Country Music News for the Country Music Enthusiast

JACK GREENE CELEBRATES HIS 40TH ANNIVERSARY
 AS A MEMBER OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY

A few nights ago at the Ernest Tubb's Midnight Jamboree Show, there was a special feeling in the air for several hours. I felt that ET was keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings, because one of his favorite Troubadours was celebrating 40 years of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and the celebration culminated with Jack hosting the Midnight Jamboree, and if there was ever a night which held special memories, I must have missed it, because last night the air was filled with excitement and happiness. Our friend Jack Greene was still at the top of his music.

First of all, because of LeeAnn LaLone who put the entire day's festivities together, Jack was the bearer of many well wishes from our Gov. Bredesen, our Mayor Keal, his Opry family, his own family, and of course his friends and fans. If you were not there or did not tune into to WSM 650, then you miss a special evening of memories. Jack's band the Jolly Green Giants with Penn Pennington (19 yrs. with Jack) Greg Cole on Drums, (Eddie Bayer considered to be one of the greatest drummers in our the music industry came to guest with the band), Leon Rhodes another former Troubadour, Doug Jernigan on Steel, Tim Atwood on piano, and Mitch Walker on Base, were as strong musically as I have ver heard them. Margo Smith and John Conlee came to wish Jack a Happy 40th Anniversary also. Porter Wagoner's daughter Debbie was in attendance also.

Jack opened the ETMJ with The Last Letter which he sang on one of Ernests' albums, and it was the song that made the record label take notice that Jack Greene was someone they should sign and let him make his own records. Jack got congratulatory messages from The Oak Ridge Boys, George Jones, Jean Shepard and Benny Burchfield, and many others. There was standing room only. He received a beautiful jacket from the Wildhorse Saloon commemorating his 40th anniversary and it was presented to him by Jan Howard one of his fellow members of the Grand Ole Opry, and also beautiful Epiphone Guitar. Then his duet partner of several years, Jeannie Seely came onstage to read some emails and messages of praise from people in the industry, friends and family. Then one of the most exciting parts of the evening was to hear Jack & Jeannie sing "Wish I Didn't Miss You." You would have had to be in the audience to feel the electricity flowing through the audience as they sang, and I mean it was like listening to the record exactly the way it was back then. What a super duet they still are.

Noel Stanley, another Troubadour, painted a pix of Jack and presented the drawing to Jack, and it was absolutely awesome. Ron Elliott, Jack's longtime steel guitarist was in the audience and Jack brought him on stage to say hello, and that was a great moment. Ron played on some of the greatest hits of Jack Greene.

Jack sang, All The Time, Walkin On New Grass, Statue of a Fool, There Goes My Everything and several other songs and never left the stage at any time. I don't think I have ever seen Jack so happy as he was last night, and I am not sure who was happier, Jack for David McCormack. David presented a commemorative placque to Jack for his 40th Anniversary at the Grand Ole Opry and read a great biography of Jack Greene. The Midnight Jamboree was on a magic carpet last night and was even more special to have Carol Lee Cooper come onstage to read some of the messages for Jack. Carol Lee as we all know was the announcer for the ETMJ for many years. 

Although the broadcast ended, the night and early morning were so special that it was a memory made for Jack Greene and country music, and well, well deserved. He surely is a living legend, and believe me when I say, his voice was as strong as it was back in 1967 when he won all of the awards that our industry could give one man. He is a great man, and I am one of the lucky people to be able to call him my friend and he has been a friend for many, many years. He truly is the Jolly Green Giant of country music.

One of the very special moments of the evening, was when his son came on stage and presented his Dad with a picture frame which had the Decca album and cover inside of the year Jack won all of the awards. It was a touching moment for Jack and his son and a very special time for both of them.

I want to take this time to say how much LeeAnn LaLone has been such a driving force for Jack Greene, and has been his shoulder through the past several years. She has kept his music and his career moving forward, when many others have opted to just "retire" because there is no one to make them know how much they are needed and loved by their fans, but LeeAnn has been the guiding light for Jack in these past several years. Jack knows how lucky he is.

So my friend, Jack Greene, I wish you continued success with more records, more beautiful songs and more accolades to keep you moving down the road to the Country Music Hall of Fame. You are an inspiration to all of us in the country music industry, to the young country singers who want to be like you, to your family and friends who love you so much. I speak from experience of knowing you, loving you like a brother, and thankful that I have learned many lessons in my musical career because of the advice and friendship that you offered me back in our early days, and now I still have your friendship and also LeeAnn's. I know what your friendship has meant to me, and I think you both know how I feel.

It would be nice to see you host the Midnight Jamboree every year on your anniversary. By the way everyone, the line to purchase Jack's CD and to shake his hand, get an autograph and take a picture was as long as I have seen in a long, long time, and Jack was signing close by the Green Hornet bus that he traveled 1000's of miles across our great country. I know Jack's mind had to be filled with memories of that bus.

If I have missed anyone who was in attendance last night, please forgive me. I did not do it intentionally.

Marty Martel