Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Adkins joining Grand Ole Opry as first new member in 2 years BY JOHN GEROME THE ASSOCIATED I’HBSS NASHVILLE, TENN. - Trace Adkins was hardly the picture of cool the first time he performed on the Grand Ole Opry radio show seven years ago. A mix-up left him without his band 10 minutes before show time, sending him into “freak-out mode” and forcing the Opry’s house musicians to scramble to learn the two songs he was about to perform. Then, wanting to share the spe cial moment of his Opry debut, Adkins planned a surprise for his girlfriend. He would ask her to marry him—from the stage. His performance went off with out a hitch and he got hitched — she said “yes” — and Adkins re turned to the Opry often. On Saturday, the 41-year-old singer will be inducted into the Opry cast, the first new member in two years. “I was hoping someday that I might become a member, but only in the last couple of years have I allowed myself to-start thinking that it might actually happen,” said Adkins, a former oil field worker who stands 6-foot-6. As a youngster in Sarepta, La., he was much more familiar with the old “Louisiana Hayride” radio show than with the Grand Ole Opry. He discovered the Opry lat er, when it was broadcast on cable TV. Still, he says the show played a pivotal role in his career. “At the time, I had started singing bass in a quartet and I kind of thought that was all I was destined to be,” Adkins said. “Then one night I was watching the Grand Ole Opry and Ed Bruce was on with that deep rich bass voice of his, and that was a real turning point for me right there. I thought that maybe there was room for another bass singer in this business.” Established in 1925, the Opry is the longest continuously running radio show in the country. Legends such as Hank Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline were once cast members, and contemporary stars including Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill are part of today’s show, which airs every Friday and Saturday night on WSM-AM. Opry general manager Pete Fisher said artists are invited to join the Opry based on their com mitment to the show, as measured by the frequency of their guest ap pearances and overall contribu tion to country music. “When you look at Trace Adkins, you see numerous chart topping hits, recognition from his peers in the industry and a uniqueness that he brings to the roster,” Fisher said. Adkins’ string of hits on Capitol Records began in 1996 and in cludes “This Ain’t No Thinkin’ Thing,” “The Rest of Mine,” “I Left Something Turned On at Home,” “I’m Tryin’” and “Chrome.” His current single, “Then They Do,” is one of two new songs on his latest album, a greatest hits pack age, and is No. 9 and climbing on the Billboard country chart. He has a taste for the eclectic, with songs such as “Chrome” and “I’m Tryin’” incorporating wail ing electric guitars, tape loops and melodies that veer toward ‘60s psychedelic rock. He’s as com fortable talking about Tom Petty’s music as Merle Haggard’s. ‘I don’t consider myself a tradi tional country singer,” he said. “I always wanted to make Ronnie Milsap albums. I’ve always been such a fan of Ronnie Milsap records because they’re always so diverse. He can do R&B, pop, country, blues —he can do anything he wants to.” Adkins’ personal life hasn’t al ways been as bright as his profes sional one. He’s battled alcoholism and been married three times. His second wife shot him in the chest on their final day together in 1994, the bullet piercing his heart and lungs. Earlier this year, Adkins, the fa ther of four daughters, completed a voluntary 28-day alcohol rehabil itation program that he says has helped him overcome his addiction. “I had a deadly problem with al cohol,” he said. “I’m just glad that I was not too proud and too stub born to get the help I needed to deal with it. Everything’s been just wonderful ever since I did that. In the six months since I got out of treatment I have been show ered with more blessings than I’ve had probably in six years.” TV executives search harder for viewers BY LYNN ELBER THE ASSOCIATED PHESS LOS ANGELES - When TBS Superstation executive Steven R. Koonin received a draft news re lease about upcoming TBS college football broadcasts, one word stopped him. Marketing efforts were divided among print media, radio, televi sion - and “bathroom.” In September, messages touting foot ball on TBS will play in the men’s restrooms of bars in 12 cities. “It gets harder all the time be cause it gets more competitive all the time,” said George Schweitzer, CBS senior vice pres ident for marketing. “We’re con stantly looking for new outlets and more direct paths to the con sumers.” “No place is sacred,” said Chris Carlisle, executive vice president for marketing and promotion at FX. ABC tried marketing its failed sitcom “The Norm Show” with recorded audio in urinals. The ABC effort symbolizes how even the major broadcast net works have to work for traction among viewers. “It’s taken them (broadcasters) forever to wake up to the fact that far fewer people are watching,” Gerbrandt said. “I think they’re getting tired of spending tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars on new programming, which nobody samples.” As part of its viewer outreach, CBS is giving away free, interac tive DVDs at Blockbuster stores that include clips from CBS’ fall lineup and behind-the-scenes peeks at shows. Walt Disney-owned ABC, also relying on corporate tentacles, is promoting its fall series with a “Primetime Preview Weekend” at Disney’s California Adventure Park in Anaheim on Sept. 6-7. Fans get to mingle with the casts of ABC series at the event, which was introduced last year. Among the more than 60 stars participat ing this year are Jennifer Garner of “Alias” and Jim Belushi of “According to Jim.” “The amount of press we gen erate just from this one event alone goes such a long way in launching the fall season,” said Mike Benson, ABC senior vice president for marketing. NBC signed up as the broadcast TV partner with the Regal Entertainment Group theater chain, the nation’s largest, and is running specially produced spots that one NBC executive dubbed “promo-tainment.” For the niche channels that make up much of the cable uni verse, even diminished network audiences are big; the channels argue their size compels them to be more creative in marketing. GMP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 ' V said third-year English student Bethany Kessell. KeSsell also'said it would be nice if menus displayed the va riety of food available and the prices. The grease board that once stood at the head of the line has vanished, and none of the spe cialty kiosks have menus on dis play save the sushi bar with its pamphlets and labels on their sushi packages. As far as the price goes, you won’t do better or worse than any other place around town. Sushi will cost you about $5 for a decent meal, and Chick-fil-A will set you back $8 for nuggets, fries and a medium drink just like it will at any other franchise. “Everything’s real sharp. There’s a better setup, so that should help with the traffic.” SARAH INSLEY SECOND-YEAR ART STUDIO STUDENT But despite the initial awe at the new GMP, there’s something slightly off-key with the feel this place gives off. The old Grand Marketplace was warm and cozy, the kind of place where you could nestle into a corner and have coffee and an intimate con versation on a rainy afternoon. This new dazzling four-star set ting doesn’t seem to gel well. It makes you feel like you should be decked out in a $1,000 tuxedo or a $10,000 dress. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor(ct)wtmaiLcom QcAfadl /wM AN HISTORIC RESIDENCE Efficiency $505 One Bedroom $565 Two Bedroom $600 Rent includes all utilities and cable TV. All rates quoted are month to month. (Leases available, prices subject to change) Located across from the University Of South Carolina Horseshoe and the State Capital, Cornell Arms offers the premier location for downtown living. (803) 799-1442 1230 PENDLETON STREET COLUMBlA.SC 29201 THE BIGGEST BACK TO SCHOOL paster sale I Where: Russell House University Union 2nd Floor Lobby When: Mon, Aug. 25 thru Fri. Aug. 29 i Time: | 9 AM - 5 PM Sponsor: Russell House University Union Monday, August 25TH 2003 4:30pm to 7:30pm MAD JAM is a 3-hour exercise event comprised of 15 minute fitness sessions. If you love group exercise, if you have always wanted to try a fitness class, or if you want to learn more about our class types - then DON'T MISS MAD JAM! The madness begins at 4:30pm in the lower level of the Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center, Multipurpose Room 125