What will Gaylord Entertainment do next?

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 11 Jan 2003 2:13 pm

I speak as a former employee of TNN/Gaylord Entertainment. I am very concerned with the changes this company has made here in Nashville over the past 7 years. Here's just a few for those of you who don't know.
They've done away with Opryland Theme Park, Sold off TNN & CMT Cable Networks and moved them to NY, The Grand Ole Opry is now back at the Ryman Auditorium for about 5 months out of the year, last year they thretened to change WSM Radio's format to all sports and do away with the Country Music. And now they've put WSM-AM 650 back in the news headlines with a major DJ housecleaning this week. Several longtime on-air personalities were let go like "Kyle Cantrell", "Johnny K", "Matthew Gillan" & "Alan Dennis". This is scary because I wonder who's next. . . .could it be Eddie Stubbs, Keith Bilbrey, Bill Cody or Harold Hensley. Where will John Padgett's axe fall next?
This is really sad when I think about what Nashville once had, and now what it don't have. Gaylord's major changes and downfall seem to have started when former CEO "Bud Wendell" retired and "Terry London" took over. London wanted to take the Company in a new direction and build Opry Mills Shopping Mall and invest in Pro Sports Teams.
Gaylord's changes have effected the tourist trade here in Nashville and caused business declines even in their own Gaylord/Opryland Resort Hotel, The nearby Outlet Malls, Stardust Theatre, Numerous Restaurants & The Nashville Palace. . .just ask our friend Mike Sweeney.
I wonder what Gaylord will do next? OK Boys, let the Flames begin! NR[This message was edited by Nick Reed on 12 January 2003 at 10:00 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 11 Jan 2003 2:30 pm

Nick...I guess when you have all the money and hold all the cards you can do whatever the hell you want..

The fact that KID ROCK is now on the CMT video rotation says it all for me...

Say goodbye to sweet voices, harmonies , Steel Guitars and say hello to rat looking
unkept foul mouth acts who couldn't hold a candle to many of the members on this forum.

I read an industry report that stated that music CD's were down 15% for 2002...Geeze what a shock ! They were down 100% for me...

Oh wait, I bought several CD's at Scotty's this year..I don't think they count though..

At least the Opry Hotel is big and extravagant , I guess anyplace that charges $5 for a Bagel and a drink should be....

tp[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 11 January 2003 at 02:32 PM.]

Rex Thomas · Post by **Rex Thomas** » 11 Jan 2003 2:42 pm

No flames here, Nick, just sad agreement.
Mid-Summer I sat in with my friends http://wrightbrothersband.com/frontpage.html on a gig they had at the convention center. Sad thing with me is I WELL remember the befores as well as the nows, and as silly as this might sound I was saying to Tim Wright as we were walking thru the 'jungles' over there, "This is the hotel 'HOWWWWDEEEEE!!!' built." That's true, you know. Without those roots that Roy, Minnie, George D., Grandpa, & the too numerous to mention others established, there would be no concept. And instead of building upon it they want to change gears. I personally don't have a problem with the Opry going back to the Ryman, but I hate seeing such a wonderful & timeless tradition & institution being back burnered.
Oh well.

Mike Delaney · Post by **Mike Delaney** » 12 Jan 2003 7:48 am

Tony's comment about sums it up. Hello rat face, unkempt, foul mouth...

I always swore as I was growing up that I would always remain cool and in touch with what was hip, but I just can't seem to stomach that rhythmic bitching that is being passed off as music.

I have two teenage sons, and I asked them about this just yesterday. What's the appeal? He isn't singing, nobody is playing a musical instrument, and the only creativity is how he can manage to use the F word one out of every three. They said it is funny. I made that noise once with our record player, and my Mom slapped hell out of me. I didn't see anything funny about it!

Seriously, I think this is a great job of marketing by the record companies. If you have a studio full of people who went to all the time and trouble to master musical intruments, they expect to be paid for it. If you just use electronic garble, you cut down on overhead. That's the American way of doing business. Market the heck out of a lousy product and downsize. Putting your own customers out of work makes perfect sense to me.

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 12 Jan 2003 8:11 am

I have noticed that many of the big name steel players are now out there playing at many of the local jam sesstions. Might this also be attributed to the fact that they too need an out let to play as other opitions are slowly dropping off.

Welcome guys the rest of us love to hear you play live.

Larry Behm

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 12 Jan 2003 8:55 am

1925- W.S.M.= We Shield Millions
2003- W.S.M.= We S#%@W Millions
At least they can still use the call letters.

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 12 Jan 2003 10:25 am

What will Gaylord Entertainment do next

I hear they are going to buy WZTV

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 12 Jan 2003 2:56 pm

Nashville is no longer a town for the "people's" music. If I were 20 years old again, and faced the choice I did 25 years ago, I'd be looking at Austin rather than Nashville. Some new place will surely arise to fill the void created by the corporate rape of Nashville. Given the way that money and power follow success, it's amazing that Nashville remained basically unchanged through the 60's.

