The Grand Ole Opry has posted the schedule for the 2 shows this weekend. There are a couple of headlines regarding the Opry for this weekend. First, Jimmy Dickens is on the schedule for both nights. This will be his first shows since December 2012 and I will be very interested in how he looks and sounds. I know he has been battling a cold and throat issues and I think he just wanted to get through winter before returning. The second headline is Opry member Alan Jackson will be returning to the Opry this weekend. Since joining the Opry, Alan has only appeared once or twice per year, so this might be it for him in 2013. I hope not, but we will see. Alan is promoting a new album, "Precious Memories-Vol 2", so I am sure that is one of the reasons he has scheduled an Opry appearance this weekend. Joining Alan on Friday night will be one of the Opry's newest members, the Oak Ridge Boys, along with frequent Opry guests Dailey & Vincent.
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature the Opry debut of Kayla Sloan. Who is Kayla you might ask? She is the 21 year old singing Walmart cashier from West Virginia, who has become a sensation on Facebook and YouTube. She has received a lot of mention and the publicity has resulted in an invitation to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Joining her on Saturday night will be the Marshall Tucker Band, who has made several Opry appearances, along with Charles Esten, from "Nashville." And on another note, Ricky Skaggs continues his strong string of Opry performances in 2013, as he is scheduled for both shows this weekend.
Friday March 22:
7:00: John Conlee (host); Connie Smith; Dailey & Vincent
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); George Hamilton IV; Oak Ridge Boys
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host);
8:45: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Alan Jackson
Saturday March 23:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Kristen Kelly; Jimmy C Newman
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Kayla Sloan; Jean Shepard; Marshall Tucker Band
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Jan Howard; Charles Esten; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites
I would assume they are going to add a guest or two for Ricky's segment on Friday night. It doesn't make sense for him to do the entire half hour. I also would have thought that if you were going to have a segment with just one guest, it would have been with Alan Jackson. I would also assume an additional performer for Ricky's segment on Saturday night also.
For this week's look back in Grand Ole Opry history, I want to go back 33 years ago, as it was on Saturday night March 22, 1980 that Marion Worth made her final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Marion joined the Opry in 1963 and was a regular performer on the show up until her retirement. While she never had a #1 country hit, she did place 12 songs on the country charts along with 4 albums. She first hit the charts in 1959, and by the 1980s, her recording days had just about ended. Among her biggest hits was "Shake Me I Rattle", which she sang frequently on the Opry. After Marion left the Opry, she continued to perform, although her appearances decreased each year. She passed away on December 19, 1999 at the age of 69. Like so many others of her generation, she died of emphysema.
Here is the line-up from Saturday March 22, 1980, Marion Worth's final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. What is interesting about this show is that it was also the Grand Ole Opry's annual reunion show, or "Old-Timers" night as it was sometimes called.
1st show:
6:00: Vietti
Charlie Louvin (host): Will You Visit Me On Sundays
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Lonzo & Oscar: Rocky Top
Billy Grammer: Indian Love Call
Paul Howard: Stay A Little Longer
Charlie Louvin: Apartment No. 9
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Vic Willis: Faded Love/Maiden's Prayer
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Roy Drusky: Strangers
6:45: Rudy's
Justin Tubb (host): You Nearly Loss Your Mind
Jim & Jesse: Let Me Wisper
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong With the Way that We're Doing it Now
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole Slewfoot
Connie Smith: When I Need Jesus, He's There
Wilburn Brothers: It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Zeke Clements: Just A Little Lovin/Why Should I Cry Over You/Smoke on the Water
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of this As I Can Stand/Everything I've Always Wanted/Tennessee Saturday Night
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob, Arkansas
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Sid Harkreader: Sally Goodin/Amazing Grace
Alcyone Beasley: Silver Threads Among the Gold/Little Shoes
Crook Brothers/Tennessee Travelers: Layfayette
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry/Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down/Don't Sing Me No Songs About Texas
