Mid-Week Opry Shows

The Tuesday Night Opry has Opry members Rhonda Vincent, The Whites and Riders In The Sky scheduled to appear, along with Clay Walker, Home Free, Morgan Myles, Will Moseley and making her Opry debut, Anna Graves. 

Tuesday August 25
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Will Moseley, Anna Graves, Rhonda Vincent
Intermission
8:20: The Whites, Morgan Myles, Home Free, Clay Walker

The Wednesday Night Opry features Opry members Dailey & Vincent and Charlie McCoy. Guesting are Mae Estes, Jamie O'Neal, Brandon Wisham, Home Free (back for a second night in a row) and Mountain Grass Unit, making their Opry debut. 

Wednesday August 26
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Jamie O'Neal, Brandon Wisham, Home Free
Intermission
8:20: Ward Davis, Mountain Grass Unit, Mae Estes, Charlie McCoy

Anna Graves is a alt-folk artist from southern Minnesota and has built a following through authentic songwriting and live performances, opening for acts like Stevie Nicks, The Head and the Heart, and Maren Morris Opry. Her music blends cinematic pop melodies with folk intimacy, often drawing on themes of vulnerability, heartbreak, and healing Opry. She’s also known for her recent single Hollow Bones, which gained traction on TikTok and was featured in Harper’s Bazaar.

Mountain Grass Unit received their Opry invitation from Opry member Del McCoury. Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Mountain Grass Unit has rapidly emerged as one of the most electrifying young bands in modern bluegrass, fusing razor-sharp picking, fearless improvisation, and four-part harmony into a sound that feels both rooted and revolutionary. The quartet — Drury Anderson (mandolin, vocals), Luke Black (guitar, vocals), Josiah Nelson (fiddle, vocals), and Sam Wilson (bass, vocals) — first turned heads with their 2024 EP Runnin’ From Trouble, but 2025 proved to be their true breakthrough year. The band logged nearly 100 national tour dates, sold out over thirty headline shows, and delivered standout festival performances at Telluride Bluegrass, DelFest, Northlands, and WinterWonderGrass.

Grand Ole Opry 8/21 & 8/22

There was a time not long ago when Carrie Underwood would be announced on the Grand Ole Opry schedule and the shows would sell-out very quickly. Well, it would appear that those days have passed. Carrie is scheduled for two shows on Friday and Saturday this weekend, and tickets are still available. If that is not enough, the Opry was offering a Free Limited Edition Carrie Underwood poster if you purchase a ticket for the 9:30 show on either night. 

This doesn't take anything away from Carrie. At some point, every artist's career hits a peak and then flattens out, replaced by the next new thing, In Carrie's case, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney and now, Ella Langley have moved to the forefront. That doesn't mean that Carrie can't sell tickets. She still does, but it just takes a little more work. And, not to forget, she is still one of the Opry's most popular members who continues to make appearances on this show. But yes, times have definitely changed. 

Besides Carrie Underwood, the other item of note is the scheduled appearance of Connie Smith on the Friday Night Opry. Connie first joined the Opry on August 21, 1965, thus making this her 61st anniversary as an Opry member. I do find it strangely quiet that there seems to be no mention being made about her Opry anniversary. 

In addition to Carrie and Connie, Opry members Marty Stuart, The Isaacs and Rhonda Vincent are on the schedule for both shows on Friday. Big Daddy Weave is scheduled, and what would an Opry show be without an Opry debut and in this case, it will be The Creekers making their first appearance on the show. 

Saturday night promises to be another big night as in addition to Carrie, Opry member Randy Travis is on the schedule, appearing with James Dupre. Charles Esten is scheduled, and I am sure he will mention, and probably dedicate a song to his "Nashville" co-star, Hayden Panettiere, show tragedy passed away earlier this week. 

Opry members T. Graham Brown and John Conlee are scheduled, while Wyatt McCubbin is listed, as is Jenna Davis, who will be making her Grand Ole Opry debut.  

