Billy Linneman no longer on opry

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 15 Feb 2005 6:24 am

I don't know if this is new or old news, but I just found out (last night) that the "youth movement" is still on at the Opry and Billy Linneman (Bass) is gone (or will be gone).

Michael Breid · Post by **Michael Breid** » 15 Feb 2005 7:32 pm

Oh yes, St. Peter the Fisher. How long before he sacks Tommy White, Jimmy Capps, and the rest of the good players for some of the cheap trash that seems to appear on the Op'ry now? They look like they just crawled out of a dumpster after a six month binge. Yep, the Op'ry has changed, but I can't see for the better. It's really nice to see older Op'ry members and the staff band included wearing suits and looking respectable. When did the idea of having self respect go flying down the toilet on the Op'ry. It seems like the trashier you are the more they want to put you on the Op'ry stage. It's a sad time indeed.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 15 Feb 2005 9:29 pm

I'm glad I got my taste of the Opry back when it was still the ‘Opry’! ’71/’72 with Billy Walker (Rhyman, Downtown)
’77/’78 with Stonewall Jackson (Opry-House, Opryland)
They don't appear very often any more! I hardly ever even listen nowadays and it's very seldom (1)-Hr. Live, on TV! Gone, but; not forgotten!

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“Big John” Bechtel
’49-’50 Fender T–8 Custom
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 16 Feb 2005 6:44 am

I`m with you John..
Hook

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HookMoore.com
Allen Moore

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 16 Feb 2005 7:14 am

Billy Walker was on a couple weeks ago and sounded great!

We'll miss Billy Linneman. We wish him the best! Larry Paxton has replaced him. Larry is a super guy and a super player.

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 16 Feb 2005 7:46 am

I'm With You Michael All The way. SONNY.

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Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 16 Feb 2005 8:06 am

Time changes everything I know, but I don't have to like it do I? I don't watch or listen to the Opry anymore, or TNN. I still watch a few Stock Car Races on TV but has anyone noticed that since BIG MONEY is in charge of Racing now....all the newer drivers are all beginning to look like Jeff Gordon? Makes one wonder if Gaylord is in Racing now?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 Feb 2005 8:38 am

It's too bad loyalty isn't rewarded. Someone puts in 25 or 30 years at a job (even if it is a picking job) and then the "corporation" decides you are no longer wanted, and not because of your ability or that you are no longer contributing.

It's great that people such as Tommy White, Hoot Hester, etc have been given the "torch", and they were great selections, I just hope the Opry is still around to axe them when they become "too old for the corporate image". Maybe by that time the Nashville music industry will have come full circle back to what made Nashvile, "Nashville".

Bob Storti · Post by **Bob Storti** » 16 Feb 2005 9:31 am

I like some of the changes at the Opry. Shaking things up every once in awhile can be a good thing. Let the marketplace decide if it's good or bad. The programing will follow the money.

Now where did I put those fire-proof BVD's?

Bob

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 17 Feb 2005 3:13 pm

Maybe Billy wanted to leave.. After 30+ years on the job maybe he is ready for the next chapter in his life. I am sure he has no problem with then next generation taking the reins, so to speak. He has served his time and served well.

We always see change (at the opry) as a bad move... maybe for Billy it was a good move.

Quick to judge...again

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 17 Feb 2005 3:50 pm

The word I got, from two different places, is that it wasn't Billy's choice.

Chris Bauer · Post by **Chris Bauer** » 17 Feb 2005 5:37 pm

For what it's worth, Larry Paxton is both a wonderful guy and a terrific bass player. Not only is this not his fault but I bet he'll do a great job for the band.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 18 Feb 2005 2:57 am

Ya know the guys there now replaced somebody some time
The genration before us was replaced by us,
time moves on and things change

It is sad if he was forced out, but he ain't the first.
Peaople left before WWII sometimes because they wanted to, sometimes not.

I was at the Opry in Sept, and I thought it was wonderful.
In many ways like a museum of country music.
But even museums change over time.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 18 Feb 2005 3:35 am

The person that replaces someone, in most cases, has nothing to do with the other one leaving. And, it's great to get a plum job like the Opry staff band. All the staff band members are "superpickers".

I've been told that at one time there wasn't really a "staff band" and that those that showed up or were there everyweek sort of migrated into becoming the 'staff band".

I have a bass picker friend that says he used to "hang around" the Opry and pickup slots to work. I doubt that pickers can do that today with the Fisher atmosphere.

And, when the Opry is at the "new" Opry house they don't have the back door to Tootsie's that they can go to get "refreshed" between gigs on the opry.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 18 Feb 2005 11:24 pm

Back in ’71-’72, Downtown, you could hang around the Artist's Entrance in the alley behind Tootsies. Musicians looking to work an Opry spot could meet the Artists as they entered the building. When the Opry moved to it's present location, that policy all but ended. With all of the new rules and regulations, about the only way to ‘see’ an Artist at all, let alone ‘meet’ them is from out in front of the stage as a Paying Attendie! Times really have changed, for everyone, including the Artists. I'm sure most of the older one miss it too! I also know that the older Artists don't enjoy sitting at home waiting for an opening on today's Opry Shows either! I don't agree with seeing new faces at the expense of the ‘Old Regulars’! The Opry is not what it once was and unfortunately never will be again. It's inevitable that ‘Time Marches On’. No one can stop that! Just hold on to your pleasant memories.

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“Big John” Bechtel
’49-’50 Fender T–8 Custom
’65 Re-Issue Fender Twin–Reverb Custom™ 15” Eminence

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 20 Feb 2005 8:59 am

James,
One minor detail of your post I feel should be addressed for steel guitar history and a few other reasons . Weldon Myrick was not dismissed from the Grand Ole Opry. Weldon decided it was time to leave. Weldon also had the opportunity to return and chose not to. Hence, the chair was offered to me by then acting general manager, Bob Whitaker and I accepted with Weldon's blessing. I would also add , Weldon and I have been friends most of my adult life and are to this day, along with Billy Linneman and the rest you mention .
All the best,
TW