The trailer for Willie Nelson & Family, the four-part documentary by directors Thom Zimny and Oren Moverman, offers a glimpse of the colorful life of the Red Headed Stranger.
The clip features some of the rare archival clips that anchor the film, including images of Nelson playing his guitar Trigger, hanging with fellow musicians, and even falling into an inflatable pool backstage at a festival. There’s also loads of footage of Nelson onstage with his Family Band, including his sister Bobbie Nelson, who died in 2022.
Along with Nelson’s own interviews,...
The clip features some of the rare archival clips that anchor the film, including images of Nelson playing his guitar Trigger, hanging with fellow musicians, and even falling into an inflatable pool backstage at a festival. There’s also loads of footage of Nelson onstage with his Family Band, including his sister Bobbie Nelson, who died in 2022.
Along with Nelson’s own interviews,...
- 12/14/2023
- by Joseph Hudak
- Rollingstone.com
A lot of people who go back in country music, be it the fans or even some who work in the industry in Nashville, refuse to call the CMA Music Festival anything other than “Fan Fair,” the name the annual event had in the far more humble ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. That’s the era when it took place out amid the pungent aromas of Nashville’s fairgrounds, not in and around a downtown stadium. Rather than resist that nostalgia for a quainter era, the CMA indulged it this year by selling vintage-looking T-shirts at merch booths — which, by the way, Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern says sold quite well. The festival is definitely embracing its past by including that former moniker in the title of a new documentary, “CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair,” premiering on Hulu today.
Trahern took over the reins of the CMA in 2014 but...
Trahern took over the reins of the CMA in 2014 but...
- 7/5/2023
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
The Country Music Association is celebrating the 50th anniversary of CMA Fest with a new documentary, set to premiere July 5 on Hulu, TheWrap can reveal exclusively.
Told through one-on-one interviews and never-before-seen archival content and festival performances, “CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair” will track the country event’s history from its humble beginnings as Fan Fair in 1972, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, to its move to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982 and then ultimately to downtown Nashville in 2001.
Today, the festival draws more than 90,000 fans a day, across four days, with attendees from all 50 states and 51 countries.
“CMA Fest has taken several shapes throughout its storied history,” CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a statement. “As we step into our 50th year, our hope with this film was to underscore the one thing that has remained with the festival — its heart. We are thrilled to share...
Told through one-on-one interviews and never-before-seen archival content and festival performances, “CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair” will track the country event’s history from its humble beginnings as Fan Fair in 1972, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, to its move to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982 and then ultimately to downtown Nashville in 2001.
Today, the festival draws more than 90,000 fans a day, across four days, with attendees from all 50 states and 51 countries.
“CMA Fest has taken several shapes throughout its storied history,” CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a statement. “As we step into our 50th year, our hope with this film was to underscore the one thing that has remained with the festival — its heart. We are thrilled to share...
- 6/22/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Just a few minutes into the first episode of season six of "Black Mirror," titled "Joan Is Awful," the titular character - played by Annie Murphy - walks into a bar to meet her ex-boyfriend. Softly in the background, music plays, the singer crooning, "You can blame me, try to shame me." The song isn't really important to the scene, or even the overall episode plot, but eagle-eared fans of the long-running technology-is-terrifying series from Charlie Brooker certainly may recognize it.
The track in question is a 1964 song performed by Irma Thomas, originally written by Jeannie Seely and Randy Newman (of "Toy Story"–tune fame) and called "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)." It is also a favorite of the "Black Mirror" team: "Joan Is Awful" is the sixth episode of the series that the song has appeared in - it pops up once a season.
Viewers first...
The track in question is a 1964 song performed by Irma Thomas, originally written by Jeannie Seely and Randy Newman (of "Toy Story"–tune fame) and called "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)." It is also a favorite of the "Black Mirror" team: "Joan Is Awful" is the sixth episode of the series that the song has appeared in - it pops up once a season.
Viewers first...
- 6/19/2023
- by Lindsay Kimble
- Popsugar.com
An original documentary film that tells the story of the world’s largest and longest-running country music festival debuts on Hulu Wednesday, July 5.
CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair marks CMA’s first feature-length film, with CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern and CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing, Content & Communications Strategy Kelly Striewski serving as the film’s executive producers.
