Thursday, October 25, 2018

Grand Ole Opry 10/26 & 10/27

Friday night will be a special night at the Grand Ole Opry House as it will be the Opry's 10th annual "Opry Goes Pink" night. Grand Ole Opry member Carrie Underwood will flip the switch on the Opry's signature barn backdrop, turning it pink in support of the fight against breast cancer.

Among those who will be appearing on the Friday Night Opry, besides Carrie, are Grand Ole Opry members Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Ronnie Milsap and Riders In The Sky. Guest artists include Karen Mills, Rita Wilson and Anita Cochran, all cancer survivors. Additionally, it should be noted that Fred "Too Slim" LaBour's wife, Roberta, passed away earlier this year from cancer.

Also scheduled is Tegan Marie and making her/their Opry debut, Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat. There are only two segments on Friday night as the show has been formatted to honor cancer survivors and there will be some special recognitions  taking place during the show.

Friday October 26
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Tegan Marie; Karen Mills; Anita Cochran; Riders In The Sky
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Rita Wilson; Ronnie Milsap; Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat; Carrie Underwood

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Ronnie Milsap; Anita Cochran; Karen Mills; Carrie Underwood
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Tegan Marie; Rita Wilson; Riders In The Sky; Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat

Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature Grand Ole Opry members Little Big Town, who will be making just their 2nd and 3rd Opry appearances of the year. Also scheduled for both shows is Del McCoury, who will be making a rare weekend appearance on the show. Other Opry members scheduled include Connie Smith, Bill Anderson, Mike Snider, The Whites and Jeannie Seely. The only guest artists listed are Point of Grace and Seth Ennis.

Saturday October 27
1st show
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Mike Snider; Point of Grace
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Del McCoury Band
8:00: The Whites (host); Seth Ennis; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Little Big Town

2nd show
9:30: Connie Smith (host); Mike Snider; Point of Grace
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Del McCoury Band
10:30: The Whites (host); Seth Ennis; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Little Big Town

As mentioned, Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat will be making their Opry debut on Friday night. Colbie Caillat is from Malibu, California and rose to fame through social networking website Myspace. At that time, she was the number one unsigned artist of her genre. After signing with Universal Republic Records, she released her debut album in July 2007, Coco, which included the hit singles "Bubbly" and "Realize." The album has sold over two million copies and has been certified as double platinum. In 2008 she recorded a duet with Jason Mraz, "Lucky," which won a Grammy award. In August 2009, Colbie released her second album, Breakthrough," which became her first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It has been certified as a gold album and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Since then, she has released a third album and a Christmas album. Over the past several years, Colbie has resided in Nashville and has been engaged in songwriting and interacting with other artists in the Nashville community, including Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert.

Gone West consists of Colbie, her boyfriend Jason Reeves, Nelly Joy (real name: Danelle Leverett, formally of JaneDear Girls), and her fiance Justin Young.
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And now, here is he posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the final weekend in October 2008:

Friday October 24
8:00: Marty Stuart (host); The Whites; Connie Smith
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Dailey & Vincent
9:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Jason Michael Carroll
9:30: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emerson Drive

Saturday October 25
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Kristy Lee Cook
7:30: Larry Gatlin (host); Mike Snider; Hal Ketchum; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Craig Morgan; Rodney Atkins; Chuck Wicks; John Conlee

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Kristy Lee Cook
10:00: Larry Gatlin (host); Jeannie Seely; The Whites; Rodney Atkins
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Jan Howard; Chuck Wicks; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: John Conlee (host); Jack Greene; Craig Morgan

Now from 25 years ago, Saturday October 23, 1993:

1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); Del Reeves
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Bill Carlisle
7:00: The Four Guys (host); Charlie Louvin; Osborne Brothers; Connie Smith; Roy Drusky
7:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Deborah Allen; Jim and Jesse; Martina McBride
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Brother Oswald; Jeannie Seely; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Billy Walker; Jean Shepard; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Stonewall Jackson; Charlie Louvin; Hank Locklin; Martina McBride
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Four Guys
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Jean Shepard
10:30: Charlie Walker (host); Deborah Allen
10:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Osborne Brothers; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Billy Walker (host); Roy Drusky; Jim and Jesse; Justin Tubb; Mike Snider
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Connie Smith; The Whites; Johnny Russell
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Looking back on a couple of events, it was Saturday October 27, 1962 that Sonny James became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and Saturday October 27, 1973 that Jerry Clower became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. And let's not forget the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe, who became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday October 28, 1939, and who celebrated his 50th anniversary as an Opry member on Saturday October 28, 1989.

Bill Monroe was only 28 years old when he joined the Grand Ole Opry on September 28, 1939. He was introduced that night by George D. Hay. Bill described his beloved bluegrass as a music with "a hard drive to it. It's Scotch bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin.' It's Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It's blues and jazz and it has a high lonesome sound. It's plain music that tells a good story. It's played from my heart to your heart, and it will touch you. Bluegrass is music that matters."

Bill's bluegrass evolved from the folk and country music he heard growing up in Kentucky in a musical family. Orphaned by age 11, he was raised by his uncle, Pendleton Vandiver, an excellent country fiddler and mandolinist. By age 12, Bill was backing up his Uncle Pen at local dances. In the 1920s he and brothers Birch and Charlie formed a band and played together until the late 1930s. In 1938 Bill formed his first Blue Grass Boys band, a group that has spawned the careers of such artists as Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Stringbean, Del McCoury, Sonny Osborne and Vassar Clements.

In the 1940s, Bill began adding lyrics to his melodies and wrote such classic hits as "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "Uncle Pen" which were among his most requested numbers. He recorded with Victor and Columbia Records before signing with Decca (later to merge with MCA). Through dozens of albums and more than 50 million records sold, Bill remained with MCA. His 1988 "Southern Flavor" LP for MCA won the first Grammy Award ever given for bluegrass music in 1989. In conjunction with his 50th Opry anniversary, MCA released "Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys Live at the Opry," which received a Grammy nomination.

Honors were many. The Father of Bluegrass was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. He is among a select few (Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Bob Wills and Johnny Cash), to have been inducted in all three. In 1991 he was an original inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and in 1993 he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

When Bill Monroe made his Opry debut, Judge Hay told him, "IF you ever leave the Opry, it'll be because you fired yourself." Bill Monroe never left the Opry.

Bill Monroe created a music style, maintained it through difficult times, expanded it internationally and touched people's loves everywhere he went, or wherever his music was heard.

