Bill Anderson's Blog, page 11
November 1, 2023
Ask Bill – November 2, 2023
1) Do you think there will ever be any more Family Reunion shows?
This is by far our most asked question, and, to be honest, you are asking the wrong guy. Larry Black owns the rights to Country’s Family Reunion, so he’s really the only person who can give you a definitive answer. BUT…based on what he’s told me in the past, I don’t think he plans on producing any more of these shows. We had a great 23-year run, the DVD’s are alive and well, allowing you to keep watching what we did, and we all thank you.
2) My question is as a left-handed pitcher you play guitar right-handed. Why?
The only thing I do right-handed is play the guitar. Other than that, I am a total southpaw. When I was first learning to make a few chords, my natural inclination was to play left-handed, but I had no left-handed instruction books nor left-handed instructors. I simply forced myself to turn the guitar around and learn to play it the normal way. And this ties right in with our next question….
3. I am interested in what brand of guitar do you play? And do you collect guitars?
Over the years I have played several different brands of guitars including Martin, Fender, Grammer, Gibson, Framus, Ovation, Taylor, Aria, and in recent years a custom made Yasuda. I’m sure I’ve left out at least one or two others. I am not a guitar “collector” like a Steve Wariner or a Vince Gill, who must have hundreds each, but I probably have between twenty and twenty-five different models scattered about.
Our Question Of The Month comes from Susan in Arizona: “It has been my dream for many years to be in attendance when the Opry celebrates its 100th Birthday in 2025. Do you know when tickets for that night’s celebration might become available?”
No, and right now the Opry doesn’t know either. I reached out to Dan Rogers, the Opry’s General Manager, and he says, “A 2025 Opry show calendar will not be available for several months as we make plans for a variety of activities to mark 100 years of Opry. The staff suggests that we all buckle up because they are tentatively planning at least 240 Opry shows over the course of the year.” That sounds exciting, and as soon as more information becomes available I’ll pass it along.
Quickies: Who determines when and to whom an invitation to join the Opry is extended? The Opry management team. How about your Fandango shows you used to do on TNN? Is there any way we could see them again? When TNN was sold to CBS years ago, I’m told that the master tapes of those shows were shipped to New York and put in a vault somewhere. Someone would have to open that vault and remove them for us to ever be able to watch them again. I have no idea who has the key! Did you ever write with Ben Peters or Don Gibson? No, but I was a big fan of them both and of the work they produced. Whatever happened to Anne Murray? Did she ever appear on Family Reunion? No she didn’t. Last I heard she was retired and living back home in Nova Scotia. I know we can see you on the Opry and when you have an event, etc., but is there a special place where you hang out? We tend to think you don’t shop at WalMart. What are the chances of just casually running into you somewhere? Who says I don’t shop at WalMart??
And with that, I think I’ll ride off into the sunset. Thanks again for all your questions this month. You can always send yours to me at askbill@billanderson.com and I’ll do my best to answer. Remember if yours is chosen our Question Of The Month you win any item of your choice absolutely free from our online store. We’ll see you back here in December. Stay curious.
November 2, 2023
Hi Gang:
And welcome to “birthday month” in Whisperville!
I appreciate very much all the cards, e-mails, and text messages you sent my way over the past several days in celebration of one more candle being added to my birthday cake on November 1st. I had a great day laughing, eating more than I should, and reminiscing with family and friends. What more could I ask?
November is shaping up to be quite a month for me and all my gang. First, the Country Music Association has invited me to be a presenter on the CMA Awards Show airing on ABC-TV the night of Wednesday November 8th. I’m not sure which award I will be presenting, but I’ve been told that Sara Evans will be joining me in the moment. I hope lots of you will be tuned in. Those nights are always special.
