Gary Hayes Country

You know I’ll say this about the Opry itself…I LOVE the Opry, and I love and admire what it has stood for in it’s 92 years of existence. 92 years folks, just sit and dwell upon that for a spell and wonder where will the ever dreaded ‘evolution” of (what the mainstream calls) Country Music will force it to go?

I’ll also say this..I dislike the Opry management it takes a LOT for Ol’ Gary to hate anybody, and for the last few years it has been doing nothing but inducting pop country artists and bands. Now honestly you may or may not like me after reading this article but I’m happy with their decision to induct Crystal Gayle as their newest member. Do I think she is 100% Traditional Country? No. Most of her material was pop country for it’s time, however it wasn’t as hokey as it is now and to be honest back then it wasn’t downright disrespectful and spiteful as it is today. I regard her 1977 album “We Must Believe In Magic” to be one of my favorite albums of all time, just my opinion and much like Kenny Rogers she sang pop country while acknowledging the roots of the whole genre.

Hell, even Marty Robbins went pop country for quite some time recording songs like “White Sport coat And Pink Carnation”, yeah it was pop and yeah it was good stuff. I also thought for a producer standpoint Allen Reynolds was never really recognized to the extent he should have been for producing some of her finest work, however she was also produced by Jimmy Bowen and engineered by Garth Fundis who produced Don Williams. Some of the recordings that she released before 1977 were indeed REALLY GOOD Country Music and from 1970-1977 she only had mediocre success until she released “Brown Eyes Blue” which drew a whole new audience. But the reason I admire the album so greatly is in fact it became the first female album in Country Music to ever go platinum, aside from Wanted the Outlaws which included Jessi Colter, which went platinum as the first ever Country album.

On January 21st Crystal Gayle will become the newest member of the Opry since 2014 when pop country trio Little Big Town was invited to join, and at 65 she is for sure one of the older to be invited to join as of late. Mind you I wholeheartedly believe that she is well deserving of this recognition and being the youngest sibling of Country Music Legend Loretta Lynn I think they are the first siblings to ever be inducted on two separate occasions (If I’m wrong please do not be afraid to correct me).

I think from deep within my nutball Country Music cranium that this signifies a substantial rise in older Country Music and lately that hunger for REAL Country Music is being drawn out, Hell this past week it took me 2 days to find tickets for Cody Jinks. Chris Stapleton is almost a surefire sell out as is Sturgill Simpson, and the list goes on and on! In fact I do recall Cody Jinks covering her songs….VERY WELL I might add!

The final stop in my eventful evening to the downtown Nashville to witness this timeless spectacle of the Midnite Jamboree where Country Music Legend Stonewall Jackson was honored for his 84th birthday Saturday night, and even though I was just a little late I was not going to miss this because I promise you it will NEVER happen again. For Stonewall I would travel long distances to see because he is a friend and a hero.

Time has faltered his body of course in that he walks a little slower than he used to and he cannot stand center stage and play guitar any longer however time has not faded his voice and much like Willie Nelson he is absolutely astounding for his age. He had me in tears as he still displayed his twangy voice for the song “Don’t Be Angry” with his signature “curl” of certain words that differentiates him from other artists of his ilk.

Stonewall Jackson was one of the only Opry stars to ever become signed to a record deal by simply playing and singing his songs within the offices of music row. He drove a logging truck to Nashville in 1956 and also was the first member of the Grand Old Opry to ever join without a record contract.

That cake up above you there weighed in at 300 pounds and everybody was welcome to have some in the reception area where Stonewall Jackson signed autographs and took pictures with people after the show. One of the many stories told by Stonewall tonight was the story of how George Jones came about receiving credit for “Life To Go” which I had always thought Jones wrote the entire song however he only wrote the third verse to it having picked it up on a motel table and taking the liberty to write it.

“Washed my Hands In Muddy Water” and of course “Waterloo” were his other two songs (this set list was out of order), but this part of history will never ever be repeated and I promise you no other websites were there! I almost wasn’t myself but I got to THANK stonewall for being a part of my youth and for raising me to be THIS.

I continued on with my excursion into downtown Nashville yesterday with a short ride to the 28th Avenue Belcourt area to see Sissy Brown as she rolled through Tennessee and played three shows here. I had to work this week so I only got the opportunity to catch her last show yesterday at Belcourt Taps.

I haven’t been to the Belcourt area for some time now so it was indeed nice to return to the area, honestly I’m not fond of their parking situations at this venue but once I finally found a spot I was good to go. It’s a great place to go enjoy songwriters and if the writers that penned the pop country hits are your cup of tea then this venue is your pot for sure.

Sissy Brown is a Texas based singer songwriter that I have never covered on this website because every time she’s in town I’m either busy or cannot get out of the house. Well, this time I finally nailed down some commitment to her set tonight. I got to spend a little time with her this weekend as well and that was truly fun.

