Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Grand Ole Opry 1/25 & 1/26

The Grand Ole Opry concludes the winter run at the Ryman Auditorium this weekend with 2 shows. The Friday Night Opry has the usual 12 performers while the Grand Ole Opry has only 9 listed. It will be interesting to see if any other artists are scheduled, but like last weekend, I doubt if they will be Opry members.

While the Saturday show is low on numbers, the talent level is pretty good as Opry members Ronnie Milsap and the Oak Ridge Boys will be on. On February 6, Ronnie will be celebrating 37 years as an Opry member, so perhaps some mention will be made during the show. Each week it seems like someone from the cast of "Nashville" is on, and this weekend it will be Sam Palladio making a return visit. I will say that at least several of the stars of the television show do have talent and good voices and have added to the Opry.

The Friday Night Opry will feature another Opry visit from Ricky Skaggs. Ricky has been on the majority of Opry shows so far in 2013. Joining Ricky will be guest artists Sunny Sweeney, Joey+Rory, and a personal favorite of mine, Sarah Darling. I think Sarah is one of the bright new artists in the business. It is also nice to see The Isaacs making another Opry visit. And, as it has been since the 1st of the year, there is no Jimmy Dickens again this weekend. With the flu going around, and Tennessee among the states hard it, Jimmy is being very careful, as he should be at the age of 92. I would not be surprised to see him back next weekend, when the Opry returns to the Grand Ole Opry House.

Friday January 25:
7:00: Diamond Rio (host); Jimmy C Newman; Sunny Sweeney
7:30: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; Joey+Rory
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jim Ed Brown; Sarah Darling
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; The Isaacs

Saturday January 26:
7:00: Diamond Rio (host); Connie Smith
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Ronnie Milsap
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Sam Palladio; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Oak Ridge Boys

Like I said, while light on numbers, there are 2 pretty good shows this weekend.

For this week's look back in Opry history, I have Saturday January 25, 1992. It was on this night 21 years ago that Emmylou Harris became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. I have to say that I enjoy Emmylou and she has done some great things in her career, but her commitment to the Opry is not one of them. When she joined the cast, I really thought that as someone who really understood the history of country music and the Opry, along with her love of the Louvin Brothers, she would be there more often. But like many others of her generation, she makes very few appearances. I find that sad as she lives in Nashville and is always around town. She does not tour as much as she used to. When she does appear on the Opry, it is usually when the show is at the Ryman Auditorium. When she does do the Orpy she is very well received and she seems to enjoy herself. I can remember one night a few years back when I was at the Ryman for an Opry show and Emmylou hosted a segment. She stayed on stage and backed up each group and danced with the square dancers. It was a fun segment. I think I speak for a lot of fans when I say that we need to see more of Emmylou at the Opry.

Here is the line-up from Saturday January 25, 1992, the night Emmylou Harris joined the Opry.

1st show
6:30: Opry Tours
Boxcar Willie (host): Train Melody
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Boxcar Willie: Cowboys & Horses; Hobos & Trains

6:45: Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
4 Guys: Tennessee
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): You Gotta Have A License
John Conlee: I Don't Remember Loving You
Osborne Brothers: Nearer My God to Thee
Lorrie Morgan: Except for Monday/Autumns Not That Cold
Porter Wagoner: Wake Up Jacob

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Vince Gill: Take Your Memory With You/When I Call Your Name/Drifting Too Far From the Shore
Emmylou Harris: Walls of Time/Blue Kentucky Girl

8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): Nine Pound Hammer
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
The Whites: Doing it By the Book
Del Reeves: There She Goes
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Bill Monroe: Body and Soul

8:30: Opryland
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Jimmy C Newman: (?)
Riders In The Sky: Blue Shadows on the Trail
Jean Shepard: Gospel Melody
Bill Anderson: Still

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
John Conlee: Friday Night Blues
Emmylou Harris: Guitar Town
Emmylou Harris & Vince Gill: If You Needed Me
Porter Wagoner: Misery Loves Company

