One of the comments to an earlier post(thanks Michael) mentioned the Homecoming shows that the Opry used to have once each year(for a while it was in March). The Opry ended those shows years ago, but Mike listed names of ex-Opry members who could possibly perform at a Homecoming show. It got me to thinking: what ex-Grand Ole Opry members are still alive. I have a few names to list. If anyone has others, please add:
>The Four Guys
>Bobby Bare
>Margie Bowes
>Bonnie & Maxine Brown
>Tompall and the Glaser Brothers
>Norma Jean
>Sonny Osborne(technically still a member but retired)
>Jeanne Pruett(still a member but retired)
>Willie Nelson
>Holly Dunn
>The Everly Brothers
>Sonny James
>Carl Smith
>Doug Kershaw
>Leroy Van Dyke
>Kitty Wells
>Johnny Wright
>Oscar Sullivan
>Don Williams
I know I am missing lots, but with some research I can come up with the rest. Please add yours.
Thanks! Actually, I don't think you are missing many. I thought of Ray Price, Ferlin Husky, the Jordannaires, and B.J. Thomas. Also, the Four Guys.
ReplyDeleteI also could add people who performed on the Opry as part of a member's act: Cal Smith of Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours and June Stearns and Melba Montgomery of Mr. Acuff's show.
B.J.Thomas is the one that is easy to forget. He was a member for such a short amount of time and then he left. There is not much written about that whole situation.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know more about a lot of things! That would be one of them. I remember reading that he was surprised at his dismissal. The only reasons would have been for behavior, which we heard nothing about, or not making enough appearances, which by the time he joined in the early 1980s didn't seem to be much of an issue any more.
ReplyDeleteI believe that both of the Poe Sisters (Nelle and Ruth) are still living. Both retired from the music business and the Opry in the 40's and would be in their 80's now. The last information I have on them was in regard to their coming back to Nashville a few years ago to participate in the Hall of Fame's oral history project.
ReplyDeleteI am embarrassed at one I missed ... Earl Scruggs! Of course, we think of him as a member in connection with Lester Flatt, but in fact Scruggs remained a member for a few years after the two of them broke up.
ReplyDelete