Sunday, December 20, 2015

Christmas Eve and Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry

With today being the start of Christmas week, and the Friday Night Opry taking place on Christmas night, I thought it would be interesting to look back at past Grand Ole Opry shows that have taken place on either Christmas Eve or Christmas night. I have gone back to the mid-1960s and have the line-ups, and in many cases, the songs listed that were performed on those shows. 

What I have found interesting is the quality of the Opry line-ups in the 1960s, and though the 1980s, which I would attribute to the fact that most of the Opry's members were home for the holidays and lived in the Nashville area. I know that "back in the day" Opry members would often exchange gifts during those Opry shows. The other interesting fact is that I thought I would see more Christmas songs listed. When I think back to those Opry shows, and listening while growing up, I always seemed to remember that almost every act sang a holiday song. Yet in looking at these shows, very few actually did. 

So here is what I have, with the Christmas Eve shows listed first, then the Christmas shows, starting with the oldest and moving forward to the recent. And as a point of information, it was during the 1976 Christmas show that Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers became Opry members. 

1st the shows from Christmas Eve:

December 24, 1966: 
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Ernie Ashworth; Skeeter Davis; Cousin Jody; Ray Pillow
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Grandpa Jones; Jim & Jesse; Curly Fox
8:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Bill Carlisle; Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Archie Campbell; Marion Worth; George Morgan; Bob Luman
9:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Bill Monroe; Charlie Louvin; Dottie West
9:30: Roy Acuff (host); Osborne Brothers; Billy Grammer; Carter Family; Lonzo & Oscar
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
10:15: Jimmy C Newman (host); Dottie West; Grandpa Jones
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Bob Luman; Cousin Jody
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Jim & Jesse
11:00: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Lonzo & Oscar; Billy Grammer
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Osborne Brothers; Marion Worth; Curly Fox 

Saturday December 24, 1977: 
1st show
6:00: Roy Drusky (host); Skeeter Davis; Justin Tubb; Billy Grammer; Lonzo & Oscar; Ernie Ashworth
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); Stonewall Jackson; Charlie Walker
6:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Wilburn Brothers; Bill Carlisle; Del Wood
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Louvin; Minnie Pearl
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Jean Shepard; Bob Luman; Stu Phillips
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Ray Pillow; Marion Worth

2nd show
9:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Charlie Walker; Skeeter Davis; Billy Grammer; Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely 
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Justin Tubb; Stonewall Jackson; Lonzo & Oscar
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Charlie Louvin; Ernie Ashworth
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Jean Shepard; Wilburn Brothers; Stu Phillips
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Bob Luman; Del Wood
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Ray Pillow

Saturday December 24, 1983:
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Charlie Walker (host): My Window Faces South
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Charlie Walker: Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer/Jingle Bells

6:45: Rudy's
Jimmy Dickens (host): May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Jimmy Dickens: There's No Place Like Home on Christmas

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Riders In The Sky: I'm Trying to Forget Its Christmas
Jeannie Seely: I'm All Through Crying Over You
Billy Grammer: The Old Spinning Wheel/Detroit City
Del Wood: Jingle Bells
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Christmas Time's 'A Comin'
Jean Shepard: The Tips of My Fingers
Roy Drusky: Silent Night
Wilma Lee Cooper: Rachel's Guitar
Lonzo & Oscar: Jangle Bells/Frosty the Snowman
Crook Brothers/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Black Mountain Rag
Bill Monroe: Life's Railway to Heaven

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jesse McReynolds: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Minnie Pearl: I Wish You A Merry Christmas
Bill Carlisle: Same Old Tale That the Crow Told Me
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art/Sing, Sing, Sing

8:30: Acme 
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
4 Guys: (?)
Billy Walker: He Sang the Songs about El Paso
Jan Howard: White Christmas
Stu Phillips: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
4 Guys: My Fannie Mae
Jimmy Dickens: Take An Old Cold Tater
Charlie Louvin: My Baby's Gone
Ray Pillow: You're Playing Hard to Forget
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name/Ol' Slewfoot

10:00: Little Debbie
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Del Wood: Waiting for the Robert E Lee
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry

10:15: Sunbeam
Bill Monroe (host): Ol' Ebeneezer Scrooge
Jeannie Seely: When Will I See You Again
Bill Monroe: Christmas Time's 'A Comin'

