Is Craig Morgan Opry-Ready?
When you wait your whole life for something, and it finally happens, how do you prepare? I've had big days in my life: college graduation, wedding day, my firstborn baby. But I don't know how I'd feel if I was Craig Morgan right now.
He's being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday (Oct. 25). So I wonder how he feels right this minute. Is he nervous as hell? Or is he more of the "it's-about-time" mindset? And how do you go about getting ready for such an honor? I would have mani/pedi/highlights/facials/Botox appointments booked all week. And I'd lose 10 pounds. And I'd shop for the perfect outfit. One that's not too showy (sorry, Manuel) but one that says I'm honored to be on that stage (sorry, all you artists who insist on wearing old ball caps to the Opry).
But I'm guessing Morgan's not into all that. He's probably more focused on what he'll say and what he'll sing. Probably "Love Remembers," the first single off his new album, That's Why, which comes out today. (If I could pick another song for him to sing off the new album, it would be "Looking Back." I've been listening to the album for a few days, and while I think it's all really good music, it's hard to beat a mandolin-laced, piano-heavy tune with a hook about looking forward to looking back. It's country through and through, right down to the image of an old couple on their Cracker Barrel rockers.)
Morgan's already performed at the Opry 130 times, but still. This time, it's gotta feel different. Like all those times were just practice leading up to this. I have to think that a stack of hit songs and a really affable personality have a lot to do with becoming an Opry member, even though the Opry says there's no magic formula that gets you in.
Whatever he does to get ready, I'm sure he'll bask in every poignant moment that Saturday night brings. And then the next day, he'll be able to call himself an Opry member. If I was Morgan, that's what I'd love about Sunday.
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RedMaZ says:
What is up with Morgan getting in the Opry? This is almost as bad as Adkins getting in. The Grand ole Poptry continues it’s demise and lack of credibility.
RSAD says:
I dont see a demise in the opry. The place has been full all 30 or so times i have been.
RedMaZ says:
I don’t mean in it’s attendance. I mean in it’s integrity.
Darren says:
Yes, it use to be the members had to pay their dues and most the acts havent even come close to that. Ever since Gaylord took over its gone to hell in a handbasket. If Roy Acuff was stil alive he would be appauled by the way the opry is being run and since they took out opryland. Most these so called new acts have no place on the opry, they are as far from Country as people can get. This keeps up the opry will be no more in 10 yrs
RSAD says:
Thats the first ive heard of that opinion
Cricket on Froggy 104 says:
i do completely get the resentment about artists like carrie underwood getting inducted after a short career. if you look at the opry as a representation of country music’s premier performers (including sub-genre stars), however, craig morgan is right up there at the top of the list. he has paid his dues over the past several years. around here, he’s a superstar: we’ve gotten more than 200 requests for “international harvester” since he released it last september. no other song has even come close to that kind of success since our station launched a few years ago. that deserves some serious props.
Darren says:
I have to say its kinda funny how someone can be considered a SUPERSTAR when they only have had like 2-4 songs out in 10 yrs…NOT
BigMouth says:
On a positive note: Way to go Craig! (seriously!) glad to see one of my favorites going in!
Amy says:
Congratulations Craig!! Unlike some of the other bloggers, I think the Opry is to be commended for inducting Craig Morgan. He IS real country. He writes and sings songs that are true to his heart and his roots. I’ve seen him in concert 3 or 4 times and he is not only a talented and entertaining singer/songwriter, he is truly the sweetest guy you’ll ever see on a stage. He reaches out and connects with the audience. I was at a concert where he sang “Love Remembers” for (I think) the first time and it was a beautiful experience. He introduced the song and while he was getting halfway through it, you could see him watching for the audience’s reaction and when he was finished, there was an uproar of applause and everyone jumped to their feet in a standing ovation. You could tell he was overwhelmed at how much everyone loved it. To RedMaZ: if the Opry did things your way, they wouldn’t have inducted anyone in the past 20 years. Maybe you should consider opening up your mind and get out of the past. Change is good!
RedMaZ says:
Get out of the past? What are you talking about? I listen to todays cutting edge music. I hardly ever listen to any old(er) music anymore. Just because you’re not listening to the same music as I, doesn’t mean my mind is not open. Quite the contrary. Just with your statement alone, I have a feeling I listen to more new music than you do.
