Before getting to the Grand Ole Opry line-ups for this weekend, a couple of sad notes to pass along to everyone.
Juanita Jackson, the wife of Grand Ole Opry member Stonewall Jackson passed away on Tuesday. Juanita, who was also Stonewall's business manager, had been in declining health for a long period of time.
Bill Anderson's long time companion Vicki Gorney Salas passed away early Wednesday morning after a battle with cancer. Bill and Vicki were a couple for many years and Bill has written and spoken of Vicki often, especially as she has battled cancer.
Condolences to both Stonewall and Bill, along with their families and loved ones.
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On a happier note, Loretta Lynn made a surprise appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on Monday, where it was announced that Loretta will be honored with a special all-star concert April 1st in Nashville, in honor of Loretta's 87th birthday.
Garth Brooks participated in the announcement, and along with Garth, those scheduled to perform at the birthday concert include Trisha Yearwood, George Strait, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Jack White, Alan Jackson, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Brandy Clark, Darius Rucker, Margo Price, and Kacey Musgraves, with more to come.
Loretta, who will not perform at the show, is recovering from a stroke in 2017 and a broken hip in 2018. While looking a little frail, overall she looked good and answered some questions from the press. She was also presented with an early 87th birthday cake, decorated in purple, her favorite color.
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Now for this week's Grand Ole Opry, which is continuing its run at the Ryman Auditorium through the end of January. While the line-ups look solid, sadly there are only four Opry members each night, with the Saturday show having only three segments.
Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for both nights include Jeannie Seely, John Conlee and The Whites. Mike Snider will join that group on Friday night with Bobby Osborne scheduled on Saturday.
Guesting this weekend will be Chonda Pierce and Levon, who are scheduled for both nights. They will be joined on Friday night by Darryl Worley, Sarah Darling, The Grascals, Jackie Lee and The Bellamy Brothers. Saturday night's featured guest will be Sara Evans. Always a treat to have Sara on the Opry. In addition to Chonda and Levon, Ashley McBryde is scheduled, along with T. Graham Brown, and making her Grand Ole Opry debut, Neyla Pekarek.
Friday January 18
7:00: John Conlee (host); Sarah Darling; The Grascals
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Darryl Worley; Levon
Intermission
8:15: The Whites (host); Jackie Lee; Chonda Pierce
8:45: Jeannie Seely (host); The Bellamy Brothers
Saturday January 19
7:00: The Whites (host); T. Graham Brown; Levon
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Neyla Pekarek
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Chonda Pierce; Opry Square Dancers; Ashley McBryde; Sara Evans
As mentioned, Neyla Pekarek will be making her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night. Neyla is from Denver, Colorado and plays the cello and piano, along with being a vocalist. From 2010 to 2018 she was a member of the folk rock band The Lumineers.
Neyla began playing the cello at the age of nine. Growing up, she enjoyed listening to Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding. Her parents introduced her to American folk music, exposing her to artists such as Bob Dylan, Carole King, and Emmylou Harris. After attending the University of Northern Colorado, where she majored in vocal performance and musical theater, and graduating with a degree in music education, she responded to a Craigslist ad posted by Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, looking for a cellist to join their band, The Lumineers. She was picked and was a part of the group for eight years, leaving in October 2018. While with the group, she not only played the cello, put she was also a vocalist and did some songwriting.
As the only female in the group, she struggled with the inequity in the music business, saying that women "have to talk twice as loud and perform twice as hard, and you have to wear heels. I see myself working really hard to make everything equal between all of us. The boys are learning a lot about it and they've been really supportive, but there've been some growing pains." She also said that if she were ever to join another band, she would definitely not be the only girl in it.
