June 2 2022

Ask Bill – June 2, 2022

1) I saw recently where Lorrie Morgan said she is the youngest person to ever be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. She was 24. And then they said on TV that Ricky Skaggs was the youngest at 27. If my math is right, you were 23 when you joined. Doesn’t that make you the youngest one ever?

I don’t know if I’m the youngest one ever, but I was definitely younger than Lorrie and Ricky when I joined! I became an Opry member in July, 1961, and I didn’t turn 24 until November of that year. I am not the oldest member there today, but I have been a member the longest amount of time…something for which I am extremely grateful and thankful.

2) Why do you think it’s harder for 2nd and 3rd generations of kids of country singers to break in and make a name for themselves in the business?

I don’t know that it’s any harder for second and third generation country music children to succeed than it is for second and third generation athletes, media personalities, attorneys, doctors, or used car salesmen to succeed. Not everybody possesses the same talents or the same attributes as their parents. Plus, you don’t have to look any farther than Hank Williams Jr., Lorrie Morgan, Justin Tubb and others to know that it can be done in country music. And I’m sure it will be done again…and probably again and again…in the years to come.

3) What do you do when some amateur asks you to critique a song he or she wrote? Before you answer that, will you critique my great song?

I don’t know if you have a future as a songwriter, but you definitely have one as a comedian! I wish I could critique every song that was sent to me and offer advice and encouragement to every aspiring writer, but I simply cannot. There was a time earlier in my career when I tried, but I finally realized it was either these people’s songs or my own. Since I like to eat every day and put gasoline in my car, I figured I’d be better off putting my time and effort into my own creations. The Nashville Songwriters Association, International, has people who work with up and coming writers. I suggest you and other hopeful writers contact them.

Our Question Of The Month comes from Dennis in Missouri: In the March newsletter, you mentioned that you did not write the song, “But You Know I Love You.” However, you did record it, as did Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. All three of you had hits with it even though the tempos and phrasing are different. I’m wondering who makes the decision about tempo and phrasing? I am fascinated by how a song could be interpreted in so many different ways and still come out sounding great every time.

What an insightful question! Let me say first that neither Kenny, Dolly, or I wrote the song. It was written by Mike Settle, who was a member of Kenny Roger’s First Edition band, the first artists to record the song back in the mid-60’s. I’m sure Kenny’s version reflected the way Mike intended for it to sound. In those days, Kenny’s records were not being played on country radio, though, and I told my producer, Owen Bradley, that I felt this was a country song. He agreed, changed the tempo, simplified the chord structure, and my version went to #2 on the charts in 1969. Dolly didn’t cut it until 1981, not doing either my version nor Kenny’s, although hers was closer to his than to mine. She did it her own way, and it topped out at #1. Each of us tried to do the song in the style that we felt suited us best. And, fortunately, each of us succeeded.

Quickies: Is Stringbean’s killer still alive today? Two men were convicted in String’s murder. One died in prison and the other was paroled. Last I heard he was employed by the Cornerstone Church in Madison, Tennessee. Is Mike Snider still an active part of the Grand Ole Opry family? Yes, most definitely. He did not appear on the show much during 2020 and ’21, but he has begun coming back to see us recently. And the Opry House is a brighter place when he’s in the building! One of my favorite songs of yours is “A Death In The Family.” Is it a true song? How did you come up with the idea? It is based on a true story, yes. I was going through a divorce when I wrote it. I only had to look inside my heart to come up with the idea to write it. When are you coming to Melbourne, Australia? To Las Vegas? To England? To Texas and Oklahoma? Obviously, these are the same question from different folks in different locations, and my answer is the same to them all: I do not know. I appreciate your wanting me to perform in your part of the world, but right now I’m staying close to home and not touring. When that changes, you’ll be the first to know.

Thanks for a good set of questions this month. We’re open for yours anytime you’d like to send us one. Just address it to askbill@billanderson.com and be watching for an answer. And remember if yours is chosen our Question Of The Month you’ll receive any item of your choice from our online store absolutely free. Stay curious, and we’ll see you back here in July.

