Bill Monroe Estate offers rare ownership of prized possessions

Bill Monroe - Photo Courtesy of  Monroe Enterprises

Fans of the “Father of Bluegrass Music” have a unique opportunity to own the rights to the name and likeness to Bill Monroe. Regarded as the man who started the format, Monroe joined the WSM Grand Ole Opry in 1939, and was a member for almost six decades – until his passing in September 1996. One of the few members of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Monroe’s musical legacy included legendary stints on Columbia Records and MCA / Decca, with whom he was associated for forty years. Monroe cast a shadow over music by influencing a wide variety of musical artists.

Patsy Cline Museum set to open in Nashville

The Patsy Cline Museum opens to the public Friday, April 7, adding another attraction to the “must-see” list for Nashville tourists and locals paying homage to the personal and professional life of the icon.

“In her short nine years as a recording artist from ‘55 to ‘63, she forever changed the voice of country music, the role of female artists and influenced performers across all genres,” said founder Bill Miller. “To this very day, artists still cover her hits and you’ll hear her recordings used in motion pictures and TV series. She deserved her own museum as she continues to transcend generations of fans. We are honored to work with Patsy’s children to preserve her legacy.”

Crystal Gayle to be highlighted on The Big Interview

Loretta Lynn with Crystal Gayle

It seems as though 2017 is the year of Crystal Gayle.  With her recent induction into the Grand Ole Opry, as well as being featured on several tributes, she has been gaining attention in a positive way.  Fans can watch her on AXS TV on March 7, 2017, as she sits down with Dan Rather on "The Big Interview."  During the show, she opens up about her relationship with her older sister, Loretta Lynn, as well as doing things her own way and finding her own way.

Crystal Gayle becomes newest member of the Grand Ole Opry

Loretta Lynn with Crystal Gayle, the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Photo by Chris Hollo.

Grammy-winning songstress Crystal Gayle was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry Saturday evening at the Ryman Auditorium by her sister and Opry legend, Loretta Lynn. Gayle made her Opry debut 50 years ago on the Ryman stage, singing the country classic Ribbon of Darkness at age 16. She had been publicly invited to join the Opry by fellow member Carrie Underwood in November.

“We’ve been together a long time, honey. And we’ve never had a fight,” Loretta Lynn said. “It was the greatest moment of my life when they made me a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1962. I know she is just as happy as I was then.” “Being a member of the Opry is just incredible,” Crystal Gayle beamed. “It’s really hard to comprehend. I have felt like a part of the Opry for all these years. Now, I’m official.”

Loretta Lynn inducting her sister, Crystal Gayle, into the Grand Ole Opry on January 21, 2017. Photo by Chris Hollo.

Crystal Gayle is an award-winning country music icon whose reign in the music business includes 20 No. 1 country hits, six albums certified Gold by the RIAA and the first female artist in country music history to reach platinum sales with her 1977 album, We Must Believe in Magic. Her her 1977 country-pop crossover hit song, Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, became an iconic staple and solidified her as one of the top female vocalists during the 1970s and 1980s. Her list of platinum and gold was to be matched only by her awards and accolades. CMA's "Female Vocalist of the Year," for two consecutive years, she became a Grammy Award Winner for "Best Female Vocal Performance," thanks to her beloved "Brown Eyes" - a song that she today admits she has never grown tired of singing. Crystal swept the Academy of Country Music Awards for three of their "Top Female Vocalist" statuettes. 

Crystal is the recipient of three "American Music Awards," voted by the nation as America's "Favorite Female Artist." Perhaps nothing sums up Crystal's career achievements as well as being awarded with a star on the fabled Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 2009. Also famous for her nearly floor-length hair, she was voted one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by People Magazine in 1983. She is the younger sister (by 19 years) of singer Loretta Lynn, and a distant cousin of singer Patty Loveless. 

Gayle also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame near Lynn's star. In 2008, Crystal Gayle was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.  

In August 2016, the Academy of Country Music honored Crystal with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award during the 10th Annual ACM Honors.

For more information on Crystal Gayle, be sure to visit crystalgayle.com

Country Music Hall of Fame to honor Loretta Lynn with special exhibit

Country Music Hall of Fame member, Loretta Lynn, will soon be getting her own exhibit on display. The exhibit will showcase Loretta Lynn's artifacts, costumes, and personal items from six decades in the music business.  It will open on August 25, 2017 and be on display through June 2018.

"I am so happy the Country Music Hall of Fame has asked me to be one of their main exhibits in 2017... gonna show off my 50 some odd years in country music," Lynn says of the upcoming exhibition. "They best have a big space... I have a lot of stuff!". 

