I always enjoy impressing country fans (but nobody else) by saying that I met Acuff backstage at the Grand Ole Opry (another phrase that goes down well with country fans!) in the early 80s, I think.

They were just building the new Opryland, and an agent told me that they had built a special house in it for Acuff to retire in. That's nice, I said.

No, they answered - they're just waiting for him to die, then they can turn it into a museum and charge entry!

Such cynicism in country music? Dear me...! - Ian B