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Ask Bill – August 2, 2022

1) Most performers only have a handful of songs they perform, but you have written over 400. How do you remember the words to all these songs? Do you practice singing the ones you are going to perform on stage at home during the week?

If you listen to the Opry regularly, you know that I don’t always remember the words to my songs…even the ones that I’ve written. Sometimes my mind goes as blank as the sheet of paper was the day I sat down to write the song on it! Nowadays, we have to turn in our Opry song selections several days in advance, so I do have time during the week to run over them in my mind and sing them in the shower if I want to. In the past, I would sometimes not decide what to sing until I got to the dressing room. This way is better…even though I have fewer excuses when I forget.

2) I’ve been wondering what Eddie Stubbs is doing since he retired. Can’t believe he’s doing nothing. I thought maybe you would know.

When Eddie took early retirement from his announcing duties at WSM and the Opry, he seemingly put the music business and all its people in his rear view mirror and left us there. I can’t find anybody who knows where he is or what he is doing. I have been told that there are some health issues in both his and his wife’s families in their home state of Maryland, and that he and Debbie have been spending time up there, but that’s only hearsay. I hope he’s doing well and most of all that he’s happy.

3) Is it true that you once parked your bus overnight in an unscrupulous promoter’s driveway pending payment due you and the Po’ Folks Band? Or is this just an old wives’ tale?

It is absolutely true. The promoter had left the concert hall and driven home without paying us what we were due for the show. I found his address, and instructed my bus driver to go to his house, pull in the driveway, and block any access coming or going. We stayed there all night. When the sun came up the next morning, the promoter suddenly “found” the money he had “forgotten” to pay us, and we went merrily on our way. Ain’t show business wonderful!!

Our Question Of The Month comes from Gary in Oklahoma: You have worked in almost all areas of the entertainment industry in your distinguished career. If you had been granted one wish to change something in any part of the industry that would have enhanced or made your career more fulfilling what would it have been?

First, it’s hard to imagine a career that could have possibly been any more fulfilling than mine has been, but what an interesting question. I guess if I could have changed anything within the industry, though, it would have been to speed up the timetable on a few things. For example, when I first got into the business there were only 80-something radio stations playing country music. Today there are several thousand. It might have been nice to have had that kind of exposure back in my early songwriting and singing days. The CMA Awards did not come into existence until the late sixties. It would have been cool to have had them a few years earlier when my records and songs like “Still” could have contended for the top honors. Same for the Grammy’s which did not even have a country music category until 1964-65. I’m certainly not complaining about anything, but in my next life I might try to be born a little later.

Quickies: Do you have any favorite gospel songs or performers past or present? I couldn’t begin to list all my favorite gospel songs, but some of the early country/gospel performers like Molly O’Day, the Bailes Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, and the Blue Sky Boys were the ones I enjoyed the most growing up. I was wondering if you have any band members that have been with you from the beginning. If not, who has been with you the longest and are they still with you? All of my original Po’ Boys have passed away now…Jimmy Gateley, Weldon Myrick, Jimmy Lance, and Snuffy Miller. Les Singer has been with me since 1981, longer than anyone, and even though his health prevents him from performing these days, I still consider him one of us. Do you get a percentage or any money for your display at the Hall of Fame Museum? No. I get paid by the smiles I see on people’s faces when they exit the display…and when they tell me how much they learned and how much they enjoyed it. That’s all the payment I need. Were you at the Opry in 1984 when Onie Wheeler died on stage? And how is his daughter, Karen Wheeler, doing these days? I know she had cancer a few years ago. No, I was not there, but Onie was always a favorite of mine as is Karen. Unfortunately, Karen has suffered a couple of strokes recently and is not doing all that well. All of us need to keep her in our thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for another great batch of questions this month, and I hope you’ll keep ’em coming. Send them to me in care of askbill@billanderson.com and remember if yours is chosen our Question Of The Month you’ll receive any item of your choosing from our online store. See you back here next month.

