March 1, 2024

Hi Gang:

And welcome to our fan club newsletter for March….the month that starts in winter and ends in spring….giving us all something positive to look forward to!

I’ve been looking forward to this date myself because, aside from the weather, we’re finally getting to show the world our lyric video for the song I recorded with Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Bobby Bare, and Jimmy Fortune, “The Country I Grew Up With.”

As you might imagine, getting the five of us together at the same time for a “live” video would have been virtually impossible, so our team felt that a lyric video showcasing the words and portraying the many varied scenes we sing about in the song would be the next best thing. You can dial it up and watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN519wXlTu4,or at www.billanderson.com, or from almost any source where you view and download your videos. I’m pretty proud of it.  Let me know how you like it.

The recording of this song was first released shortly before Christmas, and the record company felt like it may have “gotten lost” amidst the holiday music and other festivities, so they decided to carve out a “re-launch” this month. With the video release and a new push at radio, we’re all hoping  the song will reach some ears now that may have missed out on hearing it late last year. The message of the song rings just as true now…if not more so…than ever.

Jimmy Fortune and I are going to perform the song live on the Grand Ole Opry Friday night March 8th. I hope lots of you will be listening. Our other Opry dates this month are March 12th, 16th, and 19th.

And speaking of the Opry, I mentioned in last month’s newsletter about the big doin’s March 16th when we mark the 50th Anniversary of the Opry House opening on that very date back in 1974. I told you that Connie Smith, Jeannie Seely, and I will be honored that night as the only three Opry cast members who were on the opening show who will also be on this special anniversary performance. What I didn’t know at that time was that the Opry plans to honor us with a fancy, sit-down dinner backstage prior to the curtain going up. The entire evening will be filled with music, memories, fun, and surprises. I’m really looking forward to it.

In addition to all the above, I have a couple of personal notes you might be interested in:

February 11th marked 33-years that James Freeze has been the bass player in my Po’ Folks Band. Prior to joining us, James had worked primarily in the field of southern gospel music, starting as a drummer when he was only 10-years old. He was out touring with some of the biggest artists in that field by the time he was 12. Musicians are not generally known for staying in the same job for anything close to 33-years, so this is quite a milestone. (Check out the picture of us onstage in our photo section). Thanks, James, for all you have meant to me and to this job and to our fans for all these years. Let’s shoot for 33-more!!

And my 15-year old granddaughter, Hallie, has signed up to participate in a songwriter’s camp this summer at the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has resumed guitar lessons, and is showing a lot of interest in not only being a big country music fan but in contributing to the music as well. Stay tuned.

And one final footnote: I am planning a trip to Chicago the latter part of this month to see my oldest granddaughter, Rae, play a large role in the Tony Award winning show, “The Band’s Visit.” She acts, sings, dances, and plays violin in the production. I’ll be the proudest PawPaw in the audience I can assure you.

Have a great rest of the month, enjoy the sunshine that is hopefully on its way, and I’ll plan to see you back here in April. Thanks for everything….