10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Ol Rattler
Charlie Louvin: The Precious Jewel
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Dreamed About Mama Last Night
Grandpa Jones: Arkansas Traveler

10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Once More
Ray Pillow: Please Don't Leave Me Anymore
George Hamilton IV: I'm Using My Bible For a Roadmap/Cabin in Gloryland
Dan Kelly: Sally Goodin

10:30: Pet Milk
Bill Monroe (host): True Life Blues
Roy Drusky: Too Old to Die Young
Boxcar Willie: Hobo Heaven
Bill Monroe: I'm Working on a Building

10:45: B.C. Powder
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater and Wait
Vince Gill & Patty Loveless: When I Call Your Name
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Lafayette
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way

11:00: Coca-Cola
Bill Anderson (host): You Can Have Her
Osborne Brothers: Low and Lonely
Jeannie Seely: Go Down Swinging
Stonewall Jackson: Side Steppin the Blues
Bill Carlisle: Too Old To Cut the Mustard
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar

11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Riders In The Sky: How Does He Yodel
The Whites: Swing Down, Chariot
Johnny Russell: No One Will Ever Know
Charlie Walker: Take Me Back To Tulsa

There you have it. And yes, all Opry members!! And 11 of the artists on the 2nd show did not do the 1st show, while 7 on the 1st show did not do the 2nd. That gave both shows good variety.

Congratulations to Emmylou Harris and 21 years of Opry membership.

28 comments:

  1. 1992 doesn't "seem" that long ago but 2 decades have passed and so have many of the performers on that roster. Messrs Acuff and Monroe, both Walkers, Johnny Russell, Wilma Lee, Sam Wellington, Bill Carlisle, Box, Porter, Skeeter, Grandpa, Charlie Louvin, Roy Drusky, and Del Reeves.

    Just shows to appreciate them while you can!

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  2. I think you mean Brent Burkett and not Sam Wellington? We also could add Herman Harper from the Carol Lee Singers.

    Great stuff, Byron. And you're right about Emmylou. I expected better out of her.

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  3. not to mention Bashful Brother Oswald and Charlie Collins. I'm sure they were there that night as well.

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  4. Fred, Bismarck:

    What a '92 lineup! The fans surely got their money's worth this night.

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  5. To Michael, yes, I meant Brent, not Sam. My apologies. They were a terrific act. Was the reason for their firing from the Opry ever disclosed?

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    1. Story I read, was that there was none of the "original" 4 guys left that were made Opry members. In a way I see the point of the Opry administration.

      I'll use Diamond Rio for example, because they are on the Opry this weekend. If one by one the original members left and you eventually had a group of different guys singing songs from the 1990's they were not even a part of, would they really be "Diamond Rio". I personally would not buy a ticket to that show.

      I think this should be a stipulation when "groups" are made members; When all the original members, that have made the success of the group, have died or left then Opry membership should be terminated.

      Of course my opinion is only one. Think about another lady "assuming" the role of "Minnie Pearl" (and some have over the years at Opryland..etc)... a good show, but would never be the real deal.

      Delete
  6. David is right regarding the 4 Guys. Sam Wellington wrote a very nice book a few years back giving his opinion of the whole situation. Even he realized that the 4 Guys should have retired from the Opry when he and Brent left the group. This happened in 1999/2000, right after Pete Fisher took over. In fact, many feel that firing the 4 Guys was just the start of his plan to fire a number of the older acts from the show, but the publicity was so negative that he backed off. Which is another reason why people like Tom T are still Opry members today.

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    1. Byron:
      Even though I agree with Fisher's decision on the 4 guys, I will say at least they preformed often, and at a "moment's" call from what I understand.

      You cannot say that for Tom T. Hall, Travis Tritt & others. I really believe the publicity would not be as negative if the Opry could "prove" those artists were not fulfilling their duties as Opry members. I still say terminated their membership and add Rhonda Vincent, Crystal Gayle, The Grascals, Gene Watson and folks you know will show up.

