Music City rocks...
There's lots of celebrating going on in Nashville. There's the Titans comeback victory over the Giants on Sunday when Eli Manning suffered another meltdown. Giant fans in New York are hoping that Eli will be going. That victory saved a disappointing season for Music City's home team but there's a bigger reason to celebrate - The Grand Ole Opry turns 81 today...
The longest running live music show debuted on WSM in Nashville on the night of November 28th, 1925 when host George Dewey Hay invited an 83-year old Civil War veteran to play fiddle for an hour and "The WSM Barn Dance" was born. In 1927 "The WSM Barn Dance" was renamed the "Grand Ole Opry". The "Opry" originated in a number of homes in various parts of Nashville before settling in 1943 in a former religious meeting house built in 1892 by riverboat shipping magnate Captain Thomas Ryman...
From 1943 to 1974 the Ryman Auditorium was home to the Opry before moving to new digs where it is currently housed at Opryland, 9 miles from Music City. It's only fitting that the show is back at the Ryman now and through February 24th. Little Jimmy Dickens who at 86 is 5 years older than the Opry will be featured tonight as part of a lineup that will celebrate the 81st anniversary of an American treasure...
This is a special day for Willie Nelson, who made his Opry debut on this date in 1964. This video link will give you Willie's perspective of entering the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993, followed by a clip of the Grand Ole Opry in the 50's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INZbIVo_2zk&search=Martina%20McBride%20Ove ...
Ten Timeline Memories...
- [1582] Young Will Shakespeare having already asked Anne Hathaway, "wouldst thou taketh thine hand in holy matrimony?" and gotten a "yea merrily" walks down the aisle with Anne, as Bard and Bardess tie the poetic knot...
- [1922] Capt. Cyril Turner of the British Royal Air Force gives the 1st public exhibition of skywriting. He spelled out "Eli must go", not really. He spelled out: "Hello USA. Call Vanderbilt 72000000000000oooooooooo....." over Times Square...
- [1942] A devastating and deadly fire destroys the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, taking nearly 500 lives...
- [1948] The 1st Polaroid camera is sold. It's on sale for $49.95 this morning on eBay...
- [1963] President Lyndon Johnson renames Cape Canaveral, Cape Kennedy (the name will be changed back in 1973 by residents of the Cape)...
- [1974] Elton John and John Lennon sing a duet of "I Saw Her Standing There" at John Lennon's last stage appearance (Madison Square Garden)...
- [1981] Alabama's Bear Bryant passes Amos Alonzo Stagg as the winningest coach in college football history with his 315th win as Joe Namath and other ex-Crimson Tiders watch on the sideline (Bryant ends his career with 6 national titles, 15 bowl games and 323 victories when he retires in December of 1982. One month later he dies of a heart attack)...
- [1986] NBC-TV's Ahmad Rashad proposes to Phylicia Allen on live TV during halftime of the Jets-Lions game (Allen accepts but Rashad was ready with a backup plan - Leslie Uggams)...
- [2000] 9 million viewers watch a Madonna concert from London over the Internet...
- [2001] Enron Corporation collapses after would-be rescuer Dynegy Inc. backs out of an $8.4 billion bail out...
"Happy Trails": 1994] 1960's war protester Jerry Rubin dies 2 weeks after being hit by a car. Rubin was 56...1999] Hsing-Hsing (didn't they name a prison after him?) a giant panda and the symbol of U.S.-China detente is euthanized at age 28 because of deteriorating health...
Released on this date: 1970] "My Sweet Lord" - George Harrison and "Your Song" - Elton John...
Gold Standard: 1963] "I Want To Hold Your Hand" - Beatles...
Memorabilia Fire Sale: 1979] Ringo Starr's house burns down in Los Angeles...
"Don't let the door hit you": 1974] Bowie Kuhn suspends George Steinbrenner for 2 years...1990] Margaret Thatcher resigns as Britain's prime minister...
Poetic Justice: 1994] 34-year old serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is murdered in a Wisconsin prison by a fellow inmate. He becomes the blue plate special the following day...
Debuted on this date: 1932] Groucho Marx debuts on the radio...
Cy Young: 1956] Brooklyn pitcher Don Newcombe, winner of 27 games is named the 1st Cy Young winner (mark this down as a great baseball trivia question)...
[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...
Commentary...
A few years back I finally got a chance to see the legendary Ryman Auditorium and I got chills. The interior reminded me of (Rabbi forgive me) a giant church or tabernacle. The seats were still made of wood and if you listened closely you could hear the ghosts of Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Ernest Tubbs, Grandpa Jones, Minnie Pearl and all the other Country greats who have played the famous Ryman. If you ever get the chance to visit Nashville, do yourself a favor and see this shrine to Country music...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Anna Nicole Smith (39), Jon Stewart (44), Judd Nelson (47), S. Epatha Merkerson (54), Paul Shaffer (57), Randy Newman (63), Gary Hart (70) and Berry Gordy Jr. (77)...
Timeline Countdown: 17 days until Chanukah, 27 days until Christmas, 33 days until 2007, 40 days until the NFL playoffs and 68 (WRKO) days until Super Bowl XLI in Miami...
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