Here is the line-up from Saturday October 28, 1939, the night Bill Monroe became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:

8:00: Pee Wee King and the Golden West Cowboys
8:15: Uncle Dave Macon
8:30: Monk and Sam
8:45: Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys
9:00: Jack Shook and the Missouri Mountaineers
9:15: Ford Rush
9:30: Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys
9:45: Uncle Dave Macon
10:00: Pee Wee King and the Golden West Cowboys
10:15: Possum Hunters
10:30: Andrew Brothers
11:00: Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys

According to Cleo Davis, one of the Blue Grass Boys, "I believed we opened up with 'Foggy Mountain Top,' and came right back with 'Mule Skinner Blues,' then some fast fiddle tune like 'Fire  on the Mountain' or 'Katy Hill' and then 'Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms." As far as the 10:45 segment, Davis said, "When we hit the stage, such performers as Roy Acuff, Uncle Dave Macon, and Sam and Kirk McGee, who were standing in the wings watching the Blue Grass Boys when they pulled the curtain on us, could not believe when we took off so fast and furious. Those people couldn't even think as fast as we played, I believe."

(And for those unfamiliar, Monk and Sam consisted of Charles Hansen Jr. and Sam Johnson. They joined the Opry cast on September 30, 1939, coming to the Opry after spending five years at WHAS in Louisville).

On October 28, 1989 Bill was honored upon his 50th year as an Opry member. Here is the running order from that night.

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Around (When It's Over)
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter

6:45: Rudy's
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Jeanne Pruett: I Ought a Feel Guilty
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of a Fool

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Be and My Big Loud Mouth
Charlie Louvin: Stormy Horizons
Ray Pillow: Congratulations
Connie Smith: Walkin' After Midnight
New Coon Creek  Girls: Night Train to Memphis
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown/Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Bill Monroe & Emmylou Harris: Kentucky Waltz/My Rose of Old Kentucky
Larry Cordle: Kentucky King
Bill Monroe & Emmylou Harris: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Bill Monroe: Rawhide

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Are You Teasing Me/I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Roy Drusky: New Lips/One Day at a Time
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What a Party
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Dance All Night
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:30: Music Valley Merchants
Hank Snow (host): A Vanishing Breed
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Dottie West: Are You Happy Baby/Together Again
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Once Again

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop a Top
Jeannie Seely: Tell Me Again
Ray Pillow: Lucky Me
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: My Baby's Gone
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

10:00: Little Debbie
Jack Greene (host): Until My Dreams Come True
Jan Howard: Slow Burning Memory
Jack Greene: The Last Letter

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Jimmy Dickens: Take an Old Cold Tater/Out Behind the Barn
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

10:30: Pet Milk
Billy Walker (host): Down to My Last Cigarette
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Billy Walker: Behind Closed Doors/Charlie's Shoes

10:45: B.C. Powder
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Jean Shepard: So Used to Loving You
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
Bill Monroe: Sugar Loaf Mountain

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Why Do You Punish Me
Justin Tubb: Walking, Talking, Crying, Barely Beating Broken Heart
New Coon Creek Girls: How Many Biscuits Can You Eat
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Dottie West and Tony Toliver: Everytime Two Fools Collide
Hank Snow: The Party of the Second Part

11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Billy Grammer: Somebody Loves You
Roy Drusky: What About You
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Charlie Walker: Cindy

Bill Monroe's final Opry show was the Friday Night Opry on March 15, 1996. After his final appearance, he suffered a stroke that began a period of declining health from which he never recovered. Bill Monroe passed away on September 9, 1996 and is buried in Rosine, Kentucky.
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Finally, the line-up has been listed for the Tuesday Night Opry, October 30.

7:00: Dailey & Vincent; Carly Pearce
7:30: Dillon Carmichael; Bill Anderson
Intermission
8:15: Charles Esten; Henry Cho
8:45: LOCASH; Chris Janson

The Tuesday show will be the final Opry show at the Grand Ole Opry House for this year as next Friday night the Opry will begin it's winter run at the Ryman Auditorium.

There you have it as the month of October is wrapped up. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend,













Monday, October 22, 2018

Mid-Week Opry Shows

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the mid-week shows. Two Tuesday Night Opry shows with very solid line-ups. Rascal Flatts is scheduled for the first show only, following their normal Tuesday pattern. Appearing on both shows will be Del McCoury Band, Tracy Lawrence and Ashley McBryde, in addition to a special guest appearance by Rita Wilson, the wife of actor Tom Hanks. Rita is a fine singer.

Tuesday Night Opry October 23
1st show
7:00: The Whites; Levi Hummon
7:30: Dustin Lynch; Rita Wilson
8:00: Del McCoury Band; Ashley McBryde
8:30: Tracy Lawrence; Rascal Flatts

2nd show
9:30: The Whites; Levi Hummon
10:00: Dustin Lynch; Rita Wilson
10:30: Del McCoury Band; Ashley McBryde; Tracy Lawrence

And no, I didn't forget: The Opry's newest member Dustin Lynch is also scheduled for both shows.

Opry Country Classics Thursday October 25
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Trace Adkins
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Jason Crabb; William Michael Morgan; Holly Williams

A very nice line-up to finish up the fall series of shows, with Trace Adkins in the spotlight. Also, this show is at the Grand Ole Opry House as the Ryman Auditorium is booked for another show.




Thursday, October 18, 2018

Grand Ole Opry 10/19 & 10/20

Coming off a big birthday weekend, the Grand Ole Opry continues "Country Music Month" with three shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and two Grand Ole Opry shows on Saturday night. The Saturday night shows are dedicated to "Country Cares for St. Jude Kids" and will feature Alabama, who for years has supported this cause.

Looking at Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for all three shows this weekend, the list includes Mike Snider, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith and Riders In The Sky. In fact, each will be hosting a segment on each show. There are only two other Opry members scheduled, The Whites and Eddie Montgomery, both scheduled for Friday Night.

In addition to Hall of Fame members Alabama on Saturday night, others guesting on those two shows include John Berry, Jackie Lee, Mickey Guyton, Chase Bryant, and the very funny and talented Gary Mule Deer. Gary Mule Deer is also scheduled for Friday night, and will be appearing along with guest artists Carlene Carter, Cale Dodds, Lee Roy Parnell, and Zach Williams. One additional artist on Friday night is the legendary cowboy Michael Martin Murphy, who will also be in the Opry Shop after the show.

