The Grand Ole Opry has posted the schedule for the shows this weekend. With Carrie and Brad back on the road so to speak, the Opry is back down to just 1 show on Saturday night, that in addition to the 1 show on Friday night.
The Friday Night Opry will feature guest artists The Black Lillies and Dustin Lynch, along with Opry members Diamond Rio and Ricky Skaggs. The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night will feature non-members Mallary Hope, who did a very nice job on Opry Country Classics this past Thursday, Charlie Nagatani and Thomas Rhett. In addition, Gretchen Peters will be making an appearance, along with Billy Gillman. Billy had a very solid career going as a young teenager and then he grew up, his voice changed and his country hits ended. But it is still nice to see him making an Opry appearance.
Friday May 18
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Riders In The Sky; Diamond Rio
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Black Lillies
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Dustin Lynch
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites
Saturday May 19
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Thomas Rhett
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds; Charlie Nagatani; Mallary Hope
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Billy Gillman; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Gretchen Peters
That comes out to 12 artists on Friday night, of whom 10 are Opry members, while of the 13 performing on Saturday night, 8 are Opry members.
Diane McCall will be the host of this weeks Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree from the Ernest Tubb Record Shop onMusic Valley Drive. That should be a decent show.
The Opry has also posted the schedule for the upcoming Tuesday Night Opry, May 22:
7:00: John Conlee; Mark Wills
7:30: Jimmy Dickens; Montgomery Gentry
Intermission
8:15: Kelliei Pickler; Ronnie Milsap
8:45: Rascal Flatts
The Tuesday night show is being dedicated to the American military, which is a nice salute by the Opry. And it is nice to see Ronnie Milsap and Rascal Flatts returning to the Opry stage. A very solid line up for the Tuesday Night Opry.
As you may know, Ray Price was aticipated to be at the Opry Friday night. He never officially made the schedule but I saw him listed on flyers at the motels and shops when I was there this weekend.
ReplyDeleteSome brief observations about this visit to the Friday Opry. Even if there are acts appearing that I do not care to hear on the Opry, there is still something magical and heart warming about being in the Opry House when the curtain goes up and you know the show is on the air.
I read in one of the posts, comments about parking. It is discouraging that the Opry does not have any parking of it's own. I guess that the Opry sold all the property when they closed the park, thus giving up land for Opry parking. I also learned what many of you may know, they tore down the Acuff Theater after last years flood and the location is now tour bus parking.
Jimmy Dickens was as sharp in appearance and wit as ever, a little weak in voice but greatjust the same. Jim Ed Brown was inpressive as always but it was strange not to see Christie Russel with him. Bobby Osborne is always impressive with his strong and clear voice. Woody Paul was not with the Riders, Hoot Hester filled in on fiddle and Bessel was not with Jimmy C. The rest of the members that appeared did the usual good performances we expect.
I have to admit that the Black Lillies put on a good performance but I did not thick Dustin Lynch turned in a very strong performance although it was loud and lively!
One other thing I noticed was two young ladies performing with Rod Fletcher and Dennis McCall in the Opry Singers. Does anyone know who they are and if Nora Lee is no longer with them? They all sounded good with Jim Ed on Scarlet Ribbons.
I guess the only real disappointment I had was that it was only two hours and 12 artist. The ticket price dosen't bother me as much as making the trip for such a short show. Regardless, it was the Opry, still a good time and I'm glad I went. Make time to go see the show. You'll still enjoy it.
Jim Rhodes
Knightsville, IN
PS,
As I write this Jim Ed is mentioning Christie Russel to get well and saying she'll be back soon!
Last weekend there was a "late" Opry. I notice this weekend and many of the upcoming weekends there is not. Is this going to be a permanent change?
ReplyDeleteFor years when we have made the trip to Nashville, we have gone to the late Opry and then headed to the Ernest Tubb Theatre for the Midnight Jamboree.
Jim: Glad you had a great trip to Nashville and the Opry. Like you, even as bad as the show seems many nights, it is still the Opry and it is still a great experience. I know some weeks it is hard to be an Opry fan, but we still support the show and attend when we can.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a few of your comments, since Opry Mills replaced Opryland, there is no special parking for the Opry. There have been times, such as my last visit in April, where I have had to park pretty far out. I know with the mall reopening this spring, traffic and parking has been worst than usual. And yes, the Acuff Theater was damaged in the flood so it was torn down. It is used mostly for bus parking. By the way, the Opry Museum building is being used for storge.
As far as the Opry Singers (as the Carol Lee Singers are now being called), Nora Lee Allen is still part of the group. As far as the other female singer who replaced Carol Lee, Jennifer O'Brien has been there some weeks and then on others, it has been a younger dark hair singer who I just cannot remember her name. So I am guessing that Nora Lee was just off this weekend.
To the other question about the late Opry on Saturday night, most weekends the Opry has only 1 show on Saturday night. They do add a 2nd show in March and April and in the fall, when there are more tourists in town. As far as the other months, they will add a 2nd Saturday show if there is a demand for it. Last weekend, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley were at the Opry, so there was obviously a demand. Usually during the CMA Music Festival, there will be a 2nd show also. I have seen them add a show on a Friday night at times.
The schedule has been this way for several years now and to be honest, when I have been at the Opry in March and April and have attended the 2nd Saturday show, the crowds have been pretty small.
One important point I forgot was the crowd size. I would estimate around 3,000. The mai floor and mezzanine were pretty much full as was the lower balcony in the center with some folks out on the sides. I had my brother and mother with me and we had seats 1, 8, and 9 in row G section 2. Not bad seats for two weeks notice. I spend most of my time in a empty seat closer to the stage taking photos.
DeleteJim