George Lindsey, 1965. Photo: Gabi Rona (MPTV)
George Lindsey, the actor best known as gas station mechanic “Goober Pyle” on The Andy Griffith Show and from appearances on Hee Haw, died at 12:05 am on Sun., May 6 after a brief illness. He was 83.
Born in Fairfield, AL, on Dec. 17, 1928, George Smith Lindsey was the only child of Alice Smith Lindsey and George Ross Lindsey.
His stompin’ grounds included his Aunt Ethel’s gas station, where mechanics wore felt caps to keep the grease and oil from dripping into their hair. Those caps inspired his trademark “beanie” worn by Goober.
He graduated from Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama) in 1952, with a scholarship earned by becoming starting quarterback.
Lindsey joined the Air Force, serving mostly at Pinecastle Air Force Base, responsible for organizing plays and entertainment for servicemen. He also worked at nearby Rollins College in Winter Haven where he met Joyanne Herbert. They were married in 1955.
Lindsey was discharged and accepted at the American Theater Wing in NYC with the help of GI Bill funds. His work as a comedian and actor in nightclubs eventually led to a contract with the William Morris Agency.
The Lindsey family moved to Hollywood where he found work in The Rifleman and Gunsmoke, The Real McCoys, The Twilight Zone, several Disney productions and three episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
Lindsey auditioned for the role of “Gomer Pyle” on the Andy Griffith Show, but lost it to Jim Nabors in 1962. He later landed the role of “Goober,” “Gomer’s” cousin for four seasons on Andy Griffith and three on the sequel series, Mayberry R.F.D.
He spent two decades as a regular on the syndicated Hee Haw where he dressed as Goober but was usually addressed as George. Lindsey separated from his wife and made Nashville his permanent home in the early 1990s. He embraced the Goober character even wearing the “Goober Suit” costume for stand-up shows.
In addition to co-founding the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival at his alma mater, Lindsey was involved in the Country single and video “Find Me a Man Like Goober” in 2007, and Larry the Cable Guy’s “Hula -Palooza Christmas Luau” in 2009.
(L-R): George Lindsey, Ralph Emery, Ray Stevens at Stevens' CD release party in Nashville on Feb 28, 2012
He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters UNA in 1992, inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 due to his work with the Special Olympics. The George Lindsey Theater was dedicated this year on the UNA campus where his career memorabilia is on display. He received the Minnie Pearl Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. In 2004, Lindsey shared the TV Land Legend Award with other members of the “Griffith” cast and crew.
Lindsey often commented that he was torn about what he wanted his tombstone to say. One choice goes for the joke: “I told you I was sick.” The other goes for the heart: “I hope I made you laugh.”
“George Lindsey was my friend,” said Andy Griffith. “I had great respect for his talent and his human spirit. Our last conversation was a few days ago [by telephone]. We would talk about our health, how much we missed our friends who passed before us and usually about something funny. We were not afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. ‘I love you.’”
George Lindsey is survived by son George Lindsey, Jr., of Woodland Hills, CA.; daughter Camden Jo Lindsey Gardner, and her family of Valencia, CA.; cousin, Rebecca Weber of Gadsden, AL.; and companion, Anne Wilson of Nashville.
Visitation and funeral arrangements are forthcoming. Arrangements are being handled by Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home of Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lindsey’s memory may be made to: Special Olympics Alabama, 880 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104; UNA Foundation, with a designation to the George Lindsey Film and Digital Media Scholarship, UNA Box 5113, Florence, AL 35632; or another charity of the donor’s choice.
Church Brings Blood Sweat and Beers To Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesPyro blasts were a key part of Eric Church's show at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.
Smoke rolled across the stage Saturday night (5/5) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, parting to reveal a chest-thumping Eric Church performing “Country Music Jesus.” Pyro spewed skyward as he sang “there’ll be fire on the mountain.” Raucous energy leads Church’s onstage agenda. He told the sold-out audience he didn’t care if he died, he was going to give us one hell of a show.
Partying is a top priority at a Church concert. Appropriately, dozens of kegs lined the sparsely decorated stage and Chief was never far from the red solo cup situated firmly in a cup holder on his mic stand. In fact, his Blood Sweat and Beers tour gladly revels in party-hearty, self-destructiveness with songs from latest album Chief: “Hungover & Hard Up,” “I’m Getting Stoned,” and “Jack Daniels.” But he didn’t spend all night celebrating his drinking habit, he also devoted much of the set to older hits including “Guys Like Me,” “Hell On The Heart,” and “How ‘Bout You.”
Church bonded with the crowd during his acoustic set.
