May 1, 2020

Hi Gang:

What a crazy time it is for us all.

I am trying to stay in, stay safe, and stay sane in the midst of everything, and I feel like I’m doing pretty good with the first two. I’m just not to sure about the “sane” part! Are you like me and having trouble remembering what day of the week it is?

I have managed to do a few enjoyable things, though, in particular writing a song with Brad Paisley a few days ago via Zoom. He was at his house and I was at mine, but we could see each other on our computer screens and it was a hoot. We talked about everything from A to Z, and somehow in the midst of it all we managed to write a pretty good song. I’ve also written a couple of new songs recently by myself.

I haven’t been back to the Opry since our first “empty auditorium” show on March 14th, and I’ve sure missed it. I’m awfully proud of Dan Rogers and Gina Keltner and our Opry leaders, though, who have remained determined to keep the streak of consecutive Saturday night broadcasts alive, and of the artists who have participated in the shows while maintaining their social distances. Hopefully, we’ll all get to go back “home” again soon.

Most of you have probably heard by now about my song, “Happiness,” being revived and repurposed in the United Kingdom these days. It’s been very fulfilling to know that a song I wrote over 50-years ago is being used to inspire and to thank and pay tribute to health care workers on the other side of the globe in the midst of this pandemic. To all who contributed, please accept my heartfelt appreciation.

My manager, Lee, and I have continued to work on the design package for our upcoming CD, “The Hits – Reimagined,” and it’s almost ready to go to the manufacturer. The problem there is that manufacturing has been at a standstill. I don’t know how backed up the plants will be when they re-open or just when the record will be available, but hopefully soon.

What are you missing the most right now? I’m missing being with my friends and my loved ones, of course, but I’m really missing baseball. It seems strange on a beautiful weekend afternoon to not be able to turn on a televised game or to go out and see one in person somewhere. After our already having so much of the season cancelled, I’ve vowed to never complain about a rain delay again!

I have been especially grateful that my family members have been close by during all of this. I haven’t seen much of them face-to-face, but it’s comforting to know that they are not scattered all across the country right now. Grandkids Blake, Gabe, Hallie, and Greta have been continuing school with online classes every day as has grandson, Nick, who is in his freshman year of college. Sophie’s school has closed down, but she has been active in a reading and math program at home.

Gabe will be moving into a new cancer treatment program in a few days, and we’re hopeful that this will be a step in the right direction. After nine years, he will be taken off chemo. It’s a big step, so please keep him and Jamey and Beth and all the family in your prayers. Thank you.

I wish for you and your loved ones a good month of May, and I hope as our country begins to slowly open up and get back to normal that you’ll continue to exercise caution in all that you do. Hopefully in our June newsletter we can talk about upcoming shows and live music and good times again. Meantime, stay “hunkered down” and safe.