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Vic Willis Trio: Colorado
Teddy Wilburn: Because He Lives
Roy Acuff: From Cradle to Cross to Crown/I Saw the Light

10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Drusky (host): Mississippi
Connie Smith: Go Tell It on the Mountain
Crook Brothers/Melvin Sloan Dancers: New Five Cents
Roy Drusky: White Christmas

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Jesse McReynolds: What About You
Jean Shepard: Kentucky
Wilma Lee Cooper; Anywhere Just Inside Your Arms
Lonzo & Oscar: Gone, Gone, Gone
Hank Snow: A Letter to Santa Claus

11:30: Hardee's 
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Bill Carlisle Jr.: Blue Christmas
Jan Howard: Rocky Top/Gold Watch & Chain
Billy Walker: He Sang the Songs about El Paso

Saturday December 24, 1988
1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
4 Guys (host): How Married Are You Mary Ann
Jan Howard: I Don't Know A Thing About Love
4 Guys: When You've Got A Good Woman It Shows

6:45: Rudy's
Bill Monroe (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Jeannie Seely: The Divorce Song
Charlie Walker: Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Bill Monroe: Christmas Times 'A Comin

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Jean Shepard: So Used to Loving You
Roy Drusky: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Stonewall Jackson: Old Chuck of Coal
Bill Carlisle: Leave that Liar Alone
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus/Sugarfoot Rag

7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Skeeter Davis: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Lorrie Morgan: Hard Candy Christmas
Jimmy Dickens: There's No Place Like Home on Christmas

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: Sing, Sing, Sing/The Key's in the Mailbox
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:30: Music Valley Merchants
Hank Snow (host): Well Never Say Goodbye, Just Say So Long
Jim & Jesse: The Big Dreamer
Charlie Louvin: Small Men Cast Long Shadows
Ray Pillow: The Kind of Love I Can't Forget
Vic Willis Trio: Sioux City Sue
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
4 Guys: What'll You Do About Me
Jan Howard: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Roy Drusky: Silent Night
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Porter Wagoner: Forty Miles from Poplar Bluff/Tennessee Saturday Night

10:00: Little Debbie
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me & My Big Loud Mouth
Jeannie Seely: It Should Be Easier Now
Jimmy Dickens: I Leaned Over Backwards for You

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Jean Shepard: Someone's Gotta Cry/Second Fiddle
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

10:30: Pet Milk
Bill Monroe (host): Santa Claus
Skeeter Davis: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Bill Monroe: What A Wonderful Life

10:45: B.C. Powder
Charlie Walker (host): Cherokee Maiden
Osborne Brothers: Kentucky
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Charlie Walker: White Christmas

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Paper Roses
Jim & Jesse: When I Dream About the Southland
Connie Smith: Satisfied
Justin Tubb: Texas Dance Hall Girl
Charlie Louvin: New Dreams and Sunshine
Hank Snow: Silent Night

11:30: Creamette
George Hamilton IV (host): C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Ray Pillow: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Bill Carlisle: White Lightening
Vic Willis Trio: Be Glad/Let It Be Me
George Hamilton IV: Silent Night

Saturday December 24, 1994
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Grandpa Jones (host):(?)
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Grandpa Jones: The Christmas Guest

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Bill Monroe (host): Love Come Home
Del Reeves: She Thinks I Still Care
Bill Monroe: Put My Little Shoes Away

7:00: Shoney's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Wilma Lee Cooper: Away In A Manger
Charlie Walker: Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Jean Shepard: Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me/Farewell Party
Jim Ed Brown: A Child Is Born

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Jan Howard: The Christmas Song
Jim & Jesse: I'm Happy Every Day I Live
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Mike Snider: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Bill Anderson: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Freight Train Boogie
Ricky Skaggs: A New Star Shinning
The Whites: He Took Your Place
Roy Drusky: Will Santa Come to Shanty Town
Opry Square Dance Band: Snow Flake Reel
Marty Stuart: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Porter Wagoner & Marty Stuart: Misery Loves Company

