Diane’s Country Music Newsletter — 15 October 2025
NEWS
When Kathy Mattea was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry this past Saturday evening, she sang “Eighteen Wheels and A Dozen Roses,” with Terri Clark, Trisha Yearwood, and Suzy Bogguss as her harmony singers. She interrupted the song to say that, as the newest member of the Opry, she had already been given her first job. Then she announced, “On behalf of my friends, Trisha and Terri, and the entire Grand Ole Opry family, Suzy Bogguss, . . . would you like to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry?” Suzy said yes. After a few minutes of congratulations, they finished the song.
Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea, Connie Smith, Terri Clark, and Trisha Yearwood. Photo by Ricky Miller.
Jerry Duane Burnette, formerly of Horn Lake, Mississippi, died September 27, at age 65. born in 1960 in Nashville, Jerry was the son of steel player Sonny Burnette, who played for Webb Pierce, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Jim Reeves, and Marty Robbins, as well as being a WSM staff musician on the Grand Ole Opry and the Ralph Emery Show. Sonny died in 2013. Jerry grew up in the country music industry and was a truck driver until suffering a traumatic brain injury in 1986.
After Freida Parton posted on Facebook that she’d been up all night “praying for my sister, Dolly” and asked for “prayer warriors to pray with me,” Dolly Parton, 79, posted a video on Instagram captioned, “I ain’t dead yet!” She explained in the video that she was filming it on October 8 while working on commercials in Nashville. “Do I look sick to you?” she asked. “I’m working hard here!” She said she hadn’t taken care of herself during the last days of her husband, Carl Dean, and she “let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of.” She added, “I’m not ready to die yet. I don’t think God is through with me, and I ain’t done working.” According to PEOPLE, Freida, 68, later clarified she “didn’t mean to scare anyone or make it sound so serious when asking for prayers for Dolly.” She said she “simply asked for prayers because I believe so strongly in the power of prayer.”
Congratulations to Sam Wellington, formerly of the Four Guys, who has published his fifth book, A Trail of Fallen Stars. He writes on Facebook that the book’s 42 chapters represent 42 country music performers whose lives were cut short in the prime of life. Sam says, “From the Singing Brakeman Jimmy Rogers and Patsy Cline to Naomi Judd, Toby Keith, and Elvis, this book represents a true Star Trail of short lives lived.” The book is available at AMAZON BOOKS worldwide. You can let Sam know your thoughts at sr**********@*****st.net.
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (NaSHOF) inducted seven new members during its 55th Anniversary Gala on October 6, reports MusicRow. The Class of 2025 includes Steve Bogard and Tony Martin in the songwriter category; Jim Lauderdale and Brad Paisley in the songwriter/artist category; Don Cook in the veteran songwriter category; and Emmylou Harris in the veteran songwriter/artist category. The late JJ Cale was recognized in the Legacy category. Bill Anderson presented Brad Paisley with his award, and Steve Wariner sang “We Danced.” Rodney Crowell introduced Emmylou Harris, and Vince Gill sang her hit “Boulder to Birmingham.” Three Hall of Fame members who died since last year’s event were remembered: Troy Seals, Sonny Curtis, and Brett James. Kenny Chesney sang his hit “When the Sun Goes Down” in honor of its songwriter, Brett James.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2025: Don Cook, Steve Bogard, Brad Paisley, JJ Cale’s wife, Christine Lakeland-Cale, Emmylou Harris, Jim Lauderdale, and Tony Martin; Photo by Andrew Wendowski.
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) hosted the 8th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards on September 23, reports Country Now. Forty-two songwriters were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the craft. The evening opened with Lukas Nelson leading a tribute to NSAI founding member Kris Kristofferson and namesake to NSAI’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Kris’s widow, Lisa Kristofferson, presented the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award to ALABAMA’s Randy Owen. Teddy Gentry was unable to attend, and Jeff Cook was recognized posthumously. ALABAMA’s career was acknowledged with Gordon Mote performing a medley of the band’s biggest hits, Jason Aldean singing “My Home’s in Alabama,” and Lorrie Morgan singing “There’s No Way.”
Last Call: One More for the Road — The Finale, which Country Now reports will take place next June 27 at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, will be the last full-length concert by Alan Jackson. He will celebrate his retirement with an all-star lineup: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Lee Ann Womack. During a concert in Milwaukee last May, Alan told the sold-out crowd, “This is my last road show. It’s been a long, sweet ride. It started 40 years ago. I’ve really lived the American dream for sure — I’m so blessed.”
Tim McGraw will headline a limited engagement at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace this December during the National Finals Rodeo. Country Now reports that Tim McGraw: Live in Vegas will replace some of the dates originally scheduled for Dolly: Live in Las Vegas. Tim is a longtime rodeo supporter who recently brought the first-ever rodeo to Nashville with the inaugural Music City Rodeo.
