1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:04,400 Speaker 1: The Michael Berry Show, our guest. You know, these are 2 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: those moments in radio that you live for. You know, 3 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 1: we've had some pretty neat people on here, presidents included. 4 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 1: But when you grew up looking at a forty five 5 00:00:14,280 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: LP and your little record player and the fellow that 6 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:21,120 Speaker 1: was on there, that was touring the world at the time, 7 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: born in nineteen thirty nine, and here you are thirty 8 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:28,480 Speaker 1: five years after you had his first LP. He's over 9 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: seventy years old and he's still making music. That is 10 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:35,839 Speaker 1: on the Bill O'Reilly Show last week, and he's on 11 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:39,519 Speaker 1: talk shows across the country. It's pretty neat stuff. Ray Stevens, 12 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:40,480 Speaker 1: thanks for being our guest. 13 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 2: Well, it's just great to be here. Thank you for 14 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 2: having me. 15 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:49,320 Speaker 1: Mike Hello, Yes, Hello, Yes. I have a crowd full 16 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:51,879 Speaker 1: of people who came into the studio because they all 17 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,800 Speaker 1: wanted to hear Ray Stevens. Our chief engineer, Bob's troop, 18 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 1: who's from wherever the Mississippi Squirrel Revival was. He's from 19 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 1: that town Aska Goola, Aasca Goola, Yes, and so he 20 00:01:02,160 --> 00:01:03,960 Speaker 1: had to come in here and he doesn't get excited 21 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:06,119 Speaker 1: about very much. But Ray Stevens being on the radio 22 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: man's that's exciting stuff. 23 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:09,920 Speaker 2: My goodness. Well, listen, I just want to start out 24 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 2: by saying, happy birthday. I heard it was your birthday today. 25 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 2: Is that right? 26 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,240 Speaker 1: It is? Indeed, if Ray Stevens knows it's my birthday, 27 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,720 Speaker 1: then I have arrived. Well, hey, everything is beautiful in 28 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: my world. 29 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:23,199 Speaker 2: Well, le'sit. Happy birthday, Yes. 30 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: Sir, Let's talk about your career at least at least 31 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 1: these days, and then we'll kind of go back and 32 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:31,520 Speaker 1: reminisce about some of the wonderful things you've done over 33 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: the years. You have decided recently to enter yourself into 34 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:39,640 Speaker 1: the political process, your most recent song that was released 35 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:42,760 Speaker 1: last week, mister president. Mister president, First of all, why 36 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 1: do that? And then what do you want to accomplish 37 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 1: with this? 38 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, let me say, I'm scared to 39 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 2: death of what's going on in the country today, and 40 00:01:52,760 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 2: we're going to lose. We're going to lose this country 41 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:59,560 Speaker 2: if we don't get the electorate out there informed. And 42 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:02,320 Speaker 2: one of the best ways I'm not a politician, as 43 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 2: everybody knows, but one of the best ways I think 44 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 2: to uh inform some people is with a laugh. And 45 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 2: if if I can write and record a song that 46 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:18,880 Speaker 2: can make people laugh about a situation and at the 47 00:02:18,919 --> 00:02:22,679 Speaker 2: same time remind them of what the situation is. Then 48 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 2: I think that may be a good thing to do. 49 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: Let's play a little bit of that song. Can you 50 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: can you hold with us for a minute? Sure it 51 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:31,359 Speaker 1: could be with us. Okay, let's first play the song. 52 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:32,840 Speaker 1: And I want to I want to get to Ray 53 00:02:32,880 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 1: Stevens motivation. 54 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 2: For this, and that's the president. 55 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:41,080 Speaker 1: Mister President, we got. 56 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 3: Record foreclosures, hooks and losing their homes. 57 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 2: The banks have gotten money, but they won't make loans. 58 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,519 Speaker 2: The taxes are bringing small business to the these tis 59 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 2: we oh I sold to the red Chinese. 60 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 3: Miss the President, Mister President, what are you going to 61 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 3: to take off my goat and roll up our sleeves, 62 00:03:03,120 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 3: turn on until the property of giveing another streech a grill, 63 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 3: googles and dog grill salt, and then go out and 64 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 3: flee another. 