Thursday, August 27, 2015

Grand Ole Opry 8/28 & 8/29

As summer is coming to an end September is just a week away, 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. In looking at the line-ups, there is a nice mix of Opry legends and new young talent. Let's review this list.

As far as the new young talent this weekend, Friday night will feature Ashley Clark and Rainey Qualley, while Saturday night has Kalisa Ewing, Brett Kissel, LOCASH, Craig Wayne Boyd and Flatt Lonesome listed. For Rainey Qualley and Flatt Lonesome, it will be their Opry debuts. Rainey Qualley will be on the Opry to help promote her new LP, "Turn Me on Like the Radio." She is originally from North Carolina and now works out of Nashville, where she is also gaining a reputation as a talent songwriter. She will be signing copies of her new record in the Opry gift shop after the show. Flatt Lonesome is the 2014 IBMA Emerging Artists of the Year. This bluegrass group has six primary members and they are known for doing the classics along with new, high energy material.

Looking at the Opry legends for this weekend, Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, Jesse McReynolds and Steve Wariner are set for both nights, with Jeannie, Riders and Steve all hosting segments. Additionally, Mel Tillis will be hosting on Friday night and John Conlee on Saturday. I will say that it is nice to see Jesse scheduled for both nights, something that we rarely see, while Steve Wariner is always a welcomed addition to the Opry schedule. Rounding out the list will be guest artists The Isaacs, Andy Griggs and Restless Heart on Friday, with Charles Esten of "Nashville" set for Saturday.

Does anyone have any thoughts on Jeannie Seely and her hosting ability? Like or dislike? I know there are differences of opinion on this one.

Now for the line-ups:

Friday August 28
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Ashley Clark; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Mandy Barnett; The Isaacs
Intermission
8:15: Mel Tillis (host); Andy Griggs; Jesse McReynolds
8:45: Steve Wariner (host); Rainey Qualley; Restless Heart

Saturday August 29
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Kalisa Ewing; Mike Snider
7:30: John Conlee (host); Brett Kissel; LOCASH
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds; Craig Wayne Boyd; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Steve Wariner (host); Flatt Lonesome; Charles Esten

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, August 27 & 28, 2010. The Friday Night Opry took place at the Ryman Auditorium, while Saturday's Grand Ole Opry was performed at the War Memorial Auditorium.

Friday August 27
7:00: Diamond Rio (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; Riders In The Sky
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Martina McBride
8:45: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Carrie Underwood

Saturday August 28
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Blaine Larsen
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Johnny Counterfit; Jack Greene
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); George Hamilton IV; Suzy Bogguss; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ronnie Milsap (host); Jan Howard; Jim Ed Brown; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press

Now from ten years ago, the weekend of August 26 & 27, 2005:

Friday August 26
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely; Ray Scott
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jean Shepard; Kevin Sharp
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jack Greene; Buddy Jewell
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Marty Stuart
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); The Chapmans; Ray Price

Saturday August 27
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely
7:00: Hal Ketchum (host); Jimmy Wayne; Ray Scott; Alison Brown Band w/Joe Craven; Suzy Bogguss
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Osborne Brothers; Jean Shepard; John Conlee; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Mel McDaniel; Mandy Barnett

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy Wayne
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Walker; Jim Ed Brown; Suzy Bogguss
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Jean Shepard; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Osborne Brothers; Alison Brown Band w/Joe Craven
11:30: John Conlee (host); Ray Scott; Mel McDaniel; Mandy Barnett

This week we remember Marty Robbins, as it was 33 years ago Saturday night, August 28, 1982 that Marty Robbins made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
4 Guys (host): Turn Your Radio On
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday
4 Guys: Swing Down Chariot

6:45: Rudy's
Jimmy C Newman (host): (?)
Billy Grammer: Renfro Valley
Jean Shepard: Too Many Rivers
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
Skeeter Davis: The Rose
Ray Pillow: Please Don't Leave Me Anymore Darling
Wilburn Brothers: Release Me
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Mac Magaha: Rocky Top
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand/Ol' Slewfoot