Bill Carlisle: Shanghai Rooster
Bill Monroe: Just A Little Talk With Jesus
8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Hello, Love
4 Guys: Hangin On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule/Mockingbird
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Hank Snow & Kelly Foxton: Stop Me From Loving You
2nd show
9:30: Kelloggs
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Charlie Louvin: Who's Gonna Love Me Now
Lonzo & Oscar: Fox on the Run
Billy Grammer: Am I Blue
Skeeter Davis: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
Porter Wagoner: A Satisfied Mind/I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name/Your Old Love Letters
10:00: Little Debbie
Jim & Jessie (host): Sleepy-Eyed John
Vic Willis: Beer-Barrel Polka
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Roy Drusky: Welcome Home
Roy Acuff: Lord, Don't Give Up On Me
10:30: Trailblazer
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark For Me to Travel/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Connie Smith: Sing, Sing, Sing
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Bill Monroe: My Sweet Blue-Eyed Darling
10:45: Beechnut
Wilburn Brothers (host): Release Me
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Crook Brothers/Tennessee Travelers: Gray Eagle
Wilburn Brothers: The Light House/God Bless America Again
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): There's A Fool Such As I
Bill Carlisle: Same Ol' Tale that the Crow Told Me
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Kirk McGee: Railroad Blues
Hank Snow & Kelly Foxton: Hasn't It Been Good Togther
11:30: Budweiser
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
4 Guys: Let Your Love Flow/Daddy's Little Cowboy
Marion Worth: Someone is Looking for Someone Like You
Curly Fox: Alabama Jubilee
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin/Waterloo
Finally, it was on Saturday March 27, 1971 that Jan Howard joined the Grand Ole Opry. This week will be her 42nd year as an Opry member, although she has performed on the show for a much longer time as for several years she was part of Bill Anderson's show.
To remember Jan Howard's Opry anniversary, here is the line-up from Saturday March 27, 1971:
1st show:
6:30: Billy Walker (host); Ray Pillow; Del Wood
6:45: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely;
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Ernie Ashworth; James Monroe; Bill Carlisle
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Grandpa Jones; Jan Howard; George Morgan; Crook Brothers
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Loretta Lynn; Tex Ritter; Willis Brothers; Lonzo & Oscar
8:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Stringbean; Tom T Hall; Hank Locklin; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Bill Anderson (host); Willis Brothers; Jan Howard; Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Ray Pillow
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Bill Carlisle; Del Wood
10:15: Billy Walker (host); Ernie Ashworth
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely
10:45: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Stringbean; Crook Brothers
11:00: Tex Ritter (host); Loretta Lynn; Hank Locklin; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Lonzo & Oscar; Ronnie Robbins
There you have it for this weekend. I will be in Nashville and at the Opry on Friday and Saturday night. I will have a full report and some observations next week. I am especially interested in the veterans and am looking forward to the weekend in Nashville.
So great to see Jimmy Dickens back on the list. Lets hope he feels good, makes the show and everything goes well for him.
ReplyDeleteI notice that Roy Acuff closed his 10:15 show in 1980 with Lord, Don't Give Up On Me which he must have done pretty regular at that time. I believe I remember him mentioning that Merle Haggard wrote the song. I always enjoyed hearing him sing it.
Byron, thanks for remembering Marion Worth and Jan Howard. It was nice that Tex Ritter was at the Opry the night they made Jan a member. She thought a lot of Tex!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Hey Guys Regarding The 2013 Hall Of Fame Inductees What Are Your Picks For This Years Inductees?
ReplyDeleteSounds like some great shows coming up.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've been thinking about the Hall of Fame too; don't they announce nominees this time of year?
My picks would be The Judds and The Browns.
Usually the announcement is done by now and not sure why the delay. I will try to find out this weekend, but I know there was an earlier comment that it was just a matter of getting everyone together for the announcement. The voting is done.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see Little Jimmy Dickens is back. I will be tuning in.
ReplyDeleteGood to see a line up with Whitey Ford, "The Duke of Paducah". I would say his performances at the Opry were few and far between after this particular show in 1980. "I'm goin' back to the wagon; these shoes are a'killin' me".
