Country music legend John Conlee still sees world through 'Rose Colored Glasses'
McCONELLSVILLE — Country music legend John Conlee has no plans to stop touring or recording anytime soon, as long as the fans are still there.
The 75-year-old entertainer said singing was a hobby for him and he only moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to take a job with a radio station. However, music turned into a full-time career he said he's been blessed to have for close to 45 years.
His first single, "Rose Colored Glasses" went to number five on the country charts in 1978 and became his signature tune. Number one songs include "Lady Lay Down," "Backside of Thirty," "Common Man," "I'm Only in it for the Love," "In My Eyes," "As Long as I'm Rockin' with You" and "Got My Heart Set on You."
John Conlee to perform at Ohio Valley Opry at the Twin City Opera House in McConnelsville
Conlee promises those songs, and some new ones, will be part of his two shows Saturday for the Ohio Valley Opry at the Twin City Opera House, 15 W. Main St., McConnelsville. Concerts are at 4 and 8 p.m. Conlee said he accepts questions from the audience and will sign autographs and take pictures after concerts.
"We concentrate in a live show on the hits folks have given us, but we do mix in a little bit of new music along the way," Conlee said. "The only thing that makes it different for me as an artist and the band is the different crowds that come to see us. Every crowd has it's own personality, just as individuals do. We play off that and I enjoy that."
That new music will include some gospel songs from an album due by the end of the year. His faith is important to him and he's glad he can share it with others through song.
"All you have to do is see any newscast for a few seconds at a time to realize how out of whack our world is and our nation. I'm convinced the only answer to fix what I believe to be mostly spiritual problems is to turn back to our Creator," Conlee said. "If I can use my music to help folks get that idea and do that, then that's something I'm supposed to be doing."
While he doesn't rule out doing a new album of country songs, he finds it unlikely because nobody today is writing the types of songs he enjoys and he doesn't do much writing himself. He doesn't listen to much new country.
"It's so less song oriented than it used to be and there are so few songs that tell a great story," Conlee said. "We don't have a new Merle Haggard or new George Jones out there and I miss that distinctive voice of country as well. I'm glad I got to have my success on the charts and on the radio when I did when songs were more important."
As far as his older music, Conlee said there's isn't one song he's tired of performing. He said he was always picky in song selection and never picked one that didn't touch him deeply in some way.
"A lot of people record songs they simply judge to be a hit, but they don't necessarily like. I guarantee if you do that, you'll get sick of those songs pretty quick," Conlee said.
Conlee is no stranger to Southeastern Ohio, having performed at the Twin City Opera House before. With a laugh, he said he's played everywhere at least once.
"This is what I'm supposed to do. People ask me all the time if I have a retirement plan and I don't. God will retire me when he's ready for me to stop doing this," he said. "As long as my health and voice hold up and as long people keep showing up, we don't plan on not being on the road."
Tickets are $20 to $40 for both shows and available at ohiovalleyopry.com or by calling 740-525-9218. Doors open one hour before showtime. Also performing are the Clark and Sigler families, Matt Coleman, Mike Morrison and the OVO Staff Band.
Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with close to 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: John Conlee to perform at Ohio Valley Opry in McConnelsville