Chief is an incredible album; one of the best out of Nashville in recent years. It’s a showcase for Church’s unique lyrical perfectionism, and Jay Joyce’s superior hard rock production. Unfortunately a lot of the production nuances that make the album so spectacular got lost in translation from studio to stage.
Thankfully Church’s songwriting fared better in person, particularly when he braved the spotlight solo. Armed with just an acoustic guitar, Church bonded with the crowd on a singalong of “Love Your Love The Most,” and a return to his first album with “Two Pink Lines” and “Sinners Like Me,” which he dedicated to an unnamed Nashville exec who told him early on to pack up and go back to North Carolina. Church more warmly recalled his first tours when he played acoustic sets to crowds of 20. This part of the show was authentic and relatable—it was where he shined.
He should strip away the bravado more often. Instead he has embraced his outspoken and aggressive public persona, even selling merch that says Eric F*%&*n Church.
His stage set is reminiscent of a rock club, offering minimal production save for the sky-high pyro and a few backdrop scrim changes. Had the venue in fact been a smaller club, there’s no doubt that Church would have fulfilled his screaming mid-set promise which was met with wild enthusiasm from the audience: “I am pissed off and I intend to burn this son-of-a-bitch to the ground tonight. Bridgestone Arena give me everything you got.” For a club run energy may be all that’s required, but major arena tours need complex production—video elements, elaborate sets, or a venture into the crowd—to meet the entertainment quota.
Eric Church is Chief.
Toward the end of the night Church upped the performance ante, offering a verse/chorus of “A Country Boy Can Survive,” switching to an upright piano to pick out the notes to latest hit “Springsteen,” and, for the grand finale, shooting smoke from guitars while playing “Smoke A Little Smoke.”
Church and opener Brantley Gilbert are cut from a similar rock-bred rebel cloth. As far as arena headliners go, Church has had somewhat limited radio success. Still, the fans that filled the arena knew every Church hymn and every Gilbert anthem. It was a reminder of the popularity of albums and that artists can build strong careers by steady touring.
Gilbert, who also shares some rock similarities with fellow Georgian Jason Aldean, primed the crowd with the Aldean hit he co-wrote “Dirt Road Anthem.” He was ready to fight on “Take It Outside,” and then cooled down for “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” Near the end of his set he left the stage and reappeared at the rear of the arena for a run through the crowd on the floor.
Before the concert, Gilbert was surprised with a Gold plaque to mark shipments of over 500,000 copies of Halfway To Heaven. The Valory Music Co. and CAA hosted the pre-show celebration. After the concert, Capitol Records Nashville hosted a soiree at the arena’s Patron Lounge.
Church performs "Springsteen" on piano.
Coburn, Horowitz Elected to NMPA Board
/by Caitlin Rantala(L-R): Zach Horowitz, Barry Coburn
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) today (5/7) announced that Barry Coburn, Founder and Co-President of Ten Ten Music Group, and Zach Horowitz, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, have been appointed to the organization’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. The two were elected at a recent NMPA board meeting.
An accomplished music publisher and industry leader, Coburn heads Ten Ten Music Group whose catalog represents hundreds of recorded singles and album tracks. Previously, he served as President and CEO of Atlantic Records’ Nashville division and prior to that managed Alan Jackson, Diamond Rio and New Zealand favorite Split Enz among other successful clients. He is also a member of the ASCAP Board.
Horowitz was recently made Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), one of the world’s largest music publishing companies, with offices in over 40 countries around the world. Before the appointment, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Music Group, Inc., the world’s largest music company. While in that role, he orchestrated UMG’s acquisition and integration of Rondor Music (then the world’s largest independent music publishing company), Polygram Music Publishing and BMG Music Publishing.
“The NMPA benefits greatly from the experience of individuals like Barry and Zach,” said David Israelite, President and CEO of the NMPA. “I thank them for their willingness to help our growing membership as we tackle global and domestic issues important to songwriters and music publishers.”
Wade Bowen to Release New Music
/by Caitlin RantalaThe new music will be available at all digital music retailers and in select brick and mortar stores. As an added bonus, Bowen will give fans full-access to the recording process by offering the work tapes of several of the new songs exclusively on www.wadebowen.com beginning release day.
“With the fan base that Wade has already built, it only makes sense to throw out conventional wisdom and make this great new album available to his thousands of loyal fans as soon as possible,” said Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Gary Overton.
Produced by Justin Niebank, the 10-song disc reflects Bowen’s evolving vision as a songwriter. In addition to nine songs that include Bowen’s name in the writing credits, the album also includes a Townes Van Zandt cover of “To Live Is To Fly” featuring special guest vocals by Guy Clark.
