Stars Tell Stories From Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain
How dumb am I?
How long have I been around the music business? Thirty years? You would think I'd know a thing or two about artists' schedules by now. When I began writing the chapters for Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain in January 2007, I decided to write about the deceased stars first. So through the winter, I was telling the stories of Johnny Cash, Dottie West, Patsy Cline, Minnie Pearl, Johnny Paycheck and the like.
In the late spring and early summer, I began contacting the Opry's living cast members for interviews. Guess what? They were on the road! So scheduling the interviews became somewhat complicated.
As summer turned to fall, I was behind schedule and facing the deadline for the manuscript. The deadline came and went. I wrote like a madman, finishing three chapters in October, three chapters in November and five chapters in January 2008. I finally came across the finish line in March 2008.
The good news is that just about everybody I asked to participate in Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain did so, with pleasure. Clint Black and Barbara Mandrell invited me into their homes. Pam Tillis and Hal Ketchum came over to sit at my kitchen table.
Even Country Music Hall of Fame superstars agreed to share their stories -- Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Bill Anderson and Eddy Arnold, the last of whom died before the book was complete. So did Porter Wagoner.
The even better news is that everyone was so wonderfully candid about their romances and tragedies. I have known Dolly for decades, but she has never talked so much to me (or anyone) about her husband Carl Dean and their still-special relationship. Vince Gill was very open about his divorce and his blossoming love for Amy Grant. As you might expect, the Opry and its cast figured prominently in both.
Dierks Bentley does not like to talk about his private life and has refused to do so on several occasions. I was flattered that he trusted me enough to tell me about his courtship with his wife Cassidy. Of course, that chapter is already out of date, since they had baby daughter Evie early last month!
All in all, creating Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain was a wonderful experience. It was like visiting with dear friends. And I hope it reads that way.
Editor's note: Read an excerpt from Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Shotgun says:
This sounds like a very interesting book!
Catherine says:
I purchased this book and once I started reading it, it was very hard to put down. It is a very interesting book to read and I hope sometime in the near future that Mr. Oermann will write another one about the some more of the opry members. This is an excellent book and I don’t think anyone would be disappointed in reading it.
Dan M. says:
As far as I’m concerned, Oermann is the man.
TxAgg says:
Wow, this sounds fabulous! Just might have to get this one. I’ve always wanted to learn more about the GOO. This could be a good starting point.
TxAgg says:
Sorry, didn’t realize until after I posted that just using the initials for Grand Ole Opry spells “goo.” My bad. No disrespect intended.
Leah says:
Wow. I read the excerpt and I was amazed. Excellent writing. I’m asking for the book for Christmas.
CJ says:
I will definately pick up this book. Bobert what a nice blog. I love when they are informative. Thanks!
kayefun says:
A BIG YES, I’D LOVE TO READ YOUR ENTIRE WORK.
This is a great blog! Thank you so very much and thank the CMT folks who allowed you this blog. You can see I’m a FAN of country music history, present, past and ALL I can read. Thanks again! :)
J.R. Journey says:
Thanks for the info, Mr. Oermann. I’ve been following your work for a a few years now and have picked up some of your books - ‘Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women In Country Music’ was and still is one of my favorite reads ever. So I’ll be adding this to my list of essential reading for the winter to come …