Coffee with Calvin Gilmore
When listening to number 4 on Calvin Gilmore’s CD entitled “Better Late,” you will notice a comforting quality that has managed to escape our lives in this day-and-age. The song “Speed of Life” tells a story about a young man who is in such a hurry, with no time to breathe, when he comes across a man that has learned that if you don’t “sit back and relax,” and slow down to look at life, you might miss it.
Knowing what a success Calvin has become, and knowing only what I had read, I didn't know what to expect. Someone that I'd have to chase around to talk to? Or someone that would do an interview by phone because the "Speed of Life," had been his set pace? But, quite refreshingly, I sat back, relaxed, and slowed down, to have "Coffee with Calvin Gilmore".
Arriving early for the interview Cindy Lilly, Calvin's personal assistant, asked me to wait in the conference room. The walls of the room were lined with billboards and signed portraits of various Hollywood stars including: Lucille Ball, Dick Van Dyke, Minnie Pearl and Shirley Temple accompanied by Buddy Ebsen.
Cindy greeted Calvin as he arrived and then led me into his office. Once inside the door of his office he introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Calvin."
Sitting down in a swivel office chair, he took a sip of coffee, and asked about SeaSide Today. We talked about the demographics and circulation then proceeded to talk about the local interest stories, for example Jimmy Durante and his famous "Goodnight Mrs. Calabash Wherever you are." You know how chit-chat is, you start out talking about Jimmy Durante then somehow end up talking about Mickey Rooney. To bring the conversation back to point, he made a comment about his comfort level and moved to a leather armed chair.
I asked Calvin about his interests outside of music. He stated his interests included real estate development, golfing, trout fishing and his first and only grandchild. A large grin crossed his face as he spoke of his granddaughter, "she is only 15 months old," he added.
"Off the cuff," is how he described his ability to juggle home and business life. He went on to say, "I go and do what I want to in the morning, except for scheduled meetings. I surround myself with people that I feel I can rely on to get things done and that I can keep around for a lifetime."
I asked him about the preparation for the show, and if he still gets nervous. He always feels relaxed, ”Unless a high school buddy is in the audience”. Sometimes he even plays a round of golf before a show. He stated that even before performing at the Grand Ole Opry, it was not a “nail biter,” even without the sound check. He sipped his coffee and told me what it is he loved about performing. He said “I love a good ballad, being able to tell a story with a song."
We talked about The Carolina Opry and its success. "The success The Carolina Opry has had doesn’t just happen to anyone. I was in the right place at the right time with the right product, but even with all of those factors in place, if a person isn’t prepared for that window of opportunity with talent and experience, it’s not going to work."
We continued talking about the Opry building. He and his wife, Janis, had a large part in the design. The exterior strobe lights are from an idea he picked up from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. He also has an affinity with London, England. The architecture seems "Surreal." "Its like fantasy land, a Disney world for this country boy."
He is involved with the local Red Cross, and has also been involved with Jason’s House for 23 years. The Jason’s House program brings terminally ill children and their families, to the beach for vacations. He looked towards a piece of crystal that he had displayed in his office and said "it was given to me after I did a benefit for the Waccamaw Youth Center."
After a few other questions, we exchanged handshakes and I continued on with my day until show time.
The show started at 8 p.m. at The Carolina Opry, with a pre-show beginning around 7:45. A comedy and musical act preceded the appearance of Calvin Gilmore. He entered the stage singing "Pennies from Heaven," and then told a story to the audience about himself, and with a light smirk he began to play "That Ole Gravel Road (Was Easy Street)." He appeared relaxed and at ease on stage. Not a show off. No desire to put on airs. Not a typical star.
It was just me, having coffee with Calvin Gilmore, the man.