The documentary covers the festival’s beginnings as Fan Fair in 1972, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, its move to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982, and then to downtown Nashville in 2001, which now draws 80,000 fans a day across four days.
The 75-minute documentary features exclusive interviews with Bill Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Breland, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Shy Carter, Luke Combs, Vince Gill, Valierie Ellis Hawkins, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Mark Miller, Craig Morgan, Lorrie Morgan, Dolly Parton, Carly Pearce,...
CMA Fest: 50 Years of Fan Fair marks CMA’s first feature-length film, with CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern and CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing, Content & Communications Strategy Kelly Striewski serving as the film’s executive producers.
The documentary covers the festival’s beginnings as Fan Fair in 1972, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, its move to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982, and then to downtown Nashville in 2001, which now draws 80,000 fans a day across four days.
The 75-minute documentary features exclusive interviews with Bill Anderson, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Breland, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Shy Carter, Luke Combs, Vince Gill, Valierie Ellis Hawkins, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Mark Miller, Craig Morgan, Lorrie Morgan, Dolly Parton, Carly Pearce,...
- 5/25/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2022 CMA Awards were a mostly predictable affair with a few pleasant little surprises — and we’re so grateful for it. Between the maelstrom known as Ye, the upending of the already chaotic Twitter, and the high stakes of the midterms, there’s enough wacky shit afoot without having to endure some stupid drama unfolding on country music’s biggest night. Sorry Garth, but thank God for answered prayers.
With that in mind, the dream of the Nineties (and some even more distant decades) was alive in Nashville on Wednesday,...
With that in mind, the dream of the Nineties (and some even more distant decades) was alive in Nashville on Wednesday,...
- 11/10/2022
- by Jon Freeman
- Rollingstone.com
‘CMA Awards’ 2022 Presenter Cole Hauser (Photo: Presley Ann/Getty Images)
Yellowstone‘s Cole Hauser, Oscar winner Jessica Chastain, and five-time Grammy winner Wynonna Judd are among the celebrities set to present during The 56th Annual CMA Awards. Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan are co-hosting this year’s awards show taking place in Nashville.
Additional presenters include two-time World Series Champ Mookie Betts, CMA Awards nominee Breland, CMA Awards nominee Jordan Davis, actress Sarah Drew, singer/songwriter Tyler Hubbard, and CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year nominee this year, Lady A.
Also set to present during this year’s broadcast are actor Rex Linn, CMA Awards winner Little Big Town, six-time CMA Awards winner Parker McCollum, six-time CMA Awards winner Reba McEntire, and HomeTown Takeover‘s Ben and Erin Napier. Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely, Oscar nominee Michael Shannon, and six-time CMA Awards nominee this year Lainey Wilson are also presenting.
Yellowstone‘s Cole Hauser, Oscar winner Jessica Chastain, and five-time Grammy winner Wynonna Judd are among the celebrities set to present during The 56th Annual CMA Awards. Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan are co-hosting this year’s awards show taking place in Nashville.
Additional presenters include two-time World Series Champ Mookie Betts, CMA Awards nominee Breland, CMA Awards nominee Jordan Davis, actress Sarah Drew, singer/songwriter Tyler Hubbard, and CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year nominee this year, Lady A.
Also set to present during this year’s broadcast are actor Rex Linn, CMA Awards winner Little Big Town, six-time CMA Awards winner Parker McCollum, six-time CMA Awards winner Reba McEntire, and HomeTown Takeover‘s Ben and Erin Napier. Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely, Oscar nominee Michael Shannon, and six-time CMA Awards nominee this year Lainey Wilson are also presenting.
- 11/4/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Jeannie Seely was a 12-year-old girl in rural Pennsylvania when she first heard Kitty Wells’ song “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.” It was 1952, and Wells’ unlikely hit was climbing the charts on its way to making country music history. That August — 70 years ago this month — it became the first single by a solo female artist to reach No. 1 on the country charts, and a bellwether for women in the industry.
“I was absolutely thrilled, of course, to hear another girl was a big thing, because there...
“I was absolutely thrilled, of course, to hear another girl was a big thing, because there...
