NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® will honor one of its longest-tenured members, Bill Anderson, in celebration of his upcoming birthday this Sat., Oct. 28 during two shows. The Country Music Hall of Fame member made his Opry debut just a few weeks before his 21st birthday and became an official Opry member less than three years later.
Anderson, who will mark his milestone 80th birthday on Nov. 1, will be joined on stage by a number of friends, including recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Don Schlitz, scheduled to make his official Opry debut during Anderson’s segment of the night’s shows. Among those scheduled to perform Anderson-penned tunes with which they have had chart success are Connie Smith, Steve Wariner, Mark Wills, and Mo Pitney.
Anderson’s music career started in 1958 when Ray Price recorded his song, “City Lights” and it stayed at the top of Billboard magazine’s country charts for 13 weeks. Soon after this success, he signed with Decca Records and began to have hits of his own such as “Po’ Folks,” “Mama Sang a Song,” “Still” and “Bright Lights and Country Music.” By now he had affectionately been nicknamed “Whisperin’ Bill” because of his soft-spoken delivery and recitations. Through the years Anderson has written hit songs for numerous artists, including Lefty Frizzell’s “Saginaw, Michigan,” Conway Twitty’s “I May Never Get to Heaven” and many more through the years including Kenny Chesney’s “A Lot of Things Different,” George Strait’s “Give It Away” and Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss’ “Whiskey Lullaby,” with the last two hits winning CMA Song of the Year honors.
Among those coming soon to the Opry are Dailey & Vincent, Charlie Daniels Band, LoCash, Martina McBride, Old crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart, and Chris Young.