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"I was thrilled to read the part about JIMMY and his wife at the CMA Awards. It brought a smile to my face.
"I met Jimmy in the fall of 1978 at Vanderbilt University. He was
moving into the dorm room across the hall from me. He and his
best friend (DWAYNE, as I recall) had to run an errand and Jimmy asked
me to keep an eye out for his father.
"After a short while, MR. JENKINS arrived. I invited him to wait
in my room until Jimmy and Dwayne returned from their errand.
"The next day he thanked me and said his father had enjoyed our
conversation and wanted to invite me to a ball game. We were
treated like royalty at the Sounds field and seated behind home place.
"Jimmy's father soon arrived and sat next to me. He regaled me with several stories, some of which I still retell.
"Although I had only met him a few times after that, Conway was always
genuine and friendly. His memory will always be with me, as it
is now nearly 50 years later.
"I hope Jimmy and his family are well. Please send them my regards.
"Thanks for bringing back those memories once again."
After sharing my own fond memories of interactions with "Jimmy's father," I asked Art for yet another and he obliged.
"The story was about car shopping in Nashville after his first hit song, It's Only Make Believe.
"It went like this: I was sitting next to Conway at the Nashville
Sounds ballpark and he told me a story about his attempt to buy a new
car in Nashville after his first big hit.
"Dressed in jeans and a cowboy hat, the 25-year-old Conway was
considering the purchase of a new Lincoln. After looking around a
bit he sat in the front seat of a Continental Mark III, setting his hat
on the seat next to him. Moments later he was approached by a
salesman who asked where his parents were: 'Our customers don't like to
see kids hopping in and out of the cars,' he said.
"Conway left the showroom and went down the street to the Cadillac
dealership where he purchased a brand new black Cadillac, huge fins and
all. "He
returned to the Lincoln showroom and asked for a manager, informing
him that he came to retrieve his hat. The manager asked how it
came to be in a car on the showroom and Conway replied 'I wanted to buy
a Lincoln but your salesman sent me away.'
"'I'll be happy to help you,' the manager replied.
"'I already bought a Cadillac,' Conway responded, pointing to his new car in front of the showroom.
"The story has stayed with me for decades, reminding me that you should
never judge a book by its cover. I have included the story in
several sales training manuals I have written."
****
Thanks to CLARK SONDEMAN for extending an invitation to attend the performance of my choice of Mr. Romantic. First opportunity will be at the Franklin Theatre May 18, 2025. The show moves to CaféCarlyle (June 11-13, 2025) before moving on to The Palace (June 20, 2025).
Music Row listen up!: JOHN LOMAX III wants "to sing folk songs for your civic group or church.
"Solo presentation of many of America's favorite folk songs all
associated with the Lomax family's 149 year history of finding and
preserving unique American music and musicians."
No sooner were the names of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame
announced than the predictable discussion and comments on social media
followed. It's the same thing every year: Just change the
names to reflect the year of induction.
My exclusion and the reasons for it are
best addressed by those who feel they can defend it, though it would be
easy to "out" the least-qualified electors by giving them a test of country-music history.
(Their qualifications will never be challenged because, under the
current guidelines, or lack thereof, who wants to say publicly
(certainly not the hypocrites who have done/will do so privately) that
anyone who has been or will be inducted is undeserving?)
The selection process began impulsively. Like most halls of fame,
the inductees are supposed to be the "best of the best" and therefore,
by definition, it is to be a numerically elite group.
But, as with many halls of fame, this one's founding electors never made its
intentions clear: Is statistical accomplishment enough- or must
the inductee also be of pristine character? (No right or wrong
answer to this one, but without clarification from the git-go critics
are ready to pounce.)
An inexperienced electorate results in not only popular choices who are
undeserving unless the metrics are adjusted, but in inducting DOLLY
PARTON before PORTER WAGONER, GLEN CAMPBELL before JIMMY DEAN, ALABAMA
before the STATLER BROTHERS et al, rendering the WILBURN BROTHERS, as
an example, effectively ineligible because they have been on too many
previous preliminary ballots already and are as unknown to the youngest of
the current and next generation of industry "experts" as say, some of
the early Opry string bands.
All these years after horseygate, with Chesney's 2025 induction,
is it incumbent upon the 2026 electors to induct Kenny's
partner-in-crime, TIM McGRAW?
By her own admission, JUNE CARTER was not a great singer nor
stylist. According to TOMMY CASH, June was not the cowriter of
Ring of Fire but, discounting her heritage (in a year of discussion
about nepo babies) and gender (always a plus so long as the Country Music Hall of Fame strives in the 21st century to reduce its embarrassing lack of gender parity), June is an overdue selection in light of the
elimination of country comedy awards and the dearth of country-music
comediennes- of which she was one of the best- who have been inducted into the Country Music
Hall of Fame.
TONY BROWN?
No question as to his accomplishments as a performer (though not of
country music) and producer. Maybe not even an inappropriate
choice if a morals clause could/should be a disqualifier, since
JAMIE NICOLE BROWN has yet to weigh in. (The two accounts of the same events could not be further apart and JUDGE AMANDA McCLENDON eventually dismissed the case.)
I mean, who would want BILL ANDERSON's induction rescinded?
So it might surprise country-music fans that, during his first visit to
the JOHN F. KENNEDYCenter for the Performing Arts since appointing
himself the Center's board chairman, Trump told the other members of
his newly assembled board (The Donald fired most of the old guard,
including the former board chair, replacing them with his cronies)
that, prior to his parents' sending their incorrigible 13-year-old son
off to boarding school, MARY ANNE and FRED TRUMP ordered an
aptitude test for their fourth of five children.
The results of the test? "I have a high aptitude for music.
"Can you believe that? That's why I love music."
Whether it was because a creative was not supported in a household
that prized business acumen, or merely coincidental, the teen was
shipped off to New York
Military Academy.
I'm willing to bet that Lorrie did not write the script, though, as it
begins "Hi, I'm country singer Lorrie Morgan..." and continues "When it
comes to remodeling my bathroom, Zintex Remodeling hits all the right
notes... Trust me, you'll be singing in the shower before you know it."
For the best seats you'll want to order tickets ASAP. "Plus, when
you order by April 7, 2025 you'll receive a FREE bonus concert and
half-price package handling fees. As a subscriber, you'll enjoy
exclusive benefits including pre-sale access to every concert, priority
seating, ticket discounts throughout the year, waived exchange fees,
flexible payment plans, priority and discounted parking- and more!"
Today, Michael may be recognized by younger country-music fans as TREY TWITTY's father, but foodies may be confusing Michael with "the other" MICHAEL TWITTY!
****
MEL McDANIEL is well-remembered not only by his fans and those of us who worked with him (I was Mel's publicist during the Top Billing days) but also by LOUISE WYMAN DAVIS.
Louise recalls that "Mel and I dated in high school and I got to sit at
the girlfriend's table at the gigs they played [sic].
"He was more like the blond ELVIS at the time, but found his country niche soon.
"The next time I saw him after his career took off was at Mel McDaniel Day in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. We hung out after and got a tour of his new tour bus.
"Then, years later, he was headlining at Billy Bob's Texas and invited me backstage.
"I always knew he'd go far with that load of talent he possessed. And a fine human being to boot!"