Friday August 21
1st show
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Big Daddy Weave, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart
8:00: The Creekers, The Isaacs, Carrie Underwood

2nd show
9:30: Rhonda Vincent, Big Daddy Weave, Carrie Underwood, Connie Smith
10:30: Marty Stuart, The Creekers, The Isaacs

Saturday August 22
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, T. Graham Brown, Wyatt McCubbin, Jenna Davis, John Conlee
8:00: Charles Esten, James Dupre with Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood

2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, T. Graham Brown, Wyatt McCubbin, Carrie Underwood, John Conlee
10:30: James Dupre with Randy Travis, Jenna Davis, Charles Esten

The Creekers are a six-piece, band that blends authentic bluegrass music with country and pop influences. The band is from Eastern Kentucky and released their first album, Pour Me In The Creek, in 2024. The Creekers consists of Tanner Horton (vocals, lead guitar), Allen Hacker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Jagger Bowling (bass, vocals), Ashton Bowling (cajon), Scott Sutton (banjo, vocals), and Anna Blanton (fiddle), 

Jenna Davis is considered a rising star. Her debut album, Where Did That Girl Go?, released last year, showcases her undeniable vocals paired with relatable storytelling. The project followed the impressive releases of her SIKE EP and her debut single "DiCaprio"(co-written by Walker Hayes, Kelsea Ballerini and Ross Copperman), which has garnered 26.5 million streams across platforms. Her prior releases have charted impressively on both Spotify and Apple Music, with streams reaching well into the millions, highlighting her rapidly growing fan base and the far-reaching appeal of her music. Now, her latest singles “Hey Girly” and “Entertainment Tonight”, which consistently garners over 2.8 million views per week on TikTok alone and has achieved over 1 million music video views in less than a month, mark the start of her next chapter.

Now taking a look back to Saturday August 22, 1987, the night that Roy Clark became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

From The Tennessean (Friday August 21): 

All around entertainer and country star Roy Clark will become the 63rd member of the Grand Ole Opry during ceremonies slated for tomorrow night, Opry officials announced yesterday. Clark, 54, joins the Opry's illustrious and historic cast while in the midst of a busy career that has already spanned parts of five decades.

 A native of Virginia, Clark became a banjo champion while still in his teens and made his first Opry appearance in the late 1940s. "This is a lifetime dream come true for me," Clark said yesterday in a statement released by his publicist Carol Anderson. "I am deeply honored to be officially invited into a musical family I've loved for so long. Saturday night I'll feel like a little kid on Christmas morning." 

In becoming the Opry's newest member, Clark joins such veteran stalwarts as Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe and Minnie Pearl, as well as more recent inductees Randy Travis (1986), Reba McEntire (1985) and Mel McDaniel (1986). 

"I think the Opry has always been entertainment and when you talk about Roy Clark, you're talking about one of the premier entertainers in the world," said Opry House manager Jerry Strobel. "He combines great musicianship and comedy and singing ability with personal warmth and communication with the audience." 

Clark, who was between tour dates in Oregon and Wisconsin yesterday, will be formally into Opry membership on tomorrow's 7:30 p.m. segment of the Opry. The choice of that time slot means his induction will appear on Nashville Network's Grand Ole Opry Live show. 

An internationally known representative of American country music, Clark has won many music-industry awards during his long career. Just a few include the Country Music Association's Comedian of the Year award in 1970, its Entertainer of the Year award in 1973 and its Instrumentalist of the Year honor in 1977 and 1978. He's also the long-time host of the popular syndicated music-comedy show Hee Haw and the recording artists for such hits as The Tips of My Fingers, Yesterday When I Was Young and Somewhere Between Love and Tomorrow. 

Roy had been invited a few times to become an Opry member but turned down the invitation each time as he really wasn't based in Nashville and felt that he could not commit to the show. In fact, the only time he really spent in Nashville was for the twice a year taping of Hee Haw. However, the Opry wanted Roy as a member and felt he would be a great fit for the show. As it turned out, they were fine with Roy as a member with limited appearances and yes, he was a good fit for the Opry.

