I support this petition. First of all, I do hope this IS an April Fools joke by Mr. Rice. He himself has long been a staple in this industry. Second of all, the Opry is one of the few if NOT the ONLY venue where the audience can see both today's new and rising artists AND the Legends who helped make the show the institution that it is. Contrary to some people's beliefs, there are MANY folks who attend the Opry to see and hear the Legends because they were an important part of the reason they become country music fans to begin with. Many of today's Legends still have it when it comes to performing. I challenge anyone to find better Legend singers than Billy Walker or Connie Smith. Both of these two artists STILL have what it takes to please a crowd. I hope the Opry management takes davantage of thier unique opportunity to provide Opry fans with both today's new music and the past's GREAT music!In addition, some of the Legends are STILL recording NEW music and sounding as good as they ever have. It's sad that some people think you have to be under 40 adn have a buff body to be a successful entertainer. New artists, you need to sit back and as Marty Stuart said, "Tip your hat to the teacher!!"
I support this petition. The Opry should support and embrace it's legends, not turn it's back on them! They are the very fabric of country music, and they should be honored and placed front and center, not forced of the stage, no matter how "gracefully" it's done!
NO "automatic retirement" date tied to any Opry "Legend" capable of a good performance!!! They are whar keeps many of us attending the Opry, as well as driving great distances to attend their concerts! Perhaps Tandy is no longer able to recognize a great whisper or even hear it!!!!!!
I support this petition.
I think some statements quoted in this article must have been made by someone who really doesn't know anything about country music. I have all but quit listening to what our local station "call" country music. You might as well scrape your nails on a blackboard for the same listening pleasure their choicein music gives. Three cheers for the likes of Billy Walker along with all of our Country Legends from the Opry!!! The day our country treasures are force to retire from the Opry is the day the Opry will cease to exist for lovers of 'true country music'!!!!
Let the stars play where they belong. Their ages shuld not matter. As long as they can andwant to they should be able to keep the tradition alive. I have been to the Opry many times and must say all the stars shine when they take the stage. NO FORCE RETIREMENT AT ALL is what i say... I support this petition.
I support this petition. This is the most ubsurd article I have read in a long time. All I keep thinking is George Jones's words, "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?"
Enough said...
I support this petition. They are called legends for a reason. They are the grand OLD opry. Without them there will be no grand or old opry, just the opry. Won't that be a sad day!!! And what will happen when the young stars won't perform on friday and saturday nites. NO OPRY????
Some things are better of left the way they are and don't need to be changed whith the times. God bless the GRAND OLD OPRY!!!!!!
I support this petition. Without the legends the Opry would be absolutely nothing and I would quit going to it. We need to stick up for the Country Legends.
How sad that Tandy Rice would fall for the line of garbage that corporate suits with no commitment to the Opry would put out. Worse still, Mr. Rice once represented Jerry Clower, who must be spinning in his grave. I hope that Mr. Rice will now give away all of the money that Mr. Clower and any other artist who performed when past the age of 65 made for him. The Opry bridges past and present, more than any other country music show. How ironic, too, that Mr. Rice followed this idiotic claim with comments about how sad it was that Goo Goos no longer will sponsor the Opry and that smaller companies will be frozen out of the show. If he thinks some of the fun has been taken out of the Opry, he should stop to think that he proposes taking out its heart, its soul, and its guts.
I support this petition. I absolutely 100% disagree with Tandy Rice -- he is the person who should retire regardless of age. Man when the "legends" disappear, then real country music will only be on college radio and independent web stations because the mainstream country stuff isn't country and totally rots...THE NEW STUFF FOR THE MOST PART JUST AIN'T COUNTRY MUSIC!!! I am dreading the day when all the legends are gone.
We will never have another BILLY WALKER,JACK GREENE,JAN HOWARD,JEAN SHEPARD the people that make's up the schedule every weekend except the young folk's that is trying to make a name for themself. How many BIG country star's will give up a Friday & Saturday night to play the opry for what the OPRY pay's. The large amount's that the star's make at one show will pay what I make in 3 year's.The Opry is the only place that we can see BILLY,JACK,JAN,and Jean.SO PLEASE LET THE GREAT ENTERAINERS STAY AT THE OPRY WHERE THEY BELONG.I have been at the Opry so many time's I cant count them. I so enjoy get to see the OPRY Legends and they still have the voice and the look's. Next time you go to the Opry check out Little Jimmy Dicken's and Billy Walker's outfits,What a great thing to see these people sparkle. YOU WILL ONLY SEE THIS AT THE OPRY,WHAT WOULD ROY ACUFF,MINNIE PEARL SAT TO THIS NONSENSE. I do indead support this petition.