Friends Of the Atwoods: A Night of Giving will take place November 18 at 3rd & Lindsley, reports MusicRow, to benefit Tim & Roxane Atwood. The couple is facing ongoing health challenges including spinal surgery complications and a recent stroke. Tim has spent 38 years playing the piano at the Grand Ole Opry, backing Roy Acuff, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, and Taylor Swift, among others. He also toured with Jeannie Seely. Roxane produced Grand Ole Opry Live and Opry Backstage. The event is sponsored by Gus Arrendale & Springer Mountain Farms, with a live auction and performances by Jimmy Fortune, John Berry, Linda Davis, Mandy Barnett, T. Graham Brown, The Isaacs, The Whites, and others. Tickets are on sale now. A GoFundMe is available here. Roxane is a long-time subscriber to this newsletter. Our best wishes to you, Roxane and Tim.
PEOPLE reports that Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire have been the subject of fake AI images circulating online. One shows Dolly, 79, lying in a hospital bed as Reba, 70, holds her hand. The other has Reba showing off a sonogram. Dolly’s reaction was: “Did you see that AI picture of Reba and me? Oh lordy, I mean, they had Reba at my death bed, and we both looked like we need to be buried.” Reba then posted a video in which she said, “You tell ’em, Dolly! That AI mess has got us doing all kinds of crazy things. You’re out there dying, I’m out here having a baby.” She added, “Well, both of us know you’re too young and I’m too old for any of that kind of nonsense.”
Leroy Van Dyke writes on Facebook: “After the announcement of my 96th birthday this past October 4th, I received good wishes from all over the world in the form of text messages, phone calls, FB posts, birthday cards, and visits. I want to thank all of you, and I look forward to the next one!”
The Ernest Tubb Record Shop officially reopened October 13, reports Whiskey Riff. The original sign, fully restored, hangs in front of the historic building. The ground floor features two bars, each with a stage and live music, along with authentic memorabilia. The record store itself is now on the second floor, designed as an authentic recreation of the original record shop. And just like the original, the new record shop will host performances in the back. The third floor is reserved for private events, and the top floor will be a rooftop bar, scheduled to open soon.
LETTERS
Bobby Fischer writes from Nashville, “Years ago I was in my office, my secretary Sylvia (who later became a star) buzzed me, said a girl was on the phone who said my sister Pat in Aledo Illinois said to call me and I would listen to her sing. So I did, on a stool at a pizza place. She was great. Had her sing a demo for us I wrote with Murray Kellum, ‘Moonlight Magic Man.’ Her name is Suzy Bogguss. Also, could you print this new web site: https://tunesharks.com. A new writer, Dave Morris, put it together for me. At 90, I am having lots of fun with it. Have not met him yet just over the internet but we’ve got 13 new songs, and he put them on this web site.”
Wayne Doucet says, “I was sorry to hear of the passing of Phil Sperbeck, accomplished steel guitar player from Louisiana. I had the privilege of meeting him at a recording session in Alexandria, Louisiana, in 1977. The name of the studio was the Sound Doctor where he played steel guitar on two songs that were recorded that day by a man I only know as Cowboy Richard. I never knew his actual name. One of the songs was titled ‘Daddy, would you still be proud of me” and the other one was a Christmas song. Other musicians in attendance that day with Cowboy Richard, who was an accomplished musician, were Johnny Morgan lead guitar player, Charlie Mabeaux not sure of the spelling bass player, and Michael Doucet on drums. If anyone knows a way I can get a copy of those recordings, I would be thankful.”
Cor Sanne writes from The Netherlands, “On October 4th Leroy Van Dyke celebrated his 96th birthday. How great is that?! I worked with him once in The Netherlands, January 4th of 1986, in the city of UTRECHT. It was fun and easy working with Leroy. He was excited to be in the country where his ancestors came from. A true professional….the great old school. Happy trails from Nieuwkoop, Netherlands.”
Leroy Van Dyke and Core Sanne in 1986
Danney Yates writes, “I really, really love this newsletter and the focus on classic country music. It is wonderful!! My question is about Ronnie Milsap. It is so disappointing to me that no biography has been done on this titan of music. I know he did his own with Tom Carter decades ago, but it seems someone would have done one since then. Know anything? Any updates on how he’s doing?”
Diane: There’s a new biography just published in August by Yakson Morris: RONNIE MILSAP BIOGRAPHY: A Journey Through Music and Resilience. As you say, he wrote his autobiography, Almost Like a Song, in 1990 with Tom Carter. He played his final show on Oct. 3, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena, several months after celebrating his 80th birthday on the Opry stage. His wife, Joyce, died from leukemia in 2021 at the age of 81. I haven’t heard any news on Ronnie since his retirement.
Mary Mitchell says, “Great Newsletter. Ron Wood mentioned he had 190 LPs. Thanks for that information. I am not interested in more LPs at the age of eighty-seven. What I would like to do is find a home for my converted LPs. The CDs are free except for shipping. I have them from Bill Anderson to Faron young. These are all Traditional Artists. They are not being played on radio any longer. I can be reached by e-mail at tr********@*ol.com.
