August Opry Highlights

The month of August is upon us and as I always do, I want to review the historical moments that have taken place in Grand Ole Opry history during the month.

During the month of a August, several Opry members joined the Opry:

Jimmy Dickens is credited with becoming an Opry member of August 1, 1948 (62 years), although the exact date that Jimmy joined seems to have been lost to history. At the age of 89, is is the oldest Opry member.

Jimmy C. Newman became an Opry member of August 1, 1956 (54 years).

Bobby & Sonny, the Osborne Brothers, joined the Opry on August 8, 1964 (46 years). Although Sonny is now retired from active performing, Bobby continues as an Opry member, headlining his own group the Rocky Top X-Press.

Vince Gill became a member of October 10, 1991 (19 years). He was introduced on stage by Roy Acuff.

Jim Ed Brown became an Opry member on August 12, 1963 (47 years). He actually joined as part of the Browns, which included his sisters Maxine and Bonnie. A few years later, Jim Ed would go solo, although his sisters would continue to make appearances with him on the Opry.

Roy Clark became an Opry member on August 22, 1987 (23 years). Roy had been asked several times in the past to became an Opry member, but he told the Opry management that while he would love to become an Opry member, he could not guarantee that he could fulfill the membership requirements. The Opry finally said that was fine, they would welcome him as a member with that understanding. At least he was honest with the management regarding his appearances, which is more than can be said for some of the current members.

Trace Adkins joined the Opry on August 23, 2003 (7 years). While Jimmy Dickens invited Trace to become an Opry member, Ronnie Milsap did the actual induction honors when he joined.

Pam Tillis became an Opry member on August 26, 2000 (10 years). Pam always thought it was odd that she was a member and not her Dad. It was through a lot of her efforts, that Mel Tillis was finally made an Opry member in 2007.

Among the historical moments in Opry history in August, we have:

August 11, 1952, Hank Williams was fired from the Opry. He would spend what little time he had left trying make good and getting himself reinstated as an Opry member. That reinstatement would never come.

August 25, 1956, George Jones joined the Grand Ole Opry. He would later leave and rejoin the show in 1973. It is kind of funny how the Opry writes it's history. Both George and Jimmy Dickens left the show for a period of time, yet George's Opry induction date is officially considered the date he rejoined the show in 1973, while Jimmy's induction date is still considered his original date in 1948.

August 4, 1959, Skeeter Davis joined the Opry.

August 28, 1965, Roy Acuff returned to the Opry for the first time since he was involved in a serious traffic accident on his way to a show in Terrell, North Carolina. In the accident that seriously injured several members of his band, Roy suffered two pelvic fractures, a broken collarbone and broken ribs. One result of the accident was that June Stearns, part of his show at the time, no longer appeared with the Smoky Mountain Boys again. Shot Jackson was the most seriously hurt of his band members.

August 17, 1967, Charlie Walker became a member of the Opry.

August 10, 2002, the Dixie Chicks performed as guests on the Opry. During their performance on the televised portion of the show, they made the announcement that Porter Wagoner and Bill Carlisle had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the case of both of these performers, especially Porter, it was long overdue. Many people felt that it was an injustice that Dolly Parton had been elected to the Hall of Fame before Porter.


In honor of Trace Adkins becoming an Opry member, here is the line-up from Saturday August 23, 2003, the night he officially became an Opry member:

6:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); The Whites; Jimmy C. Newman; Osborne Brothers
7:00: Lorrie Morgan(host); Del McCoury Band; Ronnie Milsap; Trace Adkins
8:00: Porter Wagoner(host); Jean Shepard; Doyle Dykes; Opry Squre Dance Band; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: John Conlee(host); Mike Snider; Patty Loveless

9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); The Whites; Ronnie Milsap
10:00: Porter Wagoner(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Osborne Brothers; Lorrie Morgan
10:30: Jeannie Seely(host); Jack Greene; Patty Loveless; Opry Square Dance Band; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Trace Adkins
11:30: John Conlee(host); Doyle Dykes; Del McCoury Band

In honor of Porter Wagoner and Bill Carlisle, here is the line-up from the Opry on Saturday August 10, 2002, the night they were officially announced as members of the Country Music Hall of Fame:

6:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Jim Ed Brown; Bering Strait
7:00: Brad Paisley(host); Jamie O'Neal; Lee Greenwood; Dixie Chicks
8:00: Porter Wagoner(host); Bill Carlisle; Jeannie Seely; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dance Band; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: John Conlee(host); George Hamilton IV; Jean Shepard; Hal Ketchum

9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Hal Ketchum; Charlie Walker; Dixie Chicks
10:00: Porter Wagoner(host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Brad Paisley
10:30: Jean Shepard(host); Holly Dunn; Lee Greenwood; Opry Square Dance Band; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Jack Greene; Jamie O'Neal
11:30: George Hamilton IV(host); Connie Smith; Bering Strait

I hope you enjoy this look back.

Tuesday Night Opry 8/3

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, August 3. The show will be at the Ryman Auditorium.

7:00: John Conlee; Josh Tompson
7:30: Jack Greene; Del McCoury Band
INTERMISSION
8:15: Connie Smith; Joey+Rory
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Diamond Rio

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/30 & 7/31

Before I get to the line-up at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, I know that I have not posted as much as normal the past several weeks. Like I said, I have been taking some vacation time, and also, there just has not been much Opry news to report. The usual slow period in late summer. But, several of you have been emailing me with questions about the Opry and comments, and I always enjoy hearing from like-minded Opry fans. Feel free to email me anytime with any comments or questions regarding the Opry, or classic country music in general.

Just to show I know more music than just country, I do want to say that several weeks ago I went to see Phil Lesh, Bob Weir and Futhur Fest. If you are a Grateful Dead fan, you will know what I am talking about. And then last week, I saw Phil Keaggy and Glass Harp, who were just great. Now, enough of that and back to country music.

With August starting this weekend, I will be back in full time action, which also means more regular updates, classic Opry line-ups and more Opry news. And I am sure there will be lots of Opry news in the next several weeks as the plans are announced for the re-opening of the Grand Ole Opry House. That could be the most exciting Opry news in a while.

Now, for the line-ups for this weekend. The will again be one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night, both at the Ryman Auditorium. Vince Gill returns for both shows this weekend, along with an appearance by Ray Stevens on Saturday night.

Friday July 30
7:00: Jim Ed Brown(host); The Whites; Daryle Singletary
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); John Cowan; Jan Howard
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jean Shepard(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Restless Heart
8:45: Vince Gill(host); Connie Smith; The Isaacs

Saturday July 31
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Daryle Singletary
7:30: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jean Shepard; Tim O'Brien
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jeannie Seely(host); Jack Greene; Ray Stevens; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; The Whites

Georgette Jones will be the host this week for the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. Wouldn't it be great if George would make a guest appearance. That would just make the night.

And finally, Charlie Louvin had his cancer surgery last week. From what I ready, everything went ok and he is home recovering. God Bless!!!

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/23 & 7/24

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for this weekend. Friday night will feature the Opry debut of Randy Montana, along with Vince Gill and Cherryholmes. Saturday night features Patty Loveless and Heidi Newfield, along with Vince Gill and Marty Stuart. Both shows are at the Ryman Auditorium and there is one show each night.

Friday July 23
7:00: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Randy Montana
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Cherryholmes
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Jack Greene; Chuck Mead
8:45: Vince Gill(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Connie Smith

Saturday July 24
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); John Conlee; Chuck Mead
7:30: Mike Snider(host); Jim Ed Brown; Heidi Newfield
INTERMISSION
8:15: Marty Stuart(host); Stonewall Jackson; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Patty Loveless

The Opry has also announced the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry on July 27. This show will also be at the Ryman Auditorium and will feature Rhonda Vincent and Carrie Underwood.

Tuesday July 27
7:00: Diamond Rio; Jim Ed Brown
7:30: Steel Magnolia; Rhonda Vincent
INTERMISSION
8:15: Eric Church; Jimmy Dickens
8:45: Carrie Underwood

The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, that is now taped at 10:00pm at the Music Valley Drive Shop, will be hosted by Charlie McCoy. The taped broadcast at Midnight will be hosted by Bill Anderson.

