I support this petition. I think the decision to whether to retire from the Opry or not should be personal choice rather than mandated by someone else.
I support this petition and the Opry legends Mr. Rice wants to push out. It's a shame and a disgrace. Country music wouldn't exist without the hard work of people like Loretta Lynn, Little Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner, etc. Mr. Rice is the one who needs to retire.
I support this petition.
I think that is stuoid. That's why I go to the opry, to see my older heros. Where else can I see them all together? Fight the power!
I support this petition.
What's an opry without Loretta Lynn or George Jones?! I'm young (19), and I know what good music is. I realize they need younger singers to draw in younger audiences, but that leaves the older audiences disappointed, who have listened and went to the Opry for years. Here's that dilemma that comes up: The U.S. is not respectful of the elderly. I love the elderly!!!
Just wanted to let you know how much your work and effort is appreciated on the NO retirement petition. I am an old timer that used to work in radio, but it has been taken over by so many ignorant people that I have given up on commercial radio. My other half and I are in the process of getting on satellite, needless to say, if we do we'll be playing nothing but the old stuff (real music) and not all of the noise of today. louis stokes
I support this petition.There should be no age retirement for the artists on the Opry. After all the older artists are what makes the Opry what it is today. People should respect them in everyway.
I have never been so upset in I don't know how long. How DARE a man who worked with Jerry Clower and other Legends of Country Music just slap them in the face like this.
Our Legends didn't make the BIG BUCKS during their "hayday" or foundation building days. They scrimped and saved and endured untold hardships to be able to build the industry into what it is today. And if you think for one minute that the measly "scale" droppings they are paid to be on the OPRY meets their bills you have another thing coming.
Along the way, many of those Legends were swindled out of their rightful royalties for their original work. Many of them were lost in the shuffle when the Bigshots from the NY and LA record companys wanted a piece of the country music market.
These people were exploited and used and abused with not even a kiss while it was happening. (I am trying to keep this family acceptable reading). I apologize but I am just so ticked off I can hardly see straight.
Today there has to be special fund raisers to help meet the needs of Opry stars and musicians who gave their whole life to the industry and now cannot even meet their medical needs let alone living expenses.
We were just at the Opry Saturday night. Except for Vince Gill and the new family of musicians, and a guy who strained his voice so bad that he had to cover it up with LOUD banging of instruments that I can't even call it music, every single performer was a Legend.
And you know what? The house was packed on the main floor. And every single artist received their due with loud applause and in some cases standing ovations.
The house wasn't full but at $40 bucks a ticket to see around a durn pole well you get the idea. I paid it because I wanted to see Jeannie Seely and Bill Anderson and Little Jimmy Dickens and Porter Wagoner and Jean Shepard and Jim Ed Brown and Connie Smith. Course they all are only allow
I support this petition. I'm so sick of country's greatest singers being treated poorly because of their age! At least they actually sing country music, unlike what you mostly hear on the radio today!
I support this petition. No Forced Retirement for the Legends of the Opry
Message: I wanted to sign but it would not let me. Tandy Rice is a jerk, a rich jerk thanks to Jerry Clowers. I'd bet he would have been all for Jerry going out on a walker as long as he was gettingh his cut.
I support this petition.I think they need to get rid of all of the big wiggs in Nashville that have a strangle hold on the Opry and get rid of all these new so called country stars. All they have are idiot's that scream and holler and wear a cowboy hat so they can claim to be country, it's all just gagbage.
I support this petition. A LIVING LEGEND, HOW MUCH BETTER CAN IT GET THAN TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT....WHAT AN HONER,DON'T TAKE THAT HONER AWAY FROM THOSE FOLKS OR US FANS....THAT IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS!!!!
I support this petition. I am over 70 years old and still performing every weekend. Don't talk retirement to me. That's non sense! if Liz (above) gets to the Opry I hope someone washes her mouth with soap first!!
I support this petition.I think the opry doesn't have a retirement age,Buck Owens showed us that,he retired last sat.Once you a memeber,you are one for life and you should be a performer for life as well.
