Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Grand Ole Opry 12/28 & 12/29

Well, we all made it. It's the final two Grand Ole Opry shows for 2018 and even though it is the weekend between Christmas and New Years, and a weekend when most of the artists have shut it down for the year, the Opry has two nice line-ups to close it out for the year.

Grand Ole Opry members appearing both nights include Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Connie Smith, and Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin. They will be joined on Friday night by Bobby Osborne, while on Saturday night Old Crow Medicine Show is scheduled to appear.

Jason Crabb is guesting on both shows this weekend, joined on Friday night by Waylon Payne, Shenandoah, Holly Williams, Charlie McCoy, Mike Farris and Charles Esten. Saturday night, Jason will be joined by Joshua Hedley, Mandy Barnett, Collin Raye, and making her Grand Ole Opry debut, Mary Mack.

Friday December 28
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Waylon Payne; Shenandoah
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Holly Williams; Jason Crabb
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Charlie McCoy; Mike Farris
8:45: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Charles Esten

Saturday December 29
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Joshua Hedley; Mike Snider
7:30: Connie Smith (host); Mandy Barnett; Collin Raye
Intermission
8:15: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Jason Crabb; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Old Crow Medicine Show (host); Mary Mack

As mentioned, this will be the Grand Ole Opry debut for Mary Mack. Mary, who was born in Duluth, Minnesota, is known as a comedian, musician and writer. She formally taught elementary and middle school band and music in Wisconsin and Nashville, and spent time playing in a polka band. She currently performs as a comedian and folk humorist, with performances on public radio.

Mary voiced the character Dylan Beekler in the first season of Fox's animated television series "Golan the Insatiable." Her other television appearances include Last Comic Standing, Conan, and Last Call with Carson Daly.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from the final week in December ten years ago, the weekend of December 26 & 27, 2008:

Friday December 26
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
8:30: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Sunny Sweeney
9:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Chris Young
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Joey+Rory

Saturday December 27
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Jimmy C Newman; Jamey Johnson
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stu Phillips; Jett Williams; Julianne Hough
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jean Shepard; Chuck Wicks; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Cherryholmes; Keith Urban

2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Keith Urban
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jack Greene; Jamey Johnson
10:30: Jean Shepard (host); Ray Pillow; Julianne Hough; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Cherryholmes; Chuck Wicks

From 25 years ago, Saturday December 25, 1993:

1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host)
6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host): Bill Carlisle
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Charlie Walker; Wilma Lee Cooper; Brother Oswald; Marty Stuart
7:30: The Four Guys (host);  Jeanne Pruett; Charlie Louvin; Connie Smith; Osborne Brothers
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Jeannie Seely; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jean Shepard; Stonewall Jackson; Grandpa Jones

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Osborne Brothers; Jean Shepard
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); Charlie Louvin
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jim and Jesse
10:45: Billy Walker (host); Jeannie Seely; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Connie Smith; Stonewall Jackson; Charlie Walker; The Four Guys
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Cumberland Boys; Jeanne Pruett; Johnny Russell

(Cancellations that night included Skeeter Davis; Ray Pillow and Roy Drusky)
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Looking back , it was Saturday December 29, 1973 that Tex Ritter made his final appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.

Few names have sparked the imagination or permeated the entertainment industry as has that of Tex Ritter. His career spanned every major entertainment medium.

Born Woodward Maurice Ritter in Murvaul, Panola County, Texas, Tex learned the rawhide arts of ranching, riding, and roping from practical experience. Influenced by his father's knowledge of the cowboy and old time community singings, Tex Ritter was destined to sing the story of the American cowboy. In fact, Tex Ritter became the embodiment of the American West and the singing cowboy. Few personalities in the history of the American stage have attained the heights that Tex enjoyed.

Early in his career, Tex moved to New York City. Signing a recording contract first with Columbia, then Decca, Tex brought the West to the East, and took the New York entertainment scene by storm. Immediately Tex starred in his own radio shows which included: "The Lone Star Rangers," "Tex Ritter's Campfire," and "Cowboy Tom's Roundup." After starring in the Broadway production, "Green Grow The Lilacs," which was to became later the hit production "Oklahoma," Tex moved to Hollywood. During his twelve years as a leading screen hero, he stared in seventy-eight films.

