- published: 26 Jan 2022
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"Shriners Convention" is a country-and-western novelty song written, composed, and performed by Ray Stevens. It is based on Stevens' experiences at an Atlanta hotel where an actual Shriners convention was being held.
It is reported that some real-life Shriners groups are not fond of this song, as it appears to portray Shriners in a poor light. However, many other Shriners have taken the song as a harmless piece of humor, and have even welcomed Stevens's participation in fundraising activities, as Stevens's fame attracts attendees to charity events. It has been suggested that Stevens's presence indicates that Shriners have a sense of humor about themselves, making the group seem more accessible.
The backdrop of the song is the "43rd Annual Convention of the Grand Mystic Royal Order of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine."
The main humor of the song involves a one-sided dialogue, via hotel phone, between two members of the Hahira, Georgia, delegation: leader "Illustrious Potentate" (Bubba), and member "Noble Lumpkin" (Coy), who has gone rogue. Stevens voices Bubba, while Coy's voice is unheard, his comments made known only by Bubba's reactions to them. The basic format of these cutaways is similar to those of Shelley Berman and Bob Newhart.
Shriner's Convention was Ray Stevens' seventeenth studio album, released in 1980, as well as his first for RCA Records. The front of the album's cover shows a drawn picture of Stevens on a motorcycle with a young, curvaceous woman in back of him. Stevens wears a blue, Hawaiian-styled shirt and blue jeans, while the woman wears a bikini, and the two wear shriner hats. In the background of the picture, there is a shriner's parade on the streets. On the back of the album, there is a comic strip of happenings at a motel while the parade occurs.
The title track is the album's sole single.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the hospitals, known as "The World's Greatest Philanthropy," are owned and operated by Shriners International, formerly known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a Freemasonry-related organization whose members are known as Shriners. Patients must be minors under the age of 18 and are not required to have any familial affiliation with the Shriners order nor Freemasonry. The current advertising campaign for the healthcare system features the tagline, "Love to the Rescue."
In 1920, the Imperial Session of the Shriners was held in Portland, Oregon. During that session the membership unanimously passed a resolution to establish what at the time was called the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children system. The first hospital in the system opened in 1922 in Shreveport, Louisiana. It provided pediatric orthopaedic care.
Alec was two months old the first time he went to Shriners Hospitals for Children®. After more than 18 operations and thousands of rehabilitation hours, he can live a full, independent, life. Your monthly gift provides kids like Alec the care they need to just be kids. Join thousands of other caring supporters like you and give today at LoveShriners.org.
Thanks to generous supporters, more children from Shriners Hospitals for Children will be spending the holidays at home. Make your holiday gift today at https://loveshriners.org
Located near downtown Cincinnati, Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Cincinnati is designated by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons as a Verified Burn Center, meeting the highest standards of burn care. Our inpatient and outpatient units are designed to allow children to recover in a safe, fun and friendly environment. Every member of our staff, from surgeons to therapists, nurses to orthotists, is focused on providing the highest quality care that puts the family at the center of the team.
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Staff and patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children - St. Louis explain how to prepare for surgery.
As a supporter, your gift to Shriners Hospitals for Children® makes a difference in the lives of children. Your gift help kids get the care they need, regardless of the families’ ability to pay. Join thousands of other caring supporters like you and give today at Lovetotherescue.org
Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Canada, located in Montreal-Quebec, provides world-class care to children from across Canada. We treat children with a host of orthopaedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders in a family-focused environment that puts children at ease. Every member of our staff, from surgeons to therapists, nurses to orthotists, is committed to helping children improve their quality of life and achieve as much independence as possible.
A new ad for Shriners Hospitals. Look for several of our Chicago Shriners Hospital patients and staff in this commercial, highlighting our life changing care for children with orthopaedic conditions or in need of cleft lip/palate care or spinal cord injury/rehabilitation.
Shriners hosts car seat safety check in light of National Child Passenger Safety Month
The PSA shines a spotlight on the hospital as a place of hope and healing for children with orthopaedic conditions. Patient ambassador Kaleb and Brendan Gallagher of the Montreal Canadiens show how Shriners Hospitals for Children is a place where children overcome disabilities and achieve their dreams. Kaleb and Brendan remind the public that the advanced medical care provided at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Canada could help a child in their community.
"Shriners Convention" is a country-and-western novelty song written, composed, and performed by Ray Stevens. It is based on Stevens' experiences at an Atlanta hotel where an actual Shriners convention was being held.
It is reported that some real-life Shriners groups are not fond of this song, as it appears to portray Shriners in a poor light. However, many other Shriners have taken the song as a harmless piece of humor, and have even welcomed Stevens's participation in fundraising activities, as Stevens's fame attracts attendees to charity events. It has been suggested that Stevens's presence indicates that Shriners have a sense of humor about themselves, making the group seem more accessible.