I support this petition. thats why we watch the opry is for the legends not for all those new guys if we wanted to hear them we can just turn on our radio but the radio doest play the older ones so no they should not be forced to retire
I support this petition: Tandy, needless to say, you've been in the Music Business long enough to know what & who put you where you're at today. Gaylord has done enough to Country Music & the Opry as it is, don't put yourself in the same category. And your facts are not correct. Jeanne Pruett did not, I repeat, "did not" leave the Opry to make a space for the younger singers! She was forced off, more or less given an ultimatim. She could work the Opry on Fridays and not prime times such as Saturday's or the televised portion. They wanted to leave that to the newcomers! She had more pride than to be treated like someone put to pasture, so she left.
THAT FUCKIN BULL SHIT I'M A FUTURE COUNTRY SINGER I WANT TO BE ABLE TO STAND ON THAT STAGE AND KNOW THAT REBA MCENTIRE STOOD ON THAT STAGE FUCK YOU TO WHOEVER IS SHUTTING DOWN THE GRAND OLE OPRY
I support this petition. Let's think about this for a minute...if this absurd idea had been proposed say, 20 years ago, we would have had to say goodbye to Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Hank Snow, and so one. If the people that attend the Opry performances are embarassed or bored by performers older than 65, perhaps they're in the wrong place!
What if Johnny Cash and Buck Owens were still with us and decided they wanted to join the Opry - would they be refused? I highly doubt it.
I'm amazed that Tandy Rice, who's been involved in the business since the days when Country Music didn't sound like warmed-over Rock, would propose such a preposterous idea.
I support this petition. If it wasnt for the legends of country music, who would the younger generation have to look up to as a postive driving force to continue the tradition of this music?
I support this petition. It would be a crying shame to go to the Opry or listen to it on Friday and Saturday nights and not hear artists that I grew up with (i.e, Connie Smith, Jeannie Sealy, Port Wagoner, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dickens, etc.) That's part of the charm of the Opry, while hearing today's greats, like Trace Adkins, you can also hear legends like the Osborn Brothers and Jimmy C. Newman! To be an active member of the Opry you must make so many appearances a year. If they can meet that commitment they should be given the opportunity to appear and perform.
I support this petition. I grew up with the Grand Ole Opry and would not like for it to retire. I feel this music should live on forever. My one wish is to go and visit the Grand Ole Opry oneday. That would be my greatest honor to go there and see the many stars that have performed on the stage
I support this petition. Without these traditional country singers, we wouldn't have any country music period!!! These young upstarts like Dierks Bentley, Julie Roberts, Cowboy Troy, Big & Rick, Gretchen Wilson, and LOTS more are nothing but rock singers riding on the coat tails of the name COUNTRY music just in order to get into the pockets of the public. To top it all off, these new singers can't even sing. All they do is holler!!!!!!!!!!! The Grand Ole Opry has gone down in attendance because there are not enough of the people that created the event in the first place.
I support this petition. Send our living legends out of the Opry? Absolutely Not!!!
I've been to the Opry and hope to again, and I fully expect to see the artists I grew up listening to on the radio and my parents records. That is what I expect for my entertainment dollar!!!
I support this petition. Mr. Rice's suggestion is absurd. The whole point of the Grand Ol' Opry is to showcase the legendary artists of country music, an opportunity to see the old and the new together. How is that possible without the older artists? I keep waiting to hear that this is a joke because it's the most ignorant comment I've heard in regards to country music.
This man is an idiot!!!! Its the older country singers that make the Opry what it is. Its the older performers that most people go to the Opry to see. I can't imagine going & NOT seeing the great ones up there still singing. Its a sad sad day at the Opry if this does happen.
