Grand Ole Opry 1/11& 1/12

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the 2 shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night. For a few more weeks, the Opry will continue to be at the Ryman Auditorium.

There is some interesting booking on the shows this week. The Grand Ole Opry fill feature 2 more stars of the "Nashville" television show as Clare Bowen returns for another Opry appearance, joined by veteran performer JD Souther. Also appearing on Saturday night will be comedian Henry Cho and Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. Opry members Vince Gill and Del McCoury will be appearing both nights, joined on Friday night by Jana Kramer and the legendary Johnny Rivers. I am guessing that this might be Johnny's first Opry appearance. Popular duo Thompson Square will be joining them.

Friday January 11
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mark Wills; Mike Snider
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jesse McReynolds; Jana Kramer
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jean Shepard; The Whites; Del McCoury Band
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Johnny Rivers; Thompson Square

Saturday January 12
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely (host); Josh Thompson; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Connie Smith; Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Del McCoury Band; Henry Cho
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Clare Bowen; JD Souther

Interesting that they are listing the Square Dancers as only appearing on the opening segment. Could they be down to just 1 spot? We will have to wait and see. And, no Jimmy Dickens again this weekend.

To recap, Friday night's show features 14 acts, with 10 Opry members, while Saturday night has 8 Opry members.

On another Opry note, it was announced that CRS and The Grand Ole Opry have joined forces to bring the legendary program to the Feb. 27 opening night of CRS 2013. Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Vince Gill, Scotty McCreery and Dustin Lynch will perform, with more guest announcements to come. The "Opry At CRS" will mark a rare appearance for the show away from its usual home at the Grand Ole Opry House or its winter venue, the Ryman Auditorium. "We're excited to deliver a special show featuring some of radio's biggest current hit-makers who are also some of the most popular artists who visit our stage for all our friends in Country radio, when CRS returns to town next month," says Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher. The show immediately follows the Artist/Attendee Opening Reception. CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne says, "My thanks to Pete Fisher and the Opry staff for allowing me to present the show on the opening night of CRS 2013, as both events are such a great fit for each other." CRS 2013 takes place Feb. 27-March 1 at the Nashville Convention Center. (courtesy of Country Aircheck)

I do have a couple of thoughts on this. First, the Opry has performed on the road before. I remember a show they did in Houston many years ago when George Bush was President and I believe it was tied in to the G8 meeting. Secondly, it is nice that the Opry can get Brad Paisley to do a show for a special event, but seems to have a problem getting him to do a show at the Opry House. And finally, 2 of those mentioned are not actual Opry members, although Scotty McCreery and Dustin Lynch are no strangers to the Opry. I am just asking and throwing this out there, and knowing how the Opry likes to make news, but could this be a time to ask Scotty to become the Opry's newest member? Again, not suggesting it. Just asking the question.

Now for this week's look back at the Grand Ole Opry in days gone by with another Opry line-up from the past. I have 2 this week. The 1st one is from Saturday January 12, 1952, 61 years ago this weekend.

7:30: Warren Paint
Roy Acuff (host)
Lew Childre; The Le Croix Sisters; Brother Oswald; Joe Zinkas

7:45: American Ace
Roy Acuff (host)
Uncle Dave Macon; The Jug Band; Jimmy Riddle

8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host)
Bill Monroe; Maybelle Carter; Hank Snow; The Crook Brothers; Cowboy Copas; June Carter; Chet Atkins

8:30: Prince Albert
Red Foley (host)
Lonzo and Oscar; The Square Dancers; The Jordanaires; Stringbean

9:00: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff (host)
The Fruit Jar Drinkers; George Morgan; Duke Of Paducah; The Le Croix Sisters; Johnny & Jack; Brother Oswald

9:30: Fortune Feed
Carl Smith (host)
Jimmy Dickens; Anita Carter; Jamup & Honey; The Possum Hunters; Moon Mulligan; Hal Smith