In 1941 when Capital Records was created, Tex was one of the first to sign. He appeared on numerous television shows and one of his most thrilling experiences came when he sang the title song and background music to the Academy Award winning movie "High Noon."

Admittedly, Tex had come to the downside of his colorful career when he moved to Nashville in 1965 to accept an offer from WSM radio to join the cast of the Grand Ole Opry and to host an all-night talk show. The invitation to come to Nashville had come on the impetus of his latest hit, "I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven." Thus, on June 12, 1965, Tex was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. As an Opry member. Over time, he would become its elder statesman and a hardworking citizen of both Nashville and the state of Tennessee.

And now, here is the running order from 45 years ago, the night that Opry member Tex Ritter made his final appearance:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
Justin Tubb: Texas Dance Hall Girl
Mary Lou Turner: Poor Sweet Baby
Bill Anderson: The World of Make Believe

6:45: Rudy's
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Little Darling Pal of Mine
Bill Monroe: The First Whippoorwill

7:00: Rudy's
Roy Acuff (host): Cottonfields/Night Train to Memphis
Tex Ritter: Green Grow the Lilacs
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Brother Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Tex Ritter: Americans
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line

7:30: Standard Candy
Ernest Tubb (host): A Million Miles from Here
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife; She's My Woman
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Ernest Tubb: Another Story; Another Time; Another Place
Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: American Trilogy
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Wayne Hammond: Release Me

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Salty Dog Blues
Ernie Ashworth: My Love for You
Curly Seckler: Moonlight on My Cabin
Charlie Nixon: I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Lester Flatt and Marty Stuart: The Bluebirds Sing for Me
Kenny Ingram: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Marty Stuart: Roanoke

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jim and Jesse: Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
The Four Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Jim and Jesse: A Bird With Broken Wings Can't Fly
Hank Snow: I've Cried A Mile
The Four Guys: Catfish John
Kayton Roberts: The Bells of St. Mary's
Hank Snow: Geisha Girl

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): If You Can Live With It
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Jim and Jesse: Ashes of Love
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Thank God I am Free
Bill Anderson: My Life/Happy State of Mind/Gentle on My Mind
Mary Lou Turner: Slippin' Away
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Bill Anderson: A World of Make Believe

10:00: Fender
Tex Ritter (host): There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder
Del Wood: Power in the Blood
Tex Ritter: Jealous Heart

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bill Monroe: Tallahassee
Bill Monroe and Jimmy Martin: Uncle Pen/Jerusalem Ridge

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Country Boy
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Marty Stuart: Rawhide
Lester Flatt: Before I Met You

10:45: Beech-Nut
Ernest Tubb (host): Texas Troubadour
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Ernest Tubb: Dear Judge
Herman Crook: Unclouded Day

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): The Wreck of the Old 97/One More Ride
Charlie Louvin: Love Has to Die (All By Itself)
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: Baby, What's Wrong with Us
Sam McGee: San Antonio Rose
Hank Snow: Once More; You're Mine Again

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Couldn't Believe it was True
The Four Guys: Let There Be Peace
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Ronnie Robbins: If We Make it Through December/Too Much Love Between Us
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/Love Me/Letters Have No Arms/El Paso

Tex Ritter died on January 2, 1974 at the age of 68. He passed away from a heart attack as he was at the Nashville jail bailing out one of his band members. While his time at the Opry, and in the Nashville community was short, he made an impact and became one of the Opry's most beloved members.

Enjoy the Opry this weekend as we usher out 2018.


18 comments:

  1. Joshua Hedley is the real deal. If you enjoy traditional Country Music, check him out on YouTube. With each song, in your mind you’ll think, I can hear Marty Robbins singing that, or Merle Haggard or Ray Price; and he’s not imitating other artists at all. He simply performs in his own style in such a way it takes you back to the golden age of country music. I truly hope he becomes a commercial success. If he does he could very well become the Randy Travis of this generation.

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    1. David: Your absolutely right about Joshua Hedley. I've heard him sing "Ramblin Fever Deep Down In My Bones" and "Mr. Jukebox" On the Grand Ole Opry. He was great. I hope he keeps getting invited back. Bob

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    2. How many bands these days have 3 Fiddles? Bob

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  2. https://www.facebook.com/joshuahedleymusic/photos/a.1071575886261266/1977882398963939/?type=3&theater Bob

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  3. Doug Kershaw has been added as the last act on Saturday night.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  4. Saw that. I would have to look but I bet it has been 15 years since this former Opry member has been on.

