tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post6932894037409658415..comments2024-03-28T13:34:02.271-04:00Comments on Fayfare's Opry Blog: Opry 90th Birthday Weekend Recapfayfarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00173166778978335059noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-40739655254819671112015-10-24T09:24:53.466-04:002015-10-24T09:24:53.466-04:00Thanks for the recap. I was there for the Friday a...Thanks for the recap. I was there for the Friday and Saturday night shows, plus the Oak Ridge Boys concert on Saturday afternoon. We were disappointed that the Opry Plaza shows were pretty much rained out, but we saw a lot of good music anyway! My only wish is that the Opry would go back to 2½ hours. With the higher ticket prices and shorter show times, it will be hard to justify the long trip and hotel costs. All in all, it was a great weekend. WJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10027813728790840781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-69010087725562206482015-10-06T10:33:19.974-04:002015-10-06T10:33:19.974-04:00Thanks for your reporting. I was wondering if Moe...Thanks for your reporting. I was wondering if Moe Pitney has done the Opry many times. To me, he would be a good artist to be groomed for Opry membership. In my opinion, he would be a far greater choice than Chris Jansen.Bruce Ligonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08529043319979050549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-4300758772125651302015-10-05T23:46:51.191-04:002015-10-05T23:46:51.191-04:00What a thoroughly enjoyable read this was.
THANKS ...What a thoroughly enjoyable read this was.<br />THANKS Byron for all you do.<br />Writing takes time when done well, and yours is excellent.<br /> ps. sorry for the removal above. Didn't want to post anonymously.Nat Hill IVnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-43332628821838070572015-10-05T23:44:58.244-04:002015-10-05T23:44:58.244-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06111248376319647136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-85579507530468249952015-10-05T17:49:11.021-04:002015-10-05T17:49:11.021-04:00For those keeping track of Opry dates, I went into...For those keeping track of Opry dates, I went into my files and here is what I have: <br /><br />The Crook Brothers, featuring Herman Crook, made their first WSM Barn Dance appearance on July 24, 1926. Herman's final Opry show was on June 4, 1988. That comes out to 61 years and 10 months. <br /><br />At the time they joined, the Crook Brothers included Herman and his brother Matthew. In 1926 and 1927, they made occasional appearances and beginning in 1928 they were on more frequently. What is also interesting is that in 1928, they were regulars on the WSM Barn Dance and on the WLAC Barn Dance program. That was because there were so many string bands on WSM that they were scheduled only every other week, which allowed them to be on WLAC on the weeks they were not scheduled on WSM. <br /><br />Lewis Crook, no relation to Herman and Matthew, joined the Crook Brothers in the fall of 1929, which by then included not only Herman, Matthew and Lewis, but also Bill Etter on piano and Clarence Minton on guitar. Right around 1930, Matthew quit the band to become a police officer in Nashville. From that time forward, various individuals would become part of the Crook Brothers. After Herman died in 1988, Lewis continued at the Opry part-time, until his death on April 12, 1997, although I believe that he last appeared on the Opry in 1996. <br /><br />Again, while looking through my records, the Crook Brothers were considered Opry members, however when Herman Crook passed away, the Crook Brothers name no longer appeared as a part of the Opry and the name of the square dance band became simply known as the Opry Square Dance Band, with Earl White and Charlie Collins as the predominate members. <br /><br />I guess you can say that Lewis Crook appeared on the Opry for 66 years, however he was not an actual Opry member. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-4062756114647288312015-10-05T11:51:38.853-04:002015-10-05T11:51:38.853-04:00Mike, yes the Crook Brothers would be number one, ...Mike, yes the Crook Brothers would be number one, specifically Herman Crook. There could be some debate regarding Lewis Crook as he did not come to the Opry at the same time as Lewis Crook and the Crook Brothers name was officially retired when Herman died in 1988. Also, I don't think Lewis was ever considered an individual member. <br /><br />Jeanene: I may have left the wrong impression on my Facebook page regarding the George Jones/Johnny Cash Museums. I really did like the Cash Museum and thought it was well done. I did go to the Cash Museum on this visit but did not do the tour, which I had done previously. The shop has added some space in the entrance area and a small café. As far as the George Jones Museum, it was larger in size and laid out very well. $18 with AAA to get in, which I think is the same as the Cash place. I just thought on a personal basis that the Jones Museum was a little easier to get around in. <br /><br />Also, the Country Music Hall of Fame has added a Sam Phillips exhibit which is very interesting and the Dylan, Cash and Nashville Cats exhibit is also very well done. Definitely worth the trip. <br /><br />Yes, I would agree that the birthday weekend is certainly not like it used to be and never will be (well, maybe the 100th). But considering what the Opry is today, I thought they did a nice job. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07610237116677181633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-30027160450863183592015-10-05T10:28:06.762-04:002015-10-05T10:28:06.762-04:00Byron, thanks for the great report. It sounds like...Byron, thanks for the great report. It sounds like it was a wonderful birthday weekend. We can compare it with previous weekends, and of course we do, but let's face facts: the Mount Rushmore group from the Opry (Mr. Acuff, Mr. Monroe, Minnie Pearl, et al) are gone, and we can't bring them back. We have to pay tribute to the good that we have, and this weekend did.<br /><br />Larry Gatlin is the first person I can recall going into the audience like that since Porter Wagoner, and he really was the Opry's "face" after Mr. Acuff. I'm glad the Gatlin boys are being good to the Opry, and I hope it's being good to them.<br /><br />On the numbers, the "Crook Brothers" were the only ones who were members longer than Jean Shepard. So we can say she's #2 as a member, but #3 in tenure behind both Herman Crook and Lewis Crook. Allowing for the year Mr. Acuff was away, Bashful Brother Oswald was part of the Opry for more than 60 years, but not as a member.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-43120324500301148122015-10-05T09:25:10.654-04:002015-10-05T09:25:10.654-04:00Great recap!