Then, less than 48 hours later on November 10th, UMG Records will be releasing a new Bill Anderson single record called “The Country I Grew Up With.” I’m joined on the record by a few guys you might have heard of: Bobby Bare, Jimmy Fortune, Vince Gill and Willie Nelson. They tell me it’s the first time 5 Hall of Fame members have ever appeared together on one song, and I’m excited for you to hear it. There is a lyric video on its way as well. Hang on.
What else is happening? Well, my webmaster, Stephanie, and I have put our heads together and created something I think you will enjoy. We got to talking one day about all the artists outside of country music who have recorded songs of mine, and we’ve put together a list of titles that you might want to check out. It includes everything from very diverse recordings of “Still” by James Brown and Bing Crosby to cuts by Nancy Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Rick Nelson and more. You can hear these cuts and others on my Spotify playlist at https://cwired.co/BASurpriseCuts. Some of the interpretations might shock you a little bit, but I’ve always considered it a compliment when someone puts their own stamp on something I created.
On a personal note, you might remember earlier this year when I had a surgical procedure scheduled and it had to be canceled. Well, it’s back on the docket for Monday November 20th, and I would really appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers on that day and the days following. If all goes well, I’ll only be in the hospital one night and back home eating
turkey and dressing on Thanksgiving. But if you would put in a good word for me with The Man Upstairs I would be most grateful. Meanwhile, prior to the surgery, I will be on the Opry November 4th, 11th, and 18th.
And speaking of Thanksgiving, I hope each of you has a great day as we pause to count our blessings and offer up thanks for every one of them. I’m certainly thankful for each one of you and all the good things you bring into my life. Tell your friends about our newsletter, and I’ll look forward to seeing you…and maybe some of them… back here in December.
Gratefully,
Latest Photos
Our first picture this month was taken at the recent Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Award Show when the great writer, Bobby Braddock, and I joined up for a visit. Bobby, who has written some of the greatest country songs in history, had recently been honored with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, and I was congratulating him. If anyone ever deserved that honor Bobby most definitely did. The second picture is of the three hombres who wrote our new single record, “The Country I Grew Up With.” Left to right it’s Lance Miller, myself, and Bobby Tomberlin. We’re all three extremely excited about our upcoming release, but on the day this picture was taken we had been back in the writing room trying to crank out another one. Songwriters never seem to know when to stop pushing their luck! I wanted you to see the bottom photo if for no other reason than to show you how colorful the Opry stage is these days with our new illuminated barn backdrop. It recalls the rich, almost 100-year history of the Opry but in the style and brilliance of today. You can tell by the smile on my face that those of us who get to stand in front of it on a regular basis are the lucky ones.
October 2, 2023
Ask Bill – October 3, 2023
1) When someone sets up a songwriting appointment, who determines who is going to be part of the session and where the writing session is going to be held? Now that you are not on the road, you can concentrate more on your writing.
Yes I can, and that’s exactly what I have been trying to do. I can’t speak for other writers, but in my case there is no one-size-fits-all answer to your questions. Sometimes I’ll run into a fellow songwriter at lunch or at an event somewhere and one of us will ultimately say, “Hey, let’s get together and write one,” and we’ll start searching our calendars to see when we might have a matching open date somewhere. Sometimes my publisher will reach out…or a co-writer’s publisher will call…and tell me a certain writer wants to co-write with me. In my case, I feel comfortable writing almost anywhere, so I usually let my co-writer choose the location. Many have their own in-home studios these days, and I have no problem going to their happy place…as long as they have a coffee maker! Part of the fun in co-writing is setting it up and watching it all come together. Then hoping that a good song manages to fall out.
2) You have been wearing the same ring on your left hand for years. What is the story behind it?
The ring on my left hand really doesn’t have a story. I bought it years ago at a jewelry store in the Caribbean when I was on one of my first country music cruises. The one on my right hand, however, which I have been wearing since 1975, is part of a much larger story. It is a gold ring with a solitaire diamond and the Grand Ole Opry logo on one side with the WSM Radio logo on the other. It was given to me…and one just like it to the other male members of the Opry…in 1975 to help commemorate the Opry’s 50th birthday. Our initials were engraved inside.The women were given beautiful gold bracelets, and we were told that the jeweler who designed both the rings and the bracelets had the molds destroyed so that no replicas could ever be made. I don’t have many material possessions that mean a lot to me, but my Opry ring definitely does.