I support this petition.
C'mon Tandy! Loretta Lynn at age 70 gave us Van Lear Rose.
What rock have you been hiding under?
By the way Tandy, how old are you?
Is there a retirement plan for the near future for you?
I was wondering, becasue I think that you need to seriously consider looking for a "pasture" after writing this piece of trash.
The legends are turning over in their graves.
Jonas Biffert
I have watched as Our Legends have been tossed off today's radio waves, slighted at the Awards Show Farces, and now "they" want to decapitate an Institution that was created, concecrated, and sanctified by Our Legends in the first place? As FANS of TRUE COUNTRY MUSIC, (whether it be Traditional, Blue Grass, Western Swing, or Honky Tonk), we MUST put a noose around the throats of these money grabbing, swelled headed, two-faced Beasts, before they manage to kill off all that is SACRED to us. Speaking of sacred, what's next? Banning Hymns or the mention of God or His Son, Jesus? SAVE THE OPRY!! Help me toss a BIG rope over a strong tree limb...I support this petition.
I support this petition. I remember Ernest Tubb trying to sing in his later days. He had trouble, but I was always glad to see a legend. The thought of forced retirement is total BS!
I support this petition.The one who wrote that is crazy !The LEGENDS is what made the Opry.I hope if they take the legends off that no one will attend the Opry.I don 't follow the so called new country such as old Toby and Keith!I'm a hugh George Jones fan all the way 100%.George my friend keep on keeping it country!!!
I support this petition. The legends are who made the Opry! The legends are who sustain the Opry. The legends are who I would go to see when I finlly get to go the Opry one day. There are FEW of the newer stars who can make me spend my hard earned money on cds or to see them live. There are some exceptions, but not many! Long may the legends (and the Opry) live!!!
I support this petition. Evidently, Mr. Rice hasn't attended a George Jones concert recently. George is now 74, and every concert I have attended has been SOLD OUT!! I'd rather listen to George Jones sing one song that any of the "New Country" artists muddle their way through TEN! Come on, Mr. Tandy...maybe YOU should be forced into retirement, since you obviously don't have what it takes any more. Just the thoughts of a die-hard "Classic Country" fan, who never turns on the radio anymore, unless it's Hank's Place on XM Satellite Radio. I carry my own CDs with me, for what country radio stations play now is a farce! I can't stand to listen to it. Oh, yes, I support this petition!
TO ALL THE DIM WITTED FOOLS AT 'MCN'. I WOULD SAY THAT YOU HAVE JUST S++T IN YOUR MESS KIT BIG TIME. YOU DONT MONKEY WITH ANOTHER MANS MONKEY. AND TO GO AGAINST THE OPRY LEGENDS IS MESSING''BAD''.
I support this petition. The legends are the very reason that I want to go to the Opry. The legends of the Opry are what has made country music what it is today. I will never tire of hearing Bill Anderson "whisper" on that stage.
I support this petition.
I find Mr Rice's suggestion to jettison those legends who have made the Opry what it is to be as foolish as it is morally repugnant. What's wrong, Tandy? Aren't the elders in our family dying fast enough, that you think they should be euthanized as well? Shame on you. Rather than fomenting new travesties, I think Dandy's efforts would be better spent righting past injustices, like working to have Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright re-instated.
The Opry & it's stars are legends. Who does Mr. Rice think he is to be making so stupid remarks? I hope fans will let him know how they really feel so maybe he will keep his mouth shut from now on.
When I read Tandy Rice's article on Wednesday, the first thought that went through my mind was "What the hell does he think?". Mr. Rice, age discrimination is illegal! I agree that there are a few of the Legends who should realize that their voices are not what they were 30 years ago, but you know what? I live to go to the Opry to see those legends--even if they can't carry a note anymore. These people are the cornerstones of Country Music. One of the biggest mistakes the Opry has made was getting rid of the "mandatory" number of performances annually by the members. They also hand out memberships like doctors prescribe pills. As an artist, you need to earn your way to the CIRCLE at the Opry, not just have one or two "big" songs. These young artists do not have the following nor the staminia to mantain the opry. Most of them are "flash in the pan" artists. No, they are not "one hit wonders" but will they still be around in 20-30 years? I seriously doubt it.
