The Grand Ole Opry gets a jump on Mother's Day weekend and has already posted the line-ups for the 3 shows this weekend. Yes, that is right as Saturday night will feature 2 shows with the main attraction being Opry member Carrie Underwood. These will be Carrie's first Opry appearances of the year and they come on the weekend of her 6th year as an Opry member as she joined the Opry on May 10, 2008.
In addition to Carrie, Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature Opry member Larry Gatlin, along with a return appearance by Fiddlin' Carson Peters, who went over well during his Opry debut several weeks back. Also guesting on Saturday will be Francesca Battistelli.
Appearing both nights this weekend will be Opry member Charlie Daniels, who will be joined on Friday night by Opry member Joe Diffie. And not to forget the "Nashville" connection as Chris Carmack will be guesting, along with The Henningsens.
Friday May 9
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Greg Bates; Jesse McReynolds
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jimmy C Newman; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; The Henningsens
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Chris Carmack; Joe Diffie
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Charlie Daniels Band
Saturday May 10
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Francesca Battistelli
7:30: Larry Gatlin (host); Jim Ed Brown; Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Charlie Daniels Band; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Francesca Battistelli
10:00: Larry Gatlin (host); Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Charlie Daniels Band; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Carrie Underwood
Only 9 artists on each show on Saturday night, but I am assuming they are saving the open spot during the first show's segment for Jimmy Dickens.
Continuing with the new feature, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, May 8 & 9, 2009. This was the night that the Opry added an extra segment just for Reba McEntire, and she did 3 songs. It was also Reba's last Opry appearance as she has not appeared since. On another note, I thought that this idea that the Opry had was a good one. You still had the traditional Opry, with an extra segment that featured just one artist. To the best of my knowledge, the Opry has not done this since.
Friday May 8, 2009
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Kate & Kacey
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Daryle Singletary; Mountain Heart
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Aaron Tippin
Saturday May 9, 2009
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Helen Cornelius; Jimmy C Newman; James Otto
7:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Stonewall Jackson; Darryl Worley; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Jan Howard; Jack Greene
9:00: Reba McEntire
Now here is the line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of May 7 & 8, 2004:
Friday May 7, 2004
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; George Hamilton IV; Jimmy Wayne
8:00: Pam Tillis (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jean Shepard; Scotty Emerick
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Rushlow
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Craig Morgan
9:30: Diamond Rio (host); Rodney Atkins; Osborne Brothers
Saturday May 8, 2004
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Rushlow
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); George Hamilton IV; Jimmy C Newman; Craig Morgan
7:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Dale Ann Bradley & Coon Creek; Jean Shepard
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Grammer; Billy Walker; Scotty Emerick; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Pam Tillis
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Rushlow
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; Osborne Brothers; Craig Morgan
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Billy Grammer; Jean Shepard; Dale Ann Bradley & Coon Creek; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Calvin Gilmore; Billy Walker; Pam Tillis
11:30: Mike Snider (host); Ray Pillow; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Scotty Emerick
Finally, it was Saturday May 11, 1996 that Steve Wariner became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 18th year as an Opry member. Steve had first come to the Opry many years before joining as a member of Dottie West's band. Since joining the Opry, Steve has done a fairly good job at making regular Opry appearances and he is a crowd favorite. I have had the pleasure of meeting Steve and he is about the nicest man you could ever meet. Here is the running order from Saturday May 11, 1996, the night Steve Wariner became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Grandpa Jones (host); Bald-Headed End of the Broom
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Grandpa Jones: Kitty Klyde
6:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Mike Snider (host): Short Little Lulu/Clinch Mountain Backstep/Mississippi Sawyer
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Mike Snider: Battle Cry of Freedom/Get You Hand Off My Knee and Load the Cannon
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Jean Shepard: Bouquet of Roses
Billy Walker: Jesus Walks In
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Ray Pillow: Darling, Take Pity On Me
Porter Wagoner: A Satisfied Mind/Big Wind
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): But You Know I Love You
Chet Atkins: Instrumental
Chet Atkins & Steve Wariner: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Steve Wariner: Why Goodbye/Heart Trouble/Midnight Fire/What I Didn't
Do/Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Bill Anderson & Steve Wariner: The Tips of My Fingers
8:00: Martha White
Jimmy Dickens (host): May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
Sweethearts Of The Rodeo: One More Night/Since I Found You
Riders In The Sky: Lonely River
Opry Square Dance Band/Opry Square Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Jimmy Dickens: A Death in the Family
8:30: Kraft
Jim Ed Brown (host): Fools
Jeannie Seely: Here Comes My Baby
Del Reeves: Wild Blood
The Whites: Pins & Needles/Swing Down Chariot
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter/Looking Back to See
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Oswald: What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Steve Wariner: (?)/ A Woman Loves?(?)