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  5. Byron,

    He was there Saturday September 7, 2002 on Bill Anderson's segment. Sure seems to me like he had been there in the past five or six years but time really gets away from me anymore. He always goes over big though.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  6. Sorry but being from middle Tennessee is not credentials for playing the Opry or being a Country singer. Life trails and tribulations are unfortunate but they really don't qualify you either. Just my humble grey haired opinion.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  7. For those who may not have seen the news, Steve Hall, the creator and the voice behind Shotgun Red has passed away at the age of 64 due to natural causes. I think we all remember Shotgun from his appearances with Ralph Emery.

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  8. Byron: I have not thanked you for remembering Tex Ritter. I can remember listening to WSM late in the evening waiting for dad to come home from work and hearing them announce his death. I would have been eight at the time!

    Let's remember that his career may have been waning by the time he came to Nashville but he had influence on the music community serving as CMA president in 1963 and helping with the introduction of the Hall of Fame. If you listen to the start of the Midnite Jamboree each week, you hear Tex introducing Ernest Tubb. That recording is from an LP produced by the HOF in 1972 where Tex narrated a biography of all the members to that point, the most recent being Uncle Art Satherley. The LP included songs by those who were recording artist.

    Just one of those neat things that came out of a radio station marked "FOR BROACAST ONLY-NOT FOR SALE"

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  9. Jim, the story is told about Tex that he was at the Ryman being interviewed by a reporter who followed him along and said, you have been on Broadway, legitimate theater, movies, TV, all that, what makes country music different? As they talked, Tex went into the Ryman's men's room and started to do some business as they stood there. Just then a fan ran into the room, ran up to Tex, and asked for his autograph. Tex turned, having stopped what he was doing but not having closed up everything, signed the program, thanked the fan, turned back to the urinal, restarted, looked again at the reporter, and said, "Sir, country music singers are accessible." Just for that, I would have put him in the hall of fame.

    About Steve Hall: one night, Shotgun did the Opry TV portion. I watched the routine and thought Bob Whittaker should have walked out and made him a member right there. I thought the Opry really missed the boat. I have so many warm memories of watching Nashville Now with my mother, who introduced me to country music, and Shotgun being such a great part of that (including the night he thought he was Howard Cosell). What a talented man Steve Hall was.

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  10. I was what I call, a tnn baby! It was my favorite channel. I remember clearly every Saturday evening at my Grandma's house, we'd watch Opry Backstage, and then the live portion. In later years it was followed by The Statler Brother's Show, and then by the Gaithers. Shotgun was so cool to me as a child! Grandma bought me a doll when she visited Nashville! I wish he'd made regular appearances on the Opry. WSM really is almost exactly what tnn was back then now, and it's just awesome!

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  11. Byron: Did you happen to check and see when Doug Kershaw was last on the Opry? It makes sense but he must be about 84 now!

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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    1. Jim: On January 24th Doug Kershaw will be 83. Bob

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  12. I was traveling and taking some vacation days so really haven't had time to look. As you mentioned, he was on September 7, 2002. During the first show that night he did "On the Bayou" and "Louisiana Man." On the second show he did "Diggy Liggy Lo" and "Louisiana Man." First show segment was hosted by Bill Anderson and the second show segment was hosted by Mike Snider. Quickly looking, if he was on since then, it was prior to 2016. I can continue digging.

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  13. Byron,

    You don't need to spend a lot of time on my account. I just seemed to remember him being there more recent than that night in 2002. I did look at 2012 to 2015 in my files and did not see anything so that kind of kills my thought of the past 5-6 years.

    What I was reminded of while looking at those files is the wild range of people that have been on the Opry in that time. Need I say, many I feel should have never been there. Many I had never heard of and haven't since. What does that tell you.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  14. I have mixed emotions about all of the "one and done" folks.
    Some of them are young/aspiring traditional country music folks and I'm thrilled when they get their day in the sun, even if it's just one day.
    Others, in my not so humble opinion, should never have been on the 'Orpy.

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