tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post3516430994607916191..comments2024-03-26T23:59:24.053-04:00Comments on Fayfare's Opry Blog: Grand Ole Opry 6/30 & 7/1fayfarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00173166778978335059noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-81255545586033796042017-07-03T17:59:03.723-04:002017-07-03T17:59:03.723-04:00If they keep having "guests" like Jackie...If they keep having "guests" like Jackie Lee, it gets harder and harder to bother listening, let alone pay $100 for a good seat (we always bought the gold seats until we stopped going to the Opry). And it still bothers me that they have SO MANY "guests" and they get 2 songs and the standard bearers usually only get to do one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-70018162281551582002017-07-03T11:09:41.574-04:002017-07-03T11:09:41.574-04:00I would like to echo Byron the Anonymous (ah, tech...I would like to echo Byron the Anonymous (ah, technology!) on several fronts, and add something.<br /><br />If you look at the websites of the Opry members who are younger and big stars, or even a bit older and big enough stars (Hellooooooo, Vince Gill and Marty Stuart and Lorrie Morgan), there are plenty of Saturday nights where they are off. Now, I don't begrudge them having a family life or, in Vince's case, having to go to a hockey game (Vince is a sports addict, and bless him for it). But all of them could give up the occasional night--and not just on Saturday, given that there are Opry shows on many other nights, and once upon a time, it was the Saturday night show or shows that counted toward the number of appearances.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-7885053471127949602017-07-02T16:36:41.332-04:002017-07-02T16:36:41.332-04:00(from Byron, who for some reason can't current...(from Byron, who for some reason can't currently reply on his own blog).<br /><br />Memories fade over time and in the case of Minnie Pearl, a lot of folks remember her being on the Opry more times than she actually was. During the majority of the 80s, she averaged just under 30 shows per year. Most of those were on the Friday Night Opry, when she would walk over to the Opry House after appearing on Ralph Emery's show. often times with Roy Acuff. This was during the time when the Opry was running over 200 weekend shows per year, with Roy making most of them. Minnie did do a number of the matinee shows when the park was open, but as she got older, and was very busy doing other things in Nashville, her Opry appearances did drop. <br /><br />It is true that Red Foley was signed by the advertising agency that represented R.J. Reynolds to specifically host and star on the Prince Albert portion of the Opry, replacing Roy Acuff who left the Opry for a short amount of time in a salary dispute. Rod Brasfield was also signed by the same agency to be the comedian on the Prince Albert portion, replacing Whitey Ford, the Duke of Paducah, who also was involved in a salary dispute. Whitey, however, did not leave the Opry, but moved to a different segment. Unlike Red, Rod, along with Minnie Pearl, the Jordanairres, and Hank Williams, among the regulars who appeared on the Prince Albert show, did appear on other Opry segments. <br /><br />As to the commonly held belief that every artist who appears on the Opry is paid union scale, that is not true and hasn't been for a number of years, going back to Roy Acuff. When Roy rejoined the Opry, he was paid more than scale, as have others over the years. It does not make up for what they would be paid on the road, but it was at least something. <br /><br />Roy Acuff for years hosted the 7:30 segment of the Opry that was hosted by Standard Candy. After Lester Flatt (who hosted the Martha White portion at 8:00), passed away, Martha White signed Roy to host that portion of the Opry, which he did until he passed away. I forget exactly what year that happened, but I do remember a big write up in the Nashville paper as Standard Candy wasn't really happy. However, it all worked out as TNN started televising the 7:30 portion of the show and wanted to go with rotating hosts, instead of the same one each week. Roy did host quite a bit early on, with the spots reducing as Roy got older and his health declined. Roy would usually be on when it was a big deal, such as the reunion show, birthday bash and when a new member would join. Other than that, Roy would host at 8:00. <br /><br />Stars and Opry members appearing on the Opry has been an issue since the Opry started. Heck, in the 50's, the Opry was like a revolving door with Webb Pierce, Lefty Frizzell, Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash and so many others coming and going, due to the money and touring. And don't forget the purge of 64 when a dozen were dismissed. What started as being a requirement to be at the Opry every Saturday night, went down to 26, then 12, then to nothing under Hal Durham, with members joining with no commitment as to how many times they would appear. At least Pete Fisher tried to get 10 out of everyone and did have some success, Carrie Underwood being a great example. <br /><br />People are paying just under $100 a ticket for a prime seat to go to the Opry. They deserve to see the stars. Nobody forced anyone to become an Opry member. For the Opry to be successful, it needs the members to lead by example and be there. Some are making better efforts such as Brad Paisley and even Blake Shelton has made a few appearances this year. But I just don't agree that once or twice a year is acceptable. The Opry is special every week and it needs the members to support the show. (sorry for the soapbox). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-73908183592585033262017-07-02T14:38:45.943-04:002017-07-02T14:38:45.943-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-31242612950186416082017-07-02T14:36:49.737-04:002017-07-02T14:36:49.737-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-83764879141152115292017-07-02T03:13:31.626-04:002017-07-02T03:13:31.626-04:00Byron correct if I'm wrong here.
