July 17th was quite a night as you’re about to see.
It started when backstage guard, Jim Schuermerhorn, greeted me and pointed me toward what seemed like hundreds of flowers sent to me from fans and friends all over the country. Thanks to fan club members Kris Larabee, Judy Hamilton, and Amy Hudson for making the backstage area look so pretty. I “stopped and smelled the roses” and headed to my dressing room. We had an onstage rehearsal for our musical part of the night’s show.
I had promised our club members in attendance that I’d spend some special time with them before the festivities got underway, and I did. Mark Wills hosted a Q&A session, and then they whisked me back to the Opry House for interviews and more interviews. Meantime, the Opry staff was setting up a montage of old photographs and delicious food for the guests who would be arriving backstage to dine and watch the show on a big screen TV. It was a memorable night on stage, capped off by several standing ovations and Vince Gill presenting me with a beautiful, engraved pocket watch.
It was fun seeing so many old friends and new ones at the reception when the show was over. In these pictures you can see me smiling and visiting with my singing partner of many years, Mary Lou Turner; my new friend, Dennis Quaid, as we compared our silver boots; newcomer Stephanie Quayle who sang “Once A Day” on the non-televised portion of the Opry; my son, Jamey, granddaughter Hallie and grandson Blake; David Anderson (no kin), who presented me with a very special and unique portrait that he had drawn; my former booking agent, Carrie Moore Reid, and her twin sister and my songwriting co-hort, Debbie Moore; my three children, Terri, Jenni, and Jamey; and my friends Wendie and Mike Grauer who flew in from Phoenix, Arizona. Mike is the pawn shop owner who found my old Grammer guitar in his shop a few years back. There were many others, but we simply don’t have the space to print all the pictures.
But what an incredible evening and what fantastic memories. Each of you was a part of it in some way…even if you only listened to me on the Opry once or twice over my sixty-years on the show. Thanks for all you have meant to me and all the Opry has meant to me for such a large portion of my life. There are no words to express my gratitude.
I’m already starting to plan for the next sixty!!
40 new photos · Album by Stephanie Orr
April 2, 2020 @ 10:18 am
Jan Howard was such an inspiration to me, a grand lady and full of the strength of God, a testimony for all of us of His power. Jan, you will be missed.
April 1, 2020 @ 9:54 pm
Bill,
I’ve read the last few of your journal entries and have been saddened to learn of the passing of your dear Vickie, Jan Howard, and Mac Wiseman. And, with the tornado in Nashville and this dreadful corona virus, a lot of stress and burdens have been put on you lately. I am praying for you and I hope you are doing as well as can be expected during this difficult time. Our country is going through unprecedented torment at this time due to the corona virus but it seems that your burdens have been especially heavy lately. I wanted to reach out to you and hold you up in my prayers. It is good that you’re continuing to reach out to your many, many fans on this blog when you very easily could just withdraw and sink into depression. Stay strong. God bless.
April 1, 2020 @ 2:23 am
I am from your hometown of Columbia, SC and had a long career in SC & DC as a radio disc jockey playing your hits and would appreciate it if you could clear up a couple of mysteries in my mind:
1) People say you lived on Elmwood Avenue
near a grocery store. True or False?
2) You had a big hit called “Po’ Folks.” We once
had a Po’ Folks restaurant here and rumor had
it you had a financial interest in our location
as well as the national franchise. True or
False?
Also, condolences on the loss of Jan Howard. We know you will miss her. Used to watch all of you on Country Reunion on RTV. Miss that show!
March 29, 2020 @ 10:52 pm
I was saddened when I heard about the passing ofJan Howard. She was a beautiful person. You two made a great duo. She is no longer suffering and joins her sons. Prayers for you and her family.
March 29, 2020 @ 10:30 pm
So sorry to hear of Miss Howard’s passing. I’ve recently have been collecting all the Country’s Family Reunion dvd series and have enjoyed hearing her sing plus her many stories on the golden years of country and western.
March 29, 2020 @ 10:29 pm
So very sorry about Jan. I thought of you when I heard this and sent you an e-mail. May she rest in peace. I’m so sorry with this virus that we can’t pay our respects to people or have traditional funerals or burials with friends and family gathered. It is all very sad.
March 29, 2020 @ 10:27 pm
I grew up listening to you and Jan Howard. Two beautiful people. What a tremendous loss. My thoughts and prayer are with her family and with you, Whiserin Bill.
March 29, 2020 @ 6:33 pm
We are losing so many of our country music friends, Kenny Rogers, Jan Howard & now Joe Diffie from the virus Rob Grueneberg Wausau Wi
March 29, 2020 @ 9:32 am
United with her sons. Rest in Peace.
Prayers to Carter and family. To Bill her dear friend.
March 29, 2020 @ 8:58 am
Bill,
All our thoughts are with you and Jan’s family from over the pond in England. So sad to hear but hopefully the memories will help ease the pain.
March 29, 2020 @ 8:35 am
My hometown of West Plains lost one of our own yesterday. She and Porter were both from here. Spent a lot of time listening to her in the net late last night. Condolences sir! Randy, West plains, MO.
March 29, 2020 @ 6:47 am
Bill,
Hope you are well. I remember seeing you and Jan in a Roanoke Va back in the sixties. After meeting her I was so pleased to find that she was such a sweet individual. Such a talented woman who suffered great losses in her life.
Our prayers are with her family.
Stan Davis
March 28, 2020 @ 11:58 pm
I am sorry to hear this sad news Bill. Jan really was one of the true greats in country music, and like many others will be truly and sadly missed and may Jan rest in peace and forever in gods hands. And may you and your family take care in these trying times too.
March 29, 2020 @ 8:52 pm
Very, very sorry for the loss of your good friend and singing partner, Bill. God will be with you during this mournful time.