Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Grand Ole Opry 9/5 & 9/6

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the shows this weekend. As has been mentioned before, the line-ups feature many more guest artists then Opry members. In fact, on Friday night, there are just 6 Opry members scheduled, while Saturday's show features just 5. It is what it is.

Among the guest artists on The Friday Night Opry are Jamie O'Neal, The Grascals, Sarah Darling and Restless Heart. All are familiar to Opry audiences. Also scheduled is Carolina Story and JT Hodges, both of whom will also come back for the Saturday night show. Joining them on Saturday will be Wade Hayes, Striking Matches, Janelle Arthur and Casey James. The one Opry member that I am very pleased to see on the schedule for Saturday night is Ray Pillow. Nice to have this smooth singer back at the Opry.

Friday September 5
7:00: John Conlee (host); JT Hodges; Jamie O'Neal
7:30: The Whites (host); Jim Ed Brown; The Grascals
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Carolina Story
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Sarah Darling; Restless Heart

Saturday September 6
7:00: The Whites (host); JT Hodges
7:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Wade Hayes; Carolina Story
Intermission
8:15: Ray Pillow (host); Jesse McReynolds; Striking Matches; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Janelle Arthur; Casey James

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, September 4 & 5, 2009:

Friday September 4
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jeannie Seely; Luke Bryan
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne; Andy Griggs
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mark Wills
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Stu Phillips; Jack Greene; The Whites

Saturday September 5
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Emily West
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Blaine Larsen
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jesse McReynolds; Johnny Counterfit; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Connie Smith

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; Blaine Larsen
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Stonewall Jackson; Legacy Five
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Charlie Louvin; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Emily West; Connie Smith

And from 10 years ago this weekend, September 3 & 4, 2004:

Friday September 3
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Mel McDaniel; George Hamilton IV; George Canyon
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Adam Harvey; Stonewall Jackson; Trace Adkins
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Osborne Brothers; Rebecca Lynn Howard
9:00: Roy Clark (host); Jean Shepard; Craig Morgan
9:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Restless Heart

Saturday September 4
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; T. Graham Brown
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; George Hamilton IV; George Canyon
7:30: Roy Clark (host); Billy Walker; Alecia Nugent
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Charlie Louvin: Rebecca Lynn Howard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Josh Turner

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; George Canyon
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Alecia Nugent
10:30: Roy Clark (host); Stu Phillips; Rebecca Lynn Howard; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Billy Walker; Jack Greene; T. Graham Brown
11:30: Mike Snider (host); Ray Pillow; Josh Turner

For this week's feature line-up, I have one from 50 years ago this weekend, Saturday September 5, 1964:

7:30: Luzianne
Faron Young (host): Live Fast; Love Hard; Die Young
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
The Deputies: Preacher
Faron Young: My Friends on the Right
Osborne Brothers: Charlie Cotton
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Jean Shepard: Two Little Boys
Faron Young: Hello Walls

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): My Saro Jane
George Hamilton IV: Ft. Worth, Dallas or Houston
Carter Family: Worried Man Blues
Billy Walker: Down to My Last Cigarette
Crook Brothers: Cacklin Hen
Flatt & Scruggs: Working It Out
Ernest Ashworth: Just One Time
Uncle Josh: Fireball

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Hank Locklin: (?)
Loretta Lynn: Wine, Women and Song
Bill Carlisle: Shanghei Rooster
Roy Acuff: Wreck on the Highway
Marion Worth: The French Song
Hank Locklin: I Was Coming Home to You
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

9:00: Pet Milk
Ernest Tubb (host): Give Me A Little Old Fashioned Love
Wilburn Brothers: I'm Gonna Tie One on Tonight
Bill Anderson: Po Folks
Ernest Tubb: Half A Mind
Margie Bowes: Overnight
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldiers Joy
Bill Anderson: Me
Wilburn Brothers: Never Alone