Kevin says:
I will say that Carrie Underwood definitely does not deserve to be a member of the Opry yet, but without looking through a list of members, she is the only one that i can think of that shouldnt be there. I have no problem with Craig Morgan being a member. I dont consider him a SUPERstar, but he is definitely a star. If he is too “young” to be a member then im not sure how old you think people should be before they could become a member of the Opry. Im all for artists having to pay their dues before they become a member of the Opry, but alot of “paying your dues” is done before you even get a record deal. If Im not mistaken, Craig Morgan is in his 40s. Id say he is old enough and has beeen doin the music thing long enough to be an Opry member. Congrats to Craig
Kevin says:
You might have a point about Craig’s career… but also who knows what might happen with him in 10 years. I bet when Kenny Chesney first got started nobody figured he would be the star he is today. By no means am i saying that i think Craig Morgan will become the star that Kenny Chesney is…. im just saying that anything can happen.
Really, Alison? says:
An induction during the week your new album is released? I’m guessing the formula includes a publicist.
hotelmotel says:
I agree, Kevin. Anything can happen. I would never have thought Toby Keith would have become a big superstar based on his performance from 1993-1999. Would have guessed he’d have been a B=level star throughout. And Kenny Chesney didn’t really become a huge star until a good 6 years into his career at radio.
I do wish Craig the best. Not a big fan of music but I have nothing again.st him I don’t expect him to become a superstar, but I have nothing against him.
Darren says:
WELL WRITTEN RedMaZ, thats exactly it
BigMouth says:
They deleted a post of mine….
Does anyone but me think that all these “pop country” stars getting inducted make you a little suspicious of the Opry’s intentions? I brought up the lawsuit that Stonewall Jackson is currently settling out of court; you know the one where he, an Opry member, sued them for ageism? Things like this only make Stonewall look right; the Opry is trying too hard to bring the pop/young crowd in, and the older members don’t get what they deserve.
another point I brought up was what a couple others did: if CARRIE UNDERWOOD is opry worthy, then Craig sure as hell is. at least his career wasn’t started in a Hollywood sponsored reality TV show, then asked to join after having barely two albums, and little creative success of her own (songwriting, producing, etc) to her name.
countryfan11 says:
If you can’t do anything about it, why whine about it? Sounds like the Opry has its own agenda. it’s all about
the $$$$$–as in industry.
AFI says:
We whine because we can, lol! According to my grandmother thou shall not whine is the 11th commandment.
But seriously, its probably more about talking about something that doesn’t strike us right. I think a lot of people just want the Opry and others to be above it, and are disappointed when they don’t appear to be.
RSAD says:
Maybe im confused but hasnt the opry always been about pop country? It just so happens that what is popular now isnt the same as what was popular in the past
countryfan11 says:
Alot of things were “popular” back then. Were they not “pop” then? Life moves on, music moves on, the arts move on, etc. Just because one era’s artists that WERE “popular” back then and not played now, does NOT differentiate them from the artists of today. The ONLY thing that separates them is they are not Top 40 commercial NOW, even though they were THEN. I think of artists they played even several years ago; Patty Loveless, Tracy Byrd, Travis Tritt & others. These artists and more WERE played on Top 40 radio when they had a COMMERCIAL hit. If any artist chooses NOT to go the usual commercial route anymore, that is up to them, but don’t hold it against the artists that DO. I still think of them ALL as country artists- All POP/country. Same goes for my assessment of whatever Roots, Americana is, it’s still all under the country umberella- no matter how you break that down. None is any better, or any worse, just diverse and appeals to all different personal tastes.
Vicki says:
Whoa…there are some guys before Carrie that you can wonder about: Josh Turner, Dierks Bentley to name a few. But why was Carrie inducted? It was obvious from the moment she went right from the IDOL stage to the Opry (non-televised) stage the next day (everyone would love to have that video). She has performed there at least 6 times a year in the 3 years she’s been out. That might not seem like much to many but consider her quick fame and it is especially in her hectic do everything world.
NOw, logically, the Opry staff aren’t dummies. Younger people were not going to the Opry, it was mostly older folks. They had to bring the future in and they noticed right away that when Carrie was there, the Opry was full of young people. But what do these young people gain besides a performance by Carrie? They gain a history and appreciation of country music and the Opry. What surprises me the most when I go is how varied Country music is: Western, Bluegrass, Louisianna country, California country, Traditional country and yes contemporary country all live together harmoniously at the Opry. And yes, Jeannie Seeley, Connie Smith, etc can definitely sing with the top singers today. It opened my eyes and I’m sure it opened the eyes of many. Carrie brought over many mainstream fans who are now buying all kinds of country albums. The Opry is the melting pot of good country music, no matter how varied it is and that my friends is one heck of a good show.