Friday October 19
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Carlene Carter; The Whites
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Cale Dodds; Lee Roy Parnell
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Gary Mule Deer; Michael Martin Murphy
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Zach Williams; Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry

Saturday October 20
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); John Berry; Jackie Lee
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mickey Guyton; Gary Mule Deer
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Chase Bryant; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Alabama

2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); John Berry; Jackie Lee
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mickey Guyton; Gary Mule Deer
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Chase Bryant; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Alabama
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of October 17 & 18, 2008:

Friday October 17
8:00: John Conlee (host); Connie Smith; Sara Buxton
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Andy Griggs
9:00: Jean Shepard (host); Billy Dean; Del McCoury Band
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jimmy C Newman; Heidi Newfield

Saturday October 18
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Buddy Jewell
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Del McCoury Band
8:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jan Howard; Jennifer Hanson; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jack Greene; Tracy Byrd

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Buddy Jewell
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Del McCoury Band
10:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jennifer Hanson; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jack Greene; Tracy Byrd

Now from 25 years ago, the weekend of October 15 & 16, 1993. This was also the weekend of the Opry's 68th birthday celebration:

Friday October 15
1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); Skeeter Davis; Jim and Jesse; The Carlisles; Jan Howard
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jean Shepard; The Whites; Mike Snider
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); The 4 Guys; Jack Greene; Emmylou Harris
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely; Justin Tubb
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The Osborne Brothers; Stonewall Jackson; Hank Locklin

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Grandpa Jones; Jim Ed Brown; Jeanne Pruett; Ray Pillow
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; The Whites; Charlie Walker; Skeeter Davis
10:30; Bill Monroe (host); The 4 Guys; David Houston; Emmylou Harris
11:00: Hank Snow (host); The Osborne Brothers; Jean Shepard; Hank Locklin; Mike Snider
11:30: Jack Greene (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely; Johnny Russell

Saturday October 16
1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Osborne Brothers
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jack Greene; Billy Walker
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Charlie Louvin; Skeeter Davis; The 4 Guys; Jimmy Dickens
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Tracy Byrd; Jeannie Seely
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jean Shepard; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancer
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Randy Travis; Charlie Walker; The Whites

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jack Greene; Jan Howard; The Osborne Brothers; Tracy Byrd
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); David Houston; The Carlisles
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Louvin
10:45: Bill Monroe (host); Jeanne Pruett; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jean Shepard; The 4 Guys; Hank Locklin; Ray Pillow
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Johnny Russell
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Finally, back 50 year ago to Saturday October 19, 1968. It was the Grand Ole Opry's 43rd birthday celebration, and also the weekend of the annual Disc Jockey convention that took place during the Opry's birthday weekend.

1st show
6:00: Vietti
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Willis Brothers: Moonlight Drive in A Diesel
Charlie Walker: San Diego
Margie Bowes: Understand Your Gal/Big City
Grandpa Jones: Eight More Miles to Louisville
Stu Phillips: The Top of the World
The Four Guys: Woman, Woman
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Bill Anderson: Still

6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Bill Monroe (host): The Gold Rush
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Archie Campbell: The Cockfight

6:45: Rudy's
Porter Wagoner (host): w/Dolly Parton: Holding on to Nothing
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
Jean Shepard: Everyday's A Happy Day for Fools
Porter Wagoner: The Carroll County Accident

7:00: Luzianne
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Tex Ritter: Texas
Jeannie Seely: Little Things I Thought You'd Like to Know
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top
Norma Jean: A One-Man Band Around My Finger
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind
Charlie Louvin: Hey, Daddy/Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top

7:30: Standard Candy
Ernest Tubb (host): Just Pack Up and Go
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Wilburn Brothers: We Need a Lot More Happiness
Loretta Lynn: Your Squaw is on the Warpath
Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy
Del Wood: Down Yonder

8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Billy Walker: Age of Worry
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Glaser Brothers: One of These Days
Crook Brothers: Bill Cheatham
George Morgan: The Sounds of Goodbye
Ray Pillow: Wonderful Day
Justin Tubb: I'm Going Back to Louisiana
Flatt and Scruggs: The Ballad of Jed Clampett

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Del Reeves: Looking at the World Through a Windshield
Marion Worth: Are You Sleeping Well at Night
Bobby Lord: Ture and Lasting Kind
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Bob Luman: Ain't Got Time to Be Unhappy
Jim and Jesse: Yonder Comes the Freight Train
Hank Snow: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): w/Dolly Parton: Holding on to Nothing
Bill Monroe: Train 45
Dottie West: Reno
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Minnie Pearl w/George Lindsay: Maple on the Hill
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain
Lonzo and Oscar: A King Size Cola and A Moon Pie
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make It
Charlie Walker: San Diego
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Grandpa Jones: Dear Old Sunny South by the Sea
Margie Bowes: That Completely Destroys My Plans
Archie Campbell & Lorene Mann: Warm and Tender Love
The Four Guys: Half a Man
Grand Ole Opry Cast: Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry

10:15: Pure
Billy Walker (host): Cattle Call
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Roy Drusky: Strangers
Del Wood: Beer Barrell Polka
Jeannie C Riley: Harper Valley PTA

10:30: Buckley's
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Jim Ed Brown: Jack and Jill
Skeeter Davis: Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad
Stu Phillips: The Top of the World
Johnny Cash: Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash and June Carter: Jackson

10:45: Kent
Ernest Tubb (host): It Sure Helps a Lot
Wilburn Brothers: We Need Lot More Happiness
Loretta Lynn: You Squaw Is on the Warpath Tonight
George Morgan: The Sounds of Goodbye
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin

11:00: Coca-Cola
Bill Anderson (host): Happy State of Mind
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Charlie Louvin: Hey, Daddy/Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Glaser Brothers: Release Me/Then I Turned and Walked Slowly Away/Many Tears Ago Today/There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight/Gentle on My Mind
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Norma Jean: One Man Band
Osborne Brothers: A Son of A Sawmill Man
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Sam McGee: Under the Double Eagle
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops

11:30: Lava
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
Bob Luman: Guitar Man/Memphis
Marion Worth: Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Bobby Lord: Live Your Life Out Loud
Ray Pillow: Wonderful Day

Now, that is what I call a birthday celebration. The 2nd show, according to my notes, ended just after 1:00 am. The first show was pretty much on schedule, while the second show began to get away during the Acuff hosted segment. But look at the number of acts on each segment. How did they do it? Very little talking and a lot of singing. As soon as one artist was finished, the next one was introduced.

As mentioned, the Grand Ole Opry birthday was tied in to the annual Disc Jockey convention sponsored by National Life and the Opry. Disc jockeys from all of the nation would come to Nashville that weekend and it was almost mandatory that Opry members appear. The artists would meet the disc jockeys, set up future shows, and just treat each other as friends. There would also be private record company parties and other informal get-togethers. This personal touch by the artists helped to make sure that their records would be played on the various radio stations, back in the day when the disc jockeys actually controlled and determined the play lists.
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Looking back at one more line-up, on Saturday October 19, 1974 the Grand Ole Opry celebrated it's 49th birthday, and the first to be held at the new Grand Ole Opry House. We have talked about the various non-country acts that have appeared on the Opry, and the birthday celebration that year featured one of those acts: The Pointer Sisters.