On her 85th birthday on April 14th, Loretta Lynn will be celebrating by performing at the historic Ryman Auditorium.  In 1960, she made her Grand Ole Opry debut on the same stage.  Her current album, "Full Circle," is nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Album.

The mystery of the Minnie Pearl Bronze Statue

Minnie Pearl Bronze Statue when it was in Centerville, TN. Photo by SeeMidTN.com

One of the great mysteries in country music is the placement of the bronze statue in honor of Minnie Pearl.  Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, who was best known around the world as the comedian Minnie Pearl, was born in Centerville, Tennessee.  It is a small town of about 4,000 not far from Nashville.

Minnie Pearl was best known for her comedic performances on Hee Haw and the Grand Ole Opry.  In 1975, the Country Music Hall of Fame included her in its class.  In 1996, Sarah Cannon passed away.  On her plaque at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, you will never see a date of death as Sarah always said that the spirit of Minnie Pearl will live on even when she passes.  Today, the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation and the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center has helped cancer patients within Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky.  She was presented with the American Cancer Society’s Courage Award in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan for her volunteer work.  She once said, "I think everyone of us has a social responsibility and a moral obligation to be as kind to people as we can."

In 2005, Rod Harris commissioned a 900-pound statue of Minnie Pearl to be placed in downtown Centerville at the Hickman County Courthouse.  It was privately funded, with one donor covering much of the $150,000 cost.  Per Larry McCormack of The Tennessean newspaper, "the donation came with one caveat: The statue had to stay on one exact spot in downtown Centerville, Tenn."  {USA Today Article}

Mr. Harris was disgruntled with officials wanting to move the statue.  It was creating traffic problems as those taking photos would standing in traffic to get the whole statue.  A rock wall was built to keep drivers from running over it.

In 2009, however, Rod Harris removed the statue and placed it in Linden at the Commodore hotel lobby.  To Mr. Harris, he felt that Minnie Pearl should be center-stage and not moved a few feet.  Later, he moved the statue to Grinders Switch Winery in Centerville.  He demanded $10,000 from the city to return the statue to Centerville.

Minnie Pearl at Grinder's Switch Winery - Photo by Grinder's Switch Winery

The city refused Rod Harris's demands, which then led him to move the statue to Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky.  It use to sit in the main room of the Wrather West Kentucky Museum.   However, after talking to museum officials, the statue was just part of a traveling exhibit and left there over three years ago.

So where did Minnie Pearl head to?  After contacting my journalist friend, Chuck Dauphin, he was able to determine the whereabouts of the infamous statue.  He indicated that it was moved back to the historic Commodore Hotel & Cafe in Linden, Tennessee, which is about 30 miles from Centerville, in the middle of nowhere.  Sure enough, a search on their Facebook page shows the bronze Minnie Pearl statue in all her glory standing in a corner inside the Commodore Hotel and Cafe.

Minnie Pearl Statue at the Commodore Hotel & Cafe - photo via Facebook

As for the town of Centerville, they have commissioned another artist, Ricky Pittman, who has created an 8-foot statue made from chicken wire and colored bronze. It is now sitting at the courthouse square for all to see.  Click here for the Kickstarter campaign with updates on the project.

Minnie Pearl Chicken Wire Statue - photo from Kickstarter Campaign Page 

Furthermore, Mary Beth Pruett, the great-niece of Minnie Pearl announced a campaign to raise $100,000 for a life-size bronze statue in Grinder's Switch in 2013. Click here to read more about the campaign.  So far there is no indication if anything has been done since 2013 to build the statue.

Don't forget, if you visit the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, you can also see Minnie Pearl alongside Roy Acuff sitting on a bench.  No matter if it is a bronze statue, or one made of chicken wire, the legacy of Minnie Pearl alludes us all with her humor and talent.  Sometimes you never know where you will see her smile and hear the infamous greeting of "HOWWWDEEE!" in your head.

Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl Statue at Ryman Auditorium - Photo by Jessica Bray

Bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent to become Opry members

Marty Stuart asking Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent to become members of the Grand Ole Opry. Photo by Chris Hollo.

Three-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year and multi-Grammy®-nominated super duo Dailey & Vincent have been invited to become official members of the Grand Ole Opry. The pair returned to the Opry at the Ryman Auditorium last night to celebrate the kick-off of its 10th year as a duo, which began on the Opry at the Ryman stage in 2007. The night also marked the duo’s 100th Opry appearance. The duo will be formally inducted into the Opry on Saturday, March 11.

Corbin, Kentucky native Jamie Dailey will be the second Kentuckian to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2017.  Crystal Gayle is set to be inducted in January 2017.

