I support this petition. I don't even watch the Grand Ole Opry as much as often as I used to because the older stars aren't on the T V portion. I flip back and forth and if I see someone I like I watch, otherwise I watch something else. I miss seeing Jeanne Pruitt, Jeanne Seely, Jan Howard, Porter Wagoner, Bill Anderson and the other older stars. They made country music work for me and my family. I like some of the younger stars like Marty Stuart and his wife Connie Smith and other of the younger ones but I would rather watch and listen to the legends. Talk to Marty Stuart about this Tandy Rice article and I guarantee he will agree with us.
Thanks,
Brenda
I support this petition. As President of the National Traditional Country Music Assn., I represent it's 3,500 members. In existence since 1976, I speak for all of our members in supporting the petition that has been brought to my attention. It isn't a fool that recognizes good talent, and it certainly isn't a fool that would recognize Garth Brooks as anti-country. The fools in this scenario are the people who feel Grand Ole Opry legends have nothing to offer their faithful fans, many many more fans than the new artists portend and pretend to have. We are a 501(c)3 non profit corporation devoted to the incredible musical genre we call 'country.' All of the root forms of it, and all of those that made significant contributions to it's popularity and it's endurance. We created "America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame," 30 years ago, and are happy to report that we inducted Jack Greene, Tommy Cash, Margo Smith, Ernie Ashworth, Claude Gray, Marvin Rainwater, George Hamilton IV, Don Edwards, and Freddie Hart just last year. When we received Freddie Hart's gold record for "Easy Lovin" to place beside his photo in the Pioneer Music Museum, it would be very difficult for anyone, especially Tandy Rice, to continue this biligerent and outrageous bias and discrimination against some of the most valued and talented artists to ever walk across the stage of the Grand Ole Opry,and to understand even a little about where we are coming from. To insult them so slanderously and so nonchalantly would indicate to any thinking person how incredibly 'low' is the opinion of these same people. The Grand Ole Opry is trying diligently to increase their listenership and their viewers, and their customers, but they are failing. There is no performer able to take the place of the stars and heros that made the Grand Ole Opry what it is. They would do better to come
I support this petition.
I can't believe anyone that has been a CMA president (past or present) could be so ignorant of the love fans have for our older performers! Some definitely do fill seats and others fill our hearts and make the Opry warm in between the newer artists performances.
I support this petition. As a society we are all to quick to ship off our senior citizens that paved the way for the next generation. As a performer, it would be more of an honour for me to share the stage with George Jones, Merle Haggard, etc, then the new acts of today. Not that they are not worthy in their own right, but let's honour and support the founders of this great style of music for as long as good Lord will allow.
Rob MacArthur
The Too Drunk to Fish Band
How DARE someone say that older Opry stars should have a specific age to which they retire. I am 23 years old and my favorite artists range from Loretta Lynn to Ray Price. I get excited when I hear they have new material and - let's face it - the Opry is the only place I can hear it because you sure as hell won't hear it on country radio.
I say let's praise and honor our elder country music artists because, without them, Mr. Tandy wouldn't have a job.
I could say some curse words and rant and rave right now, but I will merely say it's time to check in the assylum, Mr. Tandy. :)
I whole heartedly support this petition. They may give these great performers seniors cards but to tell them they can no longer contribute to the profession they gave their heart and soul too??? Come on!!! It is a select few that elevate themselves to this status as they deserve to be. Put yourself in their shoes and pretend just for once what it would be like to have done this much in your life and have someone tell you your "too old" to continue. Try again some other time Mr. Rice you'll get the same reaction.
www.mustangband.homestead .com
I support this petition. If ever I get the chance to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage it would be the most gracious complement that an artist could ever receive. It would be greater than any award. It is the history and developement of country music, and is also something that every country music artist has probably dreamed of doing at least once in his/hey career. It is not like the legends of country music being forced to play there they do it because it is a huge part of there legacy and to retire from something like that is like telling them that are finished. The Grand Ole Opry, four words that say it all Grand ole opry, Grand ole country superstars. They are the show. The new guys/gals get radio, video, world tours, movies, leave the legacy in the hands of those who made it.
I support this petition because I have been in music business all my life, we all worked hard for our fans, now it's a thing about respect for our fans and respect from us to our fans as we go to pasture with our pride of a good job well done.
I support this petition. I have and always will love the Opry. Prehaps, they need to replace the managers of the Opry instead of the older stars. Replace them with someone who will appreciate our Country music history.
I think it is really special for Country Music to have one f***ing venue, where the older legends and builders of our genre are in view. Past their prime?, many are,many are not, but they are a walking, breathing link to country music's history....and I for one treasure having one place I can still see them. I have heard some of the younger artists say they have considered it an honor to get to meet and perform with them at the Opry.
