Nashville Spotlight: Riders In The Sky

"Mighty fine and a great big Western howdy. Our fearless leader, Local Executive Director Richard Van Syckle, asked me to say a few words about our experience as 38-plus-year members of the Grand Ole Opry, and also about what we have been up to during the pandemic, so here’s the word from Harmony Ranch," said Ranger Doug.

"For one thing, it sure was hard being away from the Opry for nine months. When we finally got back in December, it was such a delight to receive the warmest of welcomes from crew and staff and staff musicians, who seemed to have missed us as much as we missed them.

"The thing that always strikes me about our long tenure — well over 1,000 Opry appearances — is that our induction on June 19, 1982, falls just a little less than halfway between the very beginnings of the show and today, and looking Janus-faced forward and backwards, it is amazing that we shared the stage with the Crook Brothers, who joined in the 1920s, and Rhonda Vincent, who joined last month. Not only do we work with the rising young stars of today, but we have shared stage time, backstage time, jokes and banter with the legends: Ernest Tubb (who formally introduced us on one of his last appearances on the show), Hank Snow, Roy Acuff, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe, Bill Carlisle, and so many more. So many memories, and still making them!

"As far as the pandemic, with income streams cut off in mid-March, we have all been pursuing a lot of different paths. For me, I’ve been working at the YMCA as the world’s oldest lifeguard — heck I’m there every day anyway, why not pick up some bucks while I’m at it? I also worked for the census and at the polls for a while. My main “hobby” project — well, we all have them, don’t we? — is a book I’m just wrapping up, a biography of not forgotten, but rather neglected, country music pioneer Carson J. Robison. I’ve also written about a dozen new Western songs. The second-best news: I haven’t gained weight. The best news: I got married (again) in June. She’s the best.
    
"Meanwhile, Too Slim, the Baron of Little Marrowbone Road, has been extremely active with his grandkids, mentoring them two days a week and being just a really great granddad. He’s been writing too, mostly poetry. He has also been helping Side Meat create programming for Ranger Doug’s Classic Cowboy Corral, the Sirius XM radio program we host on Willie’s Roadhouse, Channel 59, after the Opry on Friday nights, before the Opry on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.

"He and I both came down with the virus, mild symptoms, no lasting effects. Woody, Joey and Jeff have been spared so far.

"And Woody Paul has been doing some writing as well, but his chief focus is being the mother of all mole killers, and wages constant heroic battle against the insidious underground invaders. In addition, he worked on lawnmowers and chainsaws for friends and neighbors until it got too cold. It’s never the expected with our Woody!

"Joey has not been with us since a year ago December, and instead has kept the medical community in Cleveland well employed, enjoying (?) surgeries on his rotator cuff, eyes, teeth, back and hand. Other than that, he is doing great and has two new grandkids. He plans to return to us in March, and we can’t wait! His spot has been filled at the Opry and on what few road dates we’ve had by the incredible Jeff Taylor, whose spirit is as wonderful to experience as his musicianship. The boys and girls at the Opry began calling him 'Fake Joey,' which they quickly shortened to 'Faux Joe.' Thanks, Jeff!

"That about wraps it up. What a great ride it’s been, over 7,500 shows around the world and in every state (yes, that’s about every other day for 43-plus years), two Grammys, a CBS TV show, a seven-year run on public radio, Toy Story II and, of course, membership at the Grand Ole Opry. Let’s take a moment to salute Opry manager Hal Durham, who understood our vision and saw that we brought something unique to the Opry way back, even with no hit records under our belt. And continued thanks to Sally Williams and Dan Rogers, who in recent years have continued to see our vision, our mixture of heartfelt original and classic songs of the West, well seasoned with humor. Someone said it’s the Sons of the Pioneers meet Monty Python. Yeah, kind of like that.

"For the future: Why quit? Road dates will pick up, we are all in fine health — even Joey … now —still love what we do, still creating. Who knows about a new album, but heaven knows we’ve got the material!

"Last year was a rough one, no doubt. My wish would be that all the members at SAG-AFTRA are productive, safe, healthy and happy. Spread your love, amigos. Say something nice, do something nice every chance you can. This country, this world, needs it."

This appeared in the Nashville Local newsletter.