During a special half-hour Dailey & Vincent set, the two were joined by a series of guests including Opry members Marty Stuart and Connie Smith as well as John Carter Cash and his wife Ana Cristina in addition to Dailey’s father JB Dailey and Vincent’s mother Carolyn Vincent. After a performance with the duo, Stuart gave Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent the surprise of their lives, inviting the duo to officially join the Opry. “Country music needs you. Country music loves you. And the Grand Ole Opry welcomes you,” Stuart said.

“This is one of the most special things that has ever happened to us,” a shocked Dailey said after a few seconds of stunned silence. “We’re so thankful.”

Before closing out the show along with their guests on the gospel favorite “This Old House,” and equally surprised Vincent shared, “I have no words. I’m so honored. The Lord is so faithful to us.”

“Dailey & Vincent have thoroughly entertained thousands of fans on the Opry stage over the past decade,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent embody so much about what fans love about the Opry. They have a tremendous respect for tradition, and they’re also innovators committed to the future of the music they love. We’re excited to welcome them as official members of the family in March.”

Crystal Gayle is set to be inducted into the Opry by her sister Loretta Lynn on Saturday, January 21. Other artists scheduled to play the Opry in early 2017 include Brandy Clark, Chris Janson, Ricky Skaggs, and Josh Turner, among many others.

The story behind Grandpa Jones Ginseng Hoe

Grandpa Jones Ginseng Hoe - photo by Jessica Bray

Kentucky natives, Grandpa Jones and the banjo-picking comedian David "Stringbean" Akeman, were nationally famous entertainers, and close friends.  They lived near one another in a rural area a few miles north of Nashville.

They hunted and fished together for years, and they also roamed the mountains in search of ginseng, the mystic herb which has for generations been dug in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and exported mainly to China, where it was (and is) highly prized - and very expensive.

This is the hoe which belonged to Stringbean, and which he and Grandpa carried on their journeys into the mountains digging "sang."  Early one morning, Grandpa went to "String's" house for such a trip and discovered the brutally murdered bodies of both String and his wife.  (Grandpa later commented, "It was a tragedy that sent shock waves among old-time music people across the country.")  One of the items found on the person of Stringbean was a check in the amount of $27.00 which he had received for some ginseng he had sold.

After the murders, a public auction was held at the home place - so close to the Jones' home that Ramona could hear the chant of the auctioneer.  Grandpa had gone hunting, and the person handling the estate called and told her to come up and get any personal items she wanted.  She choose the frying pan that they had used to fry the fish they caught together, and she choose this this ginseng hoe as a remembrance of the times String and Grandpa went digging ginseng.  Grandpa was pleased and kept it all these years but never used it again.  (This 'sang hoe was given to me by Grandpa in January, 1993.)

These days, the ginseng hoe is on display at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, Tennessee, along with many other artifacts of musicians throughout Appalachia.  More information on the museum can be found by going to www.museumofappalachia.org.  Be sure to check out our story behind Grandpa Jones' shotgun that is on display by clicking here.

Honoring Their Memory - Country musicians we lost in 2016

Merle Haggard, Ralph Stanley, Jean Shepard, and Melvin Goins were just some of the many legends that passed in 2016.

In the year 2016, music lost some major patriarchs and pioneers in the country music genre.  Several of those that had passed away performed up until the Lord called them up to play in the Angel Band.  Here are some of the most notable passings of 2016 in country music:

Merle Haggard

If there was one performer that led the ways of the working man, it would be Merle Haggard.  He would see time in prison, but later took to the stage to perform at the same place he was a prisoner before.  He was a fighter in standing up for what he believed in.  He also helped with the innovations of the Bakersfield sound alongside Buck Owens and many more.  Merle Haggard passed away on his birthday, April 6th, after battling double pneumonia.  He was well loved among the country music community, being a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.  One of the songs that Merle Haggard said was his favorite was "Sing Me Back Home" and continues to be the song that many remember him by.

Dr. Ralph Stanley

If there was a true pioneer into the Appalachian Bluegrass Folk sound, it would be Dr. Ralph Stanley.  He received the "doctor" title after receiving an honorary doctorate from Lincoln Memorial University.  Ralph's haunting voice performing songs such as "O Death," "Pretty Polly," and "Angel Band," were among fan favorites.  He would receive a Grammy award for his performance of "O Death," which was used in the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?"  Ralph Stanley would perform, even after retiring, up until his death on June 23rd after a bout of skin cancer.  Performing at his funeral included Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Patty Loveless with "Go Rest High On That Mountain."  Read our tribute to Ralph Stanley by clicking here.

Jean Shepard

Having performed on the Grand Ole Opry for 60 years in 2015, Jean Shepard hung up the reins and retired from music.  She was best known for her strong vocals in "Second Fiddle to an Old Guitar."  Jean was one to stand up for country music by responding to Blake Shelton's remarks on country music.  Sadly, she passed away on September 25th at the age of 82 years.