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Snowbird
4 Guys: River of Dreams
Charlie Louvin: See the Big Man Cry
Connie Smith: Away In A Manger
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes/Heartaches by the Number
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Tell Her Lies and Feed Her Candy
Oswald: No One Will Every Know
Ray Pillow: That Ain't No Way to Treat My Heart
Jean Shepard: If Teardrops Were Pennies
Stonewall Jackson: Old Chunk of Coal
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus

10:00: 
Grandpa Jones (host): (?)
Mike Snider: Chicken Necks and Wings
Grandpa Jones: The Christmas Guest

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Bill Monroe (host): Goodbye Old Pal
Jan Howard: The Christmas Song
Bill Monroe: Christmas Time's A Comin'

10:30: Gruhn Guitars
Bill Anderson (host): Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Jim & Jesse: I'n Changing the Words to My Love Song
Bill Anderson: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

10:45: Fairfield Communities
Ricky Skaggs (host): Thanks Again
The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side
Opry Square Dance Band: Liberty
Ricky Skaggs: It Takes 3

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Fraulein
4 Guys: Silent Night
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Charlie Louvin: Mama's Angels
Billy Walker: Cattle Call
Hank Snow: Silent Night

11:30: Cates Pickles
Johnny Russell (host): Act Naturally
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Charlie Walker: Right or Wrong
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Johnny Russell: I Wish You A Merry Christmas

Saturday December 24, 2005: 
6:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jack Greene; T.G. Sheppard
7:00: Ray Pillow (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Sherrie Austin
7:30: Charlie Walker (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Hal Bynum
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Stu Phillips; Cherryholmes
8:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Billy Walker; T. Graham Brown

Saturday December 24, 2011:
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jim Lauderdale; Laura Cantrell
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Johnny Counterfit; Eddy Raven
Intermission
8:15: George Hamilton IV (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; David Ball; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Riders In The Sky; Suzy Bogguss

Now the shows from Christmas night: 

Saturday December 25, 1965:
7:30: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Do What 'Cha Do Do Well
Osborne Brothers: Up This Hill and Down
Wilma Lee Cooper: Pirate King
Grandpa Jones: Cindy
Ernest Tubb: For God & Country & You
Stringbean: String's A Pickin
Wilma Lee Cooper: Tramp on the Street
Ernest Tubb: May the Good Lord Bless & Keep You

8:00: Martha White
George Hamilton IV (host): Write Me A Picture
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
George Morgan: Silent Night
Jim & Jesse: Maybelline
George Hamilton IV: Truck Driving Man
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Dottie West: Before the Ring on Your Finger Turns Green
George Morgan: Almost

8:30: Stephens
Charlie Louvin (host): Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep
Loretta Lynn: Happy Birthday
Bob Luman: Five Miles from Home
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Charlie Louvin: The First Noel
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Loretta Lynn: The Home You're Tearing Down
Jimmy Capps: Jolly Ol' Saint Nick
Charlie Louvin: You Finally Said Something Good/See the Big Man Cry

9:00: Pet Milk
Roy Drusky (host): Strangers
Skeeter Davis: It Only Hurts For A Little While
Glaser Brothers: Teardrops Til Dawn
Billy Grammer: Browns Ferry Blues
Roy Drusky: Peel Me A Nanner
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Jerry Whitehurst: (?)

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Willis Brothers: Pinball Anonymous
Jean Shepard: It's A Man
Hank Snow: My Mother
Lonzo & Oscar: Take Them Cold Feet Out of My Back
Marion Worth: Shake Me, I Rattle
Willis Brothers: When I Come Driving Thru

10:00: Schick
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Stringbean: Little Liza Jane
Loretta Lynn: Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven
Del Wood: Columbus Stockade Blues
Ernest Tubb: Blue Christmas
Leon Rhodes: Leon's Guitar Boogie

10:15: Mary Carter
Roy Drusky (host): White Lightening Express
Dottie West: No Sign of Living/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Pete Drake: For Pete's Sake
Roy Drusky: Alone With You

10:30: Harvey's
Jim & Jesse (host): Memphis
Grandpa Jones: Kentucky
George Morgan: You're The Only Good Thing
Jim & Jesse: Johnny B Goode

10:45: Newport
Charlie Louvin (host): Less & Less/I Don't Love You Anymore
Osborne Brothers: Memories
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Charlie Louvin: Life Begins At Love

