'Whispering Bill' just having fun

Thursday, September 25, 2008

 

BILL ANDERSON

8 p.m. Friday

Casino Regina Show Lounge

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Welcome to the era of the multimedia musician.

Everywhere you look nowadays a rap star is hawking his new movie, a pop singer is pushing her new perfume line, an actor is promoting a book they've written.

Surprisingly, one of the first artists to master a bevy of different media was country music legend Bill Anderson. A successful musician, Anderson is best-known for writing some of the best, and the most popular, songs in country music, while also finding success as a radio host (on XM Radio), an actor (on the soap opera One Life to Live), a respected author (two books published) and a host for numerous television shows.

Simply put, Anderson is a busy man.

Currently on tour across Western Canada, Anderson is set to make stops today at the Mae Wilson Theatre in Moose Jaw and Friday at Casino Regina. While a music veteran of over 50 years, the artist known as "Whispering Bill" still finds it difficult to wrap his head around all of the opportunities he's had throughout his illustrious career.

"It's exceeded everything I anticipated a long, long time ago," he admits via phone from his dressing room in Brandon. "I never dreamed that all of these things were going to happen. I got into this career through my songwriting, but in the beginning it wasn't really what I set out to do. I never really set any goals, or any long-range plans or dreams. I just really took it one day at a time and figured I'd see what would happen -- and that was 50 years ago and I'm still trying to figure out what's happening."

Asked what goals he may still possibly have after all these years, the legend is quick to chuckle and respond with a quip.

"To live," he laughs. "To live a longer time. I never really set out with goals. I'm not really a goal-oriented person. I've never approached my career that way. I guess at this point it's a lot of fun to continue to write songs. It's fun to go on tour right now and see the kind of acceptance we're having. I just hope the good Lord blesses me with good health so I can keep doing it for a while."

While no one would fault the 70-year-old for taking up retirement, Anderson finds joy in the experiences his career allows him. For instance, though many of Anderson's records were most successful in the 1960s through 1980s, he's become a hero to a new generation of music fans because of the great songs he's written for other artists.

Originally written for himself, Anderson first tasted success when Ray Price recorded his song "City Lights," which allowed him to move to Nashville and follow his dream. Mark Wills, Connie Smith, Kenny Chesney and Steve Wariner have also performed some of his biggest songs.

In 2001, his song "Too Country" was honoured as vocal-performance-of-the-year by the Country Music Association. Anderson recorded the song with Brad Paisley, Buck Owens and George Jones.

Anderson's two most famous tunes are recent hits -- "Whiskey Lullaby," which was recorded by Paisley and Alison Krauss, and "Give It Away," which was a hit for George Strait. Ask Anderson which rendition of his songs he prefers most and you're likely to stump him.

"They're all so different, so it's really hard to say," he replies. "How can you top Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss' recording of "Whiskey Lullaby?" How can you top George Strait's recording of "Give It Away?" ... It's just like asking somebody to pick out their favourite child. It's pretty hard to do."

Honoured with various Hall of Fame awards, the affable musician claims that one of the most satisfying things to happen in his career is to see today's younger generation interested in his music.

"It is one of the most gratifying things that has happened in my whole career," he beams.

One of the most successful artists in country music, Anderson still finishes the interview with a slice of humble pie. "I'm living proof that anybody can make it if I made it. You can come get inspiration from that."