I support this petition. I spent 37 years in broadcasting and never in all those years have ever heard a media statement more ridiculous than to force performers to retire at 65 years or any age. Tandy Rice has been involved in country music for many years, but his brain has cracked. It's time for HIM to retire. Can you imagine what the Opry would be if all those veteran performers were suddenly cut out. All we would have is a Rock-N-Roll show at most. The Opry would be dead in less than 60 days. How about, Mr. Rice? It's time YOU retire...immediately!!!
I support this petition. The Opry is a FAMILY. Would we make our Parents go away at a certain age?! Why would you make the members retire when they can still sing?
I support this petition!!! Wow! Unbelievable! I have never been so blown away by ignorance. The only reason to attend the Opry anymore is the Legends! I am 24 (MATTHEW...and my wife is 23) years old and I wouldn't walk across the street to hear most of the "modern" young acts, but I was first in line to buy Ray Price tickets when he came through my town last month. Nashville is already on the brink of total meltdown (I mean Big and Rich...c'mon!!) and something like this would be the straw that broke the camel's back! Mr. Rice you are dead wrong.
How old is Mr. Rice?? I think he should retire with his attitude for the legends. I am quite sure that from his information at the top of his letter, some of the legends helped get him where he is today!!!
I support this petition.Sorry,but I not only disagree with MR Rice,I also disagree with Matthew.We fans don't care how old the stars are,we fans LOVE the way are artist sings.These stars can sing.If MR Rice & Matthew get their way,I may never go to the Opry again!Shame on both,Mr Rice & Matthew!
Sorry...but Mr. Rice has a point. I don't think he was taking a personal stab at any of the performers...several are still "in their prime!" However, the truth is that without getting some "new blood" in there, the opry will not remain what it is today. The average age of the typical Opry fan is getting up there and the younger generations just don't care about it. I recently took a mid 20's girl backstage at the opry, thinking that she would be thrilled. I couldn't be more wrong. She did not care one bit. Unfortunately, that's the case for the majority of the new generations.
I support this petition. If an old man can decide what or what not a woman can do with her body, then an old man sure as hell has the right to sing his song for his fans!
Mr. Rice must have rocks in his head to think of such an asinine idea as this one he is suggesting. I have been listening to the Grand Ole Opry for 65 years and still enjoy hearing all the legends singing. I go to the Theatre in Wisconsin Dells whenever the legends are performing there. It is sad the legends hardly perform any more on the televised portion on Saturday night. The legends are the entertainers that the majority of people want to see and hear at the Opry instead of the young screamers who seem to dominate the televised show. It would be great for the Legends to open an "Opry" in Branson and they would have sell out crowds at every show. If the attendance is not good at the Opry now, it would be an empty house if some of the Legends would not be there to perform. Hail to the Legends!!!
I support this petition. I'm sorry but if the older/better entertainers of yesteryear are forced to retire at age 65 or any other age, we are in very deep trouble. That means our greatest artists will ride into the sunset never to be seen or heard of again. I enjoyed very much the opportunity to attend the Tribute to American Country Music at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.,on 31 March. Without a doubt the "full house"...including several prominent politicals... attending was proof that this was a tremendous affair. However, if "age" had been a factor, two of our greatest, namely, Kris Kristofferson and Ray Price, who by the way, literally brought the house to it's feet,...NOW, if Ray had been FORCED to retire at age 65 (15 years ago) we could not have enjoyed such a night at JFKCTR. Or just think of the great songs written by Kris we would not have today. I cannot believe anyone would ever even consider "forcing" retirement on any artist who is willing, able and still very tremendously capable of allowing his or her fans to enjoy their gifts of life to us. To think we could not ever be in a position to see/hear Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Jack Green, Willie Nelson and again, Kris Kristofferson or Ray Price would simply be absolutely just disgraceful. The list could go on and on, I certainly don't want to leave any of our GREATS out, however, I don't think there's enough time or space to name everyone of them. For instance, WHAT IF? we'd had no Bill Monroe, Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff and(again) on and on???? The final answer to this question of "forced retirement at any age" is very simply put...OUT OF THE QUESTION!!!
