Country music recording artist and Doniphan native Billy Yates performed for the 51st time at the Grand Ole Opry, in a show paying tribute to the late George Jones.
Although he has performed there numerous times throughout his life and career, Yates said it is always an honor to have the opportunity to be on such a historic stage.
The performance was Thursday.
Recalling his first time performing at the Opry, Yates said, “I wanted to really take in the moment because I felt like if I wasn’t careful it would just be a blur. ... I was so excited and nervous. I remember walking down to that circle for the first time, I took a deep breath, looked at the audience and said, ‘You got to give me just a second to take this in.’”
“The Opry — it’s very special,” Yates continued. “Every time I go, I treat it like it’s the last time because you don’t know if you will get invited back.”
Yates moved from his hometown of Doniphan to Nashville in 1987 to chase his dreams. However, he explained that he didn’t really start writing songs until around 1992.
The first song he wrote, which was later recorded by George Jones, was ‘Rocking Chair,’ which he co-wrote with the late Frank Dycus. He said the song was “tailor-made for George,” who was an idol to him growing up.
Once he made the commitment to be a songwriter, Yates started writing for major publishing companies very quickly. Although he said the writing process was not simple, it came pretty naturally to him.
“You’d sit in a room and get a list of ideas. You might have an idea that you’re kind of itching to write or your co-writer might, that kind of thing, and then you just kind of work it out,” explained Yates. “In a lot of ways, it’s like putting a puzzle together. I think it’s a combination of craft and gift. I don’t take it for granted. There are songs that have a lot of meaning and they have an impact on people’s lives.”
Yates described the music business as competitive.
“It’s a friendly competition, but it’s still very competitive and the odds are really stacked against you to have any success,” said Yates.
As it is for many, it was no easy start for Yates, who said shortly after moving to Nashville his apartment was broken into.
“They stole everything I had,” explained Yates. “I remember talking to my parents, and they were like, ‘Well, are you gonna come back home?’ and to me that wasn’t even an option.”
Yates said he feels the toughest thing about being in the music industry has always been the roller coaster ride that goes with it.
“You get good news and bad news next,” he explained. “They’re gonna record your song, no, they’re not going to, so I think that’s been probably the most difficult thing, just the rejection — and that goes with it, but I chose not to get too caught up in the rejection.”
Yates explained he had received many rejection letters from label heads who later signed him.
“You don’t take no for an answer, you accept that no, then you prove them wrong,” he laughed.
While Yates said music and life have slowed down a bit since moving back to his hometown of Doniphan, where he now serves as a real estate agent, he is still very musically involved, saying he can now do it at his own discretion when he chooses.
“I’m partnered up with Poplar Bluff Realty and we are doing great with that. My wife, Nancy, got her license as well. And we’ve really embraced that, we’re having a lot of fun,” he said.
As far as advice for young musicians wanting to enter the music scene, Yates said, “If you have enough passion and desire, the grit to do it — do it. No one should be able to stop you from chasing your dream.”