I support this petition. support this petition. I must say that is the most stupid thing I have ever heard of in my life,the legends are what started it all, its whatyounger people look up to and where they get their insperation from. we should pay more attention tothem not ingornor them or get rid of them. Theyare the history of the Opry and should remain forever young, old, aive or dead. I want to see Loretta George Jones Crsytal Gayle Oak Ridge Boys Jeannie Pruett Mel tillis many many many othersAll of The country Greats on The opry Dont Kill Opry Dont Kill Country Music People please we like to see Everyone in country music on the grand ole opry
I support this petition. I must say that is the most stupid thing I have ever heard of in my life, the legends are what started it all, its what younger people look up to and where they get their insperation from. we should pay more attention to them not ingornor them or get rid of them. They are the history of the Opry and should remain for ever young, old, aive or dead.
I support this petition. We need to be paying more attention to the legends, not trying to get rid of them. If it wasn't for the older artists, there sure wouldn't be some of the newer ones. Just like Hank Jr. said, "It ain't all about Tim and Kenny!"
I support this petition. It is stupid. The younger singers can learn so mcuh from their elders. Wonder what Waylon, Johnny, Willie, George, and Hag would have to say about oldies not putting fannies in the seats where they perform. Tandy, you could make-up for this nutty idea, by helping these younger singers to learn what a country song is.
I support this petition.
Tandy when it come to brains you must have thought they said train and jumped out of the way.Most of the artist of today wouldn't know country if it bit them on the buttocks.I am out there touring and I hear what the fans want to hear at the Opry and it doesn't go along with your so called dynamic artist. These folks want the legends of country. If they want new they can go to any night club in the country.I wished you busy bodies when you got bored would just mow the lawn. Don't think you're distructive. The best thing that could happen is to run Gaylord out of the country, stop marketing sex and those song and dance robots and get back to the good stuff real country music where a song comes from the heart.
Joe Berry
MR. RICE,
IN MEMORY OF THE LATE, GREAT MR. WAYLON JENNINGS. I WISH TO SAY THAT AFTER YOU, FISHER, GAYLORD AND THAT STUPID 'MCN' ARE DONE STEALING EVER DOLLAR YOU CAN BLEED FROM 'THE OLE TIMERS ON THE OPRY' AND RUINGING THEIR CAREERS, THEY SO HARD WORKED FOR. AND YOU GET READY TO FLEE NASHVILLE IN TOTAL IMMORAL DIS-GRACE. "PLEASE TURN OUT THE LIGHTS". I WAS BORN AND RAISED A 'TRADITIONAL' COUNTRY MUSIC FAN AND I DONT APPRECIATE 'OUR GREATS' BEING LOWERATED BY YOUR 'MOTOR MOUTH' COMMENTS ABOUT THEM HAVING TO WHISPER INTO A MICROPHONE.'RIP' YOU HEARTLESS BASTARDS''''''.
C. O'DONNELL, CULLMAN AL.
Tandy Rice, your mind is a small space. Your article a waste of my time. It's the Grand Ole Opry. . people go to hear the sweet sounds of Ms. Connie Smith and Ms. Jan Howard. The voice of Little Jimmy Dickens and his corny jokes. The way Bill soothling sings those ballads of his. The sweet harmony of The Whites, that only on the Opry can you hear. You ask these amazing talents to stop playing the sacred stage and you Rice would be the death of the Grand Ole Opry. These new artist don't play like they should. . Chely Wright's not even a member (saddly) but she plays a hell of a lot more then these new young guns (ie. Dierks Bently) that are members. Rice wash your ears and put a sock in your motuh!
Ok that person who wrote that article is a total ****, ok Tandy Rice... how would you like it if people discriminated against you when you were 65??? how would you like to be put on in the pature and forgot about... these artist have gave us many great years of music and to say they are no longer welcome at the grand ole opry is a bunch of crap.. if you don't like it i suggest you take your listening ears else where... they don't need you dollar, they have plenty of fans who support them!
I support this petition. Tandy rice; you're a fool for even thinking such let alone publically suggesting so! ". . .muffled whisper when they try to sing. . " Hmm, everyone sounded GREAT on Friday night (4/7). .Wash youe ears, Tandy dear.
