Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Grand Ole Opry 3/9 & 3/10

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line up for the shows this weekend. There is 1 show on Friday night and 2 shows on Saturday night, as the Opry expands their schedule for the spring months.

There are some big name artists playing the Opry this weekend. Keith Urban returns for the Friday Night Opry along with Opry members Alison Krauss (who will be appearing both nights) and Mel Tillis. Also appearing will be newly named Hall of Fame member Connie Smith, who will be appearing during Bill Anderson's segment. I am sure Bill will make some nice comments regarding Connie's election.

In addition to Alison Krauss, Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature the return of Brad Paisley to the Opry stage. Also appearing on Saturday night will be Opry member Charlie Daniels, along with the great Stonewall Jackson, making a rare Opry appearance. Stonewall will also be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this weekend.

It is interesting to note that on Friday night, there are only 11 artists scheduled, as Keith Urban will be the only guest during the final segment. Of those 11, 9 are Opry members. On Saturday night there are only 10 artists scheduled for the 1st show, as it looks like Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley will each be allowed some extra time. Of those 10, 8 are Opry members. The 2nd show on Saturday will have 11 artist, of whom 9 are Opry members.

Friday March 9
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Brett Eldredge
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mel Tillis
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Alison Krauss
8:45: Mike Snider (host); Keith Urban

Saturday March 10
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Luke Bryan
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Canaan Smith; Charlie Daniels Band
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Alison Krauss; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Brad Paisley

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Brad Paisley
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Stonewall Jackson; Alison Krauss
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); George Hamilton IV; Luke Bryan; Opry Square Dancers
11:00; Bill Anderson (host); Canaan Smith; Charlie Daniels Band

11 comments:

  1. Glad to see Stonewall Jackson on the bill. Look forward to hearing him.

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  2. It is indeed great to see Stonewall back. I'm also glad to see Brad and Alison. I was afraid the birds at the bread crumbs they left to lead them back to the Opry after their last appearances, back when we were debating whether Mr. Acuff really should be the first living member of the Hall of Fame. I exaggerate ... a bit.

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  3. I saw Alison (and Dan Taminski) when they dropped in unannounced to honor Bill Anderson's 50th year on the 'Opry.
    Quite a special 'Opry moment.

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  4. Not by much Michael!!! Actually when I saw Brad was on the Opry again I thought I had missed another flood of the Opry House. (I know, not nice!!)

    Seriously, with Bill Anderson and Jimmy Dickens as friends, he needs to show up more.

    (byron)

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  5. No Alison tonight as Bill said she called in sick.

    (Byron)

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  6. Alison Krauss was a last minute cancellation last night. Bill Anderson said she called in and was under the weather and hoped to make it on Saturday night. Gloriana replaced her.

    Keith Urban did a very nice job but it seemed like they let him go on for a long time. He even allowed fans to come up on stage which probably gave Opry management a heart attack. I mean, that is not the way things are done there.

    Jimmy Dickens still sounded weak, but from pictures that I saw from last night looked great. Mel Tillis was outstanding as always. And Bill Anderson gave a very nice introduction to Connie Smith and Connie had some nice words to say about Bill. She received a standing ovation at the end of her slot.

    I do find it interesting that when a star cancels out (Alison Kruass), the Opry moves fast to replace them with someone fairly good, while when a veteran or older Opry member cancels, they just let someone else sing an extra song, with no replacement.

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  7. Byron, I caught the first hour--I really regret having to miss Connie's appearance. The Potato did sound a bit weaker than he usually would but referred to his laryngitis, so that may be part of it. As for the cancellation, well, we know what the management thinks of older cast members anyway. Ahem.

    The Keith Urban moment--and they should ask him to join--reminded me of the story Oswald loved to tell about the night they had square dancers on stage and an audience member joined them. Mr. Acuff could have stopped it but, before he could, Jim Denny walked over and belted the guy, who preceded to knock Denny and a few others silly before they could get him out of there. There's a lesson in that, but I'm not sure what it is!

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  8. I am surprised that more people don't try to go up on stage, especially because they still have the round steps in the middle and to be honest, there is not much security down front. Just a couple of the ushers and that is about it.

    But I will say that when Taylor Swift was at the Opry in 2010, she did have her own security man that came out and stood by the American flag the entire time she was on stage, just watching very close.

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  9. A real outstanding night on Saturday. Both shows were amazing. Brad and Alison nailed it. But for me, the highlight of the night was Charlie Daniels, "The Devil Went Down To Georgia".

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  10. I could hear only the first show, but it was indeed. The Potato did all right, too.

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  11. I was wondering if any country singer collects books for a hobby.I am a book collector and most of my books are religious in nature.

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