The backdrop of the song is the "43rd Annual Convention of the Grand Mystic Royal Order of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine."
The main humor of the song involves a one-sided dialogue, via hotel phone, between two members of the Hahira, Georgia, delegation: leader "Illustrious Potentate" (Bubba), and member "Noble Lumpkin" (Coy), who has gone rogue. Stevens voices Bubba, while Coy's voice is unheard, his comments made known only by Bubba's reactions to them. The basic format of these cutaways is similar to those of Shelley Berman and Bob Newhart.
Here they come down main street
Drums a flailin' and the sirens a wailin', what a roar!
Bands are a playin' and flags are a wavin'
And the Vanguards and Motorcycle Corps
Clowns are a clownin' to the crowd
And pinchin' every pretty girl who dares to smile
It's a glorious mess, everybody wears a fez
The parade stretches out for a mile
It's a typical American phenomenon
Where all the members have a fine old time
It's the Forty-Third Annual Convention
Of the Grand Mystic Royal Order
Of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine
Meanwhile, back at the motel
"Operator, give me room 321, please
Hello, Noble Lumpkin?
This here is the illustrious Potentate
I said it's the illustrious Potentate
The illustrious, Coy!"
"Dad blame it! This here's Bubba!
Coy, why are'nt you at the parade?
What? Well, how'd you get that big Harley
Up there in your room?"
"What? I can't hear ya' Coy!
Quit revvin' it up, boy! Turn it off!
Listen, I just want you to know one thing
You have embarrassed us all, the whole Hahira delegation! "
"Now I'll see you at the banquet tonight, son
And you be there Coy, you hear me?
Black tie! Seven o'clock! Be there Coy!
And Coy, don't answer the phone, 'udden udden!"
Well, it was all arranged by the Ladies Auxiliary
In the downtown Convention hall
Cold roast beef, string beans, mashed potatoes
And nine boring speeches in all
And all the tables looked fine with their Mogen David wine
And Chrysanthemums on each side
And the Hahira leaders in their rented tuxedos
Made the local hearts swell with pride
It's a typical American phenomenon
Where all the members have a fine old time
It's the Forty-Third Annual Convention
Of the Grand Mystic Royal Order
Of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine
Meanwhile, back at the motel
"Operator, 321, please? Thank You!
Hello, Coy? What are you doin'?
What do you mean, who is this?
This is Bubba? Why wasn't you at the banquet?"
"What do you mean all you had to wear
Was a Hawaiian flowerdy shirt?
Well, you may think you're foolin' some people
But I know what's goin' on"
"Yeah, everybody seen the little redhead
That's right, everybody!
Why she come runnin' through the dinner
Right in the middle of the pineapple sherbet"
"Didn't have nothin' on but your fez, Coy!
Coy, you the only one who's got a fez with a propeller on top!
Yeah, yeah and she was a yellin' out the secret code too, Coy
We gonna have to change it now, Coy! Dad, blame it, Coy!"
"We gonna have to have a special meetin', we get back to Hahira
About your conduct at this year convention! Embarrassin'!
Now Coy, you be at the secret conclave tonight, you hear me?
And Coy, keep it a secret! Huh!"
Well, it was a secret meeting in the dead of the night
With mysterious sanctimony
In accordance with prescribed
Rituals of time honored ceremony
Matters of grave concern
Were weighed with dedicated caution
Like whether or not to raise at stud
Or draw or spit in the ocean
It's a typical American phenomenon
Where all the members have a fine old time
It's the Forty-Third Annual Convention
Of the Grand Mystic Royal Order
Of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine
Meanwhile, back at the motel
"Operator, room 320
How, How'd you know?
Oh! Hello Coy! Where have you been?
No, you wasn't at the meeting!"
"Well, I found out that at three o'clock this mornin'
You was out there, in your fruit of the looms
In the motel swimmin' pool with a bunch
Of them waitresses from the Cocktail Lounge!"
"I just hope Charlene don't find out about this, Coy!
What? Well, how'd you get that big motorcycle
Up there on the high dive, Coy?
Now Coy, Dad blame it, that ain't no way to act"
"We supposed to be pillars of the community
When we get back to Hahira, you can just turn in your ring
And your tie tack 'cause Coy, hehe, you are out of the shrine!
You gonna be blackballed, Coy! That's right!"
"You may have to pack your bags and leave town!
What do you mean, you might join the Hell's Angels?
Coy! Don't you hang up on me!
Don't you crank that motorcycle!"
"Who's that gigglin' in the background, Coy?
Hello, hello operator! Yeah, we's cut off! Room 321
Coy! Don't you hang up on the illustrious Potentate!
I said the illustrious Potentate!