Fact #138034
When:
Short story:
Funk and soul star James Brown, at the invitation of Porter Wagoner, makes a hugely controversial appearance on country music's tv showcase The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Full article:
James Brown : I always have loved country music ever since I was a kid and listened to the radio in Augusta. Country music really is just the white man's blues.
Del Wood (frequent Opry pianist) : I could throw up. It's not an anti-black issue, don't get us wrong, it's not racial. The next thing you know, they'll be doing the strip out there.
Jean Shepard (country music singer) : The Grand Ole Opry is supposed to be a mainstay in country music-and it's fighting for its life. What's he going to sing, 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag'? And you can't tell me rock n' rollers are going to wait six hours to hear James Brown. It's a slap in the face to those people who drive thousands of miles to see the Opry and have to be subjected to James Brown. If Mr. Brown's on the first show, I'll appear on the second. If he's on both, I won't appear at all.
Justin Tubb (country music singer) : I don't understand it. None of us do. If it was Ray Charles, I'd be waiting to hug him when he came off the stage.
James Brown : I thought it was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. It was definitely a high point.
(Source : The Augusta Chronicle, Jan 11, 2007)
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Del Wood (frequent Opry pianist) : I could throw up. It's not an anti-black issue, don't get us wrong, it's not racial. The next thing you know, they'll be doing the strip out there.
Jean Shepard (country music singer) : The Grand Ole Opry is supposed to be a mainstay in country music-and it's fighting for its life. What's he going to sing, 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag'? And you can't tell me rock n' rollers are going to wait six hours to hear James Brown. It's a slap in the face to those people who drive thousands of miles to see the Opry and have to be subjected to James Brown. If Mr. Brown's on the first show, I'll appear on the second. If he's on both, I won't appear at all.
Justin Tubb (country music singer) : I don't understand it. None of us do. If it was Ray Charles, I'd be waiting to hug him when he came off the stage.
James Brown : I thought it was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. It was definitely a high point.
(Source : The Augusta Chronicle, Jan 11, 2007)