65 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 2: Round of golf. Little party at the White House, give Dick. 66 00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 3: Showboard Air Force one and away I'll going up to 67 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 3: New York, Jake Michelle to a plate, then shoot a 68 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 3: few hoops and call it the day that mister reident 69 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 3: we got he illegal aliens forward across our border and 70 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 3: Doug Large committing nade him in disorder, States doing broke. 71 00:03:43,000 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 2: Trying to be There been a fit spine. 72 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 3: Markets in the toilet, John Markinson, the fits just preddon 73 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 3: from just the President. 74 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: What the full song posted at Michael berry dot com. 75 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,120 Speaker 1: You can see it for yourself. So, Ray Stevens, you 76 00:03:57,160 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 1: know you're not a You're a guy that's made a 77 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 1: lot of people laugh over the years, and everything is beautiful, 78 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: sort of a gospel rendition of a very optimistic song. 79 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 1: But for you to enter into the political frame, you 80 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: had to think, as some people do, well, that I 81 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:12,920 Speaker 1: might lose some of my core audience. I mean, you 82 00:04:12,920 --> 00:04:15,839 Speaker 1: still perform, you still you still entertain a lot of people. 83 00:04:15,880 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 1: Did that not worry you? 84 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:21,520 Speaker 2: You know it didn't, because I think that people, once 85 00:04:21,560 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 2: they understand the situation, they're going to still be, you know, 86 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:30,720 Speaker 2: my audience. And you know, if you don't like what 87 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 2: I'm saying, you just don't understand. In my humble. 88 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 1: Opinion, what are you saying? What does that song mean 89 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 1: to you? 90 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:41,400 Speaker 2: Well, it says to me that there are people in 91 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 2: government not paying taking care of business and not paying 92 00:04:45,240 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: attention to the Constitution. 93 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:50,080 Speaker 1: Do you think that it makes a difference. Do you 94 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:52,479 Speaker 1: think that people will hear that and say, you know, 95 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 1: he put it a different way, now I get it? 96 00:04:58,120 --> 00:04:59,840 Speaker 1: Or are you reminding people what they are. 97 00:04:59,760 --> 00:05:04,200 Speaker 2: At Well, maybe some of both, Mike, you know, and 98 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:06,279 Speaker 2: it may not do a darn bit of good, but 99 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 2: I got to try. 100 00:05:08,279 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 1: What kind of feedback do you get, Ray Stevens is 101 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 1: our guests, what kind of feedback do you get first 102 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 1: on that song? 103 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:16,080 Speaker 2: Oh? Great, no, all positive so far. 104 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: You did a song a couple of years ago when 105 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,640 Speaker 1: Cinnateville ten seventy passed in Arizona. You did a song 106 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 1: seemed to me lending your support to the state of 107 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:27,720 Speaker 1: Arizona when they were in battle. A lot of people 108 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 1: in the country were boycotting them. Why did you get 109 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 1: involved in that issue? 110 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:39,479 Speaker 2: Because it's such an obvious, blatant attempt by enemies of 111 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:45,160 Speaker 2: America to hurt us, and you know, Arizona is America 112 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 2: in a certain sense, as we all know, and we 113 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 2: just can't allow what's going on down there to happen. 114 00:05:51,440 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 2: And it's still going on. 115 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:57,920 Speaker 1: Your response, the response you've heard from, first of all, 116 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 1: your audience. How long wed you say you've been politically 117 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: active in terms of using your celebrity, using your musical skills, 118 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 1: and using your obvious credibility in the music industry. From 119 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:12,039 Speaker 1: your audience, has it been universally supportive? 120 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 2: Well, you know, at my age, I don't care if 121 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:18,120 Speaker 2: it does alienate somebody. I have to do what I 122 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:22,719 Speaker 2: think is right. And yeah, at this stage of the game, 123 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 2: I just hope that it can make a small difference. 124 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:29,520 Speaker 2: You know, although I think a lot of the nation 125 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 2: has galvanized against what's going on and pulling together and 126 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:38,279 Speaker 2: this next election should be a route for the left. 127 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 2: I'm just hoping that I'm right on that. 128 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:44,200 Speaker 1: You mean it should be a route against the left, Well. 129 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:46,320 Speaker 2: They should route the heck out of here. 130 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:50,160 Speaker 1: All right. And let me ask you, Ray Stevens, as 131 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 1: our guest other entertainers, because you're a guy that a 132 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:55,640 Speaker 1: lot of those folks admire or not just because of 133 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 1: how long you've been in the business, how successful you've been, 134 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:00,360 Speaker 1: but because you've owned your own product, you've been a 135 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:03,239 Speaker 1: strong you've been a smart businessman as well, you've managed 136 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: a brand for a long time. To other do other 137 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 1: entertainers say, you know, hey, Ray, what's this been to 138 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:09,720 Speaker 1: your career. 