| Author |
Topic: State of the Opry |
Jason Powers
From:
Muncie, IN
|
Posted 26 Jan 2000 1:45 pm |
|
| While watching the Opry the other night, (most of which I couldn't watch because it was making me sick) I did happen to catch Loretta's portion of the show, and when she was finished, there was 'ol Pete whats-his-name, hugging and kissing her, It made me sick because here is the same power-hungry corporate type who has done more to tear apart the groundwork that was laid by the legends, (including Loretta) and he was kissing up to her like she was his long lost sister. I guarantee you if Mr. Acuff were here, he wouldn't put up with this crap. Mr. Roy may have been an old man but no one ever crossed him |
|
|
 |
Pat Jenkins
From:
Abingdon, VA, USA
|
Posted 26 Jan 2000 2:53 pm
|
|
| Amen, Jason! What we really need is another Mr. Roy to stand up for country music. Is anyone going to step forward? We're watching. Wishing there was something we could do from the sidelines. Great Gugamooga, Pat |
|
|
|
Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
|
Posted 26 Jan 2000 7:15 pm
|
|
Jason, May I ask, what made you sick?
Theresa[This message was edited by Theresa Galbraith on 26 January 2000 at 07:28 PM.] [This message was edited by Theresa Galbraith on 26 January 2000 at 07:34 PM.] |
|
|
|
Jason Powers
From:
Muncie, IN
|
Posted 27 Jan 2000 7:35 am
|
|
Theresa
I guess one of the biggest disappointments I have is to see a lady with a voice as good as Martina McBride wasting her time with material like what she was singing on there. The same could be said for Chely Wright. Both of them have great voices, but you hate to see all that potential wasted on pop-rock sounding garbage. Just my opinion, but the Opry is no place to present this kind of material. Jason |
|
|
|
Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
|
Posted 27 Jan 2000 8:18 am
|
|
I’m with Jason. If it weren’t for wanting to catch some more of Paul’s steel, I’d have shut if off during Cheley and Martina—whomever came first. Instead of waiting for a commercial I went to the fridge right after Martina finished harmonica intro.
SJ: Before I read far enough in your post, Ricky’s name came to mind. That would be a good choice. I think Marty Stewart could do as well; could bring the wife (Connie Smith) too!
Old Roy did a good job with the Opry. Just don’t hand me that “King of Country Music” stuff, though. God! What a tremendous overstatement that is. He could hardly carry a tune at all and had 2 hits that I can recall. I guess I wouldn’t grant that title to anyone, now that I think about it. But, if I did… well you know.
|
|
|
|
Lem Smith
From:
Long Beach, MS
|
Posted 27 Jan 2000 8:49 am
|
|
Hmmmm...let's see Ron. Now who on earth would it be that you'd choose???
Garth, maybe? 
|
|
|
|
Pat Jenkins
From:
Abingdon, VA, USA
|
Posted 27 Jan 2000 10:03 am
|
|
| I enjoy both Chely and Martina, and I guess what we think of their material would vary greatly. The last two songs Martina has had out were borderline pitiful, but here at the station where I work we played the fire out of both of them. And they do sell, not to the country audience mind you. I remember a few years ago, Sylvia was accused constantly of producing bubblegum country, but I believe her material would stand like the Mona Lisa among the current crop of singers. Good singers, poor songs, dull arrangements. Great Gugamooga, Pat. |
|
|
|
Raybob
From:
S. Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
|
Posted 27 Jan 2000 10:38 am
|
|
State of the Opry? Well it got trashed in Tennessee, I vote that they move it to Texas. That might eliminate that current crap of singers!
------------------
Sierra S12 8+5 A6/D9 Uni
|
|
|
|
Bill cole
From:
Cheektowaga, New York, USA
|
Posted 27 Jan 2000 10:58 am
|
|
| Raybob I second your motion cause if they stay there much longer it will be gone anyway and put Ricky Scaggs or SJ OR Smiley Roberts in charge |
|
|
|
Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
|
Posted 27 Jan 2000 2:24 pm
|
|
Hey, Lem! Sorry to make things unclear there… I forgot to check that little “signature” box. 
Good point SJ. I don’t know why it never happens. Many years ago Merle was both criticized and applauded for suggesting that Cash should be given a role in performing and hosting The Opry. (Merle also would become a member if they’d ask, but since he has never regarded Nashville as country music’s epicenter…)
Oh, great! Bill Cole “seconds your motion”, Raybob. We still haven’t recovered from the last time Bill seconded a motion… Perhaps Les won’t read this thread… Just funnin’ ya, guys .
------------------
HagFan |
|
|
|
MALCOLM KIRBY
From:
Crofton, KY USA
|
Posted 27 Jan 2000 9:36 pm
|
|
What is the deal with Steve Wariner having Paul, Brent, Stuart and the others on with him anyway? What's wrong with the "staff band"? They can play anything that I heard played on Steve's portion that night.
Why have a staff band, if artists are allowed to bring in sidemen of their choice that aren't in their road bands? |
|
|
|
Steve Hinson
From:
Hendersonville Tn USA
|
Posted 28 Jan 2000 4:25 am
|
|
| Malcolm-for that matter,why didn't Steve Wariner use HIS band?If they're like us,they could use the TV money this time of year...oh well... |
|
|
|
Joe Casey
From:
Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)
|
Posted 28 Jan 2000 4:52 am
|
|
John ,Check out this weeks lineup,It is among the best put forward in a while.Maybe the Letters we bombed the Gaylord Corp with are getting read. The Lineup contains some of the people we have been talking about "should become members" Just maybe. 
