Diane’s Country Music Newsletter — 4 February 2026
NEWS
The Grand Ole Opry canceled its in-house Saturday night performance on January 24, due to the winter storm, although the Opry radio broadcast was aired. The radio show featured a mix of live performances and recorded highlights from past Opry shows. Country Now summarizes Opry history: The Grand Ole Opry began as a radio show in 1925. Following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945, the regular broadcast briefly went silent, with a short live performance continuing for those present. In 1968, after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a citywide curfew in Nashville required the show to be canceled; a previously recorded Opry broadcast aired on WSM Radio. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ticketed performances were suspended for more than six months. Performers played to an empty house as the radio broadcasts and livestreams continued.
Nashville was at the center of the ice storm that swept through Middle Tennessee on Saturday and Sunday, January 24-25. At the storm’s peak, 230,000 Nashvillians were without power, the largest number ever. By Thursday morning, power had been restored to approximately 140,000 homes and businesses, but more than 90,000 remained without power. Singer James Otto told Country Now: “As a veteran of many North Dakota and Washington state winters, I’ve seen a ton of bad storms, but the widespread devastation from this ice storm is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. The amount of downed trees and massive limbs breaking off from the weight of the ice is crazy. Virtually every yard in my neighborhood has severe damage. I’m hoping that we’re getting close to having power back, but who knows. I’m grateful for all the crews out there cleaning up fallen trees and the linemen working to get us back online.”
Bill Anderson writes in his fan club newsletter: “After two days in an ice-cold house, I was finally able to get out and over to my son, Jamey’s, house where the power had come back on. He and his wife, Beth, have taken me in, fed me, and made sure I was warm. My daughter, Jenni, lives nearby, and I’m typing this letter on my laptop sitting at her dining room table. I don’t know what I would have done without my family. I had no electricity for seven days!” About the Opry, he says, “We were scheduled for an appearance January 24 when the storm hit and the Opry was canceled. By the following Saturday night, when we were slated to appear again, I was too frazzled from all the week’s events to even think about going onstage and smiling. Cross your fingers that by February 14 I’ll be up to a Valentine’s Night appearance. I’m planning on it.”
Famed Oklahoma deejay and former Texas Troubadour Billy Parker, 88, died January 19 at a hospital in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born in Tuskegee, Oklahoma, he began playing and singing on the radio as a teenager in McAlester, Oklahoma. He was performing and working as a disc jockey in Tulsa, until Ernest Tubb hired him in 1968 to replace Cal Smith as front man for the Texas Troubadours. After three years of road life, he returned to Tulsa and joined radio station KVOO (whose call letters stand for “Voice of Oklahoma”, which had just changed to a country format. He created one of the first all-night truckers’ programs in the country, Billy Parker’s Big Rigger Show. He won multiple ACM and CMA Awards as Disc Jockey of the Year, was inducted to the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame, the Western Swing Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, and received the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Lifetime Achievement Award. His co-written autobiography in 2023 was called Thanks—Thanks a lot.
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley have officially opened a second location of their nonprofit organization, The Store, reports Country Now. During the grand opening at the TriStar Centennial campus, they toured the new store and took part in an honorary ribbon cutting. Learning that Taylor Swift had provided a donation in her year-end giving, The Store responded: “Her generous gift helps us continue providing groceries with dignity and choice to families across Middle Tennessee especially as we prepare to open our second location. Thank you, Taylor, for using your voice and generosity to uplift neighbors in need.” Kimberly said, “This was a gift that came out of the blue. We were not expecting it and to know that she’s aware of the work we’re doing and that she supports it was incredible.”
To celebrate her 80th birthday on January 19, Dolly Parton announced the release of a new version of her 50-year-old song, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.” In an Instagram video, she began, “Well, hey there! It’s Dolly, and I’ve made it! I’m 80 years old.” At that age, she said, you don’t take gifts; you give them. “I’m gonna give you the gift of a bunch of friends that stopped by to help me sing on a song called ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning,’ a song I wrote years ago,” she said, adding, “I’m giving you the gift of Queen Latifah, Reba McEntire, Miley Cyrus and Lainey Wilson, with David Foster playing the piano.” She concluded her message with, “Oh Lord, I’ve outlived so many plastic surgeons. Well, happy birthday to me!”