139 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 2: No, they don't, you know, we don't. We don't talk 140 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 2: about things like that usually. But there are a lot 141 00:07:16,320 --> 00:07:22,320 Speaker 2: of entertainers, especially in the country music area, that agree 142 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 2: with me, and that are very vocal and very outspoken 143 00:07:24,920 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 2: about conservative ideals. And uh, of course there are a 144 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 2: lot of other entertainers that just I guess they're just 145 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:38,000 Speaker 2: not paying attention and they're out there supporting what to 146 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,560 Speaker 2: me is as a communist agenda, and uh, you know, 147 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 2: I just can't bring myself to to uh support that. 148 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 1: Ray Stevens, you know, I looked I looked you up 149 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 1: on YouTube earlier today, and it's interesting to me that 150 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: Mississippi Square Revival, which you know, was was a huge 151 00:07:56,960 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 1: hit for a long time and a lot of fun, 152 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:04,960 Speaker 1: under a million hits, the streak with one point four 153 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 1: million hits, and yet you do a piece like come 154 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 1: to the USA and there's five point seven million hits, 155 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,600 Speaker 1: and you do a piece on mister President. Mister President 156 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 1: already has three hundred thousand hits. It's not even a 157 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 1: week old. It looks to me like the political stuff 158 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:23,360 Speaker 1: is the most hit stuff you have on YouTube, and 159 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: it's just amazing. Ray, can you stay with us for 160 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 1: just a moment. 161 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 2: You bet, let's talk. 162 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: About you know, you've been in the news lately and 163 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 1: when we asked to talk, one of the things we 164 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 1: want to talk about is the fact that you've become 165 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:41,920 Speaker 1: a lot more politically active with your entertainment. When you 166 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: look at what happened to Hank Williams Junior, what do 167 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:47,959 Speaker 1: you take away from that whole incident? 168 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 2: You know, I really think that he has really held 169 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 2: his own in this incident, and last night at the 170 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:02,880 Speaker 2: CMA Awards, he was and the audience was just cheering 171 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:08,480 Speaker 2: him on at every turn, So you know, I you know, 172 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 2: I think it was probably who knows, one, maybe one 173 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:18,480 Speaker 2: or two people in the media was trying to make 174 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 2: something happen, you know, and they did up to a point, 175 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 2: but I think it's starting to backfire on them. You know. 176 00:09:28,679 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 1: There's an interesting trend, and maybe it's more related to 177 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: the genre of music, because Kanye West and some of 178 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 1: the hip hop artists Common has been invited to the 179 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: White House and they've been very pro Obama and very 180 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: anti everyone else, and they've joined in with the Occupy 181 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 1: Wall Street crowd and that sort of thing. But it 182 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 1: seems to be that those particularly country music singers who've 183 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:57,240 Speaker 1: been willing to come forward and you've really stepped out 184 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: and done that. But when Toby Keith did nothing more 185 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 1: than honor our military, didn't make a political statement, and 186 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:08,000 Speaker 1: the Dixie Chicks slandered him, it was amazing to me. 187 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:10,880 Speaker 1: It seemed that that really catapulted him to another level, 188 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 1: a deeper level of commitment from his fans. 189 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 2: Well, yeah, you know Toby's you don't have any doubt 190 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 2: where he stands, and I admire him for that. 191 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 1: It's also seemed to be the case that increasingly more 192 00:10:24,480 --> 00:10:27,360 Speaker 1: of the country music singers seem willing to step forward 193 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:29,079 Speaker 1: and say some things. We're gonna have the Bellamy Brothers 194 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:32,400 Speaker 1: in a few days and their song Hallapanos. Do you 195 