7:30: Standard Candy
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Wilma Lee Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Vic Willis Trio: You Were Always On My Mind
Jan Howard: I Wish That I Could Love That Much Again
Lonzo & Oscar: Boogie Grass Band
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Soldier's Joy
Grandpa Jones: I'll Meet You in the Morning

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: Once A Day/When God Dips His Love Into My Heart
Charlie Louvin & Albert Elliott: I Can't Keep You In Love With Me
Jim & Jesse: The Ballad of Thunder Road
Ernie Ashworth: Wichita Woman
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird/I Saw the Light

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): From A Jack to A King
Jeannie Seely: Healing Hands of Time
Roy Drusky: Wayward Wind
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Saturday Night Hop
Hank Snow: Once More, You're Mine Again

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
4 Guys: Marie, The Dawn is Breaking
Jean Shepard: I Thought Of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas
Skeeter Davis: Satisfied
Mac Magaha: Rocky Top
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand

10:00: Little Debbie
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Lonzo & Oscar: I'm My Own Grandpa
Cajun Country: Cajun Stripper

10:15: Sunbeam
Grandpa Jones (host): Little Pink
Vic Willis Trio: Last Cheater's Waltz
Ray Pillow: One Too Many Memories
Grandpa Jones: Fallen Leaves

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Back in the Country
Wilma Lee Cooper: When My Time Comes To Go
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Roy Acuff: Lord, Don't Give Up On Me

10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Drusky (host): Fraulein
Connie Smith: Til I Kissed You
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Lafayette
Roy Drusky: Slowly

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Jan Howard: When I Dream
Jim & Jesse: The Magic Little Garden
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sugar Tree Stomp
Justin Tubb: Pull the Covers Over Me
Kirk McGee: St. James Infirmary
Hank Snow: My Happiness

11:30: Bama
Marty Robbins (host): Ribbon of Darkness
Jeannie Seely: You Don't Need Me, But You Will/I'm All Through Crying Over You
Charlie Louvin: I Don't Love You Anymore/Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself to Sleep/See the Big Man Cry
Bill Carlisle: Have A Drink On Me
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Good Hearted Woman/This is the Moment/Some Memories Just Won't Die/Return to Me/Beyond the Reef/That's All Right/To Get to You/Tonight Carmen/Don't Let Me Touch You/Cool Water/18 Yellow Roses/Love Me/El Paso

That comes to 14 songs for Marty in a segment that lasted just over an hour, with the Opry ended at about 10 till 1. After that appearance, Marty was pretty much on the road and working on a new album. He was actually scheduled to do the Opry on the Saturday night following his December heart attack.

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!














18 comments:

  1. we used to joke that Jeannie Seely was my husband's "girlfriend" - he always took 5x more pix of her than anyone else - now even he can't stand her hosting (and we hate when she does Ode to Billy Joe - it just drones on forever. . . .) - have previously commented that she talks way too much, says way too much about people she does not know, and talks about her self way too much - in other words, we are no longer impressed with her hosting

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  2. Most of my memories growing up (1980's, 1990's) of "hosts" were the Hall of Famers; Roy Acuff, Little Jimmy, Grandpa Jones, Hank Snow, Bill Monroe, etc..a few that were not, Porter Wagoner (at the time), Bill Anderson (at the time), Johnny Russell (who to me was a host out of this world) and I'm certain others if I thought about it longer. To me it's always special if you can get a Hall of Famer to host. Realistically that's almost impossible today, As most of the Hall of Famers that are Opry members are not "Roy's" and "Grandpa's" and "Snow's". You never know when they will be there.
    Bill Anderson should always host. Vince Gill should as well. Future Hall of Famers, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs and Larry Gatlin all do great jobs.
    Of the female members I think Jeannie Seely does as good or better than Hall of Famers Connie Smith and Jean Shepard (when she was able). Sharon White does a great job I think. Then there are the Riders In The Sky, Mike Snider and John Conlee that all do great jobs.
    A gripe of mine is Barbara Mandrell. Yes, she may be retired from preforming (singing), but she is still very active in the music business. She could be a excellent host from time to time. I think the audience would respect her wishes of not wanting to sing, and she could just introduce the acts. Others could do this as well, Tom T. Hall, Ricky Van Shelton and maybe even Jeanne Pruett. None of which or likely to happen.