It was a big weekend at the Grand Ole Opry and here is the posted lineup from all of the shows that weekend, August 21 & 22, 1987: 

Friday August 21
1st show
6:30: The 4 Guys (host): Roy Drusky, Jeannie Seely, Teddy Wilburn, Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host): Lorrie Morgan, Ray Pillow, Tom T. Hall
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Jean Shepard, Stonewall Jackson
8:00: Del Reeves (host): The Whites, Skeeter Davis
8:30: Hank Snow (host): Reba McEntire, Billy Walker

2nd show
9:30: Charlie Walker (host): Vic Willis Trio, Carlisles, Reba McEntire
10:00: Roy Acuff (host): The 4 Guys, Teddy Wilburn, Jan Howard
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Ray Pillow, Wilma Lee Cooper, Tom T. Hall
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Jean Shepard, Stonewall Jackson, The Whites
11:30: Del Reeves (host): Billy Walker, Skeeter Davis

Saturday August 22
1st show
6:30: The 4 Guys (host): Lorrie Morgan
6:45: Charlie Louvin (host): Del Wood
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host): Skeeter Davis, Ray Pillow, Jeannie Seely, Ernie Ashworth
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Jan Howard, Roy Clark
8:00: Jimmy Dickens (host): Tom T. Hall, Wilma Lee Cooper, Crook Brothers, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host): Jean Shepard, Roy Drusky, Stonewall Jackson, Carlisles

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Jeannie Seely, The 4 Guys, Tom T. Hall
10:00: Charlie Louvin (host): Skeeter Davis
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Roy Clark
10:30: Ray Pillow (host): Lorrie Morgan
10:45: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jan Howard, Crook Brothers, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Jean Shepard, Wilma Lee Cooper, Ernie Ashworth, Carlisles
11:30: Stonewall Jackson (host): Roy Drusky, Johnny Russell

And now, here is the running order from that night 39 years ago, Saturday August 22, 1987:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
The Four Guys (host): Mama Rocked Us to Sleep with Country Music
Lorrie Morgan: Lone Star State of Mind
The Four Guys: God Bless the U.S.A.

6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Louvin (host): Let Her Go; Let Her Go; God Bless Her
Del Wood: 12th Street Rag
Charlie Louvin and Jennifer O'Brien: Every Time You Leave

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Ray Pillow: I'll Break out Again Tonight
Jeannie Seely: It's My Fault
Ernie Ashworth: Memphis Memory/Talk Back Trembling Lips
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda
Wade B. Landry: Orange Blossom Special

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jan Howard: Wayfaring Stranger/Heartaches by the Number
Roy Clark: Thank God & Greyhound You're Gone/I Remember When Country was Country/Under the Double Eagle

8:00: Martha White
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me & My Big Loud Mouth
Tom T Hall: Ravishing Ruby
Tom T Hall and Lamb Chop: Old McDonald Had a Farm
Tom T Hall: I Love
Wilma Lee Cooper: Coming Down from God
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Gray Eagle
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

8:30: Music Valley
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jean Shepard: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Roy Drusky: Dear Heart
Stonewall Jackson: Smoke Along the Tracks
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Hank Snow: The Prisoner's Song

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
Jeannie Seely: It's My Fault
The Four Guys: Fox on the Run
Tom T Hall: Faster Horses/Old Dogs, Children & Watermelon Wine
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

10:00: Little Debbie
Charlie Louvin (host): Kiss Me Again if You're Going Away
Skeeter Davis: My Last Date with You/Silver Threads and Golden Needles/The End of the World
Charlie Louvin: (?)