I support this petition! There should be no forced retirement. For one thing getting younger artists to committ to the requisite number of appearances and not out getting the higher paid bookings is one point. Another is we should revere those that have blazed the trail for those that have come after them. As long as they want to perform they should be allowed to and treated with respect.
I support this petition. Just because they don't get as much airplay as newer artists doesn't mean they are no longer legends. I grew up listeningto many of the Opry legends, and still appreciate their music. Let them stay!
I support this petition. The Opry is a place that is so very special in country music. The reason is that IS a place where you can see and hear the newest upcoming acts and the legends that they were influenced by in one place. The Opry, without a doubt, the most sacred and valuable insitution in country music.
I support this petition wholeheartedly. With thinking like that from Mr Rice, this is why the state of country(pop)? music is what it is today. It is not the legends fault that they do not get airplay any longer, it is the call of the almighty dollar and the uninformed thinking of the beancounters at the labels and the radio stations who would not know real country music if it hit them in the face.
I support this petition.
I was never a member of the Opry, however, I was always excited and honored to be asked to appear. My first appearance was in 1969 at the historic Ryman Auditorium, and in 1971 I appeared when my record "Gwen (Congratulations)" was Number One. Over the years I've been back many times.
Tandy Rice once handled my booking when he owned a company called "Top Billing". I'm not sure Tandy has ever truly understood what Country Music was really all about. He's from what we would call..."The old money of Nashville" and there was certainly a time when Nashville wasn't too happy being known for "Hillbilly Music". The founding fathers of the Grand Ole Opry, the former executives of The National Life and Accident Insurance Company, were proud to say they started the Grand Ole Opry. My late father, worked for this fine company for 37 years, and retired when he moved to Nashville and was forced to retire due to ill health. I was raised on Grand Ole Opry biscuits, and the founding fathers, Uncle Dave Macon, Minny Pearl, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Marty Robbins, and all of the great singers and entertainers who performed on its legendary stage are looking down on you Tandy Rice and saying...Shame, Shame, Shame... your client of over 20 years is especially looking down on you saying, Shame, Shame, Shame...in his very identifiable voice, the fine Jerry Clower, from Yazoo, Mississippi. And now I'll say it..."SHAME, SHAME, SHAME, ON YOU TANDY RICE!"
I support this petition. Who in their right mind would want to retire the GREATEST entertainment we've ever had!! We are honored to have several of the "older" stars as personal friends. I've met very few of the younger stars who really make the fans feel like they're more than a dollar sign. For most of them - the "big time" has gone to their head and they've forgotten how they managed to get where they are today. If they'd sing true country - perhaps they could be legends someday. Most of them scream their way through a performance.
Keep the older entertainers and let us be entertained!! We never watch the Opry on TV as we can't see the older stars. If they aren't going to be performing on stage at the Opry -- I won't waste my time and money going.
Just go ahead and retire them and send them to Branson -- we love them all and they know how to "pack a house".
Who in their right mind would ask the Opry members to retire at the age of 65.I've been to both Opry houses to see the legends,like George Jones,Dolly Parton,Billy Walker,Little Jimmy Dickens,Loretta Lynn,Kitty Wells,Jack Green, and many more.The greats that have past on,Roy Acuff,Bill Munroe,Minnie Pearl,Grandpa Jones and so many more,were the ones that paved the way for the "Stars of Tomorrow".I felt honored to have these legends entertain me (no matter how old they were)as I feel honored watching a 65 year old veteren marching.One fought to keep the country free and one sang about embracing that freedom.On a personal note,living in Canada, I had the pleasure of meeting Billy and Betty Walker.They gave me their phone number to call them the next time I was in Nahville.I did just that and to my amazement,they were home when I called.They treated me like family by inviting me to be their guest backstage at the Opry.I was introduced to Mr. Acuff,Mr Munroe and many others.To my way of thinking,that shows how much they really appreciate their fans.Another time while I was visiting Nashville, I went to Sumner's music store to by a guitar.I met musicians who invited me to a jam session and while we were jamming,Bill Munroe dropped by with his madolin.It was a priviledge for me to play (for one hour) beside Bill Munroe.I'm fortunate that I have this unforgettable evening on video.I've attended some of the "younger stars" shows and while being entertained I can't help but feel that I'm just there to pay for their expensive lifestyle.They don't have that closeness with the fans after the show.I feel that it's the closeness you have for that entertainer that keeps you going back to the Opry.I'm aware of Nahville's Fan Fare and other times that you can meet and greet the younger stars but I feel the chemistry isn't there as it is with the LEGENDS of the
I support this petition. Tandy Rice is way off ase this tiem as a regular opry attendee I would miss the oler performers greatly- the Jimmy Dickens, the Jean Sheaperds etc adn I will miss Jeanne Pruitt- they deserve thier slot on the Opry they make it what it is.
