[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21826]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    HONORING THE GRAND OLE OPRY IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE ON THE 75TH 
                        ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 5, 2000

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, today I honor a sacred historic 
institution, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, on the 
occasion of its 75th Anniversary as the longest continuously running 
live radio show in the world. The Opry and its colorful cast of 
characters are known and loved by individuals across the globe.
  As a native Nashvillian, born and reared in Music City USA, I truly 
appreciate the significance of country music and its influence on so 
many people. Country music and its cousins, bluegrass, folk, gospel, 
blues and rockabilly, truly have captured the heart and soul of our 
great nation, offering songs that spring from the fabric of America. 
Country lyrics espouse our history, our faith in God, our love of 
family, and our appreciation for the value of freedom and hard work. 
With these melodies and themes, country music appeals to listeners of 
all ages and from all walks of life.
  To honor and highlight the significance of country music, in 1990, I 
sponsored and passed legislation designating October as Country Music 
Month. Now Country Music Month and Country Music Week are nationally 
recognized events each year, celebrated by millions of individuals.
  The Opry has inspired a country music fan fair phenomenon; been the 
focus of a theme park, hotel complex, television networks, magazines, 
and movies; infused the tourism industry in Tennessee; and given us an 
incredible amount of memorable music. Yet, the Opry's beginnings were 
humble.
  In 1925, the ``solemn old judge'' George D. Hay moved from Chicago's 
WLS Barn Dance to Nashville, where he began broadcasting and hosting 
the show that would later become the Grand Ole Opry. Hay eventually 
would coin the phrase, ``Grand Ole Opry'' about the program, instantly 
giving it a name that would endure forever. With WSM's strong 100,000-
watt clear channel signal, the Opry could be heard for hundreds of 
miles across the United States by thousands of people. As the show 
brought performers of traditional music to the stage, a new genre of 
music was officially born--country music.
  Those early 1920s Opry performers included mainly instrumental 
talents such as banjo player Uncle Dave Macon and harmonica player 
Deford Bailey. In the 1930s and 40s, vocalists such as the ``King of 
Country Music'' Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams, and Bill Monroe 
all took the stage, as did comedienne Minnie Pearl.
  As the years passed, the talent pool grew and the NBC Network picked 
up the show. Such big names as Patsy Cline, Flatt and Scruggs, Hank 
Snow, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Jim Reeves, Red Foley, Marty Robbins, Martha 
Carson, Kitty Wells, Johnny Wright, Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, Dolly 
Parton, Porter Wagoner, Garth Brooks, Pam Tillis, Trisha Yearwood, and 
Alison Krauss all have called the Opry stage home. These artists 
represent just a fraction of the bright and talented performers to 
grace the stage since its inception, whether at the War Memorial 
Auditorium, the Ryman Auditorium, or the Grand Ole Opry House of today.
  My family has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with the Grand Ole Opry 
over the years. In fact my father, Governor Frank Clement, enjoyed 
strong friendships with many Opry members, often enlisting their 
talents for political rallies across the state. In addition, Governor 
Clement traveled to Washington and testified on behalf of country music 
when its lyrics were under fire by Congress in the 1950s.
  Like any sacred institution, the Opry has endured sorrow, grief, and 
loss. It has faced adversity and strain. There have been joyous times 
and laughter. But the Opry has endured throughout each season. In the 
1980s, George Jones touched our hearts as he sang, ``Who's Gonna Fill 
Their Shoes'' about the legacy of country music and its legendary 
artists. Jones singled out performers such as Lefty Frizzell, Merle 
Haggard, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Willie Nelson, and Roy Acuff in 
the tune. He also mentioned the Opry in the song lyrics, inspiring a 
new generation of country artists to carry the torch. I'd particularly 
like to recognize the contributions of Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, and 
WSM announcer Eddie Stubbs for promoting the cause of traditional music 
and educating the next generation about our rich heritage in this new 
millennium.
  Throughout the years the Opry and its cast of performers, announcers, 
advertisers, and musicians have inspired and entertained us each Friday 
and Saturday night. For these valued contributions and cherished 
memories we are forever grateful to the Opry and those who have called 
it ``home.'' We salute the Grand Ole Opry for 75 wonderful years and 
offer our sincerest wishes for continuous success in the years to come.
  Thank you and God bless you.

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