tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post5702070757811732682..comments2024-03-28T13:34:02.271-04:00Comments on Fayfare's Opry Blog: June 18th Opry Showsfayfarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00173166778978335059noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-16841684964463089262015-12-08T23:05:55.303-05:002015-12-08T23:05:55.303-05:00I was there the night of April 9, 1983 (it was my ...I was there the night of April 9, 1983 (it was my first full Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry by myself at the age of 18) and Paul Howard was indeed there. In fact, I interacted with him that night following his appearance on the first show. His guitarist was Perry Massengale and they both were standing just inside the door of the green room when Paul started talking to me. I did not know him at all but I did ask him what the name of the song was that he had performed on the Opry that night. It was "The Boogie's Fine Tonight", a song that I sang at dances for the last couple of years, having learned the song from an old 78 I acquired sometime after that meeting with Paul Howard. He was the most friendly man I had met, as were most of the people that night, but the unusual thing was that he asked me if I sang. I told him I sang in church, and he wanted me to sing for him right there! I was scared out of my wits but I did sing a little bit for him, and he accompanied me right there in the hall. The place where it happened backstage and I took my wife there last year and stood in that same spot. It is one of the few places that Fisher and Gaylord have not changed. <br /><br />I am not sure if this was his final appearance on the Opry, as I don't remember if he was there anymore after that night. I know I never saw him again. I spent the better part of three years backstage during the period from 1984-1986 (when I wasn't working in the park or the hotel on weekend nights). I am hoping to get my books back out of storage before long so that I can post that lineup for that Friday and Saturday night (I used to keep a written log in notebooks of who was on the Opry from 1977-2003). Maybe Byron can post that night here sometime as well.<br />opryman65https://www.blogger.com/profile/11497196410914345946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-5886102397725892112012-06-28T08:25:03.886-04:002012-06-28T08:25:03.886-04:00Do you guys recall Paul Howard appearing on the ho...Do you guys recall Paul Howard appearing on the homecoming show April, 9, 1983? At the time I doubt I knew who he was and I'm not sure I recorded anything on him that night.<br /><br />Jim<br />KnightsvilleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-50959107436291271262012-06-19T20:03:01.874-04:002012-06-19T20:03:01.874-04:00In the 1952 Opry book that I have, Paul Howard is ...In the 1952 Opry book that I have, Paul Howard is not listed, so it would appear that he was at least gone at that point. <br /><br />And Robert, as always, thanks for filling in the blanks. (I did not forget, I am still working on it).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-2041169527193102042012-06-19T17:43:14.619-04:002012-06-19T17:43:14.619-04:00Good info, Robert -- many thanks.
-- Fred in Bism...Good info, Robert -- many thanks.<br /><br />-- Fred in BismarckAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-66589439662227641612012-06-19T17:02:01.996-04:002012-06-19T17:02:01.996-04:00Thanks as always for the historical programs, Byro...Thanks as always for the historical programs, Byron. The "fiddle tune" at the close of many of the segments in the 1955 program were not performed by the string bands. The string bands during this era were performing only during the spots in which they were listed. Like most of the Opry stars during these years, they each had regular spots in which they performed most weeks. The closing "fiddle tune" was used more as a theme, much like Roy Acuff used in his later years, and the announcer would wrap the show up over the music. Usually the fiddler on these would be whatever fiddler was in the band of the host of the portion, and in the rare case that the band had no regular fiddler, someone like Tommy Jackson would play (in 1955 just about every Opry star in the "hosting" rotation had a fiddler). Some weeks the program would list the fiddler, but others (such as the week reprinted here) it was just generically printed. Recordings of complete Opry portions from this era are VERY rare, but on the ones that survive it is a fiddler such as Dale Potter or Tommy Vaden playing the closing tune.<br />Also, I thought Paul Howard's appearance was intersting. He had been an Opry member through much of the 1940s, but hadn't he left the Opry by 1955? I'm thinking he left the Opry around 1948.Robert Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00543497683747890180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-67571955005295007852012-06-19T14:16:21.993-04:002012-06-19T14:16:21.993-04:00I saw a great irony in Coke, which isn't exact...I saw a great irony in Coke, which isn't exactly regional. Coke started sponsoring the Opry in 1956. In 2004, its sponsorship ended. I know that Coke had long sponsored the 11:00 portion, and then was moved to 9:30, and I wondered whether that and Buchanan's and Fisher's "branding" efforts had anything to do with it. Anyway, the 11:00 segment long was associated with Hank Snow, who mentioned in his autobiography that RCA let him go just as he was about to become the first artist to be with the same record label for half a century, and what a stupid move it was because of the promotional possibilities associated with that. So, the longtime sponsor of his segment leaves the Opry for whatever reason--I emailed Peter Cooper and the Tennessean business editor to try to find out and never got the courtesy of an answer, since they seem to be too busy keeping their noses up certain parts of the Gaylord company to look around--just as its 50th anniversary nears.