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): Golden Rockeet
Bill Monroe: On and On
Charlie Louvin: I Don't Love You Anymore
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Hank Snow: I Stepped Over the Line
Skeeter Davis: Let Me Get Closer to You
Glaser Brothers: A Girl Like You
Stringbean: Banjo Pickin' Girl
Hank Snow: Rockin' Rollin' Ocean

10:00: Schick
Hank Locklin (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Ernest Ashworth: A Week in the Country
Cousin Jody: Wabash Cannonball

10:15: SSS Tonic
Roy Acuff (host): (?)
June Stearn: Faded Love
Curly Fox: Orange Blossom Special
Roy Acuff: How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

10:30: Harvey's
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Jimmy Brown the Newsboy
Billy Walker: (?)
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Flatt & Scruggs: I'm On My Way to Canaan's Land

10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Loretta Lynn: Before I'm Over You
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Crook Brothers: Bill Cheatham
Ernest Tubb & Loretta Lynn: Mr and Mrs Used to Be

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Breakfast with the Blues
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Charlie Louvin: Just Between the Two of Us
Glaser Brothers: Satisfied
Hank Snow: (?)
Marion Worth: I'll Hold You In My Heart
Bill Anderson: Five Little Fingers
Sam & Kirk McGee: Blue Night

11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Wilburn Brothers: Legend of the Big River Train
Bill Monroe: Mary at the Home Place
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Marty Robbins: El Paso
Margie Bowes: Sweet Dreams
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Bill Monroe: John Hardy
Marty Robbins: Bouquet of Roses/I'll Step Aside/Take These Chains from My Heart/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You/Begging to You/Ruby Ann/Singing the Blues

Finally, here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, September 9

7:00: Charlie Worsham; John Conlee
7:30: Sara Haze; Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith; The Willis Clan
8:45: Moe Bandy; Scotty McCreery

Not a bad line-up for the mid-week show. I have always enjoyed Moe Bandy. Nice to see him back at the Opry.

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!

22 comments:

  1. "....Saturday's show features just 5 (Opry members). It is what it is."

    What it is is this ----> Neither management nor many current members give a hoot about 'Opry membership.
    Being an 'Opry member means very little to either one of them.

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  2. Still no Mike Snider ...... I hate that so much

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  3. I see that he is doing some performances. I wonder whether part of the problem is that he thought, he has to drive a long way round-trip to appear on ONE segment, meaning that the money isn't worth it? I wouldn't blame him.

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  4. Michael,

    Where are you finding Mike's show dates?

    Jim
    Knihgtsville, IN

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  5. Fred, Bismarck:

    That show from 50 years ago would have been the one to see if you were seeing only one. Wow! As well as the great artists, note the variety in the titles and themes. It wasn't one dreary, hackneyed "love" song after another -- typical Opry fare of today.

    Moe was a good one and still rolling with his sharp-edged stuff when he unaccountably softened his sound (and fell off the charts).

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  6. Cousin Jody continued to play Wabash Cannonball on the Opry even after his time with Roy?! Interesting...

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  7. Jim, I did a search for him. I don't think they're "shows" so much as he has done a lot of private events over the years for organizations and conventions. But it mentioned a couple, so it appears that he's around and about, at least. I've been concerned that maybe it's an health issue, and of course that's possible. And maybe, like us, he's sick of what's being done to the Opry!

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  8. makes me cringe to think about the line-up for the anniversary weekend

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  9. Fred, Bismarck:

    Going back to Byron's Sept. Highlights:

    It's hard to understand Roy Acuff disliking Rose Maddox. She was as country as it gets -- and she didn't have facial hair! (One of Roy's particular detestations.) If she was also a little "sexy" in her presentation, it's hard to see Roy disliking that, either. From what I understand, ol' Roy was no prude (and I'll let it go at that).

    Maybe there were other enemies, in high places, on the Opry. All I know is, Rose -- especially with the Brothers -- made some of the best mid-century country music ever. And remember "Mental Cruelty," with Buck Owens?