Neyla has been working on a solo project called Rattlesnake since leaving The Lumineers, which will be released in the next week. Her Grand Ole Opry debut will be in support of her new album.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of January 16 & 17, 2009:
Friday January 16
8:00: John Conlee (host); Connie Smith; The SteelDrivers
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Billy Dean
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Stu Phillips; The Whites; Jamie O'Neal
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jimmy C Newman; Exile
Saturday January 17
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jimmy C Newman; Ashton Shepherd
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Point Of Grace
8:00: Mel Tillis (host); Mel McDaniel; John Conlee; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); George Hamilton IV; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Connie Smith
Now from 25 years ago, Saturday January 22, 1994, which was also the night that Hal Ketchum became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:
1st show
6:30: GHS String
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Skeeter Davis: Lovesick Blues
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Little Pink
Jean Shepard and Ferlin Husky: A Dear John Letter
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Grandpa Jones: It's Raining Here this Morning
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor, Howdy
Bill Carlisle: Leave that Liar Alone
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Alison Krauss: I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome
Brother Oswald: Eunita
Porter Wagoner: Sugarfoot Rag
7:30: Standard Candy
Marty Stuart (host): Burn Me Down
Hal Ketchum and Ferlin Husky: Wings of a Dove
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Vince Gill: When I Call Your Name
Hal Ketchum: Small Town Saturday Night
Marty Stuart: Kiss Me; I'm Gone
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Family Reunion
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Wanna Go Home
The Whites: Move it On Over
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Bill Anderson: Still
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Address Unknown
Connie Smith: Did We Have to Come This Far to Say Goodbye
Jimmy C Newman: Allons 'A Lafayette
Mike Snider: Lonesome Road Blues/Fur Coat (Putting on the Dog)
Hank Snow: A Message From the Tradewinds
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Hal Ketchum: We Might Just Fall in Love/Small Town Saturday Night
Jean Shepard: Farewell Party
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything
The Whites: Swing Down Chariot
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): What'll I Do With the Baby O
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home
10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater
Vince Gill: Trying to Get Over You/A Pocket Full of Gold
Jimmy Dickens and Vince Gill: May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
10:30: Opry Tours
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
John Conlee: Common Man
Alison Krauss: Dark Skies
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar
10:45: Opry Book
Marty Stuart (host): That's Country
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dances: Rachel
Marty Stuart: Kiss Me; I'm Gone
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Geisha Girl
Mark Collie and Marty Stuart: When the Son Goes Down, I Go Crazy
Jeannie Seely: Go Down Swinging
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Mike Snider: Little Maggie/Dueling Banjos
Hank Snow: The Third Man
11:30: General Jackson
The Four Guys (host): If It's from the Country, It's Coming from the Heart
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Johnny Russell: Got No Reason Now for Going Home
The Four Guys: I Know, I Know
Finally, how about the line-up from 50 years ago, Saturday January 18, 1969:
7:30: Standard Candy
Glaser Brothers (host): Where Has All the Love Gone
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Stu Phillips: Juanita Jones
Jean Shepard: I Thought of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/A Dear John Letter
Glaser Brothers: Stand Beside Me
Lonzo and Oscar: Love Took My Heart and Smashed That Sucker Flat
Archie Campbell and Lorene Mann: Warm and Tender Love
Stu Phillips: Bring Love Back to Our World
8:00: Martha White
Jim Ed Brown (host): Happy Tracks
Skeeter Davis: The Closest Thing to Love
Jim and Jesse: When the Snow is on the Roses
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Jim Ed Brown: The Longest Beer of the Night
Cousin Jody: Cousin Jody
Skeeter Davis: Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
Jim and Jesse: Diesel on My Tail
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Charlie Walker: Honky-Tonk Season
Norma Jean: One Man Band
Leroy Van Dyke: Oklahoma Hills
Roy Acuff: Pan American
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Norma Jean: Heaven, Help the Working Girl
Leroy Van Dyke: Walk on By/Auctioneer
9:00: Luzianne
Bill Monroe (host): Virginia Darling
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
Margie Bowes: All the World is Lonely Now
Justin Tubb: I'm Going Back to Louisiana
Bill Monroe: On and On
Del Wood: Bill Bailey
Billy Grammer: The Real Thing
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
9:30: Kellogg's
Billy Walker (host): I Taught Her Everything She Knows
Willis Brothers: Bob
Dottie West: Reno
Ernie Ashworth: Reno
Billy Walker: From the Bottle to the Bottom
Stringbean: Little Pink
Willis Brothers: Moonlight Drive In a Diesel
Dottie West: Today I Started Loving You Again
10:00: Fender
Glaser Brothers (host): Gone on the Other Hand
Stu Phillips: Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Lonzo and Oscar: Uncle Pen
Justin Tubb: As Long As Their's a Sunday
Jim Glaser: Please Take Me Back
10:15: Pure
Jim Ed Brown (host): Love of the Common People
Skeeter Davis: The Closest Thing to Love
Archie Campbell and Lorene Mann: The Dark Side of the Street
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top
10:30: Buckley's
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Dottie West and Jim Ed Brown: Love is No Excuse
Del Wood: Tiger Rag
Jim and Jesse: It's A Long, Long Way (to the Top of the World)
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:45: Kent
Bill Monroe (host): Sittin' On Top of the World
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Victor Jordan: Bluegrass Breakdown
11:00: Coca Cola
Billy Grammer (host): Columbus Stockade Blues
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Leroy Van Dyke: A Simple Thing as Love
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Alabama Gal
Billy Grammer: I'm Letting You Go
Willis Brothers: A Cowboy Has to Sing
Leroy Van Dyke: Auctioneer
Sam and Kirk McGee: Nine Pound Hammer
11:30: Lava
Billy Walker (host): Charlie's Shoes/Heartaches by the Numbers/Slowly
Margie Bowes: Get Your Lie the Way You Want It
Charlie Walker: Honky Tonk Season
Ernie Ashworth: A New Heart
Margie Bowes: Once A Day
Charlie Walker: Precious Memories
Ernie Ashworth: Mind Your Own Business
And for those who are interested, Roni Stoneman will be the host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree.
