Opry Book Creates a Hectic Schedule
The publicist for my new book, Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain, has only been at her job for a few weeks, but she is really kicking my butt. In a good way.
Since the book's publication on Oct. 8, she has had me doing phone interviews with morning, drive-time radio shows in every time zone. I've chatted to Oklahoma City, Pensacola, Myrtle Beach, Kansas City, Albany, Richmond, Scranton, New Orleans, Cleveland, Cape Girardeau, Little Rock, Dayton, Dallas/Fort Worth and Tucson. A couple of the radio guys had even actually read the book.
Nashville radio station WSM, the home of the Opry, was appropriately my very first interview about the book. I've always been a fan of its morning host, Bill Cody.
I also taped Ron Huntsman's nationally-syndicated program, Country Hitmakers, and have appeared on television shows on the CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates in Nashville. I did a book-autographing session at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville, and I'm also scheduled to do an autographing at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday (Nov. 9).
My busiest day by far was Oct. 11. That was the date the Opry celebrated its 83rd birthday. Lorrie Morgan had an afternoon show at the Opry House. WSM's Keith Bilbrey introduced me to the audience before it and told them I'd be autographing books afterward.
So we set up in the Opry portico that afternoon. I LOVE those Grand Ole Opry fans. We sold more than $1,000 worth of books in an hour. I autographed every one. Then I did a question-and-answer session with Barbara Mandrell in the Acuff Theatre. We talked about her chapter in the book. I also answered questions from the audience. The fans loved it. Then I did a second autographing on the Opry Plaza just prior to the early Opry show. Then I appeared on Keith Bilbrey's Opry Warm-Up Show on WSM, along with Darryl Worley and Hal Ketchum.
What a full day. I was bushed when it ended. Promoting Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain sure is putting me in front of a lot of microphones.
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J.R. Journey says:
It’s really interesting to hear what goes on behind the scenes of a major book release like this. We read all the time about what the singers do after releasing their albums, but so little about someone of your stature and a national book release. Cool reading. Thanks.
Tim Murphy says:
Robert, good for you, another book that will certainly be of interest to all country music fans, I am glad you are doing well with your writing. I always felt you had a lot to offer to the world of country music. your friend, Tim
Fay says:
I’m in South Florida and if I had not received a Google Alert about Trace Adkins which was really about your book, I’d never have known about it! Your publicist needs to get you south! I’m on my way to buy your book today, Robert! I’ve always loved your writing and when you were on Nashville Star as a judge, you were the best, most honest and knowledgeable judge they ever had! This book looks like some wonderful reading. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale readers need to KNOW!