Country's Connie Smith Performs First Full Show in More Than a Decade; Ricky Lynn Gregg Mourns Loss

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins Jan 22, 2009

Dolly Parton has listed her among one of only three “real” female country singers, and on Jan. 22, 2009, at Nashville’s Station Inn, Connie Smith will celebrate the 45th anniversary of her debut appearance in Music City by performing a full-scale show.

Per WSM-AM radio host Eddie Stubbs, who also happens to serve as the announcer for RFD-TV's The Marty Stuart Show, it’ been at least 15 or more years since the cute ‘n’ country Ms. Smith delivered a full show.

In a Jan. 7, 2009, online posting in The Tennessean, Smith noted, "I came here on March 28, 1964, and I sang that night at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Then, I sang on the (Grand Ole) Opry. And then I cut (the hit-country song) Once A Day in July of 1964, and that was No. 1 in November."

Over the years, Smith—whom Stubbs refers to as “The Rolls-Royce of Country Music"—has performed on the coveted Opry stage, as indicated above, but never with her full band, the Sundowners.

The Jan. 22 show at Station Inn will not only give Smith a chance to play an extended set, which will undoubtedly be laced with her sound’s trademark stellar-steel guitar accompaniment—but also give fans a long-overdue chance to see the still-lovely vocalist do what she does best: belt out traditional country music in fine style.

Tickets, $15 each, are available on a first-come, first-served basis only, and as observed by Stubbs, one can expect the line to wind around and ‘round the block. Those who manage to get a seat at the 402 12th Ave South-housed venue to take in the show by Mrs. Marty Stuart can deem it a lucky day, to be sure.

Remembering Lucille: King of Honky-Tonk Rock’s Missing His Biggest Fan

Prayers and condolences go out to country artist Ricky Lynn Gregg, who recently lost his beloved mother, Lucille, 84. Funeral services were held Jan. 2, 2009, in Longview, Texas, the Gregg family's hometown.

“Lucille passed … with her family by her side,” shared Ricky’s manager and wife, LaCretia. “Ricky held her hand until the end. God has taken a sweet angel home.”

As one fortunate to call Ricky a friend and also one who long ago met his mother, this writer can confirm that Ricky was a devoted, loving and respectful son to his "sweet Lucille" always. In fact, in the fondest sense, the term “Mama’s Boy” is an apt description when it comes to the "King of Honky-Tonk Rock."

Now based in Tennessee, the long-tressed vocalist-guitarist made his foray on the commercial country-music scene with his self-titled Liberty Records debut, which spawned the singles If I Had a Cheatin’ Heart, a former No. 36, and Three Nickels and a Dime and Can You Feel It. The success of the album earned him the No. 4 spot on Billboard’s Top New Artist list of 1993.

Ricky followed the hit-debut with his second album, 1994’s Can You Feel It. However, after label-chief Jimmy Bowen retired because of thyroid cancer, Ricky opted to take a "buyout" on his contract with Liberty upon Bowen's advice.

A longtime favorite on the Texas music circuit, Ricky’s fan base remained intact and he went on to star as Quanah Parker on the stage and maintains a packed touring schedule. His latest album, Be Careful What You Wish For, was released on the independent Row Music Group label.

For more information on Ricky, including his latest tour dates, please access www.rickylynngregg.com