Grand Ole Opry 10/30 & 10/31

If it seems like The Oak Ridge Boys have been on the Opry quite often in 2026, you would be right as the quartet has appeared over 25 times this year. You can add two more appearances to the list as this weekend the group will be appearing on both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. 

Joining the group on Friday night are Opry members Riders In The Sky, The Whites and John Conlee. Saturday night, in addition to The Oaks, Bill Anderson returns, joined by Rhonda Vincent and Charlie McCoy. 

The non-members appearing on Friday night include gospel great Jason Crabb, Nate Smith, Trish Suhr and Chancey Williams. John Berry returns on Saturday night, along with MaRynn Taylor and John Wesley Rogers, who will be making his Opry debut. 

Saturday is Halloween. Once again, I will miss Jeannie Seely as she always had a way to make Halloween special. 

(I am sorry to post that once again, I do not have the running order for the shows this weekend. Hopefully this will be corrected, and I will once again be able to post the running order for the shows. Thanks for everyone's patience). 

Friday October 31, 1997 was one of those special nights at the Grand Ole Opry as former Opry member Kitty Wells returned to the Opry. The occasion was special as Kitty and her husband Johnny Wright were celebrating 60 years of marriage. 

From the Nashville Tennessean Friday October 31, 1997: 

Can you imagine waking up to the same person for 60 years? Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright celebrated their diamond anniversary Thursday, and Wells will add to the weekend's upbeat atmosphere by performing on the Grand Ole Opry both Friday and Saturday. Some 45 years ago, Wells became the first woman in country history to have a solo No. 1 record. It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, an answer to Hank Thompson's The Wild Side of Life, spent six weeks at the top. Wells became the queen of country music and strung together 35 Top 10 hits, including Buck Owens-penned Mommy For A Day, the Harlan Howard written Heartbreak U.S.A., and Makin' Believe, which became a hit again for Emmylou Harris. Wells is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a 1991 recipient of the Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Here is the posted lineup for the Friday Night Opry, October 31, 1997:

7:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Oswald & Charlie, Jimmy C Newman, Connie Smith, Johnny Russell
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host): Bill Carlisle, Jeannie Seely, Hank Locklin
8:30: Bill Anderson (host): Kitty Wells, The Whites
9:00: Ricky Skaggs (host): Skeeter Davis, Mike Snider, The 4 Guys
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host): Charlie Walker, Jeanne Pruett, Ray Pillow, Del Reeves

As was mentioned in the Tennessean article, Kitty was scheduled for all three shows that weekend. Here is the posted lineup from the first show on Saturday November 1:

6:30: Grandpa Jones (host): Connie Smith
6:45: Jimmy Dickens (host): Bill Carlisle
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Jeanne Pruett, George Hamilton IV, Jimmy C Newman, The Whites
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host) Diamond Rio, Kitty Wells
8:00: Bill Anderson (host): Charlie Louvin, Johnny Russell, Del Reeves, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host): Skeeter Davis, Mike Snider, Hank Locklin, The 4 Guys

Finally, the running order from the second show that night: 

9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Oswald & Charlie: Prairie Queen
Charlie Louvin: The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea
Bobby Wright: I Wish You Could Have Turned My Head (And Left My Heart Alone)
Kitty Wells, Johnny Wright & Bobby Wright: Ashes of Love/Dust On The Bible
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home

10:00: Opry Book
Grandpa Jones (host): Fix Me A Pallet Down On The Floor
Diamond Rio: Walking In Jerusalem Just Like John/Meet In The Middle

10:15: Banquet/Con Agra Frozen Foods
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater
Jeanne Pruett: A Poor Man's Woman
Jimmy Dickens: We Could

10:30: Purnell's Sausage
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Bill Anderson: Always Remember

10:45: Your Quality Certified Home Builders
Mike Snider (host): Instrumental
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Retreat
Mike Snider: The Fur Coat

11:00: Coke
Ricky Skaggs (host): If I Lose
Del Reeves: The Only Girl I Can't Forget
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Stonewall Jackson: A Wound Time Can't Erase
The Whites: Steal Away And Pray
Ricky Skaggs: Little Community Church

11:30: Opry Book
Johnny Russell (host): Me & Bobby McGee
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Mariah
George Hamilton IV & V: We Will Meet Again
Jeannie Seely: Bubbles In My Beer
Johnny Russell: Orange Blossom Special 

Kitty Wells joined the Opry in September 1952. But prior to that, she already had been in the business for an extensive amount of time, and in fact, had retired, deciding to stay home while her husband Johnny Wright and brother-in-law Jack Anglin carried on. In early 1952 at the urging of her husband Johnny, Kitty recorded "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," the answer song to "Wild Side of Life" by Hank Thompson. It quickly went to the top of the charts. With the hit record to her credit, Johnny Wright pushed to have her become a member of the Opry, of which Johnny & Jack were already members. 

