Grand Ole Opry Schedule 9/16 & 9/17

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for this weekend's shows. As is the pattern, there is one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night. In looking at the schedule, a couple of items stand out. First, the line up is stronger than in recent weeks. And secondly, no Jimmy Dickens this weekend. He was on the original schedule that came out on Tuesday, but he was taken off the schedule this afternoon.

Friday night will feature the 44th anniversary as an Opry member for Jeannie Seely. I will have more on that tomorrow. Also on Friday night, Opry members Montgomery Gentry will be making a visit to the show. In addition, non-Opry members Jim Lauderdale, Dailey & Vincent and Gene Watson will be on.

Saturday night's show will have a return appearance by Will Hoge, who made his 1st Opry appearance several weeks back. Also appearing on Saturday night will be The Boxcars. This is a newer bluegrass group, but a good one that features performers that were previously members of other groups. Also, this group was recently nominated for 9 IBMA awards, so they are talented. Finally, another newcomer for Saturday night will be Kristin Chenoweth. Kristin has been around a while, doing mostly broadway and theater work. She also has been in numerous movies and television shows. What brings her to the Opry is that she recently made her first country music video and it is being currently shown on CMT.

Also appearing on Saturday night will be Opry members Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, along with Pam Tillis, who will be appearing both nights.

Friday September 16

7:00: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Lauderdale
7:30: Jim Ed Brown(host); George Hamilton IV; Dailey & Vincent
INTERMISSION
8:15: Pam Tillis(host); Riders In The Sky; Gene Watson
8:45: Mike Snider(host); The Whites; Montgomery Gentry

Saturday September 17
7:00: Pam Tillis(host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard
7:30: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jack Greene; Will Hoge
INTERMISSION
8:15: Steve Wariner(host); Kristin Chenoweth; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs(host); Jesse McReynolds; Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press; The Boxcars

While I have nothing to confirm it, with an all bluegrass segment for the final part of the Saturday show, perhaps there will be some sort of tribute to Bill Monroe. And, as I do each week, for those counting at home, both the Friday and Saturday night shows feature 12 artists each, 9 of whom are Opry members.

The Roys will be the host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this weekend.

Finally, here is the line up for the Tuesday Night Opry, September 20:

7:00: Jean Shepard; Randy Houser
7:30: Jimmy Dickens; Del McCoury Band
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jim Ed Brown; The Quebe Sisters
8:45: Bill Anderson; Thompson Square