Here is the running order from that night:

1st show
6:00: Vietti
Bill Anderson: (host)
Willis Brothers: Bob
The Four Guys: It's Too Late to Turn Back Now
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Ernie Ashworth: Mind Your Own Business
Mary Lou Turner: Tomorrow
Bill Anderson: Every Time I Turn the Radio On

6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jack Greene (host): I Need Somebody Bad Tonight
Jeannie Seely: He Can Be Mine
Charlie Walker: Odds and Ends
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

6:45: Rudy's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Jan Howard: Seeing is Believing
Jim and Jesse: Love Is a Fading Rose
Jim Ed Brown: Scarlet Ribbons/The Three Bells/Looking Back to See

7:00: Rudy's
Porter Wagoner (host): On a Highway Headed South
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Justin Tubb: Loving Arms
Del Wood: There's a Big Wheel
Barbara Lea: Ain't Love Grand
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: Please Don't Stop Loving Me
Dolly Parton: I Will Always Love You
Porter Wagoner: Wake Up Jacob

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Hank Locklin: Send Me Your Coffee Cup
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Stu Phillips: Love You All Over Again
Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird/I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): I've Got All the Heartaches I Can Handle
Wilburn Brothers: Little Johnny From Down the Street
Billy Grammer: How Great Thou Art
Osborne Brothers: Fireball Mail
Tennessee Ernie Ford: Tie A Yellow Ribbon/Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
David Houston: Almost Persuaded
George Lindsay: Comedy
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Hank Snow: Hello Love

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Jerry Clower: A New Bull
Charlie Walker: Odds and Ends
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Mary Lou Turner: All that Keeps Me Going
Bill Anderson: Everytime I Turn the Radio On

10:00: Fender
Ernest Tubb (Host): Don't Water Down the Bad News
Connie Smith: I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before)
Jim Ed Brown: Southern Loving
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Jan Howard: You Don't Know Me
Ernest Tubb: Walking the Floor Over You

10:15: Union 76
Jack Greene (host): It's Time to Cross that Bridge
The Pointer Sisters: Fairytale
Jeannie Seely: He Can Be Mine
Jim and Jesse: Paradise
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Justin Tubb: Ramblin' Man

10:30: Trailblazer
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Dolly Parton: Love Is Like a Butterfly
Wilburn Brothers: It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Hank Locklin: Send Me Your Coffee Cup
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Barbara Lea: Ain't Love Grand
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: Please Don't Stop Loving Me

10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Acuff (host): Back in the Country
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Crook Brothers/ Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Chicken Reel

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
The Four Guys: It's Too Late to Turn Back Now
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Lost Indian
Barbara Mandrell: Midnight Oil
Sam McGee: Railroad Blues
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind

11:30: Elm Hill
Charlie Louvin (host): It Almost Felt Like Love
Jeanne Pruett: Welcome to the Sunshine
David Houston: Can't You Feel It
Stu Phillips: There Must be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: Something to Brag About

Another quality birthday show on the Opry's 49th anniversary.

There you have it for this week. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!
















Monday, October 15, 2018

Mid-Week Opry Shows/Birthday Weekend Recap

Back from spending most of last week in Nashville and some random thoughts on the Grand Ole Opry's 93rd birthday weekend, which I thought was one of the best in years.

Starting with the Opry Country Classics show on Thursday night, the show was excellent with Ricky Skaggs as the spotlight artist. Kentucky Thunder was in good form, playing a little bluegrass and a little country. The show was dedicated to Hall of Fame members, and among the members listed were Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Webb Pierce, Carl Smith, as well as the newest members who will be officially enshrined on Sunday night: Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West and Johnny Gimble.

Also appearing were two Hall of Fame members, Charlie McCoy and Don Schlitz. Charlie did "Orange Blossom Special," in his unique way, and Don did two of the great songs he has written, "The Gambler" and "Forever and Ever, Amen." It was my first time to see Don and he has his own unique style in singing his songs. And he was really good. Also appearing were Jeannie Seely, Chuck Mead and Mandy Barnett, along with host Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers. I thought one of the highlights was Larry, Steve and Rudy singing "Help Me." It has been a while since I have heard Larry sing it, and he sang it in tribute to Johnny and June Carter Cash. It was pretty much a full house for the show and I believe everyone left fully satisfied.

While downtown on Thursday I spent some time at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Shop manager Terry Tyson is doing a great job and it was nice to see a full inventory in the shop. One of the treats was seeing the Loretta Lynn exhibit that was set up where the stage used to be (the stage is still there, just moved back a bit). The exhibit is well done. The shop had some good foot traffic inside and it appeared that customers were spending some cash. With the Ernest Tubb Record Shop a Nashville landmark, it was nice to see it doing better. I know a year ago, I was very concerned.

Going to the Friday Night Opry, I noticed a few things right away, with the new Opry Shop and Ticket Office the two that stood out. The company has spent over $20 million on the new shop and it is much improved from the old one. More inventory and more room to move around. The ticket office is right next store to it, which makes it convenient for customers. The location of the shop is an extension of the Opry House, in the location where the old ticket office was by the Roy Acuff house.

The other change that is immediately noticed is the new parking lot dedicated to those attending a show at the Grand Ole Opry House. The lot is in the area between the hotel and where the old TNN studio used to be. It holds 1100 cars and there is a bridge/walkway that connects the parking lot to the Opry House. It does cost $10 to park. Personally, I parked in the mall parking lot as I usually do, which is free, but for those who don't want to drive around on a Friday or Saturday night looking for a space, the new lot will work just fine. There is still some construction work going on in the area and the traffic flow is a little different, but the improvements are nice.

I took the time to visit the Les Leverette exhibit in the Roy Acuff house. As others have commented, the exhibit, though small, is excellent. There is a Roy Acuff video and a video with Les, where he shares some of the stories behind the pictures. The exhibit is due to close at the end of the month, and I have heard that they might be using the Acuff house for future exhibits. The cost was $10, which I thought was pretty reasonable.

As mentioned, both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry were excellent, with the Saturday birthday shows much better than what has been presented the past several years. The only disappointment were the cancellations by Connie Smith on both shows Friday night and Bobby Bare cancelling on Saturday. In addition, Joe Diffie did just the first show on Friday after originally being advertised for both shows. Connie was not replaced on Friday, with Old Crow Medicine Show getting the last 30 minutes for themselves, while LEVON replaced Bobby on Saturday night. That was an easy replacement as they were playing in the Opry Plaza prior to the Opry show.

