Bill Anderson's Blog, page 37
December 5, 2017
Ask Bill – December 5
1) I would like to ask when and where was your first concert, and if you were the only artist, and what songs you sang if you remember.
The first time I ever sang in public was in a high school talent show when I was in the 10th grade. For about five years after that, I sang on every local show I could find around Atlanta. In the Spring of 1959, I was invited to perform with my very first Grand Ole Opry troupe. It was at a movie theater in Burlington, North Carolina, and I appeared along with George Morgan, Roger Miller, and Donny Young, who was later to be known as Johnny Paycheck. I’m sure I sang “City Lights,” and probably my first Decca recording called, “That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome,” but I have no idea beyond that. It seems like a hundred years ago.
2) The Jimmy Dean Show – Can you tell us how the kinescopes survived and where they were kept for so many years?
I reached out to Jimmy’s widow, Donna Dean Stevens, on this one, but unfortunately she wasn’t sure of the answer. She wrote, “All I know is that before they became my property they belonged to Bob Banner & Associates who produced the shows. Bob Banner also produced the Carol Burnett and Garry Moore Shows. Somehow I remember they had donated some of the kinescopes to UCLA, but I don’t know the whole story.” I’m sorry that doesn’t fully answer your question, but the full answer may never be known.
3) I got your newsletter and I really liked the family pictures. I have a question: Is Vickie your wife, or girlfriend, or mistress?
For the past ten-plus years, Vickie, whose full name is Vickie Lee Salas, has been my best friend and companion. Many of you met her at my 50th Grand Ole Opry Anniversary Celebration back in 2011. Others of you may have been introduced on one of our Country’s Family Reunion cruises, or perhaps at a show in Branson or elsewhere. You might not have recognized her in the recent picture, because two years ago Vickie was diagnosed with cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and lost her pretty long blonde hair. It has come back short, curly, and snowy white.
Late last year, we thought the cancer had gone into remission, and she went back to work in her job as a professional tailor. Unfortunately, the cancer reappeared, and she is now undergoing chemo and radiation for a second time. It hasn’t been a fun journey for either of us, but we continue to work with the doctors and pray.
Not long after she was first diagnosed, I wrote a song for her and recently made a simple recording of it with just an acoustical guitar and upright bass. I’m going to post that recording online soon so that you and others who might be going through a trying situation of your own can listen and hopefully draw strength from it. It’s called, “Until The Light Comes On Again,” and Vickie says it has been very meaningful to her. I can only hope it will be equally meaningful to you and to others.
Thanks for all your questions. If you have one for me, send it to askbill@billanderson.com and I’ll try my best to answer it. Stay curious.
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Latest Photos
The custom made table you see here on the left was a birthday gift to me from some very special friends and fans here in Nashville. It was made by a company that specializes in unique, one-of-a-kind products, and stands over 4 ft. tall. I don’t know how much it weighs, but moving it from my office to my house was no easy task. As you can see, it depicts many different facets of the Grand Ole Opry and my involvement there for all these years. I am extremely appreciative of such a special gift. The picture on the upper right was taken Nov. 18th when I hosted the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree radio show. The young lady with the big smile is Ava Kelley, granddaughter of my longtime guitar player, Les Singer. Ava, who is 8 1/2 years old, made her radio debut that night singing “Once A Day.” And on the lower right, one more picture and one more lasting memory of my long friendship with Mel Tillis. He was a big part of my early career and of country music in general. He will certainly be missed.
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November 19, 2017
November 19, 2017
If, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, these three pictures are worth their weight in gold. They were taken on one of Mel Tillis’ last appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. You can see from the smile on my face how easily he could make me laugh…and in the last picture you can see how much we genuinely cared for one another.
I probably knew Mel longer than I knew any other Nashville artist. We met in late 1957 or early 1958 on a show called the Peach State Jamboree in Swainsboro, Georgia. I was one of the “local” entertainers and Mel was the week’s special guest from Nashville. Our first conversation, after being introduced, went something like this:
Mel: I…I…I heard your rec…record on every damn ra…ra…radio station in Ge…Ge..Ge…Georgia on my way d…d…down here. Hoss, it’s a sma…sma…smash!