I support this petition. If it wasn't for the dedication of our great legends, there wouldn't be a Grand Ole Opry for these newcomer. Apparently Mr. Tandy doesn't listen to the new artists. They all refer to the singers that inspired them to sing country and it is usually one of the older and, yes, probably over 65ers. NO MANDATORY RETIREMENT AT AGE 65!!! In fact, let's see more of our legends back on the Grand Ole Opry Live!!!
Nola Reeves
wth this is crazy, why should anyone have to retire from the grand old opry to make room for anyone. it's an honor to be asked to join to me retiring is a slap in the face noone should be forced to preform as a member but noone should be asked to retire either. if that happens i wont be watching the show or supporting the museum any longer.
You make no sense Mr. Rice
You can't have a tree continue to grow tall and strong if you allow the roots to die. Nor can you build a skyscraper if you don't have a strong foundation under it. The same is true with the Grand Ole Opry. You can't shove the veterans out the back door to make way for the "younger and fresher" acts without damaging the whole structure of the Opry.
I support this petition.
Is this how we treat our LEGENDS? What happened to respect and honour? I'm sure those that have passed on will be turning in their graves!! Someone has to take the reins and carry on the "traditional" country sound! PLEASE!
I am only 15 and i like the older country music stars then the newer ones i mean older country stars all there songs comes from the heart and that means alot to me to know that what they are singing about is what hey are living george jones is my favorite country singer and i cant find a song he has made that he didnt live what he sung or it didnt happend to him i would pay all the money i have to see george jones and i wouldnt go to a new country stars concert if somebody gave me the ticket and begged me 2 go. If the opry sits a limit they will lose money and fans and i will be one and i am sure i am not alone and any questions my email is 09JGUNTERMAN@comcast.net and they arent going any where.
Thanks
Justin S. Gunterman
I support this petition.
I think that if someone is so ignorant that they think just because someone turns 65, they no longer have anything to give to the music industry, they must be about as small minded,vile, and as stupid as they come. How old was the legend that we just lost? Mr. Buck Owens? He was 76, and still had plenty to offer, and that is just one example of our country legends. If you (Mr. Rice) feel that you wouldn't get your money's worth by seeing the legends on stage.....keep your money in your pocket. However, it is our right to be able to enjoy them as long as they are on this earth.
I support this petition 100% and think there should be another petition forcing the retirement of Tandy Rice. How DARE you - Tandy Rice - insult the legends who CREATED the Opry and KEEP it grand. God bless Jeanne Pruett but I have to take exception with her statement "to make way for a younger....". There's room for EVERYONE. Unfortunately. Maybe instead of worrying about kicking out those who are 65 and older, more time should be spent trying to keep OUT those who aren't talented enough to stand on the sacred floor of the Opry.
I support this petition.THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NOT IRAQ OR SOME OTHER COUNTRY. WE ARE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE. THE LEGENDS OF THE OPRY HAVE THE SAME RIGHT'S.IF YOU GET AWAY WITH THERE WILL BE NO GRAND OLE OPRY ,AND THERE WILL GO NASHVILLE AS A PLACE TO COME AND VISIT. LIKE WHAT WHAT HAPPENED TO OPRYLAND. "GONE". GOD BLESS" AMERICA" AND GOD BLESS THE GRAND OLE OPRY. "AMEN"
I support this petition whole heartedly. To quote Marty Stuart's song "For God's sake son tip your hat to the teachers"....these people are the REASON we have the Opry. With out the Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Cash, Lorretta Lynn, Connie Smith, Porter, and George Jones' of the world...there would be NO country music. Its time that we the fans and the artists honor these people for opening the doors..for breaking down the walls. Its time that WE took back OUR music.
I support this petition 100%.
It is INSANITY to believe that because someone is 65 years old, they have nothing to offer!! Uh, how old was Loretta when she won her Grammy just last year??? HELLO!!!
And, Oh yeah, Johnny Cash's last album before he passed...ummm, wasn't that CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED!! What a joke this whole idea is......I just CAN NOT believe it!!
