW APPEARING for one month only each and every Fri and Sat nite Ray Price Patsy Cline Loretta Lynn Waylon Jennings The Louvin Bros Hank Sr Merle Jim Reeves Tex Ritter Ernest Tubb ETC. Yes some of these stars couldn't be there BUT if they could,WE WOULD. The payin audience would be lined up for blocks or even miles to get tickets. Yes, THEY BUILT IT; WE WOULD COME. AND It would be a lot of gray hair. Also young hair. There's that young hot guitar player in that young new band that tries to resemble country,standing in that line to see Buck Owen's segment just to hear and maybe even meet DON RICH who was his hero and admired his fantastic licks. And yes some of us are gray and we would be comin off of that tour bus WITH our little grand kids.And yes they would probably catch on and some would possibly like the music and grow up with it and then it would probably just like Bluegrass takin off again after the movie Oh' BROTHER WHERE ART THOU. YES it could all turn around again. AND they say everything runs in cycles. But ti looks like when traditional country's cycle comes back around again those that are alive and able to perform ,and aren't allowed to playthe Opry, will not be around. And that is sad. Every one has kept a little something that is sentimental to them and they take it out and look at it every now and then. Maybe it's an old picture of them oh maybe back in the 70's on there old bicycle, and they say HAY I wish I would have kept that old bike. Happens every day when some one walks into an antique store. That's the way it will be with our elderly statesmen stars.Enuff of this. I hope I haven't been to long winded and remember THEY BUILT IT; WE WOULD COME. I think ya'll get my drift. Kenny

Deana Clark · Post by **Deana Clark** » 6 Oct 2002 7:58 pm

[This message was edited by Deana Clark on 07 October 2002 at 08:09 AM.]

Eddie Lange · Post by **Eddie Lange** » 9 Oct 2002 11:20 pm

In response to comments made earlier, having a strong presense on the Opry makes an artist just as worthy for the Hall of Fame as a pile of hit records. If an artist as been able to entertain people at the finest country music show on earth for many years that makes them just as big a star and just as talented, in my book. Oh and by the way folks, I just saw Charlie (not Ira) Louvin do an hour of great country music a couple of weeks ago and he brought the house down with one of the most emotional COUNTRY voices you will ever hear. The man has every right to be a featured artist on the Opry until he can no longer sing. Not because he's finally in the Hall (which is great)and not because he has had many hit records, but because he can sing one hell of a country song.[This message was edited by Eddie Lange on 10 October 2002 at 12:29 AM.]

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 10 Oct 2002 6:27 am

And just remember, we will all turn gray someday....

Gosh Deana,I sure wish you were right about that statement,mine never had a chance to turn grey,it all went down the drain before it had a chance

.
I miss all the originals also.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 11 Oct 2002 6:06 pm

Porter Wagoner's responce
> Management broadens appeal of the 'Opry'
>
> To the Editor:
>
> There have been several articles and letters in the news media about
> things the Grand Ole Opry needs to do. These are some of my own
> personal views, having been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1957.
>
> It's real easy to say ''if I was running the show'' that ''I would do
> this'' or ''I would do that.'' I personally feel that Pete Fisher has
> done a good job for the Grand Ole Opry in a lot of areas. We must
> strengthen and broaden the Opry's audience by having great shows each
> week.
>
> In order to do that we must have well- known special guests such as
> Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr. and John Anderson. These are a few
> of the people whom I personally helped secure as guests on the Grand
> Ole Opry during this past year. Pete Fisher not only worked with me to
> make this happen but congratulated me for helping to get it done.
>
> I believe there has been an increase in attendance during the past
> couple of years. Management needs a lot of cooperation from all of us
> senior members to work hard on our own careers to make ourselves
> better instead of trying to critique the Grand Ole Opry.
>
> If we all work hard on our own careers, we won't have time to try and
> tell the Grand Ole Opry what to do. We need to be better members and
> contribute more in the things that help the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand
> Ole Opry has afforded me a great career in country music.
>
> I am very proud and honored to be a member.
>
> Porter Wagoner
>
> Nashville 37229

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 11 Oct 2002 9:44 pm

Porter can help the opry.He is one of the few left from what was.I wish him the very best at this stage of his life.He and little Jimmy are grand.Porter is a good family friend that has and will stand for real country music.I am so glad that he was honored by the Hall of Fame.Porter keep up the good work.

