Bill's Blog

BILL BLOG Thursday, August 27, 2026   Thursday morning it is. And it’s getting warmer in Nashville again. Today’s high will be 90. By Sunday we’ll be back up around 95.   YESTERDAY I wrote with a great bluegrass songwriter yesterday, Mark Brinkman, who now lives near Ocala, Florida. Originally from Wisconsin, lived in Ohio for a while, and now he’s down in sunny Florida, where he enjoys the sunshine and writes a lot of bluegrass songs that are recorded by many bluegrass artists.    Mark, nicknamed “ Brink ,” made it very easy on me as he sent me a complete chorus. Before we jumped online yesterday, I sent him a first verse that he liked. So…all we had to do was write a second verse, and we made it a short day. Short enough that we could talk baseball, as he’s as big a fan as I am of the game.   He grew up a Milwaukee Braves fan, and we talked about Eddie Matthews , Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn , and other great players that wore that uniform. And...

BILL BLOG Wednesday, August 26, 2026   Wednesday morning, the last “Hump Day” of August. It’s warming back up in Nashville. Up to a 91 degree high today.   YESTERDAY Was a sad day with the news that a true icon, Dolly Parton , had passed away at age 80. Turns out, Dolly was fighting a silent battle with cancer.   Is there anyone in this world who has a bad word to say about Dolly?   I don’t think so. And isn’t that the measure of a great life?   Anyone who has been in country music long enough has a story to share about Dolly. The social network is full of wonderful posts right now, the best kind of use for the social network as far as I’m concerned. I too have stories about her. I was blessed to interview her a couple of times. Funny, quick on her feet, sharp as a tack.   I had the pleasure of playing at Dollywood three different times in one of her theatres. The crowds were great, except for this one time. Our “Hits & Grins” trio...

BILL BLOG Tuesday, August 25, 2026   Tuesday morning in Nashville, and everywhere else. 89 degrees for the high today in Music City. And already, we’ve spotted some leaves dropping from the trees. Fall is truly right around the corner.   YESTERDAY Last night I attended Jenny Tolman’s album release party for “ Music City Mutt .”      Jenny and her band, which featured her husband Dave Brainard , who produced the new album, rocked the house last night, performing every song on the album.     Jenny and I have written together for a very long time, and she acknowledged that last night during her show.    She took time to come off stage and chat with each songwriter who contributed to this project, including me. That was pretty special. She chatted with me just before she sang “ California Girl ”, a song she, Dave Brainard and I wrote about her Mom Kathy. Her Mom was out front manning her merchandise table, and I asked ...