As expected, changes were made in this weekend's line-ups. Holly Williams has been added to both Saturday night shows, and this will be here 3rd appearance in the last several months. The Whites will be hosting the 2nd Saturday segments.
Here is this week's Grand Ole Opry line-ups:
Friday November 20:
7:00: George Hamilton IV(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jason Michael Carroll
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Shane Yellowbird
8:00: Mike Snider(host); Stonewall Jackson; The Whites; Connie Smith
8:30: Vince Gill(host); Ralph Stanley; Little Big Town
Saturday November 21:
First Show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Holly Williams
7:30: The Whites(host);Jack Greene; Ralph Stanley
8:00: George Hamilton IV(host); Jan Howard; The Lovell Sisters; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Connie Smith; Charlie Daniels Band
Second Show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Holly Williams
10:00: The Whites(host); Jack Greene; Ralph Stanley
10:30: Mike Snider(host); Ray Pillow; Charlie Daniels Band; Opry Square Dancers
11:00; Vince Gill(host); Connie Smith; The Lovell Sisters
Comments:
>Ralph Stanley will be autographing copies of his new book at the Opry Originals Shop on Friday night after the Friday Night Opry.
>George Hamilton is hosting a segment on Friday and Saturday night. I have always enjoyed it when he has hosted a segment as he gives his guests great and sincere introductions. Sometimes he has the habit of being a little too long on the introductions, but I always enjoy his style.
>On Saturday night, there is no host for the 2nd segment on both shows. It could be that there was no one else available to host, but looking at the artists scheduled that night, Jimmy C. Newman, Ray Pillow and The Whites have all hosted segments in the past. It has been many years since Jack Greene hosted, and he is not in the rotation of hosts. Or, it could be that adjustments are going to be made to the schedule. I notice that Vince Gill is only scheduled for the 2nd show on Saturday. The way it is listed now, Jimmy Dickens will be hosting the entire first hour on both shows. Hope his voice holds out-it has not been the strongest of late.
>Rockie Lynne will be hosting the Midnight Jamboree from the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. At one time, he had the beginnings of a solid career, but seems to have hit a wall.
>Finally, the question of the week, is who is Shane Yellowbird? Again, with the ticket prices being charged at the Opry, the booking needs to be better. Don't get me wrong, as I am sure Shane is a fine artist. But???
I am betting that there will be some lineup changes so that there is a host for that segment. Odds are that on the first show, Vince Gill will take the 8:30 and Mike Snider will go to the 7:30. On the second show, we'll just see!
ReplyDeleteI looked up Shane Yellowbird, and this is interesting. He is a Canadian-born Cree--a Native American, and considered one of Canada's rising country stars.
I was at the 1st show last night, my 302nd show. Not a lot of news to report. They are using the modern barn backdrop from the Opry House and do appear to have taken out the center section like you said on an earlier comment. I'd just as soon have the colored backdrop of a red barn. Nothing against the Whites, but you know the lineup is thin when they are hosting on both shows. I can remember not too many years ago when you'd regularly have 25-30 acts on a Saturday show. Last night 13. Holly Williams brought her mother out to sing with her. Ralph Stanley really tore it up on the banjo. Charlie Daniels was the highlight of the evening. The Ryman looked to be near a sell out for the 6:30 show. I think someone mentioned this, but they have refurbished the exhibits at the Ryman and they are really well done. They have some really nice cases on the Opry and various Opry stars and a case with Johnny and June items. If anyone goes to the Opry @ the Ryman, get in there early and take time to look at the refurbished exhibits at the back of the Main floor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "live" report. When I was there in October and I saw the new exhibits at the Ryman, I thought they were very well done and very nice. It needed a change after 10 years, or whatever it was. I agree about the Whites hosting on both shows. Like you said, nothing against the Whites, but they are not on the top tier of Opry stars. I will ask, how did Jimmy Dickens look. I know that his voice has been getting weaker of late, especially when he sings a ballad. It just does not sound good. Also, how about Jimmy C. Newman. He was not there in October and I had heard he has looked a little shakey of late (perhaps that was why he was not hosting a segment as he usually is the choice instead of the Whites). On the radio he still sounds pretty good. Thanks again. My next visit will be in January.
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed anything with Jimmy C. Jack Greene seemed to be a little shaky(maybe having eye problems??) Saturday getting out to the stage and back from it, but he always knocks the crowd dead with "Statue" as he did Saturday night.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that Jimmy Dickens started having the latest round of vocal issues around late July/early August and they haven't gotten much better. He looks great though. I was thinking how much healthier he looks this November than last November!! I was there for his 60th Anniversary last year and he was very thin. I know he is aware of the problem and he indicated a couple of weeks ago on the Opry that he has had it checked out and that he thinks it it is temporary and will get better. I'm wondering though if the vocal issues are just age-related and will just have to be something he will have to work around. He sounds good and strong when he is talking and telling jokes.
He might just have to do more comedy (Minnie Pearl made a career of it and comedy is something today's Opry is sorely lacking) and less singing as time goes on. Also, you've probably noticed as have I, that he is doing more recitations like Raggedy Ann. There are a lot of other ones he could do going forward and that is something you don't see being done at the Opry much anymore since Porter died. Hopefully, he won't let these issues get him down and will adapt his performances if the vocals don't improve, because he is still a remarkable entertainer.
I know you saw Jimmy in October, but I will send you a couple of pictures I took Saturday.