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 12 Oct 2002 5:27 am

I think the Opry shows of late have been very good. The mix is good, they have been open to some great new acts, I thought the Chieftains with John Hyatt was great, they sounded more country/bluegrass than most out there.

I think what has happened with the Opry is what's happening everywhere, Competition. With so many Cable stations out there and choices of what to watch, they are always changing to keep the advertising money coming in. Look at TNN they play 'Star Trek Next Generation' repeats Back-to-back-to-Back, and as a friend of mine who works TV said, 'If it doesn't get ratings, It's pulled'

I think the fact that the opry is still on is really good, Look at MTV, there is no real music on it anymore, just weird shows.

My 5 year old daughter has taken a real liking to The Dixie Chicks, and Allison Moorer especially the new albums and she doesn't know what kind of music it is she just likes it, knows all the words. I really don't like categories either, the song is the most important thing. If Hank was still around what would he sound like? I doubt he would be the same as when he first started.

Variety is the spice of life

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Regards, Craig

Deana Clark · Post by **Deana Clark** » 15 Oct 2002 11:19 am

I was really glad to hear Charlie Louven on the show Saturday night. I got the impression that he was going to quit over the whole thing. He did a great job, as always.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 15 Oct 2002 11:57 am

When I started preparing for a summer theater show two years ago, I found that it included several songs by the Dixie Chicks...I had never heard of them, and my grand daughters subsequently "loaned" me their DC albums to rehearse for the show.

I found that I liked much of their material, and the bonus was that my teen-age grand-daughters attended several of our shows that season!

I have more that a few years under my roof, but I try hard not to automatically resist "change". www.genejones.com

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 15 Oct 2002 12:18 pm

Grand Ole Oprystage is big enough for both old and new
By Susan Passi-Klaus

Former Grand Ole Opry house manager Jerry Stroebel remembers a time when megastar Johnny Cash took the stage at the old Ryman Auditorium. Excited that the chart topping country singer was about to appear at the Opry, Stroebel, a Cash megafan himself, wandered into the audience area for some pre-performance chatter with the visiting folks. Thinking that everyone would be Goo-Goo Clusters over the news that Cash — the star of his own ABC primetime television series at the time — was appearing on the coveted center stage, no one was more surprised than Stroebel to hear one audience member say, “Yeah, Johnny’s okay, but I came to see Herman Crook.”

For those of you who are country music historically challenged, Herman Crook and the Crook Brothers were Opry icons that actually started with the legendary old-time music program back in 1925.

Like Johnny Cash and Jerry Stroebel I myself walk the line over the debate — one that has lasted for more than 30 years — between the old-line and the new blood, the has been’s and the hot topics, the past and present of Country music. How we blend and balance the performances of industry trailblazers with today’s country music trendsetters may determine the future of this historical treasure.

Back in my old WSM-TV days, one of the best perks of working for the granddaddy of broadcasting — the National Life and Accident Company — was having the privilege of getting backstage passes to the Friday and Saturday night Grand Old Opry performances. Many a weekend night, I flashed my WSM-before-the-V identification card to the longtime backstage gatekeeper, known to Opry insiders as “Mr. Bell,” and got the nod to wander the offstage halls peeking in doors for glimpses of star power like Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Loretta Lynn. My pleasure was doubled whenever there were surprise appearances by Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell and John Conlee, and later with debuts of superstars like Randy Travis and Reba McEntire. Those were the days my friends, yes those were the days.

Still, even in those good old Grand Ole Opry days, know-it-all young whippersnapper that I was, I remember thinking that some who appeared on the Opry roster were definitely past their heyday. Yawn. I didn’t know their music, rarely heard it played on the radio, and certainly wasn’t interested in adding their passé twangy albums to my cutting edge music collection. I have to admit that I thought some of the country music traditionalists — who just didn’t sound “relevant” to my generation — needed to be put out to pasture. Oh, the folly and arrogance of youth.