Melvin Goins

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame member, Melvin Goins, passed away on July 29th while on the road touring in Canada.  The bluegrass and country music legend formed a duo with his brother, Ray Goins. The duo would perform on the radio, as well as at numerous bluegrass festivals alongside Ralph Stanley.  Since 1969, the Goins Brothers Band recorded over 30 albums and had a hit tv show on WKYH out of Hazard, Kentucky, as well as their radio shows on WSIP in Paintsville and WSKV in Stanton.   In 2009, Melvin Goins was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame as a member of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers.  In April 2011, The Goins Brothers were inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. In 2013, The Goins Brothers were inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.  On US-23 in eastern Kentucky, deemed the Country Music Highway, you can see the sign in Catlettsburg that proudly states it is the home of Melvin Goins.  Read our tribute to Melvin Goins by clicking here.

Red Simpson

Joseph Cecil "Red" Simpson was well known for his truck driving theme songs, as well as his Bakersfield sound along with Merle Haggard.  He released hit songs such as "Truck Driver's Heaven," "Highway Patrol," "I'm A Truck," "Truck Driver Man and Wife," before appearing for the last time on the charts with "The Flying Saucer Man and the Truck Driver."  Merle Haggard recorded "Lucky Old Colorado" that Red had written.  Red passed away due to a heart attack on January 8th.

Bonnie Brown

Bonnie Brown performed alongside her brother, Jim Ed, and sister, Maxine, to form The Browns.  Their song, "The Tree Bells" was the number one single on the pop charts for 4 weeks and for ten weeks, on the country charts. They were members of the Grand Ole Opry from 1965 until 1967, when Bonnie decided to retire from music.  In 2015, they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Bonnie passed away due to lung cancer on September 28th, shortly prior to her 78th birthday.

Holly Dunn

Another fellow Grand Ole Opry member who later retired, Holly Dunn, was known for her song, "Daddy's Hands" that pulled the heartstrings of many.  She also climbed to the charts with "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me" and "You Really Had Me Going."  After she retired from music, she moved back to New Mexico where she continued her passion for painting.  She passed away on November 14th after battling ovarian cancer.

Joey Feek

Joey Feek was half of the duo, Joey+Rory, that won the hearts of many through their tv shows, music, and blog written by Rory Feek.  The duo performed on the CMT's television show, "Can You Duet," before setting out on their own with duet projects.  Joey+Rory released 8 albums, as well as multiple dvd specials, including one with the Gaither Family.  Joey took time away from music due to her pregnancy and soon after the cancer diagnosis.  One of the last performances the duo performed was at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center in Kentucky.  Sadly, Joey passed away on March 4th due to cervical cancer.

Mark Gray

Mark Gray was a former member of the band Exile and co-writer of the hits “Take Me Down,” “The Closer You Get,” and “It Ain’t Easy Being Easy.” He had a successful solo career with three albums and eight Top 40 country hit songs, one of which was a duet with Tammy Wynette called "Sometimes When We Touch."  Mark passed away on December 2nd.

Guy Clark

Guy Clark was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and writer of “L. A. Freeway,” “Desperadoes Waiting for a Train," "Heartbroke," and “Rita Ballou.” Many in country music, including Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, and Rodney Crowell would cut his songs. Kentucky native, Darrell Scott, co-wrote "Out in the Parking Lot" with Guy Clark, which was later cut by Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson.  Guy won the 2014 Grammy Award for Best Folk Album: My Favorite Picture of You.  He passed away on May 17 in Nashville due to lymphoma.

Gordie Tapp

Canadian native and Hee Haw star, Gordie Tapp passed away on December 18th at the age of 94.  He was originally a jazz dj at CHML radio station before switching to do work on "Main Street Jamboree." He later was casted as a member of "Hee Haw," in which he also helped write scripts and songs for. He would play the part of the husband opposite of Roni Stoneman, as well as perform in the "Where Oh Where Are You Tonight" singalong skit throughout the years.  In 1990, he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

Freddie Powers

Freddy Powers was a co-producer of Willie Nelson’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow album and co-writer of the Merle Haggard hits “Natural High,” “Let’s Chase Each Around the Room” and “Looking for a Place to Fall Apart,” as well as George Jones’ “I Always Get Lucky With You."  Freddie passed away on June 21st at the age of 84.