"We were trying to get her on the Opry," Johnny said, "but Vito Pellettieri, the guy that cleared all the songs, on the show, says 'You can't sing that song on the Opry because of the lyrics.' Roy Acuff went up and talked to Jim Denny and Jack Stapp, and he told them 'Kitty Wells is a female Roy Acuff. She sells songs with her sincerity.' And Honky-Tonk Angels got to be such a hit you know that they had to let her sing it." And the hits and awards just kept coming and while Roy was recognized as the King of Country Music, Kitty earned the title Queen of Country Music. 

Kitty Wells remained an Opry member December 1964 when the Opry purged their cast of members who failed to meet the required number of annual appearances. Johnny Wright would claim that he, along with Kitty, were not fired with the rest, but had quit because of the percentages that were paid to the WSM Artists' Service Bureau which booked Opry members road appearances. Johnny was quoted as saying that they quit because they didn't want to pay the fees anymore. 

Even though she left the Opry, Kitty would continue to make occasional appearances over the years, including the one in 1997. Years later, it was reported that she had a desire to rejoin the Opry however the request was not granted. 

Mid-Week Opry Shows

One of the special nights on the Grand Ole Opry calendar is the annual show in October when the "Opry Goes Pink" when the Grand Ole Opry once again unites with Susan G. Komen in the fight against breast cancer! The signature barn background will light up pink, and a portion of every ticket sold benefits this powerful cause.

You can always count on a strong lineup for this special show and this year is no different as Megan Moroney is on the schedule. Joining Megan is Deana Carter, MacKenzie Carpenter, Opry member and breast cancer survivor Mandy Barnett, and Benny G. Rounding out the lineup are a couple of Opry debuts, Jillian Cardarelli and Briley King. 

The Wednesday Night Opry will be highlighted by an appearance by Brothers Osborne. Joining the duo are Opry members Henry Cho and Rhonda Vincent, Colby Acuff, Megan Wood, Rick
Trevino, and making her Opry debut, Meels. 

The Thursday Night Opry is a special show with the theme: “Grand Ole Opry: Celebrating 50 Years of the CCMA”

The special Opry celebration will bring together generations of Canadian Country Music artists, honoring the longtime connection between the Opry and the Canadian country music community. Canadian artists scheduled to perform include Opry member Terri Clark, as well as Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Paul Brandt, Tami Neilson, Brett Kissel, Tenille Arts and two artists who will be making their Opry debuts: Gord Bamford and Jess Moskaluke. 

The evening will also feature special guest announcers Jackie Rae Greening, longtime radio personality and programmer and Shannon Ella, four-time CCMA Award winner and iHeart Radio personality.

The celebration will feature an especially meaningful Opry moment from this year’s CCMA Awards. During Saturday night’s broadcast, Stella Lefty’s Opry debut performance of “Boston” recorded from the Opry stage, was featured as part of the awards show. The evening also brought an unforgettable surprise when Shannon Ella invited Jess Moskaluke to make her Opry debut during the October 29 “Grand Ole Opry: Celebrating 50 Years of the CCMA” show.

From artists who have helped build the foundation of Canadian country music to the voices carrying its story forward, “Grand Ole Opry: Celebrating 50 Years of the CCMA” will honor the special place Canadian country music holds within the wider country music community, and the longstanding relationship between Canadian artists and the Grand Ole Opry.

               

Grand Ole Opry 10/23 & 10/24

Thoughts on John Anderson: I never saw John Anderson in concert, but I saw him several times on the Grand Ole Opry. He certainly had one of the unique voices in country music and deserved his election to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024. While he did appear on the Opry a few times throughout his career, he never became an Opry member. Personally, I think he would have been a good one, but I do not know if there was any interest on his part, or on the part of Opry management. In the end, he could have been another one who slipped between the cracks. 

It's hard to fathom that on Sunday night he was at the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony and appeared in good health and spirits, then seeing the news on Wednesday that he had passed away. 71 is way too young and while he will be missed, we will always have the wonderful memories and music that he made over the course of his career. And let's not forget that when he worked in construction in the early 1970s, he helped to put the roof on the new Grand Ole Opry House. 

Last Saturday night, Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill celebrated his 35th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. No, I was not there on Saturday night, but I did listen to the entire show on the radio. It was wonderful and I have no complaints with the artists who were on, which included Ricky Skaggs, Amy Grant, Charlie Worsham, Patty Loveless, the Square Dancers and Vince. Wendy Moten was on the original schedule but cancelled due to illness, while Keb' Mo' made a surprise appearance. 

What surprised me was the limited number of acts scheduled. We saw the same thing on the Saturday night of the birthday weekend. Over the years, we have seen the number of acts on a typical Opry show shrink in numbers, until landing on what is now the standard seven or eight acts. Thankfully, on Saturday night, as on the birthday weekend, Vince was closing the show and he was able to stretch himself out to almost 30 minutes. With the quality of acts appearing, I don't think there were any complaints, nor should there be. 

