Bill Anderson's Blog, page 39

Ask Bill – August 1

We’ve got several questions about other artists this month. I’ll group them together and try to satisfy your curiosity.

1) Do you guys ever hear from Tom T. Hall? I believe he lives down in Florida now.

No, T. still lives in Tennessee at his Fox Hollow ranch. He has recently written a book of poems, and his memoir, “The Storyteller’s Nashville,” has been revised. Both books should be available through Amazon.com.

2) What has happened to Jan Howard? I have not seen her on the latest Country’s Family Reunion Shows.

Jan has been recovering from a fall she suffered quite some time ago, and has been forced to curtail her performing. She visited the Opry recently, though, and seemed spry as ever. It was great to see her smiling and greeting old friends.

3) Do you have an update on Mel Tillis’ condition? I heard he was ill, but haven’t heard much news about him since.

Mel is continuing to recuperate from several health-related issues at his home near Ocala, Florida.

4) Has Faron Young ever been put in the Country Music Hall of Fame?

Yes he has, and deservedly so. He was inducted in 2000.

5) I often hear country singers mention they had a #1 record on a particular song. I assume they mean a #1 single? When I hear singers mention a #1 I think of LP records. What is the modern terminology of a #1 song?

Good question. You assume correctly when you say they must mean a #1 single. There are both singles and album charts, but when someone refers to a #1 record they are most likely speaking of a single that was a hit on the radio, in the record stores, and via online purchases. A top-selling LP or CD would more than likely be referred to as a #1 album.

Thanks for continuing to send us your questions. You can e-mail them to me at askbill@billanderson.com or send them via snail mail to P.O. Box 888, Hermitage, TN. 37076. I’ll try to answer as best as I can. Stay curious.

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Latest Photos

Steve Chapman, left, my guitar player in the early 70’s, passed away in late July. This picture was taken in Ft. Worth, Texas, at the infamous Panther Hall. That’s the late Snuffy Miller playing the drums. I was passing through the Atlanta airport at the same time as my pilot/son, Jamey, the other day, and we met up for a brief visit. I was headed to Nashville, and he was flying passengers to Tampa. My granddaughter, Sophie, helped me film a promotional announcement on stage at the Opry recently. She was all smiles when it was over.

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Ask Bill – July 6

1) During your performance in Lubbock, Texas, you mentioned the idea behind many of your songs. That was awesome. Would you please explain the idea in “Five Little Fingers?”

Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I wrote “Five Little Fingers” in 1964 when my first daughter, Terri, was three years old. Her mother and I were having a disagreement, and I was sitting in the living room by myself. Terri came in and put her little hand on top of mine and began to pat me…as if to say, “Daddy, everything is going to be all right.” I looked at her tiny fingers on top of mine and realized that, by her simply being there, she was telling me “all that I needed to know.”  When I went to turn that thought into a song, I realized how much stronger the emotion would be had there been a death in the family. I let my imagination take it from there.

2) This past weekend I was watching a DVD by Walt Disney and the credits listed the co-producer as Bill Anderson. Are you in fact that Bill Anderson?

No, but evidently there is or was someone in the Disney organization with the same name as mine because I’ve been asked that question before. I also get asked if the Bill Anderson, Jr. listed in the credits of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” is my son, and he’s not. I guess that’s what happens when you have a very common name…one more reason that I’m thankful for the nickname, “Whisperin’ Bill.” There’s not another one of those!

3) Roger Miller once said that he almost felt guilty taking credit for one or two of his songs because they were so easy. “All I did was write down the words as they came to me,” he said. “Almost like they were inspired by a higher power.” Have you ever experienced this type of song writing? Almost like it had to be written and you were chosen to write it?

I have felt that way many times. One minute I’m sitting there staring at a blank sheet of paper and the next minute there are words filling that page…and I don’t remember putting them there. I’ve heard other writers say virtually the same thing. In my gospel song, “I Can Do Nothing Alone,” I wrote: “I held the pencil but He wrote this song.” I truly feel my songs are a gift from God…and I never cease to be grateful.

Thanks for a great group of questions this month. Sorry I couldn’t get to them all. Send yours to askbill@billanderson.com or to me at P.O. Box 888, Hermitage, TN. 37076, and I’ll to my best to respond. See you next month. Stay curious.

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Latest Photos

Publishers Terry Wakefield and Troy Tomlinson, along with my manager, Lee Willard, joining hands with me to celebrate the renewal of my songwriter’s contract with Sony-ATV Publishing. Below, my very own “Whispers” room inside the Sony Publishing building, and backstage with Moe Bandy at the Welk Resort theater in Branson. Moe will be one of several artists joining us there again on New Year’s Eve. Look elsewhere in the Newsletter for more details.