Songwriting Heroes

Several songwriters passed away in 2016 that left their mark in country music in the songs that they wrote.  Curly Putman wrote "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "Green, Green Gras of Home," and "D-I-V-O-R-C-E." He died of congestive heart failure on October 30th. Steve Young wrote "Seven Bridges Road" as well as Waylon Jennings "Lonesome, On'ry, and Mean." Steve passed away on March 17th.  "Young Love" songwriter, Sonny James, passed away on February 22nd due to natural causes.  He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.  John D. Loudermilk, 82, was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame whose hits included “Abilene,” “Waterloo,” “Indian Reservation” and “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye."  John passed away on September 21 in Christiana, Tennessee.  Ned Miller, recording artist and writer of “From a Jack to a King,” “Dark Moon,” “Behind the Tear” and “Do What You Do Do Well,” passed away at the age of 90 on March 18 in Medford, Oregon.  Chips Moman was a co-writer of Waylon Jennings' hit songs “Luckenbach, Texas" and “The Wurlitzer Prize."  He also wrote the Grammy-winning “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song."  Chips passed away on June 13th in LaGrange, Georgia.  Kim Williams, was a songwriter whose hit compositions included “Three Wooden Crosses,” “If the Devil Danced in Empty Pockets,’ “Ain’t Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up)” and “It’s Midnight Cinderella.” Kim passed away on February 11th in Florida.  Mentor Williams, was writer of the crossover hit, “Drift Away,” as well as “When We Make Love,” “She’s Gonna Win Your Heart” and “A Few Ole Country Boys.”  Mentor passed away on November 16 at the age of 70.

Crystal Gayle invited to join Grand Ole Opry

Carrie Underwood asks Crystal Gayle to become member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Photo by Chris Hollo for The Grand Ole Opry

Grammy-winning songstress Crystal Gayle was surprised during her Grand Ole Opry performance last evening by Opry member Carrie Underwood with an invitation to become an official Opry member. Gayle will be formally inducted into the Opry on Jan. 21, 2017 by her sister, Opry legend Loretta Lynn. Gayle made her Opry debut nearly 50 years ago on the Ryman Auditorium stage, singing the country classic “Ribbon of Darkness” at age 16.

Underwood surprised the sold-out Opry at the Ryman crowd by joining Gayle on the smash hit “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” Seconds after finishing the duet, Underwood turned to Gayle and said, “You are an inspiration to so many of us. You are important to country music, and you are important to the Opry, which is why I was asked tonight to ask you if you would like to join our Opry family officially.”

Accepting her friend’s invitation with a hug, Gayle said, “I have always felt like I was a member of the family and this is just so special.”

“For more than half of the Opry’s 91 years, Crystal Gayle has been lending her signature vocals to Opry shows and connecting with Opry audiences as well as with everyone backstage,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “She is family, and we are very excited that she’ll become an official Opry member early next year.”

Tickets for Gayle’s Opry induction night and all upcoming Opry performances are available at opry.com.

Pictured L-R: Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment, Bill Gatzimos, Manager, Crystal Gayle, Carrie Underwood, Pete Fisher, VP/GM Grand Ole Opry. (Photo by Chris Hollo for The Grand Ole Opry

Tom T. Hall to have estate sale of antiques and music memorabilia

Tom T. Hall speaking about the Country Music Highway in Kentucky in 2011. - Photo by Jessica Bray.

Kentucky country music songwriting legend, Tom T. Hall is having an estate sale on October 22, 2016.  He is in the process of selling his estate and his home, which is known as Fox Hollow.  Fans can bid online on items owned by Tom T. Hall and his late wife, Dixie Hall.  The estate sale by Northgate Gallery in Brentwood, TN, includes a wide variety of valuable antique items from furniture to decorative items.  There are quite a few fox related items from the "Fox on the Run" songwriter.  There are also items presented to him by the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame.  Click here to view the items. 

Tom T. Hall had seven No. 1 singles, all self-penned: 
“A Week in a Country Jail” (1969–70)
“The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” (1971)
“(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine” (1972–73)” 
“I Love” (1973–74)
“Country Is” (1974)
“I Care” (1974–75)
“Faster Horses (the Cowboy and the Poet)” (1976). 

The Grammy winner also wrote hits for others, including “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” which Jeannie C. Riley took to No. 1 on country and pop charts in 1968, as well as “The Pool Shark,” a chart-topper for Dave Dudley; “(Margie’s at) the Lincoln Park Inn" and “That’s How I Got to Memphis,” recorded by Bobby Bare; and “Little Bitty,” which was a big hit for Alan Jackson in the late 1990s. 


In total, Hall has earned 31 BMI Awards for songwriting spanning country and pop genres, and six of his songs have accumulated more than one million performances each. In 2008, he was welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame.  In 2011, he was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame alongside his wife, Dixie.

Nashville News Roundup for week ending June 11, 2016

Here are this week's headlines as heard on the Nashville News Roundup on WFKY - Froggy 101.7 & 104.9. You can listen to me every Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. dishing the dirt on country music news and history.

Nashville TV Show is Back!