Mr. Rice, quit looking out your plexiglass navel and realize that the Legends are here to stay!!
The legends made the Opry what it is today. We enjoy seeing and hearing them. To force them to retire is ridiculous. Let's keep the "Whispers" on the Opry.
I totally disagree with what Mr. Rice says and it actually makes me sad...I'm a 17 years old girl, I was born and raised in Italy but since my mum is American we come to the States pretty often. I used to hate country music (even though I grew up listening to it) but the only thing that made me change my mind was attending a show at the Grand Ole Opry, and not for those young pop rock folk bands (how dare you call that country music...)whom nobody knows but for those LEGENDS who were there still doing what they enjoyed...you could see that they loved music and it's their life and they really made a big effort to do a great show,no matter what their age was, and I appreciated that so much...I've been to the Opry for the first time 2 years ago during winter holidays and then again last winter holidays and will most likely go there again next new year's eve, and well without any of those great folks who made it all happen it wouldn't really be worth it..
I'm a big fan of miss country soul Jeannie Seely and she happens to be 65...so she should be kicked off from the Opry stage? Well let me tell you that she has a lot more energy than many young folks out there..She simply owns the stage and the audience's applause is not for who she USED to Be (as T. says)but it's totally HERS no matter what her age is..
I was wondering how the Opry will keep the tradition alive when all the country legends will pass away and my final answer was that it won't be able to...but at least don't rush times and let us young people enjoy those great legends until the very last one...
Mr.Rice has made some stupid remarks. I hope everyone will send him an e-mail msg. to tandyrice@aol.com so there will be no doubt that he knows how everyone feels.
This is insane. I am nineteen and I love the opry and its legends. Its a damn shame its so hard to hear them on the radio, because most are still putting out great new music. To take them off the opry would be un american. The opry has always been aboutgreat music not commercial politics. My friend George Jones is 74 and still sells out venues all over the US. His new CD's are still great sellers. this really makes me mad.Don't tell me that a fanbase stops growing when an artist gets over 65. The very nerve
The legends of the Opry are what has made country music what it is today & I love seeing them & hearing them sing. Let's keep it that way. Look at the fans in the audience & you do not see people who have come to see the young artists. This whole idea is stupid to me, someone who has followed the Opry & its stars for many years.
Mr. Rice is TERRIBLY wrong.... The legends are what made the OPRY what it has become, and the ONLY reason that I enjoy going to see the show.... Country LEGENDS shouldnt be FORCED to retire...... WHen it comes to the point that THEY decide they should retire, or that they are too sick, or something like that, then let them do it, Not some OPRY management folks, who care NOTHING about the Opry to decide for them, It IS NOT right...... It doesnt say very much about the management either... Thank you, and I hope you will sign the petition too.
I support this petition. What a bunch of crap from Mr Rice. If it weren't for the legends there would be no opry. the majority of the "younguns" don't sing country. I recently attended a Legends Fest concert where both shows were sold out. Afer the show, the meet and greet with the legends was so packed you could hardly move. Does this not say that people of all ages "still" want to see the legends and heros that made the opry.
I support this petition.
I always thought of Jerry Clower as a legend and were he still alive I would be happy to see him on stage at the Opry. If he were still alive, would Tandy Rice still be in favor of this ridiculous notion of Opry retirement??
Tandy Rice is the one who should be retired. He(she?) is so out of touch with what the Grand Ole Opry and country music are about that someone should take his typewriter away and send him out somewhere to cover rap where most of what the entertainers say makes about as much sense as what Tandy just wrote.
That would be ridiculous! Making legends like Loretta Lynn, Little Jimmy Dickens and Porter Wagoner retire just because of their age! Loretta has done so much more with her career with the alblum "Van Lear Rose" and she was years over 65! And I cannot imagine going to the Opry and not seeing little jimmy, porter, jean shepard, or other legends. It's an absolute outrage.
I support this petition.This really makes me mad that Mr Rice would even consider such a thing is wrong! The legends can sing too,just like the new stars can.They should be allowed to sing til the Lord calls them home.The Good Lord gave the legends tallent to sing,just as he did the new stars.WE DON'T WANT THE LEGENDS TO RETIRE!We want them to keep singing!