I have written before that I know it is hard to book an Opry show, especially now that the show is running almost every day of the week. I think that also explains why we have seen the recent upsurge in new Opry members, especially the veteran acts who are more likely to be available for an Opry show, along with the high number of acts making their Opry debuts. But even with that, some of the lineups are running a bit thin. 

Again, just to be clear, I thought the birthday weekend shows, along with Saturday night, were both excellent shows. My concern is just the limited number of acts on the schedule.

Speaking of Vince Gill, and moving ahead to this weekend, Vince is back on the schedule for both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry shows. Joining Vince on Friday night are Opry members T. Graham Brown and Riders In The Sky Also scheduled is John Berry and The Castellows. Rounding it out are two artists making their Opry debuts: Mat Kearney and Branden Walter. 

Saturday night was originally a two-show night on the schedule, but last week it was changed to just one show. Joining Vince on Saturday night are members Riders In The Sky (back for a 2nd night), Old Crow Medicine Show, Charlie McCoy and Dailey & Vincent. Very frequent Opry guest Charles Esten is scheduled, as is Greylan James, who is making his Opry debut. 

Finally, the Sunday Night Opry continues through the month of October and this weekend Gene Watson, The Whites and Dailey & Vincent head up the lineup. 

Guesting is the incredible songwriter, Jimmy Webb. I have seen Jimmy in concert, and he puts on a wonderful show, For those not familiar, has written “Up, Up and Away,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “Highwayman,” “All I Know,” “Didn’t We” and “MacArthur Park.” Rounding out the Sunday lineup are The Cleverlys, Matt Schuster and Lennon Stella. 

(I am still waiting on the final running order for the shows this weekend)

Monday October 24, 1983, was a sad day in the history of the Grand Ole Opry as one of the Opry's earliest members, Kirk McGee passed away. 

From the Nashville Tennessean October 25, 1983: 

Grand Ole Opry member Kirk McGee, one of the show's mainstays of traditional country music, died late yesterday afternoon of a heart attack at his home in Franklin. 

David Kirkland McGee was born near Franklin Nov. 4, 1899, and lived his entire life in and around the Williamson County community. In addition to his lifetime of performing, McGee sold real estate and farmed there. The 83-year-old singer/guitarist delighted audiences on the Opry with his fluid playing style, sentimental parlor songs, and humorous ditties from 1926 to this past Saturday night, the date of his last performance. 

In his long career, McGee played with such famed country entertainers as Hall of Fame member Uncle Dave Macon, The Fruit Jar Drinkers and Fiddlin' Arthur Smith. His most successful musical pairing, however, was always with his brother Sam McGee, who died in 1975 following a farm accident. 

The brothers first recorded in 1926, the same year they teamed up with Uncle Dave Macon for road shows around Middle Tennessee. Kirk preferred the stately, elegant, romantic old songs. Sam performed the light-hearted comic tunes and bluesy numbers. In 1928 the brothers recorded what are possibly the only five and six string banjo duets in country music history. In the 1930s they teamed up with Arthur Smith to form the Dixieliners, one of the greatest of the old-time string bands. 

In the late 1950s the McGee Brothers were "discovered" by collegiate folksong revivalists. At that time both recorded for folk labels and toured college campuses. After Sam's death, Kirk continued as an Opry soloist and as a member of The Fruit Jar Drinkers. 

Opry publicist Jerry Strobel said last night, "I think everybody liked Kirk. Course, he was just here Saturday night so this is very sad. He's had heart problems, but this is still a sudden shock." 

McGee is survived by his wife Ruby Watson McGee, and by his three daughters Ona, Dorothy, and Jean. 

Kirk McGee made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance the previous Saturday night, October 22. It was also the final night that The Fruit Jar Drinkers appeared as a group on the Opry as with the death of Kirk, the group disbanded. Here is the running order of the Opry from that night 43 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Vic Willis Trio: Shenandoah
Cajun Country: Happy Cajun

6:45: Rudy's
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Osborne Brothers: Little Cabin on the Hill
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

7:00: Shoney's
Grandpa Jones (host): Nashville on My Mind
Billy Grammer: The Old Spinning Wheel
Jan Howard: One Every Hour As Often As Needed for Pain
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Ray Pillow: You're One Memory That I'd Like to Make Again/Julie Loved Boston More Than Me
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home

7:30: Standard Candy
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop-A-Top
Jeannie Seely: When Will I See You Again
Teddy Wilburn: Because He Lives
The Other Brothers: Just Sittin' & Pickin'
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sally Goodin
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Roy Drusky: Blues in My Heart
Jeanne Pruett: We Came So Close
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Del Wood: Gloryland March/Down Yonder
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Ninety Miles An Hour (Down A Dead-End Street
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Saturday Night Hop
The 4 Guys: You Make It Right
Hank Snow: Begger To a King

