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Take a backstage look at Bill at this weeks Grand Ole Opry! Bill got the chance to hang out with country greats like Little Jimmy Dickens and Buddy Jewell, as well as a few of his newer fans! Take a look!
 

 Bill Anderson is one of the most successful singer-songwriters in Country music history, charting more than 80 times during his long career, including seven number one hits. This is a re-issue by Varese Records of Bill Anderson's first-ever DVD. It features performances of many of his biggest hits, including "Still," "Wild Week-End," "I Love You Drops," and "The Tips of My Fingers." The DVD also contains three songs not previously recorded by Bill: "Orange Blossom Special," "Wreck Of The Old 97" and "May You Never Be Alone." Bill Anderson, 40 Years of Hits was filmed on the occasion of Bill's 40th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Order Now! For the original version, click here!
 

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 Bill attended a listening party hosted by BMI Nashville for IMMI Recording Artist Con Hunley for his newly released album Shoot From The Heart. Among the songs Hunley performed was his new single "I Can't Make It Alone.

 

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 Nashville, Tennessee....The City of Nashville came out in droves to raise $300,000 at the GuitarTown Auction Gala held at BMI Nashville. The arts projected presented by Gibson Guitar culminated with a star studded gala auction by Juliens Auctions. Bill Anderson's guitar was auctioned off for $3,120.00 at the event with help from the night’s co-host Big Kenny of Big & Rich.

Joining hosts Big & Rich, the sold out star-studded evening saw arrivals from musical greats Vince Gill, Tanya Tucker, Lee Roy Parnell, Whisperin Bill Anderson, Steve Cropper, Brenda Lee, Chely Wright, Jamie O'Neal, Keni Thomas, Disney recording artists Everlife, Jace Everett, Little Texas, Tracy Lawrence, the Muzik Mafia and Richard Marx.

Nashville's Guitartown Gala Auction event was the culmination of the GuitarTown arts project which featured 10 foot Gibson guitar sculptures and showcase guitars displayed around the city. The project has gained worldwide recognition and has been covered from every corner of the globe. The money raised at the gala will go to help four local charities: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Nashville's United Way and The Downtown District.

 Take a trip through country history and vote for your all-time favorite singers, songs and albums.

Country Weekly gave you a list of choices in each category. But, because this is your survey, if your favorite isn't noted in a particular list, just write it in. You can vote online or mail your ballot to the address at the end of the ballot. Five finalists for each category will be announced in the March 27 issue, and we'll ask you to pick the all-time champs from those artists. And on May 8, we'll let the world know who our readers—you!—chose as country's greatest all-time stars, songs and albums.
Vote For Bill Now!

 Bill Anderson Visits With The Legends has new airtimes! Country legend and Hall of Famer Bill Anderson looks back at definitive moments in country music history. Inside stories from the folks like Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, and Porter Wagoner. A must listen for history buffs! You can now catch Bill's show on :

●Tuesday 6am Eastern
●Thursday and Sunday at 12pm Eastern
●Friday at 8am Eastern (NEW EPISODE)
●Saturday at 6pm Eastern

 Don't miss it! more

 You can now own Bill's GuitarTown GuitarArt! A 2005 Gibson Les Paul Junior electric guitar featuring a signature by "Whispering" Bill Anderson in bold ink at the rear of the guitar together with customized original artwork by Nashville artist Staci Garner-Spivak; having created a realistic view point of Anderson's perspective while composing "Still" lyrics on Grand Ol Opry letterhead appearing over the front of the guitar. Also present is a color photograph of Anderson signing the guitar. The GuitarTown Project is a public arts project that has united Nashville's art, music and business communities behind the cause of raising money for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, United Way of Nashville, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, and The DISTRICT.  more

The second time was the charm for Bill Anderson and 'Whiskey Lullaby,' the hit country song he wrote with Jon Randall.

Performed by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss, 'Whiskey Lullaby' was nominated for a Country Music Assn. award for song of the year in 2004. While it lost to 'Live Like You Were Dying,' the song earned CMA awards for vocal event and video of the year. But this year, it was again nominated in the song category and took home the prize during the Nov. 15 show. more!

By Phyllis Stark

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Congratulations Bill! for winning the Song of the Year (as the co- writer with Jon Randall) of Brad Paisley's hit song Whiskey Lullaby, in the 2005 CMA Music Awards! Bill said he knows he should be whisperin but felt like shouting and thanked the industry for letting him continue to do what he loves to do.
 

The Grand Ole Opry’s historic Nov. 14 return to Carnegie Hall in celebration of its 80th Anniversary is sold out, but millions of country music fans will have the opportunity to witness that night’s performances next year when the show will be broadcast on Great American Country (GAC). The Opry and the cable network have signed an agreement to make GAC the exclusive television broadcaster of “Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall,” a special performance occurring in New York City on the eve of the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards which will also be held in New York. The show will air as a two-hour broadcast on GAC in March 2006. 650 WSM-AM and www.opry.com  will broadcast the show live Monday night, the first time an Opry performance has been broadcast or recorded at Carnegie Hall.