Cousin Minni...Byron correct if I'm wrong here. <br />Cousin Minnie was on constantly, and I MEAN CONSTANTLY during the late 80s for sure! <br />I remember at no more than 4 or 5 because that's when she had her stroke, having seen her on TNN all the time and that was of course without wsm. <br />Also she was not the only performer who usually had a spasific show during the Prince Albert days. <br />Red as I recall, was contracted to, and only ever hosted that one segment. <br />As Hank grew larger and larger, that was the portion he normally appeared on correct? <br />You knew Mr. Acuff would more than likely host whatever portion was on TNN in the golden days of that network. <br />As to those people not appearing. <br />Look at the way the business is today. <br />The demands on their time are insane! <br />Milsap now is in his 70s, and has slowed down the touring. <br />Brad is one of the biggest artists in the world in any format. I have no doubt at all he'd do all he could if they really REALLY needed him. <br />Blake is on one of the highest rated tv shows in the country. <br />The fact is, just as in the 50s and 60s when people left, they don't make much money for being on the Opry. Like almost nothing! <br />It's totally completely out of love. <br />The big artists actually lose money when they give up a show to do the opry because you really don't make anything. <br />So I have 0 doubt they love the place. <br />As time goes on, we'll see them more. <br />Look at the Flatts. <br />As I've said here before, many of our older friends and neighbors may not realize just how HUGE those guys were for about a decade! <br />They were EVERYWHERE! <br />They were on all formats, they were the super group of my generation! <br />They were not just popular! They were on another level! <br />Now, they appear quite often and always sell tickets! ALWAYS! <br />Plus, there is a very real magic about someone like Brad or Ronnie who doesn't appear often when they do. <br />If they did, would it be a big deal? Would the Opry be able to count on a sell out as they do every single time they come on at this point? E. Z. Cleghornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239319776394568841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-67340867895469073382017-06-30T13:45:00.340-04:002017-06-30T13:45:00.340-04:00A curious thought always runs through my mind when...A curious thought always runs through my mind when I see former Opry members on past schedules. Many of these people made semi-regular or infrequent appearances long after they either left or were fired from the Opry cast yet they never retained the title "Opry Member." Many of today's Opry members appear far less than former Opry members if at all (Keith Urban, Dolly, Reba, Garth, Trisha, Blake, Milsap, Paisley, Clint Black) but still retain the title "Opry Member." Looking back at old programs, its interesting to frequently see people's names on the schedule like the Duke of Paducah, Kitty Wells, Faron Young, Ray Price etc. Seems pretty hypocritical they supported the show as better as guests than most of today's members. And as much as I loved Minnie Pearl from what I can tell she rarely appeared much outside of the Prince Albert portion and then very infrequently (to the point she was allowed a leave of absence in 64) after the Prince Albert portion went off the air. I was always so disappointed every time we went to the Opry and she was never on in the late 80s. I did manage to catch her once on a matinee which I think is where she made appearances later on along with some Friday nights when she was on the same night with Ralph Emery. (oldtimeopry)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-7757352831963399512017-06-29T21:48:50.795-04:002017-06-29T21:48:50.795-04:00As you might expect, June was with Johnny that nig...As you might expect, June was with Johnny that night in 1988. I'm sure Byron has this but I'll go ahead and list it. Johnny did "Folsom Prison Blues", "I Still Miss Someone", "Five Feet High And Risen"(at Roy's request) then June helped him do "Jackson". They remained on stage to help Roy close with "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". Quite a special segment.<br /><br />Actor Michael Douglas was also visiting that night.<br /><br />The next night Webb did "Walking The Dog" and "Slowly" on the TV portion and "Wondering" on the second show.<br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsville, INAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com