Kevin Doucet says, “My new lovely wife has been sending your newsletter to me, and I finally decided to join.”
Mike Johnson of Roughshod Records writes, “Happy belated birthday, Diane, and enjoyed another fine issue. Received a PDF issue of the 2025 Liner Notes No.26 which features a profile of me on page 22 from a June 2024 phone interview that I also videotaped. Relocating to a new and larger building and transferring their huge collections was the reason for their delay in getting this out.”
Rosalie Russell writes, “I’d like to sign up for your newsletter. Heard your interview on Willie’s Roadhouse today on the way to church. So interesting. Grew up on Faron Young as a child. My dad loved the classic country. Hard times and learning to cope and be thankful.”
Diane: Thanks for listening. I posted the two-section interview at the top of my media page.
John Dougherty says, “Just heard a portion of your interview on Willie’s Roadhouse as you discuss your new Randy Travis book. Always loved Randy Travis and can’t wait to read your book!”
Woody Woodward writes, “Listening on Willie’s Roadhouse this morning. Please sign me up for your email newsletter.”
Shane Vance says, “I was listening to you this morning with Dallas Wayne. How do you sign up for the newsletter?”
Tom Dynjan requests, “Can you please place me on your newsletter list?”
Fran Wiley says, “I was listening to you and Dallas Wayne. Keep up the great work on old good country singers. I would love to get your newsletter.”
J.L. Mungle requests, “Please add me to your newsletter distribution list.”
Ken Robinson writes from Hillsborough, New Jersey, “I listened to your interview with Dallas Wayne on SiriusXM today. You mentioned your newsletter, but I don’t see a signup mechanism on your website. Please sign me up.”
SONG OF THE WEEK
Running across this unique title of a Luke Bryan song, “Jesus ‘Bout My Kids,” I listened to the song to find out what the title meant. I think most Christian parents can identify with this lyric: “I used to talk to my kids about Jesus. Now I talk to Jesus ’bout my kids.” Luke Bryan, 49, is more famous than I realized, as one of today’s singers I don’t write much about. He is a five-time Entertainer of the Year, from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Since 2018, he has been a judge on American Idol. Luke wrote this song and sings it well.
COUNTRY MUSIC DISC JOCKEY HALL OF FAME – 1975
Here is my new series, commemorating fifty years of the Country Radio Hall of Fame. It recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the country radio/music industry, having worked in radio for at least 20 years, with a minimum of 15 in the country format. Its parent organization, Country Radio Broadcasters, was established in 1969 and has presented an annual Country Radio Seminar for more than 50 years. Three on-air radio personalities were inducted into the inaugural Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1975.
Eddie Hill, born in 1921 in Polk County, Tennessee, began his radio career at age 17, after winning a radio contest in Knoxville. In the 1940s, he performed with Chet Atkins, Roy Acuff, the Carter sisters, the Louvin brothers, Johnnie and Jack, and Kitty Wells. In 1952, he joined WSM Radio in Nashville and hosted The Eddie Hill All-Night Show. He emceed the first Grand Ole Opry telecast on WSM-TV in 1955. By 1956 he had his own television show, Country Junction, on WLAC-TV. It was the first show to feature Dolly Parton. Hill suffered a brain hemorrhage in 1968 that left him partially paralyzed. In 1975 he and Grant Turner were the first living inductees into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame. He died in Nashville, at age 72, in 1994.
Charles Schroeder, born in 1914 in Ohio, started in radio in the mid-1930s, when station management still frowned upon using prerecorded material–preferring live acts or nationally syndicated programs. The job of “disc jockey,” an announcer who plays prerecorded music over the radio, began to gain respectability during the WWII years. Schroeder joined WCKY in Cincinnati in 1946. When asked to change his name, he glanced in a phone book and chose the name Nelson King. He launched Hillbilly Jamboree that same year, a nightly show that made him famous. The 4½-hour program fueled the growing popularity of country music and reached a national audience. Credited by many historians as one of the most influential country music DJs in the post-World War II era, he was called the “King of the country deejays.” He died of lung cancer in 1974, at age 59.
Texas native Jesse Granderson “Grant” Turner, born in 1912 near Abilene, worked in newspaper and radio before moving to Nashville and becoming employed by WSM Radio on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Within a few months, he joined George D. Hay’s staff of Saturday night Grand Ole Opry announcers. He eventually announced the Prince Albert Show, R. J. Reynolds’s NBC network half hour of the Grand Ole Opry, piped weekly to some 170 stations and some 10 million listeners by 1953. In the mid-1950s, Grant became the third regular announcer for Ernest Tubb’s WSM Midnight Jamboree, a job he held until 1977. He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1981. He worked the Friday and Saturday night Opry shows until the night before his death in 1991 at age 79.