Another week and another Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry and this week it will be a little different. Since these non-audience shows have begun, the shows have been limited to two or three artists. However, this week the number is expanded to four. However, there is a little catch.
While Trace Adkins and Dustin Lynch will be live from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House. Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will be on "remote" from Blake's ranch in Oklahoma.
This will be interesting to say the least. So will Blake and Gwen actually be "live" or will their segments be pre-recorded? How will the technology work? Will Trace and Dustin do half the show and then Blake and Gwen the other half? I guess we will all fine out.
For Gwen Stefani, this will be her Opry debut and I have to think in order to get Blake, Gwen was part of the package. In looking through various country music sites, there seems to be a lot of backlash toward Gwen. Honestly, I can't say that I am a fan of hers, but I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and see what songs she will be singing.
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And now, from 25 years ago, the first Saturday in May 1995:
Saturday May 6, 1995:
1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Skeeter Davis
7:00: Jack Greene (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; George Hamilton IV; Mike Snider
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Michael Martin Murphy; Don Gibson; Jimmy C Newman
8:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Roy Drusky; Jeanne Pruett; Billy Walker; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); John Conlee; Charlie Walker; The Four Guys; Del Reeves
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald; Stonewall Jackson; Jimmy C Newman
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); The Whites
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Ray Pillow
10:45: Jack Greene (host); Charlie Louvin; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeanne Pruett; Billy Walker; Del Reeves
11:30: John Conlee (host); Charlie Walker; Stu Phillips; The Four Guys
From 50 years ago, Saturday May 9, 1970:
1st show
6:30: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Bill Carlisle
6:45: Hank Locklin (host); George Morgan; Del Wood
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Stringbean; Jim and Jesse; Justin Tubb; Brother Oswald
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); Willis Brothers; Stu Phillips; Crook Brothers; James William Monroe
8:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Loretta Lynn; Grandpa Jones; Ray Pillow; Ramona Jones
8:30: Bobby Bare (host); Bob Luman; Peggy Sue
2nd show
9:30: Jack Greene (host); Willis Brothers; George Morgan; Jeannie Seely
10:00: Jim and Jesse (host); Bill Carlisle; Del Wood
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Stringbean
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Stu Phillips; Justin Tubb
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Loretta Lynn; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Locklin (host); Grandpa Jones; Peggy Sue; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Bobby Bare (host); Bob Luman; Ray Pillow; Waylon Jennings and Johnny Darrell
Looking back, it was on Saturday May 8, 1976 that George Hamilton IV rejoined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry.
George had originally joined the Opry cast on February 2, 1960. In 1971, George gave up his Opry membership as he moved back to his native North Carolina in order to spend more time with his family. By early 1976, he was back in Nashville and rejoined the Opry cast. In fact, when George rejoined, he released a new album "Back Home At The Opry." While not a commercial success, it marked George's return to the show. Once George returned to the Opry, he would remain an Opry member until his death in 2014.
Here is the running order from Saturday May 8, 1976, the night George Hamilton IV returned:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jimmy Dickens (host): May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
Jim and Jesse: Paradise
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn
6:45: Rudy's
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Justin Tubb: Cold Brown Bottle
Wilma Lee and Carol Lee Cooper: Coming Down from God
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
7:00: Shoney's
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
Billy Grammer: That's Life
Lonzo and Oscar: I'm Moving On #2
Jimmy Gately: The Angel of the Bar Room
Bill Anderson and Mary Lou Turner: That's What Made Me Love You
Bill Anderson: Mama Sang A Song
7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Don Gibson: I Can't Stop Loving You
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain/Abilene
Brother Oswald: Nobody's Business
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Chicken Reel
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Life/The Carroll County Accident/The Last One to Touch Me/Green, Green Grass of Home/Indian Creek
8:00: Martha White
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Grandpa Jones: Little Pink
Jeannie Seely: Who Needs You
Osborne Brothers: Smokey Mountain Smoke
Hank Locklin: These Arms You Push Away
Stu Phillips: Only You Can Hush the Wind
Grandpa Jones: Dark as a Dungeon
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): Hello Love
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Wilburn Brothers: It's Another World
Jimmy C Newman: Shrimp Boats
The Four Guys: Turn Around, Look at Me
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Hank Snow: My Mother
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jack Greene (host): I Need Somebody Bad Tonight
Willis Brothers: Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Jeanne Seely: Mama Never Told Me About Cowboys
Lonzo and Oscar: Divorce #2
Webb Pierce and Carol Channing: Back Street Affair
Webb Pierce, Carol Channing, Jimmy C Newman and Hank Locklin: You Are My Sunshine
Del Wood: Alabama Jubilee
Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely: Somebody Touched Me
10:00: Fender
Bill Anderson (host): Thanks/But You Know I Love You/Wild Weekend
Jim and Jesse: Freight Train
Jimmy Dickens: Mountain Dew
Bill Anderson and Mary Lou Turner: Sometimes
10:15: Union 76
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Billy Grammer: That's Life
Wilma Lee and Carol Lee Cooper: Give Me the Roses While I Live
Porter Wagoner: Way Down Deep in Love
10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): Baptism of Jesse Taylor
Don Gibson: Doin' My Time
The Four Guys: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigrae
10:45: Beechnut
Osborne Brothers (host): Rocky Top
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Gray Eagle
Osborne Brothers: Smokey Mountain Smoke
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): The Wreck of the Old 97/One More Ride
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind
Jimmy C Newman: Shrimp Boats
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
George Hamilton IV: Country Music is in My Soul
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow: She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye
11:30: Elm Hill
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets/Count Me Out
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Brother Oswald: The End of the World
Wilburn Brothers: Metals for Mothers
I was lucky enough to have met George a couple of times at the Opry and I can tell you that he was about the nicest person you would ever meet. He would spend time actually talking to you and engaging in folk and country music. It was sad how he was treated toward the end of his life at the Opry, reduced on some nights to the role of backstage greeter while younger and less talented artists performed on the Opry stage. But I never heard George say a negative word about it. He always considered it an honor to be an Opry member and the Opry was always better off with George on the show.
