Thursday, May 17, 2018

Grand Ole Opry 5/18 & 5/19

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend. Both line-ups look pretty solid was we continue to move through Spring.

Grand Ole Opry members appearing both nights this weekend include John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, Mike Snider, and Ricky Skaggs. For Ricky, this continues his string of Opry appearances that have really increased in the past several months. It almost seems like Ricky is there every weekend for at least one of the shows.

Joining that group on Friday night will be members Diamond Rio and Connie Smith, while on Saturday night it will be Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne, The Whites and Larry Gatlin (without the brothers) appearing.

Guesting on Friday night will be Eric Paslay (his 3rd appearance in recent weeks), Tyler Childers, John McEuen (formally of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Parker Milsap, Trent Harmon and The Swon Brothers. Saturday night's guest artists include Jillian Jacqueline, Devin Dawson, Caitlyn Smith, and Charlie Nagatani, who will be making what seems to be his annual appearance on the Opry.

Friday May 18
7:00: John Conlee (host); Eric Paslay; Mike Snider
7:30: Diamond Rio (host); Tyler Childers; John McEuen
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Parker Milsap; Trent Harmon
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Swon Brothers; Connie Smith

Saturday May 19
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jillian Jacqueline; Mike Snider
7:30: Larry Gatlin (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Devin Dawson
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Charlie Nagatani; Caitlyn Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Ricky Skaggs

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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of May 16 & 17, 2008:

Friday May 16
8:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Josh Gracin
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Del McCoury Band
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Diamond Rio
9:30: Marty Stuart (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith

Saturday May 17
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Chely Wright
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jim Ed Brown; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:30: John Conlee (host); Jack Greene; Jamie O'Neal
8:00: Steve Wariner (host); Mel McDaniel; T.G. Sheppard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; The Grascals

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jim Ed Brown; Chely Wright
10:00: John Conlee (host); Jeannie Seely; Jamie O'Neal
10:30: Steve Wariner (host); Rebecca Lynn Howard; T.G.Sheppard; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; The Grascals

From 25 years ago, Saturday May 22, 1993: 

1st show
6:30: The 4 Guys (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Skeeter Davis
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Ray Pillow; Jeanne Pruett; Jim & Jesse; Mike Stephens
7:30: Jerry Clower (host); Stonewall Jackson; Bill Carlisle; Emmylou Harris
8:00: Jack Greene (host); Jimmy C Newman; Brother Oswald; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Roy Drusky; Jan Howard; The Whites

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett; The 4 Guys; Skeeter Davis
10:00: Emmylou Harris (host); The Whites; Barry & Holly Tashian
10:15: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jim & Jesse
10:30: Jerry Clower (host); Roy Drusky
10:45: Jack Greene (host); Brother Oswald; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Bill Carlisle; Stonewall Jackson; Justin Tubb
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jan Howard; Mike Snider

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Looking back into the history of the Grand Ole Opry, it was on Saturday May 17, 1969 that Tammy Wynette first joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry, and it was 28 years later,  Saturday May 17, 1997 that Tammy Wynette made her final appearance on the Opry. Of course, she was not a member at the time of her final appearance, in fact, her time at the Opry was fairly short.

Tammy Wynette began developing her natural musical talents at an early age. Urged on by family and friends, she graduated from talent shows and charities to her own local radio show while still a teenager. It was during this time in her life that she began to truly perfect the heart-in-throat song styling that has carried her to the top of the country music world.

Tammy's first trip to Nashville was as a song plugger rather than a singer. She had come to Epic Records to try to interest them in some material a friend had written for one of Epic's top artists. It is not known what became of the songs or the friend, but for Tammy it was the beginning of an entire new life. Within a few weeks she had her first single out "Apartment No. 9" and country music fans, as well as pop fans were proclaiming her a new star. She rose to the top of the charts and polls so quickly that there was no time for her to be proclaimed as best new female vocalist or best upcoming this or that. She was instantly at the top of everyone's list and her unique talent was to know no restrictions. She was a favorite on country, pop and top 40 stations. Tammy Wynette had arrived.

Following her initial hit single, she has been at the top of the charts constantly with singles and albums. Her outstanding singles include, "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad" (Grammy winner, 1967), "I Don't Wanna Play House," "He Loves Me All The Way," "Run, Woman, Run," "Good Lovin'," "Bedtime Story," and her 1969 Grammy winner, "Stand By Your Man."

Not content to be known solely as a singer, Tammy has written or co-written several of her own hits, including "Stand By Your Man," which recently enjoyed an encore success as a rhythm and blues hit. Tammy's voice has been used for the soundtrack recording of two current contemporary films, "Run, Angel Run," and "Five Easy Pieces." Far more than being just another singer, Tammy Wynette has become a very "in" singer with all audiences. As can be expected, her popularity has begun to spread in Europe. Touched by the despair and plaintive sob in her voice, a top French critic was moved to call her "The Edith Piaf of Country America." She is internationally recognized as America's foremost singer of soul songs, country style.