The Friday Night Opry featured Opry members Pam Tillis, Mike Snider, Charley Pride, John Conlee, Joe Diffie, Riders In The Sky, Terri Clark, Jeannie Seely and Old Crow Medicine Show. The only non-Opry member was Morgan Evans, who is from Australia and was appearing in support of his new album. Each of the Opry members were in good voice and it was nice that several of them did different numbers on both shows. The birthday cake was rolled out at the end of both shows. The first show was pretty much sold out while the second show had seats open in the upper balcony and the wings. As usual, Charley Pride received a huge ovation and Old Crow Medicine Show kept the crowd excited with their brand of music. No complaints at all.

The Saturday afternoon birthday concert featured Charley Pride. The show lasted about 75 minutes and Charley went through all of his #1 hits and more. The crowd was typical for the birthday show, about 2,000 I would estimate. Watching Charley work all four Opry shows and the Opry concert, it was hard to remember that he is well over 80 years old, and still out there doing full shows. He even commented that they were working him hard over the weekend. In addition to the birthday concert, there was activity going on in the Opry Plaza. There was entertainment all afternoon, with food trucks and games. The only down side was the weather. After seeing sunny skies and temperatures in the 80's the previous weekend, Saturday saw temperatures struggling to get up to 60, which meant sweaters and jackets for everyone. The crowd was good but I think the weather kept it a little down.

Saturday's Grand Ole Opry featured Opry members John Conlee, Charley Pride, Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Bill Anderson, Trace Adkins, Old Crow Medicine Show, Riders In The Sky, as well as Bobby Osborne and Larry Gatlin on the second show. The only non Opry members were LEVON and Charles Esten, both of whom did an excellent job. This was my first time seeing LEVON and I thought they were good. As to everyone else, Trace Adkins received a great ovation, as did Charley Pride again. The final half hour with Old Crow Medicine Show and Riders In The Sky was outstanding. There was a special presentation of a Roy Acuff fiddle from Woody Paul to Ketch Secor, and both groups performed together to close out both shows. Oh, and on the first show, Bill Anderson missed his introduction as he was nowhere in site when the curtain opened. His band was on stage looking around and after several minutes you could see a couple of staff members running up the hallway. Ends up that Bill came walking out, saying he thought he wasn't on until 8:15 (not realizing there was no intermission and his segment started at 8:00), and that he was in the restroom. A classic Opry moment.

To finish it up, I met a lot of people this past weekend. Many of those I had met before, but I also met some new ones. My thanks and appreciation to all. I also met a few associated with the Opry and all were so nice. I am continually surprised when I meet anyone associated with the Opry and they talk about how they follow this blog. Just blows my mind sometimes. That and the fact that they recognize me from my pictures. The staff at the Opry does such a great job getting everyone in and out, and the show itself is amazing. Each time I go, it seems that something new is added at the Opry House to make the show more enjoyable. While we always don't agree with the direction of the show, I will never doubt the dedication of the staff or the artists, who all work hard to make the show what it is. Again, my thanks to all I met (no names please). I look forward to the next visit.
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Now to the mid-week Opry shows. First, it is hard to believe but Craig Morgan will be recognized for 10 years of Opry membership on Tuesday night. Craig always does a fine job while performing. Joining him on Tuesday night will be Opry members Bill Anderson and Charlie Daniels Band. Getting the final slot on both shows will be Kelsea Ballerini, who has a string of Opry appearances booked for the rest of the year.


Tuesday Night Opry, October 16
1st show
7:00: Bill Anderson; Luke Combs; Charlie Daniels Band
8:00: Jon Pardi; Craig Morgan; Kelsea Ballerini

2nd show
9:30: Bill Anderson; Town Mountain; Charlie Daniels Band
10:30: Jon Pardi; Craig Morgan; Kelsea Ballerini


Opry Country Classics, Thursday October 18
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Bobby Bare
Also Appearing: Craig Morgan; Maggie Rose; Leroy Van Dyke

Nice to see Leroy Van Dyke appearing. I saw him a few years ago, and he still has it. He is one of those former Opry members who left the show in the 1960s for failing to meet the attendance requirements. Nice to see that he still occasionally comes back.




Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Grand Ole Opry 10/12 & 10/13-Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry

This weekend the Grand Ole Opry will celebrate its 93rd birthday with a big weekend of activity. There will be two shows on Friday and Saturday night, along with the Charley Pride birthday concert on Saturday afternoon, with lots of activities and entertainment around the Opry House area.

So how did these birthday celebrations originate?

Since 1952 the annual fall festival once known as the DJ Convention has honored the Grand Ole Opry while consolidating Nashville's role in the country music industry. Later called Country Music Week, the event originally commemorated the Grand Ole Opry Birthday Celebration and was first organized by radio station WSM, using Acuff-Rose Publications' DJ list.

The first event took place on November 22, 1952, and involved some 100 DJs who welcomed to WSM and treated to a Grand Ole Opry show. The 1953 celebration extended over two days with record companies and publishers hosting receptions and BMI giving its first country music awards for radio airplay. In addition, DJs organized the Country Music Disc Jockeys Association (CMDJA), precursor to the Country Music Association (CMA). By 1958 attendance had grown to 2,000 DJs; entertainers were making special appearances; and several trade magazines were bestowing awards. In addition to formal and informal parties, there were now panels on industry issues such as record labels' service to disc jockeys, programming, and merchandising.

In that year, CMDJA disbanded, and CMA was organized at the fall DJ convention. Since then, CMA has made the event an ongoing project. In 1963 the CMA began a successful push to have state governors proclaim October as Country Music Month, and the festival was shifted from November to October to avoid winter weather. By then attendance had reached 3,500, and ASCAP held its first country awards ceremony.

In 1969 the first Country Radio Broadcasters seminar was held, and soon after the organization established its own board of directors. That event is now held in February and is no longer a part of the Grand Ole Opry birthday weekend. In 1972 CMA organized the first Fan Fair to relieve the congestion of Country Music Week and to give artists and fans a special spring event at which to meet each other. Since then, Fan Fair has given way to the CMA Music Festival, now held annually in June.

At one time, the Grand Ole Opry birthday show was a "must" attend event for all Grand Ole Opry members, as well as many non-members. Back in the 1950s, and through the 1960s, the Opry birthday show was a seven hour event, with almost 40 artists appearing on the show. As the other events, such as Fan Fair and the Country Radio Broadcaster seminar have moved to different dates, and Country Music Month and Country Music Week have largely disappeared, the Opry birthday weekend has lost some of its luster. Gone is Opryland, the Bill Monroe Bluegrass Concert, and the meet and greet with the stars. But each year, the Opry continues to celebrate and recognize another milestone and this year will be no different.