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): The Golden Rocket
Skeeter Davis: Walking the Floor Over You
Glaser Brothers: Baby, They're Playing Our Song
Hank Snow: I've Cried A Mile
Lonzo & Oscar: Fingers
Sam & Kirk McGee: (?)
Skeeter Davis: Sunglasses
Hank Snow: I Don't Hurt Anymore

11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Ruby Ann
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Jean Shepard: A Tear Dropped By
Curly Fox: Fifty Years Ago
Don Winters: Chime Bells
Marion Worth: Ever Since MY Baby Went Away
Willis Brothers: A 6 ft 2 by 4
Marty Robbins: Ribbon of Darkness/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You/You Know How Talk Gets Around

Saturday December 25, 1971:
7:00: Shoney's
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Archie Campbell: Make Friends
Jimmy C Newman: Alligator Man
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Jimmy C Newman: Louisiana Dirty Rice
Ernie Ashworth: My Bottle Is Dry

7:30: Standard Candy
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Earl Scruggs Revue: Nashville Skyline Rag
Ray Pillow: Step Aside
Tom T Hall: Chattanooga Dog
Earl Scruggs Revue: Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Ray Pillow: Since Then
Tom T Hall: That's How I Got to Memphis

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host) & Bill Monroe: Will You Be Loving Another Man/Little Cabin Home on the Hill
Grandpa Jones: Jingle Bells
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Lord, I'm Coming Home
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: I'm Gonna Leave You
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Lester Flatt: Shuckin the Corn

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Tex Ritter: Here Was A Man
Jean Shepard: Safe in the Loving Arms of Mine 
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Del Reeves: The Best Is Yet to Come
Lonzo & Oscar: Charming Betsy
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

9:00: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Dottie West: Six Weeks Every Summer; Christmas Every Other Year
Earl Scruggs Revue: T for Texas
Wilburn Brothers: Christmas at the Opry
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
George Morgan: Easy Loving
Jack Greene: Statue of A Fool
Jeannie Seely: All Right, I'll Sign the Papers
Ernest Tubb: The Women Make A Fool Out of Me

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): As Love Goes
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Marion Worth: For the Good Times
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Tom T Hall: The Year that Clayton Delaney Died
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star
Hank Snow: My Blue Eyed Jane

10:00: Fender
Bill Monroe (host): Were You There
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Don't Care if Tomorrow Never Comes
Charlie Louvin: I Placed A Call/Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Stringbean: Herding Cattle
Ray Pillow: Heart Over Mind

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): When I Lay My Burden Down
Tex Ritter: Christmas Carols by the Old Corral
Jean Shepard: I Thought of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
Del Wood: Gloryland March

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Is Anybody Going North to Cincinnati
Grandpa Jones: The Valley of the Never Do No Good
Stonewall Jackson: Life to Go
Lester Flatt: Sugar Tree Stomp

10:45: Beech-Nut 
Ernest Tubb (host): Blue Christmas
Wilburn Brothers: The War Keeps on Dragging On
Stu Phillips: Help Me Make it Through the Night
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
4 Guys: Shenandoah

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Dottie West: Put Your Hand in the Hand
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Lonzo & Oscar: Easy Loving
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Sam McGee: Buck Dancer's Choice
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Singing the Blues
Marion Worth: I Really Don't Want to Know
Charlie Walker: My Baby Used to Be That Way
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/Long Gone Lonesome Blues/I'm So Afraid of Losing You Again/Today I Started Loving You Again/They'll Never Take Her Love From Me/Begging to You/Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/The Best Part of Living/Walking the Floor Over You

Saturday December 25, 1976:
1st show
6:00: Bill Monroe (host); Ray Pillow; Marion Worth; Lonzo; Ernie Ashworth
6:30: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host); Charlie Louvin; Del Wood
6:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Skeeter Davis; Billy Grammer
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Walker; Minnie Pearl; Jimmy C Newman; Stu Phillips
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dottie West; Justin Tubb; Crook Brothers; Stoney Mountain Cloggers; Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Vic Willis; Bob Luman
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jeanne Pruett; Stonewall Jackson; Bill Carlisle; Jim & Jesse; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Charlie Louvin; Skeeter Davis; Wayne Hammond; Lonzo; Billy Grammer
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Ray Pillow; Ernie Ashworth
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Marion Worth; Charlie Walker; Onie Wheeler
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C Newman
10:45: Porter Wagoner (host); Justin Tubb; Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers; Crook Brothers; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Bob Luman; Vic Willis; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Jeanne Pruett; Bill Carlisle