Random Opry Thoughts

Good Evening, and sorry for the lack of posts this week. I am taking some vacation time and hopefully will be headed to the Carter Fold this weekend for the Saturday night show. I will post the weekly Opry line-up tomorrow, along with my thoughts, but I wanted to take a few minutes and just give my opinion on a couple of Opry items that have been on my mind:

Is is just me, or has everyone else noticed that since they had the Tuesday Night Opry with Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner to kick of the Opry's 85th birthday celebration, there has been basically nothing else said? Also, as of today, still no artists announced for the Opry's birthday weekend in October.

Also, the birthday concert this year will feature Mike Snider and T. Bubba Bechtol. After having artists such as Ronnie Milsap, Lorrie Morgan and The Gatlins the past several years, this is a comedown. This used to be one of the best bargins of the weekend, but know, I don't know.

I am becoming more and more concerned with the health of Jimmy Dickens. We all know that he is week-to-week, but his voice has been pretty bad the past several weeks. I just remember how it ended for Roy Acuff and would hate to see it happen the same way for Jimmy.

The Opry is still saying that they will return to the Opry House on October 1, but I am starting to wonder. I know they don't want to make definite plans until they know for sure, but at some point, they have to announce something. I still hope that somehow it gets pushed back to the birthday weekend.

And, speaking again of the birthday weekend, it looks like it could be a weak line-up unless they pull something out of their hat. From looking at various websites, many of the Opry's big guns have scheduled tour dates for that weekend, including of all people, Jimmy Dickens. I guess that the birthday weekend doesn't hold the attention like it used to.

It looks like to me that the Opry is going to have just one show on Saturday night from this point on, except for some special weekends. I have to admit that I do enjoy hearing the archive shows on WSM after the live Opry. Last week, the segment featured Ernest Tubb as the host.

But, it just doesn't seem right on Saturday night to have the Opry ending at 9:00.

I am concerned with the lower attendance for the Opry shows at the Ryman. I know that the tourist and convention business in Nashville is way down, but I would have expected the Opry to do a bit more marketing than it has been doing. They can't survive for long with only 1,000 people for each show.

And, speaking of the Opry House, it looks like that if the Opry House opens in October as planned, the Opry will only be there for one month, and then it will be back to the Ryman for its winter run. I am sure they will work hard to cash in that month.

Best of wishes to Charlie Louvin on his surgery. It will be rough, but he is committed to returning to the stage in August. Hopefully, they caught it in time. And, speaking of Charlie, it is still shameful that he only did one song during his last Opry appearance.

I am encouraged that Carrie Underwood continues to make regular Opry appearances. Also, it's nice to see more of Joe Diffie and Emmylou Harris at the Opry this year. But, it is still missing in action for Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Tom T. Hall, Alison Krauss, Reba and Dolly, all who haven't found the Opry yet this year.

As much as I hate the change, I kind of enjoyed the Midnight Jamboree being taped at 10pm. I watched the live webcast as it was being taped last Saturday, with Bill Anderson as the host and I have got to say that the quality of the broadcast was pretty good. And, Bill looked and sounded great. I really enjoy his new CD, Songwriter.

I saw that Hal Ketchum is scheduled for an upcoming Opry show. He had announced that he was taking the year off, but I am glad he is coming back for the Opry. He has really supported the show over the past several years.

Oh, and have you noticed that Carrie Underwood gets a full half hour again on Tuesday night? That almost is a given anymore.

Have you noticed that since Craig Morgan became an Opry member, his appearances have really dropped?

Also, is it just me, or are there others who are getting tired of Mike Snider hosting segments on almost every Opry show he is on? I like Mike and he is funny, but I would love to see some other Opry members as a host. Ray Pillow did a fine job several weeks ago. And, have you noticed that Jimmy C. Newman seems to have been dropped out of the rotation of hosts?

Don't you think it is time for a new Opry member? I think Rhonda Vincent, Gene Watson or the Oak Ridge Boys would make great additions. But, why do I think Pete Fisher will choose Darius Rucker or Chris Young as the next member?

And, don't you just hate it when the Opry and their website go out of the way to promote a new CD or product by a non-Opry member, such as Darius Rucker this week, while ignoring great new CD's by current Opry members, such as Charlie Louvin's new project that is getting great reviews by everyone?

It just seems like Opry membership is not as important as it once was to be on the Opry. Many non-members seem to be on many more times as current members. Can we say Chris Young or Mandy Barnett?