      Delete
  7. Hey David And Fayfare Who Are The Favorites To Join The Country Music Hall Of Fame From Both The Veterans Era Artist Category And The Modern Era Artist Category This Year

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    1. Should be announced in about 5 weeks or so.

      You just never know: I will say Modern Category this year will either be Ronnie Milsap, The Oaks or Kenny Rogers.
      Veterans: Dottie West, The Browns or Jerry Reed.

      If we are lucky, maybe a tie for 2013.

      Delete
    2. Non-Performer; A lot of attention has been given to Cowboy Jack Clement. I could see him getting elected from the non-performer category.

      Delete
  8. Hey David I Agree With All Of Your Choices For The Modern Category Milsap The Oaks And Rogers But I Would Like To Say That If They Inducted Garth Reba And George Strait Before Anyone Else Why Not Alan Jackson For The Modern Category This Year Garth And Reba Have Gotten In From That Category The Last Two Years So Why Not AJ This Year Im Going To List Off His Career Achievements
    Hes Sold More Than 60 Million Albums Worldwide And Has Achieved 34 # 1 Singles
    Hes Won 16 CMA Awards Including 3 Entertainer Of The Year Awards And Is Tied With George Strait For The Most Career Nominations Than Anyone Ever With 81 CMA Nominations
    In 1999 He Recieved A Standing Ovation When He Burst Into George Jones Song Choices Abruptly He Cut Off His Own Song Pop A Top And In 2001 He Had One Of The Most Emotional Moments In CMA History When He Debuted His 9/11 Anthem Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning For The First Time Ever On Television
    Hes Been A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry For More Than 20 Years And In 2011 He Was Inducted Into The Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame

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    1. As has been said on here before, usually when a contemporary artist (Reba 2011) and (Garth 2012) are elected, the following next few years more traditional or older artists are elected. That is my prediction for 2013: Ronnie Milsap, The Oak Ridge Boys and Kenny Rogers have all been talked about pretty heavy. I would also add Ricky Skaggs and Ray Stevens to the list. Also, Randy Travis (in the future, after his recent "incidents" are behind him). I will agree that Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn will probably be the next inductees of those who gained fame 1990-present. Time will tell on others from the 1970's & 1980's, including, Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle, Gene Watson, Mickey Gilley, Charlie Daniels, The Gatlins, Vern Gosdin and others.

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    2. As far as the veterans ballot, there is a list floating around for 2013 that includes, The Browns, Dottie West, Jerry Reed, The Wilburn Brothers and Mac Wiseman. The biggest push this year is for Dottie West. She will more than likely be the inductee. Now Dottie is no longer with us, and if you look at the election results of the Hall since after the mass induction of 2001, the only posthumous inductees have been DeFord Bailey and Pop Stoneman. If West is elected, my prediction is that there will mysteriously be a tie (for PR reasons) this year. I am leaning toward The Browns. Jerry Reed will be elected eventually, but probably not in the same year as another deceased artist. I really cannot see Mac Wiseman ever getting in (not that I personally do not like him, just that no Bluegrass acts have been getting elected since the Bluegrassers have their own Hall of Fame now). However, I do believe Wiseman is Hall of Fame worthy, and I may be fooled and he may get in someday. As far as the Wilburn Brothers, as with Wiseman, they should be in the Hall of Fame, but as each year goes by their chances are getting slimmer and slimmer. I believe that Bobby Bare will be on the ballot again starting next year (assuming the named 5 above is the "official" list). He will get elected eventually. As will Jerry Lee Lewis. Archie Campbell should be in, but like the Wilburns and Wiseman, it will have to come soon, or it will not happen at all.

      As far as this category is concerned, I think I can safely say I have named everyone with pre-1965 success that will ever be seriously considered for election. The electors are getting younger and younger, and the names of artists that I (and many other "true" country fans) believe should be in the Hall of Fame, are fading away. Some include; Jimmy C. Newman, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Bradley Kincaid, Stringbean and Johnny & Jack. All were unique in the their own way, and all should be in the Hall of Fame, but not likely to happen.

