Bill Anderson's Blog, page 6

October 1, 2024

Hi Gang:

This time of year I’m usually welcoming you to October by saying that it’s my favorite month of the year, because it truly is. But I’ve gotta tell you…September wasn’t exactly shabby either! In fact, except for Helene, it turned out to be an exciting month and a whole lot of fun.

Before she arrived in all her fury, I was able to hide out for a few days down in Florida, and it was just what the doctor ordered. I left there in the nick of time, though, and returned home refreshed and energized. It’s a good thing because I had a heavy workload staring me in the face when I got back.

First came our September 14th gathering in my adopted hometown of Commerce, Georgia, where we had fans come from at least a dozen states and one province in Canada to be with us. We had a great meet ‘n greet in the afternoon, we unveiled our new memorabilia display case, courtesy of Gus Arrendale and the folks at Springer Mountain Farms chicken, later in the day, and then did an almost 3-hour show inside the Bill Anderson Performing Arts Center to wrap things up that night. I had a little too much fun, I guess, because by the end of the show, my voice had faded to the point where I could barely whisper!

We’ve got several pictures from the event in our photo section this month which I hope you’ll check out after you finish reading my letter. I can never thank Charlie McCoy, Jeannie Seely, and Cutter & Cash enough for giving of their time and talents to come be with us. And the good news is we raised enough money to forever endow two college scholarships per year for graduating seniors from Commerce High School who want to further their musical education. To all of you who came and made this possible, my sincerest “thank you!”

And then, just a few days after we got back to Music City, Universal (UMe) Records released my new six-song EP “Forevermore.” Your initial response to the record and particularly to the first single, “The Last One I’ll Forget” has been phenomenal, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your kind comments. If you haven’t checked out our new record, I hope you will do so from wherever you download your music. And I hope you’ll write and share your thoughts with me after you’ve listened. You can always contact me at whisper@billanderson.com.

On a more somber note, we said goodbye to my longtime guitar player, Les Singer, on September 17th. Many of my current and former band members came to Les’ service to share memories and lots of funny stories. I think Les would have been pleased. And the entire entertainment community was stunned and saddened by the passing of Kris Kristofferson on the 28th. I often called Kris the “songwriter’s songwriter,” and referred to his writing style as “elegant simplicity.” He was one of the best that there’s ever been. May he rest in peace.

Looking ahead, we’ll have three Opry appearances this month, the first on October 5th (two shows as it’s the Opry’s Birthday Celebration), then again on October 19th and October 22nd. I hope you’ll tune us in and come see us anytime you can.

While you’re at it, enjoy the cooler temperatures and the turning of the leaves that are both so special to my favorite month. For you who are sports fans like me, enjoy the baseball playoffs and the excitement of the football season like I plan to do. I’ll see you back here again in November.

Thanks for everything…

Ask Bill – October 1, 2024

1) I was watching a Country’s Family Reunion show when Con Hunley got up to sing and the song was omitted. The next scene was him walking back to his seat. Can you tell me what happened?

I asked Larry Black about this, and he said that after the song had been sung and recorded, the copyright owner refused to grant permission for it to be aired on our show. Larry’s only choice as producer was to edit the song out of the program. It was awkward, but he had no other choice.

2) We love watching all the Country’s Family Reunion shows. Why didn’t Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, Charley Pride and some of those artists ever appear as guests?

I’m amazed at how many questions we continue to receive regarding CFR. Thanks for your ongoing interest. I’ve said here many times that virtually everyone who is anyone in country music was invited to appear on our show. Many could not fit it into their schedules. Some said they would not be comfortable in our format. Others declined for various reasons, but never because they weren’t invited. Charley Pride did appear several times and always seemed to enjoy being with us. In fact, I recall after his first visit he asked when he could come back again. We welcomed him anytime he could be there.

3) I love the history of the stars and performers. Is there a good book of stories about road trips, star quirks, and the sort? What a treat it would be to read about all the folks you have worked with down through the years. Do you have a book of such?