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Roy Clark: Come Live with Me/Instrumental/If I Had to Do it All Over Again

10:30: Pet Milk
Ray Pillow (host): You're One Memory That I'd Like to Make Again
Lorrie Morgan: Silver Wings & Golden Rings
Ray Pillow: The Kind of Love I Can't Forget

10:45: Heil-Quaker
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Jan Howard: Take Me as I Am (Or Let Me Go)
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her that Way

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Forever +1; Forever +2
Jean Shepard: The Old Rugged Cross
Ernie Ashworth: The D.J. Cried
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Dreamed About Mama Last Night
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Hank Snow: The Rainbow's End

11:30: B.C. Powder
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Roy Drusky: As Long As I Live/It's No Secret
Johnny Russell: No One Will Every Know
Stonewall Jackson: Ol' Chunk of Coal

While Hee Haw was still being taped in Nashville several times each year, Roy would generally schedule his Opry appearances while in town for those tapings. He had made it clear to Opry management when he was asked to join that due to his heavy touring schedule, his Opry appearances would be limited and management was fine with that. 

Roy would remain an Opry member until he passed away on November 15, 2018.

Mid-Week Opry Shows

Taking a look at the Tuesday Night Opry, Opry member Eddie Montgomery will be appearing, along with members Mark Wills and Charlie McCoy. Tigirlily Gold is guesting, along with Sidewalk Prophets, Kenny Whitmire, Devon Gilfillian and Allison Russell. 

Tuesday August 15
7:00: Mark Wills, Allison Russell, Kenny Whitmire, Eddie Montgomery
Intermission
8:20: Devon Gilfillian, Sidewalk Prophets, Tigirlily Gold, Charlie McCoy

The Wednesday Night Opry features members The Isaacs, T. Graham Brown and Riders In The Sky. The War and Treaty will be guesting, along with Bronwyn and Troy Cartwright, who will be making his Opry debut. 

Wednesday August 16
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Riders In The Sky, Troy Cartwright, The War and Treaty
Intermission
8:20: Bronwyn, Aaron Weber, T. Graham Brown, The Isaacs

Grand Ole Opry 8/14 & 8/15

I think many of us were surprised upon hearing the news that on Friday night, Vince Gill invited Charlie Worsham to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. For this singer/songwriter/musician, this fulfilled a long-time dream, and it took place exactly 20 years after his move to Nashville. In looking at the various social media sites, this invitation has received very positive reviews, and I am happy to see that. No induction date has been announced, so now we have not only Charlie's to look forward to, but we are also waiting a date for Rhett Akins to be inducted. 

Now taking a look at this upcoming weekend, the Friday Night Opry features Opry members The Oak Ridge Boys (yes, they are back again), along with The Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett, John Conlee and The Whites. The Oak Ridge Boys are back on Saturday night, joined by comedian Gary Mule Deer and one of the Opry's newest members, Suzy Bogguss. 

Comedian Brad Upton is listed on the Friday schedule, as is Ingrid Andress and Sons of Habit, who will be making their Opry debut. There is another debut on Saturday night as Josh Weathers will get his turn in the Circle. Popular and frequent Opry guest Maggie Rose is scheduled, with Joy Oladokun, DEK of Hearts and Monte Warden rounding out the lineup. 

Friday August 14
7:00: Mandy Barnett, John Conlee, Sons of Habit, The Gatlin Brothers
Intermission
8:20: The Whites, Brad Upton, Ingrid Andress, The Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday August 15
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Suzy Bogguss, Monte Warden, Josh Weathers, Maggie Rose
Intermission
8:20: DEK of Hearts, Gary Mule Deer, Opry Square Dancers, Joy Oladokun, The Oak Ridge Boys

It is really nice to see five Opry members on the schedule for Friday night. 

Sons of Habit, who is debuting on Friday night, is a folk, rock, and Americana roots group from Owensboro, KY, formed by lead singer Mitchell Douglas and his writing partner Hagan Edge, along with Dalton Daniels, Jeffrey Parish, and Noah Patrick. The name comes from the trailer in Habit, KY, where Douglas first started making music.  Regarding the Opry invitation, Mitchell Douglass said that appearing on the Opry was always one of their goals. Since releasing their first single “Madeline” in July 2024, the band has performed at high-profile venues such as The Troubadour in Los Angeles and festivals like Redwest in Salt Lake City UT & Railbird in Lexington KY. 