Saturday December 25, 1982:
1st show
6:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Jeannie Seely
6:45: Jack Greene (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy Dickens; Skeeter Davis; Charlie Walker; Billy Grammer
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); Jean Shepard; Lonzo & Oscar; Billy Walker; Bill Carlisle
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Jan Howard; Roy Drusky; Stonewall Jackson; Stu Phillips
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; 4 Guys; Vic Willis Trio

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); 4 Guys; Jack Greene; Ernie Ashworth; Skeeter Davis; Ray Pillow
10:00: Charlie Walker (host); Jimmy Dickens; Teddy Wilburn
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Stonewall Jackson
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith
10:45: Billy Walker (host); Jean Shepard
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; Justin Tubb; Jimmy C Newman
11:30: Roy Drusky (host); Jan Howard; Vic Willis Trio/Bill Carlisle

Saturday December 25, 1993:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Monroe (host): I'm On My Way Back to the Old Home/Wheel Hoss/The Evening Prayer Blues

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Jim Ed Brown: Four Walls/He'll Have to Go

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor Howdy
Charlie Walker: Right or Wrong
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Oswald: I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
Rick Wayne: Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Danny Davis: Let's Think About Living
Porter Wagoner & Marty Stuart: Misery Loves Company

7:30: Standard Candy
4 Guys (host): We're Only Here For a Little While
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: It's Christmas Time Again
Connie Smith: Away In A Manger
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
4 Guys: How Married Are You Mary Ann/Moments to Remember

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks Christmas
Jan Howard: White Christmas
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Right or Wrong
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make it With You Gone/Wabash Cannonball
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Grandpa Jones: Some Little Bug Is Going to Find You Someday
Hank Snow: A Letter to Santa Claus

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Jan Howard: As Long As I'm Rocking With You
Osborne Brothers: My Favorite Memory/Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: Are You Teasing Me
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus/Winter Wonderland/Deck the Halls/Jingle Bells

10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Monroe (host): Footprints in the Snow
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Picture on the Wall
Bill Monroe: The Lord Will Protect My Soul/John Hardy

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Grandpa Jones (host) (?)
Charlie Louvin: Mama's Angels
Grandpa Jones: The Christmas Guest
Joe Carroll: Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party

10:30: Piccadilly
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
Jim & Jesse: When I Dream About the Southland
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar

10:45: Opry Book
Billy Walker (host): Down to My Last Cigarette
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel
Billy Walker: Peace in the Valley

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Connie Smith: Then and Only Then
Stonewall Jackson: Side Steppin' the Blues
Charlie Walker: Silver Dew on the Bluegrass Tonight
4 Guys: In the Middle of the Night
Hank Snow: Silent Night

11:30: General Jackson
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Cumberland Boys: Have A Country Christmas
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Johnny Russell: Ain't You Even Gonna Cry
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells/Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Saturday December 25, 1999: 
1st show
6:30: Opryland Hotel/Banquet
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Billy Walker: Jesus Walks In/Funny How Time Slips Away
Jim Ed Brown & Kim Ed Brown: The Angels Cried

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor Howdy
Jim & Jesse: The Magic Little Garden/What Child Is This
Mandy Barnett: I'll Be There/Silent Night
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus/Y'All Come
Rick Wayne: Over the Line

7:30: Standard Candy
Jean Shepard (host): Why Don't You Haul Off & Love Me
Osborne Brothers: Today I Started Loving You Again/Rocky Top
Mike Ireland: Christmas Past/What A Merry Christmas This Could Be
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me

8:00: Martha White
Jeannie Seely (host): Winter Wonderland
George Hamilton IV: Christmas Guest
Wilma Lee Cooper: The White Rose
Riders In The Sky: Woody's Roundup
Opry Square Dance Band: Fire on the Mountain
Jeannie Seely: Shake Me I Rattle

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Johnny Russell (host): Act Naturally
Mike Snider: Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer/Jingle Bells
John Berry: I'll Be Home for Christmas/ O Holly Night/The Christmas Song

2nd show
9:30: Capitol Records
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Jim & Jesse: Stormy Horizons
Riders In The Sky: Woody's Roundup
Mandy Barnett: The Whispering Wind/Ever True, Every More
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus/Fireball Mail/Night Train to Memphis/House of Gold

10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Jim Ed Brown (host): Winter Wonderland
Wilma Lee Cooper: Wreck on the Highway
Jim Ed Brown: (?)

