After posting some historical Grand Ole Opry line-ups, it's time to get back to the present, and that means posting the Grand Ole Opry line-up for this weekend. There will be one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night, and what line-ups they are. Both shows are pretty loaded with talent.
Friday night, you have Marty Stuart, Mark Chesnutt, Montgomery Gentry, Neal McCoy, Gretchen Wilson and the Oak Ridge Boys. In addition to those names, you have Vince Gill and Alison Krauss on both Friday and Saturday night. For Alison, this will be her first Opry appearances since 2009. I would expect that since she is now done touring with Robert Plant and is back with Union Station, and touring with them this year, that maybe we will see more of Alison at the Opry.
On Saturday night, a couple of new names will be at the Opry, the most prominent being the Opry debut of The Doobie Brothers. Yes, The Doobie Brothers. Are they really country? They probably have more of a country sound than many of the artists on the radio today and it should be entertaining to see them on the Opry. In addition to them, Sarah Darling and Keb' Mo' will be on Saturday. Sarah Darling's appearance will also be her first on the Opry and she is a young singer working the club circuit. As far as Keb' Mo', no he is not country.
Friday February 25
7:00: Marty Stuart(host); Connie Smith; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mark Chesnutt
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Riders In The Sky; Montgomery Gentry
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson(host); Neal McCoy; Gretchen Wilson
8:45: Vince Gill(host); Oak Ridge Boys; Alison Krauss & Dan Tyminski
Saturday February 26
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C. Newman; Joey+Rory
7:30: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Jim Ed Brown; The Doobie Brothers
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson(host); The Whites; Alison Krauss & Dan Tyminski; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill(host); Sarah Darling; Keb' Mo'
If nothing else, this line up should draw some non-traditional Opry fans to the show.
Finally, it has been announced that the Country Music Hall of Fame will be announcing this years selections on Tuesday morning at 9:30am. I know that this topic created a lot of interest on the blog, so to make it simple, I am just going to list those Opry members that are eligible for the Hall of Fame, and are receiving consideration, in any of the categories that are being considered this year. The list is in alphabetical order.
Garth Brooks
Jim Ed Brown
Wilma Lee Cooper
Charlie Daniels
Larry Gatlin
George Hamilton IV
Alan Jackson
Reba McEntire
Ronnie Milsap
Jean Shepard
Ricky Skaggs
Connie Smith
Ralph Stanley
Randy Travis
Steve Wariner
Good luck to all the entertainers who are eligible, and while I do have my own personal favorites on who should be elected, I just hope that the Hall recognizes some of the veteran entertainers, who deserve to be in, before they pass away.
The Potato sounded a bit off last night in his singing. But when he wasn't sure who Riders in the Sky were ... ah, I had flashbacks to Mr. Acuff and Grandpa Jones.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth Michael, I kind of thought the same thing. But I will say that overall, it was a great show last night.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's my narrow minded sense of tradition but if the Opry has to lower itself to guesting such acts such as the Doobie Brothers to survive then perhaps it is time to sign the program off for good. What's next...Madonna, Kiss, AC/DC??? As much as I would morn the loss of the Opry, I would prefer that to having it bastardized to the point that even Judge Hay would be disgusted with it.
ReplyDeleteListening to the Opry tonight, and Vince just sang, "Just Look At Us", my favorite Vince Gill song. Well worth it. And, doesn't Alison have about the sweetest voice in country music?
ReplyDelete