Tandy Rice proposition is absurd. His logic would have removed the great Bill Monroe from the Opry stage. Why doesn't Mr. Rice go start his own "Opry" and see how many of his younger stars will bother to show up.
forced retirement? That's crazy. As long as the legends can and want to sing, they should. I still wish Faron Young had stayed. It's sad that he felt pushed out.
I am upset. I am a 73 year old man who grew up around the stars of my age. I hate new country music and will never support the opry in any way if the forced retirement gets passed.
I support this petition. I am horrified that my children will be denied the right to see the legends perform live on the opry! How dare someone start this! They will find that it will be their undoing!
I support this petition. I have and am still learning so much from all of them. Not just their voice or fingers (then)but what they ARE teaching and living now!
We should never force retirement of the older Opry members. They are the ones who made it the greatest show ever. I am saddened today when I listen to some of the newcomers to the Opry. They don't have a clue! They are no more country artists than I can sprout wings and fly! If they had the talent of Hank Williams Sr., Jim Reeves, Carl Smith, Ray Price, Ricky Van Shelton, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Kitty Wells, and other older stars, then they would become legends in their time.
Just yesterday I was watching some videos of Legends of the Opry from the fifties. Oh, what voices and what talent. ! They still have that talent. They supported our troops during the war times. How many of those young ones are risking their lives and giving of thier time to go overseas to entertain the troops who are fighting to preserve and protect the freedoms that we all enjoy?
Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion. I am seventy-three years old and I am not ready to be put out to pasture YET! I just returned from a mission trip to Russia where I helped teach Bible School to special needs children there. No, we aren't through just because we have had a few more birthdays than others.
I support this petition.
A lot of the so called younger talent that you are talking about replacing the "Legends of Country Music" are nothing but Southern Rock Bands that claim to be Country Music!!!
I support this petition. As well as the people responsible for the Opry's success. Take a good look at Country music today and if your honest with yourself you'll realize that it's not really country that is being forced upon us. I say keep the Opry country, use more members, and quit dissapointing fans who travel from all over the world, For the ledgends.
I support this petition. Premature retirement is like premature death in this business. One should realize that being a part of the music that made this country and the world "feel" what these artists were singing about, is attributed to the fact that their listeners could "relate" to those feelings from their own experiences; even the funny ones; not just the heartbreakers. To deprive those generations who grew up on music of our Opry Legends would be like depriving them of being able to walk back in history and relive those days for whatever time they have left to do so. During war and conflicts throughout the world, those "legends" of the Grand Ole Opry were what helped keep peoples minds feeling peaceful; feeling that they still had something left of yesteryear that could not be taken away from them. Hank Williams, Sr. made "Bocephus" mine from those broadcasts that said "I'm coming on home, Bocephus." I was then "five" years old and the attachment to that little "Bo" still exists in me to this day. I am now almost 62 and cling to the call of being "Li'l Bo's Ole Mama Hen"; and I am not ready to give that up till I pass on. We are losing these grand legends of the Grand Ole Opry fast enough as it is. There are few of them left. The Opry is what has kept them going. That is part of the way of life for them; the very thing that has helped many of them live longer, happier lives. If one wants to retire from the Opry, that should be their choice. To make it mandatory for these aged Legends, Mr. Rice, would be like cruel vultures waiting to rid the Opry stage of carion. We don't look at our legends with such low esteem for what's left of them. Their "presence" is important to those of us who still respect and see them as we always have. NOT AS AGING SIN
I support this petition.
Without the legends, especially the one's over 65 years of age, not only would there NOT be a Grand Ole Opry, but there would also NOT be a country music.