Ask Bill

Ask Bill – July 1, 2022

1) I have been a big fan of Roy Drusky since I was a kid, and I’ve been listening to “A Lonely Thing Called Me.” The steel guitar on that song is great. Do you know who played it?

I looked it up, and found that song on a 1965 Greatest Hits collection from Mercury Records. I was not able to find any session credits, however, but I am assuming it was either Pete Drake or perhaps Doyle Grisham. Pete, who just became the first steel player inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, developed much of his signature sound playing on Roy’s early Decca records…songs like “Another” and “Anymore.” And Doyle, who is still active today as part of Jimmy Buffet’s band, was once a regular with Roy in one of his early groups. Either way you’re right. It’s some good pickin’.

2) I have been enjoying one of Charley Pride’s last albums which had some great new songs. Did he ever record any songs that you wrote?

I never had a hit with Charley, but he cut an old song of mine in his last album called, “You Lied To Me.” Earlier in his career, he covered one I had put in one of my own albums called, “You’re Still The Only One I’ll Ever Love,” but it was never a single. His biggest hit, “Kiss An Angel Good Morning,” was actually written for me, but that’s another story for another time.

3) Of all the items you placed in the Hall of Fame Museum was there any particular item that had so much meaning to you that it was hard for you to let it go? If so, what was it and why?

No, because I didn’t GIVE my items to the Museum. They are only on loan. Any of them that I’d like to have back will be returned to me after the exhibit closes next year.

4) FROM THE U.K. – I have been to Nashville 11 times in the past 11 years, and I’ve seen several country artists in the bars and some do a song or two. Do you ever wander downtown and have a pint and sing a song?

No, because I can never find a parking place!

Question Of The Month from Jaxie in Michigan: You have always had excellent band members, and I wonder how you found them. Did your manager find and hire them? Or did you find them through the musicians union? Did you hear them play with another artist or at a club? In my opinion, you have always had the best of the best on stage with you…and you still do.

Thank you. I’m prejudiced, but I have to agree. I have never had any one set way of hiring musicians, and over the years have hired them in every way you describe except one: Nobody ever hired them for me. I chose each and every one myself. In the beginning, my band members just sort of “fell in” together, but by the late sixties, I had a waiting list of players wanting to join my band. In those days, I was touring steadily, I had my own syndicated TV show, I played frequently at the Grand Ole Opry, my band members were recording with me and as a group for a major label, and as a result, our gig was one of the more prestigious and better paying gigs in town. I tried to hire people who were not only good musicians and good performers, but good traveling mates as well. I didn’t hit the jackpot every single time, but I had a pretty good track record. The fact that so many of my musicians stayed with me for long periods of time is probably the thing I am the proudest of.

Quickies: Did you have a hand in selecting which older songs went on your new CD? No, I could have, but the label seemed to have its own vision for the project, and I tried to stay out of their way. I think they did a great job of choosing. Thank you for including “Sometimes” on your new album. Is it your biggest duet hit ever? Both “Sometimes ” with Mary Lou Turner and “For Loving You” with Jan Howard were #1 records, and I’m not sure just which one was the biggest. Regardless, I’m glad you like it. What song did you write that was supposedly “Too Country?” “When A Man Can’t Get A Woman Off His Mind,” which was recently very successful for Gene Watson, and has also been recorded by yours truly and by Craig Morgan. Does a singer/songwriter get paid every time their song is played or sung? The songwriter does, yes, but in the U.S., traditionally the singer has not. Many of those old rules are being revised, however, and are in the process of being made more equitable and fair for everyone.

Thanks for sending some great questions my way this month…so many, in fact, that I’ll be holding some over for next month. If you’re wondering about something related to me or to country music in general, send your question to askbill@billanderson.com and I’ll get to it as soon as I can. Thanks and stay curious….