      Hank Williams, Jr. will be elected from this category. He is already eligible. So is Lynn Anderson (if she is ever elected), and the following will be eligible in this category within the next few years; Kenny Rogers (2014), Crystal Gayle (2015), Anne Murray (2015), Charlie Rich (2015), Ray Stevens (2015), Jerry Clower (2016), Tanya Tucker (2016), Larry Gatlin (2018), Ronnie Milsap (2018) and Mickey Gilley (2019). Now some of these artists may get elected within the next five years from the Modern Category. If not, you can bet the majority of those names will be elected from the Veterans category, and then your post-1990 acts, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, we will see one by one getting either on the ballot or elected in the Modern Category.

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  9. David, I think you have it right. As far as Alan Jackson, I have not heard a word that he is under Hall of Fame consideration this year. We will know once we see the final ballot. Just a side note regarding Alan, and which may affect when he goes into the Hall: while he has sold lots of records and has a lot of fans, many in Nashville are not in that group. He has stepped on more than one set of toes on his way up and the way he has treated many of his fellow musicians has been noted and remembered.

    As far as timing, usually the announcement is made around the 1st of March, give or take a week.

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  10. There's an old saying: be nice to people on the way up, because you'll meet them again on the way down.

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  11. Hey David If They Decide To Go Back To A 70s-80s Artist In The Modern Category This Year Then I Think It Should Be Either Kenny Rogers Or Ronnie Milsap This Year Heres What Kenny Has Done For Country Music Over The Years
    Kenny Has Sold A Unbelievable 120 Million Albums Worldwide And Has Achieved 21 #1 Singles And Hes Won 5 CMA Awards
    And Heres What Ronnie Has Done For Country Music Over The Years
    Ronnie Has Sold Over 35 Million Albums Worldwide And Has Achieved A Unbelievable 40 #1 Singles And Hes Won 7 CMA Awards Including Entertainer Of The Year And Is A Three-Time Winner Of The CMAs Male Vocalist Of The Year Award And A Four-Time Winner Of The CMAs Album Of The Year Award And Hes Been A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry For Over 35 Years Im So Suprised Neither Of Them Is In Yet What They Done To Country Music Is Undeniable Ill Be Surprised If Anyone Else But Either Kenny Or Ronnie Gets In From That Modern Category This Year

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    1. The "out of Nashville" crowd cannot believe that Kenny Rogers is not already in. His numbers are more than worthy, and he will get in eventually.

      I personally believe we will see others elected prior to Rogers, namely Ronnie Milsap and The Oak Ridge Boys. They being in the "Nashville Scene".

      Of course Rogers was the "artist in resident" in 2012 at the Hall of Fame and he is probably more involved with Nashville right now that any other time in his career. So all of this will help his chances of an earlier induction.

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  12. Speaking of the hall of fame ,the CMA ought to change the rules a little bit.Elect 2-3 from the modern category,2-4 from the veteran catgory,1-2 from the non performer category.Do that for the next 10 years.You will have everybody in that should be in.Wake up CMA.Get up off your ass and try it that way.OK?

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  13. Hey David I Saw A Report About The Hall Of Fame On Roughstock.Com And These Could Be The Finalists For This Year
    In The Veterans Era
    Dottie West Johnny And Jack The Browns Hank Williams JR And Archie Campbell
    In The Modern Era
    Alan Jackson Ronnie Milsap The Oak Ridge Boys Kenny Rogers And Ricky Skaggs
    If These Are The Finalists David Who Do You Think Will Make It

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    Replies
    1. I would say that these are the final nominees. They have throne me a curve ball from the previous list. Missing is Mac Wiseman and The Wilburn Brothers.

      The non-performers are even listed. Missing is Cowboy Jack Clement, who I thought may get great attention for 2013.

