The Grand Ole Opry is back in the Opry House for the next month and in anticipation of the demand for tickets, there will be 2 Saturday night shows for the month of October. Looking at the schedule for this weekend, the highlight Friday night will be Dierks Bentley performing, along with Sam Bush and Neal McCoy. Looking at Saturday night, The Band Perry will be on the schedule, along with Charley Pride, Craig Morgan and a return by Kevin Costner.
Friday October 1
7:00: Mike Snider(host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jean Shepard; Dierks Bentley
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Neal McCoy
8:45: Marty Stuart(host); Stonewall Jackson; Jimmy C. Newman; Sam Bush
Saturday October 2
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Jean Shepard
7:30: Mike Snider(host); Jim Ed Brown; The Band Perry
8:00: Charley Pride(host); Craig Morgan; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson(host); Jeannie Seely; Kevin Costner & Modern West
9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); George Hamilton IV; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
10:00: Charley Pride(host); Jean Shepard; Jack Greene
10:30: Mike Snider(host); Grand Master Fiddle Champion; Craig Morgan; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson(host); Jeannie Seely; Kevin Costner & Modern West
It will be interesting to see if Jimmy Dickens and his voice will be able to hold out for all 3 shows. Also, it sure is nice to see no intermission on the Saturday night shows. It makes the show flow go much better.
Tonight, Opry Country Classics will honor Loretta Lynn as the spotlight artist. This show will also be at the Grand Ole Opry House.
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Loretta Lynn
Also appearing: Shawn Camp; John Conlee; Rebecca Lynn Howard; Joe Stampley
I will be in Nashville for the Opry birthday celebration next week. I plan on talking to lots of folks and getting a good look at the Opry House. It should be a great weekend.
I don't mean to sound cruel but it will be a miracle if Jimmy Dicken's voice holds out for ONE show, much less THREE.
ReplyDeleteI thought the Opry Classics programs were to be held exclusively at the Ryman. I'm sure the renovated Opry House is the cat's meow but for me it can never capture the spirit and magic of the ole Ryman and hopefully I will get to attend one of the shows this year.
ReplyDeleteAs for Little Jim's voice, yes age is starting to take its toll but when it gets really bad all I can do is think of two old songs that seem to really fit this situation, the first being the song performed by Bill Anderson and Roy Acuff titled "I wonder if God likes country music" and the Porter Wagoner classic "Trouble in the Amen Corner." As bad as it may get I pray they never tell him that he can't sing anymore as I'm certain that would break his heart and quite possibly his will to live.
Just a FYI, the Country Classics show is being held at the Opry House, and this was planned a while back, because the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Awards)show is being held at the Ryman Auditorium. If the Opry House had not been done, Opry Country Classics would have had to move to an alternate location.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, one of the beautiful things about country music is that even when performers ask to make their fingers nimble like they used to be so they can play the chords and sing along, fans understand. Most male singers, in particular, seem to have changes in their voice after a certain age. Sometimes, it works out--Mr. Acuff became gravelly, but it worked. Sometimes, it can be painful--I hate to say it, but David Houston's beautiful voice was totally gone at the end. Still, we know what they were, and somehow, that's what we really hear and see.
ReplyDeleteIt is so tough when an entertainer ages. We all want them to sound like they did when they were young, but life just does not treat us that way.
ReplyDeleteListening to the Friday Night Opry, Jimmy Dickens sounded pretty much as he has for the past several months. He opened with "Mountain Dew" and then he did a recitation for his final number. The recitation came off very well and he did not sound to bad when he was just talking.