Ask Bill

Ask Bill – May 3, 2022

1) Numerous original music artists like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and others have been impersonated by various individuals. To my knowledge, I have never heard anyone impersonating the one and only Whisperin’ Bill Anderson. Is is because there is no one except you who has that unique singing voice?

Back in the day, you used to have to stand in line if you wanted to impersonate Bill Anderson. Loretta Lynn did it. Ferlin Husky did it, as did others like Billy “Crash” Craddock and Del Reeves. People used to think it bothered me, but I considered it a compliment. As Ferlin told me one time, “If you weren’t different, there wouldn’t be anything to imitate.” I haven’t heard of any of today’s young artists impersonating me, but maybe one will come along someday. I hope so. That way I can be in two places at once!

2) With the sad news that the E.T. Record Shop is closing do you plan on updating “Gone Away?” Also the passing of Bobbie Nelson and Naomi Judd.

Sadly, I could update the song, “Gone Away,” almost every day. So many things are changing and so many of our music business friends are passing away….including Steve Ripley who wrote the melody and the original lyrics to “Gone Away.” We all know nothing stays the same forever, but it would be nice if some of the changes would at least slow down for awhile. Meantime, I don’t have any plans to try and update the song.

3) Did you ever write a song for the late and great Webb Pierce? He was the first country singer I heard when I was 12-years old, and I’ve been hooked on traditional country music ever since.

Webb was an over-the-top performer and a great song stylist, and I would love to tell you that I wrote one or more of his big hits, but unfortunately, I didn’t. I think he may have covered a couple of my songs….maybe “Once A Day” or “I Don’t Love You Anymore”….in one or more of his albums, but we never had a single together. I wish we had, but Mel Tillis was always in line ahead of me!

4) Our Question Of The Month comes from John in California: When you sang the song, “Bright Lights and Country Music” later in life, I noticed you changed up the part about a bottle filled with wine. Was this because of your faith? And what caused you to later sing it as it was originally written?

We singers often wonder if listeners pay attention to the lyrics of our songs when we are singing them, but this question proves that at least some of you do. And I’m glad. I have a good answer as to why I changed the lyrics to begin with, but probably a not-so-good answer as to why I went back to the original version. My wife was nearly killed and was permanently impaired by a drunk driver who crashed head-on into her car late one night back in 1984. I swore at that time that I would never sing another song that glorified drinking, and for years I didn’t. Some time ago, after more than thirty years had passed, a fan wrote me and said they really missed their favorite line in that song – “Honkytonks were made for men with women on their mind” – and asked me if I would go back to singing it that way. I did it on the Opry not long afterward and, truthfully, you are the first person to mention it. I figured if nobody cared enough to bring it up, I’d just leave well enough alone. Do any of our readers have thoughts on the subject??

Quickies: Were you ever in the movies? Yes. And the popcorn was delicious. Oh, you mean was I ever IN a movie? Back in the 60’s I was in four or five Grade B country music films that were shown in the better drive-in theaters from coast-to-coast, but I was never featured as an actor or anything like that. Mostly I think the producers just wanted to show my fancy rhinestone Nudie suits in color on a big screen. Do you know if any artist ever buys their albums back from fans? I’ve never heard of anyone doing that, but I’m not like Hank Snow. I haven’t been everywhere. Do you have a boot endorsement and would you wear square toe boots? How many pair do you keep at home? Yes, I endorse boots made by the Easterling Boot Company in Fredericksburg, Texas. We experimented with a couple of square-toe models a few years ago, and they are pretty comfortable. I just looked in my closet and there were 16 pairs (or is it “pair?”) staring back at me. Keep in mind, though, that several of my favorite ones are on display right now at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Who arranges the order of songs in your concert shows? I do. Will you be having any concert dates during 2022? Right now there are none on my schedule.

Thanks for your questions…I love trying to answer them. If you’re curious about something connected to me or to country music, send your question to askbill@billanderson.com and I’ll do my best to reply. And remember, the person who submits the Question of the Month wins any item of their choice from our online store absolutely free. See you back here in June.

Ask Bill – June 2, 2022

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