U2 musician Bono surprised Dolly Parton on her birthday by sending a bagpiper to play “Happy Birthday” to her, PEOPLE reports. The bagpiper later posted on social media, “I’m so glad it worked out. It was a delight to play for you on behalf of Bono and the boys. Happy 80th.” In an Instagram video, Dolly says, “Wow! This is from Bono,” before thanking her visitors and blowing out candles on a cake. She asks, “Are you calling me an old bag?”
Fifty years ago on January 3, 1976, The Bellamy Brothers released “Let Your Love Flow,” which reached No. 1 the week of May 1. MusicRow announces a celebratory tour by The Bellamy Brothers this summer, with their first-ever headline performance at the Ryman Auditorium on June 25. They will also perform across the country, with shows set for Tulsa, Fort Worth, Wichita, Bakersfield, Branson and more through December 5. (I have July 10 on my calendar: Royal River Casino & Hotel in Flandreau.) Their TV show, Honky Tonk Ranch, streams on American Country Network and YouTube and is in its fifth season of offering a behind-the-scenes look at life on the road and running their Florida ranch. Their medical marijuana brand, Old Hippie Stash, continues to be available in select states through their partnership with Trulieve.
GRAMMY Museum Mississippi recently celebrated the opening of its newest exhibit, The Killer, The Preacher and The Cowboy: The Family Legacy of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley. The three widows, Judith Lewis (Jerry Lee), Cindy Gilley (Mickey), and Frances Swaggart (Jimmy), spoke during the event. Exhibit co-curator Zach Farnum hosted a panel discussion with Jerry Lee’s youngest son, Jerry Lee Lewis III, and Jimmy’s grandson, Matthew Swaggart. Performers Jacob Tolliver, James Dupré and Danica Hart sang songs made famous by each of the three men. Louisiana-born Dupré is currently the lead vocalist on the Randy Travis More Life Tour. Tolliver opened on tour for Jerry Lee from 2017-2019 and portrayed him in Million Dollar Quartet in Las Vegas. Hart is a Mississippi native and former member of the Chapel Hart trio. “I had the pleasure of knowing Jerry Lee, Jimmy, and Mickey personally, and will continue sharing their legacy with today’s generation of musicians and audiences across the globe,” Jacob Tolliver said in a press release.
An Instagram post by Reba McEntire, 70, shows a video of her 40th anniversary celebration as a Grand Ole Opry member. She is standing in front of a decorated cake when Terri Clark, 57, hands her a bouquet of 40 corn dogs. “Ya’ll know me very well,” Reba responds when Terri says, “On behalf of the Opry, Reba, this is your 40th anniversary gift, and I’m happy to give it to you.” Reba said, “Because you want part of it,” and Terri agreed, “Yes, I do. That’s it. That’s it.” Reba inducted Suzy Bogguss into the Opry that evening, and she sang her 1994 hit, “Why Haven’t I Heard from You,” joined by Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Mattea, Terri Clark, and Suzy Bogguss.
The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, with Taylor Swift as one of the inductees. At 36, she is the second youngest ever to be inducted, after Stevie Wonder. Songwriters with notable catalogs of songs qualify for induction 20 years after the first commercial release of a song. Taylor’s debut single, “Tim McGraw,” hit country radio in 2006. The other inductees are Walter Afanasieff; Terry Britten and Graham Lyle; Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS; Kenny Loggins; Alanis Morissette; and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart. The induction ceremony be held June 11 in New York City.
Kirk West has filed a countersuit against Nancy Jones, the widow of George Jones, for accusing him of stealing $10 million in cryptocurrency. They had been in a romantic relationship for 12 years, until last summer when she kicked him out of her home after discovering the missing valuables. According to the Tennessean, the newly filed documents accuse Nancy of subjecting him to “wrath, public hatred, contempt, or ridicule, or deprived him of the benefits of public confidence or social interaction.” He denies that he was penniless and says he was investing and managing her finances and his together. Because the two shared their assets, he is entitled to half of her “cryptocurrency, cash and precious metals.” He says they agreed to split assets evenly if they broke up.