Josh Weathers described the Opry as “the honor of a lifetime”. In a heartfelt social media video, he thanked fans for their support and expressed his excitement to step into the legendary circle, calling it a historic moment in his career. The singer/songwriter is from Fort Worth, Texas and has recently signed with Nashville publishing house Sea Gayle Music. 

So how many have heard of Hardrock Gunter?

Sidney Louie Gunter Jr. (February 27, 1925 – March 15, 2013), known as Hardrock Gunter, was a singer, songwriter and guitarist whose music at the turn of the 1950s prefigured rock and roll and rockabilly music.

He was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He formed his first group, the Hoot Owl Ramblers, in his teens, and also performed a solo novelty act in talent shows. In 1939, he joined Happy Wilson's Golden River Boys, a country swing group, and acquired his nickname when a van trunk lid fell on him before a show and he never flinched. After wartime service he returned to work with the group, before leaving to become their agent and starting to appear on local TV.

As a popular local personality, he was approached to record by Birmingham's Bama label. He recorded his own song "Birmingham Bounce" in early 1950, the Golden River Boys being renamed the Pebbles on the record. It became a regional hit, and led to over 20 cover versions, the most successful being by Red Foley, whose version reached no.1 on the Billboard country chart and no.14 on the pop chart. Gunter's original version has become regarded as a contender for the first rock and roll record, predating "Rocket 88" by a year.

Gunter followed up with "Gonna Dance All Night", one of the first records to feature the actual words "rock'n'roll". When the Bama label folded, Gunter signed to Decca, and his 1951 duet with Roberta Lee, "Sixty-Minute Man," was one of the first country records to cross over to R&B audiences. In 1953 he began working at a radio station and also remade "Gonna Dance All Night" and recorded "Jukebox Help Me Find My Baby", both of which were issued by Sun Records and became regional hits. In 1958 he was one of the first musicians to use both echo and overdub on his recording of "Boppin' to Grandfather's Clock", released under the name Sidney Jo Lewis.

He continued to record with limited success, and in the 1960s left the music business to develop a career in insurance, based in Colorado. He retired to Rio Rancho, New Mexico. In 1995 he began to perform again at festivals in England, Germany and the United States. He died in 2013, from complications of pneumonia at the age of 88.

So why do I bring up Hardrock Gunter? Well, 73 years ago on Saturday night August 15, 1953, Hardrock played on the Grand Ole Opry. He had two spots and when you look at the show from that night, he was one of the very few non-Opry members who appeared. 

Here is that show from Saturday August 15, 1953:

7:30: Prince Albert
Carl Smith: Hey Joe
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Johnny and Jack: Down South in New Orleans
Square Dancers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Carl Smith: Pass Me Not
Old Hickory Singers: Tuck Me to Sleep in My Old Kentucky Home
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Johnny and Jack: Private Property
String Beans: Nine-Pound Hammer
Carl Smith: Darling Am I The One
Breakdown: Skip To My Lou

8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb: Fortune In Memory
Bill Monroe: California Blues
Hank Snow: From New and Always
June Carter: The Tennessee Wig Walk
Ernest Tubb: My Wasted Past
Possum Hunters: Tom and Jerry
Bill Monroe: Rocky Road Blues
Carter Family: Wildwood Flower
Hank Snow: Rumba Boogie
Ernest Tubb: Daisy May
Fiddle Chaser: Leather Britches

8:30: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff: A Dollar Down and A Dollar A Week
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Old Jeff Davis
George Morgan: I Passed By Your Window
Jug Band: Just Because
Marty Robbins: Sing Me Something Sentimental
Grandpa Jones: Good Old Mountain Dew
Roy Acuff: Mother's Not Dead
Oswald: John Henry
Howdy: Ricketts Hornpipe