3) I saw a portion of one of your TV shows from back in the sixties when Tammy Wynette, my all-time favorite, was a guest. During her performance, a young back-up vocalist came up to the microphone to share the spotlight with Tammy. It was obvious that Tammy was not pleased with that. Was that common in those days? Did stars like that idea?
I think you mis-read the look on Tammy’s face. She was not displeased at all. The young girl was Tammy’s step-daughter, and Tammy had invited her to appear on the show. It was early in Tammy’s career, but she was already trying to help someone else establish a career of their own. I interpreted it as a very generous gesture on Tammy’s part.
Our Question Of The Month comes from David who needs to check his Spam folder for a letter from me. He asks, “What did you find to be the most challenging part of being a game show host? You did a great job. You seem to be a natural for hosting, and I would like to have seen more.”Thank you. I found the most challenging part of hosting a game show was trying to keep my mind in three places at once…the past, the present, and the future. I had to remember what had just happened while anticipating what might be about to happen. Depending on what the contestant said or did, I had to be ready to perform Task A or Task B or go in a completely different direction and perform Task C. It required a lot of intense concentration, and was daunting and terrifying to me at first. Once I settled into it, though, and began to feel comfortable in my role, I loved it. Thank you for saying I did a good job. I grew to really enjoy it, and wouldn’t take anything for having had the experience.
Quickies: I have noticed recently some of your older albums appearing on Facebook. Can these albums be bought straight from you? I don’t like downloads…I like to have the hard copies so I can read the credits. I understand where you are coming from, but welcome to today’s world of streaming. I’m afraid these new digital releases are for downloading purposes only. I don’t think “hard copies” will even be manufactured. We will not be offering any of these through our online store. Sorry. Wish we could. I was recently watching one of the CFR Old Time Gospel DVDs and was wondering if anyone had ever been saved during one of those shows you televised. No, not that I know of. Most of the artists who took part in those very special shows were already Christians and were simply sharing their faith through their music and testimony. I enjoy reading the questions and answers your newsletter. My question is: Did you know David Houston and ever work with him? I listened to him as a teen-ager and always enjoyed his singing. Thank you. I knew David fairly well, toured with him on occasion, and worked with him a lot on the Grand Ole Opry. Following his smash hit, “Almost Persuaded,” in 1966, for the next several years there was no hotter artist in country music than David. He had a style all his own and contributed greatly to our musical format. Do you know if the Opry has a dress code? If they do, I didn’t get the memo.
Thanks for your questions this month…just wish we had space to get to them all. We’ll do it again in November, so send me any questions you might have. You can e-mail me at askbill@billanderson.com or send snail mail to me at P.O. Box 888, Hermitage, Tennessee, 37076. Provide us with our Question Of The Month and you’ll win any item of merchandise you’d like absolutely free from our online store. See you next month…
October 3, 2023
Hi Gang:
And welcome to my favorite month of the year. Baseball, football, cooler temperatures, bright fall colors….it doesn’t get any better than October!
Lots of good things are happening music-wise this month as well. I told you last time that I was hoping to be able to share some news about some upcoming record projects from Whisperville, and I can. We are hard at work right now putting the finishing touches on an amazing new recording that will feature FIVE Hall of Fame members performing on one song. From what I can determine, this has never happened before.
The artists will be myself, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Jimmy Fortune, and Bobby Bare. The song is one I co-wrote with Bobby Tomberlin and Lance Miller, and one which think a lot of you will relate to. It’s called, “The Country I Grew Up With,” and if all goes as planned, it will be released in early November on Universal (UMG) Records. Stay tuned.