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An interesting name from that night was Carol Channing, While most associate her with Broadway musicals, by the mid-to-late 1970s, she had found her way to Nashville and recorded with a number of country artists on Plantation Records. Other artists signed to that label included Jimmy C Newman, Hank Locklin and Webb Pierce, who Carol appeared that night with on the Opry.
In 1977, Carol and Webb recorded an album together titled, "C&W", for Carol and Webb. One single was released, "Got You on My Mind," however it failed to chart. Her next collaboration was an entire album of duets for the label. Released in 1978, Carol Channing and Her Country Friends featured the singer sharing vocals with Locklin and Newman, with an additional appearance from Plantation’s Rita Remington on two cuts, including Shel Silverstein’s “One’s on the Way,” popularized by Loretta Lynn. Locklin and Channing are credited as co-writers of the opening track, “Don’t Mention My Name,” and duet on cuts including “We’re Gonna Go Fishin’,” Locklin’s 1962 hit that followed his chart-topping “Please Help Me, I’m Falling” two years earlier. To promote the album, Carol and Hank made several television appearances, including one on Marty Robbins' show.
To finish it up, Sunday is Mother's Day. I know when Hank Snow was alive and if he did the Opry on the Saturday night before Mother's Day, he always did "My Mother" as the final song on the 2nd show. It was always a pretty emotional song for him.
If you mom is still with us, please take the time to give her a call. I know she would appreciate it.
Thanks for reading and commenting. and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night.
I’m not against Gwen doing the Opry. Several “guests” from other genres have over the years. But when she puts her feet in that historic circle, she’ll make her debut. I’ve flown over Ohio, but my feet have not been on the ground— so I’ve not really been to Ohio. In my opinion this is not an Opry appearance.
ReplyDeleteDavid B,
DeleteCould not agree more in terms of Gwen's first real 'Opry appearance needing to be on the circle.
I'm not quite as enthusiastic about it as you are, though :)
What a wonderful roundup, as always. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAs for Gwen Stefani, well, the information about Carol Channing serves as a reminder that the Opry always has had room for something very different. As I've said before, during the reign of terror, every segment had to be different or people would think the Opry actually was, you know, country. That reign ended and things have been much better since. I don't mind the occasional Gwen Stefani or Carol Channing; I mind when that is the norm and, as Don Reid said one night when the Statlers were on, Porter Wagoner and Hank Snow don't sing on the Opry's network special for its anniversary.
About George Hamilton IV, I hadn't know he and Bill Anderson were so close, but Whisper wrote very movingly about their friendship when IV died. I'm also reminded that the old radio station where he started in Commerce, Georgia, has changed its name to Whisper 95.1, and he was thrilled about that.
For a short time in the early 80's I was doing tours for the Opry tour company. The general route of the most popular tour started in downtown at the Ryman, took a loop out to the capitol building and around Music Row past the Hall of Fame, popped out to Centennial Park for a look at the Parthenon and then for a grand finale headed down to Brentwood and Franklin Road to see the homes of the stars (Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, "Millionaire's Row", Minnie Pearl, Webb Pierce, George Jones and Tammy Wynette).
ReplyDeleteOne of the other stops on the tour was a Shelby Singleton's recording studio on Belmont Blvd. There was never anything going on there and all people had to look at was an empty room but I guess if you'd never seen a recording studio before it was a big deal. Anyway, the guide at the studio would always pitch a few of the records that had been recorded there and almost always picked up the Webb Pierce/ Carol Channing album and said, "Did you ever hear anything that made you hurt? Don't buy this one unless you want to hurt". Carol Channing was a great performer and I've always enjoyed her work on the stage and screen but I've heard a few cuts from that album and I've got to say the guy wasn't wrong about making you hurt! It was a strange sales pitch but I remember more than a few people walking away with copies. To this day, whenever I see Carol Channing I hear that old boy saying, "you ever anything that made you hurt?"
Barry, thanks for the memories. I know that we mention at lot about the non-Opry members who perform on the Opry and are not really country, and while it may seem like a recent event, it actually has taken place through much of its history. James Brown, Pointer Sisters, Carol Channing, Perry Como, Jim Nabors as just a few from decades ago. I know there are dozens and dozens of others.