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Grandpa Jones (host): Kitty Klide
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda
Vic Willis Trio: Let It Be Me
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin'
Jan Howard: Tainted Love
Grandpa Jones: My Mother's Manion is Higher Than Mine

10:00: Little Debbie
Charlie Walker (host): My Window Faces South
Billy Grammer: Homestead on the Farm
The Other Brothers: Whatever Happened to the Cowboys
Charlie Walker: San Antonio Rose

10:15: Sunbeam
Osborne Brothers (host): Wreck of the Old 97
Ray Pillow: Too Many Bridges Need Burning
Osborne Brothers: Old Flames

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend
Del Wood: Roll Out the Barrel/Cajun Stripper
Onie Wheeler and Charlie Collins: Mother Prays Loud in Her Sleep

10:45: Beech-Nut
Jim Ed Brown (host): Fools
Jeannie Seely: When Your Heart's Been Stepped On
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Green Back Dollar
Jim Ed Brown: Four Walls

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): In The Misty Moonlight
Jeanne Pruett: I Oughta Feel Guilty
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sugar Tree Stomp
Justin Tubb: Pull the Covers Over Me
Kirk McGee: I Was Sorta Wondering
Hank Snow: So Goes My Heart

11:30: Hardee's
Roy Drusky (host): Mississippi
Bill Carlisle: Business Man
Bill Carlisle Jr. and Sheila Carlisle: Just to Satisfy You
Johnny Russell: Kaw-Liga
Roy Drusky: Wings of a Dove

The following Saturday night, October 29, the show was dedicated to Kirk McGee. Here is the dedication that was read by Hal Durham at the start of the late show that night: 

Ladies and gentlemen, one of the Grand Ole Opry voices you won't be hearing tonight is that of Kirk McGee, who died this past week of a heart attack. Mr. McGee, who was 83, had been a member of this musical family almost all of its 58-year history. Together with his late brother, Sam, he helped preserved the great traditions of country music. Following Sam's death several years ago, Kirk carried on very capably as a solo act and was a member of The Fruit Jar Drinkers. Tonight, our thoughts are with Kirk's family and the sorrow that we feel at his passing is tempered by the gratitude we feel for his many years we were able to share with him. As the Grand Ole Opry continues now, we want to dedicate our show to the memory of Kirk McGee. 

Kirk McGee: another of the Opry's early members who have largely been forgotten today. 

Mid-Week Opry Shows

Back to a full week of shows beginning with the Tuesday Night Opry. Opry members Rhonda Vincent, T. Graham Brown and Del McCoury Band are on the scheduled. Joining that group are comedian Brad Upton, Opry NextStage artist Graham Barham, Josh Baldwin, John Foster and making their Opry debut, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines. 

Franklin Jonas is a New Jersey-born artist and songwriter crafting emotionally raw, story-driven music through his project, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines. Franklin and his band blend Americana with modern textures — creating a sound that feels both timeless and newly unearthed. Known for a high-energy live show, the band has performed in support of The Jonas Brothers, The Maine and Hunter Hayes. Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines' forthcoming debut album will be released in early 2027. 

Tuesday October 20
7:00: T. Graham Brown, John Foster, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines, Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:20: Josh Baldwin, Brad Upton, Graham Barham, Rhonda Vincent

It will be an interesting Wednesday Night Opry as Sam Smith will be making his Opry debut. It should be an interesting debut. Sam has had a tremendous career as he is a five-time GRAMMY® winner and he holds two Guinness World Records — for the most consecutive weeks in the U.K. Top 10 Album Chart (for their 2014 debut, In the Lonely Hour) and for having the first James Bond theme to reach No.1 on the U.K. charts (for the Oscar and Golden Globe-winning “Writing’s On the Wall”). Sam has amassed over 64 million equivalent album sales, 396 million single sales, and over 57 billion career streams across their catalog of critically acclaimed albums: In the Lonely Hour, The Thrill of It All, Love Goes, and Gloria, which Rolling Stone praised as “their deepest album yet,” and includes the global smash single “Unholy” ft. Kim Petras. “Unholy” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and four weeks at No. 1 on the UK Official Singles Chart. However, he is not without controversy. 

Joining Sam Smith on the Wednesday Night Opry are Mandy Barnett, T. Graham Brown, Charlie McCoy, Jamie O'Neal, Maggie Rose, John Foster and Ruston Kelly. 

Wednesday October 21
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Jamie O'Neal, John Foster, Maggie Rose
Intermission
8:20: Ruston Kelly, Mandy Barnett, Sam Smith, Charlie McCoy

Finishing up the week on Thursday night is Opry Country Classics. Larry Gatlin is the host, with the Opry's newest member Rhett Akins the Spotlight Artist. Rounding out the classics show are DEK of Hearts, Wilson Fairchild and Charlie McCoy. 

