Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Grand Ole Opry 1/16 & 1/17

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. 2 very nice shows this weekend with some good artists scheduled.

Saturday looks like the better of the two nights this weekend with Opry members and Hall of Famers Vince Gill and Ronnie Milsap on the schedule. After not appearing on the Opry at all last year, it is nice to see Ronnie on the schedule. Let's hope he makes it as the last several times he was scheduled, he did cancel. Joining them, and hosting a segment, will be Craig Morgan. Craig hosted on my last visit to the Opry in December and I thought he did a very nice job. He reminded me of Larry Gatlin, with his energy and the humor he had when introducing his guests. Joining those three will be veteran Opry members Jan Howard, Jeannie Seely and Jesse McReynolds. Guest artists include "Nashville" star Charles Esten, along with the ever popular Mandy Barnett and the bluegrass due Dailey & Vincent, whom I believe would make great Opry members.

The Friday Night Opry also has a good line-up with the newest Opry members Little Big Town scheduled. Joining them will be guest artists Darryl Worley, Restless Heart and Chris Young, who last appeared at the memorial service for Jimmy Dickens. Opry members Connie Smith, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Anderson and Riders In The Sky will be hosting segments.

What is nice as far as I am concerned this weekend is the variety in both shows. In fact, only Mike Snider and Riders In The Sky are scheduled both nights. And you have a good mix with the newest Opry member, Little Big Town, along with 50+ year Opry members Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds. There is more modern country with Craig Morgan and Chris Young and classic country with Connie Smith, Jeannie Seely and Jan Howard. Bluegrass is well represented with Ricky Skaggs and Dailey & Vincent, there is comedy with Mike Snider, western music with Riders In The Sky and Hall of Fame members in Vince Gill and Ronnie Milsap. In other words, a good weekend for the Opry.

Friday January 16
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Darryl Worley; Mike Snider
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Restless Heart
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Chris Young
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Little Big Town

Saturday January 17
7:00: John Conlee (host); Mandy Barnett; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jeannie Seely; Jesse McReynolds; Charles Esten
Intermission
8:15: Craig Morgan (host); Jan Howard; Dailey & Vincent; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Ronnie Milsap

For those interested, there was a Ryman concert this past week with Greg Allman. Among those in attendance were Jean Shepard and Jim Ed Brown, both of whom were pictured backstage with Greg. Jean looked a little frail in the photo while Jim Ed look surprisingly good. Nice to see Jim Ed getting out and about.

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, January 15 & 16, 2010:

Friday January 15
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; George Hamilton IV; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Stonewall Jackson; Joe Diffie
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Daryle Singletary
8:30: Emmylou Harris (host); Jack Greene; Randy Kohrs

Saturday January 16
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Dierks Bentley
8:00: Vince Gill (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Emmylou Harris; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Carrie Underwood

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Del McCoury Band
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Dierks Bentley
10:30: Vince Gill (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emmylou Harris; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Carrie Underwood

2 very nice nights at the Opry that weekend and can you believe that Saturday night featured all Opry members!!

And from 10 years ago this weekend, January 14 & 15, 2005:

Friday January 14
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Connie Smith; Jack Greene; Jim Ed Brown
8:00: Emmylou Harris (host); Gillian Welch & David Rawlings; Patty Griffin; Buddy Miller
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Osborne Brothers; Lorrie Morgan
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Marty Stuart
9:30: John Conlee (host); George Hamilton IV; The Whites; Mike Snider

Saturday January 15
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C Newman; Connie Smith
7:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Terri Clark; Blaine Larsen; Jim Ed Brown; Rhonda Vincent
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Marty Stuart; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Emmylou Harris (host); Gillian Welch & David Rawlings; Patty Griffin; Buddy Miller

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Osborne Brothers; Terri Clark
10:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Billy Walker; Jimmy C Newman; Rhonda Vincent
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Marty Stuart; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Emmylou Harris (host); Gillian Welch & David Rawlings; Patty Griffin; Buddy Miller
11:30: Mike Snider (host); George Hamilton IV; Jack Greene; Blaine Larsen

For this week's featured line-up, I go back 15 years ago to Saturday January 15, 2000 as it was on this particular night that Ralph Stanley became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. What was interesting was that Ralph was invited the night before to join the cast and the induction was done the following night with Patty Loveless doing the honors. This particular night also featured a rare Opry appearance by Opry member Reba McEntire. No only were these Reba's only Opry appearances for this year, but they would be her last Opry appearances until 2008. Also featured on this particular night were Opry members Trisha Yearwood and Joe Diffie, along with Loretta Lynn who was not even featured on the televised portion. But Loretta was on the Opry the following week and was on the televised portion then. Finally, Bill Walker was recognized for 40 years as an Opry member.

