Opry memberBill Andersonsurprised Johnson with the invitation at the close of a writer’s round featuring Anderson, Johnson, and songwriter/producerBuddy Cannon.
Anderson opened the round by reflecting on the many times the trio spent writing together. During the show, they performed songs such as the smash “Give It Away,” which became a No. 1 forGeorge Strait, “Everybody Wants To Be Twenty-One,” and “Cheaper Than A Shrink.”Buddy Cannon, Bill Anderson, and Jamey Johnson. Photo: Chris Hollo
After their final song Anderson said: “Jamey, you made your Opry debut 17 years ago and you’ve been a frequent guest many times. But Opry management told me to tell you that this is going to be your last guest appearance.”
Johnson quipped, “Well, I’ve been kicked out of a whole lot of places.”
Anderson continued, “The next time you appear on this stage you will be the newest member of our Opry cast and family!”
“I accepted it 20 years ago! I really don’t know what to say except the obvious,” responded Johnson. “I love country music. I would have never moved here if it wasn’t for that; for the Opry keeping it alive and for the fans. I love you. Thank you.”
Johnson wrapped up the set and special moment with a solo performance of his song “In Color.”
An induction date for Johnson will be announced soon.
BILL ANDERSON & DOLLY PARTON / “Someday It’ll All Make Sense” Writers: Bill Anderson/Bobby Tomberlin/Ryan Larkins; Producers: Bill Anderson/Thom Jutz; Label: MCA Nashville
–An instant classic. Produced with crystalline acoustic perfection, the ballad is a country-gospel jewel and the two legends harmonize exquisitely. We are so blessed to have these gifted living legends among us.
Robert K Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
FEATURING CLASSIC HITS AND NEW TRACK WITH FRIEND DOLLY PARTON
Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson releases a new album of some of the famed singer/songwriter’s hits, As Far As I Can See: The Best Of,available today. To stream or download, clickHERE.The collection of 16 songs shares its name with the current exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bill Anderson: As Far As I Can See, and comes from the opening line of one of the first songs he ever wrote, “City Lights,” the country classic that was a hit for Ray Price in 1958. In addition to such beloved songs as “City Lights,” “Still,” Po’ Folks,” The Tip Of My Fingers,” and “Sometimes,” the album features a new song with country icon Dolly Parton, “Someday It’ll All Make Sense.” The newly recorded duet is joined by Anderson and Parton’s first-ever collaboration, an incredibly rare demo of “If It Is All The Same To You,” recorded in 1964 and eventually released as a duet with Jan Howard on Anderson’s chart-topping 1969 album of the same name. As Far As I Can See: The Best Of,is being released by MCA Nashville/UMe, which has been Anderson’s label home for most of his seven-decade long career. The new project is released in conjunction with the first-time digital release of seven of Anderson’s albums from the 1960s, availableHERE.
“Needless to say I am thrilled over my new association with UMG. Not only do they have 23 years’ worth of my back catalog ready to introduce to the digital world, but I am reuniting with Dolly Parton on this project,” says Anderson. “Dolly sang some demos for me (and with me) back in the early sixties when she was new in town. One was a duet called, ‘If It’s All The Same To You,’ which had gone missing for years. UMG has recovered it and included it along with my and Dolly’s new duet in this package. That’s called connecting the dots across more than fifty years. How cool is that?”
AS FAR AS I CAN SEE: THE BEST OFTRACKLISTING: 1. “City Lights” (1961) 2. “Walk Out Backwards” (1961) 3. “Three AM” (1964) 4. “Still” (1963) 5. “The Tip of My Fingers” (1961) 6. “I Love You Drops” (1964) 7. “I Get The Fever” (1966) 8. “Po’ Folks” (1961) 9. “Wild Week-End” (1967) 10. “Happy State Of Mind” (1968) 11. “My Life (Throw It Away If I Want To)” (1969) 12. “Sometimes” featuring Mary Lou Turner (1975) 13. “If You Can Live With It (I Can Live Without It) (1972) 14. “The Corner Of My Life” (1973) 15. If It Is All The Same To You” (circa 1964) 16. “Someday It’ll All Make Sense” featuring Dolly Parton (2022)
BILL ANDERSON’S ALBUMS AVAILABLE DIGITALLY NOWHERE.