I support this petition. Mr. Rice has "rocks in his head". This is the only "TRUE" country music made on the Opry. Those others that think they are country, need to go!!!
I support this petition.
Geez.....I'm almost 50, does that mean that I am not able to write my name???
I am apalled at such an idea to come from this persons mouth, if it were not for the Legends of Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Porter, Kitty Wells, just to name a few, where would the Ryman be....in Disneyland?? Old country will never be duplicated....it's here to stay my friend and so are the Legends!!
I support this petition. Mr. Rice...if it weren't for the legends of country music, there wouldn't be an Opry for the teeny -boppers who pretend that they are country to go to and "perform"... I'm totally disgusted by your ridiculous remarks and if anyone should be forced into retirement , it is YOU! I have no idea how old you are but I believe that it is time for you to be "put to pasture" ...the ONLY reason I ever listen to the Opry anymore is so that I can hear the LEGENDS...if I want to hear the canned, elevator music type crap that is being forced down our throats as "pure country" , then I'll turn on the radio where they play that drivel 24/7....and now you know why my radio is almost NEVER on...it gives me a headache! I've travelled many miles (as have many others here signing this petition) to see my favorite legends and I'll travel many more when someone who is worth going to see/listen to, but they couldn't drag me across the road hog-tied to attend a so called "concert" of most of these new "artists"....
I support this petition. Mr. Rice evidently doesn't realize who made the Opry. If it weren't for the legends there would be none. MOST of the younger singers don't even know what real country music is.
I support this petition. The Opry has been sold out almost everynight for the past 40 years for some reason. performers like George Jones, Merle Haggard, etc. can still pack them in regardless of thier ages.
This guy is an IDIOT! "In other words, regardless of their previous accomplishments, they no longer 'put fannies in seats' or excite those who are there".....well this fanny-and many others that I know of-have only sat in those seats JUST TO SEE THE OLDER MEMBERS. And 'not exciting those who are there'...that's a load of crap! The last time I was at the Opry - when the 'new country'folks were on stage there was no clapping, few camera flashes, and even some folks in the crowd talking to each other. When one of the legends took the stage.....EVERYONE was clapping, flashes going off all over the place, AND PEOPLE ON THEIR FEET HAVING A BALL!!!!!
Um......it looked & sounded like they were excited to me.
And I have no idea where he gets this "whispering" mess. I heard them all, including Whispering Bill Anderson. They were loud, you could understand the words, and they were really there to entertain their fans.....not just as a publicity move to try to get people to buy their crap...oh excuse me their music.
I support this petition.If Mr. Rice doesn't like the way "Whispers" at the Opry put "fannies" in the seats, then he obviously needs to seek his entertainment elsewhere...someplace where they scream and stomp and you have no idea what they are saying in their so called songs! Over the past few years, I have attended the Opry many times. Each time, filled to near capacity, there have been people there from 1 year to 100 years old...all with smiles and enjoying the "Whispers" coming from the stage.Guess what...most are repeat Opry goers. So Mr Rice go fulfill your entertainment interest elsewhere. We enjoy the Opry with those whose roots have made it what it is today!
If it weren't for the traditional country artists, there would be no such thing as country music anymore. Most of what is being performed on the Opry these days is just pop music, anyway, with fiddle and steel thrown-in occasionally to try and pawn it off as "country". REAL country fans know better. I hope if these nitwits force retirement on the older Opry stars, that the artists file a collective age discrimination suit against them. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Most people go to the Grand Ole Opry to see the legends, anyway. But the wannabes are taking over and it defeats the whole historical value of the Opry. What traditional stars are left--those who did not pass on, or have to retire due to illness-- should be the strongest presence on the Opry. To heck with these newer acts if they don't want to "keep it country".
I support this petition.
I want to hear the legends of country Music on the Opry . not the half dressed cussing fools who can't sing. Roy and Minnie are turning over in thier graves .
I think Mr. Rice is out of touch with the Opry fans. I have listened to folks leaving the Opry saying how much they enjoyed the Legends of the show. The Opry should not be a place where we are force fed the same music the so called Country radio of to day is putting out. The Opry should be a place to hear real country music by folks who made the Opry a world famous treasure! I'd rather hear a song whispered than someone screaming something that I can't understand!!
