Bill Anderson's Blog, page 21

Bill Anderson exhibit opens at the Country Music Hall of Fame

Bill Anderson exhibit opens at the Country Music Hall of Fame

“Whisperin” Bill Anderson’s legacy was shouted from the rooftops at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Thursday evening. In a private ceremony on the museum’s sixth floor, officials unveiled its newest exhibit entitled “Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See,” which opens to the public today.

Iconic Bill | All Access

Bill Anderson | Country Artist, Band, and Radio Photos | AllAccess.com

Iconic Bill The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville celebrated the opening of its newest exhibition, “Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See” last night (12/2). The evening included special tribute performances of hit songs written or co-written by Anderson.

Latest Photos

“What a surreal experience it was standing inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and looking at my original handwritten lyrics to “Whiskey Lullaby” and “Give It Away,” which were voted Song Of The Year in 2005 and 2007 respectively. Next to the lyrics stand the CMA and ACM trophies and the stage coats I wore when I accepted both awards. In the second picture, I am onstage inside the CMA Ford Theater having fun with my songwriting buddies, Bobby Tomberlin (seated) and Buddy Cannon. Erin Enderlin was there as well, but I guess she didn’t want to be seen with the three of us! Lastly, a happy backstage moment spent with Stonewall Jackson a few years ago. Wall was a one-of-a-kind country artist and a fun guy to be around. He left us with a lot of great music and a bunch of good time memories. He will certainly be missed.”   [image error]

Ask Bill – December 7, 2021

1) My question is about imitations of you. I’ve heard you tell about Ferlin Husky saying he wouldn’t have imitated you if you didn’t have something special about you, and if he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t give you the publicity. I recently saw a Wilburn Brothers show where Teddy Wilburn imitated you – and he was good! Do you have any stories about other performers imitating you that you found especially funny or interesting?

If the old saying about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery is true, then I’ve sure been flattered a whole bunch during my lifetime! You used to have to take a number and stand in line to imitate Bill Anderson! Many people don’t remember, but in Loretta Lynn’s early performing days she kicked off her shoes, put her right leg about two feet behind her left leg, rocked back and forth and in her best whispering voice sang, “We wasn’t nothin’ but Po’ Folks.” I would watch from the wings and laugh louder than anybody. Some artists wouldn’t imitate me if I was on the same show with them. Billy “Crash” Craddock was one of those until the day I snuck up behind him on stage holding a baseball bat over his head and threatening to lower the boom if he didn’t do the same thing to my face that he did to my back. It was all in fun…I loved it and I still do.

2) Country music has some of the best Christian music I’ve heard, but there are no Christian country music stations, not even on satellite. Why is this? Do you think there is a chance for one in the future?

You raise an interesting question here. I love Christian country music myself, and most of the artists from my era recorded gospel albums and performed sacred songs as a regular part of our repertoires. Artists like Alan Jackson, John Berry, Moe Bandy, and even Carrie Underwood have continued that tradition today. Christian country music is part of the programming on many classic country stations, but not their entire format. Maybe there aren’t enough sponsors who would want to invest in that type programming and, after all, the sponsors are the ones who keep the stations on the air. Perhaps some of our radio friends would like to chime in on this.

3) When you perform out of Nashville do you travel by bus, airlines, private jet, or train? And on a similar subject: Do you have any idea how many miles on the road you have traveled?

Over the years, I have traveled by every conceivable form of transportation, but most of my miles have been via private busses and on commercial airliners. If I figure conservatively that I traveled 100,000 miles per year for 60-years that would add up to a total of 6-million miles, and I probably did a good bit more than that. Whew….no wonder I’m so tired!

Question Of The Month:  A new songwriter typically writes a lot of bad songs for each good one. After all these years of songwriting, do you still find yourself writing the occasional bad one or have you gotten all the bad songs out of your system? (Submitted by Kevin from Canada)

I guess that depends on your definition of “bad songs.” If you mean songs that don’t meter or songs that don’t rhyme, no, I don’t write “bad” like that anymore. If you mean songs like “Peel Me A ‘Nanner” or “Walk Out Backwards”, which some people consider “bad,” sure, there’s always room for one more of those in my catalog. I don’t always write songs that are commercial or songs that would be automatic hits on the radio, but I still enjoy writing fun songs like “Waffle House Christmas” and “Wherever She Is (I Hope She Stays There)” which are a little “off the wall.” I hope I never get those out of my system.