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  10. I think with Rose Maddox it was the timing. She was before her time wearing what she did on the Opry stage. Yes, later in time Mr. Acuff had no problem with Dolly Parton or Dottie West or Jeannie Seely dressing a little "short" or "low cut". But in the 1950's you were dealing primarily with Kitty Wells, Mother Maybelle & The Carter Sisters, Jean Shepard, Wilma Lee Cooper, Goldie Hill..etc.. A lot of gingham. I can't argue that her records were not country to the core. I have a nice selection of her music in my iTunes library. My favorite is "Lonely Teardrops" from the early 1960's. Being a trailblazing female in the industry, I can see some of the arguments that she should be a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

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  11. Fred, Bismarck:

    Good post, David. I would amend your Hall recommendation to include the original act -- that is, the Maddox Brothers and Rose. The group's genius and spark resided with their leader, brother Fred. Their bootstrap story is second only to Hank Snow's -- and the music they made was surely all their own, while being squarely in the country tent. They had few rivals for harmony, excitement and fun.

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  12. Fred and David, I can't pretend to know, but it may be that if Mr. Acuff didn't like Rose Maddox, it was personal and not professional or related to appearance. Some people just don't get along. Jean Shepard wasn't and isn't demure, but at the time Rose Maddox came to the Opry, Jean was only 23 and I doubt that she was as vocal about much of anything as she would become. Rose may have been "liberated" before her time.

    As for prudery, Mr. Acuff once said that women in the front row of the Ryman used to nurse their babies. He was asked if that was a bit much for an old country boy from east Tennessee and he said, "Well, they aren't all Dolly Parton." Yeah, I know that isn't what you meant by prudery, and he was hardly alone in the way you mean that!

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  13. Isn't that 4 and a half hour show on Saturday night 50 years ago something else ??? And the whos who of country --Faron , Loretta, Mr Acuff, Loretta, the Ranger, Earnest, Glasers and on and on and on !!!! and the Frolic on Friday night would have been almost the same artists for about 5 hours. And then dessert --the free ET Record Shop.
    Well worth a trip to Nashville to immerse yourself in country music.
    Now I find myself thinking of attending maybe one semi - country Opry show and going to Station Inn the other night for some great accoustical music. Thats what I did a year or so ago.

    And lots of music along Broadway in the bars, except it is 90 % rock and roll and loud down there. But downtown has become a safe destination again and that is a definite positive.
    But we dinosaurs know real country when we hear it, don't we ????

    And I too want to see Mike Snider back on the Opry.

    Dashmann - Flushing , Michigan

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  14. With no Grand Ladies in the lineup this weekend, both shows are really lacking. It's a big difference with no Jean, Jan, Jeannie, or Connie. I know Seely is on road in VA this week.

    JanFan

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  15. Just to follow up on the Rose Maddox/Roy Acuff controversy, Rose Maddox made her first guest appearance on the Opry in February 1949 and she returned to the Opry in September 1956, at which time she was made an Opry member. Here is how that night at the Opry was described. "After changing into a risque, bare-midriff cowgirl suit, Rose hid until her name was called, then appeared to a tumultuous reception to sing 'Tall Men.'"

    It was the political tensions between the California-based performers and the Tennessee-based performers that ultimately led to Rose being dismissed from the Opry, at the request of Roy Acuff, in March 1957.

    As far as Mike Snider not being at the Opry, all I was told was that there was nothing between him and the Opry management, it was just that he wasn't getting to Nashville as much as he used to. Personally, I am not all that sure if that is the only reason.

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  16. Most would not think of anything that happened on the Opry last night as a "Opry Moment" or anything all that special, However, I think Bill Anderson's closing performance must have been special for those in attendance. With so few WWII veterans left, how nice for a group of them to be at the Opry and someone have such a personalized song to perform for them.

    Here I go but how many of the young performers that routinely appear could have given them such a special few minutes. And I'm not saying that just because of the generation gap. Few of the new songs being performed today can stir the imagination or emotions like those written by the older generation such as Whisper!