- 8/29/2022
- by Jeff Gage
- Rollingstone.com
“I grew up remembering when a sitcom would celebrate 100 episodes, and they’d wheel out the cake,” says Dan Rogers. For the Grand Ole Opry, which he serves as executive producer, they’re gonna need a bigger bakery. The weekly Nashville-based show, which has been a radio program since 1925 and a TV series on and off for many of those years, is about to have its 5000th weekly Saturday night broadcast on Oct. 30. Eat your heart out, “NCIS,” “Simpsons,” “Gunsmoke,” “Meet the Press,” “General Hospital,” et al. — there’s an old kid in town.
“It’s unprecedented, and you’ll probably never see it again, especially with a radio show,” Rogers says. “Five thousand Saturday nights is astounding when you begin to think about each of those Saturday nights and what was happening on those Saturday nights — civil unrest, World War II, the Depression. But even the past 80… you know,...
“It’s unprecedented, and you’ll probably never see it again, especially with a radio show,” Rogers says. “Five thousand Saturday nights is astounding when you begin to think about each of those Saturday nights and what was happening on those Saturday nights — civil unrest, World War II, the Depression. But even the past 80… you know,...
- 10/28/2021
- by Chris Willman
- Variety Film + TV
Brad Paisley knows the Grand Ole Opry has its ghosts, but March 21 felt downright eerie. There was no anticipatory murmur of excitement from fans filing into the Grand Ole Opry House that night. No curtain going up. No applause marking the moment the show began. Instead, Paisley and fellow Opry members Vince Gill and Marty Stuart sat on stools six feet apart and looked out at nearly 4,400 dark seats, a few cameras and fewer than 30 crew members, only a handful visible at any given time.
If an empty Grand Ole Opry House always feels a little haunted to Paisley, “it feels really haunted when there’s no one there but you know everyone’s listening.”
That Saturday, the Grand Ole Opry was televised live for the first time in nearly a decade, thanks to Circle, a TV network created as a joint venture between Ryman Hospitality Properties, which owns the Opry,...
If an empty Grand Ole Opry House always feels a little haunted to Paisley, “it feels really haunted when there’s no one there but you know everyone’s listening.”
That Saturday, the Grand Ole Opry was televised live for the first time in nearly a decade, thanks to Circle, a TV network created as a joint venture between Ryman Hospitality Properties, which owns the Opry,...
- 6/30/2020
- by Brian Mansfield
- Variety Film + TV
The Grand Ole Opry has been a musical tradition for nearly 95 years, and on Saturday, March 21st, the cherished institution will make history once again, with a special live performance from three of its long-serving members. Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, and Marty Stuart will take the Opry stage — at a safe distance from one another — for an acoustic performance that will showcase the three men and their guitars.
Aided by a minimal production team, this unprecedented performance will be available through a variety of outlets, including, for the first time,...
Aided by a minimal production team, this unprecedented performance will be available through a variety of outlets, including, for the first time,...
- 3/20/2020
- by Stephen L. Betts
- Rollingstone.com
The Grand Ole Opry anointed its newest member with the addition of bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent, who was surprised with the honor during Friday night’s festivities.
Following Vincent’s performance of “Like I Could,” the song’s co-writer and Opry member Jeannie Seely extended the invitation and asked Vincent if she wanted to join the venerable show. A stunned Vincent responded, “100% percent yes. Oh my gosh! I grew up listening to the Grand Ole [Opry]. Thank you dear God!”
Vincent, who won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album for her LP All the Rage,...
Following Vincent’s performance of “Like I Could,” the song’s co-writer and Opry member Jeannie Seely extended the invitation and asked Vincent if she wanted to join the venerable show. A stunned Vincent responded, “100% percent yes. Oh my gosh! I grew up listening to the Grand Ole [Opry]. Thank you dear God!”
Vincent, who won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album for her LP All the Rage,...
- 2/29/2020
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
The 2020 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in just a few weeks. Which two country superstars will be selected this year for an induction ceremony slated for next October? Could this finally be the year for Tanya Tucker, who just won her first ever Grammy Awards after a career beginning back in the 1970s? Or will it be a more recent artist now eligible, such as Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw or Shania Twain?