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July 6, 2017

Hi Folks:

I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July and that you’re ready to put ye olde noses back to ye olde grindstones!

It rained in Nashville over the holiday, so I didn’t try to get my boat out on the lake like I had hoped to do. Just hung around with friends and family and ate myself silly.

As you can see from one of our attached pictures I renewed my songwriting contract with Sony-ATV Publishing last week for the twelfth consecutive year. I know you guys don’t care who publishes our songs, but we do, and the Sony folks have made their offices feel like a second home to me. They’ve even got a “Whispers” room that I can use anytime for writing songs, doing business, or just hanging out. I’m glad that they want me back for at least one more year.

I don’t have a picture of the actual award yet, but I learned a few days ago that the TV infomercial I did with Donna Dean Stevens advertising for sale the old Jimmy Dean television shows has won a Telly Award. This is the top award given in this particular field, so I’m thrilled and honored. Jimmy was such a dear friend, as is Donna, and this award means a lot to me. Hopefully, I can show you a picture in our next newsletter.

It’s been several years since I have performed a concert on New Years’ Eve, but it looks like I’m going to break that streak this year. I have been invited to host a special show on the last night of 2017 in Branson, Missouri, at the Welk Resort Theater. Billed as “Bill Anderson & Friends,” my guests will include Moe Bandy, Jeannie Seely, T. G. Shepherd, Janie Fricke, plus Moore & Moore. It’s designed to be a “family style” evening with a 7 p.m. starting time and ending long before midnight. We don’t want our fans out on the roads with all the crazies. You can be safely back in your homes or hotel rooms long before the bewitching hour.

Sound like fun? There’s more information later in the newsletter, and a way for you to save big on your tickets by ordering early. I hope lots of you will come be with us.

Our live shows this month include Montgomery, Alabama, on July 14th with Gene Watson; the fair in Batesville, Arkansas, on the 22nd; and the Opry on July 7th, 8th, 12th, 15th (my 56th Opry anniversary), 18th, and 29th. I’ll be in the recording studio July 19th and 20th finishing up some new tunes you’ll be hearing about soon.

From the personal corner of my world, my former boss man at WJJC Radio in Commerce, Georgia, Grady Cooper, passed away recently at the age of 93. He was a wonderful boss and, in later years, an even better friend. He will definitely be missed. My assistant, Judy Price’s son, Kent, is making a lot of progress as he continues to recover from his recent automobile accident, and my grandson, Gabe, is adjusting to the new medicines prescribed by the cancer doctors at Stanford Medical in California. I hope you’ll continue to keep Kent and Gabe in your prayers.

I’ll try and leave you with a smile. I heard the other day about a lady who said, “Every time I am singing a song with the radio, I think it’s funny that the artist always gets the words wrong.”

We’ll try to do better, I promise.  Thanks and my best to you all…

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SHOW INFO

“Bill Anderson & Friends” starring Bill Anderson, Moe Bandy, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Jeannie Seely and Moore & Moore.

Sunday December 31, 2017 – 7:00pm

Welk Resort Theatre

1984 State Highway 165

Branson, MO 65616

All of the stars will be signing autographs and taking pictures after the show.

Pre-Sale: Wednesday July 12, 2017 – 8:30am – 5:00pm

Pre-Sale password: CELEBRATE

Tickets are $50, $70 and $100 + tax. The $100 tickets are the first five rows in the center section, and during the special Pre-Sale those tickets are only $50. You must mention your password CELEBRATE when you call the box office on July 12 to receive this huge discount. The box office number is (417) 337-7469. Tickets go on-sale to the public at the regular price on July 13. For more information about the show visit. www.celebratebranson.com or www.upcloseconcerts.com.

June 19, 2017

Hi Gang:

So many of you continue to ask about my grandson, Gabe, and how things are progressing in his battle with cancer. I received this letter from his mom, Beth, while I was on vacation, and I want to share it with you.

Thank you SO much for your continued prayers and concerns. Please don’t stop now!

Our trip to Stanford went extremely well. Jamey and I were impressed with all of the doctors and how kind and loving they were toward Gabe. Our doctor at Vanderbilt and Stanford have come up with a treatment for Gabe that they feel good about.

He will start this new treatment this Friday. Please pray that the side effects will be minimal and that he will respond well to it.

