http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/ Tandy Rice recently wrote this column: RANDOM RUMINATIONS by Tandy Rice Past President, CMA President, Top Billing Inc. SO WEVE BEEN BURNED! WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? It was Garth Brooks who recently said, "A wise man often changes his mind. A fool never does!" I don't want to be categorized as a fool, although my feet are often accused of being buried in rock-solid, stubborn concrete when it comes to principles and ideas I hold dear. But I want to devote this month's column to the April's Fool in all of us to challenge one another to re-think a few things. I made the statement last month that Jeanne Pruitt's recent resignation/retirement from The Grand Ole Opry was exciting, challenging, and potentially portended a new day at the Opry if the folks in charge seized the opportunity to enact new ground rules. You see, Pruett's move makes such good sense that it suggests a win/win scenario for both the Opry and a certain segment of its membership. One of the prime reasons she made this dramatic move was to "make way for a younger, more dynamic act." I would like to suggest that the Opry enact an automatic retirement date tied directly to age, say 65. At that age, very few artists have anything "going for him or her" and their ability to be a contributing member of the Opry is substantially reduced. In other words, regardless of their previous accomplishments, they no longer "put fannies in seats" or excite those who are there. Its a hard fact of life to come to terms with if you are an artist. Its just as hard to be on stage and realize that the applause is no longer yours, but rather for someone else who is younger and getting airplay. It seems to me that a cutoff should be in place across the board at that age and a dignifiedfarewell for all should take place. A giant cake and a thank you send-off evening would be good. It might even be fitting to pension these folks as a way of thanking them for their contributions made "during the good years." I hope somebody out there at the Opry is reading this and wheels are starting to turn. As things stand now, an Opry member can stay as long as they can physically make it to the mike, regardless of the muffled whisper that comes out when they try to sing. I expect more for my entertainment dollar than that; and the Opry's Old Guard deserves a more dignified shake or exit plan than is currently before them! How do you feel about the items above? Mail me your thoughts at: PO Box 121089, Nashville, TN 37212. Let's set up a dialogue. I want to know if your passions match mine! ---------------------------------------------- We, the undersigned, disagree with Mr. Rice whole heartedly. The Legends made the Opry what it is and without them, there will be no Opry. How long has it been since some of the younger members have appeared on that stage? The Legends made the Opry and they keep it going. They should be allowed to perform as long as they choose to. The only artist who whispers on the Opry stage is Bill Anderson and we hear him just fine! Maybe Mr. Rice should have his hearing checked. And just who would he suggest to fill the spots left by those retiring artists? He would be left with few younger members and even fewer active ones. NO FORCED RETIREMENT OF OUR COUNTRY MUSIC LEGENDS FROM THE OPRY!!!!!!!!! Sat, 8 Apr 2006 03:1:13 CDT en-us 3 http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig4733639 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig4692093 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I sign this petition with my whole heart because the Opry was never meant to be a place to show off the selling artists. It was meant to be a get together spot for everyone to come and play on Saturday Night. Not only do I sign this petition on behalf of the Legends of Country, I sign it on behalf of the Legendary Ghosts of Opry past who would be ashamed of the way things are run today. Even CMT is now a joke! Mr. Acuff I wish you were here because the Opry's changed a lot in the last 20 years and not for the better. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig4293982 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig4152348 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3984996 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3927762 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST KEEP the LEGENDS. They made the Opry!!!!! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3879309 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3877994 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST The Opry already has a death rattle, don't shut off the oxygen. Without the few legends, country music has been banned from the Opry; although we have a very few young singers who still sing country. Without them there would be no lifeline. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3853538 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST If artists over 65 not can be acepted, there would not be honest country music. As older the violin, as smoother music... Traditional country is the native Americans heritage, prepare, protect even fight with claws and nail to keep it healthy, it really deserves attention.From Country Music DJ Dann Hansen, Denmark http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3851651 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST The http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3830756 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST if this ever happend it would end the opry the reson we go to the opry is to see all the generations from 9-109 then u end the opry and tourism dies in nashville http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3735444 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I agree that Opry Members should remain a member as long as their health permits. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3604332 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST The Opry is hardly worth listening to anymore, if you can even find it on TV. It's all Country Rock. Let's mix in a little entertainment for everyone, after all, we older fans have been supporters for years. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3574330 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I don't see if there are no time, or term limits for our legislatures, why should there be for our beloved. legendary artists... http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3573063 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST this is a sad thing ,very ''unthankful',' folks shouldL boycott yhe opry for this disgrace to the artist http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3536107 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I am absolutely opposed to the forced retirement of grand ole opry members at any arbitrary age!! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3516699 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3484419 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST My first trip to the Opry was in 1973. Nothing but pure country singers. That's the way it should remain. http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3326262 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST i allways wanted to take my wife and family to nasville and be able to sing one or two songs on the stage at the old oprea.......i support your petition! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/oprylegends/#sig3298443 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST This is ridiculous. There is no reason our great legnds should be forced into retirement.