10:00: Massy Ferguson
Grandpa Jones (host): That New Vitamine
Jan Howard: Take Me As I Am, Or Let Me Go
Grandpa Jones: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans
10:15: Bio Red Foot Bath
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater
Sweethearts Of The Rodeo: Mule Skinner Blues
Jimmy Dickens: We Could
10:30: Purnell's Sausage
Mike Snider (host): (?)
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Mike Snider: The Fur Coat
10:45: Fairfield
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Opry Square Dance Band/Opry Square Dancers: Acorn Hill
Bill Anderson: The Corner of My Life
11:00: Coca-Cola
Jeannie Seely (host): Speaking of the Devil
Jim Ed Brown: The Family Bible
Billy Walker: When A Man Loves A Woman/Smokey Places
Riders In The Sky: Miss Molly/Always Drink Upstream From the Herd
Jeannie Seely: Here Comes My Baby
11:30: Loreal
Johnny Russell (host): Good Hearted Woman
Stu Phillips: Heart Over Mind
Jean Shepard: Farewell Party
The Whites: San Antonio Rose/Keep on the Sunny Side
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
Enjoy the Opry this weekend. I will be on vacation the rest of this week but if there is any breaking news or comments, I will report in if possible.
Safe and happy travels, Byron. Great lineups, too.
ReplyDeleteNot enough artists, as usual, but they are giving a lot of time to Charlie and Carrie, which I understand. Besides, who would want to see anybody who's older. We want youngsters like Charlie Daniels ... oops.
This does not have to do with this week's show, but I see that Travis Tritt is one of Marty Stuarts guests on his Ryman show that he puts on during the CMA Music Fest week. At least we know that he remembers where Nashville is. Do you think Marty could help him out with directions to the Opry House?
ReplyDeleteByron, I had to laugh at your comment - maybe Marty & Travis can help EACH OTHER find the Opry house! Marty hasn't been doing that great a job getting to the stage as of late but still better than Travis.
DeleteMarty was Eddie Stubbs' in-studio guest Monday night from 8 til midnight - always a great night of stories & music. They get into "deep catalog" country music & as always they both have very funny stories, interesting takes on different songs & just life on the road & in the recording studio, his tv show. Marty & Eddie did chat quite a bit about the Late Night Jam line-up & yes, Travis Tritt is one of Marty's guests, also Jim Glaser. How can Marty's Late Night Jam be turning 13 years old next month & I have never attended? Eddie Stubbs, while hosting the Jam is also supposed to do double duty as a "guest" on it. Marty told Eddie that when he is on the road & signing autographs after the shows, people tell Marty they want to hear Eddie play his fiddle, so Eddie told Marty that he would "dust it off" & bring it along to the Jam. I still enjoy listening to Eddie's night time show after 17 years.
Also for those interested, Monday, May 12th, Travis Tritt will be the guest on Eddie's Intimate Evening with Eddie Stubbs which comes live from the Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theater. It starts at 7:00 pm Central/Nashville time & runs two hours. Travis is on a "come back" - not sure why he ever left the scene to begin with. Heard/read things that may not be true, so won't even comment on it. Maybe he wanted to stay closer to home as he & his wife had their family. Maybe he got tired of the road. It will eat 'em up & spit 'em out. We see all the glitz & glamor on stage - it's grueling work city after city - night after night.
Have a wonderful time on your vacation Byron and safe travels.
(Jeanene)
Jeanene, I have to agree that Marty could do a better job of getting over there--and so could Vince. I guess something that we discussed here is true. In the old days, the likes of Mr. Acuff, Mr. Monroe and Mr. Snow wouldn't have imagined taking a Saturday night off when they were in town. Now it's a different matter.
ReplyDeleteI have a great CD of Earl White Live, playing for the square dancers at the Opry. When Eddie first became an Opry announcer, he would join Earl and Charlie on some of the numbers. I wish they hadn't stopped doing that.
Jeanene,
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed Eddie Stubbs ever since he began at WSM and the Opry. He is only about four years older than me and I laugh all the time at the comments he makes about the older music and artist because it is so similar to what my brother and I think. If you have not taken the time to listen to the Ray Price memorial service you should because Eddie gave the longest talk at the request of Janie Price. He got pretty emotional. I think it is so great that he came to town and was able to get so close and win the confidence of so many of the older stars. I learned so much through the interviews he was able to do with folks like Carl Smith and others who might not have gone on the air with other DJ's. Hearing him on the radio is nearly as important to me as many of the artists because I learn so much and am so much richer from what he has taught me or exposed me to.