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:34,199 Speaker 1: see this as a trend? Do you see do you 196 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 1: see more country music singer stepping forward and making political statements, 197 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:39,680 Speaker 1: particularly it's such a tough time in our country where 198 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:41,200 Speaker 1: we need some folks like that to do it. 199 00:10:41,480 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 2: Well, I do, and I say more power to them. 200 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 2: You know, it's great that people are starting to come 201 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 2: forward and to heck with the consequences, We're gonna say 202 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 2: what's on our minds and try to straighten this deal 203 00:10:59,080 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 2: out here. 204 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:01,439 Speaker 1: Do you think the labels would support them? Do you 205 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:03,160 Speaker 1: think the industry would support them? 206 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 2: You know, I don't know. I really don't. Up until 207 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:12,360 Speaker 2: just recently, I don't think they would. But I think 208 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: maybe some people are waking up hopefully. 209 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: Let's talk about Ray Stevens, the entertainer, Ray Stevens, the 210 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:25,839 Speaker 1: guy along before you were involved in politics, the song 211 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 1: that you feel took you to the level that you 212 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 1: were a household name. What was that breakout song that 213 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:35,080 Speaker 1: you really say this made my career? I don't know. 214 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:38,960 Speaker 2: You know, in nineteen seventy I wrote a song called 215 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 2: Everything Is Beautiful, and it was I had just signed 216 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 2: a new record deal, and I had also signed to 217 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:51,480 Speaker 2: host the Andy william Summer Show on NBC Television, and 218 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:54,719 Speaker 2: I wanted a song that could be used as the 219 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 2: theme for that show, and so I wrote Everything is 220 00:11:56,960 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 2: Beautiful and that was all so a big hit. It 221 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 2: was used as a theme for the show when it 222 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:04,320 Speaker 2: was a hit record too, and I thought maybe that 223 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 2: was a pivotal moment in my career. But you know, 224 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 2: later on I had a lot of hits that were 225 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:14,600 Speaker 2: comedy songs, The Streak and the Mississippi Squirrel Revival and 226 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 2: things like that. And another song that was that came 227 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,360 Speaker 2: out of left field was my version of Misty, which 228 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 2: employed a bluegrass arrangement with a banjo, and that was 229 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:28,800 Speaker 2: that surprised a lot of people and it wont to 230 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:31,720 Speaker 2: Grammy that year for the best arrangement of the year. So, 231 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:35,760 Speaker 2: you know, there there have been several records that have 232 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:42,480 Speaker 2: been instrumental in creating moments that were, you know, good 233 00:12:42,520 --> 00:12:45,439 Speaker 2: for me as as far as my career goes. But 234 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 2: you know, I can't point to any one specific thing. 235 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:51,000 Speaker 1: I don't think did you ever do you ever look 236 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,199 Speaker 1: back when you look at royalty checks or you look 237 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:55,960 Speaker 1: at records and you look at overall sales, do you 238 00:12:55,960 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: ever look back and think to yourself, the Streak sold 239 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: that many. Did you ever expect that that that that 240 00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 1: whole Mississippi Squirrel Revival on the Streak and all the 241 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 1: fun stuff. Did you ever expect that to create such 242 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 1: a buzz that it did? 243 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 2: Well? You never know, you know, I mean there are 244 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 2: people who who say, and I have said, yeah, I 245 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 2: felt it in my bones that was going to be 246 00:13:18,800 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 2: a hit, and I did feel that way about the Streak, 247 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 2: But I didn't know about a lot of the others. 248 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:28,120 Speaker 2: The streak was a kind of a kind of a 249 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:33,080 Speaker 2: special circumstance though. The topic was so hot in the news, 250 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:36,960 Speaker 2: and I sent a disc. Back in those days, you 251 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 2: sent out acetates to radio stations to get feedback, and 252 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:43,559 Speaker 2: I sent one acetate to the number one station here 253 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 2: in Nashville where I cut the song and where I live, 254 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 2: and the response was so overwhelming. I knew before we 255 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:52,000 Speaker 2: even put the record out that it was going to 256 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 2: be a hit. 257 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: I didn't know it was going to be that big, though, Well, 258 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:55,960 Speaker 1: you know, streak is making a big comeback, so you 259 00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:00,840 Speaker 1: may you may have another hit on that. Ray Stevens, 260 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,240 Speaker 1: you have a candidate in this current field. 