As I took the drive out to Hendersonville, Tennessee I was excited to get a chance to meet a legend of country music and a pioneer of bringing country music to television. I had just finished the book “At the Corner of Music Row and Memory Lane” and I felt after reading the book that Stan was an old friend of mine before I even met him. His book is so enjoyable and it leaves you knowing that no matter what humble beginnings you are dealt in life that you can still succeed with a little hard work and talent. The book is not only tales from the Road, but a true lesson about Music Row and stories of some of the greats who have walked the streets of Nashville. This is a definite read for anyone wanting to pursue a career in performing.
Stan being a fellow Missourian like myself, we had a lot in common! Stan had played in several towns in the 60’s and 70’s that I had lived in. He knew people in Missouri that I knew and I just felt like I was riding out to see an old friend.
As I arrived at the BlueHighways TV offices, Stan met me at the door!! He offered me a cup of coffee and for the next two hours I took a walk down memory lane with a guy who has one of the sharpest memories of anyone I have ever met. He can practically remember everywhere and everyone he’s ever played music with or interviewed in the past 50 years of being in the music business. Stan and I enjoyed going through his archived footage of some of his interviews over the years with many of the great songwriters and artists of our time. I enjoyed looking around his office at some of his photos from his years in the business and going through his old LP’s that he released since the 60’s. Stan shared with me stories of the road. All in all in was an enjoyable time with one of country music’s best from the past, present, and future. Stan is a wonderful person who came from the foothills of Missouri and became a successful recording artist and a great business man. Stan grew up in the Missouri Ozarks. At a young age he had a love for music and by 12 years old he made his first appearance on a radio station out of Springfield, Missouri. He joined the Navy and while he was on his 4 year tour started a band on his ship and played in exotic places around the world. Stan sang and played guitar. When his tour of duty was up, one of his band members told him, “I know I’ll see you performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage someday.” Sure enough a few years later Stan looked down to see his former band mate in the audience saying “I told you so”.
After advice from the legendary Red Foley, Stan signed a deal with Columbia Records Epic label, and moved to Nashville. He enjoyed a continuing list of chart records from 1964 to 1982. He had several popular TV shows during this time including “The Stan Hitchcock Show” from 1966- 1971 and it ran in almost every major market in syndication. Stan’s program during this period offered some of country music’s rising super stars their first chance to perform on national television. Just a small list of these stars that appeared on his show were Barbara Mandrell, Jerry Reed, Tom T. Hall, Bobby Goldsboro, Dottie West, Mel Tillis, and Lynn Anderson. His next television venture, “Stan Hitchcock from The Ozarks” appeared in major markets from 1979 - 1983, and continued for several years in syndication. Stan’s shows offered high quality programming and great music leading the way for shows like Hee Haw! The quality of his shows were amazing at this time in television history.
After his two shows ended, Stan continued to diversify with national commercials for Purina Dog Chow, Ayds Reducing plan, and Eckerd Drugs. During this time Stan appeared as a guest on many shows including the Grand Ole Opry, The Port Wagoner Show, The Bill Anderson Show, The Good Ole Nashville Music, Hee Haw, and The Ralph Emery Show.Stan’s next big endeavor was being a major force in the creation of Country Music Television (CMT) in 1984. As Senior Vice President, In Charge of Nashville Operations, Stan provided the hands on directions and help in creating the network that is still so popular today. When Stan helped start CMT there were very few country music videos out there. Stan had to get creative even using videos from artists like John Cougar Mellencamp to round out the rotation. Soon after the network started, artists began filming videos for most of their songs and really made videos a must in the industry and for promoting artists. One of the most popular shows on CMT was Stan’s very own “Heart to Heart”. Stan interviewed some of the greats and soon to be greats one on one in a relaxed setting basically picking songs and talking about how the songs came about. At one point, the show was receiving 1000 letters a week.
After the sale of CMT to Gaylord and Group W, Stan left and founded a new cable television network, Americana Television Network - the music, the people and the pastimes of this great nation. The programming was based on what fans wanted in music television. It’s program received rave reviews from critics and viewers alike. During this time, Stan brought back his show “Heart to Heart” and produced more than 80 new episodes. Again, Stan’s network was sold and Stan went on to his next venture.
Currently, Stan and his wife Denise are involved in the television network called BlueHighways TV, which they founded along with their partners Frank Auman, Ronnie Reno, and Alan McLaughline. This network features America’s roots music, concerts, festivals, arts and crafts, Western Lifestyle, and other positive family programming.Check out the web site www.bluehighwaystv.com and www.hitchcockcountry.com for more information about Stan’s music, television programming, and his latest book “At the Corner of Music Row and Memory Lane”. Pick up a copy of his book on Stan’s website and you’ll receive a free cd “At the Corner of Music Row and Memory Lane Stan’s Special Book Songs”.
These days, Stan enjoys his farm just North of Gallatin, Tennessee, raising his horses, roaming the historic sites of Sumner County with his wife, fishing the beautiful waters of Tennessee with his son, Scott.......and every now and then picking up that old Gibson Guitar and reliving a country song.
