Hi Gang:
When my agent contacted me back in the fall and told me he had booked me for a February show in Minnesota I remember thinking, “Well, that’s a disaster waiting to happen!”
I mean, I had been to Minnesota in the middle of winter on more than one occasion, and it was always the same….cold, colder, and coldest. I had seen snow piled several feet deep alongside the highways, seen cars and trucks sliding across frozen, snow-covered lakes attempting to take the occupants ice fishing, and had once been forced to cancel a scheduled performance in Duluth because I refused to climb aboard a small single-engine airplane in a blinding snowstorm. I was mentally prepared for the worst.
And that’s exactly what we got….ice, snow, high winds, and below zero temperatures….but not in Minnesota. That’s what we got before we ever left Nashville!
I live at the bottom of a long, steep hill, and I couldn’t get out of my driveway for four days, from late Sunday until late Thursday. We only had two to three inches of snow, but there was at least two inches of solid ice beneath it, and driving was next to impossible. I had to cancel my scheduled appearance on the Tuesday Night Opry.
The people who operate the plows and salt trucks on my side of town just laugh when one of us asks, “When are you coming out to our neighborhood?” More than once I’ve heard them say, “July.”
But thanks to all-wheel drive and a measure of good luck, I managed to escape to a motel near the airport Thursday night. We flew out before daylight on Friday, worked a show in Medina, Minnesota, that night and another in Onamia on Saturday night. The roads were fine, the temperatures were tolerable, and the audiences were absolutely some of the best we’ve ever played for. To all of you who came out, thank you for your genuinely warm welcome.
We flew back to Nashville on Sunday, and that’s when the real fun started. I got home about 9:30 only to find that, despite my having left a faucet open and water trickling, a pipe just off my garage had burst while I was away, and water was spewing everywhere. Two trees in my yard had fallen victim to the ice and had crashed across my split rail fence. And my pond, which has made it through a dozen or so frigid winters without ever freezing, was a solid block of ice. I stood ankle deep in the rushing water, not knowing whether to wind my watch or pick the “Wildwood Flower.” (Come to think of it, nobody winds their watch anymore. I’m showing my age!)
Anyhow, picture me down on my knees in the still-frozen front yard, holding a flashlight between my chattering teeth, a wrench in one hand and a pair of pliers in the other, trying to coax a frozen valve into closing just enough to stop the flow of water into my house. And then, when the valve finally did shut off, kneeling and clutching my cell phone and trying to figure out who I should call for help with the repair and clean-up. Sunday night and the Oscars were on TV. Are you going to go out into the elements to rescue someone who didn’t have enough sense to keep a small heater close to his water pipes? I didn’t think so.
So I did what any chilly hillbilly would do. I found a small unopened bottle of water, went upstairs and brushed my teeth. I had enough left over to wash down a Tylenol and to fill my coffee maker for the next morning. Everything else, I figured, could wait until daylight.
I’m happy to say that it all eventually turned out all right. I was finally able to shave, take a long, hot shower, and put on some clean clothes. I also learned a valuable lesson in the process:
The destination is not always something to fear or dread. It’s often that journey away from home and back that we need to be concerned about.
March 5, 2015 @ 11:57 am
Bill, Could you get RFD to play the second episode of Ray Price Tribute, they’ve only shown 1 and 3. Would love to see it. I haven’t missed one episode of Country Reunion or Larry’s Country Diner since they started. Love them and you. Still have many 33 1/3 albums. Can’t bear to sell them.
March 5, 2015 @ 7:44 am
Glad you are ok Bill we live here in Northeast Penna and I know how cold the winters are here I can only imagine how you must have felt there with all of the ice it is very scary when you have to drive on that . the winter just does not want to leave us yet . we get one day where it is ok then the net day or that night it is zero again . this has been a very cold and nasty long winter and I am with you I want spring to come here soon . I feel bad for you that you had to come home to all of that . and the work you had to do . God bless you ,and keep you safe . can’t wait to see you again at the opry again . . you are one of my favorites there . I love you Whispering Bill ., I love your music . I love the attention you give us , your fans . you always take time at the opry to talk to your fans , I have been a fan for years and many more years to come . . be safe be happy. and don’t go out on the icy rioads . love you Hazel Pepe Penna
March 4, 2015 @ 8:18 pm
Thanks for your current Newsletter. Always love to read them. Sorry about your winter problems. We had similar problems when living in Colorado. But glad you are okay and hope Springs comes soon for you. Keep on writing and singing. Love you. Mary
March 4, 2015 @ 4:42 pm
Hello Bill. Yes it has been a bitter cold winter. But spring is 16 days until Spring. My pipes never froze. But kept a trickle on them. God Bless you and your family. Would love to see you in concert. Love from a fan: Ruth Plencner
February 26, 2015 @ 3:28 am
Glad you are home and ok now
February 26, 2015 @ 2:09 am
Next time, call me and I will come and house sit for you…….Glad you got everything taken care of and you made it home safely. I can’t wait until spring gets here and I can work in my yard. Take care my friend.