Watch out for the snow this weekend and for those who are stuck inside, it gives you a perfectly good excuse to listen to the Opry this weekend. Enjoy!
I was sorry to learn of the passing of Stonewall Jackson's wife, Juanita & Bill Anderson's, Miss Vickie. My deepest condolences to both of these gentlemen, their families & friends.
ReplyDeleteWatched the posted video on the upcoming birthday party for Loretta Lynn, which I think is going to be just so wonderful. The line-up so far looks terrific & I hope that there are more veteran artists such as Connie Smith, Dolly Parton, & possibly now Bill Anderson that are a part of this celebration of her life. These veteran artists toured in package shows together back in the 60's. So many others have since passed away, it sure would be nice if even these three were able to attend. I hope that this celebration becomes a tv special.
I went to see Chris Janson in concert last Friday night; so I unfortunately missed the Opry induction of Mark Wills. I have since viewed the induction on the Grand Ole Opry FB page & Craig Morgan did a fine job of Mark's induction.
Chris has been described as a live wire on stage & I can say he certainly lived up to that description & a whole lot more. I know that the Grand Ole Opry folks will be happy to know that when they made Chris Janson an Opry member, they made him one of the happiest guys in the whole world & in my opinion, their choice in inviting him to be a member was a great one, because this guy bleeds all things Grand Ole Opry (his wife, children & country music as well.) He kept referring back to the Opry several times, he kept thanking we "ladies & gentlemen" for coming out to see him & his band, he showed such appreciation to his fans. At one point, the lights went down but we could see someone walking on stage carrying something. As the lights slowly came up, there, standing under a spotlight stood his WSM Grand Ole Opry mic stand, the crowd was cheering both the mic stand & Chris as he told the story how his very good friend, Keith Urban, shocked the living daylights out of him the night he was invited to become the newest member & he told us how he was the youngest living Opry member to be inducted since Hank Williams & he told us how humbled he was when Garth Brooks inducted him. He gave all sorts of Opry love throughout the evening & he is just so thrilled to be an Opry member.
No one should ever underestimate the country music loving fan or how much traditional country music is really loved. From my vantage point at this venue, the crowd was crazy about him especially throughout the entire traditional country music segment he & his band performed. The crowd sang along with every song Chris & his band played & when he ended that segment with the entire "A Country Boy Can Survive" song the crowd sang along with him so loudly that they overpowered him & he was so happy. They played alot of different music - country, country-rock, traditional county & a bit of reggae thrown in when he ended his set with Buy Me A Boat. One thing we were all amazed at is how he can work that stage all the while playing his harmonica.
The guy is high on life & Mountain Dew, of which he had a can sitting in a holder on the first mic stand he had before the WSM Grand Ole Opry mic stand was brought out. I got a picture of it, so many people walked to the stage to look at it after the show; it was so awesome. I almost felt like I was sitting in a seat at the Ryman or Opry House as I just got done listening to an hour & 15 min. with one of its members, who, by the way, conducted himself as an Opry member should, with dignity, class & pride. And I can say that he's the real deal folks; he entertained us from the moment he walked on stage to the moment he walked off of it & I highly recommend anyone who likes this guy to buy a ticket to one of his shows as he travels around this country. He was that terrific.
(Jeanene)
Jeanene, there's an old line used in a movie title, "The kids are all right." Some of them really are, and Janson clearly is one of them.
DeleteSo sorry about Juanita Jackson and Vickie Salas. Bill posted about it on his Facebook page and website, and he is really, really hurting (as I'm sure Stonewall is, but he isn't using social media).
Jeanene, thanks for sharing that wonderful review. As I stated before, many of the country artists do not make it up my way, and when they do, it is usually part of a big package show at one of the arenas or outdoor amphitheaters. So I would say it was a treat for you to see Chris.
DeleteJeanene: Thanks for the review of your fantastic Chris Janson concert. Bob
DeleteCondolences to Stonewall and Bill as well as family and friends.
ReplyDeleteJeanene, thanks for the kind words about Chris, he isn't at the top of the radio airplay lists, but he is the banner carrier of the new generation of Opry members. I had a chance to hear him perform at a private party once and his enthusiasm is real (and contagious)!
