Stormy Speaks

Stormy Weather is opry.com's exclusive columnist. A veteran, though self-described "young and trendy music industry insider," Stormy takes readers along as she moves gracefully within Nashville’s elite inner circles and shares her own first-hand observations, take-no-prisoners opinions and juicy commentary on the movers and shakers inside Music City's illustrious entertainment industry. Read it from Stormy like you won't read it anywhere else.

Stormy Remarks on Opry Month, Taylor Swift, CMA Awards, and more!  

Gwyneth in the City—Stormy is absolutely elated at the very thought that uber chic Gwyneth Paltrow just might possibly be filming a movie in Nashville. Oh, the potential for celebrity sightings is simply out of this world. Rumor has it that Gwynie will join Tim McGraw for a project slated for production in Music City. Does this mean Gwynie’s children Apple and Moses will have play dates with Tim and Faith’s girls? Quite possibly. Will Nicole and Keith invite Gwynie and her Coldplay husband Chris Martin over for Sunday dinner? Nicole and Gwynie together in Nashville would represent the greatest number of Academy Award winners to grace our city at one time, not to mention the fashion excellence soon to be achieved. Stormy is waiting patiently. Oh, and she’s really excited for you, too, Mr. Tim McGraw. This could be bigger than Friday Night Lights.

She’s not a child anymore—It was bound to happen. It appears Taylor Swift has left the family nest and struck out on her own. She now lives in a penthouse high above Music City. Granted, the girl is so busy touring and making television appearances that she probably hasn’t had time to unpack her slippers yet. Word on the street is that Kanye West is not hosting the housewarming party. Even still, Stormy is torn between getting Taylor a Snuggie or a Sham-Wow. What do you think? Both are equally practical because even mega-superstars get cold and spill things.

Oklahoma Swing—It appears the Opry’s own Vince Gill will receive the Will Rogers Spirit Award on Nov. 8 at a big Oklahoma-sized gala at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. Wow! The Award is presented by Oklahoma’s Rotary Club of Will Rogers, an organization that recognizes people whose lives meet the standards of the late American folk hero. OOOOk-lahoma, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain … what a distinguished honor for Vinny, who just happens to hail from Norman, Oklahoma. As happy as Stormy is for Vince, this takes Stormy back to the day when she won a spirit award of her own. The accolade was really more about short skirts, pom poms, cheerleading, and football games. Mind you, it was every bit as big an honor when the entire cheering squad was gifted with gargantuan mum corsages and a complimentary slushie at the Tasty-Freeze on a Friday game night.

Think Pink—Stormy certainly enjoyed watching Opry member Carrie Underwood flip the switched that turned the Opry’s red barn backdrop a soft pink on Oct. 2 in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Stormy could not be prouder of the girl power on hand to increase awareness: Terri Clark, Jo Dee Messina, Lorrie Morgan, Mindy Smith and Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts. But it was Little Jimmy Dickens who made the biggest impression when he took the stage in that pink bedazzled Nudie suit. Jimmy may stand only 4 feet 11 inches tall, but he proved to be a giant that night. And, as a bonus, he sparkled like a holiday!

Happy, happy birthday, baby—October is Opry month, with lots of special and highly anticipated events to mark the 84th birthday of the world’s longest-running live radio show. A plethora of special events are on tap, but Stormy is particularly partial to the Opry Pie Auction presented by Martha White. You can bet you’ll find Stormy on hand at 1 p.m. for this event. Stormy is determined to uncover the closely guarded secret recipe in Jean Shepard’s chess pie. Stormy is leaving that birthday bash with a sugar rush and that secret ingredient if it means tackling Miss Jean in the parking lot!

And the winner is—Stormy is anxiously counting down the days to the 43rd annual CMA Awards show on Nov. 11. Those good folks at the CMA have already begun to tease Stormy with news of confirmed performers. Cohosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will perform as well as soon-to-be retirees Brooks & Dunn, I’m-takin’-a-break Kenny Chesney, back-on-the-charts-like-I-never-left Reba McEntire, they-used-to-call-me-Hootie Darius Rucker, could I look any hotter George Strait, hope the vocal cords are in good shape Sugarland, fearless Taylor Swift, and Sunday Rose’s dad Keith Urban.

That’s a lot to digest at once. Stormy’s going to take a nap and just let it all settle in. Maybe she’ll wear her Snuggie, leopard print, of course.