I support this petition. Are they trying to kill what's left of Nashville? I guess they forget that the heritage and tradition of the Opry is what gave them a job in the first place.
I support this petition. I AGREE WITH THIS PETITION 100%. NO OPRY LEGEND SHOULD BE FORCED TO RETIRE NO MATTER WHAT THEIR AGE IS. THEY ARE THE ROOTS OF COUNTRY MUSIC.
I support this petition. If it weren't for the older members of the Opry like Jimmy, Bill & Porter, the likes of Dierks, Brad etc wouldn't be getting the exposure they are.
I support this petition. It's absolutely foolish to assume once someone hits the ripe age of 65 they have nothing to offer. Has the gentleman who wrote this article never sat his grandparents down and had them tell stories of past times? My point is, "old folks" have so much to offer in terms of stories, advice, etc. that is't simply arbitrary to force someone to retire simply because of their age. These "old folks" serve as mentors to the young aspiring singers who want to know exactly how to break into the music world. They need this kind of stable, honest knowledge to keep them going, and to force them out of the limelight is just ridiculous. Let's use some common sense here.
I support this petition.
The mere suggestion that there should be a forced retirement age stinks of Logan's Run. As long as anyone is able to be on stage and put on a show people want to see, they should have every right to perform and the backing of the powers that be.
This spits in the face of those who have loved the opry and have followed it for years. It is biting the hand that feeds you in the worst way: The one hand that has been bringing fans for years, and the fans who bring you your money.
The only thing that could possibly redeem you, Mr. Rice, is if this turns out to be a perverse April Fool's joke. Be it in as poor taste as it is, it would be a forgivable offense.
I support this petition wholeheartedly. Mr. Rice's proposed idea has no merit and no purpose. I support the Opry and those who have continued to keep it alive and strong.
Kill it with fire!
Rise up and throw off the shackles of oppression!
So on and so forth!
On a more serious note, this is a pretty bad idea. Whilst it is reasonable to want to keep entertaining names on the stage, since when has an age so arbitrary as 65 been a reasonable cutoff point? Since when did all artists suddenly lose their appeal at 65?
Furthermore, are these stars who are 'past their prime' (according to Mr. Rice) really hogging so much time so as not to allow new talent to grace the stage?
I can appreciate Mr. Rice's desire to do what's 'best' for the Opry and make room for new talent, but is it really crowded enough to justify telling so many people to shove off because they're no longer capable of contributing to society or being interesting, especially considering that they very well may?
It seems that the lad has his heart in the right place, believes that new talent is a good thing, and would like to find a way to support new talent, but he doesn't seem to have thought this through very well. There are better ways to bring in new talent than to kick out the legends. Let them retire when they choose to based on their capabilities to perform and adapt, as well as the presence or lack of appeal. Don't point them all, whether active or not, to the door once they hit a fairly arbitrary age.
I support this petition. What an outright hairbrained idea. I don't listen to country radio, or watch videos on cmt, gac anymore because of the current trash. Have dish and their cd and satellite channels for real country music. It also makes it bad for the few good artists that do come out now days.
I support this petition. I shudder to think of the wonderful COUNTRY music that would be missed if a retirement age was mandatory. Perhaps, Mr. Rice needs to be reminded of what the LEGENDS of country music really are. They can actually sing, with or without music behind them. Have you heard Jack Greene lately? He can belt out 'Statue of a Fool' better than anyone ever dreamed. Charley Pride sounds as good now as he did ** years ago. And, legends know how to dress. If you've seen Bill
Anderson, Porter Wagoner or some of the other legends, please notice they are dressed sharp and don't look as if they stopped by the local dumpster before their shows. Some of the so-called country singers today look as if they could use a good dose of shampoo and lye soap. Above all, the legends of country music are ENTERTAINERS; they put on show that leave you with that warm feeling of goodness inside. I would hate to think that Willie Nelson didn't have anything "going for him." Gee, and I would have missed Bill Carlyle perform in his 90's. This idea is an absolute disgrace and I, for one, am thoroughly offended by it. We should celebrate these wonderful performers who are pillars of country music and the Opry. If we take away the pillars, the whole house might fall in.
Tandy Rice been hearing you blow your big horn for years. From your top billing talent agency, to you TV and Radio show which dumped your big mouth off the air... You put your foot in your mouth big time with your idea of Opry retirement at 65... Havent you noticed that the Opry management in a decent way cuts these older artists time and number of shows back to make room for the middle age and younger artists. Your idea and comment is a big slap in the face to these older artists and the rest of us in Country Music...
Please repent and apologize so we can see you do have some character...
I have great respect for the Opry legends. I feel those of us who are involved in this genre owe a debt of gratitude to those who laid the foundation for this industry.