Fans of the tv series, Nashville, just found out that CMT and Hulu have picked up the series for their 5th season.  The Tennessean reported that, "the state put $8 million in its budget and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry has proposed a $1.375 million fund for film incentives, though the final amount for "Nashville" has not been announced."  The show helped the city with employment numbers of over $20 million each season with the use of local talent.  It also used a lot of music licensing to help songwriters release their songs to a bigger audience.  No word as to when the show will air for season 5.

From Elvis to Elvira

Stay tune on Thursday when I will post up my exclusive interview with Richard Sterban, the Oompa Papa Mow Wow of the Oak Ridge Boys! You'll learn about his journey of being in a gospel quartet that led to backing Elvis for a couple of years before entering the world of the Oak Ridge Boys.  By the way - did you see them perform with Blake Shelton on the CMT Music Awards?

History Making

Grand Ole Opry star and multiple Grammy Award winner Marty Stuart has amassed one of the largest private collections of memorabilia documenting country-music history. The Library of Congress announced mid May that the world’s largest library has acquired hundreds of hours of historic country-music footage, recordings and other audio-visual materials from Stuart’s vast collection. The audio-visual collection features more than 100 hours of footage shot on the road, including at the Grand Ole Opry; complete television episodes of "The Johnny Cash Show," "Flatt and Scruggs Grand Ole Opry" and the "Marty Stuart Show"; rare home movies of the Lester Flatt Band on tour; and music videos from throughout Stuart’s career, including the songs "Tempted," "Little Things" and "Burn Me Down." Stuart donated portions of the collection and the rest was acquired via purchase.

Awesome Possum Fact of the Week: On this day in 1974, Tom T. Hall quits the Grand Ole Opry over a conflict about the use of horns. Hall had played the Opry three days earlier and "didn't feel right" about not using his band.

Handpick Download of the Week: Mark Chesnutt - Oughta Miss Me By Now

Steve Wariner celebrates 20 years as Grand Ole Opry Member

Grand Ole Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher (l) presents country music legend Steve Wariner (r) with a plaque commemorating his 20th anniversary as an Opry member after his performance. Credit: Chris Hollo/Hollo Photographics for the Grand Ole Opry.

This past Saturday (May 14), four-time GRAMMY and CMA Award winner Steve Wariner celebrated his 20th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry Vice President and General Manager, presented Wariner with a special plaque during the singer/songwriter’s performance. Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson, who inducted Wariner into the Grand Ole Opry 20 years ago, also was on hand to pay tribute to his longtime friend.

“Wow! I can't believe I've been an Opry member for 20 years,” said Wariner. “It's still one of the greatest honors of my career. I remember my first time on the Opry in 1973 as a member of Dottie West's band back at the Ryman as if it was just yesterday.  It seemed like an impossible dream back then that I would be asked to join…but it happened a few years later! Dreams can come true. Glad to call the Grand Ole Opry my home!"

Earlier in the evening, the Opry threw a backstage party for the ACM Award winner, complete with a special cake decorated with an illustration of Wariner’s red telecaster guitar.

The country music legend is currently in the studio working on a new album to be released later this year.  His next concert performance will be at City Winery in Nashville on June 11 at 8:00 PM during CMA Music Festival. The show will be filmed for a future project. Tickets can be purchased at https://t.e2ma.net/click/gm3ps/s73h3d/ge5tyh.

The Kentucky native, Steve Wariner, has achieved 14 No. 1 songs and more than 30 Top Ten hits, including such classics as “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” “Life’s Highway,” “The Weekend,” “I’m Already Taken,” “I Got Dreams,” “Small Town Girl,” “Two Teardrops,” “Some Fools Never Learn,” “Lynda,” and more. An award-winning songwriter, Wariner has also composed songs for Clint Black (“Nothin’ But the Taillights”), Garth Brooks (“Longneck Bottle”), Bryan White (“One Small Miracle”), and Keith Urban (“Where the Blacktop Ends”), as well as artists such as Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama, Kenny Rogers, The Statler Brothers, Conway Twitty, and Don Williams; pop music icon Peter Tork (of The Monkees); R&B singer Ruben Studdard; bluegrass music’s Del McCoury Band, and many more. Revered for his guitar talent, he was given the rare status of C.G. P. (Certified Guitar Player) by his mentor Chet Atkins. He is also a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.  For more information, visit www.SteveWariner.com.

Where to find famous graves in Nashville

George Jones Gravesite - photo by Jessica Bray

When you think of Nashville, you think of the sights and sounds of tourist attractions.  However, what lies beneath the city are those country music legends that are no longer with us today.  There are several cemeteries throughout Nashville that welcome fans and even have information available to help locate famous graves.

Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton contains a funeral home, mausoleum, and cemetery off Thompson Lane.  One of the neat features is a replica of the Christ Tomb within the great Cross Mausoleum.  Visitors are encouraged to view the special memorial between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm every day.  Tours can be conducted on an individual or group basis.

