The Last Opry...
I'm writing this with about ten minutes to go until I start doing the last ever edition of .
I started the show back in 1993 as 'Brand New Opry' but we had to have a name change as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville claimed they had copyright on the word 'Opry'. Maybe I will go and copyright the words 'breakfast show' and sue Terry Wogan!
The article above is how the new show was announced to the press. You will notice we had kind of equal billing to Garth Brooks, and you'll see that my dress sense back then was almost as bad as his.
The past 15 years have been wonderful and I have been lucky enough to get sessions and interviews from Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Trisha Yearwood, Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Kenny Chesney, Townes Van Zandt, Kris Kristofferson, Mary Chapin Carpenter, kd Lang and hundreds more.
You'll be able to hear some of those artists and some new discoveries when Ricky Ross returns for a new series of his americana show next Friday night.
I'm sure tonight's show will be very emotional - some people don't have husbands that last 15 years! Mind you if you only had to see them for two hours on a Friday the relationship would last a bit longer.
I have been struggling to get 15 years of music down to a 2 hour show. Every time I listen to particular track it sends me on a trip down memory lane and before I know it, a couple of hours have passed listening to the best of George Jones.
The hunt for the last song of the show has been particularly hard, as most of the contenders are just way too sad. For The Good Times, I Will Always Love You and He'll Have To Go are all lyrically appropriate but each qualify for four stars on the Kleenex scale.
I've had a ball doing the show and I don't have a single regret...well apart from the stars and stripes waistcoat.
Comment number 1.
At 15th Aug 2008, Alistair B wrote:The last show?!?! Disaster.
I have relied on BNC (and BNO before that) to bring me music that you just don't get to hear anywhere else on mainsteam radio.
I am (unfortunately) sitting in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary listening on-line and browsing the web site only to be gobsmaked to discover that this is it! The last BNC! Where on earth will I find such a mix of quality mix of country (and to be honest stuff that isn't country but 'fits') and 'old time' that just doesn't get the airtime it deserves.
Brand New Country RIP
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Comment number 2.
At 15th Aug 2008, StephenDag wrote:Real shame Brain
I've enjoyed the show over the years - Helped me out of my Country 'closet'!
All the best!
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Comment number 3.
At 15th Aug 2008, norriemaclean wrote:Last week and this week absolutely fantastic.
I normally listen again as Friday nights (just as Iris comes on - brilliant) are out for a few beers but thought I would stay in and listen tonight and the show is not disappointing.
How you managed to get a 15yr selection when some of us have been agonsiing for the whole summer of 10 or 12 tracks for our summer mix must have been really tough!
Thanks for the great music over the 15 years!
Norrie MacLean, Renfrew
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Comment number 4.
At 15th Aug 2008, norriemaclean wrote:ablackadder - hope you get well soon!
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Comment number 5.
At 16th Aug 2008, Glen Miller wrote:The end of an era.
It seems like only yesterday you were introducing the Mavericks to a Stetson-crowned Glaswegian audience at the Pavilion but it was 1994. You have outlasted them.
Keep it Country!
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Comment number 6.
At 16th Aug 2008, KiwiMitzi wrote:I am gutted. Living 12000 miles away in New Zealand I listen online and will often listen to the same programme several times a week. It's a lifesaver! I hope you are going on to bigger and better things - and that I can keep tuning in to you online. All the best from down under..
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Comment number 7.
At 17th Aug 2008, petecockermouth wrote:why is the show finishing? it's been excellent
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Comment number 8.
At 18th Aug 2008, Jim Frae Erskine wrote:Brian's smooth and easy style, combined with his great subject knowledge, have made his BNC programme a joy to listen to, and I speak as one who is not a 'natural' country fan.
Also, I feel at that at the moment, the balance of Radio Scotland's output is really excellent - in the face of change one wonders if that balance will be maintained... Anyway at least Brian can slip the odd country track into the Get It On playlists, especially if we all request them!
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Comment number 9.
At 22nd Aug 2008, Jim Frae Erskine wrote:Well! New presenter but still Bryan's photo on the 'now playing' bit on the Radio Scotland web site!
Hey web guys - better get that sorted, eh? LOL
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