Luke Bryan, the son of a peanut farmer, is headlining his 17th Farm Tour this year. MusicRow reports the spring Farm Tour dates, for the second consecutive year, will be in California from May 14-16. Traditional Farm Tour dates and locations for the fall will be announced later. Since the tour’s inception in 2009, Luke has awarded 90 college scholarships to farm families near the tour stops. He and his sponsors have provided more than 10 million meals through Bayer’s “Take Care, Now” campaign and the #HerestotheFarmer social initiative. Luke continues to be a judge on ABC’s American Idol, along with Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood.
During Sunday evening’s 68th Annual Grammy Awards, Reba McEntire performed for her first time ever on the Grammy stage. She delivered an “In Memoriam” tribute that honored singers, songwriters, producers, musicians and others in the entertainment industry who died this past year, including her stepson, Brandon Blackstock. Lukas Nelson and Brandy Clark joined her in singing a reimagined version of “Trailblazer,” a song written by Brandy, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert and earlier recorded by Reba, Lainey, and Miranda.
The Grammy for Best Traditional Country Album was presented to Zach Top for Ain’t In It For My Health at the Grammy premiere ceremony, held ahead of the televised Sunday evening awards ceremony. The other nominees were Dollar A Day by Charley Crockett, American Romance by Lukas Nelson, Oh What a Beautiful World by Willie Nelson, and Hard Headed Woman by Margo Price.
The third of three famous brothers in The Adams Boys band has died. Arnie, Gary and Don Adams formed the core of two important country music bands, The Jones Boys with George Jones in the 1960s and The Lovemakers with Johnny Paycheck in the 1970s. Donald Eugene Adams, 85, of Greenfield, Ohio, died February 1. Born in 1941, Don left home at age 20 for a life on the road that lasted over two decades. The Adams Boys and Donny Lytle (Johnny PayCheck) were inducted into the Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022. Gary Adams died in 2022, at the age of 78, following a bout with COVID-19. Roland “Big Arnie” Adams, 86, died in 2023 soon after the discovery of late-stage cancer.
LETTERS
Doug Lippert writes from Carmel (Greater Indianapolis), Indiana, “Each of your newsletters is better than the last. My heart became full when you mentioned how Ralph Emery encouraged and inspired and helped you. He and Eddie (Stubbs) remain my two favorite WSM/Grand Ole Opry announcers. There are two voices I can conjure right now, as I write this reply. One is Keith Jackson saying the name of a city when a college football game was on ABC. e.g. ‘Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home of the Crimson Tide.’ ‘South Bend, Indiana home of the fighting Irish of Notre Dame.’
The other is Ralph Emery holding up a box of Goody’s Headache Powders and saying ‘Goody’s. The number one headache powder in the south.’ What great memories. Thanks for sharing yours.”
Zach Farnum of 117 Entertainment says, “Thank you for including Clay Walker!”Ronnie Traywick writes from Marshville, North Carolina, “Thanks Diane, your reads are always entertaining.”
Bobby Fischer in Nashville says, “You put a spark in the day with your newsletter. I know folks agree around the world. Thanks for including my old memories.”
Ron Wood writes, “In addition to your newsletter articles, the Bob Jennings letters inspired me to add more to the Lem Hawkins information. I did spend more search time, since your response to my inquiry about Lem as a DJ. You may remember that my main reason for searching is to find out if there is any recorded music from Lem’s band. (From Find A Grave: He was a native of Northwest Missouri. Born at Parnell, lived in Skidmore late in life and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery south of Skidmore. He and wife Velma had two daughters, Dorothy and Evolee.) Seems his first work as a musician and entertainer was at KMA radio of Shenandoah, Iowa, where Lem worked in the mid-1920s and again from 1940-44. In between those dates he was in Fargo, North Dakota, at WDAY. Norwegian Heritage (web) lists a member of his band, Lars Birklid, in 1932, as a country western ballad singer, when Lem called his band ‘Lem Hawkins Georgie Porgie Hill Billies’. From the Bismarck Tribune (web) there is an obituary of Emil Stern who ‘played in Fargo’s premier band, Lem Hawkins Hillbillies on WDAY radio every week in the 1930s.’ To Bob Jennings, thanks for all the memories you wrote of. I graduated high school in 1955, too. You had written about visiting Bud Isaacs. Are you a pedal steel guitarist? I play a pedal steel as a hobby, never in a band.”