Opry Country Classics
Thursday October 21
7:00
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Rhett Akins
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, Wilson Fairchild, DEK of Hearts, Charlie McCoy

Grand Ole Opry 10/16 & 10/17

It is going to be a special weekend at the Grand Ole Opry as on Saturday night, Vince Gill will be honored upon his 35th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

But before we get to Saturday night, there is a Friday Night Opry to begin the weekend that will feature Grand Ole Opry members Mandy Barnett, Riders In The Sky and John Conlee. 

The Stanley Brothers are formally being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday as the Medallion Ceremony will be taking place. Ralph Stanley was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and to honor his father, Ralph Stanley II and The Clinch Mountain Boys will be appearing on Friday night. Also on the schedule are Lacy J. Dalton, Tigirlily Gold, Nate Smith, and making his Opry debut, Andy Grammer. 

While Vince Gill actually joined the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday August 10, 1991, on Saturday night, he will celebrate his 35th anniversary as a member of the Opry's cast. 

From The Tennessean, Friday August 9, 1991: 

Gold Record awardee, Grammy winner, Country Music Association honoree and all-around nice guy Vince Gill becomes the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. 

Gill will be inducted into the Opry cast during the 7:30 p.m. portion of Saturday night's show hosted by Roy Acuff. The segment will be televised live on The Nashville Network. 

Gill's When I Call Your Name was one of the biggest country records of 1990. It won Song of the Year from the CMA and a Grammy Award from the Recording Academy. He's been scaling the charts since then with Pocket Full of Gold, Liza Jane and other hits. 

A brilliant tenor singer, multi-instrumental wizard and top songwriter, Gill is adept in bluegrass, rock, swing, and a wide variety of other styles. This many-faceted entertainer appears frequently on other artist's albums. In fact, he co-wrote Alabama's current No 1. single, Here We Are. 

I know it has been mentioned many times what an asset Vince is to the Grand Ole Opry. Since joining the cast, he has continually supported the show and has challenged many of his contemporaries to do the same. While his appearances have increased even more frequently over the past several years, taking in his 35 years as an Opry member, he has averaged 20 appearances per year. Yes, he continues to set the example. 

Joining Vince on Saturday night will be Opry members Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs, Charlie Worsham, Wendy Moten, and Amy Grant. 

Friday October 16
7:00: Mandy Barnett, John Conlee, Andy Grammer, Tigirlily Gold
Intermission
8:20: Lacy J. Dalton, Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Nate Smith, Riders In The Sky

Saturday October 17
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Ricky Skaggs, Wendy Moten, Amy Grant, Charlie Worsham, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill

2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Ricky Skaggs, Wendy Moten, Amy Grant, Charlie Worsham, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill

I don't know how the show will go on Saturday night, but one of the best Grand Ole Opry shows I have ever attended, and I have been to over 300 shows, was the night in 2016 when Vince celebrated his 25th Opry anniversary. The show that night included Bill Anderson, Amy Grant, Patty Loveless, Charlie Worsham, Andrea Zonn, Ashley Monroe, The Time Jumpers, Opry Square Dancers, Rodney Crowell and Jenny Gill. I looked at my notes from that night, and Vince was on stage the entire show with his band. There were no Opry Staff Band and no Opry singers. What was amazing was that the first show lasted just under 3 hours, with the second show not starting until 10:30. That show did not end until 1:00 a.m. It was just an amazing night. 

While Vince Gill joined the Opry on August 10, 1991, he made his Opry debut on July 29, 1989. Here is the posted Opry schedule from that night: 

1st show
6:30: Billy Walker (host): Jan Howard
6:45: Stonewall Jackson (host): Del Wood
7:00: The 4 Guys (host): Skeeter Davis, Ray Pillow, Larry Boone
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Jeannie Seely, Wilma Lee Cooper, Vince Gill
8:00: Roy Acuff (host): Charlie Louvin, Connie Smith, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host): Del Reeves, Jean Shepard, Roy Drusky, Jeanne Pruett

2nd show
9:30: Ray Pillow (host): The 4 Guys, Ernie Ashworth, Teddy Wilburn, Del Wood
10:00: Bill Walker (host): Larry Boone
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Carlisles
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Vince Gill
10:45: Stonewall Jackson (host): Jeannie Seely, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Roy Drusky, Connie Smith, Justin Tubb, Jean Shepard
11:30: Del Reeves (host): Jeanne Pruett, Charlie Louvin

Finally, here is the running order from Saturday August 10, 1991, the night Vince Gill officially became an Opry member: 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Del Reeves (host): Girl on the Billboard
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Del Reeves: A Dozen Pair of Boots

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Bill Carlisle: Leave that Liar Alone
Charlie Walker: Drinking Champagne/Take Me Back to Tulsa

7:00: Shoney's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Everyday People
Jan Howard: You Don't Know Me
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Wilma Lee Cooper: Wildwood Flower
Ray Pillow: That Ain't No Way to Treat My Heart
Jim Ed Brown: Scarlet Ribbons

