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.