Funny you should ask because, yes, I just happen to have one. It’s called, “I Hope You’re Living As High On The Hog As The Pig You Turned Out To Be.” I wrote it back in 1993 because I felt someone should document those stories before they were lost to history and time. It is currently in its twelfth printing. Check the SHOP section of my website for instructions on how to order a copy, and I hope you will enjoy it. And while on the subject of books:

4) I really enjoyed reading your book, “An Unprecedented Life In Country Music.” If I were to mail my copy to you, would you autograph it and send it back? If so, please let me know what address to use.

Thank you…I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I’ll be happy to sign your copy if you’ll send it to me along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope large enough for me to return it. My mailing address is P.O. Box 888, Hermitage, TN. 37076.

Our Question Of The Month comes from Will in Texas: I have a George Jones CD titled “Hits That I Missed And One That I Didn’t.” The one he didn’t miss was, of course, “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” There were some really good songs on there that he could have recorded first but he had passed on. I was wondering if you have ever had similar experiences and have ever considered a release like that?

There are several differences here. Other writers, with a few exceptions, didn’t often pitch  their best songs to me because they knew I was going to write most of what I recorded anyhow. George didn’t write much, and he always got played the cream of the crop when it came to new song material. Everybody wanted George to sing one of their songs. He no doubt passed on some that went on to become winners for other artists. The only hit I recall ever passing on was “Funny How Time Slips Away” when Willie sang it to me with just his guitar one morning up at Tree Publishing Company. Therefore, if I were to attempt an album called “Hits That I Missed On,” it would be a very short record!

Quickies: What Opry performer has made the greatest impact on your life? Good question, and the answer is that there have been several. But I think the greatest impact came from Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl. I learned so much from them both, and I treasure the time I got to spend with each of them. Why is there no physical CD released for your new “Forevermore” album? In this new age where so many people get their music via streaming and downloading, most record companies have cut back or completely cut out releasing “hard copy” records for all but their top-selling artists. Auto manufacturers no longer even build cars with CD players. I can’t say that I like it, but nobody asked my opinion or my advice.  Did you ever have the desire to play lead guitar or any other instruments? To my knowledge, I have only seen you play chords on your guitar. No, I never wanted to play lead guitar. I barely play rhythm guitar! I never played any other instruments, but if I had it to do over again, I would try to learn piano. I think I could have written more and better melodies to my songs had I done so. What inspired you to write the song, “Cincinnati, Ohio,” and what made you pick Connie Smith to sing it? I wrote it while waiting for a flight at the Greater Cincinnati Airport back in the early sixties. Nothing in particular inspired it other than I’ve always liked the town and, as the lyric says, “I got to thinkin’ ’bout some friends I know” who lived there. I didn’t “pick” Connie to record it. I actually recorded it first, and she included it when she did the album “Connie Smith Sings Bill Anderson.” She’s from Ohio, too, so I guess that helped. I’m curious what you sang in the first show for which you got paid. I’d be interested to know that as well. It would have been in the early to mid-fifties, and I assume it was one of the big hits of the day. I hadn’t begun writing many of my own songs back then. I seem to recall my first paying gig paid me $10. That wasn’t quite enough to retire on, so I kept on doing it for the next 60-plus years!

Thanks once more for your questions again this month, and I hope you’ll keep ’em coming. Send yours to me at askbill@billanderson.com and I’ll do my best to answer. Remember the Question Of The Month earns the writer any item of their choice from our online store absolutely free. Stay curious, and let me know what’s on your mind.

Latest Photos

I thought for our photo section this time you might enjoy seeing some of the scenes from our recent trip back to Commerce, Georgia. 

The first picture is an overview of the outside of the Bill Anderson Performing Arts Center at Commerce High School. The school’s sports trophies are aligned in the case while our new display sits at the far right by the entrance to the auditorium.

Our day started with the meet ‘n greet at 3:30 that afternoon. Jeannie Seely and I are already having fun as you can see by the smiles on our faces.

