Ask Bill – February 2, 2022

1) I heard a well-known songwriter make a comment about how his management staff expects him to write so many songs in a certain period of time. Has that ever been your experience? Have you ever been put on a timeline to write songs? No, not really, and I don’t think I could function very well having to write that way. Most writers who receive advance royalties from their publishers agree to produce a certain quota of songs in order to justify their advances, but thankfully I’ve never had to do that. The good news is that I write when I feel like writing, and over the years I’ve still managed to turn in a respectable number of songs. 2) I’ve always wanted to ask a performer like you if you’ve ever cracked up on stage in the middle of a song and had to stop to get your laughing finished? If so, can you share what it was that caused you to break up? I’ve gotten tickled on stage many times during my career, but the most memorable was the night years ago when Jan Howard broke me up by gluing a picture of a large bloodshot eye to her forehead and revealing it to me while we were singing, “For Loving You.”  I told the story in full detail in my autobiography, but just know that when she brushed her bangs aside and I saw that horrible, ugly eye glaring at me, I fell to the floor doubled over with laughter. The audience couldn’t see what happened, and they stared as if I had lost my mind. I had to stop the show and explain it to them. I love to laugh, but I hope I never lose control like that again.
 3) What do you do to keep fans from chasing you around to get your autograph? It must be hard to just get out and go to the grocery store. Well, I wear lightweight shoes and run fast! Not really…I’m only kidding. Actually, in Nashville the type thing you described really doesn’t happen all that often. People are used to seeing celebrities out and among them all the time. I came to realize that one day years ago when I ran into Johnny Cash and his son walking through an indoor mall. He was dressed all in black, of course, and looked very much like the man we all saw on TV every week. He and I stood talking right in the midst of all the foot traffic, and while people smiled and spoke and nodded as they passed by, not one person moved to approach or bother him in any way. Not long ago I saw Reba McEntire in a grocery store shopping just like everyone else. The only person who bothered her was me. Same for Tim McGraw one Sunday in a local book store. I like it when people recognize and speak to me, although I sometimes wonder how they know it’s me when I’m wearing a ball cap and a Covid mask. I always try to smile and return the greeting. Like I say, in Nashville there’s a celebrity on every corner, so most of the time it’s really is no big deal.
 Our Question Of The Month comes from Cathy: As a woman, I still get weak in the knees and hang on every word you sing or say when I listen to “I Can’t Wait Any Longer” or “I’m Way Ahead Of You.” I’m curious as to what your parents said when they heard your very intimate and mental picture songs? Mama was embarrassed and Daddy said, “That’s my boy!!” No, not really. I’m kidding again. To be honest, I really don’t remember them making any particular comment about those songs. They were anything but “stage parents,” and they never got very involved in things related to my music business career. Now maybe they said some things behind my back, but never to my face. I’ll have to ask them when I see them again. 
 Quickies: Am I correct in remembering that Dick Clark once came to one of your fan club dinners during Fan Fair? If so, what year and where was that dinner held? Yes, you are correct. It was in the early eighties at a place called the Longhollow Jamboree north of Nashville. He ate barbeque and visited with folks just like he was one of us. Do you remember the first time you were on the Opry and what song you sang? Nobody ever forgets their first Opry appearance. It was in January, 1959, and I sang my current record at the time, “That’s What It’s Like To Be Lonesome.” I am a pastor, and I wonder if you ever regret having written the song, “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking?” No. The song attacked hypocrisy, and ended with the singer saying, “me and the Good Lord are gonna have us a good talk later tonight.” In other words, he was planning to take any concerns he might have to the Lord in prayer as we are taught to do. I don’t regret writing that at all. Where can I purchase the latest song you did with Dolly Parton? I heard you sing it on Larry’s Country Diner. As of right now that song hasn’t been released, but it’s on the way. As soon as I know the details I’ll let you know. I wish we had space for all of your questions, but we don’t. I’ll save some for next time, and encourage you to send me your new ones. Write to me anytime at AskBill@billanderson.com and remember our Question Of The Month carries with it a free item of your choice from our online store. I’ll see you back here in March.