The Given Track List:
1. Saturday Night
2. All That’s Left
3. A Battle Won
4. Patch Of Bad Weather
5. On My Way To Wonderful
6. Say Anything
7. You Ain’t Got Me
8. Beat Me Down
9. To Live Is To Fly (Featuring Guy Clark)
10. Before These Walls Were Blue
Jake Owen Ties The Knot Barefoot in Hometown
/by Eric T. ParkerPhoto: Brian Pepper
Jake Owen and Lacey Buchanan tied the knot at a family-only beachside ceremony in Owen’s hometown of Vero Beach, FL.
The couple met on the set for Owen’s music video “8-Second Ride” and the bride also starred in his “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” video.
Appropriately, both were barefoot for the sunrise ceremony. Twenty-two-year-old Buchanan wore an Amsale Aberra gown and Owen sported an Armani white linen shirt and Tommy Bahama pants.
Buchanan’s sister Leah served as maid of honor, while Owen’s twin brother Jarrod was best man and his uncle, Ron Owen, presided. A sit-down brunch reception was served on the patio of the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa.
“A best friend for life,” Owen said on his official Twitter account this morning. “I now have a wifey [smiley face] my face hurts from smiling. What a wonderful way to start the rest of my life.”
Owen proposed to Buchanan in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,500 in Vero Beach exactly a month (4/7) from Monday’s ceremony.
Although Owen was empty handed when he popped the question, a 2.5-carat oval-cut diamond was chosen to inlay a custom Lizzy Raye Jewelers design from Atlanta.
For Owen, the weekend turned somewhat rocky when he was arrested on Cinco de Mayo in his hometown. The singer’s Twitter feed explained the incident but those tweets have since been replaced with an apology.
Owen will hit the road with Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in Tampa, FL on June 2 for the Brothers In The Sun Tour.
Flying Island Promotes Shelia Shipley Biddy
/by MichelleShelia Shipley Biddy
Shelia Shipley Biddy has been named Director of National Promotion for Flying Island Entertainment (FIE). In addition to her national leadership responsibilities for the label, she will continue radio promotion for the northeast and southeast regions.
GrassRoots Promotion co-owner and Managing Partner Nancy Tunick will continue in her role as FIE’s label and promotion consultant.
In making the announcement, CEO Nancy Eckert stated, “I am honored to work with Shelia, as her reputation and experience in this industry is legendary. Her high level experience in many aspects of the music business makes her the ideal fit to lead our promotion team and advance our overall company objectives.”
A wholly owned subsidiary of Open Road Records, Flying Island was founded in early 2011 to serve as the label home for flagship artist Gwen Sebastian, who recently appeared on the hit television show The Voice. In addition to Sebastian, Flying Island works with Shooter Jennings, Levi Riggs, Bucky Covington and Ty Herndon in various capacities.
Shipley Biddy was the first woman to enter the field of radio promotion while at MCA/Nashville where she eventually led the team and was part of over 135 No. 1 singles. She was the first woman to helm a major label in Music City during her time at Decca Records. She most recently served as a manager and project consultant at Hallmark Direction Company.
Reach Shipley Biddy at shelia@flyingislandentertainment.com or (615) 478-8480.
Mindy Smith Announces Tour for Upcoming Album
/by Eric T. ParkerMindy Smith
Mindy Smith will hit the road supporting her self-titled fifth album, set for release June 26. The 20-city outing kicks off July 1 in Nashville.
Co-produced with Jason Lehning and recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium, the collection features 11 original compositions. Two tracks are available for free download from her website here.
In August 2011, Smith recorded “Taking You With Me,” a duet with Daniel Tashian, which was featured in the film and soundtrack for the Paul Rudd vehicle Our Idiot Brother. Her music has additionally been featured in Grey’s Anatomy, HBO’s Six Feet Under and the WB’s Smallville and Summerland.
Her 2004 Vanguard Records debut, One Moment More, sold over 300,000 copies.
Tour Dates:
July 1 / 3rd & Lindsley / Nashville, TN
July 12 / WorkPlay / Birmingham, AL
July 13 / Eddie’s Attic / Atlanta, GA
July 14 / Evening Muse / Charlotte, NC
July 15 / Jewish Mother / Virginia Beach, VA
July 18 / Jammin Java /Vienna, VA
July 19 / World Café Live / Philadelphia, PA
July 20 / Riverside Gardens Park / Red Bank, NJ
July 21 / City Winery / New York, NY
July 24 / Ram’s Head / Annapolis, MD
July 26 / Iron Horse / Northampton, MA
July 27 / One Longfellow/ Portland, ME
July 28 / Tupelo Music Hall / Londonderry, NH
July 29 / Club Passim / Cambridge, MA
August 1 / The Ark / Ann Arbor, MI
August 2 / Old Town School of Folk / Chicago, IL
August 3 / Dakota Jazz Club / Minneapolis, MN
August 4 / High Noon / Madison, WI
August 10 / The Grey Eagle / Asheville, NC
August 11 / Square Room / Knoxville, TN
August 12 / Natasha’s Bistro / Lexington, KY
Photos: Golf For A Cure, Pink Trash Ball
/by MichelleRecent music business events raised funds to fight breast cancer.