I am glad to see Vince Gill and Patty Loveless back on the Opry this weekend. I have to admit that Vince is one of my favorite male singers. I don't think anyone does a ballad better than Vince. And, Patty is just awesome. What a voice she has. I wish she would do the Opry more.

Until next time...........

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/16 & 7/17

The Grand Ole Opry has posted this weekend's line-ups. Once again, as has been the recent pattern, there is one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night, both at the Ryman Auditorium. The Tuesday Night Opry is also scheduled there.

Jimmy Dickens is again listed for all shows this week. He has cancelled out the past several weekends, so hopefully he is feeling better and will be able to make it. Just the fact that he has been listed the past few weeks and then has cancelled leads me to believe that it is nothing serious. But, looking at the schedule, it looks like that they have a back-up plan on Friday night if he cannot make it, as they could slide Jim Ed Brown to a later segmend and he could host. On Saturday night, Mel Tillis looks like the option for the first segment if Jimmy cannot make it, with the Opry adding someone else.

Friday July 16:
7:00: Marty Stuart(host); Jim Ed Brown; Jan Howard; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Mark Wills
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jeannie Seely(host); Jack Greene; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
8:45: Mel Tillis(host); Riders In The Sky; Kenyon Lockry

Saturday July 17:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Rebecca Lynn Howard; Mel Tillis
7:30: Bill Anderson(host); Connie Smith; Point Of Grace
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jeannie Seely(host); Stonewall Jackson; Lee Brice; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Riders In The Sky(host); Jim Ed Brown; Rodney Crowell

Tuesday Night Opry July 20:
7:00: Bill Anderson ; The Band Perry
7:30: Easton Corbin; Marty Stuart
INTERMISSION
8:15: Darryl Worley; Jimmy Dickens
8:45: Dierks Bentley & Friends featuring Sam Bush, Sonya Isaacs, Del McCoury & Marty Stuart

Bill Anderson is the host for the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, that is now taped at 10:00pm at the record shop, for broadcast the following Saturday night at midnight.

One final comment:
Charlie Louvin was on the Opry last Saturday night. He was allowed to sing one song. Considering that there were only 3 people on that half hour segment, and the fact that he will be undergoing cancer surgery, there is no excuse for not allowing Charlie to sing 2 songs. As serious as the surgery is, and while we don't want to think it, that may have been Charlie's last Opry appearance, at the very least for a while. He has been a member of the Opry for over 50 years and should have been allowed more.

The Aging Of The Grand Ole Opry

With the recent birthday and illness of Charlie Louvin and with the cancellation of some of Jimmy Dickens recent Opry appearances, it got me to thinking about the health and age of many of the Opry members. I know that the age of Opry members has come up frequently over the years, along with the statements that the Opry is a "living museum". I know that this topic came up in the 1980's, and concerned mostly Opry legends Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Hank Snow, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe and others, along with the criticism that the Opry wasn't getting any younger.

Now the Opry has a number of younger members, but as I discovered when doing some research, the majority of the Opry's members are over the age of 60. While we all enjoy the legends, this is not necessarily a good thing for the long term survival of the Opry. And, this does not even take into consideration the number of elderly Opry members who have died over the past several years, including Porter Wagoner, Roy Drusky, Del Reeves, Charlie Walker, Billy Walker and others.

So, here is the breakdown and just a short comment on the basic health of these members.

There are currently 66 Opry members, and of those 66, 10 are 80 or older.
*Jimmy Dickens is the eldest Opry member at 89, and as we know, he is basically day to day.
*Wilma Lee Cooper is also 89, but is no longer active on the Opry.
*Billy Grammer is 84, and has not been on the Opry in over a year.
*Ralph Stanley is 83 and is basically in good health and still touring and making Opry appearances.
*Charlie Louvin is also 83, and now has cancer. Up to this point, he was actively touring and making Opry appearances, when asked.
*Jimmy C. Newman is 82 and seems fine, as does Jesse McReynolds at 81.
*Jack Greene, Jan Howard and Buck White are all 80, and appear reguarly on the Opry, and all sound great.

