"Shriners Convention" is a song written and recorded by American musician

Ray Stevens Harold Ray Ragsdale (born January 24, 1939), known professionally as Ray Stevens, is an American country music, country and pop singer-songwriter and comedian. He is best known for his Grammy-winning recordings "Everything Is Beautiful" and "M ...

. It is based on Stevens' experiences at an

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hotel where an actual

Shriners Shriners International, formally known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (AAONMS), is an American Masonic body, Masonic society. Founded in 1872 in New York City, it is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and has over ...

convention was being held.''Music City News''. June 1986. Shriners have taken the song as good-natured humor, and have even welcomed Stevens' participation in fundraising activities, as his fame attracts more attendees to charity events. It has been suggested that Stevens' presence indicates that Shriners have a sense of humor about themselves, making the group seem more accessible.

Content

The premise 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." Each verse describes a different aspect of the convention - first a parade, then a formal banquet, and finally a ceremonial "secret meeting", which is actually a

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game.

"Meanwhile, back at the motel..."

The song's humor includes a series of phone calls between two Shriners from the

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delegation: "Illustrious Potentate" Bubba, and "Noble Lumpkin" Coy, the latter of whom fails to show up at any convention gatherings, choosing instead to carouse at the motel with his

Harley Harley may refer to: People * Harley (given name) * Harley (surname) Places * Harley, Ontario, a township in Canada * Harley, Brant County, Ontario, Canada * Harley, Shropshire, England * Harley, South Yorkshire, England * Harley Street, i ...

, dishonoring the whole delegation. Bubba eventually kicks Coy out of the Shrine, but Coy undauntedly considers joining the

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, cranks his motorcycle, and hangs up. While only Bubba's side of the conversation is heard, Coy's comments are made known through Bubba's replies. This comedy format is similar to routines by

Shelley Berman Sheldon Leonard Berman (February 3, 1925 – September 1, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, writer, teacher, and lecturer. He was awarded three gold records for his comedy albums and he won the first Grammy Award for a spoken comedy recor ...

and

Bob Newhart George Robert Newhart (September 5, 1929 – July 18, 2024) was an American comedian and actor. Newhart was known for his deadpan and stammering delivery style. Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian, he transitioned his career to acting in ...

Remake

In 1983, Stevens re-recorded the song, adding a reference to the

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in the dialogue.

Music video

A video for "Shriners Convention" appears in Stevens's 1995

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film, ''Get Serious!'' The song also ties into the film's plot, wherein a genuine Illustrious potentate and a country sheriff named Bubba, along with his deputy Coy (who in truth somewhat enjoys being mistaken for the Coy of the song) and certain family members and friends, believe that Stevens is deliberately misrepresenting them in his songs. All of this alludes to another Stevens song, "Dudley Do-Right of the Highway Patrol”.

Chart performance

References

External links

Editorial
of a Canadian Freemason Lodge commenting on negative stereotypes in "Shriners Convention." {{Authority control 1980 songs 1980 singles Ray Stevens songs Songs written by Ray Stevens RCA Records singles Shriners Comedy songs