December 5, 2016

Hi Folks:

Can you believe it’s December? It sure doesn’t feel like it weather-wise, does it?

I was prepared to really get into the Christmas spirit on my recent visit to New York, but warm, rainy weather just doesn’t make me want to sing Jingle Bells!

I had a great trip, though, and appreciate all the feedback from you in regard to the interviews we did up there. A lot more people knew about my book when I left than did when I got there.

Before the New York trip, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family. They all came to my house again this year, and we stuffed ourselves as usual. We threw footballs in the yard, shot pool in the game room, watched ball games on the big  screen projection TV, and just visited. My kids and grandkids are SO special to me, and we had SO much to be thankful for again this year.

Two days before Thanksgiving, Brad Paisley called me from California and asked if I would go into the recording studio and do a small talking part on the new song he and I wrote for his upcoming album. He had already done his vocal, and said he kept picturing how it would sound with my voice on it along with his. I don’t know much more than that, but I did it, and hope he liked what he heard when he listened. As things continue to move forward I’ll keep you posted. His record is scheduled for release in February.

I’ve also had recent recordings of my songs by Sammy Kershaw and bluegrass mainstay, Larry Stephenson. Plus, Willie Nelson recorded “City Lights” on his tribute album to Ray Price.

I won’t be going on the road again in 2016….in fact I plan to stay close to Nashville until we leave on the Family Reunion Cruise the end of January. I’ll be on the Opry December 3rd, 10th, 16th, 17th, and on January 6th and 7th of 2017. In mid-January, I’ve scheduled a minor medical procedure related to the removal of what the doctor calls some “pre-cancerous lesions” on my face. It’s nothing serious, but it may keep me off the stage and off television until after the cruise.

Oh, I’ve just learned that the Country’s Family Reunion tribute show to my 50th Anniversary in the music business,  hosted by Vince Gill and recorded several years ago, will air again on December 30th on RFD-TV. If you missed it the first time around, here’s your chance to catch it.

My Christmas plans are to stay close to home with family and friends, relax, do a lot of kicking back, and nothing of a fancy nature at all. I hope whatever your plans are that you’ll get to spend your time with the folks you love the most. And may we all remember the True Reason for the season.

God bless….Merry Christmas…and Happy New Year. Thanks for all that you continue to mean to me…every day and every season of every year.