The following is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry on June 11th. Overall, it looks like another solid show with Rascal Flatts and Dailey & Vincent among the headliners.
7:00: Josh Thompson; Connie Smith
7:30: Dailey & Vincent; Diamond Rio
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky; Sara Haze
8:45: Rascal Flatts
Just a couple of Opry notes and thoughts:
The Opry had a great week last week with a number of sold-out shows along with some solid line-ups. I was able to listen off and on over the weekend. Friday Night Carrie Underwood was honored for 5 years of Opry membership. She received the big cake backstage prior to the shows, both of wish were sold-out. Saturday night, it was all Hall of Famers hosting. Roy Clark sounded a little rough and he has had voice issues over the past several years. But his guitar playing is still 1st rate and he is a fine host. Mel Tillis was fantastic all weekend. Like Roy, his voice started to falter a bit as the weekend went on, but he does such a fine job hosting. And Charley Pride will always be Charley Pride. What I mean by that is you will get a first rate performance and you never know what he will say when hosting. Overall, the weekend was a good mix of legends and Hall of Famers, established stars, the hot stars of today, along with several new faces. It is that kind of variety that keeps the Opry vibrant.
As far as upcoming shows, this upcoming weekend Patty Loveless will be celebrating 25 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Joining her this weekend will be a couple of Hall of Fame members in Vince Gill and Loretta Lynn, along with a few others.
Carrie Underwood was committed to Opry shows on Friday and Saturday July 5th and 6th. In anticipation of what will probably be sold out shows and a high demand for tickets, the Opry has already scheduled 2 shows on each of those nights. While I wish there were 2 shows each night, I am glad that when the line-up and ticket demand is worth it, the Opry will schedule a 2nd. Joining her on those nights will be another of the hot acts in country music today. The Band Perry.
Another upcoming date, although nothing has been confirmed by the Opry, is the 50th anniversary of Opry member Jim Ed Brown. Of course, when Jim Ed joined the Opry it was as The Browns, with sisters Maxine and Bonnie. It looks like the date will be August 10, as Jim Ed is already booked to host the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree that night. It would be very nice if the Opry was able to arrange for Maxine and Bonnie to join Jim Ed that night and make it very special. And it would also be nice if the Opry would mention it on their website under upcoming shows. While certainly not a draw in the sense of Carrie Underwood doing the Opry, it would still be nice to see the Opry build up this special event for someone who has been a regular performer at the Opry for the past 50 years. I mean, if the Opry can banner headline Carrie for 5 years, they should be able to step up to the plate for Jim Ed and 50 years.
Finally, the Opry's 88th birthday bash is set for the weekend of October 5th, with a show on Friday night, the birthday concert on Saturday afternoon and 2 shows on Saturday night. Steve Wariner is already set for the Saturday birthday concert and that should be a good draw. Nobody else has been announced as of yet, but hopefully the Opry will be able to line up some quality talent. Those of us who have attended the past several years have commented on the lack of Opry members coming out for the birthday bash, and the thin line-ups. They Opry usually will go with 2 or 3 big name superstars, and then thin it out for the others. Over the past couple of years we have had Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Ronnie Dunn, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and the Opry induction of Rascal Flatts among others. Just my opinion, but the birthday bash does need some big names coming out, but they also need to have as many Opry members as possible scheduled for the shows.
Updates on all of these events will continue to come as the Opry announces them.
Nice to see Ms Underwood returning again in less than a month for another full weekend of shows. Her music can sometimes get a little too loud and rocking for my tastes, and probably for a few of the commentators on here as well. But she certainly can sing a fine country song when she chooses to, and she does a great and wonderful job of staying true to her commitment to the Opry, and drawing younger fans to the show.
ReplyDeleteHer actions speak much louder than the meaningless words of around 20 to 25 so-called Opry "members" combined. For that, Ms Underwood deserves plenty of praise, in my opinion.
I try the best I can to accept the changes in the music and the Opry even if it isn't my taste in music. But, I thought this as I listened to Pete Fisher on Friday night and figured the opportunity would come to comment.
ReplyDeleteTo me it was so obvious how comfortable and sincere Fisher was when on stage with Carrie Underwood. He seemed almost giddy. He had no trouble at all commenting about Carrie and her accomplishments and activity at the Opry. She fills the seats, number one priority.
I could only wish for him to speak so eloquently and knowledgeable about someone like Jim Ed who has given 50 years to the Opry. If this was Fishers first year with the Opry....but isn't he going on 15 years now? Maybe it is just me but he seems so scripted "I have to do this" if and when he is on stage with someone celebrating 25 years or more.
I guess the Opry is safe for now but what will happen when Carrie, Brad and others retire in a few years or go all Hollywood?
I'm not that old yet but I feel old and cranky!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Understand that I appreciate Carrie Underwood being loyal to the Opry and she is good at what she does and as just suggested, not in my taste. My above comments are more about Mr. Fisher's actions.
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN
I must make clear that I appreciate Carrie Underwood's loyalty to the Opry and she is very good at what she does it just isn't my musical taste. One of the last times Ray Price did the Opry he got to do two shows because Carrie was there and they justified having tow shows. I can appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteMy comments were more about Mr. Fisher's actions.
Jim
Knihgtsville, IN
Does anybody know where I can find a list of past opry members and when they left the opry? I've been trying to find this info for a while and I can't find much on it.
ReplyDeleteJust responding to your question about past Opry members, really there is no "set" list that the Opry keeps. I do have a pretty solid list of most of the former Opry members, not necessarily the exact date for some of them, but for those without a set date, the month and year. If you send along the names either through here or email it to me, I will be more than happy to respond.
ReplyDeleteThanks:
Byron
Ray Price, Bobby Bare, BJ Thomas, and Don Williams
DeleteRay Price was fired from the Opry on December 6, 1964 as part of the mass firing that took place on that date. Don Williams last Opry show was on August 22, 1981. BJ Thomas joined the Opry in 1981 and made his final appearances as a member in 1982 and Bobby Bare left right after the Opry moved to the new Opry House. I will get the date of his last appearance.
ReplyDeleteEven though all left the Opry as members, they still were guests are the Opry after they gave up their membership.
Thanks, much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThe grand ole opry is " the greatest show on earth
ReplyDeleteHow is little Jimmy dickens ( aka. Mighty mouse in his pajamas) doing ? We come twice a year from Indianapolis and he is such an opry icon. We have seen him so many times that we can lip sync is jokes.now i know what I did with my hearing aid " eat more fiber" Robert B, Indianapolis Indiana
ReplyDelete