Seasonal: As the song goes, Christmas time’s a-coming, and I’m wondering if it’s harder to write a Christmas song than a regular country song? Which of your original Christmas songs are you the most proud of? Finally, not counting carols or pop holiday standards, what are your favorite original country Christmas songs?

I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily “harder” to write a Christmas song, but by its very definition, the field for writing a Christmas song…much like a gospel song…is much narrower. In other words, there’s less overall subject matter to choose from. Among my own songs, I’d have a hard time choosing between “Christmas In Your Arms” and “Still Believing In Christmas” as the one I’m most proud of. But there’s no doubt but what Amy Grant’s “Tender Tennessee Christmas” is my favorite original country Christmas song. The first time I heard that song I was away from home and Christmas was only a few days away. Talk about homesick! I’ve spent over sixty Tender Tennessee Christmases, and as the song says, it’s “the only Christmas for me.”

Quickies: Is there a song someone offered you that you turned down and now regret it? Yes. Willie Nelson played me “Funny How Time Slips Away” before anyone had cut it, and I passed on it because when he began with, “Well, hello there,” I thought it sounded too much like another song he wrote that started, “Hello Walls.” That wasn’t very brilliant on my part was it? In the sixties you had a guitar player in your band named Jimmy Lance and a steel player named Sonny Garrish. I was wondering if they are still living and, if so, are they still active in music? Sonny is still living and, in fact, came to the opening of my exhibit at the Hall of Fame last week. I think he continues to play on recording sessions from time to time. He’s one of the best steel players who ever lived. Jimmy passed away a couple of years ago. What was the inspiration for you and Don Wayne Choate to write the song, “Saginaw, Michigan?” Did either of you have a connection to Saginaw? The song was Don’s idea, and when I asked him how he chose Saginaw he said he simply thought it “sang good.” He had no connection to the town, but when I was a youngster in South Carolina, my family once shared a duplex apartment with a couple from Saginaw. It was during World War II and he was in the Army stationed at Fort Jackson near Columbia. I knew about Saginaw at a very early age.

I wish I had time and space to answer all the great questions I received this month. You sent me some dandies. Don’t stop now, and remember the person who submits our “Question Of The Month,” receives a gift of their choice from our online store free of charge. Send your question to me in care of askbill@billanderson.com and join us back here again in January.

December 7, 2021

Hi Gang:

And greetings from up here on Cloud Nine!

That’s where I’ve been ever since last Thursday night and the opening of the “Bill Anderson – As Far As I Can See” exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum here in Nashville. What an incredible few days it has been.

Much of what took place that night and in the days that followed has already been documented on Facebook and on various websites and media outlets around the world, and I’m afraid if I repeat it here I’ll only be rehashing things that you’ve already seen and read. So I’ll call your attention instead to my site at www.billanderson.com, where you can find new articles and pictures almost every day, as well as to the Hall of Fame website at www.countrymusichalloffame.org where they have all kinds of coverage of their own.

I was asked to come to the museum at 5:00 Thursday afternoon where I was met by my three children and all eight of my grandchildren. I can’t tell you the joy I felt when I saw them, and realized they had all put their lives on hold to come share these special moments with their Dad and PawPaw.

We were escorted to the exhibit entrance where we became the first of what they tell me will ultimately be over a million visitors to view the collection, and for about twenty minutes we had the place all to ourselves. I’ll admit to a few tears, a whole bunch of hugs and smiles, and even more, “WOWs!” I couldn’t take it all in at one time, and I can’t wait to go back one day soon and really absorb all that’s there. I hope each of you will have a chance to see it sometime between now and March, 2023.

For those of you who can’t get to Nashville during the next fifteen months, or for those who might like a sneak preview, there is an incredible 80-page color exhibit book that you can order from us at www.billanderson.com. I will personally autograph your book and ship it to you free. Thumbing through the book will almost make you feel like you’ve been there.

On Saturday I returned to the Museum for a mid-morning guitar-pull in the Ford Theater featuring three of my friends and favorite co-writers, Buddy Cannon, Bobby Tomberlin, and Erin Enderlin. In front of a live audience they told stories about writing songs with me, sang some of our compositions, then called me onstage to wrap things up by singing my song, “The Songwriters.” What a fun session it was. That afternoon, I sat on the same stage with my friend, Peter Cooper, and talked about my life and my career for the Museum archives. Both the performance and the conversation were recorded and will premier January 18th as part of the museum’s Live At The Hall series.

