Ray Stevens wrote, recorded, and performed the country-and-western novelty song “Shriners Convention.” It’s modelled on Stevens’ experiences inside an Atlanta hotel during a Shriners conference.
The song has been seen by Shriners as good-natured humour, as well as Stevens’ participation in fundraising efforts has been appreciated, since his celebrity draws more people to charity events. Stevens’ participation has been interpreted as a sign that Shriners have a sense of humour about themselves, making the company more approachable.
The “43rd Annual Convention of the Grand Mystic Royal Order of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine” is indeed the song’s concept. Each stanza depicts a distinct component of the convention: a parade, a formal luncheon, as well as a ceremonial “secret meeting,” which is actually a poker game.
The song features a series of phone calls between two Shriners from the Hahira delegation: “Illustrious Potentate” Bubba and “Noble Lumpkin” Coy, the latter of whom fails to show up anywhere at convention gatherings, rather than choosing to carouse there at a motel with his Harley, dishonouring the entire delegation. Coy is finally kicked out of the Shrine by Bubba, although he is undeterred and considers joining the Hells Angels, cranking his motorbike and hanging out.
Whereas only Bubba’s side of such discussion is heard, Coy’s observations are revealed through Bubba’s responses. This comedic format is comparable to Shelley Berman’s and Bob Newhart’s performances.
Stevens re-recorded the track in 1983, changing the language to include a reference towards the Knights of Columbus.
Stevens’ 1995 direct-to-video movie Get Serious! includes a video for “Shriners Convention.” The song also has a connection to the plot of the film, in which a real Illustrious Potentate and county sheriff named Bubba, together with his deputy Coy and a few family members and friends, believe Stevens is intentionally misrepresenting them in his songs.
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