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 Hank Snow-11:00 Opry Segment
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| Author | Topic: Hank Snow-11:00 Opry Segment |
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Butch Foster Member From: Pisgah, Alabama, USA |
posted 30 September 2002 05:34 PM
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There are so many magic moments we got to experience from Opry acts years ago. One of my favorites was Hank Snow on his 2nd show set. Every month or so he would feature 2 numbers that sent chills down the spines of true country music fans. One was "Black Diamond", a true WW!! event turned into a thrilling song by the great writer-singer Stuart Hamblin. As many of you know, it related how a South Pacific native saved the life of a wounded U.S. soldier, even though he lost his own. Hank's vocals, with Kayton's backup was such good music! The other was"Rainbow's End"-what a thought provoking song that would bring a tear to your eye and cause you to appreciate your loved ones and friends. Hank's excellent vocals and breathtaking recitation are some of the best ever done. I don't know if these numbers were released, but the Opry performances could not have been equalled. Do any of you remember hearing these numbers? I would like to know the magic moments from the Opry special to you. |
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Dave Robbins Member From: Nashville, Tnn. USA |
posted 30 September 2002 09:01 PM
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Butch, playing steel guitar behind Jean Shepard on the Grand Ol' Opry for some ten years now, I have "many" special memories, too numerous to take the time to mention here. Some of the memories came from our sharing the dressing room backstage with Hank Snow. As with many of the Opry performers who have gone on, retired, etc, they will greatly be missed. Roy Acuff, Mimmie Pearl, GranPa Jones, etc. They have all been a part of the history and legacy of the Opry that has brought about so many great performances. Yes, I remember the tunes/performances you referred to and also miss Hank's talent for playing guitar as well (not to mention the great Kayton Roberts). One recent memory I will cherish from the Opry was watching a Jack Green performance. He had just finished his up-tempo tune "Hiway To Heaven" and then went into "Statue of A Fool." Watching the close up of his face from the backstage video monitor I witnessed his countenance change from a smile to a look of great hurt as he put his very soul into that song. Just as if he were living that song at that very moment, his eyes saddened as if they were began to well up with tears. I think that those of us standing there watching his performance that night all felt like we could break out bawling at any moment. Man, did he ever sing that song!I don't think I have ever heard Jack do a finer performance of that song than on that very night. He sang with that classic tear in his voice just as if his heart was going to break at any second. Dave [This message was edited by Dave Robbins on 30 September 2002 at 09:05 PM.] |
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Andy Greatrix Member From: Edmonton Alberta |
posted 30 September 2002 11:09 PM
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Two records I will always get goose bumps from, are Hank Snow and Anita Carter Singing "Bluebird Island", and "Down the Trail of Aching Hearts'.Not only did two great singers give a heart-felt performance, but the steel guitar playing was as moving as you could possibly want. [This message was edited by Andy Greatrix on 30 September 2002 at 11:09 PM.] |
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Larry King Member From: Watts, Oklahoma, USA |
posted 01 October 2002 04:00 AM
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I READ WITH GREAT INTEREST DAVES COMMENTS RE; THE SOUL OF JACK GREENS VOICE. IN 1968 I WORKED FOR AND WITH JIMMY AND CAROL SNOW AND WE HAD A SUNDAY MORNING TELEVISION SHOW ON WSM...THE FORMAT WAS TO BOOK GRAND OLE OPRY STARS, HAVE THEM SING A GOSPEL SONG, AND PROVIDE A CHURCH SETTING WHERE OTHER ARTISTS WRITERS, AND MUSICIANS COULD ATTEND. OF THE 56 WEEKS I WAS INVOLVED IN, THE BEST PERFORMED SONG WAS BY JACK GREEN AND IT WAS CALLED " HE IS THE KING OF KINGS ". I'VE NEVER, ANY PLACE ANY TIME, HEARD MORE SOUL.AND WHILE WE'RE ON THAT SUBJECT, MAY I ALSO ADD THAT WHEN DOTTIE WEST GUESTED, SHE TOO DID KING OF KINGS WITH EQUAL EMOTION AND SOUL. WHEN I READ A POST RE: THE OPRY CHANGES I REALIZED THAT THIS IS WHAT WE"LL MISS..ALL THOSE GREAT PEOPLE WHO SANG THEIR HEARTS OUT....CHARLIE LOUVIN'S "WILL YOU VISIT ME ON SUNDAYS"..BRING A TEAR TO A GLASS EYE..AND SPEAKING OF OPRY MEMORIES, MY FAVORITE WAS MARTY WHEN HE "SPOOFED" THE AUDIENCE BY PRETENDING TO GO OVERTIME AT MIDNIGHT WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CUT TO THE MIDNIGHT JAMBOREE.GREAT MEMORIES...SEEMS TO ME THE WRITING WAS BETTER BACK THEN..FOR THE LIFE OF ME I CAN"T IMAGINE SITTING AROUND A CAMPFIRE 30 YEARS FROM NOW SINGING "WATERMELON CRAWL" BUT " COLD COLD HEART"..YEAH I CAN BELIEVE THAT. AND TO DAVE PERSONALLY, WE KNEW EACH OTHER IN CENTRAL CALIF YEARS AGO..GOOD TO SEE YOU STILL ACTIVE |
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Jim Florence Member From: wilburton, Ok. US |
posted 01 October 2002 08:56 AM
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I'm with Andy on this. Those two songs were the best, but the steel in "Moving on" was no slouch either. I was just starting out playing in those days, and that was a great influence on me. On that point, whoever is playing steel on Dwight Yokum's "It only hurts me when I cry" gets awfully close to that sound of Keyton Roberts or whoever played with Hank in those great days. Oh Oh, my age is showing. Jim |