Who do you guys see going into the Hall of Fame this year?.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for the nice words. From the first time I ever heard Chris Janson on the Opry stage 5/6 years ago, I became a fan of his & while I rarely miss an Opry show to begin with, I make sure I am listening in when he is in the line-up. After seeing him last Friday, I'm an even bigger fan. It's great that he is now hosting segments & in my opinion, he does a really good job. I especially liked his segment last Saturday with LoCash - last Friday Chris sang "I Love This Life" by LoCash as Chris is one of the songwriter's on it. I liked that they did the song together on the Opry. Those are the really cool moments or Opry moments as they are called.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I live in a really good area for concerts, even driving to Wisc. is shorter time than if I wanted to drive to take in a White Sox game.
Enjoy the Opry shows everyone. Mmmm ... the Bellamy Brothers, I really like them a whole lot.
(Jeanene)
Agree Jeanene. The Bellamy Brothers have gotten better with age.
DeleteJeanene,
ReplyDeleteThat was a good review on Chris and his show. I leaned some things and I like what I heard. I'm slow to accept some of the new mainstream artist but it helps when you have more insight like this.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Thank you for the nice words Jim. In the last dozen years, the music itself has taken a nose-dive. It all sounds the same, same subject matter - drinking & trucks, next to nothing in instrumentation, except loud music where voices are flooded out & words of songs I cannot relate to.
DeleteMy only outlet for hearing new country singers is now the Opry. At one time GAC was a great cable channel that I felt took the place of TNN, CMT is still there, they mainly air country music video's & movies not much else, so where do we go to learn about these artists? This is where Nashville Now & Crook & Chase were the go-to programs for this purpose while honoring the older & veteran artists by having them on as well - both Ralph Emery & Crook & Chase always had well-rounded shows. That concept went away, so now I rely on the Opry & they do a very good job of introducing new singers & bands. Do I like all who come to the Opry stage? No, can't say that I do but while I may not care for their type of music I look at it that they are deserving of a chance to sing for an audience because maybe I won't care for that particular artist, someone may. And if I don't care for a performer I will get up & move away from their performance while they are on stage, that's all. There are people who may not like Chris Janson as much as I do & that's okay, as I always say .. to each their own.
Time to get out & shovel the balcony of the approximate 7" of the white stuff that fell during the night. Don't need for it to collapse due to the weight of the snow.
Enjoy the Opry tonight - "T" is on - he should be an Opry member in my opinion & I really do like Ashley McBryde - she has a terrific voice.
(Jeanene)
Jeanene, have you seen RFD-TV on Fridays and Saturdays? Larry's Country Diner, Country Family Reunion, Opry Encore, etc? We only get to see it in summer months (vacation home) but we sure do love it. Plus the Prime Country and Roadhouse on XM Radio ! The classic country music we all love is still there.
ReplyDeleteI was about to mention RFD as well and specifically Larry's Country Diner. Also, going back to Jeanene's original post I was not aware of the fact that Chris Janson is the youngest member to be inducted since Hank Williams. I know many considered his invitation way overdue by the time it came, but that should speak volumes to how the Opry feels about him.
ReplyDeleteI never want to contradict Jeanene because she has such great comments and I always appreciate hearing from her. But, Jeanene, is it possible that Chris was mistaken in his comment about being the youngest member to be inducted into the Opry since Hank Williams?
ReplyDeleteA quick check shows Chris is 32? Correct? I do know that Justin Tubb was 20 when he was inducted and Alison Krauss was 22. Not sure what he meant when he said "youngest living member?"
Maybe I am just reading it wrong or not understanding it right.
@Anonymous: Yes, RFD-TV & I go way back! I totally enjoy all the country music programming especially Country Family Reunion.
DeleteWhile I LOVE traditional country music & there are some current artists who are traditional artists, I still like to hear new artists & what they have to offer. That is where there is no outlet for them on tv that I am aware of.
Byron: I was just going to ask you this very question. While I am pretty sure this is what Chris said I could very well have misunderstood him, let's just say that I totally misunderstood him as it is possible because. I would never want to quote anyone & repeat something that is not what they said & therefore I am incorrect. You know best, as you have all that information close at hand. It was loud in the place, so it is very possible I misunderstood. And yes, Chris is 32.
And Byron? What was the date of Hank Williams official Opry induction? Thank you.
(Jeanene)
Good Morning Jeanene from snow covered Canton, Ohio. To answer your Hank Williams question, his Opry debut was June 11, 1949. In my collection, I have the program from that night.
DeleteGood morning Byron, as in how much snow covered your little area of the world? Thank you for Hank Williams information. Such a long, long time ago & lucky you, how cool to have a program from that night. :-)
DeleteLooking forward to seeing Marty Stuart on the CBS News this morning, got a bit of a glimpse of his country music "closet" - what a great looking warehouse; how neat & orderly. It is very evident how he has so lovingly taken care of each & every piece of memorabilia he has collected over the years. So impressive, looking forward to his museum opening as I am sure it will be outstanding.
Have a great Sunday.
(Jeanene)