DeleteI also thought of the story about Dinah Shore, who of course was a southerner. She came to the Ryman to do the Opry and had a pianist. He asked who he should give the sheet music to. Bud Wendell said, "I guess to me. I'm the only one here who reads music." The guy threw a fit and Dinah told him to go across to Tootsie's and stay there until she came and got him, and did her part with the staff band.
DeleteLet's see what happens Saturday night before we pass judgement on Gwen Stefani ----- it's a one time thing probably any way ----- let's just be glad there is some semblance of an Opry ------ this is going to be the norm for quite a while -------- I predict no more traditional Opry shows until the Fall at least ----- there is no vaccine, no discernable immunity from folks that have beaten the virus and an inevitable 2nd wave of Covid due to the impatience of elected officials, especially the President to get the economy moving again ----- Dashmann, Flushing, Michigan
ReplyDeleteI'll restrain myself beyond saying, Dashmann, you are absolutely right on the issue mentioned.
DeleteAs for Gwen, one thing worth bearing in mind is, first, she is attached to an Opry member who's actually doing something for the show for once, so, good. Second, even if she wanted to rock out, it would be a little hard right now!
Folks like Gwen don't bother me if they understand the 'Opry and attempt to sing country music their way.
ReplyDeletePaul Shaffer, David Letterman's band leader, imitated Floyd Cramer for one of the best presentations I have ever heard.
Others just come in and sing their music their way, and that doesn't impress me much.
Just one old guy's opinion. :)
Today is a special day as on May 9, 1914 the legendary Singing Ranger, Hank Snow was born. Hank, along with Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Ernest Tubb, is certainly one of the names most associated with the growth of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank joined the cast in January 1950 and stayed a member until his death in December 1999.
ReplyDeleteHank's signature song, "I'm Moving On" holds the Billboard magazine record for the most weeks at #1, 21 weeks total. That record will probably never be broken. For those who have read Hank's biography will remember that Hank was probably going to get fired from the Opry if not for the success of that song.
So let's all take a moment and remember the great Hank Snow on what would have been his 106th birthday.
Amen to that!
DeleteOne word: Geez!!
ReplyDeleteObviously Blake singing was pre-recorded. Blake live with Trace, kind of rough (just my opinion).
As this show concludes tonight, it just doesn't feel like the past several weeks. I think Blake and Gwen being in Oklahoma had something to do with it (and they were both fine, especially Blake on the Steve Wariner song, "I Will Make it Up to You This Time").
ReplyDeleteThe interaction between Blake and Trace was ok, but it just seemed "off-key" if you know what I mean. At times it felt that Dustin was an innocent bystander.
Again, it just didn't feel like an Opry show tonight.
The music was lifeless tonight ---- it's been 8 weeks without a fiddle, steel or bass ------- at least we had some weak percussion tonight ----the stage is big enough to bring in more instruments and still do social distancing ----- Dashmann, Flushing
ReplyDeleteI couldn't even get through 20 minutes of last night's fiasco. Toooooo much talking. Not enough music. I switched over to RFD TV and watched Marty Stuart and Country Legends. Why have they (RFD TV) taken Grand Ole Opry Live off?
ReplyDeleteThey took Hee Haw off too. My guess is Opry and Hee Haw will be exclusive to Circle Network.
DeleteA.B.
Probably, and those of us without Circle are not happy.
DeleteBut they did add the Wilburns. And it turns out they're going to show both Red Skelton and Carol Burnett. At least they're adding great entertainment.
Yes, noticed the change last week on RFD-TV. They are now showing Daniel O'Donnell in the timeslot that Opry Encore previously had and his shows on the ones from a few years ago that ran on PBS.
DeleteNice to see the Wilburn Brothers on the scheduled and Porter Wagoner is still being shown on Sunday morning.
And I would have to assume as A.B. noted that Circle has the exclusive now with the Opry and any other Ryman Hospitality shows from the past.
Sorry for being so late, but I felt the Opry ended up better than I expected Saturday (which may speak to my expectations going in). Gwen was a complete non-factor and her only song was one that is at least being pushed to Country radio (not that its country). I also had a more positive attitude than others here with the overall interaction. First, I completely agree that it is not the same when the artists are not there, but I still felt the back and forth between Blake and Trace went ok. Not great, but not terrible. Sadly, with this virus likely to stick around for a while, seeing some of the performers sing remotely may become a new normal for the Opry.
ReplyDeleteDon't take me wrong ---- I appreciate , after being an Opry listener for 60 + years that all these artists are giving their time and energy to preserving the Opry tradition, and the older performers my age are going to be reluctant to venture out and perform just as I am fearful of just going to the gas station. Thanks to all those who show up on Saturday night ------we all miss a real Opry ----- Flushing Michigan , Dashmann
ReplyDeleteDitto Dashmann.
DeleteI appreciate the entertainers willing to come in also.
I find it interesting that the really big stars who don't often appear during good times seem very willing during these tough times to come and entertain.