      I'm still staying with Dottie West or The Browns and Ronnie Milsap and The Oaks.

      Really surprised to see Hank,Jr. on the list at this time.
      And Johnny & Jack and Archie Campbell (that is wonderful!!!) there is hope.

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  14. Hey David Ronnie And The Oaks Should Go In First From The Modern Category But Just Like Garth Last Year I Suspect Alan Will For A Publicity Shot Not Because Hes Deserving But Its Too Soon

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  15. It was time for Reba to go in in 2011. She has been in the Country Top 40 since 1978. Garth was a "must". His numbers were just too huge. I think his induction was basically a "ok let's get this over with" type deal.

    I really don't believe Alan Jackson will go in this year. I think they will look back to the 1970's & 1980's. As I have said, I'm leaning toward, Ronnie Milsap and The Oaks, with Kenny Rogers shortly behind.

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  16. Hey David Remember In 2015 Shania Twain Becomes Eligble From The Modern Category And She Changed Country Music Forever Look At Her Career Achievements Her Third Album Come On Over Sold Over A Unbelievble 40 Million Copies Worldwide Making It The Best Selling Album Ever By A Female Artist And Also The Best Selling Country Album Of All Time Shes Sold Over 75 Million Albums Worldwide Making Her The Best Selling Female Country Artist Of All Time In 1999 She Became The Fitith Woman At That Time To Win The CMAs Top Award Of Entertainer Of The Yer Shes Won 5 Grammy Awards And Her Iconic Music Video Have Country Video Classics Like Garth Shanias Numbers Are Just Too Huge And Like Garth Shanias Induction Is A Must So I Think She Will Get In From That Modern Category The Year She Becomes Eligble Which Is 2015 And I Think She Will Be The Next 80s-90s Artist After Alabama George Strait Vince Gill Reba And Garth To Go In Into The Hall Of Fame

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  17. Heres My Predictions For Inductees
    Veterans Era The Browns (I Really Cant See Them Inducting A Dead Person Over The Living That Would Be Unfair)
    Modern Era Ronnie Milsap And The Oak Ridge Boys (They Havent Done A Tie For This Category Yet So Why Not This Year)

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    1. They are going to have to have posthumous inductions from time to time. I believe though, in the years a deceased artist is elected a living inductee will also go in from the same category.

      Personally, I believe if their is a tie this year it will come in the Veterans Category if West is elected. No doubt, it will be The Browns. I just can't see Hank, Jr. going in this soon.

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  18. Hey David The Nominees In 2011 Were
    Veterans Era The Browns Archie Campbell June Carter Cash Ray Charles Cowboy Copas Johnny And Jack Johnny Horton Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Reed Jean Shepard Connie Smith Dottie West The Wilburn Brothers And Hank Williams Jr Jean Shepard Got In
    Modern Era Reba McEntire Ronnie Milsap The Oak Ridge Boys Kenny Rogers Ricky Skaggs And Randy Travis Reba McEntire Got In
    In 2012 The Nominees Were
    Veterans Era Archie Campbell June Carter Cash Jerry Reed Connie Smith And Hank Williams Jr Connie Smith Got In
    Modern Era Garth Brooks Ronnie Milsap The Oak Ridge Boys Kenny Rogers And Ricky Skaggs Garth Brooks Got In
    And This Year The Nominees Are
    Veterans Era The Browns Archie Campbell Johnny And Jack Dottie West And Hank Williams Jr Im Expecting The Browns To Go In I Really Cant See Them Inducting Dottie West Over The Browns No Way Do I See It
    Modern Era Alan Jackson Ronnie Milsap The Oak Ridge Boys Kenny Rogers And Ricky Skaggs
    Im Expecting Ronnie Milsap And The Oaks To Both Go In

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  19. Hey David If They Stream The Annoucement Of The New Hall Of Famers Again This Year Just Like 2011 And Last Year 2012 Then I Dont Think It Would Be Either Ronnie Or The Oaks That Gets In From That Modern Category

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