9:00: Martha White
Carl Smith: My Trademark
Jimmy Dickens: I'll Dance At Your Wedding
Cowboy Copas: Tennessee Senorita
Anita Carter: How's The World Treating You
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Lonzo and Oscar: I'm Moving On No. 2
Carl Smith: This Orchid Means Goodbye
Chet Atkins: Spanish Fandango
Jimmy Dickens: I'm Makin' Love To A Stranger

9:30: Warren Paint
Roy Acuff: The Southbound Train
String Beans: Free A Little Bird
Johnny and Jack: Don't Say Goodbye If You Love Me
Roy Acuff: Who Broke The Lock On The Hen House Door
Howdy Forrester: Devil's Dream

9:45: American Ace
Roy Acuff: Not A Word From Home
Kitty Wells: I Don't Claim To Be An Angel
Jimmy Riddle: Lost John
Roy Acuff: We'll Understand It Better
Oswald: Foggy Mountain Top

10:00: Wallrite
George Morgan: Almost
Bill Monroe: Cabin of Love
Hardrock Gunter: To Be Selected
George Morgan: Room Full of Roses
Don Slayman: Fire on the Mountain

10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Hank Snow: Spanish Fireball
Marty Robbins: At The End of a Long, Lonely Day
Bill Monroe: Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Hank Snow: A Message From The Trade Winds

10:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb: Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello
Jimmy Dickens: Sidemeat and Cabbage
Jordanaires: My Rock
Salty and Matty: Cat Fight
June Carter: Walkin' To Missouri
Ernest Tubb: Rainbow At Midnight
Lonzo and Oscar: Let's Live a Little No. 2
Chet Aktins: St. Louis Blues

11:00: O-Celo
Howdy Forrester: Twinkle Little Star
Eddie Hill: Frog Eye
Roy Acuff: The Crawdad Song
Bobby Hebbs: Mr. Spoons
Roy Acuff: Lonesome Valley

11:15: Darimix
Carl Smith: Hey Joe
Johnny and Jack: Poison Love
String Beans: John Henry
Gully Jumpers: Old Joe
Carl Smith: Do I Like It

11:30: Hester Battery
Hank Snow: Indian Man
Grandpa Jones: Steppin Out Kind
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Hank Snow: Between Fire and Water
Fiddle: Let's Go Boys

11:45: Grand Ole Opry
Cowboy Copas: Love Me Now
Sam and Kirk: Long John Green from Bowling Green
Hardrock Gunter: To Be Selected
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bile Them Cabbage On
Cowboy Copas: To Be Selected

You look at those past lineups, and I am just amazed at the amount of talent that appeared on the Opry during that period in its history. What is even more impressive is that the lineup from that night was pretty typical for that period. 

Some great memories

Mid-Week Opry shows

Over the past several weeks, Lorrie Morgan seems to have remembered where the Grand Ole Opry House is and she continues her string of appearances on the Tuesday Night Opry. Lorrie will be joined by members Dailey & Vincent, Riders In The Sky and comedian Henry Cho. John Morgan, Annie Bosko, Jake Hoot and Josh Tatofi, who is making his Opry debut, round out the lineup. 

It has been a while, in fact, a long while, since Brooks & Dunn have appeared on the Opry but that changes on Wednesday night as the award-winning Hall of Fame duo is scheduled to appear on the Wednesday Night Opry. Opry members Dustin Lynch and Rhonda Vincent are also on the schedule, as is John Foster, Zach John King, Mae Estes and John Burr. 

By the way, John Foster has appeared on the Opry this year more than any other non-member. 

(Sorry that I do not have the running order for these two shows. I will post if I receive them). 

Grand Ole Opry 8/7 & 8/8

Sometimes a name will pop up on an upcoming Grand Ole Opry schedule, and you just shake your head wondering. One of those names will be making their Opry debut on Friday night as former Happy Days star Donny Most is on the schedule. 