Scheduled to appear this year on all four shows this weekend are Grand Ole Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show, Charley Pride, John Conlee, and Riders In The Sky. Joining that group on both shows Friday Night will be Pam Tillis, Joe Diffie, The Whites, Connie Smith and Terri Clark. Scheduled for just the first show is Mike Snider, while Jeannie Seely is only set for the nightcap.

Saturday night, in addition to Old Crow, John, Charley and the Riders, Bill Anderson, Bobby Bare, and Trace Adkins are scheduled for both shows, while Mike Snider and Jeannie Seely are lined up for the opener, with Bobby Osborne and Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers set for the late show.

There are only two non-Opry members scheduled for this weekend. Newcomer Morgan Evans is scheduled for both shows on Friday night, while frequent Opry guest Charles Esten is set for both Saturday night shows.

Friday October 12
1st show
7:00: Pam Tillis (host); Mike Snider; Charley Pride
7:30: John Conlee (host); Morgan Evans; Joe Diffie
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Terri Clark
8:30: Old Crow Medicine Show (host); Connie Smith

2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Terri Clark; Charley Pride
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Morgan Evans; Joe Diffie
10:30: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Riders In The Sky
11:00: Old Crow Medicine Show (host); Connie Smith

Saturday October 13
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); Charley Pride; Mike Snider
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charles Esten; Bobby Bare
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Trace Adkins; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Old Crow Medicine Show (host); Riders In The Sky

2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Charley Pride; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charles Esten; Bobby Bare
10:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Trace Adkins; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Old Crow Medicine Show (host); Riders In The Sky

For those looking to venture to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop for the taping of the Midnight Jamboree at 10:00, George Hamilton V will be hosting. That should be a very nice show.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of October 10 & 11, 2008. It was also the weekend of the Opry's 83rd birthday celebration.

Friday October 10
1st show
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Jamey Johnson
7:30: Jean Shepard (host); Ray Pillow; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mandy Barnett
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jan Howard; Phil Stacey; Rhythm-N-Motion
8:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Jack Greene; The Time Jumpers

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Connie Smith; Jamey Johnson; Marty Stuart
10:00: Jean Shepard (host); The Whites; Mandy Barnett
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Ernie Ashworth; Phil Stacey; Rhythm-N-Motion
11:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Jack Greene; The Time Jumpers

Saturday October 11
1st show
7:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jim Ed Brown; Helen Cornelius; Jean Shepard
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Darryl Worley; Lorrie Morgan; Hal Ketchum; Kenny Rogers

2nd show
9:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Stu Phillips; Jean Shepard; Kenny Rogers
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jack Greene; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Darryl Worley

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday October 12, 1968:

1st show
6:30: Glaser Brothers (host); Stu Phillips; Del Wood
6:45: The Four Guys (host); Stringbean
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Walker; Jeannie Seely; Ray Pillow
7:30; Porter Wagoner (host); Del Reeves; Lonzo and Oscar; Crook Brothers
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Willis Brothers; Marion Worth; Archie Campbell
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Grandpa Jones; Cousin Jody; Bob Luman; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Glaser Brothers (host); Stu Phillips; Willis Brothers; Del Wood
10:00: Bob Luman (host); Jeannie Seely; The Four Guys
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Walker; Ray Pillow
10:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Stringbean
10:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Archie Campbell; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Del Reeves (host); Grandpa Jones; Marion Worth; Cousin Jody
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Looking back, it was on Saturday October 14, 1989 that the Grand Ole Opry celebrated it's 64th birthday. It was also the night that Holly Dunn became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Holly Dunn was nothing if not versatile. This native of San Antonio, Texas burst onto the country music scene in the mid 1980s, with a self-penned tribute to her preacher father called "Daddy's Hands." The song earned Holly's first two Grammy Award nominations and set her off on a whirlwind career. Over the course of 25 years, Holly racked up three Grammy award nods, the Academy of Country Music's New Female Vocalist Award (1986), and the Country Music Association's Horizon Award (1987). In 1989 Holly was inducted into the famed Grand Ole Opry cast and also awarded Songwriter of the Year by BMI. Along the way, Holly hosted her own radio show on WWWW in Detroit, Michigan (1997), and for two years (2001-2002) was host of TNN's Opry Backstage weekly television show.

Holly toured the world extensively throughout her career. She recorded 10 albums, and achieved at least Top Ten status for 14 of her singles, reaching the coveted No. 1 spot four times. "Milestones," her greatest hits package, was certified gold shortly after release in 1991.

But Holly's talents did not begin and end with music. Because her mother was a talented oil painter, Holly grew up with a natural love and talent for making fine art as well. To that end, in 2003 Holly kept a long standing promise to herself and walked away from the music business to pursue her passion for art. She joked in interviews throughout the years, that she only made music to pay for her art supplies. She was able to pursue her craft full time and it was a gift that Holly did not take lightly. With the same combination of hard work and God given talent, Holly once again turned her passion into success.

Sadly, Holly Dunn passed away on November 14, 2016 from a rare form of cancer.

Here is the running order from 29 years ago, Saturday October 14, 1989, the night Holly Dunn became an Opry member:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jimmy Dickens (host): May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Jimmy Dickens: When Your House is Not a Home

6:45: Rudy's
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry

7:00: Shoney's
Bill Monroe (host): Gonna Have a Feast Here Tonight
Charlie Louvin: The Precious Jewel
Jan Howard: The One You Slip Around With
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Jean Shepard: I'm Just an Old Bridge that Keeps Burning
Blake Williams: Bluegrass Breakdown

7:30: Standard Candy
Jack Greene (host): Statue of A Fool
The Whites: Pins and Needles/He Hasn't Lost His Touch
Holly Dunn: Daddy's Hands/There Goes My Heart Again
Minnie Pearl/Jack Greene and the Opry Cast: Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry
Jack Greene/Holly Dunn and the Opry Cast: Satisfied/I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: The Key's In the Mailbox
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Pee Wee King: The Tennessee Waltz
Porter Wagoner: Ol' Slewfoot
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Arkansas Traveler
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:30: Music Valley Merchants
Hank Snow (host): The Call of the Wild
Grandpa Jones: Old Blue
Roy Drusky: More and More
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Hank Snow: These Hands

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Country Music Has Gone to Town
Ray Pillow; 'til the Best Comes Along
Charlie Louvin: The Precious Jewel
Jean Shepard: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
The Whites: Alabama Jubilee
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name

10:00: Little Debbie
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me and My Big Loud Mouth
Holly Dunn: There Goes My Heart Again
Jimmy Dickens: Shopping for Dresses

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Roy Acuff and the Opry Cast: Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry

10:30: Pet Milk
Bill Monroe (host): Stay Away from Me; You're Causing Me Trouble
Skeeter Davis: My Last Date with You/Silver Threads and Golden Needles/The End of the World
Bill Monroe: Down This Long Lonesome Highway

10:45: B.C. Powder
Grandpa Jones (host): Darby's Ram
Charlie Walker: Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Gourd
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): That Heart Belongs to Me
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock/Evil on Your Mind
Pee Wee King: Slowpoke
Justin Tubb: Walking; Talking; Cryin'; Barely Beating Broken Heart
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind

11:30: Creamette
Jack Greene (host): Walkin' On New Grass
Roy Drusky: Take Good Care of Her
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me, I'm Falling
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me/Sing, Sing, Sing
Jack Greene: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me

As we wish the Grand Ole Opry a happy 93rd birthday, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!! For myself, I will be in Nashville and look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones.




