Here is this weekend's Grand Ole Opry line-up.
Friday August 14th:
7:00: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Mike Snider; Justin McBride
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Rodney Atkins
8:00: Ricky Skaggs(host); Jim Ed Brown; Riders In The Sky; The Whites
8:30: Bill Anderson(host); Connie Smith; Vince Gill
Saturday August 15th:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; The Infamous Stringdusters
7:30: Vince Gill(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
8:00: Mel Tillis(host); Stonewall Jackson; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Connie Smith; Jim Ed Brown; Josh Turner
A real solid line-up for both the Friday Opry and the Saturday Night Grand Ole Opry. Josh Turner has a new single out this week and Jesse McReynolds has a great new CD out, "Family Harmony", featuring his grandchildren. His current line up of the Virginia Boys(and girl), sounds great. And, its always a good night at the Opry when Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill are appearing.
Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, August 18th:
7:00: John Conlee; Chris Young
7:30: Jimmy C. Newman
8:00: Riders In The Sky; Hal Ketchum
8:30: Jimmy Dickens; Restless Heart
Both shows this weekend have three Hall of Famers (Dickens and Gill both nights, Anderson Friday and Tillis Saturday), and several who should be: Ricky Skaggs, Jim Ed Brown, and I'd make a case for Stonewall Jackson, too.
ReplyDeleteI do not get overly impressed with a lot of the younger artists, but I like Josh Turner.
By the way, years ago, Hal Durham said Hall of Famers always host. Vince often doesn't when he's in, and he has said that he gets more nervous about hosting an Opry segment than he ever did at hosting the CMA Awards.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to think of all the Hall of Famers who always hosted after being elected to the Hall: Roy Acuff; Bill Monroe; Ernest Tubb; Grampa Jones; Tex Ritter; Marty Robbins; Hank Snow; Jimmy Dickens; Bill Anderson; Porter Wagoner.. I am sure I am missing someone. I think that Lester Flatt had already passed away when Flatt & Scruggs were elected to the Hall. And, of course, non of the females hosted. Any others..? And, if you remember, and I am sure you do, When Hal Durham was the Opry manager, the shows lasted longer and had more segments.
ReplyDeleteI think you got them, although Dickens didn't always host--he was kind of the odd man out in those days if all of the other biggies were there. I remember Grandpa Jones once did Mr. Acuff's segment on TNN, though I think that was for a special event of some kind. I remember one night when Bill Monroe was coming down from Beanblossom and wasn't sure he'd make the first show, so he appeared on Hank Snow's segment at 8:30, and Mr. Snow mentioned that it was very unusual for him to be introducing Mr. Monroe.
ReplyDeleteLester Flatt died in 1979 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1985. That always has stuck with me because we were watching it on TV. Chet Atkins inducted them and when he started to say Lester Flatt, the camera cut to Earl Scruggs, who started smiling a little. When Chet said, "and Earl Scruggs," Earl's face went totally blank, and when he got on stage he barely could say thank you. My mother was watching and said she had never seen anyone look so suddenly ... blank ... shocked.