The Steel Guitar Forum

I have finally got a belly full of the GOO and GAC. After Jessica Simpson appearance I just could not stand paying for the GAC network any long. I love the Opry but that was the finally straw for me. RFD is for me. Not sure if this was the place to post this but I just had to get it off my chest.

You'll love RFD-TV John--not only for the vintage music but several other interesting programs. -

That performance was right up there with Acuff teaching Richard Nixon to yo yo on the Opry.

Mr. Campbell,

I don't usually post on the Forum but your comment has been bothering me all morning. Comparing Jessica Simpson to Roy Acuff is like comparing apples and oranges. Mr. Acuff was being deferential to the President of the Unites States at the time who also happened to be the head of his party of preference as well as a fan. People today have forgotten what Mr. Acuff meant to this country before, during and after World War II. The Japanese especially included his name with Franklin Roosevelt and Babe Ruth in their denunciation of this country. Mr. Nixon did play piano on the Opry stage that night and did a considerably better job of playing than Jessica Simpson will ever do of singing. It pains me that someone from our state, especially someone who lives so close to the birthplace of Mr. Acuff, would make such comments. I have to wonder if we give those great artists that have gone before us the respect they deserve. If Mr. Acuff were still with us today, things at the Opry would be a lot different. There would be new acts and artists but the quality would be enormously better. As I said, I don't post a lot here but since I knew Mr. Acuff well for thirty years, I could not let this pass without speaking up for him.

Teresa Sweeney

Chill out, it's all in fun. Anyway, I was not comparing Jessica to Acuff. I was comparing her to Nixon. I too have much respect for Roy. He sold me with his Precious Jewell and Pins and Needles in my Heart, etc.. on the original Circle album. The whole point of this is that people like Roy, Grant Turner, Bud Wendell, etc... would have never tolerated the kind of things that are going on at the Opry.

I heard Lester Flatt say they wouldn't let them sing "I'm Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open From Now On" on the Opry because it hinted at adultry. A few weeks ago I heard someone singing a song called 'If You're Going to Hell" (or something like that). Quite a different attitude. Or, seeing a drummer playing with no shirt on. WOW! I played the Opry when I was with Bill Monroe (1994)and he demanded that we look professional. I had a lot of respect for the Opry then, if I hadn't Bill would have made sure I did.

I remember watching the Acuff/Nixon night on the Opry when I was a kid. There was a lot of "class" in the air. I don't see that now. Actually, I liked Nixon too.

I bet Nixon was more famous for his tapes, than most of the Opry stars.

I think we're on the same side. No disrespect meant to anyone.

It seems to me that many people have a comment ready for a singer/performer when they appear on TV and/or the radio.
People that do not know what it takes to get as far as the Opry.
It may not be to all's liking what is broadcasted over the air but to run people down like this does not seem fair to me.Especially when these people have no way to defend themselves.

If you don't want to pay anymore for GAC/GOO then don't.
I can understand that someone does not like a particular performer but to say that she/he is the one that made them decide to end their subscription does not fly with me.

As far as Jessica Simpson goes.....I don't like her either.....but.....I have to say this about her.
With The Right Song she will knock your socks off.She has a lot of drive in her voice.

She is not like (for example) Carrie Underwood that has a multimillionaire (Simon) backing her up.A multimillionaire that only profits if she sells CD's.People like that have what it takes (money) to Make or Break someone.
If Jessica would have someone like that you would hear something entirely different.

What I am trying to say is that you cannot compare one performer to the other and above all blame that particular performer for your membership cancellation to GAC/GOO.

Ron

Mr. Campbell,

Sorry if I misunderstood your comments. I hear so many of the young "wannabes" here in town disrespect some of the older, traditional artists that I get a chip on my shoulder. Especially when it comes to Mr. Acuff. I agree, I think we're on the same side.

Teresa Sweeney

I would think the place to let know is the GOO.

This is nothing wrong with stating why you cancelled your subscription to GAC. It's your money. I get it as part of the package, but I wouldn't pay extra for it.

I respect any kind of talent. My whole point is to keep the Opry country....no more and no less.

I often see people get all emotional when George Jones sings "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" or when Larry Cordell sang "Murder On Music Row". Then these same people scream and shout with enjoyment when some of the non-country acts are on the Opry. Maybe they don't know any better, but it seems like a double standard to me.