Sings Country Heart Songs(1962) Still (1963) Bill Anderson Sings (1964) Bill Anderson Showcase (1964) Bright Lights And Country Music (1965) I Love You Drops (1966) Get While The Gettin’s Good (1967)
For the First Time Seven of Anderson’s Albums Are Available Digitally Now
Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson will release a new album of some of the famed singer/songwriter’s hits, As Far As I Can See: The Best Of, on June 10. Preorder HERE. The collection of sixteen songs shares its name with the current exhibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bill Anderson: As Far As I Can See, and comes from the opening line of one of the first songs he ever wrote, “City Lights,” the country classic that was a hit for Ray Price in 1958 In addition to such beloved songs as “City Lights,” “Still,” Po’ Folks,” The Tip Of My Fingers,” and “Sometimes,” the album features a new song with country icon Dolly Parton, “Someday It’ll All Make Sense.” The newly recorded duet is joined by Anderson and Parton’s first-ever collaboration, an incredibly rare demo of “If It Is All The Same To You,” recorded in 1964 and eventually released as a duet with Jan Howard on Anderson’s chart-topping 1969 album of the same name. As Far As I Can See: The Best Of, is being released by MCA Nashville/UMe, which has been Anderson’s label home for most of his seven-decade long career. The new project is being released in conjunction with the first-time digital release of seven of Anderson’s albums from the 1960s, available HERE.
(L-R) Lindsey Terry (UMGN), Tara Master (UMe), Troy Scott (UMGN), Cindy Mabe (UMGN), Bill Anderson, Lee Willard (Anderson’s Manager) Scott Adkins (Adkins Publicity), Kelli Wasilauski (Adkins Publicity)
“Needless to say I am thrilled over my new association with UMG. Not only do they have 23 years’ worth of my back catalog ready to introduce to the digital world, but I am reuniting with Dolly Parton on this project,” says Anderson. “Dolly sang some demos for me (and with me) back in the early sixties when she was new in town. One was a duet called, “If It’s All The Same To You,” which had gone missing for years. UMG has recovered it and included it along with my and Dolly’s new duet in this package. That’s called connecting the dots across more than fifty years. How cool is that?”
TRACK LISTING As Far As I Can See: The Best Of
“City Lights” 1961
“Walk Out Backwards” 1961
“Three AM” 1964
“Still” 1963
“The Tip of My Fingers” 1961
“I Love You Drops” 1964
“I Get The Fever” 1966
“Po’ Folks” 1961
“Wild Week-End” 1967
“Happy State Of Mind” 1968
“My Life (Throw It Away If I Want To)” 1969
“Sometimes” featuring Mary Lou Turner 1975
“If You Can Live With It (I Can Live Without It)” 1972
“The Corner Of My Life” 1973
“If It Is All The Same To You” circa 1964
Demo featuring Dolly Parton
“Someday It’ll All Make Sense” 2022
featuring Dolly Parton
BILL ANDERSON’S ALBUMS AVAILABLE DIGITALLY NOW HERE
When I think of the inevitable transformation of Country Music, I think of one of the lines that Hank Locklin sang in the song “The Country Hall of Fame” and it truly saddens me (“A happy kind of sadness brought a teardrop to my eye”). I suspect that “Whisperin’ Bill” knows exactly what I’m talking about.
God bless you Bill.
April 4, 2022 @ 9:16 am
When I think of the inevitable transformation of Country Music, I think of one of the lines that Hank Locklin sang in the song “The Country Hall of Fame” and it truly saddens me (“A happy kind of sadness brought a teardrop to my eye”). I suspect that “Whisperin’ Bill” knows exactly what I’m talking about.
God bless you Bill.