Something interesting to note is that Tammy Wynette's grave in the mausoleum originally had her stage name, Tammy Wynette, on it.  Then it was changed by her husband to Virginia Richardson.  In 2015, Georgette Jones, the daughter of George Jones & Tammy Wynette, was able to restore it back to Tammy Wynette.

Virginia W. Richardson, better known as Tammy Wynette Gravesite in 2014 - photo by Jessica Bray

Tammy Wynette Grave in 2016 with name restored back to her stage name - photo by Jessica Bray

Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery are the following:

Garden of the Grand Tour: George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, Rob Bironas, Billy Sherrill, Jerry Chesnut

Sunset Garden A: Dan Seals

Sermon on the Mount: Roy Orbison, Claudette Orbison, Anthony Orbison

Garden of the Good Shepherd: Red Stovine, Brock Speer

Chapel Garden F: William Owen Bradley

Chapel Garden H: Eddy and Sally Arnold

Companion Garden A: Thomas Lee Jackson

Garden of Gethsemane: Marty Robbins, Webb Pierce, Larrie Londin, Willard Mack Vickery

Garden of Time: Mel Street

Garden of Prayer: Hattie L. Bess aka "Tootsie"

Garden of Everlasting Life: Porter Waggoner, Dale Cooper (Stoney Cooper), Doobie Gray

Graceland Garden: Clyde Foley aka "Red Foley"

Lakeside Garden: Groover Lavender aka "Shorty Lavender"

Cross Mausoleum

1st Floor: Replica of Christ Tomb

2nd Floor - Right Hall: Jack Strap

3rd Floor - Left Hall: Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, Jerry "Reed" Hubbard, Dottie Rambo, Van Stephenson, Tammy Wynette, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jim Ed Brown, Lynn Anderson, Liz Anderson

3rd Floor - Right Hall: JD Sumner, Gordon Stroker, Otis Blackwell, Ernie Ashworth

4th Floor - Left Hall: Paul Glaser

Lynn Anderson Grave - photo by Jessica Bray

Little Jimmy Dickens' Grave - photo by Jessica Bray

Since 1785, Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery has been a Nashville landmark. Located at 5110 Gallatin Road at Briley Parkway, the cemetery is home to many notable grave sites. Among those buried include Roy Acuff, Hank Snow, George Morgan, Keith Whitley, Gilbert “Speck” Rhodes, Floyd Cramer, Jimmy Martin, John Hartford, Dean Manuel, Clifton Beverly Briley, Bunny Biggs, Billy Walker, Pete Drake, Louise Scruggs, Johnny Wright, and more.

Jimmy Martin gravesite - photo by Jessica Bray

Keith Whitley's gravesite - photo by Jessica Bray

Roy Acuff - photo by Jessica Bray

On up the road in Hendersonville, you can visit the resting place of Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Mother Maybelle Carter, Merle Kilgore, Johnny Russell, Luther Perkins, and more at the Hendersonville Memorial Gardens.

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash Graves - photo by Jessica Bray

In Gallatin, you can visit Conway Twitty in the Sumner Memorial Gardens. Be sure to look for Harold Jenkins in the outside mausoleum.

Conway Twitty gravesiite - photo by Jessica Bray

Originally known as “The Voice,” Vern Gosdin is located at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.

Vern Gosdin gravesite - photo by Jessica Bray

Even in death, many country music celebrities still make an impact in others’ lives as they pay their respects to these legends

Remembering a Kentucky country music pioneer

Velma Williams Smith

Often times in country music, we only think of legendary singers and not much on the musicians, especially with females.  One of those legendary performers was Velma Williams Smith.  She was born in 1927 and raised at Epley Station in Logan County, Kentucky.

Bill Monroe discovered Velma and her sister, Mildred, in 1941 when they appeared on WHOP out of Hopkinsville.  They were invited to play on the Grand Ole Opry and soon Velma began playing in the bands with Ernest Tubb, Carl Smith, Porter Waggoner, and Roy Acuff.  She was the first female to play a solo on the portion of the Grand Ole Opry broadcast nationally on NBC radio network.

During 1950s through the 1970s, Velma Williams Smith was the only female member of the RCA Studio B "A-Team" of studio musicians.  She would play the guitar licks on albums for fellow Kentuckian, Skeeter Davis ("The End of the World"), as well as Eddy Arnold ("Make the World Go Away"), Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves, Dottie West, and more.  She played on Hank Locklin's hit, "Please Help Me, I'm Falling," that landed number one on the Billboard country singles chart for 14 weeks.  According to the Musicians Hall of Fame, she was the first female rhythm guitar player to play on records cut in Nashville.