Without people like George Jones, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and the likes, the Grand Ole Opry wouldn't be half as good, especially with the younger singers singing their pop renditions of songs and calling it country.
Some people have to keep the legends going. Being over 65 has nothing to do with it, in fact, it means that they have the good stuff.
And, like Aaron Tippin would say, if you don't agree with what I said, or if you don't like what I said, one of his song titles IS "Kiss This..."
I support this petition. Wonder whose beltbuckle Mr. Rice is trying to polish ? Sounds of the "Grand Ole Opry" will forever be imbeded in real country music. The "new country" music is anything but "Opry" quality as put there by the guys and gals of yesteryear. Let the "oldies" play on... till they themselves decide its time to quit. They are the real legends.
This is another way that the big wigs in the Country Music industry to rid the fans of their chance to see these Legends in person. It sounds to me that some people in power in the industry are showing their distain and ignorance of the genre and artists that made this music great. The Opry has always protayed itself as a family show ----why not show all of the members --both old and new. How can fans appreciate the music if fed the pap that the industry doles out. Without the tv exposure of the older performers --fans get short changed . Hell, no for "retirement" policies.
I support this petition. If not for the Old Timers, there would not be a Grand Old Opry. Do you want ALL of them in Branson. If so, I have a feeling Branson will completely take over the Country Music world. They already have a large chunk. Does Nashville want to lose more of it's slight grip on the Country Music World
After reading some of the reactions to Mr Rice's statements... Nashville had better wake up and hear the true call of COUNTRY Music... Over the past 20 years, there have been very few new artists on the charts that 30 or 40 years from now will be classified as Country Legends... George Strait, Garth Brooks.. Alabama... Just remember that Branson is not all that far from Nashville and they don't mind offering REAL COUNTRY MUSIC to the fans... WAKE UP NASHVILLE...........
Countryroads0316@yahoo.co m
I remember my first trip to the Grand Ole Opry and the total awe I felt at just being in the same buiilding as Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and all the other legends I saw that night. Although some of the older generation still sing very well, I wouldn't care if they just whispered; I know all the words by heart anyway.
I wholeheartedly support this petition. First of all, the music played by most so called country artists is not country at all. Perhaps Mr. Rice can come up with some artists that he considers country. Oh sure, yes, there are a few who "dare" to sing real country music, but as another signer has indicated, greed has taken over country just as it has in other music venues and professions. If an older country music artist chooses to retire, well, that's fine and their choice. Just think about some of the country legends that would have been forced into Opry retirement had such a ludicrous policy been in place in the past....Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, etc. Oh, gee, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, you are just too old to sing your music...no one cares about you anymore..is this what you think Mr. Rice? I assure you if HW Sr were still around, he wouldn't just say no he would say hell no! Mr. Rice, you need to take your arrogant, narrow minded suggestion and reevaluate your thinking. Oops, come to think of it, I don't believe you were thinking at all when you wrote your article regarding mandatory retirement at the Opry. If you really want to write something meaningful, try writing about what has happened to real country music and leave the legends alone.
The legends of country music deserve a way to continue their music. No one else would be where they are if the path had not been paved by those who sacrificed so much of themselves for their music. The legends continue to sell out huge venues and just check out the support they have on their websites! It's not just people their ages, but a huge following of all ages. Those people who don't want them performing because they think the younger artists are the ones that "make them money", should be ashamed. They are no better than a child that has no respect for their parents and just forget about them as they grow older. Please give the legends the respect the have earned! They didn't make it in this business as easily as some do today and certainly didn't make the same kind of money. It was all about the music back then....it's more about money now.
I support this petition absolutely. I think mandatory retirement in ANY profession is feces de el toro. It usually is proposed by children who don't understand the meaning of experience. What is Tandy Rice's excuse. He usually is very insightful and enlightening.
I guess we all have our days...
I support this petition. I really don't know if they still pack the Opry but Tandy Rice or anyone else should not try to change a tradition of having legends retire at 65.
