Bill Anderson's Blog, page 2

Latest Photos

This is the picture that greeted folks as they entered our Meet ‘n Greet party following my Opry appearance on July 15th. If I look extra happy in the picture it’s because I was.  (Photo: Chris Hallo)

Jamey Johnson introduced my portion of the Opry two night earlier when we gathered to celebrate his 50th birthday. Notice he is smiling, too. It was a week full of happy occasions.

Mary Lou Turner came in from Branson to re-unite with me onstage and sing our #1 duet from 1976, “Sometimes.” Her flashy red jacket once belonged to Buck Trent of Hee-Haw fame. She wants me to give her one of my old Nudie or Manuel jackets, but I haven’t decided on that just yet! Maybe I’ll opt to rent her one by the hour! 

Dr. David Godboldt (to my left) and the Executive Team from the South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame presented me with another beautifully engraved Lifetime Achievement Award to replace the one I dropped and broke in South Carolina last year. In addition, they announced on the Opry that I am now the “Official Ambassador Of All Music & Entertainment” for the state where I was born. I can’t wait to tell Darius Rucker and Josh Turner, my fellow South Carolinians, that they now have to report to me!!

Let’s Have A Party! I thought you might like to see a few pictures taken at our fan club after-party on the night of my 64th anniversary. You can see in the first picture how nicely the area was laid out behind the Opry stage in Studio A. They had a beautiful and delicious cake (half vanilla and half chocolate) made for us all to enjoy. Opry General Manager, Dan Rogers, introduced me to the crowd, and I took advantage of the opportunity to welcome everyone and encourage them to have a good time. My son, Jamey’s, family was all there, and posed in front of the Opry100 birthday cake for a family photo. The three ladies in the next photo have one thing in common: They have each been my personal secretary or assistant at some point over the years. L. to R. Cathy Allen, whose parents, Frances & Doyle Cox, ran my fan club for several years back in the seventies; Kathy Gaddy, who came to work part time for me when she was 15-years old and stayed for 35-years; and my current administrative assistant, Judy Price. It was great having these ladies together to help acknowledge my milestone. Below, Darrin Vincent, of the great bluegrass group, Dailey & Vincent, is a dear friend, and I was thrilled to see him in the crowd. It was a very special night for all concerned. I wish each of you could have been there. Maybe next year!!

Ask Bill – August 1, 2025

Before I start trying to answer this month’s questions, I need to apologize to all of you on behalf of both me and Larry Black. In our July newsletter, I stated that Charley Pride had not appeared on the Country’s Family Reunion, “Bill Anderson’s 50th Celebration”, taped back in 2010. Larry, who produced the CFR series, checked the old tapes and confirmed that I was right. However, sometimes our readers are smarter and more observant than we are, as proven by the one who sent me the picture below showing clearly that Charley WAS in the studio the day we recorded that particular show! This alert reader, Mason from Georgia, said Charley also appeared and provided some outstanding moments on the accompanying backstage DVD. As to why he didn’t sing on the show, I have no idea. I’m guessing perhaps he had another obligation or a plane to catch back home to Texas and wasn’t able to hang around. We try to be as accurate as possible in this space each month, but obviously Larry and I are far from perfect and we whiffed on this one. Forgive us please, and Mason…your “gold star” is in the mail!!

Now to the latest questions:

1) I was listening to the Statler Brothers recently, and in the song, “How To Be A Country Star,” Harold sings the advice to “whisper like Bill Anderson.” Over their career I know they recorded at least one of your songs (City Lights). What was your relationship with the Statlers? Did you ever perform with them? And can you share a story with us?

I could share more Statler stories than we would ever have space to print, beginning with the fact that I was on the show in Canton, Ohio, the night in early 1964 when Johnny Cash saw and hired them to be a part of his road show. They were known then as the Kingsmen’s Quartet, and I knew after watching them perform for about five minutes that these guys had what it took to be superstars. I introduced myself to them backstage, and thus began a special friendship that continues to this day. As to my performing with them, my most memorable time was getting asked to take part in their annual 4th of July Salute To America show in their hometown of Staunton, Virginia, back in the 70’s. We not only did a concert, but my Po’ Boys softball team challenged them to a ball game that afternoon, and we got our tails severely whupped. The last time I saw Harold was at Jimmy Dean’s funeral, but I still stay in touch with Don via e-mails and text messages and by reading the great books that he continues to write. Jimmy Fortune, of course, is one of my closest show biz buddies. We’ve written several songs together, and he appeared on my recording of “The Country I Grew Up With” a few months back. I never had a brother growing up, but I often told the Statler’s that they were my “adopted brothers.” I was proud of that…and they didn’t seem to mind my claiming them.

