I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down'.

As much as the R&B people, and the gospel people, and spiritual music, and the country-western people influenced them, I think the Beatles were the bar. And they set the bar, and nobody's quite been able to jump beyond it.

We're expecting people from across the country and even from Europe. Country music is on the upswing again, and everyone wants to learn the latest dances.

Country music has been here forever, but for years a lot of people who listened to country music were ashamed to admit it. What I really think started it booming was Ray Charles and his hit I Can't Stop Loving You.

It means so much being a part of country music and the Opry.

People do love the entertainment. And when you have somebody like Ricky Skaggs, who's a country-music legend, we've already had a bunch of people call and e-mail in about his show.