(From the Grand Ole Opry WSM Picture-History Book, 1976, Volume 6, Edition 2).

Tammy's time at the Opry was short and mirrored that of George Jones. She originally joined the Opry (according to their records) on May 17, 1969. After that, she left. In fact, going through the Picture-History Books, she is not pictured in the early 1969 edition, or the 1972 edition. But she shows up in the 1976 book. What I can tell you is that she rarely played the Opry, having just a handful of appearances along the way.

Here are a couple of line-ups for you. First, From May 17, 1969, the night the Opry lists Tammy Wynette as joining the cast of the show:

6:30:
Hank Locklin: (?)
Willis Brothers: (?)
Bill Carlisle: (?)

6:45:
The 4 Guys: (?)
Bobby Lord (?)

7:00: Luzianne
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
Charlie Walker: Honky Tonk Season
Stringbean: Ol' Man, Can You Play the Banjo
Del Wood: Ballin' the Jack
Bill Anderson: My Life
Charlie Walker: Jambalaya
Jimmy Gately: Cryin' Don't Pay
Stringbean: Nine Pound Hammer
Bill Anderson: City Lights/I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand/I'll Go Down Swinging/I Don't Love You Anymore/Once a Day/Cold Hard Facts of Life/Cincinnati, Ohio/Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself to Sleep

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Once More
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Jean Shepard: I'm Tied Around Your Finger
Archie Campbell: Scarlet Ribbons
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
Justin Tubb: The Great River Road Mystery
Roy Acuff: Filipino Baby

8:00: Martha White
George Jones (host): White Lightening
Tammy Wynette: D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Grandpa Jones: Old Blue
George Jones: I'll Share My World With You
Tammy Wynette: Stand By Your Man
George Jones & Tammy Wynette: Milwaukee, Here I Come
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Laurell
Tammy Wynette: Singing My  Song
Jones Boys: Fire on the Mountain

8:30: Stephens
Bill Monroe (host): Train 45
Glaser Brothers: California Girl
Margie Bowes: Understand Your Gal/Big City
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die
Bill Monroe: I Haven't Seen Mary in Years
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Johnny Cash: Folsom Prison Blues/Orange Blossom Special
Johnny Cash & June Carter: Jackson

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Locklin (host): Geisha Girl
Willis Brothers: Bob
Jean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers to You
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Willis Brothers: Rambling Boy
The 4 Guys: Daddy Sang Bass
Justin Tubb: Be Glad

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Charlie Walker: Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:15: Pure
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself A Name
Jimmy Gately: Heavenly Sunshine
Bill Anderson: My Life

10:30: Buckley's
Stonewall Jackson (host): A Wound Time Can't Erase
Bobby Lord: Yesterday's Letters
Johnny Cash: I Still Miss Someone/Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash &  June Carter: Jackson
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

10:45: True
Bill Monroe (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Margie Bowes: That Completely Destroys My Plans
Crook Brothers: Sally Ann
Bill Monroe: I'm On My Way Back to the Old Home

11:00: Coca-Cola
George Jones (host): The Race is On
Tammy Wynette: Stand My Your Man
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cotton-Eyed Joe
George Jones: I'll Be Over You When the Grass Grows Over Me
Tammy Wynette: Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad
Sam McGee: Uncle Bud
George Jones: Walk Thru This World with Me

11:30: Lava
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): My Georgia Moon
Grandpa Jones: Raining on the Mountain Now My Love
The 4 Guys: Swing Down Chariot
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Don't Care (if Tomorrow Never Comes)
Grandpa Jones: T for Texas
The 4 Guys: Love of the Common People
L. E. White: I'll Love You More Today (Then He Can From Now On)

What stands out from that first show, besides George, Tammy and Johnny Cash, was Bill Anderson doing a medley of hits that he had written. Wouldn't it be nice to hear Bill do that again on the Opry?

And now from Saturday May 17, 1997, the night of Tammy Wynette's final Grand Ole Opry appearance:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her that Way

6:45: Jogging In A Jug
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Bill Carlisle: Gone Home
Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
Jean Shepard: Farewell Party/Second Fiddle
Brother Oswald: Prairie Queen
Grand Ole Opry Staff Band: Buckaroo
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya/Alligator Man

7:30: Standard Candy
Lorrie Morgan (host): I Didn't Know My Own Strength
Anita Cochran: Daddy, Can You See Me
Jan Howard: Take Me As I Am
Tammy Wynette: You Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad/Stand By Your Man/Apartment No. 9
Lorrie Morgan: Good As I Was to You

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Charlie Louvin: Nobody's Darling But Mine
The Whites: Pins & Needles
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Bill Anderson: Still

