HER GOLDEN YEARS

Miss Goldie Payne, beloved owner, operator and star of Goldie’s Best Little Opryhouse in Kentucky has been the Queen of Owensboro for thirty years now. But as they say, all good things must come to an end. Goldie indulges us with why she is giving up her throne, Opryhouse regrets and even embarrassing moments – all over eggs, toast and hot chocolate. Only with Goldie and only in Barnie’s café will you hear the phrase, “it made a sound like a hunerd chickins in a washtub,” and the secret recipe for beef stew and cornbread as, “well, you getcha a can opener…” Goldie’s contagious laugh and sweet, southern buttercream personality are the honey that draws Owensboroians to her like bees.

N4U: How did Goldie’s get started?

Goldie: In the 1970s, CB radios were popular and my handle was “Goldielocks.” To meet all the people you had been talking to we’d go to each other’s houses. We called it “coffeehouses.” When the coffeehouses got too big we started holding CB Jamborees. I was the President of the Owensboro CB Club and I put together this CB Jamboree at the Sportscenter. Thousands of people were there. We got a band together called Goldielocks and the Golden Bears. Pretty soon, we were booked at all the Jamborees, and then we were the house band at Windy Hollow. When Skeeters Boogieshack on Davis came available, we moved there and stayed there from 1982-1989. In 1989, the city decided that was where they wanted to put the RiverPark Center and I was on the hunt again. I remember I opened up the paper the next morning after I learned I had to move out, and saw the old Malco was for sale. Now, God never closes a door that He doesn’t open another one. I remember going there as a child and seein’ my first movie when I was 12; it was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. My father was a strict Southern Baptist preacher, and one time when he was out of town my mother let me go. Well, I bought that Malco and can still pick out the seat that I sat in. I remember I couldn’t enjoy the movie because I kept lookin’ up. My father had told me it was a place of sin and the ceiling would fall in. We’ve been here ever since. Before it was a Malco, it was a Vaudeville Theatre.

Tell me about your family.

We are all very close knit. I have lunch with my girls every Friday. I have eight kids and twenty grandkids. All have performed but some like it better than others. The other day when we had so much snow, the snack man saw my boys out here and asked what they were doing. They said, “cleanin’ mom’s parking spot off.”

 What’s a good story you tell on stage?

This past summer I siphoned water out of a swimmin’ pool. Boy, was I in trouble for that! Oh, let’s see… My husband cut down a tree and left the stump just stickin’ out. I mow my own lawn and just didn’t see it! I hit that stump and just tore up the blade on the lawnmower. Charlie was hot; he yelled at me but we went to the hardware store and got a new blade. Well, the next week if I didn’t hit that stump again. But this time, I went to the hardware store before he got home, got the blade and had it waitin’ for him.

Does Charlie ever get mad at you for making fun of him?

No, Charlie is the butt of all my jokes. We laugh and laugh. He really is my soul mate.

So, let’s get to the stuff that everyone is dying to know. Why are you retiring?

I’m going to be 62 and you just need to realize when it’s time. I can’t see the words on the cheat sheet and it’s gettin’ harder and harder to memorize. I’ve been doing this for thirty years, and I’ve seen and done it all in that thirty years, right here in Owensboro. I’ve performed with George Jones, been Dolly Parton’s assistant, Billy Dean even sent me his first gold album. The only country song to ever be featured on MTV was filmed right here at Goldie’s. I want to leave while I’m still on top and still have time to do the other things in life I want to do.

Did you ever want to leave Owensboro?

No, I never wanted to leave. My kids were always more important.

Your most embarrassing moment?

I came out on stage and I was limping because my leg and hip were in so much pain. I told the audience it was bothering me and when I went backstage for intermission this man came back and asked if he could help me. Well, he started rubbing my feet and then my ankles and then up my legs. I was sitting there with a long skirt on and before you knew it, that man was rubbing my outer thigh. He cured me and when I went back out on stage I said, “We need to honor this man that fixed me!” I said, “Sir, where do you work?” He replied, “Whirlpool!” I thought he was a chiropractor. Well, that audience busted out laughing. Oh, and then there was the time I was playing at the Posey County fair. I was wearing a tube top and I was dancing and singing along. I glanced down and if that tube top wasn’t down around my waste. Without skipping a beat, I turned around pulled it up and just smiled!

So, what are you going to do with yourself when you give up your throne?

I am going to be doing all the things I wanted to do on weekends for the past thirty years! I’m thinking about opening a hair salon and calling it “Goldie’s Best Little Hairhouse in Kentucky.” I would also like to work with Hospice. I love what they do for people.

What’s going to happen to Goldie’s?

We are selling it as is. Hopefully, someone will buy it and do the same thing we have been doing. I think many of the band members prefer to keep going. I am the luckiest person I know to have what I have had. So many people have said, it won’t be the same without Goldie, and you can’t replace me, but I don’t want a replacement. I want someone to buy Goldie’s that will be themselves and develop their own style.

What’s been the best part about your work with Goldie’s?

To encourage young kids. There is no better fulfillment. I see kids come through here with no self-esteem, no encouragement from home and you just see them light up when you support them a little! It touches my heart so much. That and performing. I love performing.

Have you prepared yourself for the last time you walk out on stage?

No… my stomach hurt just taking the press release into the paper. It’s so bittersweet for me.

Any regrets?

That I didn’t record a Gospel record. My mom and dad loved the Opry and they loved the Gospel shows here. My dad said, “God gave you that voice. Use it for Him.” They were instrumental in keeping it going. Them and my husband. Without them, there would be no Goldie’s.

Be sure to catch one of Goldie’s final performances every Friday and Saturday night…

Catch these golden oldies at Goldie’s such as:

“Move it on Ovary”

“Goldie’s Still Flashin’ and the Cars are Still Passin’ ”

“Battle of the 40 Lbs.”