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  17. Byron, thanks for the info. Some of you have seen the famous Jeannie Seely bare midriff outfit from the early 1970s--that caused a ruckus then, so I'm not surprised about Rose's outfit leading to an uproar. That also wouldn't have been long after Mr. Acuff, ET, and Minnie Pearl made their feelings known about Jim Denny. Ah, those were the days ... well, not always good old days.

    I remember the night Lonzo & Oscar retired in 1985, Oscar said he'd never heard a harsh word at the Opry. My mother and I were watching and did double takes. I said to my mother, "What about Flatt and Scruggs?" She said, "There were no harsh words. They didn't talk to each other." I guess that's true. But it hasn't been all lovey-dovey backstage, that's for sure.

    Jim, I think of the baseball players who have no notion of who came before them and others who are totally in tune with the past. It's no different in country music. But then I think of Byron's roundup of September and the line Eddy Arnold had that was, to put it mildly, unkind, when he said that when people told him he needed the Opry to be a star, he asked what it did for the Fruit Jar Drinkers. Well, without them, and others like them, would Eddy Arnold have had those opportunities? And without Eddy Arnold, it's just barely possible that those big concert grosses and crossovers into pop and rock wouldn't be possible.

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  18. Fred, Bismarck:

    Heavy posts from Jim and Michael. The bottom line, in my opinion, is that country has lost that vital connection to the situations of ordinary life that used to be its trademark. It has become a formulaic, boilerplate product that runs the gamut of emotions from A to B, as a critic said of the screen performances of Katherine Hepburn.

    The kicker in here is the responsibility of country fans for this state of affairs. Starting 50-some years ago, we started rewarding crossover performers to the detriment of artists who tried to "keep it close to Earth, boys" -- the Eddy Arnolds rather than the Fruit Jar Drinkers.

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  19. Fred, Bismarck:

    Re. Mike Snider: On his web site, he continues to highlight his association with the Opry, with no explanation of his 2014 absence. One would think, if there had been an estrangement, he would give the Opry a parting shot. Since he hasn't, our speculations are idle.

    Like others, I'd sure like to have him back. His is the last oldfashioned string band that was the basis for the Opry in the first place.

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  20. I was looking at a flyer I got in the mail from the Dixie(Carter) Center in Huntingdon, TN not far from Gleason and realized that Mike played a show there yesterday at 2:00pm. Upcoming shows include Riders in the Sky, Bill Anderson, and Marty Stuart.

    We saw a Country's Family Reunion show there in 2011.

    Did anyone catch Jim Ed's closing last night? He got a long applause and he said "I'd like to stay and do about twenty-five more but they told me I could only do one". Don't give them more than what they paid for I guess unless you are.............

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  21. Jim, to be fair about Jim Ed's closing, there's always been the issue of the Opry running on time. Of course we've talked on here about Marty, and how finally WSM recorded his closing and would sign him off to get to the Midnight Jamboree, and another time when he would always say, "Just one more, Ernest," and they recorded ET saying, "No, Marty, you've done enough." Well, I also remember reading--maybe here--that the Willis Brothers used to sing the jingles live and they used to want to kill Marty because they had to stay until he was done! Yes, I miss the old days when the show had a less "produced" feel to it, and it's one reason that I hated the GAC telecasts: they didn't resemble the real Opry broadcast. But I wouldn't mind if Jim Ed had stayed out there all night, and I suspect the audience wouldn't have, either. The sponsors and the other performers might have felt a little differently?

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  22. Marty certainly stayed on until almost 12:30 Sept 5, 1964 as he performed 7 songs at the end of the 11:30 Lava soap portion. Marty did that many times and was worth the entire admission price all by himself . What a showman and what a nice person he was when I met him at a restaurant in Saginaw , Michigan a couple years earlier. My gf and I had stopped at the otherwise empty place after a Sunday evening show when Marty, Jack Pruett and a couple other band members came in. Marty and Jack were very gracious for the very few minutes we spent together.

    Dashmann - Flushing , Mich
    .

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