Dress Code Needed For Opry Performers?

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 20 Aug 2003 8:44 am

If you have special clothes for performing, you can deduct them from your income tax!

Whenever I'm hired as a sideman, I always ask the leader "What should I wear?". Nowadays some bandleaders are surprised by the question. When you see their band, you understand why. Many musicians don't dress for performing these days, or coordinate with other band members.

There's no real dress code in Open Hearts, but we all are very aware that we're putting on a show. We project a certain collective image. My "boots and snaps" would be as out of place in Open Hearts as tie-dye is in a country band. I dress accordingly.

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Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 20 Aug 2003 10:37 am

I almost never didn't look and dress nicely on stage. I firmly believe in the fact that you are an employee and should dress accordingly. Heck, that's what you see even in fast food and retail establishments. Granted they are furnished by the company. I did play for one guy that bought us all matching outfits (4 set each for a 6 piece band). I was in a band called Derert Star for like 5 years, and we never went on stage not dressed alike. Even the two women in the band. We were one of the staff bands for a couple of years and would play at Coyote Ranch just south of San Jose. This was a middle of the day, outside gig where the temperatures often exceeded 100 degrees (had to put fans and sometimes ice bags on our PA power amps to keep themm form overheating and shutting down). We still wore our costumes, complete with heavy long sleeve western shirts. Why, you ask. Because we were employees and felt we should dress accordingly. We were not told to dress nice. We did because that is what we as a band decided was part of the package that we sell to the employers and audience. it also makes me feel better as a person to look nice. Even in bands that dressed like slobs, I would try to look nice. I would look better than the front man sometimes.

In Desert Star, we also would not drink alcohol on stage (or at all) or for those in the band that smoked, they would not smoke on stage either. I carried this tradition on to any band that I played with afterwards. It's just a pride thing, I guess, with me.

Now I do like the lady entertainers who wear tight jeans. But that because I am a pervert.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 20 Aug 2003 11:38 am

Myron is right, this battle was started back in the '60s when Willie and others adopted the hippie look (okay, I admit, I was the original hippie-from-Mississippi). Continueing to fight this battle long after it was lost only convinces people of how old and cranky you are. The young rock oriented performers adopt this look in identification with their young audience, who also dress like that. Any of you who think you can win this battle at this late date are welcome to come work on my teenage kids.

Don't get me wrong. I like to see some people dress up sometimes, just not everyone all the time, even on stage.

R. E. Klaus · Post by **R. E. Klaus** » 20 Aug 2003 1:26 pm

Some of us that where in Nashville thirty years ago, at age 20 or so, worked with artists that had already been recording and performing for forty years or more. Dressing nice was just another part of being "professional." Now, the general feeling seems to be to get closer to your audiance (not entirely a bad thing). If your audiance expects you to look and sound like they do, maybe you should. Better for record and ticket sales. Would I show up for a job today in an old T-shirt and baggy shorts? NO!- and I live in Hawaii where EVERYONE dresses that way even for church.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 20 Aug 2003 2:36 pm

The dress code is determined by the artist the musicians work for.
Every artist is different, so be it!
Theresa

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 20 Aug 2003 8:27 pm

dress like the audience so they can see your one of them. Then why do they pay to see someone that is like them?

Maybe the performer has some skill that is worth paying to see, such as playing steel guitar. Maybe the playing is good enough to stand on its own without a fancy costume.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 20 Aug 2003 8:38 pm

EB.

IMHO, there aren't very damn many that fit into that category. Like about Five of them..

I see that used way too often even in the bush league bands I play with.

It's kind of like saying, "Hey I'm dressed really normal so you ( the audience) won't ecpect anything good out of me."

Also a couple that really "hoboed out" to try and give the audience a "surprise" when they played better than they looked.

Only seldom if ever did they..

Somebody might have mentioned that clothes that "look crappy" might have been designed and ordered that way. DY's knee holes are probably ordered to exact dimension for hundreds of bucks..

Appearance is seldom uncalculated nor should it be.

Y'ouhghta see me at my day job..

They never believe I wear silk sport jackets and spit shined boots to my "other job". One of these days I'll post a picture of my "paving suit".

EJL

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 21 Aug 2003 6:14 am

Fashion is one thing, but this sloppy and unkempt appearance is quite another.