------------------
cjc
|
|
|
|
MALCOLM KIRBY
From:
Crofton, KY USA
|
Posted 28 Jan 2000 5:35 am
|
|
Steve,
I wondered the same thing too. Don't know the details why he didn't use his band. But as much as I love Paul & Brent's playing, this doesn't seem right.
They fire a some of the staff pickers, hire more, then when an artist needs a band (for whatever reason) they can bring in another band.
I'm sure someone might be thinking, he needed those guys to get that sound.
I don't think so. The staff band is quite capable of reproducing about anything that is thrown their way.
John,
Who did Del have to drop?
|
|
|
|
Franklin
|
Posted 6 Feb 2000 1:31 pm
|
|
Steve, Just wanted you and the forum to know.
Instead of complaining publicly about my choice of gigs or Steve's choice of band, anyone can file a formal complaint against me, Steve Wariner, and the rest of the band with the union. If any contractual rules were broken the complaint will win and we can and will be fined because All union musicians are subject to the same union contractual bylaws.
Steve Wariner is one of the nicest and most honorable stars in Nashville and I am proud to say he is also my friend. Professional jealousy is a bad thing. Maybe I should clear things with Steve and Malcolm before taking any more gigs?
Paul Franklin
|
|
|
|
Steve Hinson
From:
Hendersonville Tn USA
|
Posted 6 Feb 2000 2:28 pm
|
|
| Paul-I wasn't complaining about anything-just wondering where Steve's band was...some of them are friends of mine.As for professional jealousy,I am happy for all you have accomplished...I assure you that I am not jealous of your success.I guess I should"clear things"with you before I post again... |
|
|
|
MALCOLM KIRBY
From:
Crofton, KY USA
|
Posted 6 Feb 2000 2:56 pm
|
|
| State Of The Opry. |
|
|
|
Earl Erb
From:
Old Hickory Tenn
|
Posted 6 Feb 2000 4:21 pm
|
|
I reserve the right to stay the hell out of the middle of this one.  Hey Paul,how in the heck are ya?Last time we picked together was around 1985.Email me sometime. |
|
|
|
Franklin
|
Posted 6 Feb 2000 6:32 pm
|
|
Earl, I hear your back playing. Thats good news! Are you still into Jazz? Other than dodging a few stray bullets, I'm doing just fine!
Paul
|
|
|
|
Earl Erb
From:
Old Hickory Tenn
|
|
|
|
Franklin
|
Posted 7 Feb 2000 4:52 am
|
|
Hi John,
Its good to hear from you. I assure you I was not angry at Steve or Malcolm when I posted, but I was and still am defending one of my dear friends choices. I am really disappointed by all the insinuations towards Steve W.
I again read all of the posts. And along with yours, they imply that Steve Wariner somehow got away with something by using us. It was implied that the union rules with the Opry were somehow broken and we were harming Steve's band members income.
I have known Wariner since he was a sideman for Dottie West back in 73. Even though Steve is now a star he acts more like a sideman than any star I know and treasures his road band. He is a prince to work with. Thats his reputation.
Steve Wariner wanted to bring to the Opry one of HIS many bands of studio musicians that rarely play out live. Steve got the call to perform while we were recording. Steve said I sure wish we could do this swing song we were recording. We accepted. Thats all there is to it.
A side note to this issue. We had Leon Rhodes in our dressing room jamming. Pete Fisher was across the hall and could hear we all loved his playing. Steve admires all players and has my respect and friendship.
I'll tell Dad hello from you. He enjoyed his years at Sho-Bud, mainly for the nice folks he worked with and met along the way.
Paul[This message was edited by Franklin on 07 February 2000 at 04:57 AM.] |
|
|
|
MALCOLM KIRBY
From:
Crofton, KY USA
|
Posted 7 Feb 2000 6:41 am
|
|
Paul,
I have the utmost respect for Warnier, Mason, Yourself, and Steve Hinson. I've been a fan of Wariner since I first saw him with Bob Luman in the late 70's. What a talent.
I'm also a fan the Opry, but do not agree with some of the decisions that the "powers that be" at the Opry have made recently.
Sorry if my posts were taken the wrong way.
Malcolm
|
|
|
|
Earl Erb
From:
Old Hickory Tenn
|
Posted 7 Feb 2000 8:52 am
|
|
| I am sure glad to hear someone besides myself acknowledge the fact that Steve worked for Bob Luman.Dotty was not his first gig.As a matter of fact Steve played for Luman before he went to work for Dotty which would have been in the very early 70s,thats when I met him.If Steve learned anything about how to treat sidemen he learned it from Bob.He was a jewel and he lived in the same apt.complex that Gregg and I did in the late 60s. |
|
|
|
Randy Pokeda
From:
Prince George B.C. Canada
|
Posted 7 Feb 2000 12:32 pm
|
|
| Hey Paul: Great to see you back here. And it's great to see you not taking any crap. I hope you will stick around, as you have many supporters. It was great to see all you guys working with Steve. Hope to see more. I think the Opry rocks. Randy. |
|
|
|
Steve Hinson
From:
Hendersonville Tn USA
|
Posted 7 Feb 2000 1:47 pm
|
|
| ...so now my posts are" crap"...Paul,I wouldn't do anything to hurt your feelings or make you mad for all the money in the world.You misunderstood me completely-for all I knew Steve Wariner's band didn't want to play the Opry!I was just wondering out loud...didn't mean to start a war.I didn't even see the show.Believe me-there was no"crap"directed at you,or Steve,or anyone.I too have known Steve since he was Bob Luman's bass player(and Buddy Cannon too,for that matter)and he is the nicest guy in town.I'm sorry you took it the wrong way... |
|
|
|
