Just some thoughts:
The first time my family and I moved to Tennessee was in 1976. We lived there three years before moving to New Jersey. The father of the real estate lady we worked with was a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Her father was Kirk McGee and he and his brother, Sam McGee, were famous pickers from the late 1930’s. By the late 70s’ Sam had passed and Mr. Kirk’s health was failing to the extent that his daughter (the estate lady) did not like him driving at night. The many nights he played the Opry I was asked and had the good fortune of being his driver. I loved every minute of it. Most nights I would spend a great deal of the time just sitting in Roy Acuff’s dressing room, visiting and watching. It was like Grand Central Station and a choice place to be. I never will forget the night Gene Autry walked into the dressing room, which is a story for another time.
During that time I belonged to a tape club that primarily taped to disabled folks. You taped and shared music, talked “letters, etc. For years I had done such with a blind man named Bill in West Plains, MO. Bill loved country music and he loved the Opry, but had never been. One fall my wife and I invited Bill to come to Nashville for a week-end. He was welcome to stay at our house and we would be responsible for getting him about; so Bill and his friend rode a Greyhound bus from their home in West Plains, MO to Nashville. On the Saturday evening of his stay I had made arrangements with some of my connections to get Bill, his friend he brought with him and me to sit on the stage of the Opry. They were like kids in a candy shop. While sitting on stage with them I told them I needed to go backstage and I would return shortly. I went to Acuff’s dressing room and told him of the two blind fans of his, and how they had made their way on a bus to Nashville to visit the Opry. I asked Mr. Acuff, “May I bring them by your dressing room for a very quick hello?” I will never forget Acuff’s reaction. His answer was “No, no don’t move them, let me get on your arm as I don’t see too well in these dark hallways, and you take me to meet them where they are sitting.” There is no way to describe Bill’s and his friend’s reactions and emotions when I said, “Fellas, there’s a gentleman here who wants to say hello and express his appreciation for the trouble you have taken to be here tonight.” They were practically speechless when meeting Mr. Acuff.
During that time I belonged to a tape club that primarily taped to disabled folks. You taped and shared music, talked “letters, etc. For years I had done such with a blind man named Bill in West Plains, MO. Bill loved country music and he loved the Opry, but had never been. One fall my wife and I invited Bill to come to Nashville for a week-end. He was welcome to stay at our house and we would be responsible for getting him about; so Bill and his friend rode a Greyhound bus from their home in West Plains, MO to Nashville. On the Saturday evening of his stay I had made arrangements with some of my connections to get Bill, his friend he brought with him and me to sit on the stage of the Opry. They were like kids in a candy shop. While sitting on stage with them I told them I needed to go backstage and I would return shortly. I went to Acuff’s dressing room and told him of the two blind fans of his, and how they had made their way on a bus to Nashville to visit the Opry. I asked Mr. Acuff, “May I bring them by your dressing room for a very quick hello?” I will never forget Acuff’s reaction. His answer was “No, no don’t move them, let me get on your arm as I don’t see too well in these dark hallways, and you take me to meet them where they are sitting.” There is no way to describe Bill’s and his friend’s reactions and emotions when I said, “Fellas, there’s a gentleman here who wants to say hello and express his appreciation for the trouble you have taken to be here tonight.” They were practically speechless when meeting Mr. Acuff.
That night when Acuff came on the Opry for his half hour segment, he further honored Bill and his friend by saying, “Folks, a few minutes ago I met two blind gentlemen who have ridden the bus from MO to be with us tonight, so I want to decidate this song to both of them and thank them for their time and trouble.” With that, Acuff went into his famous “The Wabash Cannonball.”
Over the years I’ve dealt with a number of celebrities but none could have been more thoughtful and kinder to their fans than Mr. Acuff was on that evening. Even today when I hear or play that song, I think of the time he made the evening special for two blind men.
Roy Acuff passed away twenty-one years ago on this date, November 23, 1992.
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November 23, 2013
Keep on,
Larry Adamson
When I had the opportunity and privilege of meeting Mr. Acuff, I told him that I had been a fan since childhood. His response was, “I hope I never do anything to make you think any less of me.” A true gentleman.
thank you for the read on Mr Acuff –He was a good man…
thanks again for reading and the comment…LA
great story…love it when the stars show compassion and love for the folks that love them and follow them…
When I had the opportunity and privilege of meeting Mr. Acuff, I told him that I had been a fan since childhood. His response was, “I hope I never do anything to make you think any less of me.” A true gentleman.