August 1, 2017

Hi Gang:

Has it been as hot where you are as it has been in Whisperville? I know…it’s summertime and it’s supposed to be hot, but I’m ready for my favorite season of the year to hurry up and get here and cool things off!

I did get a taste of cooler weather when I flew out to San Diego for some business meetings the last weekend in July. The highs were in the 70’s and the lows in the 60’s. It was nice. On the way back to Nashville, I crossed paths with my pilot/son, Jamey, at the airport in Atlanta. I’ve attached a picture I thought you might like.

We had some good times on the road back in July, starting with a  great trip to Montgomery and a fun show with our friend, Gene Watson. Then we worked our first county fair  of the season in Batesville, Arkansas a week later. Thanks to all of you who came out to see us. This month we’re heading north, and looking forward to seeing lots of you in Indiana, Illinois, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

I’ve been in the studio recently recording some new music, including a duet with David Frizzell for a new tribute project to David’s brother, Lefty. Naturally, we teamed up on “Saginaw, Michigan,” which was Lefty’s last #1 record and a song I co-wrote with Don Wayne.

The great Freddie “Easy Lovin” Hart came in from California and was at the studio the same day as I, and he cut a marvelous new song he wrote about Lefty, his longtime friend. It’s hard to look at Freddie and believe he’s 90-years old now. He hasn’t changed a bit, and he’s still in great shape. For those who might not know, Freddie has a black belt in karate, and he still looks like he could take out a whole country band by himself!

I received some sad news while I was on the west coast. Steve Chapman, who played guitar in my Po’ Boys band back in the early 70’s, passed away. Ironically, someone sent me a picture of us on stage just a few days before I heard of Steve’s passing, and I’ve included it here.

So what’s coming up this month? Well, how about six performances at the Grand Ole Opry (August 1st, 5th, 9th,11th, 15th and 29th) and those four concerts on the road (Aug 18th, 19th, 26th, and 27th)? Check the Tour page at www.billanderson.com for the details. We’ll also be taping a second Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting series for Country’s Family Reunion on the 23rd. This is totally by popular demand. The original series was one of the most well-received of any we’ve ever done. We’re all looking forward to doing it again.

On the personal side, my grandson, Gabe, continues to need your prayers as some of the newer cancer treatments don’t seem to be working as well as we had hoped. Also, my friend, Vickie Salas, whom many of you have met over the past ten years, is also undergoing cancer treatments and could use a prayer or two herself. I think I’ll have some t-shirts made saying, “I HATE CANCER”!

Thanks for everything and my best to all. See you back here next month.

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