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  3. Marty Robbins!!!!! My all-time favorite singer along with Ernest Tubb!!!! My grandmother is a big Marty Robbins and Eddy Arnold fan, but she always talks about the great concerts that she saw that Marty Robbins gave. She also has told me hoe generous he was with his fans, always taking time to sign autographs and to thank them for supporting him. My favorite Marty Robbins song would be "Return to Me" or any other that uses the trumpet to bring in the mariachi influence, and southwest feeling. I also liek how he used hawaiian influence in his music..... what can i say I listen to his CD´s often, and sure do miss him........ Ohhhhh and when I went back to the Opry in 2009, I made sure I got pics of all his nudie suits, as I am huge fan of rhinestone suits!!!!!

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  4. Marty was a fine gentleman. My girl and I ran into him and his band members in an obscure restaurant in Saginaw, Michigan after a concert there in 1963. Marty talked to us, thanked us and signed autographs although he and the band really wanted privacy after a great show. Our contact was a very quick one, respecting their privacy, but Marty was wonderful to us. Dashmann - Flushing , Michigan

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  5. Just a couple of thoughts on hosting at the Opry. I always enjoyed the Hall of Famers from years ago such as Roy Acuff, Hank Snow, Bill Monroe and Grandpa Jones. They all had a unique style about them. What I always liked about Hank was that he did his introductions from the announcers stand, leaving the stage wide open for whoever he was introducing. It should also be noted that while Marty Robbins hosted the 11:30 segment, he very rarely introduced any of the guests. After his opening song, he generally went backstage and did not come back out until his final numbers. The staff announcers handled the guests.

    I really enjoy Larry Gatlin and Riders In The Sky. They both do great jobs handling the segments and the introductions. Of course, Vince, Ricky and Marty Stuart all are great also. Connie Smith has greatly improved and Mike Snider is fine as long as he sticks to the cue cards, which does not always happen.

    The two I have issues with are Jeannie Seely and The Whites. Jeannie used to be pretty good, but like the other comment, I think she goes on way to long some times, with the same comments or jokes each week. I don't know what it is but I just prefer others. As far as The Whites, specifically Sharon, I want to tell her that her movie role was about 20 years ago and no, they are not movie stars. The Whites are very nice people and I have met Buck and Sharon over the years. But....I just don't know.

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    1. Just wanted to comment in regards to the Whites. My wife and I have had the privilege of getting to know Buck, Sharon, And Cheryl quite well over the last 15 years or so and I can assure you, when Sharon makes mention of their movie role and being "movie stars", she is making a joke. She is poking fun at herself and her family.

      The Whites are actually some of the most humble, down to earth folks we have ever had the honor of calling true friends. Every time we see them, they always have a big hug for us and treat us like family. They are the real deal.

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  6. Hosting on the Opry has always interested me (I don't mean that I plan to host a segment!). I remember when TNN telecasts started, Porter, Bill, and Jim Ed got some extra shots because they had the most TV experience. Bill Monroe's approach to hosting was the old one--he let the announcers say more. One night, he cued the commercial on TV by just nodding toward Hairl Hensley! My favorite was the night then-Vice President George Bush visited and Mr. Acuff decided to change the order of the show, and later explained that since it was his segment, he could do that.

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  7. Let me begin my comments about Jeannie Seely as host by saying that I enjoy hearing her sing ballads and shuffles very much and I have met her a few times and she was always very nice. I have also occasionally received notes from her after sending out my original artwork Christmas cards. I also appreciate her remembering some of the members who have passed on through the songs she sings.

    Two songs that she performs that I really could do without is Ode to Billy Joe, never liked that when Bobby Gentry had it out, and I always found Rock-a-bye Boogie annoying. I will say that when Skeeter did it it kind of fit her light hearted free and easy personality though.