Thanks so much,

Beth

I can only add a heartfelt “Amen!”

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June 1, 2017

June 1, 2017

Hi Gang:

And greetings from Music City…or is it Hockey Town?…U.S.A.

All I know is with the annual CMA Music Fest right around the corner and our Nashville Predators hockey team playing in the Stanley Cup finals, I’d hate to be trying to book a hotel room in town right about now. This place is crazy!

Here in suburban Whisperville, though, things aren’t quite so hectic. We had a great trip to Texas in late May, and I want to thank all you folks who came out to see our shows down there. The fans in Texas are great…not to mention the chicken fried steak and the Mexican food! I love traveling to the Lone Star state.

Before we left on our trip, however, we were hit with the news that the 45-year old son of my assistant, Judy Price, had been severely injured in an automobile accident in eastern Kentucky where he lives. He had to be life-flighted to a nearby hospital where he remained in a coma for several days. His 16-year old daughter, who was traveling with him, had to have her spleen removed and surgery to repair a shattered ankle. Both are recovering well, but Judy and her family would appreciate your prayers. She has had to be out of the office quite a bit since the accident. If we’ve fallen behind on anything…like shipping a merchandise order to you…please be patient and understand that we’ll get to it as soon as we can.

I spent an interesting day with my manager, Lee Willard, and his camera last week, photographing all my old rhinestone stage costumes that have survived the miles and the years. I still have all or part of 39 outfits, most of them made by the legendary tailor, Nudie Cohen, back in the sixties. I have loaned suits to various museums and exhibits over the years, some have mysteriously disappeared, and a few of the old band outfits have been sold to other musicians or collectors. I’m not sure just what I’ll do with the ones that are left (I won’t be wearing them unless I lose a whole bunch of weight!), but now at least we have a photographic inventory of what we have on hand. It was a fun day remembering the places and times associated with each costume.

Thanks for all your nice comments about the song, “Dying To See Her,” which I co-wrote and recorded with Brad Paisley. Many of you have said you can relate to the song through various friends and family members. I got a letter last week telling me it was played at a loved one’s funeral. It’s a sad song in a way but one with a hopeful message. I’m glad to know that you like it. Charley Pride has a new album coming out July 7th with an old song of mine called “You Lied To Me” included. The video I filmed with Dailey & Vincent, “That Feel Good Music,” continues to make the rounds (somebody called us the modern-day Three Stooges the other day!), and I’m working on recording some new Bill Anderson music as well. Stay tuned.

We’ll be traveling out to Branson this month for an appearance on the 23rd with our buddy, Moe Bandy, at the Welk Theater. On the way home, we’ll stop by Oakland City, Indiana, for a show June 24th, and I’ll be joining Bobby Bare, Buddy Cannon, and Bobby Tomberlln for a songwriters’ round at the famed Bluebird Cafe on June 29th. Our Opry dates for June include June 3rd, 4th, 6th, 20th, 27th, and 30th.

I won’t be taking part in the CMA Music Fest this year to the extent that I have in the past. I have been to every such gathering since its inception in 1972, other than 1985 when I was in the hospital. This year I had to reschedule a vacation that was originally set for October of last year. Two absences in 45-years isn’t too bad, is it? Thanks for understanding.

As you are reading this, my grandson, Gabe, should be returning from the Stanford University Medical Center in California, where we’re hoping the doctors were able to come up with some new ideas as to how to treat his cancer. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers, and as soon as we know anything, I’ll pass it along.

Have a great month, and I’ll look forward to visiting with you here again in July. Thanks for everything you continue to do for me, my music, and my career. You are THE best!

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Ask Bill – June 1

1) I live just outside Milwaukee, and we have a station that claims it plays country, but they never play you or some of the older singers. I really enjoy the OLD country music, but the only way to get it is to pay for Sirius, and I don’t spend enough time in my car for that.

You’d be surprised at how many letters I receive that say basically the same thing as yours. Many stations who claim to play “Classic Country” or “The Legends of Country” don’t go back in their vaults past about 1980, and the “legends” are singers from the 80’s and 90’s. It’s true that Willie’s Roadhouse on Sirius/XM does play the older music, some from as far back as the 40’s and 50’s, and you don’t just have to listen in your car. I have a satellite receiver in my car and in my house. They even make portable models that you can move from one place to another. Maybe that’s your answer. Thanks for writing.

2) Greetings from downunder in the state of New South Wales, Australia, where I’m listening to WSM650 as I work away in my office. Tell me, Bill, with your infinite knowledge of country music, do you think there will come a day when fiddles and steel guitars return to the instrumental accompaniment, and lyrics tell the story of life’s journey with all its good and bad times?