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-5217080684900742052012-06-19T13:22:09.522-04:002012-06-19T13:22:09.522-04:00Interesting that the are promoting the Opry Backst...Interesting that the are promoting the Opry Backstage Grill as one of the segment sponsors. All through the Opry's history, they have done this, from sponsoring Opryland, the Opry Fan Club, Ryman Auditorium, Opry Cruise, etc. <br /><br />But that is what happens when you no longer want to deal with regional sponsors. Personally, I would be interested to know why a company such as Coke gave up their sponsorship, since they continue to see Coke at the Opry House and Coke still does a lot of cross-promotions with the Opry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-20362771515337134002012-06-19T11:17:09.131-04:002012-06-19T11:17:09.131-04:00I remember reading that American Ace had a commerc...I remember reading that American Ace had a commercial slogan, "Elmer, don't forget the American Ace Coffee!" and that when the segment came on, usually Minnie Pearl yelled it.<br /><br />I notice that Bass Pro Shops is no longer with the Opry, which is down to three sponsors. I know that Fisher has talked about "branding" and "partnerships" and all that other stuff, but I really think he's too lazy to look for sponsors.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-55959320962429051022012-06-19T09:00:35.012-04:002012-06-19T09:00:35.012-04:00Actually, I did not know the Martha Carson connect...Actually, I did not know the Martha Carson connection. Thanks so much. <br /><br />As far as the sponsors, American Ace was a coffee company. They were a part of the Opry since the 1940s, at least, and had a syndicated Opry radio show that they sponsored. <br /><br />Dr Le Gear was an actually veterinarian, who owned one of the largest veterinary supply companies in the region and was also an early Opry sponsor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-28324538395929837332012-06-18T22:51:00.762-04:002012-06-18T22:51:00.762-04:00Forgot to add this, but you're probably aware ...Forgot to add this, but you're probably aware that Jean Chapel/Mattie Holmes was a sister to Martha Carson, a one-time Opry member. I don't have my references in front of me right now, but I believe their birth name was Amburgey. Don Chapel, their brother, was once married to Tammy Wynette. Salty Holmes, if I'm remembering correctly, was several years before 1955 a member of the Prairie Ramblers, from WLS and the National Barn Dance out of Chicago.TmTommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10394021144658464609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-21898707345013838332012-06-18T22:44:21.622-04:002012-06-18T22:44:21.622-04:00Wonderful! Wish we could listen to a tape of that...Wonderful! Wish we could listen to a tape of that 1955 show! What a lineup. What about some of the sponsors? Who or what was "Delited" and "Dr. Le Gear" and "American Ace"? I was at the Opry in 1988, but in August not in June. That was an anual trip for me, on the first or second weekend in August from 1977 until 1999. Thanks!TmTommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10394021144658464609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-77775749945488911642012-06-18T20:40:30.038-04:002012-06-18T20:40:30.038-04:00Byron, am I right that Tommy Jackson was performin...Byron, am I right that Tommy Jackson was performing at the Opry then? Also, since the bands were billed but these were identified as "fiddle tunes," is it possible they were band members of the host artist or someone else on the segment?<br /><br />Also, I poked around the internet and the Holmeses had a daughter, Lana Chapel, who, like her mother, became a songwriter.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-3352895392635629502012-06-18T20:32:18.546-04:002012-06-18T20:32:18.546-04:00I would assume that the fiddle tunes were done by ...I would assume that the fiddle tunes were done by some of the stringbands, as they were still being featured on the show. I would also assume that they used the fiddle tunes to close out segments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-57429774049333733262012-06-18T17:51:01.240-04:002012-06-18T17:51:01.240-04:00Fred in Bismarck:
Interesting, to be sure, partic...Fred in Bismarck:<br /><br />Interesting, to be sure, particularly all the string-band and oldtime numbers in the '55 show. Ah, to be able to go down to Avis or Hertz and rent a time machine!<br /><br />The "fiddle tunes" unidentified by artist: Would these have been done by a staff band? I was already listening to the Opry in those days, but memory does not serve.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-45651216770791133222012-06-18T10:48:54.137-04:002012-06-18T10:48:54.137-04:00I checked most of the Grand Ole Opry books that I ...I checked most of the Grand Ole Opry books that I have and nothing is listed for them, including in my 1952 book, which would have been a little before their time. All I could find was some on-line information that said they played the Opry until they were divorced in 1956. Salty's real name was Floyd Holmes and his wife was Jean Chapel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-22844423558082016982012-06-18T10:15:37.927-04:002012-06-18T10:15:37.927-04:00It seems strange to find Roy Acuff missing from th...It seems strange to find Roy Acuff missing from the 1955 lineup. If I recall correctly, he was on leave touring with Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright. <br /><br />On the 1988 show, anyone know if Vic Willis had the two ladies with him at this point?<br /><br />These lineups are always interesting. Thanks Byron.<br /><br />Jim <br />KnightsvilleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-55643532851823464112012-06-17T20:40:29.101-04:002012-06-17T20:40:29.101-04:00Great stuff! But it struck me that in the 1955 li...Great stuff! But it struck me that in the 1955 lineup, the cast included some people who never really could be described as having a hit record--not just the comics but Lew Childre, Paul Howard, Grandpa Jones and, at the time, Ray Price. So even some of the big names weren't THAT big. But look at the lists. If I'm correct, about 30 members in 1955, and 22 in 1988. The times have changed, and not for the better.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-14008491404258661752012-06-17T20:31:37.123-04:002012-06-17T20:31:37.123-04:00What became of Salty & Matty Holmes? Where th...What became of Salty & Matty Holmes? Where they Opry Members?David Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12236512891823165117noreply@blogger.com