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top/Kentucky
Vince Gill: Look At Us/When I Call Your Name

8:00: Martha White
Jimmy C Newman (host): Colinda
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
Boxcar Willie: Cowboys & Horses; Hobos & Trains
Roy Drusky: Wings of A Dove
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sugar in the Gourd
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya

8:30: Pops Rite
Hank Snow (host): A Vanishing Breed
Jean Shepard: Home In San Antone/Time Changes Everything/Roly Poly
4 Guys: Tennessee
Mike Snider: Shuckin the Corn
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General Stores
Del Reeves (host): Bells of Southern Bell
Skeeter Davis: O Happy Day
Vic Willis Trio: Colorado
Teddy Wilburn; Somebody's Back in Town
Bill Carlisle: Business Man
Del Reeves: Luckenbach Texas

10:00: Little Debbie
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Charlie Louvin: When I Stop Dreaming
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter

10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend
Vince Gill: Pocket Full of Gold/When I Call Your Name

10:30: Pet Milk
Charlie Walker (host): San Antonio Rose
Jan Howard: Somebody's Always Saying Goodbye
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon

10:45: B.C. Powder
Jimmy C Newman (host): Big Mamou
David Houston: My Elusive Dreams
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Blackberry Blossom
Jimmy C Newman: Mottland

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Between Fire & Water
Jean Shepard: Slippin Away
Justin Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Osborne Brothers: Bluegrass Melodies/Midnight Flyer
Hank Snow: I've Done at Least 1 Good Thing in My Life

11:30: Creamette
Boxcar Willie (host): Fireball Mail/Train of Love/Hank Me Down My Walking Cane/Wreck of the Old 97/I'm Moving On/Wabash Cannonball/Night Train to Memphis
Jeannie Seely: Go Down Swinging
4 Guys: Elvira/Elizabeth/Old Flames/Church on the Cumberland Road/Dumas Walker
Mike Snider: Snuff Dipper
Boxcar Willie: Cowboys & Horses; Hobos & Trains

While I was not at the Opry on the night of Vince's induction, I do remember watching it on The Nashville Network and I just had a feeling then that Vince knew what it was about, being an Opry member and he would be a member that could be counted on in the future. 

To conclude the weekend, there is a Sunday Night Opry on the schedule. The only Opry members on the schedule are Riders In The Sky. Rounding out the show are Wyatt McCubbin, Caylee Hammack, The Steel Wheels, Tia Sillers, Kyle Morgan, Ryan and Rory and Appalachian Road Show. 

Sunday October 18
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Wyatt McCubben, The Steel Wheels, Kyle Morgan
Intermission
8:20: Ryan and Rory, Tia Sillers, Caylee Hammack, Appalachian Road Show

For The Steel Wheels, it will be their Opry debut. 

Mid-Week Opry Shows

On the Tuesday Night Opry this week, the Grand Ole Opry will welcome a new member as Rhett Akins officially joins the cast.

Tuesday October 13
7:00: Jon Pardi, Jamey Johnson, Jason Aldean
Intermission
8:20: Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins

It is certainly going to be star-studded evening, and I look forward to listening. Rhett will be the 3rd Opry member to join in 2026, following Suzy Bogguss and Jelly Roll. 

While there will be no Wednesday Night Opry this week, Opry Country Classics will be taking place on Thursday night. 

Opry Country Classics
Thursday October 15
7:00
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Jo Dee Messina
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, Mae Estes, Radney Foster, Lorrie Morgan, Clay Walker

A very nice classics show. 

Grand Ole Opry 10/9 & 10/10

Last week I was in Nashville and at the Grand Ole Opry for the Opry's 101st Birthday Weekend. While the official birthday weekend did not begin until Thursday, I arrived in Nashville on Wednesday and attended the Opry that night, along with the Thursday-Saturday shows. 

Now for some random observations (in no particular order): 

On Wednesday night, Wade Forster from Australia made his Opry debut. It was pretty obvious that many in the audience were unfamiliar with him. Personally, I found him to be ok, but nothing special. 

The Whites were also on the schedule for Wednesday night. Why when they appear are they limited to just two songs? They deserve to have a third. 

Wendy Moten is one of the most talented singers in any type of music. Ditto for Mandy Barnett. 

As with Wade Forster, Stephen Day, who made his debut on Thursday night, was ok. Again, nothing special. 

Charlie Worsham will have his Opry induction after Rhett Akins. While he is not a superstar, he will be good for the Opry and help to fill out the lineups. 

Rhett Akins appeared in Studio A on Saturday afternoon. That show drew just under 400 and lasted about 75 minutes, followed by a meet & greet. He was really fun and I do believe he will be a very good Opry member. His induction in another week should be a special night. 

Ricky Skaggs sang his country hits. Nothing wrong with that. 