“Long Dark Road Out Of Nashville” was one of her opening songs tonight in a pretty responsive setting although I never was ecstatic about their menu I do enjoy the ambiance in this venue. “When Will The Sun Shine On You” was next as she showcased a really wonderful vocal range here, she carries the high notes with diligence and grace. Very nice structure of her vocal range and she flows into ballads really well.

“I Think Of You” and “My Man” are two great songs she played before she went into a Waylon Jennings cover that you really don’t hear many people play which was quite enjoyable. a few of the songs I listened to of hers on Youtube like “Last Resort First Regret” and “Birds” were included in tonight’s set. And the song “Last Call For The Blues” was one of the closing songs of her set last night.

Now mind you folks this was in October that this transpired and I have been battling some personal issues so I have to play a little catch-up with some news articles on here. It was announced recently that Country Legend Janie Fricke has digitally re-released four of her classic albums from her tenure with Sony Music and for the first time ever the albums The First Word In Memory, The Very Best of Janie Fricke, Black & White and Saddle in the Wind will be available to fans on Spotify and Apple Music, among others.

You know I have always enjoyed the overlooked female Country stars of the 1980’s like her and Holly Dunn and Highway 101, and more. Back when TNN first came out there were SO MANY damn fine ladies singing regular Country and some pop Country that was equally stellar in quality. She’s not a name you hear very often and back then it still wasn’t mentioned very much and I never quite understood WHY, she was and still is wonderful.

This from her press release:
The collection includes many of the 18-time chart-topper’s biggest hits, including “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy,” “Tell Me a Lie,” “She’s Single Again” and more (see full track listings below). Beginning her career as one of the most sought after background vocalists in the genre, the platinum-selling singer would go on to become a trendsetter in country music in the 80s, creating a legacy that continues to live on. Fans of all ages can relive the reign of the country music legend on their phones, tablets, computers and everywhere in between!
The First Word In Memory Track Listing (1984)
Talkin’ Tough
The First Word In Memory Is Me
One Way Ticket
First Time Out Of The Rain
A Love Like Yours
Your Hearts Not In It
In Between Heartaches
Another Man Like That
Without Each Other
Take It From The Top

The Very Best Of Janie Track Listing (1985)
It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy
He’s A Heartache (Looking For A Place To Happen)
You Dont Know Love
Let’s Stop Talkin’ About It
The First Word In Memory Is Me
Tell Me A Lie
She’s Single Again
Your Heart’s Not In It
If The Fall Dont Get You
Ridin’ High (w/ Merle Haggard)

Black & White Track Listing (1986)
Till I Can’t Take It Anymore
He’s Breathing Down My Neck
Take Me Like A Vacation
Nothing Left To Say
Comin’ Apart At The Seams
Always Have Always Will
Don’t Put It Past My Heart
When A Woman Cries
He’s Making A Long Story Short
I’d Take You Back Again

Saddle In The Wind Track Listing (1988)
Till I Can’t Take It Anymore
He’s Breathing Down My Neck
Take Me Like A Vacation
Nothing Left To Say
Comin’ Apart At The Seams
Always Have Always Will

Folks I have been promising to bring forth lots more of the Texas and Oklahoma Music Scene to you in the forthcoming year and these four pickers are NO exception when it comes to Texas music. Sunny Sweeney doesn’t get around Nashville for many shows except Americana Fest in the local circuit but I WILL TELL YOU something she DOES DO that earned my respect.

This young lady plays the Opry more times than MANY of the current “members” and as of late I use that term loosely as many of them only USE the Opry. It’s supposed to BE a HOME where people like me can go see my favorite stars often after “their time in the mainstream” has passed. I won’t name names but some of them should be ashamed of themselves, and in this respect I STRONGLY encourage EACH OF YOU to begin vocally and financially supporting making Sunny Sweeney an Opry member. Because I thoroughly insist she deserves it in many aspects.

She is embarking on a tour of local venues with three fellow lady pickers Courtney Patton Brennen Leigh and Jamie Lin Wilson make up the Hard Candy Christmas Tour which is coming to local cities across the middle states. As of now to my knowledge there are twelve dates on the tour and I’ll be watching it to make sure I add any dates that get added by them.

Sunny’s album Provoked made my TOP 50 upon it’s release that year and was her most personal album she ever released to date as she was dealing with many personal issues in her own life and that’s usually when an artist hits us with their BEST work, so I strongly urge you to go out and support this truly awesome tour when they hit YOUR AREA!

Dec 6  Main Street Crossing  Tomball Texas

Dec 7 Sam’s Burger Joint San Antonio Texas

Dec 9 Saxon Pub Austin Texas

Dec 10 Blackbird On Pearl Tulsa Oklahoma

Dec 12 Outland Ballroom Springfield Missouri

Dec 13 Off Broadway Saint Louis Missouri

Dec 14 Joe’s Bar Chicago Illinois

Dec 15 Hook and Ladder Theater Minneapolis Minnesota

Dec 16 Buck’s Bar Waterloo Nebraska

Dec 17 Knuckleheads Saloon Kansas City Missouri

Dec 18 Blue Door Oklahoma City Oklahoma