Fans came from more than a dozen states and from as far away as California. These two ladies, Barbara and Pam, both came from Texas.

Gus Arrendale, one of the best friends country music ever had, helped sponsor our new display case outside the PAC. Here I am introducing him to the crowd and thanking him and Springer Mountain Farms for all their help and support.

The display case with my Yasuda guitar, a Nudie-made rhinestoned suit, and several items connecting me and my career to Commerce and the state of Georgia. Note the Springer Mountain Farms logo at the top.

Cutter And Cash & Kentucky Grass opened up our show a little after 7 o’clock, and the crowd loved their bluegrass music and enthusiastic performance. Those kids are really something special.

I took a seat and sang “I Get The Fever,” “Po’ Folks,” and, of course, “City Lights,” back in the town where it was written.

Charlie McCoy thrilled the audience with his soulful harmonica renditions of “Crazy,” “Cold Cold Heart,” and his signature version of “Orange Blossom Special” among others. He also chimed in with me on “Po’ Folks,” and told several stories from his life and career that kept the fans enthralled. What a super musician, performer, and all around great guy!

Jeannie and I sang our duet version of “When Two Worlds Collide” and of course she sang “Don’t Touch Me” and several other of her signature songs. She couldn’t resist making the folks laugh with some of her funny stories as well. Another one-of-a-kind human being whom I love dearly.

My former sound engineer and songwriting co-hort, Bobby Tomberlin, drove down from Nashville for the festivities, and naturally I had to get him up on stage. He sang our composition, “Wherever She Is (I Hope She Stays There)” and the crowd ate it up. Bobby is another of those who has made my life richer simply by being in it.

After all the instruments were packed up and we had said so-long to our friends, the Kentucky Grass guys, Jeannie, and I had to share a final “goodnight” before heading back to Nashville and beyond. I’m sorry nobody sent me any pictures of my Po’ Folks Band from that night, but trust that they were all there, too, and did their usual incredible job of backing up the artists and playing their music. James, Cotton, Ziggy, Gail, and Eddie…thank you again. You were wonderful as always.

Forevermore

Forevermore TRACKLISTING:
1. I Love Us
2. All Of Me Loves All Of You
3. The Last One I’ll Forget
4. Brand New Every Day
5. Yesterday, Today, And Forevermore
6. Stay Gone

Listen here

BILL ANDERSON UNVEILS NEW EP, FOREVERMORE, AVAILABLE TODAY

People.com Exclusively Premieres First Listen to “The Last One I’ll Forget”

To stream and download Forevermore, click HERE.

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country Music Hall of Famer, Songwriters Hall of Fame member and ACM and CMA-award-winning entertainment titan, Bill Anderson, releases his brand-new EP, Forevermore, available everywhere today via MCA Nashville/UMe. 

 

People.com exclusively premiered a first listen to the sentimental focus track from the EP, “The Last One I’ll Forget,” noting that “Anderson sure knows how to tug at the heartstrings with this nostalgic track that tells the story of a man in his final years who’s reflecting on life, and most importantly, the love of his life.” MusicRow‘s Robert Oermann also praised the track, emphasizing that Anderson “emotes beautifully on this softly contemplative ballad of enduring love in old age.”

 

Forevermore follows Anderson’s previous collaboration, “The Country I Grew Up With,” which features four fellow Hall of Famers – Bobby Bare, Jimmy Fortune, Vince Gill and Willie Nelson. Last month, Anderson also received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Hero’s Salute to Lee Greenwood Grand Ole Opry event as well as the Industry Impact Award for his contributions to radio, film and television from the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

In 2024, Anderson was awarded the Dr. David Godbold Lifetime Achievement Award by the South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame. He was inducted by the organization in 1994, and is the first Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. Anderson was born in Columbia, South Carolina and lived there for the first 8 years of his life until moving to Georgia. In 2022, Anderson received a GRAMMY® nomination as an artist in the Best American Roots Performance category for his collaboration “Someday It’ll All Make Sense” (Bluegrass Version) with Dolly Parton.

