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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Awesome reading and information as always Byron.
ReplyDeleteI follow Home Free on Facebook, they Posted a notice saying they will not be playing the Opry City Stage, as they are closing that Venue. I have not heard this from the Opry's social media, or on the Opry's website... anyone here have any Confirmation?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat.
I did some more digging, and found this from the Tennessean:
Deletehttps://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/09/28/opry-closes-opry-city-stage-restaurant-times-square/1457419002/
Apparently it is true. Thanks, Pat.
Yes, the Opry City Stage has closed as Ryman Hospitality decides what direction to take with the venue. They are thinking of changing the concept. One thought might be a Blake Shelton Ole Red location, as the several that have opened so far have been very successful.
ReplyDeleteNew York, and the Times Square area, is a tough market with high rent and the upfront costs that were put into Opry City Stage were huge. Certainly a setback for the company but they will retool and move forward.
In case anyone missed it, the Opry has now opened up their premium parking area and are charging $10 to park in the lot. The location is off behind the area of the Acuff House. Also, the new Opry Shop and ticket building have opened.
And for those of us who have been called regarding 2019 birthday weekend tickets, which will be back to the first weekend in October, the prime upfront, center section tickets are now $110.00, over a $10 increase from this year. The money keeps rolling in.
I presume the Opry Shop is MUCH larger, so that money can keep rolling in !! Was it renovation or an actual move - and the ticket building, where is it now? Interesting about the parking and fees - that has been a big issue since the Mall arrived! So how many can the lot accommodate?
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that the new shop is much improved and larger in size. The old one was very, very small and congested on Opry show nights. I will see both next week when I am in Nashville and my understanding when I saw it under construction earlier in the year, is that it has been moved to the other side of the Opry House where the old ticket office was. As I said, I will see it first hand next week. As to the parking lot, the same.
DeleteByron: Your comment "the money keeps rolling in" raises a question in my mind.
ReplyDeleteWhat was expected as to profit or making money for the Opry in earlier days? Originally, it was a radio broadcast show that entertained and brought sponsors to a radio station. Later, it was an advertising tool for Nation Life and Accident Insurance. Through that time, was it expected to make money through ticket sales?
It might be known here that I am a railfan or train enthusiast and into the history in the same way as I am with this music and the Opry. Case in point, it was a rare case when railroads really made a profit on passenger trains through ridership ticket sales. In the days before the interstate system and a public with a car in every family, the public largely traveled by train. Business men did their work travel that way and through the passenger train, the railroad sales department had a captive audience for a few hours. Thus, on passenger trains and in timetables, they advertised their shipping opportunities for potential customers.
The making of Amtrak came after the government began dropping mail contracts with the railroad, one of the few money making endeavors of a passenger train. The railroad could then prove to the ICC that low ridership and no mail contract made local trains non essential to public well being and they were allowed to come off. By the late 60's only longer distance trains were left and were a terrible financial burden so in stepped the government to keep some semblance of a national rail passenger network in existence. Amtrak will never be a huge money making proposition, something the government doesn't understand.
My point and question is the difference of the Opry's mission today is not to support or promote another business, it is THE business. It is the star of Ryman Hospitalities at least in name recognition and branding.
They high ticket cost is part of why attending the Opry is not high on my list today. What I feel I would get for my money is not a good enough value at this point. But I think I can understand from a business standpoint, why they are where they are. If the performance was more to my liking, I'd gladly pay the price. But, as discussed often here, I am in that age group that is beyond prime interest of the Opry's marketing folks and do not expect that to change.
I'm sure the Opry folks will tremble in their boots if they read the following but here it goes. Most likely If they want to sell me another ticket in my lifetime, they need to plan a great 60th anniversary show for Bill Anderson in 2021. He is the last BIG star of that generation and one of the last that will likely reach that 60 year mark. Otherwise, I will continue to put my money in the smaller venues and directly to the artist I enjoy as they come close to my home. At least while it lasts, which we are down to the short rows these days!
All said, understand, I'm not criticizing the Opry for the cost or program decisions they are making. I have come to grips with the fact that things have to change but I don't have to, I just have to learn to deal with them or walk away. And, I won't walk away because there is still too much at the Opry that is dear to me and a part of who I am.
Maybe I should fun for office, got the gab for it! Okay, maybe not.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I can remember, and I think it was Bud Wendell who at one time said that they weren't concerned about the Opry making money, it was to promote the insurance company. That changed after Gaylord purchased the Opry, when it did become all about making money.
ReplyDelete