After the theater emptied, I stayed behind to record some remarks for aspiring young songwriters and performers who are enrolled at the Taylor Swift Educational Center inside the Hall of Fame building. Needless to say, I was one tired little hillbilly when my day finally ended just before dark.

When I arrived home, I was greeted by the sad news that my friend and fellow Opry member, Stonewall Jackson, had passed away that morning. Stonewall and I worked a lot of shows together over the years, shared a lot of laughs, and had a lot of fun. He was the only artist who had been at the Opry longer than me, which means I now have the distinction of having been there the longest. Rest in peace, Wall. You were one of the best!

Since this will be our last newsletter for 2021 I want to thank each of you for making this such an incredible year in Whisperville. I recorded some new music back in the Spring, celebrated my 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in July, took part in the Opry’s 5,000th consecutive Saturday night broadcast in October, and helped unveil the As Far As I Can See exhibit at the Hall of Fame in December. Now that all that is in the rear view mirror, I plan to concentrate on releasing that new music with all the trimmings in 2022, and I’m excited about all the possibilities. Stay tuned for the details coming soon.

Oh, and did I mention that the Braves won the World Series??

To each of you I wish a joyous Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. May you be surrounded by those you love the most. Thanks for everything, and I’ll see you back here in 2022.

God bless us everyone.

Bill Anderson Marks Legendary Career With ‘Incredible’ Hall Of Fame Exhibit

Bill Anderson Marks Legendary Career With ‘Incredible’ Hall Of Fame Exhibit | Buckeye Country 94.3 WMRN-FM

Bill Anderson knew that he was passionate about music “when I couldn’t turn it off.” “I don’t know if it was chasing me or if I was chasing it,” Anderson said of music. “But fortunately, we caught each other.”

Bill Anderson shows us 5 highlights of his new Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit

Bill Anderson shows us 5 highlights of his new Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit

It’s a powerful thing to be immersed in the 84-year (and counting) journey of “Whispering” Bill Anderson through his new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit – especially if you get to do so with the man himself.

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM HOSTS PERFORMANCE AND CONVERSATION WITH BILL ANDERSON

Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum hosted a performance and conversation with Bill Anderson in the museum’s Ford Theater in support of the museum’s newest exhibition, Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See. The Country Music Hall of Fame member performed a few songs, including his popular hit “City Lights,” and discussed his unprecedented career with the museum’s Peter Cooper. The conversation was illustrated with archival photos, film and recordings related to the exhibit.
 
As part of the opening weekend festivities, Anderson also participated in a special Songwriter Session with some of his collaborators – Erin Enderlin, Buddy Cannon and Bobby Tomberlin – who shared songs they co-wrote with him and the stories behind them.
 
The performance and conversation was filmed and will premiere on Jan. 18, as part of the museum’s Live at the Hall digital programs series—available to stream on the museum’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and website.
 
The exhibit traces Anderson’s story from childhood to his days in Georgia, where he excelled as a baseball pitcher and sportswriter while in high school and a disc jockey in college, through his contributions as one of the most decorated recording artists, songwriters and entertainers in history. Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See opened Friday, Dec. 3, and runs through March 19, 2023.
 

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM UNVEILS NEW EXHIBIT BILL ANDERSON: AS FAR AS I CAN SEE

Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Jon Randall and Carly Pearce Honor Anderson at the Exhibit’s Opening Reception

the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum celebrated the opening of its newest exhibition, Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See. The evening included special tribute performances of hit songs written or co-written by Bill Anderson. Taking the stage to honor Anderson were Trisha Yearwood performing “Once a Day,” Vince Gill performing “Which Bridge to Cross (Which Bridge to Burn),” and Jon Randall and Carly Pearce performing “Whiskey Lullaby.” Anderson concluded the evening with remarks of his own.

The exhibit traces the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s story from childhood to his days in Georgia, where he excelled as a baseball pitcher and sportswriter while in high school and a disc jockey in college, through his contributions as one of the most decorated recording artists, songwriters and entertainers in history. Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See opens Friday, Dec. 3, and runs through March 19, 2023. Opening weekend programs on Saturday, Dec. 4, will include an in-depth interview and performance with Anderson, as well as a songwriter round with his collaborators. More information can be found here.

Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See artifact highlights include:
Anderson’s Rawlings leather glove used when he was a pitcher for Avondale High School’s baseball team, circa 1955.The Royal electric typewriter used in the 1960s by Anderson to type song lyrics and answer fan mail.
Anderson’s 1958 Martin D-28 that he called his “second voice.” He used the guitar extensively on stage, in the studio, and to write songs, including “Still,” “The Tips of My Fingers,” “Po’ Folks” and “Once a Day.”
Stage costumes worn by Anderson, including rhinestone-studded suits from the 1960s designed by S.A. Formann, a Buffalo, New York-based tailor, and Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors.
Custom-made boots by L.M. Easterling Custom Boot Company, embellished with the initials “WBA”—for Whisperin’ Bill Anderson.
A Manuel shirt, embellished with rhinestones and metallic embroidery, designed for Anderson in the 1990s.
Anderson’s handwritten lyrics, with corrections, to “Give It Away.” Written with Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson in 2005, it yielded a #1 hit for George Strait.

 

Last night was one of the most incredible nights of my life. To have so many of my friends and fans there to share in the evening with me made it even more special. More to come tomorrow with the songwriters' special at 11 AM and a show at 2:30. Y'all are spoiling me big time. https://t.co/QUL0WSOlG1

— Bill Anderson (@WhisperinBill) December 3, 2021

 

November 2, 2021

Hi Gang:

And welcome to our November newsletter. What an exciting time it is in Whisperville!

Before I get to the news at hand, let me thank each and every one of you who reached out…both directly to me and in prayer…when I was going through my surgical procedure last month. I received so many e-mails, texts, posts, cards, letters…you name it. The doctor seems pleased with the results. He has removed my stitches, and I’m walking upright again. Thanks so much for letting me know that you care.

And thanks, too, for all the birthday cards and good wishes you’ve sent my way as well. I celebrated early with my family and three of my grandkids who all had nearby birthdays….Greta, 17, on Oct. 23, Nick, 21, on Oct. 27, and Sophie, 12, on Nov. 5th. We got together outdoors at my son, Jamey’s, house for ice cream, cake, and exchanging presents. It was a fun night making lots of new memories.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s only a little over a month now until the opening of the “Bill Anderson – As Far As I Can See” exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. I continue to learn new things about it and get more excited every day.

For those of you who might be coming in for the Grand Opening on Friday December 3rd, you might be interested in knowing that the following day I will be making two in-person appearances inside the Hall. First, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, I will be part of a Songwriters In The Round show featuring some of my favorite people and co-writers from across the years, including Bobby Tomberlin, Erin Enderlin, and Buddy Cannon. Then at 2 p.m. that afternoon, Peter Cooper, who co-authored my most recent autobiography with me, will conduct a one-on-one interview with me which will feature lots of stories, laughter, and music. James and Ziggy will be there to pick and grin with me. Hopefully, there will be some meet ‘n greet time built into the schedule as well. Come on down and spend the weekend with us. It’s going to be fun. You can probably find more details at www.countrymusichalloffame.org. 

Oh, and I’ve also learned that there will be a souvenir picture-history book released in conjunction with my exhibit. I don’t know much about it yet, but you’ll know when I know. For those who can’t come see the exhibit in person, perhaps the book will give you a taste of what it’s all about.

Our 5,000th consecutive Saturday night Grand Ole Opry show this past weekend was a hoot and played to two packed houses. I hope lots of you got to see and hear it. I got goose bumps opening the show with Roy Acuff’s, “Wabash Cannonball,” the first song that was ever sung on the Opry House stage back in 1974. The spirit of Mr. Roy and so many other Opry pioneers was evident throughout the entire night as we celebrated them and their legacy.

I plan to be back at the Opry November 13th and 27th and in December on the 7th, 18th, and 21st.

Our country music community paused to remember the lives and the music of two greats we lost this past week, bluegrass icon, Sonny Osborne, and west coast music pioneer, Rose Lee Maphis. They both added so much to country music and to the lives of those of us lucky enough to have known them.

On the personal side, I hope you will continue to remember my grandson, Gabe, and his sister, Hallie, this week as they go through an added phase of the bone marrow transplant they shared together earlier this year. I don’t know all the medical terminology, but it’s a serious procedure, particularly for Hallie. Thank you.

Our December newsletter will be a bit late so that we can include pictures and stories from our Hall Of Fame exhibit opening. Meantime, allow me to wish the happiest of Thanksgivings to you and yours. I hope you’ll get to share your blessings this year with those you love the most. I’m continually thankful for you and your continuing support of me and my musical journey. See you back here next month.

Still,