There has always been weather like this, and there will always be weather like this. There was a much greater flood effecting many states including TN in 1927. Technological advances both in structures themselves, and in warning systems have saved so many lives in not only floods such as this, but tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, etc. The death toll for this flood is now 11, and this is very sad; these people are gone and will never return, and their families and friends suffer greatly...but the majority of these were preventable, the product of foolish risks which did not have to be taken.
Look at the death tolls in hurricanes through the years in America, but also compare places who don't have the infrastructure:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/history.shtmlBesides that, I understand your distaste for country music. That's all fine, but to say "I don't think the Grand Ole Opry is much of a loss..!" I wish you would say this to the face of those who have lost so much! It does not take into account the people who are directly hurt by this, the people who work there (several of whom are close friends of mine) and the damage to tourism and the economy. These are real people, even the artists themselves, no matter what you think of their art. I will say too that across the board they are very respectable people, but all of that's besides the point.
While it did a lot of damage, it think it is not the loss as you think. It will temporarily move to the Ryman where it originated and will be there until the Opry is repaired. Its streak will continue. The lovers of country music will have their country music...don't you hate that?
I should tell you also that these musicians themselves are real musicians whose talents extend further than country music. With the fiddler for Randy Travis I have played Mendelssohn's 2nd Trio in concert, read through much chamber music with him in private, and in November will play a program including Ewazen's trio for trumpet, violin, and piano, Eduard Steuermann's ravishing transcription for piano trio of Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht and one of Joaquin Turina's trios. He gave me scores to music he's interested in reading through this summer, and these include Bartok's 1st violin sonata (my all time favorite piece of music), Schnittke's 1st violin sonata, Schoenberg's Phantasy, and John Adam's Road Movies!!! He goes on tour with Randy Travis and works on this stuff on his off time! (He also plays wicked cool fiddle licks at breaks in our rehearsals.)
Bob, based on words on a screen, I have always liked you and been entertained by you, and I have no doubt you'll continue to be entertaining...but you're making my angry today! SHOW SOME RESPECT PLEASE!!!!
Topic: What's on your mind now?