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When I was a kid, my sister Diane was in a beauty contest (that she won, by the way) and she was performing on stage, I was fussing and making noise when someone leaned over and told me to shush...I just stared at them and replied, "it's just my sister" that was the way of our family, someone was always playing or singing, so it was old hat to us, so normal that there was a standing rule in our household that there would be "No singing at the dinner table." Diane, Gale and eventualy even I were called on this many times.... How proud our Mother and Father were of each of us, but we learned that we should not get the big head, and that there were many out there that would give anything to be on stage..... I know that I'm not supposed to be arrogant and proud, but I am, My sister is one of the most talented people that I have every had the pleasure to know or work with.... and she has been that way for quite a while.... Brother Joe.
Just wanted to say that I have been in countless jam sessions in Columbus, Ohio and Ky. I can honestly say that no one has ever done a modern country song. I wonder who is buying that c--p. (crap) I haven't met the first person that likes it and I don't think I ever will.
Guns don't kill people. Husbands that come home early kill people. (In Ky)
Not the place to vent like that..Flutter the eyelids and lets talk country like James just said!!
Brenda
Those of you who know Dave, know that he is very passionate about country music, and normally doesn't use that that sort of language. Now, let's all lower our eyebrows, and get back to enjoying the best music ever made....classic country and western music!
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
All I can say is now I'm speechless at a comment like that !!!!!...........in the world of classic country music..What kind of blogging is that suppose to be!!!!
Brenda
I guess you could say that I am also speechless in that sorta way.
All I can say, Dave...is...Oh, my goodness!
I just watched that clip of Kid CROCK at the awards show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT WAS THAT ???????????????????????????
W H A T ????????????????????????????????
W A S ??????????????????????????????????
T H A T ????????????????????????????????
I'm speechless !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Except to say this... I love Nashville.
I love the people.
I love the fact that it's filled with so many great singers, songwriters, musicians and creative minds.
But the one thing I don't like is the fact that Muzac Row doesn't care about any of that.
So it's times like these that I think about my dear sweet Grandmother. She she knew about life and how to handle these situations. Let's see... what was it that she always use say? Oh yes I remember now... I remember that she would stop and think for a minute. Then you'd see that soft, sweet, gentle little smile appear on her face. Then she'd look at you with that beautiful twinkle in her eye and she'd say something like, SCREW THOSE STUPID *******! THEY CAN JUST GO **** THEMSELVES!
James:
I have no additional stories about Jimmy Dean, other than each time we met, he treated me as a friend. As for inspiration, I can say I studied some of the great story songs Jimmy would recite, and appreciated his cadence of delivery, and inflection; my favorite being, Dear Mom.
I never thought to ask if you knew Jimmy Dean, Johnny! But, considering your impressive resume as an entertainer, it only makes sense that you two talented artists would have crossed paths at some point in your careers. Do you have any other insights or stories to share about the late Mr. Dean? Did he influence any of your performances, or the way you interact with your audiences?
I grew up with a local singer in Garrison Ky by the name of Gordon Brown who idolized Hank Williams and he could sound just like him. I was a 17 year old lap steel player in 1952. He begged me to go on the road with him. He said we will make it even if we have to sleep in the car and bum for food for awhile but stick with me. I said thanks but no thanks.
He changed his name to Luke Gordon and took off. He made his way to Virginia. He got into a talent contest put on by Jimmy Dean. He won on Sat night and an unknown singer by the name of Patsy Cline won on Sunday night or vise verse. They both got to play on Jimmy Deans TV show.
Luke Gordon was quite a crowd pleaser when he came out and did a medley of Hank Williams tunes. He made a living singing country music until he retired and came back to Ky.recently.
There is no doubt that Jimmy Dean touched a lot of lives.
Every so often, we assess our lives when someone who affected us passes away. The passing of Jimmy Dean causes me to hearken back to a time when I watched my first country music variety show, on television. At 5 or 6 years of age, I marveled at watching Jimmy Dean sing, and interact with his guests; years later, when I performed in concert, the circle was completed when Jimmy was in the audience watching my performance.
After the show, Jimmy and I talked about his (early) TV program, and I asked him about the (puppet) dog he featured on his show. Pictured above with Jimmy is "Rolph" who, as it happened, was the first "Muppet" character, courtesy of Jim Henson.
Or, took an ol' cold tater and waited? Not nearly enough, I'll bet....
Diane, are you keeping notes? You need to write a book someday. You have been involved so much in the history of country music. You could tell a lot of interesting stories about those great pioneers that paved the road for all the Keith Urban's and Kenny Chesney's.
Jimmy Dickens was a household word when I was kid in the early fifties. We gathered around the radio on Sat night waiting for him to come on the Grand Ole Opry stage.What a thrill! He sang songs that we could all relate to. I wonder how many of the business men that are now controlling the direction of country music ever slept at the foot of the bed or got their education out behind the barn?
Whew!! Now that we have all told how we really feel, how about a new subject? I am so happy to turn on the Opry and still hear Mr. Little Jimmy Dickens singing his heart out and telling his wonderful jokes. Do you know he will be 90 this fall? That's right....90 years young and still entertaining with dignity and class.
Little Jimmy dresses like a real, live Grand Ole' Opry Star! All those beautiful rhinestones on his stage outfits...I just love 'em. When the spotlight hits him, you know you are in the presence of history and a glimpse of the future. I know, you think I just messed up right there when I said both history and the future. BUT, think about it. History, because he has been a member of the Grand Ole' Opry for over 50 years. And the Future because he is a shining example to all the younger entertainers in country music...and he gives them much to aspire to. Brad Paisley thinks Jimmy is the tops, as does Vince Gill. When Vince first started making all those great videos of his songs, who do you think made an appearance in each and every one? That's right, Little Jimmy Dickens!