Donny Most is best known as “Ralph Malph", in the long-running hit television show, Happy Days. Besides Happy Days, Donny has also appeared on the hit TV show Glee, along with appearances on “Men Of A Certain Age”, “Century City”, ‘Star Trek: Voyager’, ‘Yes, Dear’, ‘The Crow, ‘Sabrina’, ‘Sliders’, ‘Dark Skies’ and ‘The Family Guy’. Besides appearing in films, he has also directed three feature films. “His first, “The Last Best Sunday”, had its World Premiere at the Seattle International Film Festival, and was a feature film winner at the Telluride IndieFest. “Moola”, premiered at The Newport Beach Film Festival, where it earned Most The Outstanding Achievement In Directing Award. Don also directed “Harley’s Hill”, his first family film, which was recently seen on Showtime, Starz and Encore.

While most associate acting with Donny Most, it is his musical career that is bringing him to the Opry. He has always loved the standards/swing/big band style of music and has mounted his show: Donny Most - Mostly Swinging. Donny has performed at such notable venues as “54 Below”, “The Cutting Room”, and "The Iridium Jazz Club", in NYC, as well as “Catalina’s Jazz Club” in Hollywood, CA to great acclaim. His live act includes a unique blend of hits from the swing era, complete with a 17-piece big band that features the music of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin and Dean Martin. 

Appearing with Donny on the Friday Night Opry are members John Conlee, Connie Smith and Charlie McCoy. Guesting are Dillon Carmichael, Sierra Hull, Erin Kinsey and making her Opry debut, Haley Mae Campbell, who was invited by Alexandra Kay. 

Haley Mae Campbell has opened for country stars like Billy Currington, Luke Combs, Dierks Bentley, Maddie & Tae, Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Carly Pearce, and many more. By the end of 2023, she completed her first national tour supporting trailblazer Alexandra Kay’s “All I’ve Ever Known: The Tour,” and achieved her first gold-certified cut as a songwriter after penning BRELAND’s single “Cowboy Don’t” featured on his debut deluxe album “Cross Country: The Extra Mile. Her single “Never Been in Love” notched a milestone in her career so far; after uploading a clip of the song to social media that has amassed over 70M views, the track followed through by debuting at #1 on the All Genre and Country iTunes Charts. 

Saturday night features three more Opry members: Mandy Barnett, T. Graham Brown and The Whites. Sierra Hull is back to make it a two-show weekend for her and joining that group will be Randall King, Brittney Spencer, Jordan McCullough, and Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. 

Friday August 7
7:00: John Conlee, Sierra Hull, Haley Mae Campbell, Connie Smith
Intermission
8:20: Erin Kinsey, Donny Most, Dillon Carmichael, Charlie McCoy

Saturday August 8
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mandy Barnett, The Whites, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Jordan McCullough
Intermission
8:20: Randall King, Brittney Spencer, Opry Square Dancers, Sierra Hull, T. Graham Brown

Saturday August 8, 1964, was a big night at the Grand Ole Opry as the Osborne Brothers and Dottie West became new Opry members. 

You would think with two new members joining the Opry on the same night, it would get some attention in the Tennessean. But it took until September 6 for the news to appear, and it was a very brief announcement: 

Newest members of the Grand Ole Opry cast of stars are Dottie West and the Osborne Brothers. A native of McMinnville, Miss West attended Tennessee Tech where she was a music major in the college choir. The Osborne Brothers, Bob and Sonny, are from Hayden, Ky. They began their careers in 1953 on a Knoxville radio station and later moved to Detroit and then to Wheeling, W. Va. 

Here is the lineup from Saturday August 8, 1964.

