This week, the Opry returns to just 1 show on Saturday night. This will continue through the month of August. Hard to believe that in the middle of summer attendance would be that low to cut out a Saturday show. Also, in looking at the line-up, there are still 3 slots to fill on Friday night. The line-ups for both nights look a little light.
Friday July 31st:
7:00: John Conlee(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Jonathan Singleton & The New Grove
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Ray Pillow; Buddy Jewell
8:00: Bill Anderson(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Chris Young
8:30: Riders In The Sky(host); Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper;Jamie O'Neal
Saturday August 1st:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Trent Tomlinson
7:30: Jeannie Seely(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Ashton Shepherd
8:00: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jan Howard; Jason Crabb; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky(host); Charlie Louvin; George Hamilton IV w/Live Issue; Restless Heart
George Hamilton will be the host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, with Live Issue as guests.
A couple of final thoughts:
>As they decide at times to go with 1 show on Saturday night, I would like to see a longer show-perhaps an additional segment.
>The only good thing about having only 1 show on Saturday is that WSM fills the time after the Opry with classic Opry shows from the Ryman Auditorium that took place in the 1960's, or from the Pet Milk syndicated shows. They go with those until 11:30, and Eddie Stubbs does the pre-taped Opry show up until the Midnight Jamboree. It is too bad that the "boneheads" at WSM did not realize the historical nature of the older Opry shows and did not save the broadcasts, or threw away the tapes from the shows that they did save, when they moved into their new building. It would have been a treat to listen to Opry shows from the 1930's, 40's and early 50's, and some of the great stars from that era. In fact, I think that the next classic Opry line-up I post will be from the mid-1950's.
I did post one in response to one of your classic lineups, but it was a late one. I'll hunt for an early one, too.
ReplyDeleteI feel funny saying it, but I prefer those old tapes to the second show because it's the Opry as it was supposed to be, as opposed to so many guests.
Mike: I agree with you. In a way, it is so good to hear the older Opry shows. My only complaint is that I wish they would broadcast the whole show, including the commercials, and not selected half hours.
ReplyDeleteMore people would come to the Opry if the tickets were not so expensive. The management is driving the show into the ground and it does not have to be that way. Country music is not the music of the wealthy.
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