Pamela Blake requests, “Add me to your newsletter please. The country music one. I just ordered your biography of Marty Robbins.”
Jackie Allen Thomas writes from Arizona, “Thanks again for the great newsletter informing us of many things about our country stars that we don’t hear elsewhere. Always an interesting read and always happy when I see it in my mail!! Much appreciated, thank you.”
Eric Calhoun says, “Thanks for telling me Miranda Lambert will perform at Daytona Raceway, and Happy Birthday to Dolly Parton. Hello to the new readers. Brittany Alyn, I was able to talk to Lorrie Morgan on Country 93.9 KZLA. I’ve made friends with background singers; Wendy Moten comes to mind. Welcome.”
Ken Johnson reports: “Oklahoma broadcaster Billy Parker, a 1991 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee, died January 19 at the age of 88.”
COUNTRY MUSIC DISC JOCKEY HALL OF FAME – 1991 and 1992
1991
Lifelong Oklahoman Billy Parker, born in 1937 in Tuskegee, began his radio career in Tulsa in 1959. He worked in several cities before leaving radio to become front man for Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours. (ET hired him to replace Cal Smith.) After tiring of the road, he returned to radio in 1971 at KVOO Tulsa, where he created one of the nation’s first all-night truckers’ programs, Billy Parker’s Big Rigger Show. In 1974 he was named Disc Jockey of the Year by the CMA, followed by Disc Jockey of the Year for the Academy of Country Music in 1975, 1977, 1978, and 1984. He was awarded the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. He died two weeks ago, on January 19, 2026, in his hometown of Tulsa, at age 88.
Sammy Taylor, born Delmar Merle Taylor in Kansas in 1915, decided after two years of high school that he was big enough to hit the road. By 1937, he was in Portland, Oregon, where he joined KWJJ and became one of Portland’s best known radio personalities in the ‘40s and ‘50s, known for his many live remote broadcasts. He began as one of Portland’s few disc jockeys, taking late-night requests to play Jazz, Blues & Big Band music. In 1965, when KWJJ switched from Middle of The Road music to Country & Western, Sammy became KWJJ Program Director and Music Director. In 1977, he celebrated 40 years in radio and then retired. In 1980, at age 64, Sammy Taylor died at his Lake Oswego home after suffering chest pains.
1992
Jay Hoffer, born in New York City in 1930, began his radio career as an announcer at a Connecticut radio station, moving to television in Rhode Island and New York before moving in 1960 to Sacramento, California. In addition to working in radio, he taught at Cal State University and Golden Gate University. He authored three books on radio station management and broadcast techniques. He served as President of the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau and Publicity Chairman of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce. He was Station Manager of KRAK Radio and Vice President of Hercules Broadcasting at the time of his death in 1977. He was 47 and was posthumously inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame.
Mike Oatman, born in the West Texas town of Marta, had been working at El Paso radio station KHEY for six years when Mike Lynch, who founded Great Empire Broadcasting Inc., hired him in 1965 to be program director and drive time anchor for KFDI AM in Wichita, Kansas. Mike later became co-owner of Great Empire with Lynch. They grew the company with the purchase of radio stations in medium size markets until they owned one of the largest chains of country stations in America. They sold Great Empire’s 13 radio stations to Journal Broadcast Group in June 2001. Although retired, Mike continued to do a five-minute daily show of poetry and homespun humor on Wichita’s KFDI/KFTI radio. He also wrote a weekly column for The Wichita Eagle and served as president of Country Radio Broadcasters and as chairman of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. He received the American Broadcast Pioneer Award in 2002. The decades-long Wichita resident died of liver cancer at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in 2003 at age 63.