Apparently the power struggle between tradition and trends continues today at the Opry. Word on the street is that bad blood is boiling between Opry legends and Gaylord management. The old reliables think they’re getting a raw deal from the top brass who are limiting the number of the old-timers Opry appearances and filling their hard-earned performance slots with a new generation of singing heart throbs. Feelings are hurt. People are angry. Fans are caught in the middle of a power struggle.

Yes, given the choice between seeing a Nickel Creek or a Crook Brothers on the Opry, I’d applaud louder for the more contemporary of the entertainers. But surely the Opry stage is big enough to hold everyone. I certainly believe that Opry veterans have earned some job security and deserve a standing ovation — even if it’s primarily in recognition of the legacy they represent — but I also believe that the torch has to be passed with dignity for the legacy to live on.

What I don’t like to hear is that so many of the lifetime Opry members are being treated irreverently by management smarty pants. The current tug of war between generations triggers feelings in me about the way we dishonor our older generation in general — not just the fading stars, but the downsized executives, mentally diminished family members and veterans of wars. In the words of Aretha Franklin, we all need to show a little more “r-e-s-p-e-c-t.”

But, I just figure that what goes around comes around. One day these corporate superstars will also start to fade. One day, they’ll be past their executive prime, perhaps irrelevant to the dynasties they’ve helped to build, and perhaps easily replaceable by younger, smarter, more aggressive up and comers. That’s when The Golden Rule comes into play. Remember this all you Mr. Big Britches — one day it will be your turn to pass the torch.

Surely, there are creative minds pulling the curtain strings at Gaylord who can come up with a way of injecting new life into the Opry without taking away its heart and soul. And perhaps, those who are the heart and soul of the Opry can tune out some of their ego and share the spotlight with the has-beens of tomorrow.

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 15 Oct 2002 5:04 pm

Gene,

My wife and kids (boy and girl aged 5 and 7) listen to th 'chicks' all the time. It amazes me to hear my kids singing in the car with the CD playing, word-for-word. I myself really never tire of their stuff. They have great steel, Loyd Maines was a favorite of mine from my days back in Lubbock, Tx at Texas Tech with Joe Ely, and his influence is heard all throughout their recordings. What I like best about them is that they play their own instruments and even though they have reached superstar status they have remained true to the music. The new album is as country as anything you will hear. I still like to hear 'Wide open Spaces' and the great steel breaks, I think it's a modern classic country song.
Just the other day , my daughter cut out a picture of the 'Chicks' and pasted it to some artwork she had made and hung it on her wall. I bet she is the only girl in her school in our town in New Jersey that listens to them. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

Bob Hayes · Post by **Bob Hayes** » 17 Oct 2002 6:23 pm

After ET and Mr.Roy Acuff went to the Lord...Things started going DOWN HILL.The 'Saviors" steped into "SAVE" the institution!,,One of the first things....was destroying a Money Maker buy tearing down a great employer and a reason for tourist and Families to Visit Nashville.
Oprey Mills..Like Potomic Mills outside of DC IS A Bust!..The only thing in the parking lot is employees vehicles.TNN was sold off..Ralph Emory was Fired...The New Opry House was both good and bad..but the music started to change with the PR people.and Demographics.. WHO WAS SPENDING ThE Most.....on CD's & Tapes..Young....so the young guns..came..and ten the younger guns came..and the old music was put out to pasture.. Sad but true..The Gray ARMY cannot overcome The "GREEN$" ARMY .
The only solution that I see..is have a World Wide Campaign to Raise the Funding for a "NEW "Classic Country Entertainment Center" with some of the "OLD TIMERS" and some of the smarter younger crowd in charge. There should be enough of the "Opry Members" to answer this challenge..and say to hell with Gaylord.. Who will step up!!!There are those members with the means to make a drastic start..unless thier current membership prohibits this action.

.

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 17 Oct 2002 7:14 pm

Check tomorrow evenings ABC news with Peter
Jennings for a feature about the uprising in Nashville.

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 18 Oct 2002 11:51 am

Thanks Janice! Your always there when we need you!!!

Leigh