17 additional Opry members are over the age of 70.
Bobby Osborne is 79 and seems fine; George Jones is 78 and has had voice issues over the past several years; Stonewall Jackson is 77 with some health issues; Mel Tillis and Stu Phillips are also 77 and while their voices have been a bit off recently, they seem overall ok; Roy Clark is also 77, with some recent health issues; Jean Shepard and Jim Ed Brown are 76 and appear reguarly at the Opry; Loretta Lynn is 75 and if you believe the scandal magazines at the checkout lines, she is in bad shape, but when I have heard her on the Opry, she has sounded fine; Tom T. Hall is 74 and missing from the Opry; Jeanne Pruett is 73 and retired; Charlie Daniels is also 73 and had a scare this winter; while Bill Anderson, George Hamilton IV and Charley Pride all seem fine at 72, as do Del McCoury at 71 and Jeannie Seely at 70.

An additional 9 Opry members are over the age of 60, and with the exception of Mel McDaniel at 67, who is unable to perform on the Opry, all seem fine. Barbara Mandrell is retired at 61, but the rest do perform on the Opry. Connie Smith is 68, Ronnie Milsap 67, Dolly Parton 64, John Conlee and Emmylou Harris 63, Larry Gatlin 62, and finally, all the members of Riders In The Sky are between 60 and 65.

I will just throw in that 12 Opry members are between the age of 50 and 60.

So, out of 66 Opry members, 36 are over 60. Wow!!

While you hope and pray nothing happens, you have to be realistic that over the next few years, the potential is there for the Opry to lose more than a few members. This is the time that the younger members need to stand up and support the show, and also the time for the Opry to look at adding new members. And, ideally, members who play good country music or bluegrass and would support the show. It has been a year since a member was added. And since Pete Fisher became general manager of the show, he has been careful about adding members. Of course, with fewer Opry shows and more guest artists appearing, maybe there doesn't need to be as many Opry members as before. I know for most of its history the Opry has usually been in the 50 member range. It got up to 72 in the 1980's and early 90's, when they were adding the younger artists left and right. But in recent years, with the deaths of many of the legends and fewer artists being added, the numbers have gone down.

Maybe it is the time for the Opry to be looking ahead. There are quite a few artists who would love to get that Opry membership and perhaps this is the time to consider some of them.

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/9 & 7/10

The Grand Ole Opry has posted their line-ups for this weekend's shows and for the Tuesday Night Opry next week. Charlie Louvin is scheduled for Saturday night and that is good to see. I hope that the audience shows their appreciation to Charlie in view of his upcoming cancer surgery. There is a nice little feature on Charlie in today's Tennessean. All the shows this weekend will be held at the Ryman Auditorium.

Friday July 9
7:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Connie Smith; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jean Shepard; Mandy Barnett
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C. Newman; Terri Clark
8:45: Jim Ed Brown(host); The Whites; Joe Diffie

Saturday July 10
7:00: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jean Shepard; Andy Griggs
7:30: Jeannie Seely(host); Jack Greene; Sam Bush
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider(host); Stonewall Jackson; Jaron & The Long Road To Love; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs(host); Charlie Louvin; Connie Smith

Tuesday July 13
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Chris Young
7:30: Jimmy C. Newman; Mark Chesnutt
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jeannie Seely; Montgomery Gentry
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Charlie Daniels Band

This week, there is no live taping for the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. The show that will be played at midnight on WSM was taped last Saturday night and will be hosted by George Hamilton IV. This will be the first broadcast since they went to taping the shows the week before.

Finally, I am hearing that the Opry is getting closer to announcing their plans on returning to the Opry House. They wanted to wait as close as they could to make sure they have a confirmed date on returning. The rumor is October 1 or October 5. They are also to announce plans for the Opry's birthday celebration that is scheduled for October 8 and October 9. Usually by this time, the plans have been announced and some of the artists confirmed. But at this point, nothing official. Everything is up in the air as reconstruction continues.

Charlie Louvin Fighting Cancer

The information that Charlie Louvin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer was in the comments section on an earlier post. The following is what was posted on his website yesterday.

"He is discovering a new foe. He recently went in to see the doctor with what seemed to be a minor complaint and came back with a diagnosis of stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Suddenly, the success of his soon-to-be-released, new CD is not nearly as important as Charlie's victory over one of the most virulent forms of cancer. He has been through a lot in his 83 years, but this hurdle is one he was not counting on. Charlie's family and friends are encouraged that he will be in good hands, but they definitely covet your prayers."