2) Since you are a great songwriter and storyteller, have you ever thought about writing in other forms like novels or short stories?

First, thank you for your kind words. Yes, I have thought about writing in other formats and even spent quite a bit of time several years ago working on a novel. I came to realize, however, that there is quite a difference between the two disciplines. In a song you’re writing within the constraints of time, meter, rhyme, and melody. You try to say as much as you can in the most concise way possible. In writing prose, however, it’s just the opposite…or as a book editor once told me, “if you’re writing about onions, take time to let the reader SMELL the onions.” I’ve known several successful authors who have tried writing songs only to find that they simply can’t. And I eventually came to the conclusion that I’d be best to leave the novel writing to the novelists. I am simply not the rare bird that can do both.

3) The first time my son saw you play he decided he wanted to play music for a living. Now he is 25 and is planning to move to Nashville around October and hopes to play music just like thousands of others. Do you have any suggestions as to what to do and what not to do?

I could fill this page and many more pages with things to tell your son before he moves to Nashville, but he’ll have to figure most of them out for himself…just like we all did. The main thing is for him to not expect overnight success. Nashville is often called a “ten-year town” which means it can take ten years of pounding the pavement here “paying your dues” before anything really good ever happens. Tell him to bring lots of determination and patience…and if he has a four-leaf clover sticking it in his pocket wouldn’t hurt either. Give him my best.

Our Question Of The Month comes in from Kevin in Virginia who asks: Is there any possibility that your XM radio show where you interviewed the legends could be made available as a podcast or on YouTube? I missed these shows the first time around, and I’d love to hear them. I’m sure others would too.

There is nothing that would please me more than to know that these shows…recorded over a period of seven-plus years in the early 2000’s and featuring just about every major star who ever played country music…were being heard again. I am as proud or prouder of them than anything I’ve done over the course of my career. The shows are owned by SiriusXM Satellite Radio now following their purchase of XM, and I truthfully don’t know the status or the legalities involved in bringing them out of the vault. But your question has made me want to look into it and I will. Stay tuned.

Quickies: Prior to the last 10-15 years did you ever wonder if vinyl would get popular again? Frankly, I never thought about it. I figured vinyl records had gone the way of the hula hoop, never to return. I’m glad I was wrong. Stay tuned because hopefully there’s a new Bill Anderson vinyl project coming before too long. Did you ever appear on The Tommy Hunter TV show from Canada? They are now on the internet, and so far I’ve seen Little Jimmy Dickens, Kitty Wells, Hank Snow, and Grandpa Jones.  Yes, I was a guest on Tommy’s show several times over the years. His show was one of the best country music shows ever produced, and Tommy became a dear friend. In a related letter, another fan asks, Were you ever on the Porter Wagoner Show back in the day? And, again, the answer is yes. Several times. Once Jan Howard and I guested together on Porter’s show and, in return, Porter and Dolly came over and guested on mine. Those were fun times. I heard a song on the radio that had the line, “I can hear you rattle the pots and pans.” Can you identify the song? The only song that comes to mind is the old rock ‘n roll classic, “Shake, Rattle, & Roll” which contained the words, “Get outta that bed and rattle those pots and pans.” Is that the one you’re thinking of? Where is the craziest place you have ever written a song? On a paper towel on the hood of my car while filling up with gasoline at a service station one afternoon somewhere in the upper midwest. It was the beginnings of a song called  “Then And Only Then,” which went on to become a hit for Connie Smith. If you hadn’t gotten into the music industry, what would have been your 2nd choice for a career? I grew up dreaming of being a professional baseball player, but I really didn’t have the talent for it. I would have probably done something in mass communications…either in radio or television broadcasting or perhaps writing for a newspaper or magazine. After making it in the music business, what was the first thing you bought just because you could? A car with air-conditioning! After all the years of writing songs, how do you keep the songs fresh without borrowing some lines from your older songs? A woman can only leave her man in so many ways…even if she is walking out backwards! That’s funny…and very true. I try to not borrow words or music from any other songs, but if I’m going to borrow then it might make more sense to borrow from myself than from somebody else. That way if I infringe on one of my own copyrights, then sue myself and lose, I can just move the money from my left pocket to my right!