SEEBiggest Grammy Winners of All Time: See The Most Awarded Artists
The criteria is pretty simple to get in but it’s an exclusive group since only 2-3 people are inducted each year. One person will be from the Modern Era category (an artist who came to prominence at least 20 years ago). Another will be from the Veterans Era (an artist who came to prominence at least 45 years ago). A third inductee would be a non-performer,...
SEEBiggest Grammy Winners of All Time: See The Most Awarded Artists
The criteria is pretty simple to get in but it’s an exclusive group since only 2-3 people are inducted each year. One person will be from the Modern Era category (an artist who came to prominence at least 20 years ago). Another will be from the Veterans Era (an artist who came to prominence at least 45 years ago). A third inductee would be a non-performer,...
- 2/18/2020
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
In September 1989, Wellsville, Kansas, native Chely Wright made the first of many appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, a venue that would become an important touchstone in her career. But after coming out as a lesbian in 2010, Wright, now 48, went more than nine years without an invitation to come play the hallowed stage. That is, until August 10th, nearly 30 years after her debut.
As Opry member Jeannie Seely introduced her to rousing applause, Wright performed the familiar hits “Shut Up and Drive” and “Single White Female” — the latter of which...
As Opry member Jeannie Seely introduced her to rousing applause, Wright performed the familiar hits “Shut Up and Drive” and “Single White Female” — the latter of which...
- 8/20/2019
- by Stephen L. Betts
- Rollingstone.com
With a vintage country-bluegrass voice that beautifully captures both the toughest and most tender aspects of love gone wrong, singer Rhonda Vincent’s just-released single and video, “Like I Could,” painfully charts the disintegration of a seemingly once-perfect relationship.
Co-written by Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely with Bobby Tomberlin (Diamond Rio’s “One More Day”) and Erin Enderlin (Alan Jackson’s “Monday Morning Church”), “Like I Could” is accompanied by a music video starring Vincent, her award-winning band the Rage, and a character played by the musician’s real-life husband and manager Herb Sandker.
Co-written by Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely with Bobby Tomberlin (Diamond Rio’s “One More Day”) and Erin Enderlin (Alan Jackson’s “Monday Morning Church”), “Like I Could” is accompanied by a music video starring Vincent, her award-winning band the Rage, and a character played by the musician’s real-life husband and manager Herb Sandker.
- 7/17/2019
- by Stephen L. Betts
- Rollingstone.com
In 1968, Tammy Wynette recorded one of her signature songs, the Bobby Braddock-Curly Putman classic, “D-i-v-o-r-c-e.” Serving as the title tune from Wynette’s third solo LP, the single — as well as the album — topped the charts, and would prove prophetic as Wynette’s second husband, songwriter Don Chapel, filed for divorce from the singer in October 1968.
While Wynette’s subsequent albums, beginning with 1969’s Stand By Your Man, would often feature her songwriting efforts, D-i-v-o-r-c-e consisted of several contemporary cover songs, including an “answer” version to the Bobby Goldsboro crossover hit “Honey,...
While Wynette’s subsequent albums, beginning with 1969’s Stand By Your Man, would often feature her songwriting efforts, D-i-v-o-r-c-e consisted of several contemporary cover songs, including an “answer” version to the Bobby Goldsboro crossover hit “Honey,...
- 6/18/2019
- by Stephen L. Betts
- Rollingstone.com
Just ahead of the September 15th premiere of the eight-part PBS documentary Country Music – A Film By Ken Burns, Legacy Recordings will unveil musical highlights from the 16-and-a-half-hour series with a deluxe five-cd set spanning the history of the genre.
The impressive track list represents artists featured in each of the series’ episodes, from the first stars of the genre, such as the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, to influential acts from the latter half of the 20th century, including Randy Travis and the Judds. The set will be released Friday,...
The impressive track list represents artists featured in each of the series’ episodes, from the first stars of the genre, such as the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, to influential acts from the latter half of the 20th century, including Randy Travis and the Judds. The set will be released Friday,...
- 6/13/2019
- by Stephen L. Betts
- Rollingstone.com
Country superstar duo Brooks and Dunn will be the latest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The duo was announced on Monday morning in Nashville along with singer/songwriter Ray Stevens and producer/executive Jerry Bradley will be inducted at the 2019 ceremony in October. Watch the official video above.