February 25, 2015 @ 9:07 pm
Loved your story & noone could tell it like you & yes I do believe I hear a new song coming from that incident. Have seen you several times on the Family Reunion Show in Branson & I watch them faithfully on RFD, best station for Country Music. Loved the Sweet Heart Show & now the older Country Music to that you have filmed now. Those shows are wonderful & “You Are The Best Host” ever keep up the good work. Love the one with your 50th Ann. to as it was great. Keep writing new songs, singing & hosting as you are so good at it & always so poised & look so comfortable doing as you are never nervous. Glad you had a safe trip to Minnesota but I’m sure you were surprised when you returned home to the water faucet. Amen, Glad you were able to handle it yourself until you could get help.
God Bless & hope all your family are doing okay now. I do get your Fan Club letter & love reading it every month. Hope you will be in Branson with the Family Reunion again sometime or on Larry’s Country Diner as his is a winner show to in my books. Love that show. Hope to make another trip to Nashville & the Opry again sometime as I have been there many times since 1960 after I got out of Hi school. Loved Opryland, so sad when they closed it up as we loved coming to the shows there to as everyone was always so good.
February 25, 2015 @ 7:37 pm
Great show in Onamia, Bill. Thanks for the visit backstage before the show. It was great as you are. Maybe we will see you at Bending Lake, Ontario, Canada sometime. Don & Mary, Dryden, Ontario, Canada.
February 25, 2015 @ 3:56 pm
Bill, if you think it’s bad in Nashville>>you want to come to Ontario! LOL!! This has been recorded as the ‘worst February in history’…-28 to -30 (don’t ask me what that means in F.) and that’s NOT counting the wind-chill factor! We got ANOTHER foot or more snow last night!! I’m SOO sick of winter here but I’m assuming it’s not much better in the south, so I guess we just have to ‘wait it out’! I seen you years ago in Kingston On. (I live about 1/2 hr. W. of Kingston) when you opened for friends of mine>>Gary & Mickey Code!! Gary’s son Jeff Code was a little fella in the band, almost a Nobody, but you should see & hear him now! He’s had his own band for probably 12+ yrs. & is a HUGE hit with all his fans! Both he & his wife Laurie are personal friends of mine & I follow the band when they are playing in the area. Jeff also has his own radio show every Sunday morn. from 6AM-12 noon, called “Sunday in the Country”>>folks can phone or email in requests (MUST be Old Country Tunes) & announces who sent the request then he plays their songs!! You can catch his Show online>>’Country 93.5.com’~~ I was the Entertainment Chair at our Legion for 3 yrs. & the very 1st. nite I had them booked, the hall was packed ‘wall to wall’; (Folks follow the Band from far & wide) The President came to me after the show & said (& I quote) “Lorna, make sure you have them booked every month”! Actually, just a week ago Jeff called me up to sing with him>>I’ve been singing/harmonizing for SOO many yrs. & LOVE to sing at ‘Open Mic’s’; Karaoke etc. As a point of interest, about 4 yrs.ago Jeff opened a show for Gene Watson!! Perhaps you, ‘Whisperin’ Bill’ could come back to Napanee area this summer IF we ever get summer LOL!! I personally, would Love to see you again!!
I hope you enjoy this ‘tidbit’ & THANK YOU for all the Wonderful songs you have written & recorded!!
Sincerely,
Lorna Troyer-Carefoot
Napanee, On. Canada
February 25, 2015 @ 12:28 pm
Enjoyed your story Bill!!!
February 25, 2015 @ 8:05 am
I just love to watch you on Country Family Reunion Show!! I watch it every week if I can. You are a great host; but they need to let you sing more! Sorry
about your pipes bursting, Hope all is well now. I live in Rock Hill. South Carolina and we are supposed to get lots of snow and ice Wed. night. It snowed all day today, but had melted by night fall. Will you ever come to S.C, to do a show? Would love to see you in person!
February 25, 2015 @ 4:50 am
Life is a lot of fun,eh Bill?Ive found out that when we leave the house in cold weather its better to shut off the water supply, flip off the water heater breaker anodyne up the faucets so if the water tries to freeze it can push out of the faucets but won’t bust the pipes. just a suggestion my friend
February 25, 2015 @ 2:25 am
I remember someone who put Draino in the drains and forgot they had done it and went away for the weekend. I may be getting old but I have a good memory.
February 25, 2015 @ 2:00 am
So glad you made your trips safely. By living about 75 miles east of San Antonio we have been lucky to have no particularly BAD weather, just cold. But I must say that we enjoyed your journal story very much. No one can tell us what it is like up there quite as well as you. Take care and stay warm. 🙂
February 25, 2015 @ 1:55 am
Well, Bill you know now to leave faucets dripping, I guess and enough heat in the house also to prevent freezing pipes.