    As for Jeannie hosting, yes, she has got to where she talks more than I would prefer and I believe some of it is an effort to try and fit in and associate with the younger acts appearing so often anymore. Once in a while Jeannie tells a joke that I like but I'd much rather hear her sing! Maybe if the Opry had more actual comedians on the show we wouldn't hear so many lower caliber jokes from some of the artist!

    Funny we are having this discussion. One of the things I loved so much about Roy Acuff's portion was his conversations with the artist. Sometimes he would talk for several minutes and didn't really care. If he got in a bind on time he'd just forego is last song and have Dan or Howdy play them out. A good example of his long conversations is the reference we made last week about June Webb. The night she was on I bet he talked with her a good five to eight minutes all together. Now I am agreeing that Jeannie and Sharon talk too much! Guess it depends on the occasion and the people.

    These days, now that Jim Ed is gone, Bill Anderson is about the only veteran that handles hosting really well. Maybe he's the best of any of them. His radio, journal and TV experience shine through when he is hosting and he is usually very knowledgeable about most of the people he introduces or at least handles is lack thereof very professionally.

    That's another part of the Opry that is fading away. I would say that the days of the big package show and personal radio spots might have had something to do with Roy, ET, Monroe, Snow, Lester and all the others, being great hosts. I don't think there is any activity today that would groom any of our youngsters for being hosts. It's an "all about me" society we are living in for the most part and much of the comradery is gone that would have come across on stage and made hosting a fun and easier job.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  8. OMGosh - what is going on - tonight's "Opry" is Jim Ed Brown ????????

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  9. we were on XM Willies's Roadhouse

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  10. Not sure about that one as I did not listen to the replay. Was it a commercial promoting the show or were they playing an actual Opry show and using an old tape?

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  11. it was the actual Opry show (looked up your info and found it was from last year August 22d); played at the regular time and XM had the regular "you are listening to the Grand Ole Opry on XM Willies. . . .

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  12. Wow. Thanks for clarifying it. Interesting that they played an Opry show from this weekend a year ago. Someone really goofed that one up.

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  13. actually, it was the 8/22/14 show; last night was 8/28/15. will try to listen again tonight to see which show is aired; really wanted to hear Mel Tillis, Jesse McReynolds, and Steve Wariner Friday night

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  14. Fred, Bismarck:

    Excellent point by Jim, above, in his last paragraph, on the decline (or demise) of the package show and its impact on hosting. When do these people ever see each other anymore?

    Also, the bigger they are, the less they come around the Opry. Little wonder the old camaraderie is gone.

    That said: I also remember Roy Acuff saying once, in a print interview, that the fans' notion of one big happy family in Nashville was an exaggeration. To paraphrase: "The fans think all we do is hang out at each another's houses. But, when you finally get off the road, that's the last thing you want to do. You want a little time to yourself to get rested up and spend time with your family."

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  15. Funny thing about the quote from Mr. Acuff: You Tube used to have a video posted by Roy Husky, Jr., of silent footage of a party at Mr. Acuff's house in the late 1950s. It was interesting to watch--Cousin Jody looking like a regular guy, for example, and how many of them were puffing away on cigarettes. Not to mention that Mr. Acuff was wearing what looked like a gym outfit, and we were reminded that even in his fifties, he was in tremendous shape.

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  16. Fred, Bismarck:

    Yes; and as I recall, Roy had a kind of compound at his suburban or rural home where the Smokey Mt. Boys, who were on salary, lived and did yard and household work when they weren't making music.

    As for the gym outfit, we know Roy from a young man overcompensated for his small stature by being a tough guy who could certainly take care of himself. (He bragged that, in his western movies, he did his own fight scenes, needing no stand-ins.) In fact, if it hadn't been for that sunstroke that sidelined him for a summer and made him take up the fiddle, he might have been nothing but a drinker and brawler.

    I think Roy is a perfect example of someone of whom the Lord (or somebody) said: By God, I'm going to lift this guy up.

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