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are two-time Grammy winners, sold over 30 million albums and charted 20 number one songs. Those tunes have included “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Maria,” “Brand New Man” and “Believe.” Stevens made his debut in 1962 and has had such hits as “Everything is Beautiful,” “Gitarzan” and “The Streak.” Bradley ran RCA Records from 1973 to 1982 and was a longtime member of the Country Music Association board. He follows both his father Owen Bradley and uncle Harold Bradley into Hall of Fame induction.
See Acm Awards host Reba McEntire was ‘disapointed’ by nominations: ‘I wanted to hear some women...
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are two-time Grammy winners, sold over 30 million albums and charted 20 number one songs. Those tunes have included “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Maria,” “Brand New Man” and “Believe.” Stevens made his debut in 1962 and has had such hits as “Everything is Beautiful,” “Gitarzan” and “The Streak.” Bradley ran RCA Records from 1973 to 1982 and was a longtime member of the Country Music Association board. He follows both his father Owen Bradley and uncle Harold Bradley into Hall of Fame induction.
See Acm Awards host Reba McEntire was ‘disapointed’ by nominations: ‘I wanted to hear some women...
- 3/18/2019
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Reba McEntire will announce the 2019 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees on Monday, March 18. Which two country superstars will be selected this year for an induction ceremony slated for next October?
The criteria is pretty simple to get in but it’s an exclusive group since only 2-3 people are inducted each year. One person will be from the Modern Era category (an artist who came to prominence at least 20 years ago). Another will be from the Veterans Era (an artist who came to prominence at least 45 years ago). A third inductee would be a non-performer, songwriter or musician. The artists chosen last year were Ricky Skaggs (modern), Dottie West (veterans) and Johnny Gimble (musician).
Seeacm Awards host Reba McEntire was ‘disapointed’ by nominations: ‘I wanted to hear some women in there’ [Watch]
McEntire herself was already inducted in 2011. Other recent inductees have included Garth Brooks, Roy Clark, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson,...
The criteria is pretty simple to get in but it’s an exclusive group since only 2-3 people are inducted each year. One person will be from the Modern Era category (an artist who came to prominence at least 20 years ago). Another will be from the Veterans Era (an artist who came to prominence at least 45 years ago). A third inductee would be a non-performer, songwriter or musician. The artists chosen last year were Ricky Skaggs (modern), Dottie West (veterans) and Johnny Gimble (musician).
Seeacm Awards host Reba McEntire was ‘disapointed’ by nominations: ‘I wanted to hear some women in there’ [Watch]
McEntire herself was already inducted in 2011. Other recent inductees have included Garth Brooks, Roy Clark, Charlie Daniels, Alan Jackson,...
- 3/15/2019
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Visionary record producer, label executive and music publisher Fred Foster, who guided the early careers of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, among many others, died Wednesday in Nashville following a short illness. He was 87.
The founder of Monument Records, which released Parton’s first hit single, “Dumb Blonde,” in 1967, as well as Kristofferson’s early country-pop hit “Why Me” in 1973, Foster was responsible for producing a string of Roy Orbison’s best-known songs in the early Sixties, including “Only the Lonely,” “Running Scared,” “Blue Bayou,” “Crying” and the 1964 classic “Oh,...
The founder of Monument Records, which released Parton’s first hit single, “Dumb Blonde,” in 1967, as well as Kristofferson’s early country-pop hit “Why Me” in 1973, Foster was responsible for producing a string of Roy Orbison’s best-known songs in the early Sixties, including “Only the Lonely,” “Running Scared,” “Blue Bayou,” “Crying” and the 1964 classic “Oh,...
- 2/21/2019
- by Stephen L. Betts
- Rollingstone.com
As seen on NBC’s Today, country music star, and Grand Ole Opry veteran Tim Atwood was recently reunited onstage with fifty-one year Grand Ole Opry member, and country music icon, Jeannie Seely.
Charlie McCoy, Tim Atwood, Matt Baugher, Julie Roberts, Paul Allen Coons, Jeannie Seely, Kathie Lee Gifford and Sarah Martin
Credit/Copyright: Jeremy Westby
Atwood & Seely – who’ve accompanied each other many times over the years on the Grand Ole Opry stage – performed a duet of Bill Gaither’s gospel classic “There’s Something About That Name” at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena for the Fifth Annual ‘Nashville Senior Christmas ShinnDig.’