The surgery is scheduled for July 22 at Vanderbilt Hospital, and he will under go what is called a "whipple procedure."The web site further states that he will be unable to perform for several weeks after his surgery, but he tentatively hopes to be back on stage by Aug. 21.

He is on the Opry schedule for Saturday night July 24, but obviously he will not be making that appearance. Perhaps they will move him up and have him perform prior to his surgery.

Our prayers are with him.

Grand Ole Opry--July 2 & 3, 1999

It's time to post another Grand Ole Opry line-up from the past. This time I go back to Friday July 2 and Saturday July 3, 1999 for a look back at the Opry during that July 4th weekend. There was 1 show on Friday night and 2 shows on Saturday night, all at the Grand Ole Opry House. Hope you enjoy:

Friday July 2
7:30: Porter Wagoner(host); Skeeter Davis; Jim & Jesse; Brad Paisley
8:00: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Bill Carlisle; Andy Griggs
8:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); The Whites; Jimmy C. Newman; Ricky Skaggs
9:00: Bill Anderson(host); Charlie Louvin; Mike Snider; Jason Sellers
9:30: Billy Walker(host); Ernie Ashworth; Jack Greene

Saturday July 3
First Show
6:30: Jimmy C. Newman(host); Skeeter Davis
6:45: Jim Ed Brown(host); Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Porter Wagoner(host); Jan Howard; Bill Carlisle; Ricky Skaggs
7:30: John Conlee(host); Jason Sellers; Andy Griggs
8:00: Bill Anderson(host); The Whites; Chonda Pierce; Opry Squaredance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeanne Pruett; The 4 Guys; Jim & Jesse; Del Reeves

Second Show
9:30: Porter Wagoner(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Jim Ed Brown
10:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeanne Pruett
10:15: Ricky Skaggs(host); Jason Sellers
10:30: John Conlee(host); Chonda Pierce
10:45: Jeannie Seely(host); Opry Squaredance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00; Bill Anderson(host); The Whites; Mike Snider; Andy Griggs
11:30: Billy Walker(host); Stu Phillips; The 4 Guys; Del Reeves; Charlie Walker

Really, not too bad of line-ups.

Tuesday Night Opry-July 6

Jimmy Dickens is still being listed on the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry on July 6. He has been missing from the Opry the past several weeks. The show is at the Ryman Auditorium.

7:00: John Conlee; Josh Thompson
7:30: The Whites; James Otto
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson; Daryle Singletary
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Terri Clark

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/2 & 7/3

The Grand Ole Opry has posted this weekend's line-ups and there have already been changes. In the original line-up, Jimmy Dickens was scheduled for both Friday and Saturday night and he is now off the schedule. That is two weekends in a row. Additionally, Charlie Louvin has cancelled for Friday night.

Following the recent pattern for the Opry, there is one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night, both at the Ryman Auditorium. Among the featured artists this weekend, Emmylou Harris is scheduled for both nights and Wynonna is scheduled for Saturday night. Kathy Mattea is set for Friday night, as she continues her string of recent Opry appearances.

Mandy Barnett is scheduled for Saturday night and this has become an Opry tradition in recent years: having Mandy scheduled on the Saturday night show on the July 4th weekend. Usually, she will start the show with the National Anthem and possibly sing, "God Bless America."

Here are the line-ups:

Friday July 2
7:00: John Conlee(host); Riders In The Sky; Emily West
7:30: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Kathy Mattea
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson(host); Jeannie Seely; ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers
8:45: Emmylou Harris(host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites

Saturday July 3
7:00: Mike Snider(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Mandy Barnett
7:30: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Thom Bresh
INTERMISSION
8:15: Emmylou Harris(host); George Hamilton IV; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson(host); Jan Howard; Wynonna

Finally, the host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree will be George Hamilton IV. As a reminder, the show will be taped lived at the record shop at 10:00pm and will be broadcast on tape next Saturday night at midnight. This week at midnight on WSM, the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree will be a rebroadcast of an archive show that was hosted by Ernest Tubb. It should be a great trip back in memory lane.