That Took Way Too Long; Sadly, Cancel Time Again

So many things to say about the week’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. Great group. All belong on the rotunda wall. A thrill to have been in the studio or in some way worked with them over the last 40 years. But first, COVID.

Garth Brooks pulled the plug on five stadium tour dates this week, and what will the next shoe be to fall?

Garth said, “In July, I sincerely thought the pandemic was falling behind us. Now, watching this new wave, I realize we are still in the fight and I must do my part. I have asked the wonderful cities of Cincinnati and Charlotte to wait too long, and I don’t want to now do that same thing to the great folks in Boston and Baltimore. As far as Nashville, we are looking for a make up date from the July rain out, and though this is not COVID related, to make them wait makes me sad as well. So, it is with a heavy heart we announce the decision to cancel all five shows, but with a hopeful heart, we will reschedule and start over when this wave seems to be behind us.” The five concert locations being canceled are Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, scheduled for September 18th, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, scheduled for September 25th, M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, scheduled for October 2nd, and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on October 9th. A rescheduled date for the Nashville show had not yet been announced.

Now to the Hall of Fame choices.

The Ray Charles pick should have been done 30 years ago at least. The Ken Burns “Country Music” documentary showed again what a glaring omission that was. Ray’s songs were on redneck jukeboxes in the ’60s next to the original ET, including “Crying Time,” “Busted,” “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” “Georgia” and “Can’t Stop Loving You.” It may have been the Hall’s greatest and longest oversight/snub. Better late than never.

Now someone please explain to me why John Denver is ignored year after year. You finally put in Ronnie Milsap, The Oaks, Charlie Daniels, and finally got in Jerry Reed and Kenny Rogers. Now, how about 1975 Entertainer of the Year Denver? His music today is more Country than 90% of the music on the radio. “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Really? Like Ray Charles, he introduced a form of Country music to a bigger audience. “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Really? What is wrong with this esteemed secret agent Hall of Fame voting panel on this issue?

How about Jerry Lee Lewis, one of the fathers of Rock ’n’ Roll? After all, Elvis Presley is in the Hall.

And of course, there’s the missing bad boys, like Charlie Rich, Entertainer of the Year in 1974. OK, he was a jerk when he burned up John Denver’s EOY-winning envelope. But judge the man on his work! “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Most Beautiful Girl” are two of the greatest songs in Country music history. He’s been dead 25 years. Who is alive that even was around that night? Enough silly stuff.

How about Johnny Paycheck, David Allan Coe, more bad guys, or Johnny Horton. All are important artists.

Furthermore, (I’m on a roll), how about the musicians? Very few pickers and players in a picker and player town are in the Hall of Fame. Grady Martin, great. Floyd Cramer, great. But new inductee Pete Drake, like Ray Charles, comes way too late. But again, better late than never.

How about Terry McMillian? Larrie Londin should have been the first drummer inducted. He was the top studio drummer for years and, short of Hal Blaine, Larrie is still one of the most listened to drummers in the world, from Motown to Shania Twain to The Everlys, and he was the drummer on “Jolene.” Larrie is gone but not forgotten!

Lots of make goods the last few years, and still more to come. Are the Chicks going in someday, and Charlie Rich won’t? Judge people by their work, not their politics or sobriety.

Keep an eye on those downtown bars and “transpotainment” rides. There was a homicide investigation this week at one of the clubs, and then there was that guy that was run over after he fell off the bus. What happened to him?

COVID world won’t go away. Not writing this week about the Country music political divide between the mask and anti maskers, the government shot againsters and the “get the shot” bunch. It’s not pretty.

Hail, Hail Charlie Daniels! August 18th was Charlie Daniels Day in Tennessee as proclaimed by the Governor. We all miss him every day. So glad he got to see his plaque on the Hall of Fame wall.