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“Randy and I kinda started out together,” Anderson said Thursday. “We were both about 18. (We) played right next door to each other. I always figured he would be a big star one day.”
But Parton never saw the fame Anderson came to know in 1983, 11 years after hitting the honky-tonks of Nashville as a 17-year-old. That 11-year apprenticeship shaped Anderson into a country music star who has released more than 30 albums.
When asked about all the albums listed on his Web page, www.johnanderson.com, Anderson said, “I guess there are 28-or-so out there. Of course, that's not considering all the bootleg albums that are out there. If you figure in all the compilation albums that have been released, there are probably more like 50.”
Many of the Nashville writers want to describe Anderson as a comeback artist who has turned his career around several times, but according to Anderson, he's never really gone away.
“We stay busy throughout the year,” he said. “We're based out of Nashville and do the tours - I guess you could call it a tour; we don't have a name for it or anything,” he added with a laugh.
His most recent album, “Easy Money,” was a result of a chance meeting with John Rich, of Big & Rich fame. Rich was a bass player in an opening act band named Lonestar. He impressed Anderson by playing Anderson's “Chicken Truck.”
That chance encounter led to a lasting friendship and the eventual induction of Anderson into Big & Rich's famed MuzikMafia in Nashville, and the production of the “Easy Money” CD.
Anderson's style has been an inspiration to aspiring country artists for more than 20 years. That style has been described as “a provocative mixture of honky-tonk fervor, rockabilly/outlaw gusto, sly, tongue-in-cheek humor, and just a hint of rock n' roll swagger,” according to his MySpace profile.
The Valley will have the opportunity to see this living legend in person Saturday night at The Roanoke Rapids Theatre.
“I'm really excited to get to see it finally,” Anderson said.
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