October 5, 2000

Dear Patsy,

After last year's debacle, I tuned into the CMA Awards show last night, hoping that maybe things had improved. I hoped that I might hear some country music on the show and that I could write and tell you about it.

I let you down, Patsy. I wish I could have watched the show but I turned it off after 2 minutes. The opening act was Faith Hill. Remember her, Patsy? She used to be a country singer. But yesterday. Yesterday she sang some kind of a song from hell. Instead of a fiddle and a pedal steel in her band, she substituted about 16 guys dressed like priests and jumping all over the stage as if they were possessed by the devil himself. It was so distressing, Patsy. So distressing that I had to turn off the TV set. I then went downstairs to my room and listened to one of your albums.

This morning I read the paper and saw J. D. Considine's review of the show. There were just a few bright spots: George Strait and Alan Jackson won an award for their collaboration; Brad Paisley won an award, and Lee Ann Womack's song, "I Hope You Dance" won the award for best song. But if you want to cry, Patsy, you can read that article here and find out the bad news for yourself. I don't have the heart to tell you.

Meanwhile I promise to renew my pledge to do what I can to bring country music back from Hollywood to Nashville.

Miss you.

-= Robert