10:15: Fluffo
Billy Walker (host): Come A Little Bit Closer
Osborne Brothers: A World of Forgotten People
Billy Walker: Singing the Blues/Charlie's Shoes

10:30: Ryman
Jean Shepard (host): A Phone Call Away
John Berry: I'll Be Home for Christmas/O Holly Night
Jean Shepard: Before the Next Teardrop Falls

10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
George Hamilton IV (host): Natividod
Opry Square Dance Band: Sail Away Ladies
George Hamilton IV: Silent Night

11:00: Coca-Cola
Jeannie Seely (host): Burning That Old Memory
Stu Phillips: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Charlie Walker: Drinking Champagne
Ray Pillow: That Ain't No Way to Treat My Heart/Too Many Memories
Jeannie Seely: Make the World Go Away

11:30: Ryman Reunion Celebration Videos
Johnny Russell (host): Truck Driving Man
Mike Snider: If My Nose Was Running Money/The Fur Coat
Mike Ireland: Christmas Past/What A Merry Christmas It Would Be

Saturday December 25, 2004:
6:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Pinmonkey
7:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Gail Davies; Melonie Cannon
7:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Elizabeth Cook; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Walker; Sherrie Austin
8:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Osborne Brothers; Mandy Barnett

Saturday December 25, 2010:
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emily West
7:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Jack Greene; Eddy Raven
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Holly Williams; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Jeannie Seely (host); Jan Howard; Dailey & Vincent

Merry Christmas to all and I hope you have all enjoyed these past Christmas Opry line-ups. 


9 comments:

  1. Wow! What a great set of lineups! Thanks for sharing!

    Interestingly, on the first couple, back in what we would all agree were glory days for the Opry, about half of the members were there. That's great, but it's also surprising that there weren't more.

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  2. Fred, Bismarck:

    Thanks, Byron -- a wealth of reading for several wintry nights! A most merry Christmas to you and to all the good Fayfarers. Your country-music company means a lot to me and keeps me coming back, even tho I rarely tune in to the Opry itself anymore.

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  3. Fred, I totally agree with you, Byron has provided enough reading for more than several wintry nights ... it may take me until early Spring to get it all read. :-)

    Byron, as always, thank you for all you post for everyone to read, your tireless efforts are truly appreciated.

    I already see on the Friday Night (Christmas night) Opry, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers are in the line-up, I am sure they plan on celebrating their 39th year as Opry members. Both Opry shows are fairly nice line-ups. January 1st sees Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs in the line-up. The New Year is starting off just right as far as I am concerned. :-) Hope it continues.

    And I have learned nothing new as to when Marty's show will return to the RFD-TV airwaves.

    Sending my best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2016 to each of you and your families.

    CHEERS!!!

    (Jeanene)

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  5. I took my parents to that Opry show on Christmas Eve of 1983. Mr. Bell put them on "The List" so we watched the first show from the stage and during one of the taped commercials they told the audience that if they wanted to come back for the second show they were more than welcome. So we watched the second show from the audience. It was a nice way to spend Christmas with my family that year.

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  6. Byron, we can never thank you enough for all the great Opry info that you share with us! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! And let us all hope and pray that 2016 will be a better year!!!! Frank Apperson

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  7. for sure Frank. One of my best Christmas presents was finding this blog during 2015 !! Thanks Byron for the great effort you put into this. I thought, being an Opry listener for almost 60 years, that I knew a lot about the Opry. I found out differently and I love the friendly discussions we all have here. Merry Christmas everyone and Happy Hannukah to those who celebrate that also - peace to all --
    Dashmann ( John Dashner ) ; Flushing , Michigan

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  8. One of the memories I have always had of the Opry at Christmas were the decorations at the Ryman and even at the Opry House. A tree always on stage, the tinsel, a few evergreens. That seems to have disappeared also.

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  9. By the way, the Christmas 1976 show in which Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt sang together appears to be on You Tube.

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