And sometime after the first of the year, Universal plans to also release a six-song EP of new love songs that I have written or co-written, and I’m really excited about that as well. Steve Dorff, who went to the University of Georgia as I did, and who went into the Songwriters Hall of Fame the same night that I did, has produced these recordings which he calls, “Modern day versions of ‘Still’.” The recordings are sparse musically, and each song takes a different approach to the subject of love. One of them may be my favorite song that I’ve ever written. I’ll share more as the time approaches.
What else is going on? Well, down at the Hall of Fame they are beginning to dismantle the Bill Anderson – As Far As I Can See exhibit which has been on display since December, 2021. It’s been a great run and a fun ride, and I thank each of you who took time to take it in. I visited for one final time the Thursday before it closed, and marveled all over again at how incredible it was and how much meticulous hard work went into its creation. My friend, the late Peter Cooper, had so much to do with the exhibit’s content and tone, and I will always be indebted to him for all he did to make it happen.
I guess by now most of you have heard that the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame will be awarding me their very first Lifetime Achievement Award in April of next year. I am extremely honored that the state where I was born and lived the first eight years of my life wants to honor me in such an incredible way. I hope I can be there…on the campus of Furman University in Greenville…for the actual presentation on April 25th.
Oh, before I forget, I will be on the Grand Ole Opry for four appearances this month…two shows on the 7th and one show each on the 28th and the 31st. The 7th will be special in that we’ll be celebrating the Opry’s 98th birthday that night along with the induction of our newest member, Sara Evans.
On the personal side of things, my granddaughter, Caroline, and her fiance, Jacob, are moving from Nashville to Savannah, Georgia, this month. I hope you will join me in wishing them well in their new jobs and new locale.
Have a great month, enjoy all the beauty that it has to offer, and I’ll see you back here again in November. Thanks so much for everything….
Latest Photos
The Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 98th birthday this month, and people are always asking me how the show has changed over the years. It has evolved with the passage of time, of course, but one thing remains the same: That warm, special feeling of camaraderie and togetherness which exists in very few other places. I hope the spirit of the show and of its members never changes. Whether I’m on stage, as I am in the first picture here, or visiting backstage with fellow artists like Chris Janson (I told him I was NOT going to buy him a boat!) and T. Graham Brown, the Opry brotherhood/sisterhood is something unique and very special. And it includes not only the artists but their families as well. T. Graham’s wife, Sheila, sent me a fresh supply of her incredible homemade pimento cheese, a loaf of bread to make sandwiches, and some delicious homemade cookies last weekend, just because, as she wrote in a note, “we love you.” May the Opry continue to prosper and soar for at least another 98 years!
September 22, 2023
SOUTH CAROLINA ENTERTAINMENT AND MUSIC HALL OF FAME TO HONOR BILL ANDERSON WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD APRIL 25, 2024
Country Music Hall of Fame member, Songwriters Hall of Fame member and ACM and CMA-award-winning entertainment titan, Bill Anderson, will be honored with the 2024 Dr. David Godbold Lifetime Achievement Award by the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame. Anderson was inducted by the organization in 1994, and will be the first Lifetime Achievement Award honoree when the event is held April 25, 2024. Anderson was born in Columbia, South Carolina and lived there for the first 8 years of his life until moving to Georgia.
“My Carolina roots run deep. The first country music I ever heard was broadcast over radio station WIS in Columbia, and the first time I ever saw a country band perform in person was in their studios. My first musical heroes were local entertainers named Byron Parker and Snuffy Jenkins. I am truly humbled to be the first artist to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame, and I thank the Board of Directors for their unanimous vote. This is a tremendous honor. I hope to be there to accept it in person,” Bill Anderson
The Dr. David Godbold Lifetime Achievement award carries the name of the founder of the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame and was created to recognize an artist who has previously been inducted and has achieved significant national success in the field of music and/or entertainment. The award is nominated and voted on by the board of directors to celebrate an individual or group who has achieved national prominence through their creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance that shines a positive light on the State of South Carolina.