7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Jean Shepard; Charlie Louvin; Del Wood; Ernie Ashworth
8:00: Bill Anderson (host): Osborne Brothers; Dottie West; Cousin Jody
8:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Bill Carlisle; Billy Walker; Archie Campbell; Connie Smith
9:00: Roy Acuff (host): Marion Worth
9:30: Hank Snow (host): Leroy Van Dyke; June Carter; Carter Family; The Browns
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Osborne Brothers; Jean Shepard
10:15: Jimmy C Newman: (host): Dottie West; Del Wood
10:30: Roy Acuff (host): Bill Anderson; Ernie Ashworth
10:45: Leroy Van Dyke: (host); Charlie Louvin
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Marion Worth; Billy Walker; Bill Carlisle
11:30: Marty Robbins (host): Carter Family; Cousin Jody; The Browns; Archie Campbell

August 8, 1975, was another important date at the Grand Ole Opry as Lester Flatt returned to the Opry just one month after having open heart surgery. 

From the Tennessean, Saturday August 9:

Lester Flatt returned to the Grand Ole Opry last night one month after undergoing open-heart surgery for three blocked arteries. "You are seeing a miracle here tonight," said Opry announcer Grant Turner as he brought Flatt out to host the 10:30 segment on the Friday Night Opry. 

The introduction brought a loud, sustained applause from the capacity Opry House crowd. Flatt said he had received letters from all over the United States and Canada during his recuperation from surgery. "I never knew I had so many friends before I got sick," he said. 

Flatt also said his doctors have encouraged him to work but to maintain a moderate pace. He is also watching his diet and maintaining a daily record of his heath. Flatt was released from St. Thomas Hospital only 11 days after his July 10 surgery. Six days after that, he was readmitted when fluid began to collect in his chest cavity and legs. That lasted less than a week. 

Looking back, there were a few members of the Opry cast that had heart issues that required surgery. The most famous of those was probably Marty Robbins. Others on the list would include Grandpa Jones, Bill Carlisle, Jim Ed Brown, Bill Monroe, George Jones, Johnny Russell and George Morgan. Roy Acuff also had heart issues as did George Hamilton IV. And while they were not Opry members, Amy Grant, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings come to mind. There were others but those are at the top of my mind. 

Life was not easy being a country singer in those days. 

Mid-Week Opry Shows

Now that the Grand Ole Opry has moved into the month of August, there are only two mid-week Opry shows on the schedule taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday night. 

Taking a look at the Tuesday Night Opry, Opry members Vince Gill, Craig Morgan and Mark Wills are on the schedule. Opry NextStage artist Carter Faith, Wyatt Flores, bluegrass group The Grascals and Lamont Landers, who is making his Opry debut, round out the schedule. 

Tuesday August 4
7:00: Mark Wills, Craig Morgan, Lamont Landers, Wyatt Flores
Intermission
8:20: Carter Faith, The Grascals, Vince Gill

Lamont Landers is from Decatur, Alabama. A natural-born performer, Lamont first picked up a guitar as a teenager. His breakout came with a viral cover of Ray Charles’ “Hit The Road Jack”—racking up over half a million views overnight. From there, his rise was swift: electrifying audiences on America’s Got Talent and Showtime at the Apollo while amassing a loyal following of over half a million fans on TikTok. A repost of his cover of “Rubber Band Man” by Questlove caught the attention of GRAMMY Award-winning producer Dave Cobb, leading to an invitation to record in Savannah, GA—and ultimately, a deal with Cobb’s Republic Records imprint, Lucille.

The Wednesday Night Opry features The Oak Ridge Boys, Riders In The Sky and T. Graham Brown. Also on the schedule is Russell Dickerson, Filmore, Collin Raye, Mae Estes and comedian Mike James. 

Wednesday August 5
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Riders In The Sky, Filmore, Collin Raye
Intermission
8:20: Mae Estes. Mike James, Russell Dickerson, The Oak Ridge Boys

I did want to note that Vince Gill joined the Grand Ole Opry on August 10,1991, which would make this Vince's 35th year as an Opry member. In looking at upcoming schedules, I do not see Vince listed so perhaps on Tuesday night, they will recognize Vince's 35th year.