Escott details those stories and many, many more and includes plentiful photos of key events and performances. But the main theme of the book is how many who hold the most reverence for country music history also became great.
Want proof? Look at Brad Paisley, who has always held long-time country stars in the highest esteem and took Little Jimmy Dickens on tour with him recently.
“It hurts me to see country artists who think they don’t need the Grand Ole Opry,” writes Vince Gill in the Foreward. “On one level, I get it. Things are different today than they were sixty years ago. But the Opry can and will stay relevant because enough people have reverence for it and care about its future as much as its past.”
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Article comments
1 - GL Hauptfleisch
Nice review--good use of quotes.
2 - Maurice Colgan
Elvis Presley was far too modern for the Grand Ol' Opry back then. He was a culture shock to the audience!
I'm sure they would have learnt to love his beautiful and versatile voice, given a little more time.
I heard some fine singers at the new Grand Ol' Opry back in 1999.
3 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!