Sunday, October 7, 2018

Mid-Week Opry Shows

Here are the lineups for the Grand Ole Opry mid-week shows for this week:

Monday October 8
Host: Darius Rucker
Appearing: Chris Young; Travis Tritt; Ronnie Milsap; Cam; Brett Eldredge; Boyz II Men; Lukas Nelson; LeAnn Rimes; Leela James; Charlie Wilson; Allen Stone

This show is a "Salute to Ray Charles" and while it is not an official Opry show (at least in my book), it is Opry sponsored. It is supposed to highlight Ray's contributions to country music and is being taped for a PBS special that will air in November. Darius Rucker is the host of the show. While a number of the artists are country oriented, including a group of Opry members, some of the artists are not so it will be interesting to see how the show plays out. And yes, in my opinion, Ray did make some contributions to country music that should be recognized.

Tuesday Night Opry October 9
7:00: Connie Smith; Wade Hayes
7:30: Morgan Evans; Restless Heart
Intermission
8:15: Abby Anderson; William Michael Morgan
8:45: Rodney Atkins; Steven Curtis Chapman

Opry Country Classics October 11
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Ricky Skaggs
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Mandy Barnett; Charlie McCoy; Chuck Mead; Don Schlitz; Jeannie Seely

This is a very nice line-up for the classic show and it is being advertised as a tribute to the newly elected members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West and Johnny Gimble, all of whom will be formally inducted later in October.

I will be in Nashville for the upcoming birthday weekend and will be attending the classics show on Thursday night. Looking forward to a great show.


Thursday, October 4, 2018

Grand Ole Opry 10/5 & 10/6

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the three shows this weekend, as beginning in October the Opry goes with two shows on Saturday night. Looking at the line-ups, Saturday night comes up looking a little slim.

As to Grand Ole Opry members appearing this weekend, all three shows will feature Jeannie Seely, The Whites, Mike Snider and Connie Smith. Friday night has one of the newest Opry members, Chris Young scheduled, along with Riders In The Sky and Bobby Osborne. Sadly, on the four members, Jeannie, The Whites, Mike and Connie are the only members set for Saturday night.

Guest artists on Friday include Jimmie Wayne, Gretchen Peters, Maggie Rose and Russ Taff. Saturday night, both shows will feature John Berry, Mason Ramsey, Adam Doleac, Don Schlitz, The Steel Woods and Kellie Pickler, who's appearance is scheduled in part as the show is being advertised to help hurricane relief following Florence.

Friday October 5
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy Allen; Mike Snider
7:30: The Whites (host); Gretchen Peters; Russ Taff
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Maggie Rose
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Chris Young

Saturday October 6
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); John Berry; Mason Ramsey
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Adam Doleac; Don Schlitz
8:00: The Whites (host); The Steel Woods; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Connie Smith (host); Kellie Pickler

2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); John Berry; Mason Ramsey
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Kellie Pickler
10:30: The Whites (host); Adam Doleac; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Connie Smith (host); The Steel Woods; Don Schlitz
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from the first weekend in October 10 years ago, the weekend of October 3 & 4, 2008:

Friday October 3
8:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; Joey + Rory
8:30: Riders In The (host); George Hamilton IV; Mountain Heart and Tony Rice
9:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Jack Greene; Crystal Shawanda
9:30: Marty Stuart (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; The Whites

Saturday October 4
1st show
7:00: Jean Shepard (host); The Whites; Eric Church; Grand Master Fiddle Champion
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Connie Smith; Lee Greenwood
8:00: Josh Turner; Sara Evans; Jimmy Wayne; Wynonna

2nd show
9:30: The Whites (host); Sara Evans; Lee Greenwood
10:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Eric Church; Wynonna
10:30: Jean Shepard (host); Connie Smith; Josh Turner; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jimmy Wayne

From 50 years ago, Saturday October 5, 1968:

6:30: Stu Phillips (host); The Four Guys
6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Cousin Jody
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Del Wood; Johnny Duncan; June Stearns; Brother Oswald
7:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Archie Campbell; Martha Carson; Crook Brothers; Lorene Mann
8:00: Flatt and Scruggs (host); Charlie Louvin; Dottie West; Stringbean
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Bobby Lord; Grandpa Jones; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Dottie West; The Four Guys; Tommy Cash
10:00: Flatt and Scruggs (host); George Hamilton IV; Del Wood
10:15: Archie Campbell (host); Cousin Jody; Lorene Mann
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Stu Phillips
10:45: Charlie Louvin (host); Stringbean; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Martha Carson; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Bill Price
11:30: Bobby Lord (host); Grandpa Jones; June Stearns; Johnny Duncan

Taking a look back at the first weekend in October, it was on Saturday October 7, 1967 that Dolly Parton appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. This was Dolly's first appearance on the Opry since her 1959 show that Jimmy C Newman gave up a spot to allow her to appear, and it was the first Opry show that Dolly appeared with Porter Wagoner.

While the show started at 6:30 that evening, here is the running order picking it up at 7:00:

1st show
7:00: Luzianne
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Bob Luman: You Can Take the Boy from the Country
Barbara Allen: Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Hearted Me
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Brother Oswald: Late Last Night, When Willy Came Home
Bob Luman: Running Scared
Roy Acuff: Where Could I Go But to the Lord

7:30: Standard Candy
Bobby Lord (host): Take the Bucket to the Well
The Four Guys: This Land is Your Land
Stu Phillips: Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Del Wood: Waiting for the Robert E Lee
Bobby Lord: Shadows on the Wall
June Stearns: River of Regret
The Four Guys: The Man Who Never Returned
Stu Phillips: Juanita Jones
Bobby Lord: When the Snow Falls

8:00: Martha White
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Dottie West: Like A Fool
George Hamilton IV: Truck Driving Man
Jim and Jesse: Diesel on My Tail
Roy Drusky: New Lips
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Dottie West: Paper Mansions
George Hamilton IV: Urge for Going
Roy Drusky: White Lightening Express

