Opry Dress Code

Mark Metdker · Post by **Mark Metdker** » 16 Nov 2004 4:02 am

Boys, I have a confession. We were playing a gig this past Saturday night. It is a place known for TEXAS music, which means mostly country, but you can kinda do whatever. Anyway, I show up in black sweat pants, my Sho-Bud t-shirt, tennis shoes, and a toboggan with my sunglasses on. The other guys in my band were calling me "The Western Edge" Anyway, we ended playing 3 encores and at least 3 women that I saw decided to show us a couple of things they probably shouldn't have in a public place.
It may not have been "right" for a so called country band, but it sure was a lot of fun! And come to find out, I was dressed like about 80% of the clientele.

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BMI S-10
Peavey Session 500

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Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 16 Nov 2004 4:37 am

Darryl Worley's been to Iraq to entertain our troops a couple of times and much to his credit (unlike some other entertainers) he's supported the President and the troops and did his part. Also his great tune "Have You Forgotten" says a lot about the guy in my book. I don't care what he wears on any stage, he's the real deal and not ashamed he's an American. I can indentify with a guy like that. Have a good 'un...JH

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Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 16 Nov 2004 4:54 am

Charles French, you wrote: "Change is usually not for the better. I prefer the 50's & 60's. No serial killer's or child molesters, at least not in my neck of the woods."

No, probably nto that you noticed. One of Australia's first real serial killers was an American serviceman who went on a spree while in Australia, during the 1940s and WWII.

Things people forget about the 1950s, the Korean War, the McCarthy hearings, the Cold War, Segregation and that Elvis was originally marketed as country as no-one really knew what else to call that rocked up hillbilly stuff.

Fred Jack · Post by **Fred Jack** » 16 Nov 2004 7:37 am

Theresa, Do I detect a note of sarcasm?
Regards, Fred

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 16 Nov 2004 9:50 am

Country music is just following along in our culture. Look at video games now compared to 30 years ago. Reality TV. Rap compared to soul music of the 60's. The fact is that you may not like it, but it is what sells. Just imagine - in 20 years we're going to be immersed in a culture that will fondly look back to this era.

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Jeff's Jazz

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 16 Nov 2004 11:03 am

Grumble grumble grumble ... no steel or fiddle ... grumble grumble ... no solos ... grumble grumble grumble ... don't sound like Ray or Connie ... grumble grumble ... generation gap ... grumble grumble grumble ... more interested in making money than making music ... grumble grumble ... poorly dressed ... grumble grumble ... they act like idiots onstage ... grumble grumble ... what a bunch of noise ... grumble grumble grumble ... whatever happened to good old fashioned country music ... grumble grumble grumble ...

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 16 Nov 2004 12:36 pm

Leslie, you are 100% correct! ROTFLMAO! Much appreciated.

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Texas Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 16 November 2004 at 12:36 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 16 Nov 2004 5:16 pm

Herb, my man, 'ya gotta point, there!

John...there's a distinct difference between funny clothes ("comic" outfits or rural garb), and plain ol' "sloppy dressing".

(Those folks on "Hee-Haw" weren't fashion mavens, but they would never be mistaken for "street people".)

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 16 November 2004 at 05:18 PM.]

Tommy Taylor · Post by **Tommy Taylor** » 16 Nov 2004 7:50 pm

I believe the singers and musicians should dress nice out of respect for the opry.

All they would have to do is look at Tommy White. He is a class act!

Tommy

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 16 Nov 2004 9:49 pm

While I prefer the entertainers to dress nice, I know change happens. The Nudie suits went out a while back, and they added to the show, but I don't really miss them. I hate to drummers that play on stage without shirts especially. I hate that the music is not as country as it used to be, but I thank God that The people like Shania for instance, still have great musicians backing them. A lot of the stuff sounds like rock but as long as they have those great steelers and fiddlers and guitar pickers I'll sit through the parts I hate just to get to the parts I love.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3
http://Charmedmusic.com

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 17 Nov 2004 4:58 am

"Has an American ever won a Canadian Country Music award?" Ya, Terri Clarke just did.

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 17 Nov 2004 6:03 am

Man yall crack me up!!!

Terri Clark won in Canada huh. Isn't she the one with the all girl band? maybe she'll move there.

Rick

Don Joslin · Post by **Don Joslin** » 17 Nov 2004 8:00 am

Maybe I missed it if it was a joke but Terri Clark was born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Don

PS - I do think that if you are making it big enough to appear on the Grand Old Opry you could probably afford a shirt

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Country Music - (kun'tree myoo'zik) n. - Three chords and the
--------- truth.
[This message was edited by Don Joslin on 17 November 2004 at 08:01 AM.]

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 17 Nov 2004 8:57 am

Here comes one of the "old" guys again with his sage (but not definitive) observations!

I grew up in an era where red pants, a red shirt, a white shirt, black pants, and red and black neckerchiefs were the standard wardrobe for any musician who worked casual or pickup jobs.

When you accepted a job your final question was always, "red & black, or black & red?", and everyone knew what that meant.

...then in later years after I had taken an extended vacation from playing, I found that everyone "did their own thing" about what to wear for a job.

Personally, I like the most recent trend better. Uniforms are for the military!
www.genejones.com

Mark Metdker · Post by **Mark Metdker** » 17 Nov 2004 9:35 am

Yeah Gene, uniforms are for the military AND the fire department! Maybe that's why you and I don't like the "uniform" look anymore!

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BMI S-10
Peavey Session 500

Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi

My other hobby
http://community.webshots.com/album/56863057VldOYC

Work Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/104144205xDgckj

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 17 Nov 2004 3:43 pm

I remember the only time I functioned as an agent/player for an upscale resort gig, and the band I was working with at the time walked out on the booking when I (was asked and) asked them to wear white shirts. Luckily, I was able to call in others that I knew to save the gig (who appreciated the work and who wore white shirts), but I separated from these previous clowns fast and swore never to again be an agent. Who needs that nonsense!

Having said that, real professionals, among other things, realize that performing has to do with being larger than life, something which most audiences appreciate. Whenever they appear, onstage or off, they look, talk, and behave in ways that set them apart, that make you want to see, meet, and if you can, work with them--and in any of these, they often tend to treat you as if you were the big shot!

It all comes down to understnding what respect is all about.

James
Sho-Bud LDG

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 17 Nov 2004 10:46 pm

Well put James. My opinion exactly.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 18 Nov 2004 6:12 am

The Del McCoury and Doyle Lawson bands wear suits, and they are at the top of the bluegrass world. Sets them apart from everywhere else.

BUT...the honky-tonks I play don't have a dress code. Shoes, pants and shirt suffice.

:>)

Drew

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Fessenden D-10 8+8 / Magnatone S-8 (E13)

John Steele · Post by **John Steele** » 18 Nov 2004 11:51 am

Ok... well, if it's all about clothes, then y'all don't have to wonder why some circus act like Montgomery Gentry has taken over the stage.
I'm gonna quit practicing at night, and start hanging around in the costume shops, learning how to twirl a mic stand.

-John

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 19 Nov 2004 8:33 pm

Well, not to rub fur the wrong way, but clothes probable wouldn't count any more than wearing neat looking, clean ones, showing up on time, keeping gear in working order, staying sober, interfacing with customers and audience, being gracious and polite, etc., etc., etc.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 20 Nov 2004 7:16 am

"Maybe I missed it if it was a joke but Terri Clark was born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta." Yes, she was, Don but she gave up her Canadian citizenship and became an American. Fine with me, but then she shoudn't be eligible for our Canadian Country Music awards.