And on that note I think it’s time to move on. Thanks for some great questions this month…several of which we didn’t have room to get to. We’ll save them for next time. Meantime, if you’re curious about anything connected to me or to country music, write me at askbill@billanderson.com and I’ll try my best to answer. If your question is selected as our Question Of The Month you’ll win any item of your choice from our online store absolutely free. Thanks, and I’ll see you back here again in September.

August 1, 2025

Hi Gang:

It was the week that was…to borrow from the name of an old TV show…and when it was over, I was both exhausted and grinning from ear to ear.

Of course I am referring to the third week in July when I celebrated my 64th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry…hosted a late night party following the show…and for good measure snuck in a couple of additional Opry appearances to boot.

I had been planning my Tuesday July 15th celebration for quite some time when the Opry reached out and asked if I could also appear the Sunday night before to help them celebrate Jamey Johnson’s 50th birthday. Naturally, I couldn’t turn that down. Then, if my week wasn’t already full enough, they asked if on Thursday night I would help them re-create the last Opry show presented at the Ryman Auditorium back in 1974 prior to the Opry’s move to the new Opry House at Opryland USA. I am the only active living Opry member who was there that night, so naturally I said yes. I would have thought nothing of appearing on three Opry shows in five days back in the day, but when it was over I realized we are not “back in the day” anymore!

I’m not complaining…beIieve me, I enjoyed every minute of it. The audiences were great, our fan club gathering was terrific, and those of you who came and took part were special beyond belief. Thanks to everybody who made the occasion one that I will remember for a long, long time.

So, now it’s August and you’re wondering what I’m going to do for an encore. I’m sort of wondering the same thing myself!

For starters, I’ll be back on the Opry stage on August 2nd and 16th as we continue  our year-long celebration of the Opry’s 100th birthday. Later this fall we are going to honor the legacies of Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl on Saturday night October 18th, and on Friday November 28th we’ll commemorate the actual day the Opry began in 1925. I am confirmed for both of those nights and looking forward to taking part in those very unique and special evenings.

As you might suspect, I have several songwriting sessions lined up this month along with the release of the Chuck Wagon Gang’s version of my and Jerry Salley’s song, “Go Spread The Gospel” in their “Made To Live In Heaven” album. This project was supposed to have come out in July, but was moved forward to allow for some extra promotional opportunities.

Willie Nelson just recorded a new Christmas song that I wrote along with Bobby Tomberlin and Marv Green, and we are anxiously awaiting official news of its release. Hopefully, I can tell you more in our next newsletter.

August is not exactly known for its cool weather, but here’s hoping the triple-digit heat indexes many of us have been experiencing will ease off a bit in the next few weeks and things will grow a bit more comfortable as we move toward fall. Thanks for helping us keep things heated-up in Whispervile, though, and we’ll see you back here again in September.

Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Their Longest-Serving Member, Bill Anderson | Taste of Country

PIC: Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Their Longest-Serving Member, Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson’s legacy at the Grand Ole Opry spans 64 years, showcasing his contribution as the venue’s longest-serving member.

BILL ANDERSON CELEBRATES 64 YEARS AS THE LONGEST-SERVING MEMBER OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – During his 64th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member, Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson was surprised with two remarkable honors during his performance on Tuesday, July 15. Opry Vice President and Executive Producer Dan Rogers presented Anderson with a custom scarf designed by world-renowned designer Manuel Cuevas, given to each Opry member throughout the Opry 100 year. Rogers presented Anderson with his scarf last night to commemorate his historic influence.

Anderson was also recognized on stage by the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Committee with the Music and Entertainment Ambassador Award.

Bill Anderson said, “More than anything, it’s just a blessing to be up here for more than 64 years. Thank you to the fans and the Opry for supporting me all this time.”

Dan Rogers said, “Bill Anderson has made an indelible mark. We could take a full Opry show and talk about Bill and his impact. He has continued to be a bridge between new and legacy artists for 64 years now, and now we thank him.”

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Known affectionately as “Whisperin’ Bill,” Anderson was inducted into the Opry family July 15, 1961 at the young age of 23. Since then, he has become a pillar of the Opry and a living link between generations of country music tradition.