Me: Thank you. Are you talking about the ballad called, “City Lights?”
Mel: Hell, n…n…no. It’s tha…that…that one with the crazy drum be..beat.
Me: Oh, you mean “No Song To Sing.” Yeah, that’s on the other side.
Mel: W…W…Well, every station I lis…lis…listened to was p…p…playing it. Do…do you have an extra cop…copy I could have?”
I assured him that I did, and I gave him one. Next thing I knew, he had returned to Nashville and recorded his own version of “No Song To Sing” on Columbia Records. It wasn’t a hit for Mel, but it was the flip side of his first national hit, “A Violet And A Rose.”
In later years, he confessed to never having flipped my record over and listening to “City Lights.” “Hell,” he stuttered, “I cou…could have had the hit in…in…stead of Ray Pr…Pr…Price!”
In 1989, toward the end of his recording career, Mel started his own label called Radio Records. Believe it or not, his first release…and the last record he ever had on the Billboard charts…was an incredible version of “City Lights.”
Rest in peace, my friend. And thanks for a lifetime of laughs, music, and memories.
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November 15, 2017
November 8, 2017
Bill Talks with Huckabee about His Career and New Book
November 6, 2017
November 6, 2017
I thought you might like to see a short video taken Saturday November 4th on the campus of MIddle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. My friend and longtime singing partner, Jan Howard, was being honored with the Gold Star Award for her tireless efforts in support of the U.S. military. This video is an edited sample of the ceremony in which I was asked to introduce Jan, she spoke, and John Conlee performed. It was a very special afternoon.
November 1, 2017
November 1, 2017
Hi Gang:
You sure do know how to make a guy smile while growing older, don’t you?
Thanks SO much for all the birthday cards, letters, e-mails, Facebook posts, and tweets that you’ve sent my way. As I said on the Opry, turning eighty-years old is both exciting and a bit scary, but it’s a lot nicer knowing that your well-wishes are going with me into this new decade of life. And, trust me, reaching this age is much better than the alternative!
What a super party the Opry threw for me on the Saturday night before my big day. Virtually all the artists sang one of my songs on their segment of the show, each song bringing back special memories, smiles, and even a few tears. They rolled out a big birthday cake, led the audience in singing Happy Birthday to me, then presented me with 80 shiny new pennies to spend as I please!
What an honor it is to be part of the most fabulous family in country music. Thanks to our new Opry manager, Sally Williams, and staff members Dan Rogers and Gina Keltner for creating such a special evening. And to my manager, Lee Willard, who worked so hard inviting my family and friends to celebrate with me…all the while not letting me in on the secret. It was a night I’ll never forget.
The previous Sunday I got to visit with lots of my musical friends and heroes at the 2017 Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The late Jerry Reed, Don Schlitz, and Alan Jackson were inducted into the Hall that day, and each one justifiably so for their special and unique contributions to our music. My fun came in seeing the smiles on their faces and on the faces of their families and friends. And in seeing Loretta Lynn for the first time since her stroke, and listening to her imitate me singing “Po’ Folks” one more time, just the way she used to do it on stage every night in the early days of both our careers. A marvelous evening indeed.
So, you ask, what’s coming up in November? Well, on November 4th I will be making an appearance on former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee’s, new television show on TBN, which I hope many of you will be able to watch. I will also be introducing my friend and former singing partner, Jan Howard, that day at a large gathering at Middle Tennessee State University where she will be honored for her lifetime of service and support to our U.S. military. Then we’ll all be gearing up for the 51st annual CMA Awards Show November 7th, often referred to as the biggest night of the year in country music. After that I’m preparing to head into the recording studio to begin working on a new album. Thomm Jutz, a great songwriter, musician, engineer and producer, will be co-producing the album along with me and Peter Cooper. We’ve got a few surprises up our collective sleeves which I hope you will enjoy.
My Opry appearances this month are on the 4th, the 11th, and the 18th, with two shows each night at the Ryman Auditorium. On the 18th, I’ll be cutting out after the first show to host the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree at the Texas Troubadour theater near Opryland. We won’t be on the road again until New Years Eve with our big, star-studded show in Branson.
