October 1, 2020

Hi Gang:

A friend of mine who sits in front of his computer all day working in a high pressure job paid me a great compliment the other day. He phoned and said, “I put on your instrumental record while I’m working, and my blood pressure goes down 20-points!”

I laughed but he was serious. “Honestly,” he said, “that’s the most relaxing music I’ve ever heard. I play it over and over again.” In the background I could hear the guitars from “A Lot Of Things Different” coming from his speakers.

When we recorded those instrumentals for our “Hits Re-Imagined” album, we definitely weren’t thinking of providing blood pressure medicine for our fans, but if that’s one of the side benefits then I’m pleased. And let’s face it, we all need whatever it takes these days to help us stay relaxed. Music has always been known to have soothing and healing qualities.

I hope you are staying calm, cool, and collected as the pandemic stretches on. There are a few things stirring the waters around Whisperville, including The Grand Ole Opry’s opening up to “very limited audiences” beginning October 3rd. We’re talking maybe 500 fans in a building that seats 4,400, but I take that as being at least a start toward a return to normalcy. We’ll be celebrating the Opry’s 95th Anniversary this month (although the show actually began in November), and if all goes as planned, I’ll be back on the Opry stage October 17th. Then on Wednesday night Oct. 28th, Jeannie Seely and I will join Mark Wills for a live Facebook visit called “Opry Icons,” where we’ll be sharing Opry stories and memories for as long as they’ll keep the cameras rolling. It should be fun.

Back before the pandemic hit earlier this year, the band and I had gone into the studio and recorded the song we had been opening our road shows with called, “It’s A Good Day To Have A Good Day.” The plan was to use this as the opening track on a new album project that was in the works. The studios shut down shortly thereafter, though, and so far “Good Day” is the only song we have recorded.

The song has such an upbeat, positive message that we’ve decided to go ahead and release it for streaming and downloads during this crazy time. There is a lyric video version in the works as well as some video footage taken the day we recorded the song back in February. I’ll have more information about the release dates shortly, but we’re excited to have some new music in the works. I think we’re also going to be offering some related merchandise items such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, etc. with “It’s A Good Day To Have A Good Day” printed on them. It’s easy to be anxious and depressed these days with all that’s going on…maybe our song and its message can help cast an uplifting and encouraging light on things.

Other projects in the works include a possible duet recording with Leona Williams and my joining a group of other country artists for an audiobook recording of the New Testament. I’ll keep you posted.

On the personal side, I told you last month about my granddaughter, Rae, and her fiance, Zach, being burned out of their apartment home in Chicago and losing everything. Well, the fire and their resulting homelessness have turned positive in that Rae and Zach have decided to relocate to Nashville! Zach had a great job offer, and I think Rae was ready to see some familiar faces again, so they are back in town. And our family couldn’t be happier.

If you’ve been a WhisperFan for any length of time you know that this is my favorite time of year, and even in all the craziness that is 2020, I still have beautiful fall weather, the baseball playoffs, and the football season to be excited about. I hope you’re hanging onto the positive things in your world as well, and believing that better times are up around the corner. Stay well…stay safe…and stay in touch. I’ve especially enjoyed hearing from so many of you during this time.

Thanks a BILLion….see you back here again next month.