We love all kinds of music here at the Jersey City Desk. Johnny is pals with all the stars from all the genres. He never met Hank Williams, that would have more than likely been impossible, but tonight we take you all the way back to 1947, yep 1947 for Hank Williams' first country hit that reached #4 on the country charts, 'Move it on Over'. Love the old WSM microphone in front of him, the standard microphone of the Grand Old Opry. If you are ever in Nashville, you HAVE to go on a tour of the Ryman Auditorium. Johnny would argue NO venue in America has seen more music stars (not just country as you'll learn) and has more great stories to tell. The Ryman is America's concert venue. It's acoustically perfect for starters, and the pressure to play on THAT stage is overwhelming as it's a cathedral to music. From Tallulah Bankhead, Ethel Barrymore, Mary Pickford, and W.C. Fields, to Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Minnie Pearl, and Roy Acuff, to Feist, Smashing Pumpkins, REM, Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi. Everyone has played the Ryman.
There is a sign that hangs on the door to the alley outside the Ryman, down stage right that reads:
"Hank stepped outside to smoke, you will too"
Johnny won't hip you to this factoid, you're gonna have to go on the tour but there was no air conditioning in the Ryman back when, it was HOT in there on summer nights. Women would use fans and programs to fan themselves and this bothered Hank Williams. Why? You'll have to go see for yourself...
I got a short tour of the Ryman about a year ago and my only regret is that I did not have enough time to see more and I didn't get to hear any music. But I am going back for sure.
ReplyDeleteMay I also heartily recommend the Country Music Hall of Fame - a fantastic venue chock-a-block with facts and music booths and clothing and cars and gee-tars. VERY VERY cool.
Agreed, I was at the Country Music Hall of Fame too and that was a great place to visit. Don't forget to rub Kitty Wells' nose for luck! IN the hall with the plaques, her nose is shinier than the others. People say you rub it for luck...
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the Kitty Wells nose thing but when I was there they had a special KW exhibit - she was quite ahead of her time.
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