On the personal front, hopefully by the time you read this my daughter, Terri Whitman, will have been released from the hospital and recuperating at home from her three recent surgeries. She has asked me to thank you for your cards, letters, and prayers while she has been going through a very difficult time.
I plan to spend Thanksgiving at home and, as is our tradition, host Thanksgiving dinner for all the kids and grandkids at my house. In spite of a few bumps in our road, we have much to be thankful for again this year. I hope the holiday is a great one for you and your loved ones, wherever you might choose spend it. As I say every year at this time, I continue to be MOST thankful for you, your friendship, and your support of me and my musical career.
Happy Thanksgiving! God bless, and we’ll see you back here in December.
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Latest Photos
What a month October turned out to be!
In the top picture, I’m visiting with Randy Travis and Loretta Lynn at the Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony. Both my friends have had some heavy health issues recently, but neither has lost their ability to smile. Nor their love for each other.
My Opry family helped me celebrate my 80th birthday on stage four days prior to my actual birth date. From left to right: Mo Pitney, John Conlee, Connie Smith, Steve Wariner, Jan Howard, me, Don Schlitz, Opry manager Sally Williams, Jeannie Seely, and Mark Wills. Riders In The Sky honored me as well, but disappeared when it was time to take pictures!
My real family was there too: L. to R. Greta, Hallie, Blake, Beth, Gabe, Sophie, Vickie Salas, me, Jamey, Jenni, Nick, and Grant. My daughter Terri was listening on her iPad in the hospital.
What’s a birthday party without someone cutting the cake? Sally Williams was nervous when I picked up the big knife with my left hand, but was smiling when I managed to slice off the first piece and none of my fingers. The top layer was chocolate, the bottom layer vanilla, and both layers were delicious!
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Ask Bill – November 1
1) I am a big fan of Mel Tillis along with being a big fan of yours. Both of you are fine singers, but when I hear him talk he stutters. Is this part of an act, or does he have stuttering issues?
The answer is yes to both of your questions. Mel has had stuttering issues all his life, but he has used his incredible talent and sense of humor to turn his handicap into an asset. He doesn’t stutter nearly as badly as he once did, and he has sometimes been known to exaggerate the stutter on stage in order to be funny. He’s naturally one of the funniest people on the planet, but right now he needs our positive thoughts and prayers as he struggles with some health concerns at his home in Florida.
2) I was wondering if you will ever manage to come back to the U.K.?
This question came from a fan in Scotland, and I hope the answer is yes. Right now there is nothing definite on the horizon, but I always enjoy my trips to that part of the world. Country music fans in the U.K. are some of the best fans anywhere. Hopefully we’ll get to visit face-to-face again someday soon.
3) I seem to recall that when Eddy Arnold turned 80-years old he said it was time for him to stop touring. Now that you have hit that same mark, do you plan to stop touring as well?
I co-wrote a song one time with the lines: We make plans and God just laughs/Turns us around and heads us down a different path.” I don’t know what He has planned for the rest of my life, but I’ll try to follow wherever He leads. I love performing…in fact, I’ve probably enjoyed it more these past few years than ever in my life. And I don’t have any plans to give it up just because I’ve reached a certain age. I’ve always said that as long as I am in good health and I enjoy it, I’ll keep doing it. I might try to figure out a way to shorten some of our long autograph sessions after the shows, but that’s another discussion for another time. Mostly I’ll keep performing because I don’t know how to do anything else!
We haven’t been getting as many questions lately as we once did, so if you’ve got something you want to ask me, please do. Send yours to me at askbill@billanderson.com or at P.O. Box 888, Hermitage, TN. 37076, and I’ll answer as best as I can. Stay curious.
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October 23, 2017
Bill Anderson Sits Down with MusicRow for ‘Unprecedented’ Interview – MusicRow
Whisperin’ Bill Anderson Sits Down With MusicRow For ‘Unprecedented’ Interview
Print This Post is an autobiography that offers an intimate peek inside the life of Whisperin’ Bill Anderson: An Unprecedented Life in Country Music Bill Anderson, one of the most prolific songwriters in country music history.
