Let me first start off by commenting that over the past several weeks, the Grand Ole Opry has offered some pretty good shows. All 3 shows last weekend were sellouts and featured such artists as Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss and Charlie Daniels. The shows sounded very good on the radio. It just shows that when the Opry offers something that is of value, it makes for a much more entertaining show and the fans will respond.
Looking at this weekend's line-ups, I don't think they are as strong as the past several weeks, but they are pretty good. Vince Gill will be appearing on all 3 shows this weekend, and on Friday night he will be joined by frequent guest artists Sarah Darling, Mark Wills and Will Hoge. Saturday night's Grand Ole Opry will feature, along with Vince, Larry Gatlin, Kellie Pickler and The Black Lillies. In addition, since it is St. Patrick's Day, the Nashville Irish Step Dancers will be making their annual appearance.
Friday March 16
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jim Ed Brown; Casey James
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; Sarah Darling
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; George Hamilton IV; Mark Wills
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Will Hoge; Connie Smith
Saturday March 17
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Nashville Irish Step Dancers; Connie Smith
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Andy Gibson; Jim Ed Brown
8:00: Larry Gatlin (host); Jimmy C Newman; Kellie Pickler; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); John Conlee; The Whites; The Black Lillies
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Nashville Irish Step Dancers; Kellie Pickler
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C Newman; Andy Gibson
10:30: Larry Gatlin (host); Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press; The Black Lillies; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); John Conlee; The Whites
There are 13 artists scheduled on Friday night, of which 9 are Opry members, while there are also 13 artists scheduled for each show on Saturday night, of which 9 are Opry members on each show.
Finally, here is the line up for the Tuesday Night Opry on March 20:
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Dailey & Vincent
7:30: Jimmy Dickens; Steve Wariner
INTERMISSION
8:15: The Whites; Craig Morgan
8:45: John Conlee; Chris Young
Not a bad show.
Jimmy Dickens has been taken off of the Friday Night Opry and replaced by Jeannie Seely. The rest of the show remains the same.
ReplyDeleteI got to hear the first hour-plus of Saturday night. The Potato sounded pretty good. And I was reminded anew that Jim Ed Brown should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. And that Larry Gatlin sometimes seems crazy, but if he did the Opry more often, he would be a god with the audiences.
ReplyDeleteI was only able to listen to the 1st segment last night and I agree that Jimmy sounded pretty good especially for missing Friday night. And yes, Jim Ed deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy Larry Gatlin and I really think he enjoys the Opry. To his credit, since he has started to host Opry Country Classics, he has been doing the regular Opry shows more.