Mel Tillis joins the Grand Ole Opry
COUNTRY STANDARD TIME
HomeNewsInterviewsCD ReleasesCD ReviewsConcertsArtistsArchive
 

Mel Tillis joins the Grand Ole Opry

Saturday, June 9, 2007 – Mel Tillis was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry Saturday by his daughter Pam Tillis, an Opry member since 2000. After Mel Tillis performed a medley of his hits "Ruby" and "Detroit City," he was joined on stage by Pam.

"All week long people have been telling me they can't believe Daddy wasn't already an Opry member - and that just tells me 'You belong here.' The best thing about me getting inducted first is that I get to induct you - you are now an official member of the Grand Ole Opry, Daddy," she said.

"Thank you so much. It took me 52 years - and I do appreciate this. I'd like to thank Porter Wagoner who taught me just about everything I know about this business," said Mel Tillis.

"Tonight we are honored to welcome one of country music's finest entertainers into the Opry's family of new stars, superstars and legends," said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. "Mel's remarkable talents as a singer, songwriter, actor, and comedian are a perfect complement to the Opry's promise to present an authentic, high quality country music experience. Welcome to the family, Mel!"

During the induction, Tillis was presented the Opry Member Award, a 14-inch bronze and oak wood replica of the Opry's vintage microphone stand designed by renowned sculptor Bill Rains. A portion of the trophy's wooden base recreates the famed circle of wood taken from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Opry from 1943-74, and placed in the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House.

Both members of the Tillis family made their Opry debuts during the Opry's original Ryman run, Pam Tillis at age eight singing the folk standard "Tom Dooley" alongside her famed father.


More news for Mel Tillis


CD reviews for Mel Tillis

CD review - Me and Pepper This disc, which features Tillis riding his horse Pepper on the cover, contains its share of highlights. One in particular, "Lying Time Again," smartly rhymes its title with a popular hit by substituting "lying" for "crying." Tillis' full-bodied vocals bring out the lyric's pathos when he moans, "Lord, the stories never end/And it's lying time again." With "This Is Me," Tillis distances himself from all the prior losers in a woman's life. ...
CD review - Your Body is an Outlaw The reissue is the least satisfying of three out at the same time. Its title is clumsy, at best, and its lyric isn't much better. "Your body is an outlaw/Stealin' from my soul." Tillis is pictured on the back cover aiming a rifle, supposedly to support the album's outlaw image. But despite having "outlaw" in its title, this is not Tillis' attempt to ride the country outlaw movement bandwagon. Nevertheless, both the title track, which features daughter Pam on ...
CD review - Southern Rain Collector's Choice Music released three previously out-of-print Mel Tillis Elektra Records albums at the same time. "Southern Rain," "Your Body Is an Outlaw" and "Me and Pepper" all date back to Tillis' 1979-82 period and contain plenty of fine Tillis singing. The finest CD in this trio is "Southern Rain." Although its title track also represents Tillis' last number one country hit, it's not the disc's best song. ...


©Country Standard Time • Jeffrey B. Remz, editor & publisher • countrystandardtime@gmail.com
AboutCopyrightNewsletterOur sister publication Standard Time
Subscribe to Country Music News Country News   Subscribe to Country Music CD Reviews CD Reviews   Follow us on Twitter  Instagram  Facebook  YouTube