The line-ups have been posted for the mid-week Opry shows and both nights look pretty good. The Tuesday Night Opry will take place at the Grand Ole Opry House, which will host its final Opry show for this year prior to moving to the Ryman Auditorium starting on Friday Night. Making a return appearance to the Opry on Tuesday will be Barry Gibb. Barry did the Opry once previously and was actually well received. He will be appearing with special guest Kelly Lang, along with Opry member Ricky Skaggs. Kelly's husband, TG Sheppard is also scheduled, as are Opry members Montgomery Gentry, Del McCoury and Larry Gatlin.
Tuesday October 29:
7:00: Maggie Rose; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Dustin Lynch; Larry Gatlin
Intermission
8:15: TG Sheppard; Montgomery Gentry
8:45: Barry Gibb w/special guest Kelly Lang; Ricky Skaggs
Charlie Daniels will be the Spotlight Artist for the final Opry Country Classics show for this year. The show will be hosted by Larry Gatlin and will also feature Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy.
Thursday October 31:
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist-Charlie Daniels Band
Also Appearing: Rebecca Lynn Howard; Charlie McCoy; Chuck Mead; Jeannie Seely
I listened to a few minutes of the Tuesday night Opry. Maybe it has just been a long time since I have heard him sing, but Larry Gatlin seemed to be in outstanding voice. I noticed his control, diction, and phrasing seemed better than I remembered.
ReplyDeleteAgree with your comments on Larry Gatlin. He has been such an asset to the Opry with his increased appearances over the past several years.
ReplyDeleteAnd I know he is not country, but Barry Gibb was outstanding and a lot of fun to listen to last night. The energy was there and it seemed like everyone was having a fun time.
Agreed! Larry Gatlin's increased appearances are a welcomed addition. Gatlin, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs, could be the Acuff, Snow, Dickens and Wagoner's of the Opry's future. Now if we can just get Marty there more often.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Jones' website published the complete list of artists for the Nashville show on Friday, November 22. 26 Opry members on the list, but Connie Smith isn't on it. Wasn't she George's favorite girl singer? I'm wondering how many bigger names the Opry will have for Saturday night that might still be in town from this.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.georgejones.com/news.php/2013/10/30/playin-possum-the-final-no-show-releases
A.B.
I also wonder who will be left to play the Friday Night Opry. Even standbys Jimmy Wayne and Mandy Barnett are going to be at Jones! Possibly, some members could walk over to the Ryman (assuming Vince is going to be leaving Jones as he has an 8:30 show at Country Hall of Fame), but I would guess many would want to witness the Jones tribute too. So glad to even see Stonewall getting to play the Bridgestone Arena. The Opry is going to end up being two hours of Elizabeth Cook and The Willis Clan. I am disappointed that Garth and Barbara Mandrell aren't on the Jones show lineup (they were on the bill, I believe, when the show was originally announced) but it still should be an amazing night of music
DeleteI also saw the George Jones tribute line-up and it is impressive that is for sure. They did mention special guests still to come, so I am sure there will be a few more big names.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Opry on Friday night or Saturday night, in the "old" days you would have expected a few of the artists at the Bridgestone Arena to walk over to the Ryman and make a surprise appearance at the Opry, but as things are now at the Opry, I highly doubt it. As for anyone staying over to do the Opry on Saturday, I guess it is wait and see. I do find it interesting that Stonewall will do the Midnight Jamboree, the Jones show and a few other appearances around town, but he has only made it out to the Opry a couple of times this year. It would seem that they are on the "outs" again.
Back in the day, the Opry really meant something. Sometimes I wonder.