Hollywood Date

with love and respect at the passing of Todd Snider

In 1993 I had a big honor bestowed upon me. One that signified that I was a real person in the country music community. I had made 3 albums on a major label, MCA Records. But no hits. So it was kind of a big deal to be invited to present at the CMA Awards show.

That year it was being broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville,TN.

I did not then, nor have I ever, lived in Nashville. I’m certain I was dating Bruce but not sure why I didn’t bring him up with me to be my date. Instead, I asked my good friend, the brilliant songwriter Paul Kennerly, to accompany me to the show. Among many other notable accomplishments, Paul had been previously married to Emmylou Harris. And the day or two before the awards, sadly, her father passed away. So Paul, very understandably, bowed out of the commitment so he could be with and support Emmylou and her family.

So that is how I ended up on an arranged showbiz date with the one and only legendary Todd Snider.

Todd Snider

At the time though, I had not heard of him.

I think MCA’s publicist, Susan Levy, came up with the idea. My producer, and MCA bigwig, Tony Brown, was working with him on his debut record “Songs for the Daily Planet.” He described him to me as this very cool quirky songwriter from Memphis. In my mind I was thinking, “Nashville’s idea of cool cannot be trusted.” I’d been there for three years at this point, don’t forget. Although I am very shy and socially awkward (especially back then) I was grateful and agreed to the setup. I really didn’t want to show up and navigate that thing alone.

So I was delighted when he showed up in a limo. I don’t know whose idea that was but I certainly didn’t arrange it. Maybe Susan Levy? Maybe Todd? My first thought when seeing him was that he was “one of us” to quote the 1932 Tod Browning movie, “Freaks.” A musician. Someone who hoped to make good music. Major label country artists were mostly folks who had dreamed their entire lives of being a big country STAR. And then there were weirdos like us who wanted to make a life in music and would no matter what path lay ahead. Big time or not. Lucky to be here and jinxed at the same time.

Todd had come bearing a gift. He had a flower and an Archie comic book for me. He had read an article somewhere that had mentioned I read those. Swoon.

In 1993 Nashville artists did not have glam squads. No one styled me. I assume someone was styling Reba, of course, but most of us were on our own.

I did my best with a vintage gold lamé dress (which I still have) and gold heels. I don’t know if he wore a tux or a suit or just cool musician clothes. But I feel like he wore a tux. I don’t know if any pictures of us exist from that night. But I do remember that he was the sweetest person. I was instantly at ease. We both knew this was kind of a ridiculous thing but also kind of a showbiz fantasy. The “Hollywood Date”.

We found our seats and I quickly went backstage to prepare to present the Vocal Group of the Year award with Doug Stone.

I was assigned a dressing room to share with K.T Oslin and maybe Kathy Mattea. But later the room would turn over to Loretta Lynn. This prompted K.T. to tell us a fabulous Loretta story. She and Loretta had been talking about showbiz stuff when Loretta said, “Well, just be sure you stay away from mangers.” K.T. pondered that a little and thought I do pretty good avoiding those already. What could she possibly mean by that? K.T. replied “Mangers?” Loretta said, “Yes! Oh they are the worst. I’ve got one now I can’t get rid of. I fired him. Doo fired him. He’s still there.”

K.T. had a hair and makeup person. Once he realized I was planning to go onstage with my flat nothing hair he said, “Can I please give you a little touch up?” I accepted. I think he did an admirable job of it. Bless his heart. My hair has never looked like that again.

That’s me with 20/20 vision and Doug Stone

With my 24 year old perfect vision, I went out and read the teleprompter perfectly and gave the award. (Congratulations, Diamond Rio.) And that’s about all I remember of that night. I don’t recall if Todd and I stayed for the whole show or if we got bored and left early.

A few days after I got home to Austin, a toy car came in the mail from Todd. In reference to something we had talked about.

I was dropped from MCA later that year.

We never really crossed paths again.

Except in 2006 at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco. Bruce and I were playing the same stage as him and we stayed to watch his set. I was absolutely floored by the way he could captivate the crowd. We were all in the palm of his hand. Such a fun and gifted storyteller. And the crowd would sing along. It’s one of the most satisfying parts of being in this music life for so long. Seeing someone make a place for themselves. Where their unique talent gets to shine. To be uncategorizable and also hugely loved and respected. Take that, music biz!

I feel such sweet nostalgia about that uncertain time in life. And lucky to have had that sweet nervous “Hollywood date” with him. I’m sure he had so many more stories to tell.

xo,
Kelly