From classic hits like “Still,” “Po’ Folks,” and “Mama Sang a Song” to chart toppers for artists like George Strait and Brad Paisley, Anderson’s influence reaches every corner of the genre. He remains one of the most awarded and respected songwriters in country music history.

A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Anderson continues to write, record, and appear regularly on the Grand Ole Opry, inspiring generations with his timeless contributions to country music.

For more information on Bill Anderson, visit billanderson.com

ABOUT BILL ANDERSON:
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry titan Bill Anderson is the rare songwriter whose first major label cut went to No. 1 on the charts, was named Song of The Year and sparked a writing career that is currently in its seventh decade. The song, “City Lights,” was written when Anderson was a 19-year old Georgia disc jockey and became a career-defining hit for Ray Price in 1958. The song opened doors for him in Nashville, leading him to signing with BMI and Tree Publishing. Anderson was far from a one-hit wonder. He followed “City Lights” with country standards like “Tips Of My Fingers,” the GRAMMY-nominated “Once A Day,” “Saginaw, Michigan,” “That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome,” “I Missed Me,” “Cold Hard Facts Of Life,” which earned him another GRAMMY nomination, “Mama Sang A Song,” the crossover smash, “Still,” and countless others. He was voted country Songwriter of the Year six times during his first decade in Music City. His success continued into the 1970’s with award-winning hits like “Slippin’ Away,” “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking,” “I May Never Get To Heaven,” and the disco-flavored, “I Can’t Wait Any Longer.” The 1980’s saw Anderson’s chart-topping career take a hiatus as he became a TV network game show host, spokesman for a national restaurant chain and a nonstop touring Grand Ole Opry performer. In the 1990’s he came roaring back with a vengeance, however, as he seriously turned to co-writing for the first time. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, his collaborations with the newer generation of Nashville tunesmiths resulted in hits like “Wish You Were Here,” the GRAMMY-nominated “Two Teardrops,” “A Lot Of Things Different,” for Kenny Chesney, “Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn),” for Vince Gill and two CMA Song Of The Year trophies for “Whiskey Lullaby,” with Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and George Strait’s “Give It Away,” in 2005 and 2007 respectfully.  He continues to write today with songs like Brad Paisley’s “Dying To See Her.” 

Grand Ole Opry’s One-Night-Only Event Books 87-Year-Old Country Legend | Parade

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Grand Ole Opry’s One-Night-Only Event Books 87-Year-Old Country Legend

The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and it just announced a new historic event, headlined by a country music icon.

July 1, 2025

Hi Gang:

And welcome to our July newsletter. Thanks for joining us.

It’s going to be an exciting few days for those of us here in the States as we commemorate the founding of our country later this week on July 4th. It’s a time of both reflection and celebration, and I hope each of you remembers to celebrate safely and responsibly. My plans involve staying close to home with family and friends. That’s what you do when you get to be my age!!

I’ll be celebrating big-time twice this month, though, first on the 4th and later on July 15th when I will mark my 64th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry! I’ll be performing that night and will also be honored onstage as part of the Opry’s 100th Anniversary. I’m looking forward to both. I’ll also be spending time with those of you who are planning to come celebrate with me. If you’re coming to the show and haven’t yet signed up for our backstage meet ‘n greet afterward, there’s still time. Click on this link  (HERE) and come join the fun.

I’ll also be on the Opry tonight, July 1st, on Saturday the 5th, and on the 13th when I’ll help my buddy, Jamey Johnson, celebrate his 50th birthday. Think he and I ought to sing, “Everybody Wants To Be 21??” They’ve also just announced a July 17th Opry show at the Ryman where we’ll recreate the last show held there in 1974 before our move to Opryland. That should be fun.

July is going to be a good month for celebrating some new music as well. The legendary gospel group, the Chuck Wagon Gang, has recorded my and Jerry Salley’s song, “Go Spread The Gospel,” for their new album titled “Made To Live In Heaven.” It comes out on July 25th.

Of course, Barbra Streisand and Tim McGraw released their duet version of “I Love Us” on June 27th, so it’s virtually a July record as well. Steve Dorff and I wrote the song, and it’s part of Barbra’s “The Secret Of Life – Partners II” collection on Columbia Records. I’m awfully proud of it and excited about the many opportunities that come along with having major artists the status of Barbra and Tim record it.