“The South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame voted unanimously to award Bill Anderson as the first artist recipient of the Dr. David Godbold Lifetime Achievement Award. We are thrilled to celebrate this award with Bill because of his lifetime contribution to the millions of country music fans around the world. He truly exemplifies the intent of this award through his work in country music as a singer, songwriter, television host and author. He is an extraordinary man with exceptional talent and has made a tremendous impact in South Carolina as well as so many people around the world,” said Roy Costner, Vice Chairman of the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame
Recently, Anderson was celebrated for his indelible 62 years as the longest-serving member in Grand Ole Opry history.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum currently features the life and illustrious career of Anderson in the exhibition, Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See, which has been extended through Monday, September 25. The exhibit is an exploration of his life and musical legacy, from childhood through his contributions as one of the most decorated recording artists, songwriters, and entertainers in history.
September 5, 2023
September 5, 2023
I can’t tell you how many people have congratulated me recently on my becoming the oldest member of the Grand Ole Opry. NO…NO…NO…I am not the oldest member. I know of at least four members who are older than I am. What we were celebrating a few weeks ago was my becoming the LONGEST SERVING member of the Opry in the show’s history. I’ve simply been an Opry member for over 62 consecutive years, longer than any other performer in history. Please don’t try making me any older than I am!On a more somber note, we have had to say goodbye recently to two ladies who were each, in their own way, a big part of my career back in the day. Bev Porter who played keyboards and sang back-up vocals with my Po’ Folks Band in the eighties, passed away last month from a rare type of leukemia that went undetected until it was too late. She was 67. And Jeanne Chennault, whom some of you knew as Jeanne Gaddis, died Labor Day weekend at the age of 94 near her home in Texas. Jeanne worked for me for 24-years, serving as both my secretary and fan club president. She was the mother of my longtime assistant, Kathy Gaddy. Both Bev and Jeanne contributed so much to my life and my career. They will both be missed.I had planned to spend the last few days of August and the early days of September relaxing amid the surf and sand in Florida, but unfortunately, a hurricane named Idalia had a similar idea. She was bigger and stronger than me, so I let her have the territory at first. I just relaxed at home until she moved out and I could move in. Hopefully, I’ll arrive home refreshed and ready to climb back in the saddle. Lots of things involving new music are on the horizon, and I hope it won’t be long before I can share some of them with you.
Have a great month with whatever is on your plate, and we’ll see you back here in my favorite month of October. As always, thanks for everything….
Latest Photos
You can see from this first picture that Sara Evans became very emotional when I asked her if she would like to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Sara was headlining her own concert at the Ryman when some of us (me, Lady A, and Carly Pearce) broke in to present her with an award and pop this very special question. Sara will be officially inducted into the Opry family on October 7th. The second picture is that of a young Bev Porter as she appeared in her early days as the keyboard player and background vocalist in my Po’ Folks Band. Many of you met Bev and heard her play both at the Opry and on our tours over the years. As I indicated earlier in my letter, she was an important part of all that I did back in the eighties.The third picture was taken backstage at the Opry where I recently had the chance to catch up with Becky Isaacs Bowman of the singing group, The Isaacs. As you probably know, Becky was seriously injured in a head-on car crash back in December and has had to undergo several surgeries and intensive rehab. Her spirit, her faith, and her attitude have not wavered, though, and it was wonderful to share some moments with her. What a light of positivity and optimism she is.
Ask Bill – September 5, 2023
1) I recently found an RCA record by Don Bowman with a parody of your song, “Still.” It says it’s from an album called “Whispering Country.” Can you provide any information about this record?