The late Patsy Cline recorded one of Smith's songs, "Shoes," that was co-written with Hank Cochran.

In 2014, Velma was inducted into the Musician's Hall of Fame in Nashville alongside Barbara Mandrell, Jimmy Capps, Peter Frampton, Randy Bachman, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy, Will Lee, Mike Curb and Roy Orbison. Now that is some pretty good company to be inducted with.

Velma Williams Smith passed away in 2014 at the age of 87 in Madison, Tennessee.

Laurel County Library to host Opry exhibit

Photos by Gordon Gillingham

Laurel County Public Library in London, Kentucky, is hosting a special photography exhibit.  Experience the Grand Ole Opry like never before. The Grand Ole Opry is an American institution and the longest running radio show in the country. Since 1925, the Grand Ole Opry has brought country music to the masses and helped create superstars. View Gordon Gillingham’s photographs of the Opry between the years 1952 and 1960. The images reflect the Opry in its heyday and capture the spirit of both the musicians and the fans.

The photo exhibit will be available to view Feburary 1st - March 16th, 2016. This exhibition is open to the public during regular library hours.  For more information, be sure to check out www.laurellibrary.org. 

Bill Anderson reunited with guitar found in a pawn shop

Mike and Wendie Grauer with Bill Anderson

Today, it is common for any songwriter to write a song about their past. But when Bill Anderson, Vicky McGehee and Jamey Johnson co-wrote "The Guitar Song," eight years ago, they had no idea they were actually writing it about their future.

The pensive story-song about a fictional guitar that hung unwanted and tattered in an old pawn shop, yet held so many stories of its past to tell, went on to become the title track of Johnson’s critically acclaimed fourth album and starts out with the words:

I'm just a guitar in the pawn shop on the corner

And I'm waiting for someone to play me now and then

My strings are kinda rusty and I'm a little dusty

Oh, but you'd be too if you've been where I've been

In an eerie and remarkable twist of fate, those lyrics now reflect the true story of a guitar Bill Anderson played when he was first getting started in country music – and on Saturday night, August 8, on the stage of the legendary Grand Ole Opry, the authentic Grammer guitar, given to Anderson personally by Billy Grammer fifty years ago, made its way back into the hands of its original owner.

The story all began four weeks ago when Anderson’s secretary received an email from Mike Grauer, the owner of Bell Road Pawn in Phoenix, Arizona, which read that one of the shop’s customers had pawned an old guitar which had the words, “This guitar belongs to Bill Anderson,” in the sound hole.

Familiar with the 50-year Grand Ole Opry member and his long list of self-penned top country hits like “Whiskey Lullaby,” (Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss) “A Lot Of Things Different” (Kenny Chesney), “Give It Away” (George Strait), among others, Grauer searched the Internet and was shocked when he found an old video on YouTube of Anderson playing an identical Grammer guitar on The Johnny Cash Show. Grauer sent pictures of the relic, and upon investigation, Anderson and his team were able to confirm its authenticity.

“I thought, okay, here it comes, he’s going to want $25,000 for me to get it back,” Anderson joked. But to the contrary, when the country star asked Grauer what he would take for the special timepiece, he replied that he and his wife had always wanted to witness the Grand Ole Opry, but they'd never had the chance.

Without hesitation and, “before he changed his mind,” Anderson recalled, he booked two tickets to Nashville and arranged for them to experience The Grand Ole Opry in a special way -- backstage. As Mike and his wife, Wendie, celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary, Anderson introduced them on-stage to a captive audience, wistfully telling the story of his long-lost guitar that had now found its way home.

Anderson said, his voice breaking, “Mike, you and Wendie just have no idea, you have no idea, what this means to me. I don't think I ever played this guitar in the Opry House because we didn't come here until 1972, but I played it many times at the Ryman. It's so special to have it back. Thank you so much. I wish you a wonderful anniversary.” Laughing, he added, “It may be your anniversary, but I got the present!”

The long-lost guitar hit Anderson’s hands for the first time in 50 years, and he gave its strings a strum as he held back tears of sentiment. Today, the BMI Icon Award winner and the only songwriter in the history of the country music genre to have achieved a song on the charts for seven consecutive decades, Anderson surprised the audience with a surprise appearance by co-writer and friend, Jamey Johnson, and the two performed a chill-bump inducing rendition of the now non-fictional fan-favorite hit, “The Guitar Song.”

Anderson closed the special performance saying, “Thank you to Mike, Wendie and Jamey, and thank you to Billy Grammer. May you rest in peace, my friend."

"Your old guitar will be well taken care of… I promise I'll never lose it again.”

Bill Anderson is currently on tour across the country, performing in venues from state to state. For a full list of dates and additional information on the country legend, please visit www.billanderson.com.