Glad to see Little Jimmy Dickens back in the lineup. Hopefully he will feel like making regular appearances now that the weather is getting warmer.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered why Marion Worth quit the Opry when she did. She was only around 50 years of age at the time. Not many hits, but another one who added to the quality of entertainment.
David, The Duke of Paducah showed up on a few lineups into the 1980s, so he and the Opry were still "friends." By then, though, he was just about 80, so I imagine his shoes really might have been hurting him by that time!
ReplyDeleteI hope The Potato will indeed return.
Anonymous, I've wondered that. I thought of Bobby Lord, who once said that he decided at a certain point, well, I'm not doing much in country music, I'll try something else.
hey Anonymous,all those country stars you mentioned should go in the hall of fame in one giant mass induction.That would be great.
ReplyDeleteHey Byron And David B We All Know That A Lot Of People In Nashville Do Not Care For Alan Jackson And The Way That Alan Has Treated Some Of His Fellow Musicians Randy Travis Has Had Trouble With The Law In The Past Year And Ricky Skaggs Has Been Not The Nicest Person In Nashville At Times After Kenny Rogers Ronnie Milsap And The Oaks Get Inducted Who Do You Guys Think Will Get In After Kenny Ronnie And The Oaks Probably B&D (Unfortunately)Because Of Kixs Love Affair With The CMA But With A Lot Of People In Nashville Dont Care For Alan Randys Legal Issues And Ricky Being Not The Nicest Person At Times B&D May Not Have Any Choice To Go In Into The Hall Before All 3 Of Them
ReplyDeleteMore to come from Nashville, but Jimmy Dickens has cancelled out for both shows this weekend. The only assumption I have at this point is that with the cooler weather here in Nashville, he didn't want to risk going out.
ReplyDeleteByron, I hope that's the only reason. Have a wonderful time, and eat some Mrs. Grissom's salads and at the Crackerbarrel for us!
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteI second Michael's motion for a great weekend for Byron in Nashville. I know Byron will be disappointed at Jimmy's cancellation. If it's cold comfort, it's cold (and sometimes snowy) across much of the U.S., including in good old NoDak. Looks like one of those grudging Springs!
I am really afraid we may not see or hear Tater again on the 'Opry.
ReplyDeleteThat makes me really sad.
This doesn't exactly pertain to this weekend's Opry, but did anyone read today's "Parade" magazine? "Parade" is included with many local Sunday newspapers, and Brad Paisley is on the cover, with a nice article about him inside. The cover shot was taken in a dressing room at the Grand Ole Opry, which Brad describes as his "favorite place in Nashville". And there's a paragraph or two of kind comments from him about the Opry.
ReplyDeleteIts just funny- you could publish a whole book of quotes by him, Garth Brooks, George Jones, Reba McIntire, Trisha Yearwood, ... etc... All the artists who rarely or never show up to play the Opry, they always are quoted as saying how the Opry is the most treasured, important, greatest moment of their lives... I just think at this point, its sad and rather funny, so I figured I'd mention it.
Nothing personal against Brad Paisley, I like and enjoy his music, and have seen him numerous times in concert. I just wish he, and all the other artists who claim that being a member of the Opry is their proudest accomplishment, would actually show up every so often!
Amen, Anonymous, amen. Talk is cheap.
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteA little off-subject, but maybe a little on, also:
Noodling around, I visited Dwight Yoakam's web site this afternoon, and saw his schedule has him playing the Ryman April 12-13, which is a Friday and Saturday night. I then went to the Opry site to verify that the regular Opry shows were at the Opry House on those dates.
Surely the Opry hasn't booked competition to itself at the Ryman!?! Or has Gaylord's management of its Nashville assets taken a byzantine new turn?
Fred again:
ReplyDeleteExcuse me, all, I just thought to google 'Ryman auditorium' and discovered that booking occasional warm-weather Friday and Saturday nights at the Ryman is old news. At least, there are such shows booked there this spring and summer; don't know what may have been done in the past.
Maybe it makes no difference to Gaylord whether the customer buys a ticket for the Ryman or the Opry House; still, I'd think the effect would be to weaken the Mother Show. Especially given that Dwight is a bigger attraction than anyone the Opry site shows for the Opry on those April nights.