 

FOREVERMORE TRACKLISTING:

“I Love Us” (Writers: Bill Anderson, Steve Dorff | Producer: Steve Dorff) “All Of Me Loves All Of You” (Writer: Bill Anderson | Producers: Thomm Jutz and Bill Anderson) “The Last One I’ll Forget” (Writers: Bill Anderson, Steve Dorff | Producer: Steve Dorff) “Brand New Every Day” (Writers: Bill Anderson, Steve Dorff | Producer: Steve Dorff) “Yesterday, Today, And Forevermore” (Writers: Bill Anderson, Steve Dorff | Producer: Steve Dorff) “Stay Gone” (Writers: Bill Anderson, Steve Dorff, Bobby Tomberlin | Producer: Steve Dorff)

“The Last One I’ll Forget” – Music Row Magazine Review

Writers: Bill Anderson/Steve Dorff; Producer: Steve Dorff; Label: MCA Nashville/UMe
– The timeless Opry veteran emotes beautifully on this softly contemplative ballad of enduring love in old age. I promise that this will tug at your heartstrings. He’s still got the goods. – Robert K Oermann

Les Singer

Bill Anderson with Les SingerIt is with much sadness and a heavy heart that I tell you Les Singer, a member of my Po’ Folks Band for more than 40-years, longer than anyone in history, has passed away following a lengthy illness. He was 69.
Lester Earl (he was named for bluegrass greats Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs) came to work with me in 1981, and was our lead guitar and banjo player until declining health forced him to retire in 2021. He had stopped touring with us a few years before, but continued to perform at the Grand Ole Opry for as long as his health permitted. Over the years, he also played on many of my recordings as well as serving as the rhythm guitar player for the entire life of the Country’s Family Reunion television series.He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Singer, four daughters…Jana, Carrie, Haley, and Marissa….7 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.Onstage, Les was a great musician and the consummate professional. Offstage, he and I enjoyed a relationship that went far beyond employer-employee. He was “Lester” and I was “Bubba.” We were both huge sports fans, but seldom found ourselves rooting for the same teams. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team while I cheered for the Atlanta Braves. He was a died-in-the-wool Chicago Bears fan in football, and laughed because I pulled for our hometown Tennessee Titans. In college ball, it was his Fightin’ Illini from the University of Illinois versus my Bulldogs from Georgia. I sometimes accused him of simply being against whatever team I was for.We both had a deep love and appreciation for classic country music and bluegrass. One of my favorite moments was the day on Family Reunion when Les had to play banjo on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” in front of Earl Scruggs, who was seated in our circle. He sweated bullets before and during his performance, but he pulled it off like the true champion he was. Even Earl told him so.
There’s a jillion more memories I wish I had the time and space to share.Lester, you made a difference in a lot of lives…and a very large difference in mine. Hopefully, we’ll do it again someday up in Hillbilly Heaven. Get that E-string tuned down and ready to pick “Golden Guitar.” Nobody ever played it quite like you.Rest in peace, my friend.I love ya’….Bubba

Ask Bill – September 3, 2024

1) We’ve been thoroughly enjoying your classic albums that have recently been released to the streaming world! We were born in the late 70s after many of your albums were originally released, so having them available now is a real treat. Will there be more of these classic albums released in the future? We sure hope so! You are an absolute treasure!

You are very kind. Thank you. Yes, there are plans for more of these albums to be released in groups of six or seven at a time. In fact, I just saw a list of the next batch and it included “Ladies Choice,” which more fans have been asking for than any other, “Love And Other Sad Stories,” and more. I don’t have a specific release date, but be watching. They are definitely on the way.

2) When you first started out and went on the road, who were some of the artists who gave you advice?