The second annual Tracy Lawrence Golf For A Cure event took place April 29-30 and raised more than $15,000 to benefit Lace Up 4 Pink and Susan G. Komen of Greater Nashville. Sports and entertainment celebrities took to the green in a parade of carts lead by top LPGA players Angela Stanford, Kristy McPherson and Gerina Piller, giving participants the opportunity to experience a game with the pros. Other celebrities/artists included Titans player Rob Bironas, Racing Country‘s Cathy Martindale, The Roys, Joanna Smith, Ira Dean, Dave Innis and Paul Gregg of Restless Heart, Rockie Shipes, Joe Diffie, Ty Brown, Rick Huckaby, Kim Tribble, Don Ellis Gatlin, and Scotty Alexander.
“I am blessed to have such great friends in the entertainment and sports community who donated their time for this event,” said Lawrence. “From the sponsors to the volunteers, they all gave so that women would have the resources to overcome breast cancer. I am grateful for their support.”
(L-R): Tracy Lawrence, Kristy McPherson, Angela Stanford, Gerina Piller
• • •
The 4th Annual Pink Trash Ball, presented by Women Rock For The Cure™ (WRFTC) took place on May 3 at downtown Nashville’s Mercy Lounge. The fuchsia-themed fundraiser, which featured a designer fashion show and high-energy live music, helped bring awareness to breast cancer and raised over $6,000 for WRFTC’s initiatives.
Betsey Johnson Nashville kicked off the event with several survivors and other models strutting down the catwalk. Dancing soon ensued as Tiffany performed “I Saw Him Standing There,” “Could’ve Been” and her legendary hit “I Think We’re Alone Now.” The Voice’s Brian Fuente, Nashville pop-rock firestarters Baby Daggers, indie rock band Black Market Research and Jason Aldean touring partner DeeJay Silver also took the stage. For more information visit WomenRockForTheCure.org
(L-R): Jensen Arrowsmith (WRFTC CEO), DeeJay Silver, Danelle Phillips aka Baby Daggers, Liz Lee Schullo (WRFTC COO), Tiffany, Rebekah Lee Beard (WRFTC Vice President), Black Market Research’s Brandon Barrington and Nick Britt, Brian Fuente, Kacy Hagerty (WRFTC committee member). Photo: Steven C. Knapp/knapptimecreative
George Lindsey of “Andy Griffith” and “Hee Haw” Passes
/by Eric T. ParkerGeorge Lindsey, 1965. Photo: Gabi Rona (MPTV)
George Lindsey, the actor best known as gas station mechanic “Goober Pyle” on The Andy Griffith Show and from appearances on Hee Haw, died at 12:05 am on Sun., May 6 after a brief illness. He was 83.
Born in Fairfield, AL, on Dec. 17, 1928, George Smith Lindsey was the only child of Alice Smith Lindsey and George Ross Lindsey.
His stompin’ grounds included his Aunt Ethel’s gas station, where mechanics wore felt caps to keep the grease and oil from dripping into their hair. Those caps inspired his trademark “beanie” worn by Goober.
He graduated from Florence State Teachers College (now the University of North Alabama) in 1952, with a scholarship earned by becoming starting quarterback.
Lindsey joined the Air Force, serving mostly at Pinecastle Air Force Base, responsible for organizing plays and entertainment for servicemen. He also worked at nearby Rollins College in Winter Haven where he met Joyanne Herbert. They were married in 1955.
Lindsey was discharged and accepted at the American Theater Wing in NYC with the help of GI Bill funds. His work as a comedian and actor in nightclubs eventually led to a contract with the William Morris Agency.
The Lindsey family moved to Hollywood where he found work in The Rifleman and Gunsmoke, The Real McCoys, The Twilight Zone, several Disney productions and three episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
Lindsey auditioned for the role of “Gomer Pyle” on the Andy Griffith Show, but lost it to Jim Nabors in 1962. He later landed the role of “Goober,” “Gomer’s” cousin for four seasons on Andy Griffith and three on the sequel series, Mayberry R.F.D.