8:30: Stephens
Porter Wagoner (host): 'Ol Slewfoot
Del Reeves: One Dime at a Time
Roy Clark: Alabama Jubilee
Dolly Parton: Dumb Blonde
Porter Wagoner: Julie
Mel Tillis: If I Could Only Start Over
Mack Magaha: Yakety Axe
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Life

2nd show
9:30: Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Bill Carlisle: Take This Country Music & Shove It
Bobby Lord; One Day Down and Forever To Go
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Fire on the Mountain
Hank Snow: Bluebird Island
Bill Carlisle: Doctor R.D.
Bobby Lord: Shadows on the Wall
Hank Snow: Back in Nova Scotia

10:00: Schick
Charlie Louvin: I Catch Myself Still Loving You
Dottie West: Here Come My Baby
Del Wood: Tiger Rag
Dottie West: What's Come Over My Baby
Charlie Louvin: The Only Way Out

10:15: Pure
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Dolly Parton: Ode to Billy Jo
Harold Weakley: Since Never
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home

10:30: Buckley's
Del Reeves (host): A Dime at a Time
Jim and Jesse: The Ballad of Thunder Road
Jimmy Wilson: Detour
Del Reeves: Ruby, Don't Take You Love to Town

10:45: Newport
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Larry NcNeely: Pony Express

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): The New Way of Life
Bob Luman: Memphis
Roy Clark: Kansas City Star
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Dance all Night
Hank Snow: Tangled Mind
Sam McGee: Nine Pound Hammer
Barbara Allen: You Ain't Woman Enough
Hank Snow: Traveling Blues

11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
The Four Guys: Walking in the Sunshine
Stu Phillips: (?)
Marty Robbins: Tonight Carmen
Don Winters: Jealous Heart
Jerry Green: Turn the World Around the Other Way
Stu Phillips: Juanita Jones
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Begging to You/Singing the Blues

While this was the first Grand Ole Opry show that Dolly Parton appeared on with Porter Wagoner, they did not sing together that night.  That would not happen until later in the year, on November 25, 1967.

And let's not forget that it was 28 years ago, Saturday October 6, 1990 that Garth Brooks became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Johnny Russell did the honors and in addition to Garth's induction, a fellow by the name of Alan Jackson made his Opry debut.

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Bill Monroe (host): Monroe's Hornpipe
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Bill Monroe: I Am a Pilgrim

6:45: Rudy's
Grandpa Jones (host): Stop That Ticklin' Me
Charlie Louvin: If You Can Only Dream That Far
Jan Howard: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Grandpa Jones: Old Camp Meeting Time

7:00: Shoney's
Tom T Hall (host): Country Is
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Jack Greene: Statue of a Fool
Alan Jackson: Here in the Real World/Honky Tonk Dream
Tom T Hall: Ravishing Ruby

7:30: Standard Candy
Johnny Russell (host): Got No Reason Now for Going Home
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Garth Brooks: Friends in Low Places/If Tomorrow Never Comes/The Dance

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jim and Jesse: The Rider in the Rain/The Border Ride
Jean Shepard: Someone's Gotta Cry/I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down/San Antonio Rose
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Patti on the Turnpike

8:30: Pops Rite
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Billy Walker: Tennessee Waltz
The Whites: Love is a Rose
Connie Smith: Did We Have to Come this Far to Say Goodbye
Roy Drusky: Too Old to Die Young
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Skeeter Davis: If I Don't Have You
Charlie Louvin: The Weapon of Prayer
Stonewall Jackson: Angry Words
Ray Pillow: One Memory to Another
Jan Howard: You Don't Know Me
Grandpa Jones: The Southern Bound Rolls Away

10:00: Little Debbie
Tom T Hall (host): The Year That Clayton Delaney Died
Alan Jackson: Wanted, One Good Hearted Woman/Home
Tom T Hall: I Love

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): I Couldn't Believe it Was True
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle/Knothole

10:30: Pet Milk
Bill Monroe (host): I'm on My Way Back to the Old Home
Charlie Walker: A Way to Free Myself
Bill Monroe: I Have Found a Way

10:45: B.C. Powder
Jack Greene (host): This Old Boy's Tennessee Born Again
Roy Drusky: It's My Way of Loving You
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Ragtime Annie
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Frankie and Johnny
The Whites: Swing Down, Sweet Chariot
Jim and Jesse: You Are the One
Justin Tubb: Pull the Covers Over Me
Jean Shepard: Love's Gonna Live Here
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Once Again

11:30: Creamette
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Garth Brooks: Friends in Low Places/The Dance
Johnny Russell: The Promise Land
Bill Anderson: Still

Nice to see that this past August, Garth made it back to the Opry. It was his first announced appearance since 2005.

There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend. Next week, the Opry celebrates its 93rd birthday with a big weekend of activities. Hope to see all of you there.








Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Tuesday Night Opry 10/2 & Opry Country Classics 10/4

Now that October is upon us, the Grand Ole Opry is back down to just the Tuesday Night Opry and Opry Country Classics as far as mid-week shows.

Tuesday Night Opry, October 2
7:00: John Conlee; The Sisterhood
7:30: T. Graham Brown; Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:15: Striking Matches; Stephanie Urbina Jones
8:45: Rascal Flatts

Yes, I had to look up Stephanie Urbina Jones, who is making her Opry debut on Tuesday night.

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Stephanie Urbina Jones learned long ago that her career is not entirely under her control. So many seemingly serendipitous moments have turned into dream-fulfilling opportunities, she's convinced that God, fate, karma/or other cosmic forces have been nudging her along. But the San Antonio natives is still amazed whenever an apparently random event sets off a chain of tumbling dominoes like the one that resulted in "Tularosa" the album she released September 28 on Casa Del Rio Records/Soundly Music.

An inspired marriage of country classics and mariachi rhythms named for a place where it was recorded, Tularosa honors Urbina Jones' music icons, a string of legends from Dolly, Patsy, Willie and Merle to Johnny and June, and the Mexican heritage that feeds her sound and soul came together after she decided she wanted to add some spice to a radio-sponsored gig she was about to play in New Mexico.

Included on her new album are such country classics as "Walking After Midnight," "Ring of Fire," "You Ain't Woman Enough," "Rose Garden," "Is Anybody Going to San Antone," and "Cold, Cold Heart." Urbina Jones said, "The moment we started playing, we knew we were onto something. It was hugely collaborative and spontaneous. We made music that translates culture, heart, and soul, joining two worlds that have so much in common to celebrate."

Sounds like an interesting mix of sound and I am looking forward to hearing her on Tuesday night.

As far as Opry Country Classics on Thursday October 4, it looks like this:

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Craig Morgan
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, Jimmy Fortune, Mickey Guyton, Waylon Payne