NOBODY but NOBODY says it better than the GREAT Dale Watson with his songs such as [MR DJ would you please play a REAL country song] [Country my &^^] or[HELP ME MERLE I'M BREAKING OUT IN A NASHVILLE RASH] DYKBC.

NOBODY but NOBODY says it better than the GREAT Dale Watson with his songs such as [MR DJ would you please play a REAL country song] [Country my &^^] or[HELP ME MERLE I'M BREAKING OUT IN A NASHVILLE RASH]

That would be the same Dale Watson that happily played the Opry THIS WEEK?

Maybe that's not the best way to continue the "Opry sucks" idea that seems to be the point of this thread (and many other recent threads...).

Wanna try for something else?

If they had more of Dale and less of the other stuff and we could see a new televised Orpy every week. I would not have an issue. They bill the show as Grand Old Orpy LIVE. Most of the time it is encore after encore. Not sure why they have so many?

deleted

Back in the 60s when i worked many road jobs and over seas with opry guys and gals and i even got a couple of recording sessions because i was avaiable at the time.I did not go to Nashville looking for a job.I was called by an opry member whom i had worked with before he got on the opry.
Now to my question.Back then the music biz in Nashville was very political and had more to do with who you knew than how well you played.I speak of side men.For you guys who still live there,is it still that way?
I am retired and not looking for a gig.lol

Why is it a double standard if a person likes George Jones, Lary Cordell, Jessica Simpson, or any other new artist in country music today?

Sound closed minded to me.

The problem I find with the televised portion of the Opry(which seemed to manifest itself shortly after the show left TNN) is that it has become more like American Bandstand. More and more time seems to be spent interviewing the guests each week (with the host asking the same insipid questions of everyone) and less time on the music aspect of the program. IMHO, I feel the problem lies with the manner in which the show is formatted by "GAC" rather than in the actual show itself.

I prefer less talk and more music too!
I'm happy the GOO is still on TV for everyone to see!

Listen to the words of the songs mentioned. If you don't recognize the difference then, I give up.

In fact, I give up anyway. Everyone can listen to what they want to. I know I will.

I enjoy listening to the Opry to hear: Tommy White, Dave Robbins, Gary Carter, Darrell Hornburger, PeeWee Rogers and at times pickers like Paul Franklin, Pete Finney, Randle Currie, etc.

Well then, after reading the opposing views of newer country versus more traditional country, I've concluded that MY taste in country music must be all mixed up! If you open up my CD case of country, you'll find quite a contrast of country styles. CD's by Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Sugarland, Brad Paisley, George Jones, Gene Watson, Miranda Lambert, Asleep At The Wheel, Martina McBride, Ray Price, Bobby Flores, Buck Owens, Travis Tritt, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Toby Keith, Loretta Lynn, Dwight Yoachum, Tracy Byrd, Merle Haggard ...just to name a few. To me, good music is good and, well, bad is just bad - new or old. Then again, what do I know? I'm a trumpet player who went to PSG! But, so was Curly Chalker.

Guess I better stay away from this one as well

I have to say this about the Opry: I am young and I respect ALL of the "older" artist that perform on the Opry. But this new (for lack of better terms) crap that is being put on the Opry is kinda disrespectful to the older artist that have left us. Hank Williams, Tex Ritter, Cowboy Copas, or Roy Acuff would have NEVER sang "honkytonk badonkadonk" on the stage at the Opry. I am very glad to see the Opry still on TV just so I say that I watch the Opry. I also would like to perform on the Opry one day,, but I believe that im (or will be) a better musician to be playing with an artist who has holes in their pants on the Opry or has a dip can in his (or her) back pocket on the Opry, or is singing about butts or anything else in that nature.

I don't think it's disrespectful having new artist on the GOO.
I do think it's disrespectful to say new country is Crap.

Theresa- I agree with you. I think some people are in a time warp,if it's not old it can't be good. There are lots of good new country songs out there. Todays country is about having fun. I've heard in my life enough old sad songs, Willy Roy The Cripple Boy, The Drunken Driver,Sing Me A Sad Song. Like my band says" we are having a Willow creek good time .At 69 years old I'm still not acting my age Joe
www.willowcreekband.com

Thanks Joe!

I listen to everything, I just don't get the double standard comment.
I think if you want to be successful and working you have to learn and listen to everything. And if it's been done before, learn it and play it!

I'll be watching the GOO tonight!