I really like Steven Curtis Chapman. 

I don't like the interviews that are being done with those making their Opry debuts. I wish they would just sing another song. 

Both Bill Anderson and Connie Smith were very good. Their voices were right-on and both received good responses from the audience. There aren't many legends left from the 60s and once Bill and Connie are gone, that link will disappear. Enjoy them while they are here. 

The Oak Ridge Boys received standing ovations for Elvira on all three shows. Sadly, Richard Sterban was not with the group this weekend. Where they get their energy from, I have no idea. 

Vince is Vince. The Opry would be lost without him. His loyalty to the show is an example to every other Opry member. 

I really liked Lucas Leon. With the right record label and management, he has a future in country music. 

Brad Paisley needs to get back to the Opry more. Of course, I have been saying that for the last couple of decades. The Opry could use him more than once or twice a year. 

It was nice to see a sold-out Opry show on Friday night, and for the first show on Saturday. The last Saturday show drew about 2,000, while Thursday was less than that. 

There were only six acts on Saturday night, It would have been nice to have had a couple more. 

The Opry Plaza Party was nice, as always, But I do miss the legendary Opry members out in the plaza meeting their fans and signing autographs. 

I miss the birthday cake being rolled out. The cake is still there but it is back in Studio A. The balloons did come down and most of the cast that was on those nights did come out to sing Happy Birthday. 

Finally, this was my 32nd birthday weekend in a row and I think 35 or 36 in total. While some weekends are better than others, this one was a good one. Overall, one of the best in a few years. 

And yes, I will be back next year. 

Now taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry shows this weekend with one show on Friday night, two shows on Saturday, and also a Sunday Night Opry. 

Starting with the Friday Night Opry, there are five Opry members on the schedule: Kathy Mattea, Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett, The Whites and Gary Mule Deer. Guesting are The Wilder Blue, Abbey Cone and making his Opry debut, Randy Bachman. 

If the name Randy Bachman sounds familiar to you, it is because Randy has had a very successful career as a member of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. As a guitarist, songwriter, performer and producer, he has earned over 120 gold and platinum album/singles awards around the world. His songwriting has garnered him the coveted #1 spot on radio playlists in over 20 countries and over the course of his career he has sold over 40 million records. Randy’s songs have been recorded by a broad range of artists and have been placed in dozens of TV shows, films and commercials. Impressively, his music has provided a veritable soundtrack of the last thirty years of popular music. The hits are too numerous to mention and include "These Eyes," "American Woman," "Roll on Down the Highway" and "Takin' Care of Business." I think it is safe to say that the Opry House will be rocking on Friday night. 

Moving ahead to Saturday night, Gary Mule Deer returns, joined by Riders In The Sky and Steve Earle. Guesting are Linda Davis, JigJam, Clayton Nile Young, who is making his Opry debut, as are Christian music artists Caleb & John.

Finally, appearing on the Sunday Night Opry are members T. Graham Brown and Dailey & Vincent. Among the guest artists are Christian music icon Sandi Patty and Kristin Chenoweth. Rounding out the lineup are Opry NextStage artist Alexandra Kay, Avery Anna, Benny G. and making her Opry debut, Sienna Spiro. 

Friday October 9
7:00: Mandy Barnett, The Whites, Randy Bachman, The Wilder Blue
Intermission
8:20: Connie Smith, Gary Mule Deer, Abbey Cone, Kathy Mattea

Saturday October 10
7:00/9:30
Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Linda Davis, Clayton Nile Young, JigJam, Gary Mule Deer, Opry Square Dancers, Caleb & John, Steve Earle

(Running order is the same on both shows)

Sunday October 11
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Benny G., Sienna Spiro, T. Graham Brown
Intermission
8:20: Avery Anna, Sandi Patty, Alexandra Kay, Kristin Chenoweth

While the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 101st anniversary last weekend, it was on this weekend in 1987 that the Opry celebrated its 62nd anniversary. 

From the Tennessean Friday Oct 9:

This year's 62nd Grand Ole Opry Birthday Celebration features more Opry star appearances than ever before. Tomorrow afternoon more than a dozen of the venerable show's cast members will be signing autographs and posing for pictures in the Opryland park in conjunction with the Opry birthday. Many will head for the Opry House that evening for the traditional jumbo birthday cake display and party. 

The next day at the Opryland Hotel a half dozen Opry greats will participate in a free "Sunday Mornin' Country gospel show. In the afternoon, the Opry stars have been invited to attend the Reunion of Professional Entertainers (ROPE) get-together in suburban Nashville. And many Opry stars will be on view at Monday's nationally telecast Country Music Association Awards Show, for 16 of this year's nominations were captured by show cast members. 

Saturday's Opryland autograph and picture sessions will feature Country Music Hall of Fame members Bill Monroe and Grant Turner, plus many other Opry celebrities. The sessions begin at 11 a.m. when Jack Greene, Charlie Walker and Riders In The Sky will meet with fans. At noon are The 4 Guys and The Carlisles. 

