Jul, 23, 2008
CULTURE
Country legend Jack Greene visits the Northwest
DAVID BAILEY COURTESY PHOTO
Country music legend Jack Greene is scheduled to perform at the Haynie Opry on Saturday, July 26.
What: Jack Greene concerts.
When: Shows at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26.
Where: Haynie Grange, 3344 Haynie Road.
Cost: $15. Tickets available at Noisy Neighbor music store in the Fairway Shopping Center in Lynden, Mojo Music in Bellingham, at the door an hour before the shows or by calling 366-3321.
Online: For more information about Haynie Opry shows, visit www.haynieopry.com or call 366-3321. For more information about Greene, visit www.jackgreeneopry.com.
GREENE'S UPCOMING PROJECT
Album title: "Precious Memories, Treasured Friends"
What: Greene will record duets with country stars including Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton.
Release date: The first of possibly four total volumes will be out spring or summer of 2009.
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ANNA WALTERS
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
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When country music legend Jack Greene performs at the Haynie Opry on Saturday, July 26, it might be the first time a country star of his status plays a show at a local grange since Loretta Lynn performed at the Delta Grange in the 1960s.
At least that's what Matt Audette, coordinator of the Haynie Opry, speculates.
Greene's upcoming performances at the Haynie Grange will mark his first return to Washington state in several years.
Over the course of his career, Greene has recorded nine Billboard No. 1 country hits, including the 1967 smash, "There Goes My Everything," which was rerecorded by Elvis Presley and rewritten as a gospel tune by the songwriter Dallas Frazier. "Statue of a Fool" and "All the Time" are also fan favorites.
In addition to having the number one country song in 1967, Greene won three Country Music Association Awards, including best single.
"If you can find a song that you can sing with enough heart and feeling and a good voice like Jack has, people will make it their favorite," said LeeAnn Lallone, who helps manage Greene through L&L Management. "They're just special songs."
Greene's illustrious music career really began when he toured with country pioneer Ernest Tubb, who drove the evolving honky-tonk genre. For five years in the '60s, Greene played drums for Tubb's Texas Troubadour band.
Tubb, recognizing Greene's talents, pushed him toward a solo career and to this day Greene, 78, still regards his mentor as one of the most influential artists he's ever worked with.
Somehow, Greene became known as "The Jolly Green Giant," a nickname he thinks might be a reference to his height as well as a play on his name.
Greene still travels the country, plays the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., and is even scheduled to play a two-week tour in Ireland next year.
"I love it," Greene said of his busy schedule. "Seeing old friends and making new friends all the time, getting to see the world. It's a joy."
He always signs autographs and poses for pictures with fans after shows.
Greene is planning on playing 45 minute to hour-long shows at the Haynie Opry Grange on Saturday. Matt Audette and The Circle of Friends Band will provide backup for Greene.
Audette encourages people to come out and see the "Jolly Green Giant."
"A chance to see someone who appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee, singing in our back yard, I think it's pretty exciting," Audette said.