And, speaking of records, MCA Records has finally given us some information for another group of my old albums which they have digitized and will be releasing soon. They include Live From London (never before available in the U.S.), Wild Weekend, Always Remember, Ladies Choice, Nashville Mirrors, Where Have All Our Heroes Gone, and If It’s All The Same To You with Jan Howard. I’m told they’ll be out shortly with eleven more slated for release not long afterward. 

In addition, our team here in Whisperville is looking into the possibility of issuing a vinyl LP version of my “Forevermore” EP which came out digitally late last year. Plans are still being worked through, but a hard-copy of this record (plus some never-before-released bonus tracks) is in the works. Stay tuned.

On the personal front, I had a great Father’s Day and I hope all the Dads among you did as well. My day included a major surprise which I’ll tell you about in our photo section. Don’t forget to scroll on down.

Stay cool during what’s already a hot, humid month and hopefully I’ll see each of you back here again in August. Thanks for everything….

Ask Bill – July 1, 2025

1) I have a question about two versions of a song that seem the same but completely different at the same time. Red Steagall had a song called, “I Gave Up Good Morning Darling,” that I absolutely loved. It shows solo writing credit to him. Then Mel McDaniel had a song called, “Hello Daddy, Good Morning Darling.” This one shows you, Ronnie Dunn, and Red Steagall with songwriting credit. Did a group of you just get together and re-arrange the original? Can you provide any information on the story behind those two songs.

Yes I can. First you mis-read the writers’ credits on Mel’s song. It wasn’t Bill Anderson, Ronnie Dunn, and Red Steagall. It was Scott Anders, Wayne Dunn, and Keith Stegall. There’s a big difference! Red’s song came out in 1974 and got up to #54 in the Billboard charts. Mel’s was released six years later and rose to #39. I don’t think anyone set out to “re-arrange” anything. I think the similarities were just coincidental. That happens more than you might think in this crazy business of ours.

2) Why does the Country Music Association allow award shows to be streamed and not broadcast on a regular TV channel or network? It’s the fans who support the singers, and now unless we subscribe to streaming we cannot watch or enjoy. It’s a sad day in country music that this is being allowed.

For the second time today, we have a question that is not factually correct. First, the Country Music Association has nothing at all to do with the streaming of award shows. Their show is broadcast each fall on one of the major television networks, this year on ABC. The Academy of Country Music, which is an entirely different organization altogether, streams their awards show in the spring. Their 2025 show was in May. The Academy evidently feels streaming is in their best interests. You’ll have to ask them why because I don’t know.

3) I watched your 50th Anniversary show with Vince Gill hosting, and I noticed Charley Pride was sitting in the back of the room. He never sang one of your songs like everyone else. Was there something wrong with him? Was he ill or something? I really love Charley. I watched the entire show and enjoyed every minute. Vince did an awesome job.

Yes he did, and I’m glad you enjoyed the show. When I first read your letter, I tried to picture Charley Pride having been there for that particular episode of Country’s Family Reunion, and I couldn’t. So I reached out to Larry Black, who checked the files, and reported back that Charley was not “in the back of the room” as you suggested. He was not in the studio at all that day. You must have seen someone else and thought it was Charley. (We are now three for three in terms of mistaken identities so far today!

4) Our Question of the Month comes from Scott in Tennessee who asks, “One of my favorites of all your songs is “I Get The Fever,” a song about heartache uncommon for its peppy tempo. Was it your intention to present the protagonist as all talk or am I reading too much into it? I picture him as saying he may leave tomorrow, but he’s said that every day for years and has never actually done it.

That’s a very interesting question, and I’m sure it’s the first time anyone has ever used the word “protagonist” in a question to this column! You should win an award for that word alone! Seriously, I never really thought about it as deeply as you obviously have. I guess I always figured he left on one of those “midnight trains” and never came back. But then in the second verse when he says, “Maybe I’ll do just that tomorrow” it does lead the listener to think maybe he didn’t really go after all. Sometimes I think maybe the best songs are those that can be interpreted by each individual listener based on that listener’s own frame of reference. You let it mean whatever you want it to mean to you….while I go look up “protagonist” in the dictionary!!

