An article was recently written by Tandy Rice, past president of the Country Music Association, encouraging the Grand Ole Opry to require members to retire from the Opry stage at age 65. This is, without a doubt, the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. First of all, a good deal of the members who currently perform at the Grand Ole Opry week after week are older than 65. They are the reason why people come. They want to hear traditional country and bluegrass music performed by the artists they grew up listening to. The article, by the way, was published online by Music City News. Here's the article:

< 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!>>

A petition has been started to ensure the rantings of a former Country Music Association president will not be put into action. You can find it at www.petitionspot.com/petitio...ylegends . There are already 115 signatures, and I know there will be more. I am posting the link to the petition on my website (www.elizacountry.com) and I hope you will share it with your friends so they can support the petition by signing as well. As some of you may know, I started a petition back in 2000 to keep WSM from turning into a sports station which generated over 9,000 signatures, including the signatures of well-known singers. I did not start this petition, but I support it wholeheartedly and hope you will do the same.

Elizabeth