Kevin says:
That is a very good point Vicki. Anybody who makes one visit to the Opry will see that is not ONLY about the new contemporary artists. In fact, I would say that is only a small part of the show. If the younger artists are the one drawing the crowd, then so be it, but that crowd also gets to see many other artists from all sorts of country music. The Opry has to bring in the younger crowd somehow or their audience will eventually be extinct and the Opry would follow. Then once the younger crowd is in their seat at the Opry, they are exposed to great country music that is not what they hear everyday on the radio, and more times than not they like it. I think the Opry is in great shape.
Kim says:
“Anybody who makes one visit to the Opry will see that is not ONLY about the new contemporary artists.” Which is why they’re being sued…for ageism, no less? sorry, I have to almost agree with BigMouth, that does look a little odd. And Josh and dierks have always, as far as i’ve heard, been the champions of modern traditional country. Carrie is most certainly crossover, always has been.
I don’t think people object to Carrie being in the opry, eventually. but the timing is a little suspicious. she’s really not established, and I know i’m no the only one that is still wondering about her staying power. she’s good now yeah, but will she be in 5, 10 years? Instant fame is always risky that way. So, should the opry have inducted her so quickly?
but, that is a good point about how the only reason the traditionalists of today can call themselves traditional is because they are in the here and now. music is always progressive, relative. I love the story about how the opry made the drummer from the bob willis’ texas playboys band sit behind the curtain because drums were swing and rock and roll, not country. and now…
hotelmotel says:
Kim - I find it odd that you say Carrie’s “really not established, and I know I’m not the only one that is still wondering about her staying power. She’s good now, yea, but will she be in 5, 10, ..years”
True, Carrie may be long forgotten in 5 or 10 years, but that applies to virtually every country singer. Only a few last more than 10 years (George Strait, Reba, Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn). Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless, Lorrie Morgan, Mark Chesnutt, et cetera had trouble buying a hit after about 10 or so years at radio.
About Carrie not being established. I think she’s pretty well established. All her songs have been hits, her albums all sold well. Certainly she is better established commercially than Craig Morgan, Josh Turner, Terri Clark or other Opry members.
I don’t like Carrie’s music at all. But if the Opry wants to have artists with commerical appeal on their stage, Carrie is an excellent choice for them.
Jason B says:
Way to go Craig, forget about the people who say you don’t deserve it!!! I think it is well deserved and to all those who don’t think so, you can’t please everyone all the time!!
His is TRUE country and a TRUE American!! He has been around of 8 years in the Country Music business and I would say he has paid his dues!!
Steph says:
Amen Jason B!
Kim says:
About Carrie: I’m arguing that all her songs have been hits because of the AI promotion,and her record label. They were good, but not THAT good. That doesn’t make her established. The audience that has established her thus far is very very fickle. Meaning Hollywood. She got into country through tinsel town. Pop fans are notorious for dumping a star as soon as they take a down turn. (eg. Jessica Simpson) can she keep what she has going IN COUNTRY MUSIC is my question. Are there that many country fans that will stick with her through the good and the bad?
Kdawn says:
Ok so I couldn’t make it through all the comments. Too bad some of you complaining so loudly don’t seem to know much about the Opry or Mr. Morgan. The Opry will only ask someone to become a member if they think the person has STAYING power. With the exception of Charlie Daniels Craig Morgan is the most traditional country artist inducted in the last year. Craig is a singer/song writter/musicain who has teamed up with other writter/singers in the past like Wispering Bill Anderson (Opry memeber and traditional country singer), and Brad Paisley. Lines like “he just crushed a dixie cup for runin’ out of wine” and “rocking in their Craker Barrel Rockers” can not be found in POP music. You want to complain about Country Pop, well remember for those of who had the good taste to listen to country in the 80’s that Alabama was considered Country, John Cash was played on the Pop and Rock stations. There is room for a wide variety of sounds and people in both our “Country” Music and our Democratic Country! I for one am glad that some as TRADITIONAL as Craig Morgan has become an Opry member. For more traditional style music from Craig may I suggest his first self titled CD.
Rainy says:
Way to go , Kdawn — very well said.