8:30: Clifty Farm
Mike Snider (host): When You're Smiling
Jack Greene: Follow Me
Connie Smith: I've Got My Baby on My Mind
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Mariah
Del Reeves: I Would Like to See You Again

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Lorrie Morgan (host): Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Jan Howard: Oh, Lonesome Me
The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side
Anita Cochran: I Could Love A Man Like You/Will You Be Here in Five Years
Lorrie Morgan: Good As I Was to You

10:00: Massey Ferguson
Jimmy Dickens (host): Country Boy
Jimmy C Newman: Allons, A Lafayette
Jimmy Dickens: I'd Rather Sleep in Peace Than Know You're Gone

10:15: Opry Book
Grandpa Jones (host): Ball-Headed End of the Broom
Jean Shepard: A Phone Call Away
Grandpa Jones: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans

10:30: Purnell's
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
Tammy Graham: A Dozen Red Roses/I Know More about Love
Bill Anderson: Bright Lights & Country Music

10:45: 
Mike Snider (host): Black Jack
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel

11:00: Coca-Cola
Del Reeves (host): Good Time Charlie's
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
Del Reeves: Dang Me
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
Del Reeves: This Must be the Bottom

11:30: Loreal
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Charlie Walker: Right or Wrong
Connie Smith: Where is My Castle
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
Stu Phillips: Dust in My Eyes
Johnny Russell: There's A Fool Such As I

There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!! Be safe. 






10 comments:

  1. I can't search my records as quick as Byron but the songs Johnny Cash did on 1969 show are the same as I recall he and June doing when they were on with Roy Acuff some 20 years later in the late 80's I think it was. The only difference is Mr. Acuff wanted him to do Five Feet High and Rising along with the others.

    And I will note that Bill Anderson occasionally will do some or many of those songs as a medley on his road show yet today.

    Jim
    Knigthsville, IN

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    1. Jim, I believe the show with Johnny Cash that you referenced was on Friday July 1, 1988. Sorry to say that since it was on a Friday night, I don't have the song listing. However, you are probably correct in your thinking as Johnny favored "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Orange Blossom Special" when he did the Opry in the late 1970s and 80s, which wasn't often.

      However, during the period from 68-71 when he was filming his television show at the Ryman, he was making yearly Opry appearances. During that period, he was doing "Sunday Morning Coming Down" "A Boy Named Sue" and "Folsom Prison Blues" on the Opry and when appearing with June Carter he did "If I Were A Carpenter," and "No Need to Worry," in addition to "Jackson."

      I believe on quick glance that the Friday July 1st appearance on the Roy Acuff segment during the 2nd show that night was Johnny's last with Roy on the Opry. That appearance was actually a make-up for missing an appearance on Friday February 19th, the weekend of Roy's 50th Opry anniversary, as Roy had specifically reached out to Johnny and asked him to do the Opry that weekend. He cancelled due to illness.

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  2. Byron, I had to check it out! You are correct, it was Friday July 1, 1988. Randy Travis was on that night and appeared with Roy on the first show actually closing that portion. Also visiting that night was actor Michael Douglass.

    From what I have, Roy and June appeared on the second show with Roy. Johnny did Folsom Prison Blues, I Still Miss Someone, Five Feet High and Rising at Roy's request, Jackson with June and then they all closed with Will The Circle Be Unbroken.

    Sure you mentioned it before but it looks like the next night was when Webb Pierce made his final Opry appearance.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  3. That was Johnny and June appearing with Roy!!!!!

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  4. Well, every now and then the audience has better taste than I usually give them credit for. Tonight at one point that was the case. You'll just have to listen or have listened to understand.

    I meant to mention earlier this week that talent agent and music executive Joe Taylor passed on Monday at 85. He had ties to many Opry acts over the years. He was the first director of talent for the Wil-Helm agency, the Wilburn and Don Helms booking agency, and booked Loretta and the Wilburns. He was advertising manager for Martha White from 1962 to 1964 working with Flatt & Scruggs and Jim and Jesse. He created his Joe Taylor Talent Agency in 1964 and rostered so many top names in the business. Ray Pillow was one and I recall Ray mentioning him many times. I was told he was at the ROPE awards last fall in failing health and could not see. He served as President of ROPE at one time.

    Just thought I would note a non star who had ties to Opry acts and might be one of those behind the scenes folks we don't think about who might qualify for the HOF.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  5. Jim,
    Give me a clue man.
    When in the show should we listen? :)

    Wouldn't be the unenthusiastic response for a hot new artist would it? I think I heard that (or should I say didn't hear much applause?) as I faded off into slumber.

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  6. Nat, you were paying attention and heard the same thing I did. I really hate to name names here in a negative way. Most of the time when I'm turned off by someone, the audience goes nuts but not this time!

    Jim

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. I deleted my post, because I failed to include my name.....
    My post said that it was what I DIDN'T hear that made an impression on my! :)

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  9. impression on me, not my!
    I'll get this right eventually, maybe...

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