In honor of my mom I recently had an opportunity to attend a star studded tribute to Ronnie Milsap at Bridgestone Arena, in what was billed as his final Nashville performance.
The tickets were actually reasonably priced — only $42 including all those mysterious fees, charged for ANY show you attend these days, a steal by today’s standards.
Now I know younger readers out there are probably thinking, Ronnie Milsap? Who’s that?
Please, let me tell you. From the 1970’s to the 1990’s he made 30 studio albums, he’s had 42 #1 hits and he was one of the first country/pop crossover artists.
This special event was hosted by Storme Warren and Bill Cody. To start the show, photos/press clippings flashed in the background highlighting various accolades of his 50 years in the music industry, which in itself is quite an accomplishment!
The announcers went on to say that Ronnie had called Nashville home for 60 years. As a result, both Gov. Bill Lee and newly elected Mayor Freddie O’Connell each paid tribute to Ronnie, the latter declaring Oct. 3, 2023 Ronnie Milsap Day.
The show began with Kelly Clarkson accompanied by the Prarie Sisters belting out “It Was Almost Like A Song”, followed by Hunter Hayes performing “He Got You.”
Next up was country/bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs who sang “Let My Love Be Your Pillow.” (A song, I must admit, I was not familiar with.) The newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Sara Evans (to be inducted the upcoming weekend at its 98th anniversary show) sang “Let’s Take the Long Way Around the World.”
The Gatlin Brothers sang a song my mom always said reminded her of my dad: “Back On My Mind Again.” But in that moment, I was also reminded of my aunt Betty who recently passed away as the Gatlin Brothers were one of her favorite bands.
They were followed by Mark Wills’s rendition of “Don’t You Know How Much I Love You.”
Tracy Lawrence then entertained the crowd with his version of “Daydreams About Night Things.”
Luke Bryan made a video appearance telling the audience what Ronnie Milsap the man and his music meant to him.
One of my mom’s favorite performers was up next: Ray Stevens. She used to sing his songs too, doing ALL the voices that make his music SO entertaining!
He sang one of her favorite Ronnie Milsap songs, “Stand By My Woman Man” and the lesser known (at least by me), “My Babe.”
Next up a surprise guest who specifically asked to take part in the festivities, Keith Urban, who pointed out, “You can’t have the reunion tour til you have the farewell tour.”He spoke about covering Ronnie’s music when he was just getting started in his career, and went on to perform what he called “an obscure song” Ronnie had recorded to honor Jim Reeves entitled “Out Where the Bright Lights Are Glowing.”
After listening to it I told Paul (the guy sitting next to me, who was there with his mom, Paula), “I’ve NEVER heard that song before.” He said, “Me either, but I liked it!”
The McCrary Sisters showed off their gospel roots singing a spiritual version of “Stand By Me” adding Jesus’ name to the otherwise traditional lyrics.
Relative newcomer Breland serenaded the audience with her version of “Any Day Now” followed by music legend Lorrie Morgan who sang “A Legend In My Own Time.”
Country queen Reba McEntire then made an appearance on video. She was followed by The Band of Heathens who performed “I’ve Got A Houston Solution In Mind.”
American Idol winner (Season 10) Scotty McCreary told the crowd he saw Ronnie perform at age 14, and what a lasting impact it had on him. He then sang “Pure Love.” Ronnie’s first #1 hit, and another of my mom’s favorites. As he played I closed my eyes and could see/hear her doing the same on the guitar with me by her side listening/singing along.
For me, it was truly 99/44% pure love! (If you listen to the song and you’ll understand the reference.)
Other well known Ronnie Milsap songs covered that night were: “In the Still of the Night” (which the audience was invited to sing along to). The artist concluded the song by saying: “Ronnie, we’re lost in your music tonight” a perfect lead into Ronnie’s song “Lost In the ‘50’s Tonight,” which was followed by ”What Goes On When the Sun Goes Down.”
Clint Black was up next on video saying “What A Difference You’ve Made In [Our Lives]” which was a nice introduction to the song of the same name performed by Steven Curtis Chapman.
At this point in the show, the audience was introduced to what was referred to as “Nashville’s House Band,” Sixwire.
In spite of having suffered two heart attacks and a stroke, Phil Vassar teamed up with Dean Sams of Lonestar fame to do “Happy Happy Birthday Baby”, followed by the tune, “Nobody Likes Sad Songs.”
Randy Houser performed “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurtin’ Me?”
Then Dolly Parton made an appearance on video. She said that “Ronnie was one of the nicest, sweetest, most humble and funny people,” (sentiments echoed by others who appeared both in person and on video). She concluded by saying, “Ronnie, I will always love you.”
The Los Lonely Boys then took the stage performing “All Is Fair In Love and War” followed by “Prisoner of the Highway,” which got a standing ovation.
Terri Clark was up next singing “My Heart.”
After speaking about the diversity and appeal of Ronnie’s music Trace Adkins said when he first came to Nashville, he was asked what kind of records he wanted to make. His reply? He said he wanted to make records like Ronnie Milsap, and went on to perform “She Keeps the Home Fires Burnin.”
At this point in the show, the video screens lit up once again. This time, they showed a variety of photos, video clips, and interviews featuring Ronnie’s wife of 54 years Joyce who died in 2021, at the age of 81.
He lovingly referred to her as his “sapphire”, saying she was the only love in his life and his guiding light, which also happen to be lines from another of his hit songs, written by RC Bannon and John Bettis after hearing Ronnie’s acceptance speech honoring her after winning the Entertainer of the Year award from the CMA in October of 1977. (He also won Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year for his self-titled Ronnie Milsap: Live album that year.)
Lightening the mood after such a touching heartfelt tribute, one of the emcees related a funny story about a 4th of July show on the Riverfront in Nashville. While sitting on Ronnie’s piano bench, Ronnie asked them to describe the night. They responded by saying, “It’s the BEST you’ve EVER seen!” Ronnie’s reply: “REALLY?” This got a few laughs from the audience.
Why is that funny? For those who don’t know, Ronnie is blind.
At long last, the time had come for the honoree himself to take the stage, and though he is now 80, he didn’t miss a bea. He performed flawlessly!
His first selection was “Stranger In My House.” I distinctly remember that video playing on CMT! It was shot in black and white adding a dramatic effect to its haunting lyrics. It was a masterpiece ahead of its time, at least in my 15 year old mind.
He went on to cover “We’re An American Band”, followed by another of his hits, “There Ain’t No Gettin’ Over Me.” (I think the influence he’s had on the variety of artists who appeared/performed in this show is proof of that.)
He continued on with what was named one of Tennessee’s state songs in 2010: “Smoky Mountain Rain.”
Ronnie commented on the great audience and gave a shout out to the Veterans. He invited them to stand and they did as he sang “America the Beautiful.” With the crowd still on its feet he performed one final song: “Honky Tonk Girl.”
In all, 29 acts paid tribute to Ronnie on what was truly a special night! If I were to borrow a line from one of Ronnie’s songs to describe my feelings about the evening, I think it would have to be, “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!” It was a once in a lifetime experience that brought back a few songs I’d forgotten, and SO many GREAT memories of happier times I’d spent with my mom that now are truly priceless!