LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — “CSI” coroner Robert David Hall is having a high-flying time of it this summer — in his other career, as a music man.
His “Things They Don’t Teach You in School” album, a folksy, rootsy, Americana-style collection of songs he wrote himself and recorded in Austin, TX, is getting a reception Hall admits exceeds his hopes.
He slipped Craig Ferguson a copy, then Ferguson invited Hall to perform on his “Late Late Show.” Come June 19, he’ll be at Nasvhille’s legendary Ryman Auditiorium as part of the lineup for the Grand Ole Opry 85th Anniversary celebration’s “I’m With the Band” series. Hall will share the stage with such greats as Little Jimmy Dickens, Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown, Lee Roy Parnell, George Hamilton IV, the Charlie Daniels Band, Jon Conlee, Jean Shepard, Jimmy C. Newman, Daryle Singletary, The Whites and Restless Heart.
“This is sort of a Warp 10 for me," said Hall according to the press release. "I’m not scared. I am thrilled. I know it’s going to go well, but I don’t want to think about it too much because it’s almost overwhelming. I lived in Virginia for awhile, growing up, and I listened to the Opry. So many wonderful musicians have played there you can’t name them all. Anyone who is anyone in country music. It’s the highest honor,” he gushes.
Hall got to see some of his favorites, like Emmylou Harris, at the recent Gershwin Awards presentation to Paul McCartney at the White House (airing on PBS July 28). “Being in the room with the President was amazing enough, but there were also Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, the Jonas Bros. – they’re not my cup of tea, but I know the first daughters like them – Jerry Seinfeld, who was hilarious…and Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters. He was the surprise, playing ‘Band on the Run’ and adding a lot of energy. It was such a spectacular thing,” said Hall according to the press release.
Hall, a double amputee whose work on behalf of the disability community has taken him to the White House before, says he and his wife Judy just happened to have McCartney to themselves for a minute as they rode a White House elevator together.
“I introduced my wife, and he sang to her — ‘Hey, Judy’” Hall imitates. “She was doing cartwheels.” — CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
