“If you want someone’s attention, whisper.”

I got the chance to visit Nashville a few weeks ago and it was a tremendous trip of fun with friends.  Of course, we had to visit the Grand Ole Opry and we were delighted by a line up of country singers.  The day before we have visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and that morning we visited the Ryman theatre, so we had some history fresh in our minds.  Whispering Bill Anderson features large in that history, he has been recording since 1957, a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1961, he is 87 years old.  It was like seeing our historic tours come to life on stage.  We saw five musical acts that night.  Bill Anderson sang three songs, and although his musicality and talent was apparent, it was not a strong performance, in fact probably the most lack lustre of the night.  However, only one act got a standing ovation and that was, you guessed it – Bill Anderson.  None of the 3000 plus people in the Opry really cared that his voice has weakened over time, they were applauding his long-term career, his indomitable song writing prowess and all that he is to Country Music History.  I read a book recently that said if you work hard in your early career there will come a time of harvesting and guiding in your later years.  There is no question that the seeds Bill Anderson planted in all these decades have led to a gentle present where he is deeply appreciated.  It is a great goal for all of us.  Age might slow us down, especially at 87 but all that we learned, created, shared and loved in our lifetime up to that will be applauded, Lets get planting and guitar plucking.