These Opry Stars will influence the "newbies" coming up into the roots of country music, with out them we will be having nothing but crap to listen to in the future.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BY ANY MEANS. THE NEW COUNTRY MUSIC IS NOT "COUNTRY"!! I AM 18 YEARS OLD AND I AM A BIG LORETTA LYNN FAN AND IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN THAT WOULD MEAN NO MORE LORETTA AMONG MANY OTHERS. THERE WOULD BE NO MORE COUNTRY MUSIC AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED!! THIS IS AMERICA AND WE ARE FREE TO DO WHAT WE WANT. IF WE FORCED THESE ARTISTS TO RETIRE HOW WOULD THAT BE RIGHT?
In the past there was traditional country and western music, which I LOVE AND RESPECT, and it does NOT need to change. In the past few years we dropped the Western and put some drive in the country, creating country rock, which I love. HOWEVER, it is EXTREMELY disrespectful to throw away the great legends that made this industry what it is. I believe that we should RECOGNIZE BOTH COUNTRY AND WESTERN, AND COUNTRY ROCK. Instead of throwing away the greats, lets create two different sections in country music. I support this petition.
Country music is in T-R-O-U-B-L-E if this were ever to happen! That would mean that over half of the members would be kicked off! I am 15 years old and I play bluegrass and I have my own band.
and Bobby Osborne and Ralph Stanley are some of my biggest influences. I also like Del McCoury. Some of those new people who play on the Opry are horrible! NONE of that is country! BILL MONROE WOULD TURN IN HIS GRAVE IF HE FOUND OUT THIS IS HAPPENING!!
This 'new country' is not country. Greed has propigated the fall of many successiful programs which were established in the begining by those doing a good service for the mass of the people. Country music, real country music, helped our nation through some tough times. Allowing 'rockers' in the Opry building, much less on the stage, is a disgrace. I don't listen to 'new country' because it just isn't country. I have not been to the Opry in years. May never go back. I was raised country, am country and will always be country. If an older artist wishes to leave the Opry, fine. I can't blame them. I don't like the direction the Opry is going either. But to force retirement on those who gave our country so much entertainment (when entertainment was real entertainment), I find that appalling, disgraceful and down right.....dumb and dumber. The rockers and heavy metalists should take their 'dynamic acts' to the gutters where they belong! Thank goodness for satalite radio stations where one can still enjoy country music as it should be played. None of the 'new country acts' will ever come close to the impact made on the fiber structure of our nation by such artisits as Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Hank Thompson, Bob Wills, Faron Young, Leroy Van Dyke, Carl Smith, Jean Shepard, Loretta Lynn and hundreds more! No doubt about, the 'Grand Ole Opry' is not as 'Grand' as it use to be. Instead of adding these new 'wanna-be's' I suggest getting the Opry back to where it was years ago, when it was truly a thrill to enjoy. Shame on anyone who has had a hand in disgracing the 'best show of all'! We all know that when you allow rockers and heavy metalists in that hallowed building, the foundation that our community structure was built on has been severly tarnished. The Grand Ole Opry has lost thousands and
Absolute madness - tell it to the thousands of people who travel from around the globe to Nashville to see the legends who still grace the Opry stage (and others !) From a media point of view these are the guys who always have something to say about their days in the business, unlike a lot of todays performers who couldn't even fill a postcard with their memories!My Radio Station SAGA 106.6fm in the U.K. is based on musical memories from the 50's to 90's - there would be a riot if we changed the format and got rid of the Country and Pop legends !
In response to Tandy Rices's suggestion that Opry performers retire at 65. I guess the first thing that needs to be asked before I make any comments is just how in the hell did you get your title of Tandy Rice Past President, CMA President, Top Billing Inc.Now! Who do you think made the Opry what it is today? It's the older musicians that have endured the hardships of touring and sometimes doing several shows a week in different states.Just who qualifies you as the expert that knows exactly what the fans of the older super stars want. With a title like yours one would expect more from you. I hope all the younger stars take notice of what you suggested because some day they will also turn 65. I noticed you did say that you were a past president. I can see why your not president now. I'm a musician that never became famous but none the less I'm sure happy I never had to deal with the likes of you in my early days of playing the honky tonks in Texas. What touring we d
id was mostly in surrounding states and sometimes with as little as 4 hours sleep in between shows.It would have been nice to have a place like Nashville or Branson to just let the audience come to us.With all due respect, you had better rethink the age 65 retirement plan.
Bill Dromgoole