Jim Ed Brown, Jeannie Seely and The Whites are scheduled for 1 p.m. followed by Stonewall Jackson, Del Wood and Jan Howard at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m. come Skeeter Davis and George Hamilton IV, with Turner, Del Reeves and Wilma Lee Cooper arriving the next hour. The 5 p.m. slot will feature Monroe and Jimmy C Newman. The fan sessions will conclude with Jean Shepard at 6 p.m. 

Also on hand all day will be Glen Thompson, president of the Grand Ole Opry Fan Club. Thompson, of Kenosha, Wisc., will sign up new fan club members throughout the day. 

The Grand Ole Opry birthday show will be highlighted by an appearance by superstar Glen Campbell. He'll be on The Nashville Network's nationally televised 7 p.m. Opry segment along with Roy Acuff, Del Wood and Stonewall Jackson. 

Here is the posted lineup for Friday October 9, 1987: 

1st show
6:30: Del Reeves (host): Skeeter Davis, Ray Pillow, The 4 Guys, Del Wood
7:00: Bill Monroe (host): Jean Shepard, Riders In The Sky, Stonewall Jackson, Jack Greene
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Jan Howard, George Hamilton IV, 
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host): Connie Smith, Osborne Brothers, Jimmy C Newman
8:30: Hank Snow (host): The Whites, Charlie Walker

2nd show
9:30: Bill Monroe (host): Lorrie Morgan, Carlisles, Justin Tubb, Jeannie Seely
10:00: Roy Acuff (host): The 4 Guys, Del Reeves, Jean Shepard
10:30: Jack Greene (host): Riders In The Sky, Del Wood, Wilma Lee Cooper, George Hamilton IV
11:00: Hank Snow (host): The Whites, Jimmy C Newman, Connie Smith
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host): Osborne Brothers, Charlie Walker

And now the running order from the 62nd birthday show from 39 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Del Reeves (host): Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime At At Time/Looking at the World Through a Windshield
The 4 Guys: Once More
Del Reeves: I Wished That I Had Loved Her That Way

6:45: Rudy's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
Lorrie Morgan: There's No Love In Tennessee
Jimmy C Newman: Pistol Packin' Mama

7:00: Shoney's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Fools
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Charlie Louvin & Jennifer O'Brien: Every Time You Leave
George Hamilton IV: Someday My Ship Will Sail
Jan Howard: Somebody's Always Saying Goodbye
Jim Ed Brown: I Don't Want to Have to Marry You

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Stonewall Jackson: Closer to the Vine
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Glen Campbell: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle/I Remember You
Roy Acuff & Opry Cast: Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry
Roy Acuff & Glen Campbell: I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): My Rose of Old Kentucky/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Connie Smith: The Key's in the Mailbox
Riders In The Sky: Faded Love
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Crook Brothers & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Lafayette
Bill Monroe: Lord, Let the Gates Swing Wide for Me

8:30: Music Valley Merchants
Hank Snow (host): Between Fire and Water
Skeeter Davis: My Last Date with You/Silver Threads & Golden Needles/The End of the World
Roy Drusky: The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder
Jack Greene: Statue of A Fool
Carlisles: Worried Man Blues
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Again

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Bill Monroe (host): Uncle Pen
Jeannie Seely: That May Be All I Need to Know
Del Reeves: The Chair That Rocked Us All
The Whites: Swing Down Sweet Chariot
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou
Bill Monroe: The Home Above

10:00: Little Debbie
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
The 4 Guys: Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Dreamed About Mama Last Night
Roy Acuff & Opry Cast: Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

10:30: Pet Milk
George Hamilton IV (host): Break My Mind
Jean Shepard: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young

10:45: Heil Quaker
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Charlie Walker: Deep Water
Crook Brothers & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Jack Greene; There Goes My Everything

11:00 Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Why Do You Punish Me
Connie Smith: Once A Day
Charlie Louvin: True Love
Jan Howard: Release Me
Justin Tubb: Thanks, Troubadour, Thanks
Hank Snow: I Care No More

11:30: BC Powder
Roy Drusky (host): Too Old to Die Young
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Carlisles: Elvira
Riders In The Sky: Back on Those Texas Plains
Roy Drusky & Riders In The Sky: Cool Water
Roy Drusky: Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Even as loaded as this Opry birthday show was, there were still a few big names missing. People such as Bill Anderson, Porter Wagoner, Grandpa Jones, Johnny Russell among others. And it was nice to see Glen Campbell make one of his rare Opry appearances during the birthday celebration. 

There was really something about the Grand Ole Opry birthday weekends with a lot of opportunity for fans to meet their favorite Opry members for pictures and autographs. Sadly, those days are gone, as are the birthday weekend shows when a vast majority of the Opry's members appeared.