261 00:14:03,480 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 2: You know. I'm I'm a conservative guy, and I like 262 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:11,800 Speaker 2: all the candidates that are in the debates right now, 263 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:14,520 Speaker 2: are in the race, They're all any one of them 264 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 2: would be twenty times better than what we've got. I've 265 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:21,880 Speaker 2: always liked the Newt Gingrich, however, and I like Rick 266 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:25,600 Speaker 2: Perry too, but being from Georgia, I'm I think I'm 267 00:14:25,680 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 2: leaning a little toward Newt. Also, Herman Kane is a 268 00:14:30,400 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 2: good man. I think I think all this is all 269 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:37,040 Speaker 2: this sex scandal stuff is all trumped up against him. 270 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:44,680 Speaker 2: I don't think that it's it's worth even worrying about whatsoever. 271 00:14:44,760 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 2: Although he has to worry about that's for sure, but 272 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 2: as a voter, but you know, any one of those 273 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:52,240 Speaker 2: guys would be better than what we got. 274 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 1: Ray Stevens. Last question for you, what do you? What 275 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: do you do these days? I know a lot of 276 00:14:56,600 --> 00:14:59,080 Speaker 1: my listeners have emailed the last time they saw you 277 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 1: in Branson. I mean, how what are you touring? How 278 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 1: much are you performing? 279 00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:06,280 Speaker 2: Well, we're starting to book out quite a bit. We're 280 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 2: going The next show is in a casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, 281 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 2: and I'm looking forward to that the Imperial Palace as 282 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 2: a matter of fact. But you know, I still enjoy 283 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:19,840 Speaker 2: performing and we're doing that a lot. I've got a 284 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 2: new project coming out. It's called The Encyclopedia of Recorded 285 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 2: Comedy Music, and it's a very ambitious, big, big set 286 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 2: of records. Are nine twelve song CDs in there, and 287 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:34,120 Speaker 2: a little coffee table book in the package. And you know, 288 00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 2: I've been working on it for over two years, so 289 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 2: it's really been a labor of love and it's turned 290 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 2: out very well, I'm very proud of it, and it's 291 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 2: coming out first year. 292 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 1: So this is your sort of Bill Anderson does comedy bits. 293 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:49,440 Speaker 2: What do you mean? 294 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 1: Do you know? Bill Anderson did the whole conversations with 295 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:55,120 Speaker 1: the Legends that they had put on satellite TV, and 296 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:56,960 Speaker 1: he went back and got a lot of the legends 297 00:15:56,960 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 1: over the years of classic country music, and he sat 298 00:15:59,680 --> 00:16:02,000 Speaker 1: down them and they told the stories, money of which 299 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 1: had never really been compiled in one place, and they 300 00:16:04,760 --> 00:16:06,880 Speaker 1: made a CD compilation. It was fantastic. 301 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 2: Ah, well, this is a little different from that. But 302 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 2: because I recorded all the songs that I'm including in 303 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 2: this album, I re record. They're Ray Stevens Records. But 304 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 2: I you know, maybe it's just because I wish I 305 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:24,320 Speaker 2: had recorded the original version and this is my chance. 306 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: Well, there you have it. I will make sure that 307 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:28,200 Speaker 1: I buy the box set and I look forward to 308 00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 1: that coming out. Ray Stevens, thank you for being our guest. 309 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: Thank you for being willing to step forward and say 310 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: what's on your mind, because I happen to agree with it. 311 00:16:35,800 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 2: Well, thank you. Mike Berry. 312 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:40,720 Speaker 1: All right, sir, if you liked the Michael Berry Show 313 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:45,120 Speaker 1: in podcast, please tell one friend and if you're so 314 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:50,840 Speaker 1: inclined write a nice review of our podcast. Comments, suggestions, questions, 315 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: and interest in being a corporate sponsor and partner can 316 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 1: be communicated directly to the show at our email address, 317 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 1: Michael at Michael Berryshow dot com, or simply by clicking 318 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:08,520 Speaker 1: on our website, Michael Berryshow dot com. The Michael Berry 319 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:12,720 Speaker 1: Show and Podcast is produced by Ramon Roebliss, the King 320 00:17:12,760 --> 00:17:22,879 Speaker 1: of Ding. Executive producer is Chad Nakanishi. 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