Holly Dunn on Fan Fair changes

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 12 Jun 2003 6:02 pm

In today's Tennessean

To the Editor:
As a member of the CMA, a grateful award winner and an artist-participant in
Fan Fair since 1986, I was disheartened to read the CMA's future plans
for the event include bringing in acts from other musical genres.

It has been my belief that the CMA's mission is to protect and advance
country music, not to help further the public's growing confusion over
what country music really is. You have only to drive down Music Row, where
the ''For Sale'' signs outnumber signs on businesses, to know that country music
is in trouble. Bringing pop or rock acts into a historically country music
event is not the cure. It will only serve to alienate the ones who are keeping us in business at all.

It is interesting that ticket sales to Fan Fair saw beginnings of sharpest decline when the event was moved downtown in 2000. Perhaps this is because our core fan base, the thousands of folks who used to show up year after year in their RVs, now have nowhere to set up camp. I am disappointed that in an attempt to fill the void, the CMA is turning its focus to luring in fans from other genres instead of inventing ways
to honor and keep our loyal fans.

I was in hopes that the CMA would be the last ones to sell out our heritage for profits. I, for one, have paid my last annual dues. I cannot in good faith continue to support an organization that no longer values itself.
Instead of country music, it now appears CMA stands for ''Cash
Management Association.''
> > Holly Dunn

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 12 Jun 2003 7:52 pm

Another one,also,in today's Tennessean,for your approval. (or disapproval)
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Another ominous step in the loss of Nashville

To the Editor:

First the Grand Ole Opry moves from the Ryman to Opryland, whose leadership opened then closed a theme park unique to Nashville to put in a shopping center like lots of others in the country.

Then the Nashville Network tries for a bigger audience by becoming The National Network, (soon to be Spike TV) and scheduling less country music news and entertainment.

Now the Grand Poobah's that run Fan Fair want to change their event name and bring in acts other than country music.

Next thing you know, the mayor and Metro Council will be contacting Prince to see if they can buy his symbol now that he's got his name back and all of us can be proud of (Symbol), the City Formerly Known as Nashville.

Linda Cohoon

Livingston 38750

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©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 12 Jun 2003 8:20 pm

Bravo, bravo, Holly!!!. Vince, Marty, Ricky, where are you guys?[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 13 June 2003 at 01:34 PM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Jun 2003 3:35 am

I played a gig last week where some guy came up to the stage and wanted to play one of our Telecasters ( NOT ) and sing "Picture"

We don't do that...

Of course we don't play that song as we don't have a female in the band.

The guy calls me an idiot and then tells me Kid Rock is the best Country singer of all time ..

I told him I didn't agree but I did tell him that Kid Rock was the Ugliest Country singer of all time...

It's really hard to imagine all those recent polls where they claim that people are saying that KID and Cheryl are bigger than George and Tammy or Loretta and Conway..etc..

Put the for sale signs up for sure....

This is the new "NOT" Country generation...

by the way..I do think the song Picture, is a well written tune..I think they do a good job on the song, Cheryl is really a talent and it shows ..KID is just there , he got lucky..maybe he wrote the song I don't know..

But he is not the best Country singer to come along in 50 years...and the proof is he didn't make the list..neither did Ray Price..go figure..

Oh well..so much for the proof..

TP

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 13 Jun 2003 4:27 am

I am glad to see Holly is speaking out. I am disgusted with the country music today. IMHO it stinks and I refuse to listen to it. The Grand Ole Opry is not worth seeing due to the changes. Aomeone better wake up and smell the coffee and realize this music is going down hill fast and is giong to get worse. We need some others to speak up and be counted. I love the country music of the past. Give me Ray Price, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and some of the other greats. Lloyd Green said the songs of the past were playable especially the old Hank Williams tunes. The music of today has nothing to latch onto. I just hope it is not too late to turn it around.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 13 Jun 2003 6:06 am

I gave up on being disgusted long ago.
Now I'm just disenchanted and disengaged.

There are other places to look for (and FIND) country music that values the music itself over the almighty buck.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Jun 2003 6:52 am

Yes, I believe Netherlands is such a place...

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Jun 2003 8:51 am

They don't play Kid Rock or Kenny or Toby in the Netherlands ? Or did you say Neverland..

Peter Pan

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 13 Jun 2003 9:31 am

In a related story, there is an article in today's LA Times on the proliferation of rap karaoke venues.......

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 13 Jun 2003 11:48 am

Tony, I love you man, and I don't want to argue, But as long as there's Porter, Kid Rock will only go as far as "second ugliest."
And you ain't THAT good-looking yourself!

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Jun 2003 1:33 pm

Hey Stephen....I resemble that remark !

tp

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 13 Jun 2003 2:09 pm

Attaway to go Holly!!! Now lets hear from the other artists that are loyal to the traditional country music

Mike Sigler · Post by **Mike Sigler** » 16 Jun 2003 5:30 am

Hey guys and gals,
I was in the dressing room Sat. nite at the opry, Holly was the hero there and everyone there was walking by the room and giving two thumbs up, But no one that i know has came to her backing, I where are all the other letters to the editor????? Is she the only one with any guts? I have enjoyed working the road and the opry with Holly for over a year now, and she is 100% behind REAL country music... I hope her fellow opry members will step forward and slap around the CMA. and gaylord a little, She has now started the ball rolling, let see were her team is that will help carry it, I know she is sitting back watching this unfold.
My 2 cents! ( love Ya Holly)
Mike

Don Crawford · Post by **Don Crawford** » 16 Jun 2003 5:56 am

AMEN Mike----You said it. Thank goodness Holly had the guts and enough backbone to tell CMA and Gaylord how she feels. Someone needs to rattle the cages of some others to tell them how they feel. Keep up the good work Mike, and hug Holly's neck for me and tell her THANKS.

That's my $.02 worth.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 16 Jun 2003 6:36 am

Mike, what's Holly's email address or web site so that we can send her our support?

Mike Sigler · Post by **Mike Sigler** » 16 Jun 2003 8:40 am

Kevin
Just go to www.hollydunn.com and click on her e-mail icon. im sure she will love the support.
mike