Atwood also sang his latest single, “I’ll Stand Up & Say So” from his latest album, Livin’ The Dream.
The special event was established to honor Nashville senior citizens by George Shinn and The George Shinn Foundation as a promise to his mother to always remember our seniors.
Charlie McCoy, Tim Atwood, Matt Baugher, Julie Roberts, Paul Allen Coons, Jeannie Seely, Kathie Lee Gifford and Sarah Martin
Credit/Copyright: Jeremy Westby
Atwood & Seely – who’ve accompanied each other many times over the years on the Grand Ole Opry stage – performed a duet of Bill Gaither’s gospel classic “There’s Something About That Name” at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena for the Fifth Annual ‘Nashville Senior Christmas ShinnDig.’
Atwood also sang his latest single, “I’ll Stand Up & Say So” from his latest album, Livin’ The Dream.
The special event was established to honor Nashville senior citizens by George Shinn and The George Shinn Foundation as a promise to his mother to always remember our seniors.
- 12/21/2018
- Look to the Stars
On Sunday night, Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West and Johnny Gimble were welcomed as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at the 2018 Medallion Ceremony, held in the museum’s Cma Theater. Garth Brooks presented bluegrass stalwart Skaggs with the Hall’s Modern Era honor. Connie Smith inducted late fiddle great Gimble in the Hall’s Recording and/or Touring Musician category. And Brenda Lee led a tribute to her late friend, Grammy-winning classic country turned pop-crossover star Dottie West, who received the Hall’s Veteran Era honor.
- 10/22/2018
- by Hunter Kelly
- Rollingstone.com
The country music community gathered in Nashville on Thursday to say goodbye to legendary performer Little Jimmy Dickens, and not surprisingly, the focus was on his size: His huge smile and big laugh. His great heart. His enormous sense of humor. His larger-than-life stage personality. In fact if anything became abundantly clear during the two-hour funeral at the Grand Ole Opry House where Dickens had performed countless times, it was this: His height - all 4 feet 11 inches - was the only thing about Little Jimmy Dickens that was small. Longtime friend and fishing buddy Brad Paisley presided over the public celebration of Dickens's life,...
- 1/8/2015
- by Nancy Kruh
- PEOPLE.com
Making their Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday night, The Swon Brothers chose to honor both family and a country music legend as they stepped to the stage for the Opry's first "Swoncert." Before playing their debut single, “Later On,” the former season 4 The Voice stars kicked off their performance by singing a bit of George Jones's "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes." Midway into the song, however, the moment quickly became about their parents, whom the brothers called to the Opry stage in appreciation, noting their sacrifices to help the Oklahoma singers achieve their musical dreams. "Playing the Opry for...
- 4/16/2014
- by Andrea Billups
- PEOPLE.com
Nashville, Tenn. -- Jack Greene, a longtime Grand Ole Opry star who earned fame with the hit "There Goes My Everything," has died in Nashville at 83.
The song showed off his deep voice, made him a star and earned him the single of the year and male vocalist of the year awards from the Country Music Association in 1967.
Grand Ole Opry spokeswoman Jessie Schmidt said Friday that Greene died in his sleep Thursday night at home from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
Greene performed regularly on the Grand Ole Opry beginning in 1967.
His other hits, mostly in the late 1960s, included "All the Time," "Are My Treasure," "Until My Dreams Come True," "What Locks the Door" and "Statue of a Fool."
He was nominated for a Grammy award three straight years.
"There was a whirlwind of events," he recalled in a 1992 Associated Press interview. "I'd go from one town to another,...
The song showed off his deep voice, made him a star and earned him the single of the year and male vocalist of the year awards from the Country Music Association in 1967.
Grand Ole Opry spokeswoman Jessie Schmidt said Friday that Greene died in his sleep Thursday night at home from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
Greene performed regularly on the Grand Ole Opry beginning in 1967.
His other hits, mostly in the late 1960s, included "All the Time," "Are My Treasure," "Until My Dreams Come True," "What Locks the Door" and "Statue of a Fool."
He was nominated for a Grammy award three straight years.
"There was a whirlwind of events," he recalled in a 1992 Associated Press interview. "I'd go from one town to another,...
- 3/15/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
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