He spent two decades as a regular on the syndicated Hee Haw where he dressed as Goober but was usually addressed as George. Lindsey separated from his wife and made Nashville his permanent home in the early 1990s. He embraced the Goober character even wearing the “Goober Suit” costume for stand-up shows.
In addition to co-founding the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival at his alma mater, Lindsey was involved in the Country single and video “Find Me a Man Like Goober” in 2007, and Larry the Cable Guy’s “Hula -Palooza Christmas Luau” in 2009.
(L-R): George Lindsey, Ralph Emery, Ray Stevens at Stevens' CD release party in Nashville on Feb 28, 2012
He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters UNA in 1992, inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 due to his work with the Special Olympics. The George Lindsey Theater was dedicated this year on the UNA campus where his career memorabilia is on display. He received the Minnie Pearl Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. In 2004, Lindsey shared the TV Land Legend Award with other members of the “Griffith” cast and crew.
Lindsey often commented that he was torn about what he wanted his tombstone to say. One choice goes for the joke: “I told you I was sick.” The other goes for the heart: “I hope I made you laugh.”
“George Lindsey was my friend,” said Andy Griffith. “I had great respect for his talent and his human spirit. Our last conversation was a few days ago [by telephone]. We would talk about our health, how much we missed our friends who passed before us and usually about something funny. We were not afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. ‘I love you.’”
George Lindsey is survived by son George Lindsey, Jr., of Woodland Hills, CA.; daughter Camden Jo Lindsey Gardner, and her family of Valencia, CA.; cousin, Rebecca Weber of Gadsden, AL.; and companion, Anne Wilson of Nashville.
Visitation and funeral arrangements are forthcoming. Arrangements are being handled by Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home of Nashville.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lindsey’s memory may be made to: Special Olympics Alabama, 880 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL 36104; UNA Foundation, with a designation to the George Lindsey Film and Digital Media Scholarship, UNA Box 5113, Florence, AL 35632; or another charity of the donor’s choice.
Greg Bates Makes Opry Debut
/by Caitlin RantalaGreg Bates' team celebrates his Opry debut. Pictured (L-R): Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen, Effusion Entertainment’s Martha Earls, Republic Nashville’s Mark Gray, Greg Bates, Stacy Blythe, Megan Knutson, Kelsey Chandler, Nikki Burns, producer Jimmy Ritchey, and Effusion Entertainment’s Mike Molinar
Republic Nashville newcomer Greg Bates made his Grand Ole Opry debut recently (4/27), where he played single “Did It For The Girl,” and “Brothers.”
“I have always dreamed of playing The Opry. Just to stand in that famous circle where so many legends before me have performed was an absolutely amazing experience,” said Bates. “Thank you, Pete [Fisher] for the incredible opportunity.”
Last Thursday (5/3), Bates was invited to play a full band show, hosted by WYCD, at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill in Auburn Hills, MI.
“Did It For The Girl” recently secured the second most added slot and is now available on iTunes and can be purchased here. Currently, he is in the studio with producer Jimmy Ritchey recording material for his debut album.
June Carter Cash Biopic; JD Souther on “Nashville” TV Pilot
/by Sarah SkatesJewel will play June Carter Cash.
News from Nashville meets Hollywood:
• Lifetime is making a June Carter Cash biopic based on John Carter Cash’s book about his mother, Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash. Jewel will play the lead and Johnny Cash will be played by Matt Ross (American Horror Story, Big Love). Filming will commence early this summer in Atlanta, with the movie slated to premiere later this year. The June Carter Cash Story (working title) follows June from early childhood in the rural mountains of Virginia through her rise to fame with The Carter Family. It covers June’s first two marriages, life with her daughters and only son, her role in saving Johnny Cash’s life during his battles with substance abuse, and her faith in God.
Allison Anders (Southland, Grace of My Heart, Gas, Food Lodging) is set to direct from a screenplay by Oscar®-nominated writer Richard Friedenberg (Lifetime’s Of Two Minds, A River Runs Through It). The June Carter Cash Story will be produced by Asylum Entertainment, with Emmy®-winning Steven Michaels and Jonathan Koch, and John Carter Cash executive producing.
• JD Souther is the latest addition to the cast of upcoming ABC-TV pilot Nashville. He told The Tennessean he plays legendary producer and songwriter “Watty Whitem,” known for his work with lead character “Rayna James,” the country singer struggling to stay on top played by Connie Britton (ABC’s Friday Night Lights, FX’s American Horror Story). Hayden Panettiere, who first rose to prominence on ABC’s Heros, will play rising star “Juliette Barnes.” More here.