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Luke Stricklin recently joined John Conlee, Chely Wright and host Bill Anderson in the studio to tape a radio special for XM Radio. Bill Anderson Visits with the Legends will air on XM-10 America on Nov. 11, 12, 15 and 17. The special is a tribute to the veteran and was recorded in Nashville. Also included in the radio special is Craig Morgan more!

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The Grand Ole Opry Celebrated it's 80th Birthday over the weekend with a star studded line up that included Bill Anderson, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Allison Krauss and Garth Brooks! To catch a repeat of the televised portion of the opry birthday click here. To check out Bill's pictures from the event check out the slideshow!

Tune in on Friday October 21st at 8:00 PM EST to see Bill on CMT's "American Revolutions: Country Comedy". You don't have to be a redneck to be familiar with Jeff Foxworthy or Larry the Cable Guy. The tremendous popularity of these present day funnymen prompts CMT to recall the funniest moments in rural-based humor. American Revolutions: Country Comedy examines the comedic charm of Minnie Pearl, the Grand Ole Opry, Hee Haw and more. For repeat airtimes click here!

NBC's TODAY SHOW is doing a special segment on October l4th honoring the Grand Ole Opry's 80th Birthday and our own WHISPERIN' BILL will be among the stars featured on the show. The interview was taped by an NBC-TV crew in Bill's dressing room at the Opry and you'll have to tune-in to hear his comments. However, he does laughingly promise one thing: "I did NOT talk about any memories of the Opry EIGHTY years ago -- that was, believe it or not, quite a few years before my time!!" So, check your local TV listings for the TODAY SHOW...and mark your calendar for OCTOBER l4th. To get tickets to the Opry's 80th Birthday shows with Bill on October 14th and 15th.  click here!

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Guess who just got "mugged" at Nashville's Palm Restaurant?? Here's a clue: His initials are WHISPERIN' BILL. Yes, that's right! Bill Anderson is now among the celebrities appearing in the form of a mug-shot "caricature" on the walls of this famous establishment. Bill's caricature was created by Philadelphia designer Bronwynn Bird and is featured in the Palm's private dining room.

A special unveiling was held on Sept. 8th and Storme Warren was there to
catch it all on camera for COUNTRY MUSIC ACROSS AMERICA, which you can watch on GAC when it premiers on Thursday, September 22nd! Click here for repeat showtimes!
 

The Grand Ole Opry moved to the Opry House, a new building with the goal of maintaining the grand tradition of country music. And it seemed only fitting that for Country's Family Reunion at the Opry we invited some of today's country music talent to help celebrate with some of your Country's Family Reunion favorites. This 6 hour video series, hosted by Bill Anderson is available on 4 DVD's or 4 VHS, and features rare footage from the Grand Ole Opry archives. more!
 

Bill recently interviewed gospel music legend Dottie Rambo for his XM Radio show "Bill Anderson Visits With The Legends. Dottie is the first gospel artist featured on Bill's show. Bill and Dottie taped  the show at a rehab facility south of Nashville where she is recuperating from a broken leg.  You can listen to the show on XM Channel 10!

Gibson was proud to present the latest additions to GuitarTown, during a special unveiling ceremony held at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville (July 7). GuitarTown, one of Nashville’s public arts project, features a total of 39 giant,  10-foot Gibson guitar sculptures, as well as 30 showcase guitars placed throughout the city. more

For country music songwriting legend Bill Anderson, going home again is an easy matter. Bill, who hails from Commerce, Georgia, has never forgotten his early childhood roots. In fact, referring to Commerce, "This is where I got taller," he laughs. This year is the 9th Annual return to his childhood hometown where Bill returns each year to continue to support the area by helping to raise funds for such projects as an auditorium for Commerce High School - home to the Commerce Tigers. This, however, is the seventh year that Bill continues to hold his City Lights Festival, aptly named from the song "City Lights" that Bill wrote in 1957 about his hometown. Funds continue to be raised to help build the Bill Anderson Performing Arts Center... a place where the community hopes a building such as this will give the youth of Commerce a chance to showcase a wide variety of the performing arts. more

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Just because Bill Anderson is one of the most regular names to be seen on the Grand Ole Opry stage doesn't mean he gives it anything less than his best. Bill never disappoints, and his latest trip to the Opry was no exception, proving once again why he is a legend of country music. Check out some pictures from the show!

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At this year's Annual IFCO Fun Fest Show (6/6), Bill Anderson was presented with the prestigious IFCO Tex Ritter Award by IFCO founders Loudilla, Loretta and Kay Johnson. The award, established in 1974 to honor Country legend Tex Ritter, recognizes recipients for their contributions to Country music and its community. The show also featured headliner Craig Morgan with special guests Trick Pony and many other artists for a fun-filled night for the fans. Music Row's Robert K. Oermann hosted the night for the 10th straight year. Proceeds benefited St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Pictured (L-R): Kay Johnson, Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, Loretta Johnson and Loudilla Johnson. Photo: BigBruno.com

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Matinee Event Slideshow

Bill was a part of the strongest line up in CMA Music Festival History. Not only did Bill take part in a special Matinee event at the Ryman Auditorium, he also performed at the Grand Ole Opry, signed autographs for his fans at his Booth and celebrated at a special party just for his fan club members. Bill enjoyed getting a chance to meet with fans old and new. Take a look!
 

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