It’s impossible to say today what might or might not be happening in music years from now, but from this vantage point it doesn’t look promising at the moment. The main problem as I see it is that the young singers and songwriters are growing up today influenced much more by rock and pop and even hip-hop music than they are by traditional country music. Even those who call themselves “country” define the genre by acts like Little Big Town, Florida Georgia Line, and Carrie Underwood…not by Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and George Jones like the generation before. When Elvis and his contemporaries came along in the fifties, the stylings of singers like Frank Sinatra and Perry Como never rose back to the top of the charts that they had dominated only a few years before. I hate to say it, but I’m afraid the same is happening with the music that you and I grew up on. Thanks for listening “way down there!” Wish I had better news.

3) I love your newsletters. Would you remind this old lady how you became “Whisperin’ Bill?” Someone asked me and I could not remember.

Thank you. A funny little songwriter/comedian named Don Bowman gave me that nickname when he used to appear regularly on my syndicated television show back in the late sixties. I was a bit sensitive to the name at first because I thought people were making fun of me. It’s turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me though. There are Bill Anderson’s or William Anderson’s in nearly every phone book in the United States, but there’s only one they call Whisperin’ Bill. I’ll be forever grateful to Don. May he rest in peace.

Thanks for all your questions, and feel free to send me any others you might have. E-mail them to askbill@billanderson.com or send them to me at P.O. Box 888, Hermitage, TN. 37076. Until next time, stay curious.

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Latest Photos

I’m always saying that I have the best and most loyal fans and friends in the world. These pictures are proof. In the first one, a fan is relaxing atop my plaque inside Walk Of Fame park in downtown Nashville. In the second, a Texas fan decorated his guitar in Bill Anderson fashion, and in the third my buddy, Brad Paisley, is seen finally coming around to my way of thinking. He’s always teasing me about writing songs with a pencil instead of on a computer. This picture is proof that he’s decided my way is best. As I’ve told him many times, a pencil never crashes!

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May 2, 2017

Hi Folks:

Would somebody please tell Brad Paisley that I’m not as young as he is??

He’s had me running around like a 20-year old ever since his new album, “Love And War,” was released on April 21st. OK, I know he’s older than that, but you get the point. 

Our song, of course, “Dying To See Her,” is a big part of his project, and I’ve been trying to help spread the word every chance I’ve had, but that guy never sleeps. We were onstage at Tootsie’s late on a Sunday night and visiting on-air live with disc jockeys from all over the country at six o’clock Monday morning.

Actually, it’s been fun…and invigorating…and the response to our cut has been overwhelming. If you haven’t heard it yet, I hope you’ll give it a listen. I’m very appreciative of the fact Brad has allowed me to have one more moment in the modern-day country music spotlight.

In the midst of all things Paisley, I got word from the University of Georgia Press that they will be releasing my book, “An Unprecedented Life In Country Music,” in paperback this coming September. I don’t know exactly what the price will be, but it will be cheaper than the hardback edition for sure. When I learn more, you’ll be the first to know.

By the time you read this you might be seeing the “Feel Good Music” video that I filmed recently with Dailey & Vincent on your TV’s and your mobile devices. I have not seen it yet, but a few people who have to tell me it’s funny and full of action. I hope you’ll be watching out for it.

We’ll be heading to Texas this month, one of my favorite places to perform, even if they do, as Willie Nelson says, drink beer there louder than I sing! We’ll be in Tomball, TX. on the 19th, Weatherford, TX. on the 20th, and in Lubbock on the 21st. If you’re anywhere close by, come see us.

If you’re headed toward Nashville, our Opry appearances in May are scheduled for the 5th, 6th, 9th, 13th, 26th, 27th, and 30th.

On the personal side, my grandson, Gabe, will be going to California on the 30th in order to meet with the cancer specialists at Stanford University Medical Center on June 1st. Please keep him and his mom and dad in your prayers. His dad, my son Jamey, is now an official pilot with Delta Airlines and flew his first trip April 24th. I thought it was interesting that when Jamey was an aviation student at Purdue University and first learning to fly, the first major airport he flew into was in Indianapolis. His first day with Delta where was his first landing? Indianapolis. Life goes around and comes back around, doesn’t it? As you can see from the attached pictures, his daughter, Hallie, and I shared a wonderful night at the Opry recently.

Have a merry, merry month of May and thanks for everything. See you back here next month!

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