Don Bowman was the comedian on my syndicated television show from the late sixties into the early seventies, and he loved to tease and pick on me. He, in fact, was the first person to ever refer to me as “Whisperin’ Bill.” He came up with the concept of doing an entire album of parodies on my songs, “Still” being one of them. The album was called “Whispering Country,” and the cover photo showed Don standing over a table of my albums about to chop them to pieces with a meat cleaver. He “butchered” my songs all right, but in a funny and creative way. Don had a tremendous sense of humor and was a dear and valued friend.
2) Why are your CDs and other merchandise not shipped to the UK?We used to ship our merchandise all over the world, but in recent years international shipping has become not only very expensive but very complicated. As you might expect, there are different rates, rules, and regulations for shipping to each country. We are not a large enough company to afford a computer program sophisticated enough to figure all the various international costs. However, if any of our overseas fans would like to order a specific item and have it shipped to you, contact judy@billanderson.com and ask for the cost of shipping to your particular address. She will manually figure the cost for you, and if you have a Pay Pal account you’ll be able to order. Sorry….I wish it were easier, but like so many things these days, it simply is not.3) Recently we were watching the Country’s Family Reunion DVD where Jan Howard read her poem about her thoughts on growing older. Do you know of any way to get a copy of that? Yes…you have come to the right place. A man named Ron Harmon is the administrator of Jan’s website, and a free printed copy of Jan’s poem, entitled “Aging”, is available through him. The e-copies are free, and you can request one by e-mailing Ron at JanHowardWebsite@comcast.net. For those of you who might like a hard copy via snail mail, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Ron Harmon, 101 Cottage Place, Nashville, TN. 37214, and he will send you one by return mail.Our Question Of The Month comes from Byron in Ohio: When I was at the Opry last year, Don Schlitz was on and did a great job. I noticed that he had a notebook on a music stand which I assume contained the lyrics to his songs. He glanced at it ever so often. My thought was that he has written so many songs that it was hard for him to remember the lyrics. I know you have also written hundreds of songs, and I wonder if you remember the words to every song that you’ve written? At times do you have to refer to a “cheat sheet” if you’re singing a song you haven’t done in a while?I don’t know anyone who remembers the words to all of their songs. People say, “You wrote it…you should remember it,” but that’s not always the case. I forget the words sometimes, and not just to songs I haven’t done in a while. Not long ago I stood on the Opry stage and couldn’t for the life of me remember second verse of “Wherever She Is,” a song I do quite often on the show. One of the background singers finally had to clue me in. I don’t have a notebook like Don, but I will occasionally ask the Opry staff to put the lyrics to one of my songs on the teleprompter. And there have been other times where I’ve simply re-written the song as I sang it. I laugh and tell the audience, “Well, I wrote it the first time, I guess I can write it again if I want to!”Quickies: Do you have any news on Helen Cornelius? I know she has had a few health challenges and is basically retired. I would love to hear that she is doing well. We would like to hear that, too, but unfortunately I’m afraid that’s not the case. We all need to keep Helen in our thoughts and prayers. I see you are performing frequently at the Opry. Do you have plans to go back on the road anytime soon? I try to never say never, but I really don’t. With my songwriting, recording, Opry appearances, and the time I enjoy spending with my friends and family, climbing back on a tour bus right now is not high on my list of priorities. I miss the shows and miss being with the fans, but it’s awfully nice to sleep in my own bed every night. My favorite gospel group has always been the Happy Goodman Family. I know your former steel guitar player, Jack Smith, was at one time married to Howard and Vestal Goodman’s daughter. I am curious as to what years he played with you. My memory is not good enough to remember the exact dates, but Jack came with me somewhere in the mid-seventies and stayed until the early eighties. He left Nashville a few years ago and sadly was killed in a car wreck in Arizona not long afterward.
Thanks again for your questions this month, although I didn’t receive as many as I usually do. Don’t be shy…if you have something to do with me or country music that you’d like to know about, write me at askbill@billanderson.com and I’ll try to satisfy your curiosity. If yours is chosen our Question Of The Month you’ll win any item of your choice from our online store absolutely free. See you back here again next month.