It would not surprise me at all if M...Great recap!<br /><br />It would not surprise me at all if Miranda Lambert was asked to be a member on Tuesday. Didn't the Opry have her Cause for Paws in the plaza over the weekend?<br /><br />Also, Chip Esten is wonderful at improv so it doesn't surprise me that he was an excellent host.<br /><br />A.B.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-49165480488264420252015-10-04T23:26:43.528-04:002015-10-04T23:26:43.528-04:00Thanks for the great report Byron. Glad you had a...Thanks for the great report Byron. Glad you had a good time but I bet you are wore out. That is a lot of shows to attend in four days!<br /><br />Larry Gatlin has really grown on me in the last couple of years since his return to the Opry and his radio show on WSM. I'm sure part of my interest is because he has a connection and respect for a earlier generation but also appreciates the new artists and thus is a bridge between the two. His audience invasion reminds me of Porter Wagoner and I think it makes for a lot of fun for those he picks on in the crowd and for the entire house. In this crazy PC world we live in I'm surprised that he and Mike Snider get by with some of their comments! I like them though!<br /><br />I did not make it to the ROPE show but had friends who did. They said that Jean Shepard WAS there along with Gus from Springer Mountain Farms Chicken. Jeannie Seely and Tin Atwood did the performance and they said it was a very good show. Sounds like it might be the same set that they will be doing on the Midnite Jamboree in a few weeks.<br /><br />Thanks again for the report and for working so hard to keep us informed.<br /><br />Jim<br />Knightsville, INAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344993590139159352.post-58504397568454522412015-10-04T22:42:35.816-04:002015-10-04T22:42:35.816-04:00Very nice recap, Byron. So happy that the line-up...Very nice recap, Byron. So happy that the line-ups this year for everyone who attended the 90th birthday celebration were what they were & that you & your co-audience members enjoyed the music & that you had a wonderful time in Nashville, Byron. Being in attendance last year, the line-ups were not that great. I won't even pretend to know what all goes into zeroing in one's touring schedule around a certain weekend, or anything about touring schedules themselves, so I can't & won't criticize who was not there. <br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed listening in to both nights - unfortunately, I was unable to listen to Thursday's Opry Country Classics show - I would have loved to have heard Chuck Mead, I'm a huge fan of his with his Grassy Knoll Boys (boy do I love that name - SO old school - love it!) & when he was with BR-549. And I would have loved to hear Fiddlin' Carson Peters - HE is the real deal, (as well as EmiSunshine), both so impressive for their very young ages. <br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed every artist/group - from The Gatlin Brothers to the Mighty Oaks to Lorrie Morgan to Little Big Town to Old Crow & everyone in-between. I like Carrie Underwood, just not a fan of most of her music. But she supports the Opry during "Fan Fair" & this year's birthday celebration, so for me, she ranks right up there with Trace Adkins. And yes, I did hear her sing 9 to 5 - she did a really good job on it as well. AND I LOVED hearing "Till the Rivers All Run Dry" sung by Trace Adkins - he did Don Williams proud, in my opinion. When Trace does a "quiet song", his very distinctive deep voice is just beautiful. And I really do believe that he just loves being an Opry member, especially with his comment that he would be there for the 100th birthday celebration. <br /><br />Thank you for providing all the pictures you did on Facebook. I really appreciate your efforts. Lorrie Morgan & Carrie Underwood had to have had a little chat on what they were going to wear - both dazzled in sparkling silver - those two women sure can dress to the nines & both sure can sing. I am happy that the Opry makes sure you get a very nice seat in the house - good for the Opry & good for you, Byron. <br /><br />Was interested in reading about the Johnny Cash, George Jones & Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum(s) - so you weren't too impressed with the Johnny Cash museum but loved the George Jones Museum? Anything new at the CMHoF, except they are getting ready for their Medallion Ceremony in a few weeks. So sad to learn about Bonnie Brown. One night last week, now I forget what day, RFD-TV, has a news show that broadcasts at 6:30 Central time. RFD-TV interviewed Bonnie after she revealed she is undergoing treatment. Unfortunately, I could see the signs of weight loss on her. My thoughts & prayers go out to her & her sister, Maxine. What a terribly sad year for their family. <br /><br />Just a side note to all of this Opry discussion. I watched the Marty Stuart show earlier this evening & Marty's guest was the late, great Jimmy C Newman - as soon as his band started the very familiar Cajun music, I realized just how wonderful that music truly is & how much I really MISS Jimmy C & his Cajun music on the Opry every week or every other week. And it does not appear to me that the Opry is going to "go there" any time too soon. That to me is really very sad. Such peppy, infectious music, with the wonderful sound of the squeeze box & fiddle. Just wonderful but now gone from the Opry. :-(<br /><br />Thanks again for a wonderful recap & pictures, Byron. So glad you had a wonderful time, even with the lousy weather, I remember it being cool & rainy last year as well. <br /><br />(Jeanene)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com