Quickies: Can you get into the music business if you are unable to move to Nashville (or travel there) and don’t play an instrument? Of course you can. But living here or visiting here regularly might help you cut through a lot of the red tape. Playing an instrument helps, too, but it’s not necessary. Did you and the great Loretta Lynn ever hook up to write? You are an awesome story teller and so was Miss Loretta. It definitely would have been a great song for sure. Thank you, and what a joy it would have been to have written with her! Even if we didn’t write a good song, just spending time with her in a room with a couple of guitars would have been a wonderful way to spend a day. Unfortunately, we never made that happen. If somebody has a song or an idea for a song and wants to give it to you, do you accept it? Or does this have the potential for creating legal issues? No, I can’t accept it. Not only does it open up potential legal issues, but if I listened to every song that is brought or sent to me I wouldn’t have time to write any of my own. Or do much of anything else! I have been re-watching the old Country’s Family Reunion videos and more than once the phrase “I’ve been sick” has been uttered by stars and responded to with laughter. Is this a running joke within the music community? Longtime Opry star, Jimmy C. Newman, probably should be credited with introducing the “I’ve been sick” phrase into our world. Anytime anyone would ask him a question that he didn’t have an answer for, or if he just wanted to get a laugh, he would launch into a whiny little voice and say, “I’ve been siiick.” It became a running joke among the Opry crowd until it ultimately became a staple. I was a contestant on the game show you hosted called, “Fandango.” How can I get a copy of my three appearances? If you don’t still have the VHS recording of the show that you were given following your appearance, I’m afraid you are out of luck. When CBS bought the TNN Network, where Fandango originated, they moved all the tapes to New York and, from what I’ve been told, most, if not all of them, were destroyed in a fire. Sorry. I’ve heard you call “Peel Me A ‘Nanner” the dumbest song you ever wrote. Is that still your thought? Can you think of one that’s any dumber?? Wait, don’t answer that!! Let’s just say that for now ‘Nanner still holds the prize.

I wish I had a prize to give to each of you who sent in a question this month because I appreciate them every one. We’ll be back with more next month, so if you’re curious about anything from “protagonists” to “Nanners,” I hope you’ll let me know about it. Write to me at askbill@billanderson.com and watch for your question to appear in a future newsletter. If your question is selected as our Question Of The Month, you’ll win any item you choose from our online store absolutely free. This column couldn’t exist without you, so keep those questions coming. See you back here in August.

Latest Photos

I got a great surprise on Father’s Day. My daughters, Terri and Jenni, were over at my house for an afternoon visit when my phone rang. It was my son, Jamey, who is, as most of you know, a pilot for Delta airlines. I knew he was supposed to be in Reno, Nevada, or on his way there for the day. He said, “Happy Father’s Day!,” and I wished him the same. Then I asked, “Where are you?”
 And he replied, “At your front door!” Turns out that the weather had caused a bunch of flight delays in and out of New Orleans, where he had been, and they finally took Jamey and his crew off the Reno flight and sent them home. And I ended up getting to spend Father’s Day with all three of my “kids.”  L to R – Terri Whitman, me, Jenni Robeson, and Jamey. It was a special day indeed.

Did you ever wonder what the Opry looks like from my point of view when I’m onstage? I thought this picture captured the scene pretty well, and I wanted to share it with you. There’s nothing quite like standing on that stage and looking out across a sea of smiling faces. OK, everybody wasn’t smiling here, but you know what I mean!

A backstage picture of me with the always beautiful and stylish Lorrie Morgan and her husband, Randy White, taken some time ago. Sadly, Randy passed away last month. He was a warm and friendly guy whom all of us were very fond of. I know you join me in extending condolences to Lorrie in her loss.

I wanted you to see the cover of the Barbra Streisand album that contains my co-written song, “I Love Us.” Take a look at the names of the artists joining her on this incredible collection…it’s truly a musical who’s-who. Tim McGraw carries the country banner, and I’m so proud of how great he and Barbra sound together on our song. I hope you’ll check it out. 

Ask Bill – June 2, 2025

1) How well did you know Patsy Cline? Did you get along with her and like her? Also, was she really as close to Loretta Lynn as Loretta said? I find it odd that there is not one picture anywhere of Patsy and Loretta together.

I knew Patsy very well and toured with her quite a bit as we shared the same booking agent. She was funny and fun and I liked her a lot. As to her relationship with Loretta, I really can’t say. I find it strange, if it’s true, that there is no picture of the two of them together. I have several pictures of Patsy and me together, including one taken a week to the day before she was killed.