10:00: Wall Rite
Bill Monroe (host)
The Old Hickory Singers; George Morgan; Old Joe Clark

10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Roy Acuff (host);
Uncle Dave Macon; Robert Lunn; Big Howdy

10:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host);
Jimmy Dickens; The Gully Jumpers; Johnny & Jack; June Carter; Jordanaires; Chet Atkins; Maybelle Carter

11:00 D Con
Cowboy Copas (host)
Annie Lou and Danny; Moon Mulligan; Lazy Jim Day

11:15 Soltice
Carl Smith (host);
Lew Childre; Sam and Kirk McGee; Hal Smith

11:30: ABC-Chick
Hank Snow (host)
Stringbean; The Crook Brothers

11:45:
George Morgan (host)
Lonza and Oscar; The Fruit Jar Drinkers

The 2nd line-up, and song list, is from Saturday January 12, 1980, 33 years ago.

1st show
6:00: Vietti
Jim Ed Brown (host): w/Helen Cornelius: I Don't Want to Have to Marry You
4 Guys: Fire
David Houston: My Elusive Dreams
Ernie Ashworth: There's No Place I'd Rather Be Tonight
Helen Cornelius: That's What You Do to Me
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Del Reeves (host): Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Jimmy Dickens: Out Behind the Barn
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Don't Care (If Tomorrow Never Comes)
Del Reeves: She Thinks I Still Care

6:45: Rudy's
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Vic Willis: Colorado
Bill Monroe: Crying Holy Unto the Lord

7:00: Shoney's
Charlie Louvin (host): See the Big Man Cry
Connie Smith: He Touched Me/When God Dip's His Love In My Heart
Jim & Jesse: Freight Train/Stormy Horizons
Charlie Louvin: Think I'll Go Somewhere And Cry Myself to Sleep/Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Saturday Night Sin
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Charlie Walker: Don't Play Me No Songs About Texas
Crook Brothers/Tennessee Travelers: Eighth of January
Roy Acuff: Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine/I'll Fly Away

8:00: Martha White
Billy Walker (host): When A Man Loves A Woman
Jeanne Pruett: Back to Back
Wilburn Brothers: God Bless America Again
Bill Carlisle: Same Old Tale That the Crow Told Me
Osborne Brothers: Take Me Home Country Roads
Billy Walker: You Turn My Love Light On

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): In The Misty Moonlight
Roy Drusky: Remember Me
Marion Worth: Someone Is Looking for Someone Like You
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigrae
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Hank Snow & Kelly Foxton: Stop Me From Loving You

2nd show
9:30: Kelloggs
Bill Monroe (host): My Sweet Blue Eyed Darling
Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius: Golden Ring
David Houston: Almost Persuaded
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
4 Guys: Woman, Woman
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Bill Monroe: Right On

10:00: Fender
Del Reeves (host): The Race is On
Billy Grammer: Spanish Fandango
Ernie Ashworth: The DJ Cried
Del Reeves: Bad News

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Down in Union County
Connie Smith: Sing, Sing, Sing
Charlie Walker: Don't Play Me No Songs About Texas
Roy Acuff: The Things That Might Have Been/I Saw the Light

10:30: Trailblazer
Osborne Brothers (host): Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Vic Willis: Last Cheater's Waltz
Osborne Brothers: Fastest Grass Alive

10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Drusky (host): Don't It Make You Want to Go Home
Jim & Jesse: Orange Blossom Special
Charlie Louvin & Ernie Ashworth: Houston Is A Honky-Tonk Town
Crook Brothers/Tennessee Travelers: Cotton-Eyed Joe

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
Billy Walker: You Turn My Love Light On
Marion Worth: New Lips
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Wilburn Brothers: Because He Lives
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow & Kelly Foxton: After the Love Is Gone

11:30: Little Debbie
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Jeanne Pruett: Back to Back/Satin Sheets
Stu Phillips: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Stonewall Jackson: Washed My Hands in Muddy Water