When I was a teenager, I wasn't happy unless my dad raised an eyebrow at my appearance (slim tie, drape jacket and tight trousers, with an 'Elvis' hair-style!), but I went to great pains to look like that. I'm NOT convinced that these kids are making any effort at all.

Could it be the result of declining standards of behaviour, and lack of what was once considered normal discipline?

Anyway, I'm with Joan!

RR

PS: I saw Merle play at the 'Bottom Line' in NYC a few years back - he came on with a rumpled T-shirt, filthy sneakers and a turned-around baseball cap (also a bit grubby); I have to say that I was disappointed.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 21 Aug 2003 12:35 pm

In the end, it’s really a personal statement regardless how you cut it. Even when your job dictates your wardrobe (i.e. nurse, pilot, auto mechanic, etc.) a personal statement is made within your personal decision limitations of hygiene, accessories, body language and the way a person speaks. Although uniforms place people on the same playing field, there’s a big field out there and people are going to go where they want and eventually slip into “themselves”. I believe each of us has our own unique fundamental template by which we gauge our own personal standards – and we subconsciously follow that template in our treatment of others, our jobs, our families, the earth – and the value we place on ourselves as a functional member of that society.

A country music example: Even though Dwight has the cut-out knees, his image is professional, clean and respectable. Look how that consistent persona mirrors his successful career results. His cut-out knees have been a constant (and now predictable) distinctive fashion flair since day 1. He seems very grounded in his writing style and his love of family and his roots. He seems to be an intelligent, talented individual who takes delight in praising his own heroes. Dwight made his entrance into country music when his average listener didn’t even know who Buck Owens was, and if they did – likely saw him more as a clown-type hillbilly on HeeHaw, rather than the superb musician he is – Dwight proudly professed his admiration of Buck, credited him for influencing his own personal sound, and then even toured with him. And, it was the best of Dwight concerts I’d seen!! His acting career has followed suit. Not many music artists are given dramatic acting parts, and respected in both arenas.

Back to the point of respect and what it means to each of us. I know there are exceptions to everything in life. Some disrespectful low-life people do make it big for a brief time – a few even for the long haul. But I believe we all really do see the world through the same eyes that look back at us each morning in the mirror. We are all “on-stage” every day of our lives . . . our own life-stage. The choices we make and the image we project is up to us. Ironically, I believe our own choices to be the ultimate reflection of the value others place on us as individuals.
(please don't tell me about a Dwight Yoakum song where he butchers his family and buries them somewhere south of Cincinnati where the Dogwood trees grow.)

donna

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 21 Aug 2003 2:30 pm

Donna.

South of Cincy is about a guy living up North brokenhearted while his love writes unsent letters telling him to come home..

Nothing that morbid I'm afraid.

Maybe you were thinking of Gene Watson's " I'm gonna kill you, and bury you in a box about half your size", or Banks of the Ohio about the "Hillbilly Proposal Process"..

I thought DY's best performance was in Sling Blade, though he's done many that were good.

" From now on, we're gonna be a happy family". -DY in Sling Blade-

EJL

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 21 Aug 2003 2:59 pm

Ernest has a point. I don't pay to see the musicians' clothes. I pay to watch and listen to them playing music. The quality of their music is what brings me to the concert hall.

Sawyer Brown could dress his band like the Statesiders, and I still wouldn't buy a ticket. Ray Price's band could wear t-shirts and cut-offs, and I'd still pay to see them. The way a band looks isn't important to me. But then, I'm a musician...

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 23 Aug 2003 4:07 am

Back in the early 1970s we stopped the uniform dressing on stage and went to the more relaxed jeans and Cowboy shirt look.All wore different shirts,we all had different hair styles long and short and more or less.The thing I insisted on, was be neat and clean. A lot of it was the cost of the uniform look. Working 5 and six nighters clothes got old fast.bOb is right I can't remember anyone coming out to see our clothes.In fact there were many that came out to see us with them off after the GIG.

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David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 23 Aug 2003 9:06 pm

Joe, what's this I hear about Weeki Wachee Springs closing? Please tell me it's all a baseless rumor. No more glass bottom boats? No more mermaids (now that's the kind of clothes I can enjoy)? What's the world coming to?[This message was edited by David Doggett on 23 August 2003 at 10:07 PM.]