I whole heartedly support this petition. Sorry Mr. Rice but your trolley left the rail on this on. We need all we can get from the keepers of the treasure. The new guard certainly hasn't adequately prepared to assume the roles. YUP, "Whose gonna fill their shoes?"
Once a star earns a place at the Opry they should keep it for eternity. Aged 65 or above means they were active when country music was country music. They didn't need videos and stage effects to entertain people. They were ( and many still are singers and musicians with talent to enthrall people by sound alone. Don't retire them, they have earned a place in history and at The Opry.
I am in my early 50s and if I wanted to see a bunch of half naked hoochies flaunting around on stage half naked, I would go to a strip club instead of the Opry. This bubblegum so called country they are trying to peddle is a bunch of CRAP and anyone who would write such a thing about the Long Time Stars their that made it what it is. Must be a very Dim-Witted Know Nothing.
The editor at 'MCN'quoted that their writers are "Exceptional People??" and to Attack Their "Tandy Rices' writeing is too "Attack Their Character". I say 'Horse Biscuits'. Anyone who would write an article like this about our Legends of Country Music Has 'The Character Of a Red Butted Baboon In Heat". And The They Had The Gall' in a 'MCN" Disclaimer Post . "That They Always had A Connection with {Faron Young'??. "Why Is He Dead Then????". Jerry
I support this petition.
How dare he even suggest the at a 65 "very few artists have anything going for him or her" At the very least that is age discrimination..at worst it is depriving fans of some great music...very very lacking in the present crop of today's "artists"
I support this petition one hundred per cent.We want and deserve the music we have loved and listened to for many years plus the good entertaners who are so important to all of GOOD music . Age should not be a factor .The fans have spoken . Keep the legends at the Opry plus give them airplay .
I support this petition.To say that artists should be MADE to retire from the Opry because of they're age is ridiculous.Take away the legends of the Opry and what do you have?Nothin!THEY are the ones to keep the Opry goin all these years,otherwise it would have been history a long time ago.How many of the younger Opry memebers does anyone see on the Opry week after week after week,count 'em,it aint that many!What has happened to''respect''in the music industry and the memebers of the Opry who have devoted they're life and career to the Opry.They ARE the history of the Opry.
I support this petition. If all the artist over 65 retire as Mr. Rice suggest what is going to be left on the Opry? Young artist are not going to perform every week at the Opry when they can be out on tour making more money then the Opry pays. I am reminded of a song George Strait and Allan Jackson recorded a few years ago, "Murder On Music Row".
I support this petition. these Gaylord and friends has to understand that real country and not hollywood style is what fans want...the fad will end soon..us real fans will still be around. and we want them to be too
I support this petition. If not for the legends, there would be NO Grand Ole Opry!!!! I have traveled many miles, only to see the legends perform, which I would not do for any of the new artist of today. I have gone to the Opry only to see the legends. Age has nothing to do with the Grand Ole Opry....
I do not understand why anyone would want a mandatory retirement for the Opry. I love the good traditional country.I have had the privilege to come to the Opry 3 times from Michigan.The older members are who is keeping the tradional country going. I "Thank God"for all of the great artists over 65.All of you are great and I do not know how anyone could support a mandatory retirement for the Opry!!
I am fuming..I cannot believe what I have read in Mr. Rice's letter..Let me tell you, when you hear the "legends" sing, one can tell IMMEDIATELY who they are..not so with the younger set..They are talented but do NOT come close to being COUNTRY MUSIC..If you're going to use force by all means FORCE them to sing, certainly not retire..By the way, A LITTLE WHISPER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
I cannot believe that someone that has supported the "legends" and made their income off of them, could possibly be serious in wanting mandatory retirement. Upon listening to the Opry tonight - sure would have been slim pickens if the Legends had stayed home. Lets tell the entire reason for Jeanne Pruett stepping down - I do believe there is more to that than what you have indicated. Hope you were listening tonight when "Whispering" Bill did "The Deck of Cards" and received such a loud acceptance - guess the audience didn't realize he was over 65!!!! We better get together and let Mr. Rice know that he needs to reread the quote he quoted by Garth at the beginning of his "thoughts" and decide which one he falls in!!!!!!
As George Jones sang, Mr. Rice, "Who's gonna fill their shoes?" The Legends are what make the Opry Great! Most of them still sound better than some of the younger artists who are singing pop and calling it Country. Keep Traditional Country alive and keep our legends on the Opry!!