February 25, 2015 @ 1:53 am
My grandson and his family moved from his extended family in Indiana to Tennesee because of the snow and ice his wife could not stand in Indiana. Now we are rather enjoying pictures from his area of the roofs caving in, slide-offs, “deep snow” that NEVER happen in Tennesee. Enjoyed your writing sense of humor at your homecoming although I bet you weren’t as it was happening. Love your singing.
February 25, 2015 @ 1:23 am
Glad everything turn out ok Bill
February 24, 2015 @ 9:42 pm
So thankful you handled it so well… no one coulda told it like you… I am in Franklin, Tn. so, I also had 2 inches of ice….glad you didn’t slip &/or fall!!! Saw you at the Fair last year (my daughter & I-the one w/ the picture taken about 30 yrs. ago)… waiting to see you again… God bless!!!!
February 24, 2015 @ 9:39 pm
its been cold here in illinois but haven;t had the snow like other states. thank for your experience after getting home.you handed your problems very well. looking to buy your newest book l read the first one loved it l still have several 33/1/3 records.thanks again
February 24, 2015 @ 9:04 pm
I think there is a hit countryside in this story
February 24, 2015 @ 8:13 pm
Loved you telling your story. One day you’ll most likely put it in a song. lol I remember driving on icy roads from Galesburg ,Illinois to E Peoria when our daughter Teri Jo was about 2or 3 to see some one do a great show back in the 60’s. We even got there in time to set in front row seats also. I ‘m sure it was a Bill Anderson show. We loved it. God Bless & keep you Bill.
February 24, 2015 @ 6:42 pm
Good for you! You reacted much like us Canadians do in such situations. We managed to break a few records here in Ottawa this winter weather-wise such as how many days below -20C [way too many if you ask me!]. Even the Rideau Canal/Skateway broke a record this week as it’s still open for outdoor skating. Most years, it’s already closed by now due to the start of melt-down.
February 24, 2015 @ 6:34 pm
I’m so happy that you share your life with us all !!!!! You don’t know how much it really means……………You are my IDOL and always will be !! 🙂 God Bless you Bill Anderson…..Forever and Ever…Amen
February 24, 2015 @ 6:11 pm
Your nightmare happened to me…you will never forget to leave the heat going as high as you want to. Open those cabinet doors in the bathroom. Oh Bill, it is an awful experience isn’t it? Lordy! LOL
February 24, 2015 @ 5:53 pm
Your February journal sounds like a song you should write. Especially the paragraph starting with flying back to Nashville, the broken water pipe, to the end of the journal. I’m with you on winding your watch, I remember those days ways before any watches had batteries! If you would have had a Wildwood Flower, you probably wouldn’t have needed the Tylenol! so glad you got back home safely. I moved to Florida 30 years ago to escape all the ice, snow, and cold temperatures we had in Maryland. We saw your show in Weirsdale at the Orange Blossom Opry a few months ago. Great performance! You still got it Bill. Keep smiling, Barbara
February 24, 2015 @ 5:37 pm
Bill you handled that better than I would with all the water running everywhere. I think I would of cried. As for cold weather we have been having temps here below zero in NY where I live, Very harsh winter. Glad you got to your destination safely and glad you got home safely. God bless.
February 24, 2015 @ 5:24 pm
And here in Minnesota we are all getting mighty tired of the unusual cold and wind. Glad to hear you survived the ordeal. Here its a tale like that we hear many years later and begins with……………..”You should have been…………………………” I would rather have some snow. Hope the rest of the winter is better for all.
February 24, 2015 @ 5:12 pm
So glad everything turned out ok in the end and that you are safe. Sounds like a great song being born and maybe you need to take another cruise and just relax! Would have been glad to help but we live about 12 hours away.
February 24, 2015 @ 4:50 pm
Only you could make humor out of that kind of situation. Glad everything worked out okay. Here in WV we have also had subzero temps and snow but so far no frozen pipes. Good luck with the rest of the winter. Looks like the south is in for more of the same.
February 24, 2015 @ 4:47 pm
You could always come to VANCOUVER BC—It is a little cool but no snow and we here would “STILL” have open arms for an evening of your entertainment—Be well and Be safe
February 24, 2015 @ 4:43 pm
When you boil it all down, we’re really all in the same pot!!! Enjoyed the post.Glad all is well!!!
February 24, 2015 @ 4:42 pm
Sounds like the making of a good song!! 😉
February 24, 2015 @ 4:34 pm
SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE SAFE AND WELL
February 24, 2015 @ 4:28 pm
In upstate NY we live most winters daily like this…but this winter we were told it was colder here 1 day than Alaska…that is just so wrong for us…even up here we are oh so tired of the cold n snow…
February 24, 2015 @ 4:23 pm
The joys of owning a home, It’s been a rough winter. I’m gonna get even with all of our relatives that live in Florida that have to call us and complain that they have to wear long pant.
February 24, 2015 @ 4:04 pm
No one could describe this situation like you. I felt like I was right there with you! Glad things turned out all right. Keep up the good work and how is that biography coming along? I read the first Whispering Bill and have been waiting all these years for the continuation. You’re wonderful!