There were several of them, and nobody needed help and advice more than a young Bill Anderson! George Morgan was one of the first major stars that I toured with, and he was always extremely kind and most helpful. So was Faron Young, although, as you might expect, in a louder and more boisterous way. Ferlin Husky took me under his wing on several occasions and talked with me, as did both Ernest Tubb and Johnny Cash among others. I’ve tried to remember these people and their roles in my life when I’ve had the opportunity over the years to pass along some helpful information and advice to the younger artists who have looked to me. Paying it forward in life is never a bad idea.

3) What is an experience you wish you had not had when performing in the past?

There’s probably bunches of them, but the first one that came to mind when I read your question happened following a show years ago at a theater in Providence, Rhode Island. The theater had an orchestra pit three or four feet deep in front of the stage, and when the show was over, I jumped down off stage into the pit to meet folks and sign some autographs. On the way down, though, I caught the seat of my pants on a protruding nail, and ripped a big ol’ hole in my very expensive, tangerine-colored Nudie suit!! I went ahead with the autograph session, but I was careful to face directly forward and stand as still as possible the entire time. It seems funny now, but back then it was an experience I could have very well done without!

Our Question Of The Month comes from Mac in Arkansas:  I was good friends with your former road manager, Robbie Wittkowski. At one time, he and Little Jimmy Dickens gave me a handful of guitar picks celebrating Jimmy’s 60-years of Opry membership. I was wondering if the Opry made signature picks celebrating historic anniversaries or if this was something individual artists and their teams commissioned? And if you have any from any of your anniversaries, is there any way I could talk you out of a couple?

I can’t speak for Little Jim or any other artists, but I have never known the Opry to make souvenir guitar picks for their performers. On my 60th Opry anniversary, Jeannie Seely had a sackful of picks custom made for me to celebrate the occasion, but they were a personal gift from her and not from the Opry. I have a few of them left, and I’ve included a couple with your free gift for submitting our Question of the Month. I’ll also include two picks with every order from our online store this month for as long as the supply lasts. But I’ll warn you, there’s not very many left.

Quickies: How often do you perform at the Opry? There’s no set schedule, but I try to show up at least two or three times every month. You said Mary Lou Turner lives in Branson. Does she perform in any of the shows there? Yes. She and Leona Williams and Leona’s son, Ron Williams, are doing a show on the 4th weekend of every month at the Pierce Arrow Theater in Branson. I would suggest you check with the theater for specific dates and times.  I am waiting for you to write a #1 song for Mandy Barnett. So am I. Just happened to see you on an old Match Game show. Was that as much fun as it looked? Absolutely it was. Those were some wonderfully zany people to work with, and I made some lifelong friendships. Did the Grand Ole Opry ever do any travel shows? Oh yes…for many years when the Opry first started, it toured as a show within itself. Later it broke off into smaller units who toured as “Stars of the Grand Ole Opry.” The last time I remember the Opry touring as a self-contained package was in the late 80s or early 90s when we went as a unit to theaters and concert halls in select cities across the country. Those were some of my favorite tours. Have you ever heard of a cat that loves the sound of your voice? My cat does! When I play country on my phone she will come near to listen, but when YOU start singing she is immediately on my lap snuggling up to the phone and loving every minute. Well, Go Cat Go….and I hope she will like my new release!!

And I hope all you other cats ‘n kittens out there will send me your questions and comments about all things country so we can do this again next month. Write me at askbill@billanderson.com.  If yours is chosen our Question of the Month, you’ll win any item of your choosing from our online store free of charge. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

September 3, 2024

Hi Gang:

And to all our fans and friends in the U.S., welcome back to the real world following what I hope was a relaxing and enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

If the hurricanes promise to stay away, I’m planning to take a little additional time off at a sunny, sandy beach somewhere between now and our show in Commerce on September 14th. Wish me luck.

This is going to be a fun month what with the Commerce show and then, on the 20th, the release of my new six-song EP, “Forevermore.” I hope you’ll like what you hear in some of the little “teasers” that will be posted around the release date, and that you’ll want to add this new music to your collection.