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 13 Jan 2003 7:25 pm

http://www.petitiononline.com/jb650wsm/petition.html

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 13 Jan 2003 8:13 pm

Presently there are only seven signatures. Forumites, when you get the time, and if you feel it is important enough, please sign the petition. It can't hurt. Janice, thanks for composing it for us.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 13 Jan 2003 8:39 pm

Nick, I thoroughly agree with you. This is the destruction of a national treasure and institution and I can't help but believe that it is purposeful. Janice, I have signed the petition.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 13 January 2003 at 08:40 PM.]

R. L. Jones · Post by **R. L. Jones** » 13 Jan 2003 8:41 pm

You`re my kind of people Janice, tough ,but gentle ,Anything we cando tohelp let us know

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 14 Jan 2003 6:11 am

Even as screwed up as "Branson" is now, it pulls in more than "Nashville does in the Country Music area. Pigeonforge here in east TN does a far better job than Nashville.

Gaylord and Nashville turned their backs on "Music"(all kinds) in lue of "Sports" and other mega-buck venues. Most of this was ramroded by Gaylord and the New York money-mongles. We,the public,have and are still paying for past,stupid,business deals made by those who care less about anything other than making a $$$.

Our present Mayor and council,thankfully,has seen the errors that have been done and are attempting to correct the problems.

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 14 Jan 2003 9:52 am

When you have an old man like Dick Clark trying to recapture their youth anything can happen. In his mind, he probably thinks he's just expanding and purveying American Bandstand.

Mismanagement of America's corporations is rampant in the U.S. and it seems to be alive and well at Gaylord.

But, the ones to blame are those who sold out.

Rick

Dave Birkett · Post by **Dave Birkett** » 14 Jan 2003 10:46 am

I think a possible solution is to bring back the limits on how many radio station licenses one entity can own. This would produce more competitors and a wider variety of music. In order to do this, we'd probably have to elect a significant number of third party politicians because both the Democrats and Republicans are in the pockets of the major corporations, such as Gaylord.

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 14 Jan 2003 11:20 am

Gaylord has made horrible decisions I know but, I don't know what it is.... but the last time I saw John Hughey play on TV it was on CMT. He was on a re-broadcast of Austin City Limits. He sounded great and it gave me another opportunity to see his flawless right hand technique up close..

CMT was also the last place I saw Mooney playing on TV with Waylon. I enjoyed watching him play.

CMT was the last place I saw Tommy White playing steel on stage..

CMT was the last place I saw Dave Robbins playing steel on stage....(with Jean Shepherd) sp?

Without CMT ? Where are you going to see these guys play without being there in person.

For the wise guys out there (by in person) I wasn't talking about Waylon..

Thanks

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Tim Harr - Carter D-10 8 & 9 - Troy Cook Jr Band ~ Stardust Nashville Recording Artist

[This message was edited by Tim Harr on 14 January 2003 at 11:25 AM.]

Janice Brooks · Post by **Janice Brooks** » 14 Jan 2003 7:15 pm

Bump

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 20 Jan 2003 8:47 pm

Bushgal sent me an e-mail saying that Gaylord Entertainment was gonna get rid of the senior Opry members soon. I'll miss em all, but at least we won't have to hear Little Jimmy Dickens talk about Willie Nelson after taxes & Mighty Mouse in his PJ's. He's needed some new material for a long time! Does this also mean that Capps, Linneman, Atwood and other staffers will get the boot like Joe Edwards did a few years ago. NR

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 21 Jan 2003 3:55 am

It means that the Opry will soon be a parking lot or another addition to the Shoprylands mall.

Rumor has it the Gaylords are trying to get an existing NBA team. Not much blood left to squeeze out at the Opry.

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CJC

Brad Burch · Post by **Brad Burch** » 21 Jan 2003 7:33 am

I was surprised at how little live music there was in Nashville the few times that I've been. Seems like there's just not that many venues that cater to it at all. I'm from Atlanta, GA, which isn't "Music City" but there are probably 100+ clubs, arenas, theaters, etc that have live music almost every night. Austin TX is has about as much live music as anywhere I've ever been.

Dave Seddon · Post by **Dave Seddon** » 21 Jan 2003 8:37 am

It was always a lifes ambition of mine to go to Nashville, seems like I missed my chance.
Cheers Dave

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 21 Jan 2003 9:34 am

Gaylord is to blame?
Well, if you guys don't watch or listen and those that do have critized since I've gotten on line. Who's to blame? If Gaylord isn't making money and people aren't watching who do we blame?

Doug Childress · Post by **Doug Childress** » 21 Jan 2003 10:38 am

We would love to have all the nashville pickers move to Austin. Austin is the live music capitol of the world!! If you don't believe me, ask Herb Steiner. They have a station there that plays nothing but local video music 24 hours a day. We'll keep the light on.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 21 Jan 2003 10:41 am

Theresa, who wants to listen to the feminist
"men are bad" trash coming out of Nashville these days? Its plastic music.