An American Institution

The phrase An American Institution is one that we hear all of the time.  People use it to describe famous people, places, and things.  It has evolved, essentially, into being a cliche.  However, there are times when this description is an apt one, and such is the case with the Grand Ole Opry.  The Opry got its start as a country music radio program in 1925 and has evolved today into a internationally known production.  And while there are several shows a week now,  it still is a radio program, recorded each Saturday and transmitted across the world.

Last Tuesday night, we got to experience all of this history and music from behind the scenes.  A good friend of ours, covertly known as the Flounder, is a big time muckity muck who knows people.  The last time we were in Nashville he kindly offered to take us to the Opry, but it would have meant ducking out on a friends rehearsal dinner, which wouldn't have been cool.  So, it had to wait.

The Opry's philosophy is a unique one.  It is a place where country music legends of the past, present, and future get together a couple of times a week and entertain their fans.  On any given performance night, you will see a mix of old tyme country performers in rhinestone shirts and jackets, young "new" country stars, and outlaw country guys in big beards and big hats.  We had a bit of all of that and then some.  We saw the Del McCoury band all dressed up in suits and slicked back hair, picking that mountain bluegrass, James Otto and Chuck Wicks playing some new country, Jimmy C. Newman and Bill Anderson bringing back some zydeco and country standards, and the highlight of it all, the Charlie Daniels band playing like only the Charlie Daniels band can.

Watching it all from backstage was fascinating.  First of all, you are just walking around by the dressing rooms and all the artists are milling around, talking, eating and drinking, and just having a good time.  You can tell, particularly with the more seasoned performers, that backstage at the Opry is kind of like home (in fact, they were having cake in honor of one of the longtime backstage employees who was retiring).  The younger ones, while smiling, are also rocking around on their heels, looking every bit like they are about to walk out onstage at the Opry and not quite sure they believe it.

Two highlights in particular.  

First, meeting Jimmy C. Newman, who is one of the nicest, funniest guys you will ever meet.  He is around 80 years old and still going strong.  He also tells some great jokes.  You see, down in Louisiana where Jimmy is from, they have the cajun version of the Sven and Ole jokes us upper midwesterners are familiar with.  These jokes are called Boudreaux and Thibodeaux jokes and Jimmy, having grown up and lived a great deal of his life in Louisiana, knows how to tell 'em.  I couldn't try to repeat his best one, not only because I can't come close to Jimmy's born and bred Cajun dialect, but also because this is a family show and it is before 9:00PM.  Suffice it to say, it involved duck hunting, water moccasins, and the risks a southern gentlemen takes when he decides to go out in the field.  A classic moment not to be forgotten.

Second, where else in the world do you run into Charlie Daniels in the bathroom (that's Charlie there in the bright yellow shirt and big hat.  The beard and the rest of him are just as big)?  I mean really, what are the odds of that?  Well, actually, backstage at the Opry they are reasonably good, but not anywhere else in the world.  Oh, and you should see Charlie's motor home.  Now that is rolling in style.  Had Francine been there, she would have been green with envy.  But anyway, we had wanted to get our picture taken with Charlie Daniels and were waiting for the right chance.  Then, I nearly run into him in the men's room.  As we shuffle past each other, he says "howya doing?" I say "good thanks" and off he goes to hit the stage.  Not really the time you stop and say "hey Charlie, would you mind standing over there by the urinal so I can get a picture with you and while we're at it, you mind if I run and get my wife?"

Such is life.  After that, Charlie and his band proceeded to go out on stage as the closing act.  First, he hears through the grapevine that their is a young navy seaman who is shipping off to Iraq the next day, so he has the house lights brought up and he recognizes this guy in front of the whole crowd, saying:  Ladies and Gentlemen, that right there is what stands between us and the enemy."  The crowd is on its feet and the family is in tears.  Then, Charlie and the Band bring the house down, including tearing through an absolutely smokin' rendition of The Devil Went Down to Georgia.  The man is a showman.  I have always loved that song and believe you me, it is a sight to see it happen live.

We had a great time in Nashville and would like to extend a big thank you to our good friends who hosted us (Flounder and his lovely wife and son).  Even though they are Minnesotans by birth, they showed us tremendous southern hospitality and Maggie was thrilled to have time to play with a friend.  

We will close things out with a few pictures from the Opry.  None are very good, as it is hard to take pictures in the dark, backstage.  But, it is a bit like second grade show and tell, you have to show the bad, blurry, grainy pictures, just so you can prove to your friends you were there.

(Those church pews backstage are from the Ryman Auditorium, the original Opry home, which started its life as a church).