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 23 Aug 2003 10:24 pm

A professional should dress like a pro. I believe you should give it your best and not make a fashion statement that spells, BEE-YOU-EM.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 24 Aug 2003 5:47 am

David; Those are not rumors about the park closing.However there are efforts to save it ,the management corp has offered to donate it to the County of Hernando.It is still running normal but deteriating lumbers and buildings are need repair to continue. The Park still gets crowds. The letters on the main Marque read. Help us save our tails.There is a big effort to do that.It is a protected envirormental area that still is home to multi wildlife like Manatees and yes Gators. In order to not stray too far off topic,The professional people that work there dress accordingly.

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Eric Myers · Post by **Eric Myers** » 24 Aug 2003 7:13 am

Ok this may not be directly opry related but some people should never be in fancy duds - i am thinking of Neil Young in particular. his music/image/lifestyle is all one big package - he is not just someone playing music. besides he'd look like an undertaker in a suit!

Gaylon Mathews · Post by **Gaylon Mathews** » 24 Aug 2003 7:50 am

When we play a night club/bar, we all dress nicely but not alike. When we do an bigger show such as a concert hall or showcase, we all wear black shirts, pants, belt, shoes, etc. You would not believe the complements we get from the audience on appearence. We played Anderson Music Hall in north GA
with Ricky Van Shelton a couple of weeks ago and we were told in person after the show how much better we looked that RVS's band (even though they were dressed very nice) and received several emails about the show and several of those mentioned the fact that we looked much nicer. It's all in the game I guess.

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Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 24 Aug 2003 8:18 am

Class.
When I say this I am thinking of the one and only Jeff Newman.
Whether it's in his instructional videos or on stage he is very neatly drssed in a suit and tie with patent leather boots.
Now he does not need to do this as he is one of the best steel players to date and probably the best, if not "THE BEST" steel guitar teacher the world has ever known.
Don

Al Johnson · Post by **Al Johnson** » 24 Aug 2003 3:23 pm

Very interesting reading, seems as if everything has been said. I really agree with the Ernest Tubb Statement. Glad to say watched performers through the 1950s and 1960s when the performers dressed up for the show. Granted some spent a lot of money. George Morgan, had a number of hit songs through the years, usually wore sport shirt, jacket and slacks. Clean and neat.
some of the young band seem to be saying how bad can I look and you fans still like me. For years the Sons of the Pioneers would all wear different Western outfits and looked sharp, you don't have to dress all alike but of a uniform code for your group. I've seen neighbors clean their garage in better clothes then I've seen guys on stage at the Opry lately. Clean and neat is not bad, tuck in your shirt, comb your hair. Oh, what the heck.
Al Johnson I don't enjoy some of their music either.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 25 Aug 2003 11:57 am

His cut-out knees have been a constant (and now predictable) distinctive fashion flair since day 1.

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's a sad day when singers are remembered primarily for a fashion statement like that!

"Did you ever go and see so-and-so?"

"Who?"

"You know, the guy with the HOLeY jeans!"

"Oh yeah, saw him last week!"

"How was the show?"

"The music was nothing special, but his knees really stood out!"

(ROTFLMAO!)

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 25 August 2003 at 12:58 PM.]

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 25 Aug 2003 6:51 pm

Just got home from a Bill Anderson show at our local fair. The gals wore maroon blouses
and the guys had maroon button down shirts to
accent Bill's red sequened/designed shirt.

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
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Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 25 Aug 2003 8:31 pm

Donna's

His cut-out knees have been a constant (and now predictable) distinctive fashion flair since day 1.

Donny's response:

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's a sad day when singers are remembered primarily for a fashion statement like that!

Donny Hinson - You're not serious are you? Is that really what you got from my comment? Please let me clarify: Although the holey jeans are certainly cute, it's the way DY rhythmically turns his leg back and forth during "Guitars, Cadillacs . . . " that makes me buy tickets to his concerts! Has nothing to do with liking his music!

donna

[This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 25 August 2003 at 09:33 PM.][This message was edited by Donna Dodd on 26 August 2003 at 08:09 AM.]