Stan Hitchcock new Country Music Star
The first time I appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, in October of 1961, Roy Acuff gave me some words of wisdom that I’ve never forgotten.
That night, on my second appearance of the evening, on Roy’s 10 PM Opry spot, I had chosen a Gospel song for my second time out on that hallowed stage. I sang, Where No One Stands Alone, and at the end of the song the crowd just kept clapping…I stood there a minute while they kept on…shoot, I was so green I didn’t even know how to take an Encore. I didn’t need to worry about it however, for Mr. Acuff came up behind me, slipped his arm around my back, and urged me forward back to the mike, saying, “They want more, son, give it to them.” Just as I opened my mouth to do the encore, I heard this wild sound coming from the left side of the old Ryman Stage. It was Bashful Brother Oswald, hollering and stomping out on stage. Oswald had just returned from break time at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, which, very handily had a back door entrance just across the alley from the back stage door of the Ryman. Even when Oswald was looped legged from too much beer, he knew it was time for him to do his comedy routine and he was unaware of my pending encore. Oswald’s comedy routine consisted of him running out on stage and slapping his big clown shoes on the wooden stage floor, making a sound about like dropping a watermelon off the roof of a building on to concrete below, making a big “whopping” sound. Well, he ran too close to the edge of the stage, his foot got tangled up in the monitor wires and he took a nosedive off the Ryman stage and into the lap of a very plump lady from Ohio, which caused the crowd to do another noisy clap and holler, and stopped my encore in it’s tracks. As the Opry stage hands extracted Oswald, and fluffed up the Ohio woman like you would fluff up a cushion on a couch, I stood there a moment and then I just backed up and slipped off stage and back to the one community dressing room. I’d been sitting here thinking about the “encore that almost was”, when the door opened and in walked Roy Acuff. He walked over, put his hand on my shoulder, and said, “Stan, Oswald hadn’t ought to have done that, and messed up your encore, but I’m sure he’ll want to apologize to you later, when he get’s to feeling’ better. But just remember this: “We are all here to entertain these friends and neighbors, and no matter how good a job you just done, somebody else can come running by and steal the wind right out of your sails…So, no matter who gets the credit, the crowd got entertained mighty fine tonight…and you were part of it…so be Proud.”
Well, I never again had to worry about ego or thinking I was God’s Gift To Entertainment. Nosirree, just go out there and give’er all you got, and then enjoy yourself, cause you are getting to do what you love, and you are blessed to be there. So, just a special thank you to Bashful Brother Oswald and Mr. Acuff…you both broke me in right well on the first night on the Opry, and I never forgot it. It was an act of kindness.
stan
This article first appeared in Country Music People (cmp.com) magazine, September 2018 issue. Stan Hitchcock writes a monthly column for CMP: Corner of Music Row
This is the best Country Music I’ve heard in forever! Heard it on Country Re-Union on Prime video, I’d sure love to have some dvd of his, just can’t see the fine writing anymore! What a voice! The way he delivers the songs, can’t remember ever being so moved by someone’s music before! I’ve got family scattered, and I’m so anxious to share! Like me, we would prefer silence to the majority of hiphop cowgirls, and rapcountry stuff available up here in the Pacific Northwest. A huge heart felt thank you for sharing your talents with the likes of me!
Man I couldn’t hardly get through reading the story about the nativity scene in church for laughing so hard. When you said don’t goose a goose burro I lost it. Man that’s the best story you’ve written yet. Keep up the good stories I really enjoy them.
Believe – or not…this story was posted in our Baptist Church holiday newsletter! And made it into the British Country Music People magazine. I tickles me every time I read it! Thanks for you comments.
Thanks for letting me know about this post being placed in your Baptist Holiday church newsletter – as our Baptist Church was too timid to post it! I think everyone – who has sat through a children’s Christmas play can relate to the possible antics. Stan passed in January of 2023. And in his last Christmas he told his gathering at his bedside this story, and had everyone in tears and laughter….just the way he wanted it! Denise – Stan’s wife.
Yes, we have a twitter account. And since I know that you would enjoy following Stan’s writings I will start posting the links there. Thanks!