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Bob Shilling Member From: Berkeley, CA, USA |
posted 01 October 2002 11:57 AM
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Hank Snow! I'm a late blooming picker. I got my first 6-string when I was almost 30, living outside of Ft. Collins, Colorado. A "cowboy" who lived nearby (we were all out there 'cause we wanted to be where our horses were) showed me how to play G,C and D chords, and demonstrated with "Moving On." First song I ever learned, and still one of my favorites. ------------------ |
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Chris Forbes Member From: Beltsville, MD, USA |
posted 01 October 2002 12:06 PM
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Jim, I think that might have been Tom Brumley, he showed up on a lot of Dwight's earlier albums. |
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Jim Florence Member From: wilburton, Ok. US |
posted 01 October 2002 02:53 PM
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Chris, I bet you're right. I see him quite often but that idea never struck me. I'll ask next time I see him. Jim |
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Andy Alford Member From: Alabama |
posted 01 October 2002 04:51 PM
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Just think one could go to the opry and hear the stars like Hank Snow.Now we have corock that does have a little steel zip now and then,but its really bad rock with very little country.Wow who would have ever dreamed the story would turn out this way? [This message was edited by Andy Alford on 01 October 2002 at 04:54 PM.] |
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Dave Robbins Member From: Nashville, Tnn. USA |
posted 01 October 2002 11:07 PM
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Larry King? wow, now there's a name I haven't heard in a while! Nice to hear from you, Larry. I worked for a short time with the late Dottie West. And yes, she too new how to get across the point and that's what it takes to be a great singer. Dave [This message was edited by Dave Robbins on 01 October 2002 at 11:08 PM.] |
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Larry King Member From: Watts, Oklahoma, USA |
posted 02 October 2002 04:11 AM
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Thanks Dave, it's been a while. Please say hello to your Uncle Gene..I always enjoyed his fellowship.Back to the subject...Jack Greens other song that he performed on the TV show was a Willie composition entitled " It's Not For Me To Understand"..talk about thought provoking, rip your heart out emotion, there's not a snow balls chance in the hot place that any one of todays "stars" could EVER deliver that much conviction.No wonder we all like the old stuff. |
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Geoff Cole Member From: Marrara N.T. Australia |
posted 06 October 2002 09:49 PM
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Wow, I just have to pinch myself sometimes when I read stories like in this thread. Some fantastic pickers and wonderfull people telling stories like the above is just something else to me. I live in the outback of Australia and being able to access the forum is just the greatest thing. Just one question, do you feel you also are lifted to a greater level in your playing when the vocalist is obviously pouring his/her heart out in a song. I would love to hear from you gentlemen on this subject. Best wishes always Geoff Cole. |
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Jim Florence Member From: wilburton, Ok. US |
posted 07 October 2002 06:00 AM
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Geoff, You bet; once in a long while it happens that the band is really clicking and the vocalist is really into it, I play better, so does everyone else and it's that "Goose Bump" feeling that made you become a musician in the first place. BTW I'm retired military with 3 tours in Vietnam and there is a fact that is largely forgotten. Out of all our Allies , Australia is the only one that sent combat troops. Oh everyone sent medics etc: but not combat troops. Aussies were great comrades in arms. |
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Dave Robbins Member From: Nashville, Tnn. USA |
posted 09 October 2002 05:00 PM
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Geoff, I have found that it is one thing to be out front watching/listening to a performer, but an entirely different thing to actualy be working behind them. Most of the time it is "business as usual" but occasionally you get caught caught up in it. When you do, it can make the hair stand up on the back of your neck! But then it is back to work. Afterall, as a professional musician you still have a job to do and that job is to make the artist you are working for sound the very best you possibly can. Sometimes though, there are those moments when you can really be "blown away" by an exceptional artist doing what has made them the exception in the first place. When that happens, it becomes a memory you never forget! Dave |
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Geoff Cole Member From: Marrara N.T. Australia |
posted 16 October 2002 05:32 PM
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Jim and Dave, thanks for taking the trouble to reply to my question , I appreciate it very much. |
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