The first “single” or “focus track” from the record is the song I was telling you about last month, “The Last One I’ll Forget.” If you have a station you listen to that plays  music from some of us older and more traditional artists, I hope you’ll point this song out to them and ask them to play it. I think a lot of our “mature” listeners will understand and hopefully appreciate what the song has to say.

I’ll mention the Commerce show one more time in case some of you have not yet made your plans to come be with us. It’s September 14th in Commerce, Georgia, the town where I started my professional career when I was a D.J. there back in the late fifties, and where they have honored me by naming the auditorium inside Commerce High School the Bill Anderson Performing Arts Center. Grand Ole Opry stars Charlie McCoy and Jeannie Seely, along with a young bluegrass band called Cutter & Cash & Kentucky Grass will share the stage there with me and the Po’ Folks Band for a big Family Reunion-style concert at 7 p.m.

Earlier that afternoon, we will hold a Meet ‘n Greet with all the performers inside the school cafeteria along with….and I haven’t told you this before….the unveiling of a new display case outside the PAC sponsored by our friend Gus Arrendale and the folks at Springer Mountain Farms chicken!! I am donating some of my most special and never-before-shared memorabilia to the display, and I hope you’ll be there to watch us pull back the curtain and reveal it for the first time. It promises to be a very special day.

A few other tid-bits from Whisperville: Gail Rudisill-Johnson, who was the fiddle player in our band from 1996 to 2003, has re-joined the group and will be with us in Commerce and on our Opry shows going forward. Kenzie Wetz decided to leave (she’s getting married in December), and we wish her well.

My 16-year old granddaughter, Hallie, has recently become the youngest usher ever hired at the Grand Ole Opry House, and she is on Cloud 9!! I’ve never known anyone to love the Opry quite like she does, and now she’ll get to show other fans to their seats, answer their questions, and watch the show out of the corner of her eye while she does so. If you see a cute little brunette usher with a name tag saying, “Hallie,” don’t hesitate to walk up and say hello. She’ll smile and answer you back for sure!

Due to my vacation and the Commerce show we only have one scheduled appearance on the Opry this month, on Saturday night September 28th. In October you’ll find us there on the 5th, the 19th, and the 22nd. Come see us anytime you can.

Have a great month, enjoy the first days of autumn, and I’ll see you back here in October. As always, thanks for everything….

Latest Photos

You are looking at a combined total of 197-years worth of entertainment history in this picture….70-years for Pat Boone, 64-years for Tony Orlando, and 63-years for yours truly. It’s hard to believe that I am the “baby” of the outfit!! We were gathered together at the Opry House in August for the Helping A Hero Salute to our military heroes and our friend, Lee Greenwood. L. to R. my friend, Sharyl Melvin, myself, Pat Boone, and Tony Orlando. What a star-studded and patriotic evening it was!

The Tennessee Association of Broadcasters honored me at their annual Excellence In Broadcasting Awards dinner last month by presenting me with their Impact Award for, as they wrote in their program, “the monumental impact you have had on our Tennessee Broadcasters, their audiences, and the entertainment community.” I told them that broadcasting has probably had a bigger impact on me than I’ve had on it, but I greatly appreciated the honor. L. to R. me; Chris Baker, President and CEO of the Tennessee Broadcasters; Jamey Johnson, my fellow Opry member and songwriting co-hort who came to honor me by singing a couple of songs that we wrote together; and Rusty Gaston, the head of Sony Music Publishing’s Nashville office who shared some impactful stories about my songwriting career. Since I began my professional career as a broadcaster, it was a VERY special evening.

You know what they say about all work and no play, so my son, grandson, and I decided to sneak off the job and drive down to Atlanta for the night and take in a Braves game. As you can see from the sign in the background, we picked a good night to be there as our favorite team won the game. With his size and Braves jersey, Blake looks as though he should be on the field with a bat in his hands!! He definitely outgrew his Dad and his PawPaw!!