2) What kind of watch do you wear? I have seen you wear it for years, and I’ve I noticed it was a very unique and beautiful piece.

Thank you. My watch was a gift to me from the Atlanta Braves when they became National League baseball champions back in 1995. They went on to win the World Series that year. I was in their clubhouse during Spring Training the following season when the people came to hand out their championship jewelry. One of the coaches pointed to me and said, “He’s one of us. Give him whatever he wants,” and that’s how I got the watch. It’s probably not worth a large amount of money, but you can only imagine how special it is to me.

3) As you approach your 64th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, which Opry star has been the most popular with his or her fellow Opry stars during your Opry career? I’m not looking for the Opry star you all wanted to watch perform, but whose dressing room did everyone want to visit?

That’s a very interesting question. Roy Acuff always kept the door to Dressing Room #1 wide open, and there was usually a group of fellow artists moving about inside. Vince Gill continues that tradition in Mr. Roy’s former room today. Room #2 was, and continues to be, the bluegrass music hangout, and because of legends like Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, and Jim & Jesse, all the serious acoustical pickers always made themselves at home in there. I personally loved to park myself in Dressing Room #3 when Little Jimmy Dickens was on the show. You never knew what might happen when the ‘Tater was holding court inside. Minnie Pearl was also extremely popular with her fellow performers as were artists like Grandpa Jones, Bill Carlisle, and Jean Shepard.

4) Question Of The Month: This month’s Question of the Month has to do with songwriting, and it comes from Jeff in Indiana. It’s actually more than one question as he grouped several of them together: “When you write songs, do you write the lyrics or the melody first? How many songs would you say you have written? What is the shortest amount of time it has taken you to write a song, and what is the longest?”

I gravitate toward the stories in country songs, so I usually write from a lyrical idea first. I tend to let the lyric suggest the melody. I have no idea how many songs I have written. I tell folks I’ve been too busy writing them to stop and count. It’s bound to be in the thousands, though, especially if you consider all the ones I threw into the trash! I’ve written songs in 20-minutes (Hank Williams is quoted as once having said if it took longer than that it probably wasn’t worth writing) and I once spent three years working on one. There’s no set pattern. Each individual song seems to take on a life and personality of its own.

QUICKIES: I remember as a child hearing a song called, ‘Please, mommy, won’t you put my little shoes away.’ Have you ever heard it? The actual title is, “Put My Little Shoes Away,” and I’ve heard it all right. I’ve always thought it was one of the saddest songs ever written. A man named Riley Puckett had the original recording of the song back in the 1920’s, but I recall hearing the great Mac Wiseman sing it on many occasions. Bill Monroe also recorded it, but If I remember correctly, Mac’s rendition was the most popular. I can’t afford to come to Nashville, but I’ve been told that if I make copies of the songs I write and mail one to myself I can protect my songs for copyright purposes. Is this true? Yes, I have been told that it is. Send the songs to yourself by either Certified or Registered mail, and do not open them when they arrive. If any question ever arises as to whether or not you wrote the songs, you will have dated postmark proof that you did. I’ve seen some of your flashy stage clothes on various older shows. Do you have these exhibited any place? Several pieces of my older stage wear were on display at the Hall of Fame when my exhibit was there a few years ago. When the exhibit closed, I donated several of them to the Hall, but whether or not they are currently on display I can’t say. I’ve given others to various entities over the years, including the Tennessee State Museum. I saw you and Becky as guests on Tattletales recently and wondered if you still get residuals for airings of those shows? Yes, and if I add all the residuals together for a year or two I might end up with enough to buy a cup of coffee! Now that Dailey & Vincent are recording their TV shows in studios at the Opry, I’m wondering if they would have you on one of their shows? It would be great! Thanks. I was on one of their shows when they first started producing them several years ago, but my invitation to appear with them again must have gotten lost in the mail. Maybe one of them will read this and it will serve as a reminder!!

I’m only teasing, but I’m serious when I say that, as always, I appreciated your questions this month and I thank those of you who sent them in. We’ll do this again in July, so if you’re curious about anything connected to me or to country music in general let me know. My address is askbill@billanderson.com, and remember if you submit our Question Of The Month you’ll receive any item of your choosing from our online store free of charge. I’ll look forward to hearing what’s on your mind.