I am very proud to have an association with Mr. Dickens. I have worked many shows that also starred Jimmy...when I was working with Charlie Louvin, we always shared a dressing room at the Ryman with Jimmy Dickens and his band. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of the fact I was on his "Hall of Fame" album (and my picture is on the back of the album cover!).
But the one thing I am most proud of when it concerns Little Jimmy Dickens is....when he sees me, he ALWAYS gives me a hug and a kiss. He is such a gentleman.
You can have all your Keith Urban's, Kenny Chesney's..anyone you can name...and I will put Little Jimmy Dickens up against them all any day!
He may refer to himself in a joke calling himself, "Mighty Mouse in his pajamas"..but he is a GIANT to me!
What are your thoughts concerning this man and his music?
I agree wit Ted,
Nashville was put on the map for Classic Country music and GOOD COUNTRY MUSIC and if Nashville keeps going in the direction they are..BRANSON is going to be the place to go to hear the kind of music {good ole country} that people want to hear that should be and could be staying in Nashville...
♪♥•·. Brenda .·•♥♪
Well then I will just stay home!
Right on Diane. When us country music fans go to Nashville we expect to hear country music coming out of every door, window and street corner. That is the reason we go. We tell our friends and neighbors about it when we get back home and they want to go also. If Nashville takes on the image of long hair,tattoos and distorted guitars etc I think you will be doing yourself a gross dis-service.
For instance, last week I walked into a Mexican restaurant and top 40 was coming out of the speakers. I turned around and walked out. I expected to hear Mexican or Spanish music.
Likewise when I go to Nashville I want to hear what put you on the map.
Thanks for the feedback, Ted! Hope everything is going well out your way!
Wish that I could be there to watch Diane...
Goodness,
the whole country world is crashing like a B-52 with 7 engines out, and Kid Rock is at the controls..... I'd much rather see Charlie Rich burning John Denver's winning anouncement. The true Class of country music is relegated to "mini spots" on the Grand Ole Opry, and to see most of the stars you have to travel to Branson. As Ted said in the previous comment, "country" radio is a joke, and there aren't enough Classic(= Real) Country radio stations to go around over here in Texas. Makes me want to get my Martin and close all the doors and play along with all of my heros on LPs... Thank goodness for Rudi's and thanks James for saying what most of the real country fans think.
I agree with you, James. I also feel like Country Music should be represented more here in music city if no where else...and it should be represented as real Country..not Pop. You can find Pop anywhere. But in Nashville, Tennessee (Home of The Grand Ole' Opry) you should be able to find and enjoy pure classic counry music.
It is here...you have to really look sometimes, but it is here. One place you can find great country music is exactly where you said it would be.....at The Wheel downtown Nashville on Broadway across from Tootsies Orchid Lounge. Gary Gibson is one of the finest country singers and he has a wonderful band to perform with him every Sunday night starting at 6:00 and ending at 10:00 PM. Another thing I really admire about Gary Gibson .... he doesn't drink, he does not curse and he is a hard working married man. He just sings from the heart. I am very proud to tell everyone (If you haven't already read it on my Facebook page) I will be singing with Gary Gibson this Sunday night June 13th as his guest on what will be the last night of the CMA Music Fest.
So, country music lovers....if you will still be in town on Sunday night, come on down to The Wheel.
We would love to see you!
(There won't be any mud fights)
It is the one and the same.....Ben Hall from Okalona, Mississippi! I had lunch with him yesterday at The Country Music Hall of Fame. Russell and I were so happy to have met this fine young man when he first came to Nashville a couple of years ago. He is a great fiend and we feel like he's family. Not a better talent and you would be hard pressed to find that MUCH talent in another young man than what you find in Ben Hall.
Does your friend, Palmer, ever book country music singers in the club? If he does, have him call me. I would love to come and pick and sing. If he would like, it could be Ben Hall and me. We do a great duet together.
Let me know!
Diane
James,
You're preaching to the quire but thanks for speaking up. I hope the powers that be hear you too. I used to keep my radio tuned to country music 24/7 but I can't remember the last time I tuned into a modern country station. If I want to hear rock music I will tune to a rock station.
Thanks again for speaking up.
It really is a small world Diane. I belong to a guitar club here in Columbus, Ohio called Ohio Fingerstyle Guitar Club Or OFGC. Google that to find the website. It was organized by Palmer Moore to promote the thumb style picking of Chet Adkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed etc. Palmer goes to the Chet Adkins Convention in Nashville every year. He told me about meeting this fantastic 16 yr old Merle Travis style picker about five years ago by the name of Ben Hall. Palmer booked him to play for our club this past Thursday night. What a nice clean cut young man he was. I enjoyed his performance better than anyone that we have had. He is Merle Travis re-incarnated. I didn't put two and two together at the time but he has to be the same Ben Hall that plays behind you in the Videos on Rudi's web site. If so ask him if he knows Palmer Moore from Columbus, Ohio and tell him that we really appreciate him driving all the way up here just to perform for us. We hope to see and hear him again at the Chet Adkins Convention this summer.
It has to be a pleasure to have someone of his caliber to play behind your singing.
Keep on keeping on and take care and as Roy Rogers used to say,"May the good Lord take a liking to you."
Ted