Saturday January 15, 2000:
1st show
6:30: Opryland Hotel/Banquet
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Jack Greene: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Ricochet: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

7:00: Shoney's/Standard Candy
Johnny Russell (host): Wabash Cannonball
Joe Diffie: A Night to Remember/Behind Closed Doors
Ralph Stanley: A Man of Constant Sorrow/Little Maggie
Ralph Stanley and Patty Loveless: Pretty Polly
Trisha Yearwood: She's In Love With the Boys/Real Live Woman
Billy Walker: I Love You Because
Reba McEntire: I'd Rather Ride Around With You/What Do You Say/Is There Life Out There

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Osborne Brothers: Some Things We Want to Sing About
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Bill Anderson: Still

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
John Hartford Band: Gentle On My Mind
Loretta Lynn: You're Looking at Country/Coal Miner's Daughter
Jimmy Dickens: I'm Just Blue Enough to Do Most Anything

2nd show
9:30: Ryman Auditorium
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
The Whites: Making Believe
Del Reeves: There She Goes
Loretta Lynn: Out of My Head and Back in My Bed/Your Squaw Is on the Warpath/Coal Miner's Daughter
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/She Burned the Little Roadside Tavern Down

10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Jeannie Seely (host): Sentimental Journey
Ralph Stanley: Think of What You've Done
Ralph Stanley and Patty Loveless: Pretty Polly
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me

10:15: Fluffo
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Reba McEntire: It's the Fear of Being Alone/What Do You Say/An Honest Heart
Jimmy Dickens: What Will I Do Then

10:30: Ryman Auditorium
Jimmy C Newman: Allons A' Lafayette
Trisha Yearwood: She's An All American Girl/Walk Away Joe/Living on the Wrong Side of Memphis

10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jan Howard: He's All I Got
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius: You Don't Bring Me Flowers

11:00: Coca-Cola
Bill Anderson (host): No Fair Falling In Love
Osborne Brothers: Kentucky
Joe Diffie: I Ain't the Quittin' Kind/Ships That Don't Come In
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar

11:30: Ryman Video
Charlie Walker (host): Who Will Buy the Wine
John Hartford Band: Love Grown Cold
Ray Pillow: Baby, That's Cold
Mike Snider: Battle Cry of Freedom/Get You Hand Off Me Knee and Load the Cannon
George Hamilton IV: I'm Using My Bible for A Roadmap/Cabin in Gloryland
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!







10 comments:

  1. This is the best weekend the 'Opry has put together in a LONG time.

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  2. I'll second Nat's motion and add this: they need to get Dailey & Vincent and/or Rhonda Vincent on there. We need some younger bluegrass acts.

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  3. I wonder if anyone noticed that longtime Opry members the Louvin Brothers are going to be among the recipients of the 2015 Grammy lifetime achievement award?

    I'm glad they're being recognized, but it's sad that neither of them are alive to receive it.
    Kyle

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  4. Bryon:
    I saw that photo as well. Jean Shepard looked extremely frail. Jim Ed was sporting a youthful looking Underarmour cap. Hopefully he will be getting a call from the CMA soon on a Hall of Fame induction.

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  5. I can't find that picture of Jim Ed, Jean, and Gregg Allman. Could you post it?

    Its great that Jim Ed is out and about. The way things sound, he may be back on the Opry sooner than we expect.
    Kyle

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  6. I will try my best to post it, but it is on Dailey & Vincent's facebook page as they were the ones at the concert with Jean and Jim Ed.

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  7. No wonder I couldn't find it! I didn't think to look on their page! Thanks for letting me know!
    Kyle

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  8. A couple of comments about Saturday's Grand Ole Opry:

    Ronnie Milsap just did not sound that great. A little hoarse and somewhat out of key. Even with that I still enjoyed hearing Ronnie on the Opry again and the sold-out audience gave him a great ovation. In 2015, he is doing what is advertised as a "farewell tour" across the country. I don't know if that means Ronnie is retiring or just giving up the road. Hard to believe that he is now over 70.

    Jesse McReynolds also did not sound great either. The song selection didn't help his cause either. Of the other veterans, Jan Howard and Jeannie Seely both sounded very good. Mike Snider did an instrumental and a few jokes. Yes, he stayed in line.

    Dailey & Vincent: what can you say? A new number and a great gospel number that received a standing ovation. I am sure Pete Fisher was watching and if he was, he had to been thinking what great Opry members Dailey & Vincent would be. While I agree they would be great for the Opry, I still think the current cast is short a female bluegrass singer.

    John Conlee, Riders In The Sky and Craig Morgan all did great jobs hosting the segments. Craig continues to impress me with his humor and style. And no, I didn't forget Vince Gill. Last segment hosting and ending the show on a strong note. And Vince is at both Opry shows this coming weekend.

    The other guest artists were Mandy Barnett and Charles Esten. Love Mandy, while I just don't care for Charles. Both were good, but while listening to Charles I kept thinking that he is just an actor singing his part.

    Looking at the Opry schedule of upcoming shows, they have some strong ones coming up through February. I think it is about time for my winter trip down to Nashville.

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  9. Chip Esten is great at comedy. If you switched out singing for improv with him, he'd probably be better & get an even greater reaction. You'd just have to make sure it stays family friendly. See: Whose Line Is It Anyway, Green Screen Show, & Improv-A-Ganza

    A.B.

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  10. Word is that Tom T Hall's wife Dixie has passed at age 80.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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