I support this petition.
Ignoring the history of country music and disrespecting it's roots is the first step in destroying this genre. The idea of retirement from the Opry is absurd. What on earth does this guy think the Opry stands for? It's not about selling tickets, it's about keeping history and ALL of our roots alive.
To me, no one should have to retire from the Opry unless they bring disgrace to it and in my opinion, being a certain age is not a way to bring disgrace to it. Why is a person's age such a big deal?
I support this petition.
Get rid of the legends??? Is this guy for real? or did he just pop in from mars for a quick look..see? Holy give your head a shake Mr. Rice!!! Did you actually read what you wrote, or were you on your second bottle of Jack maybe? Lord save us from your opinion... how utterly ridiculous to even suggest such a thing. Respectfully ~ Sara Turner
I think this is the biggest bull crap I have ever heard. The older country singers are the ones who founded country music and what was played then is alot better than the crap played today. In fact it isnt country today its lost all of its sound, it more pop and rock today and thats not Country Music at all. They have spent their lives entertaining, and paying their dues. And I would rather spend 100 dollars to see Loretta Lynn or some of our other great artist then I would what is on the market today. And another thing without all those Great artist there would be no Grand Ole Opry.
I support this petition.
If Tandy Rice thinks one's ability is over at age 65 he hasn't heard Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard or any number of other legends work recently.
We need to get people like Tandy Rice to retire. He's over 65, out of touch, he can't relate to the younger singers who make up country music. Tandy, go away. The business doesn't need you anymore. I wonder how Tandy would feel about this if Jerry Clower were still alive? Ol' Jerry, an older person, put a lot of money in Tandys hip pocket.
LEAVE THE OPRY LEGENDS ALONE!!!! Go after people like Tandy Rice. They are the problem country music has.
Dugg Collins -- AN OLD RADIO GUY.
I support this petition.
This is an issue that we really should never have to speak about, where is your respect Tandy!
You say you've been misunderstood? How? you seem to be extremely clear about your feelings in your editorial, You really should be ashamed of yourself!
I support this petition.
It seems that after Tandy Rice filled his gut and pockets with the money made from booking and managing these older Opry stars, he now wants to stab them and country music in the back! Isn't he a grateful human being? (Perhaps Human being is not the correct term) Tandy Rice should be booted out of the CMA and Nashville!
Let me tell you one more thing. Tandy, not ONE of these new stars will ever attain the longevity or the fan closeness of the Opry seniors! It's alread happening! You're a fool Tandy Rice! (There are also other words, but I'm a kind person) Ryan MacNeal
This is absolutely disrespectful to those who have contributed so much to the very fabric and texture of our lives through music. It's a disgrace. We, as Americans should never even consider discarding valued entertainers from a venue that they helped maintain as a viable institution of what is an exclusively American artform.
I support this petition.
We hardly watch the Opry anymore because of the young artists who don't sing country and don't look country. We want more of the legends, not less.
I support this petition.
Tandy Rice is a disgrace to country music affiliates.
If I had the money I would gladly go to the Grand Ole Opry just to see Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson, George Jones, Porter Wagoner, and many other people that are older than 65. Most of the younger generation that perform on the Opry do not hold my interest. The country greats If I remember correctly, they tried to implement something like this: the requirements to make a certain number appearances a month to stay on the Opry. Hardly any one could do it and the Opry almost fell to its diminish. They took away the ban and the Opry is alive and flourishing today. You'd have to be an idiot to make a requirement like that.
I found this to be an absolute outrage. The likes of Little Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson and Porter Wagoner are the heart and soul of the Opry.
Also, I'd hardly say writing the 2005 CMA song of the year means you have 'nothing going for you'.
Take those guys out and who would host the Opry every week? The current stars are too busy to go to the Opry every week.
Some day, the likes of Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and Garth Brooks should be the ones taking the roles of these legends, or as George Jones would sing, 'filling their shoes'. Thats how things work.
I support this petition.
Who do we kick out of the business next? Do realize that the Stones were the highest grossing act last year for concerts...are they too old too?
Crazy and stupid.
I support this petition.
Who is Tandy Rice?
How old is Tandy Rice?
Who is he to dictate to others , the way the Opry should be run?
Who does he think he is?
The oprey is the greatest example of the real traditional country music-not the boring rockin' country music of today, singing about Love-Love-Love.
Shame on you Mr Rice, for even bringing the subject up.
Bury yourself in the sand forever
I support this petition.Much of today's country is not even country music but pop and rock. I don't listen to it at all only to real country music like the legends and those who have passed on like Marty, Johnny, Faron, Ernest, Webb,Patsy and Roy. Long live the Legends of County Music, Real Country Music.