And as Michael was saying, early on, he often played fiddle with Earl not just on square dances but with some of the artist. The night in 1999 we were backstage they played with Jean Shepard on "Too Many Rivers". I also remember them doing a song with Jimmy DIckens one time we were there.
He may not be Grant Turner but he is probably as close as we are going to get again.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Jim, I fully agree - for me, Eddie Stubbs is one of the best dj's, on-air personalities, whatever one wants to call him, that radio has to offer & there have been plenty of great dj's right here in Chicago that I have listened to over the course of my lifetime of listening to radio. Eddie plays a mean fiddle but doesn't like to play much anymore. Though he will when Marty Stuart asks him. I went on a Grand Ole Opry cruise ten years ago & Eddie was the host of all the concerts that the Opry members held. I met him & all the Opry members as they were signing autographs. The only thing I asked him was if he brought his fiddle so that he could play a few songs for us - he said he did not - I was very disappointed. I've seen him play since, so all is good. And I also agree with you, he has a way with these artists - they know he is not going to ask silly, none-of-your-business type questions. He makes it ALL about the music & should.
Delete(Jeanene)
(Jeanene)
Fred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteAgree 100 percent about Eddie Stubbs' contributions to country, to WSM and to the Opry. If he ever gets run off, we'll know it's game over.
Fred, you are SO right ~ like Kyle Cantrell & Keith Bilbrey. One New Year's Eve, Kyle Cantrell & Eddie Stubbs did a 5 hour tribute to Hank Sr. & not long after, Kyle is gone. And Keith Bilbrey - same with him. Thankfully, Keith is on Larry's Country Diner, so at least he is still active in the country music community. Really dislike that part of radio - done all the time & usually always around Christmas ~ been like that here on Chicago radio for as long as I've listened to the radio - :-(
Delete(Jeanene)
Fred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteSecond that, Jeanene. I have a daughter who was in radio for 10 years. Now, with all the consolidation, it's a tougher game than ever. And of course on the "country" side you have all these consultants and marketers who are effectively making war on our music and on throwbacks like Eddie Stubbs.
I'm sure that Jim, with a brother in the game, has some insights on the modern radio scene.
How wistfully I remember the old days, when the music was better and the radio reception not ruined by electronic clutter. Even into the 1980s I'd stay up late, fishing around the dial for the great country jocks you could draw in from all over the country. Now, even if the air cleared up, I doubt the music and jocks would be there ... except for Eddie.
Jeanene, That Hank Sr. tribute was in 2003 on the 50th anniversary of his passing as I recall. Hard to believe it has been that long. As usual, I never understood why they got rid of Kyle. And as usual, we only know what we hear on the radio and have no idea what went on off air.
ReplyDeleteFor me and my brother, Kyle was the forerunner to Eddie. Kyle provided much of our early education and exposure to the music when we had just started collecting records and recording Opry shows. Remember MUSIC COUNTRY RADIO NETWORK? Like Eddie, he was a good fit as an announcer on the Opry.
I know that it has been discussed here before that the announcers of today do not live up to the likes of Grant Turner or or Cousin Louie Buck and the like but they are not announcing the same show or working for the same people. I think Kyle, Keith and Eddie have done a good job in a changing enviorement. And let's not forget, Charlie Douglas, Hearil Hensley, Harold Weekly, Tony Lyons, Chuck Morgan and others who were between the Grant Turner hey days and today. Sorry for other favorites I left out.
Fred, we used to do the same thing. Bozo on WLW Cincinnati, Bill Mack at WBAP Fort Worth, Dave Nemo and John Parker at WWL in New Orleans, Big John Tremble WRVA Richmond and whatever else we could pull in. It was a fun time for two young fans learning about the music. We also had a local guy that we listened to and he actually recommended my brother to replace him because he knew of our extensive music collection and knowledge of the music. Hate to say it but SIRUSXM is a poor replacement!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I try not to comment too much in a negative way and everyone by now knows that I have trouble accepting much of the new music and singers so this won't shock anyone! And, all these folks that I have trouble appreciating their music may be great and dedicated people but that still doesn't mean there music is great or they are great singers. Whoever wrote the second song that Greg Bates sang last night should have gone in the HOF instead of Hank Cochran and Bates rates right up there with Morgan, Robbins, Price and Jones as great singer in country music. If you think I believe that then I've got some George Strait's Ocean Front Property I can interest you in!
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, I did think that Bobby Osborne and the boys were a little off last night as well. Got to see Bobby for the first time just two weeks ago in Spencer, Indiana. They put on a great show and did about two fifty minute sets. Bobby expressed his love for the Opry and gratitude to the Opry, Opry management and the fans for allowing him to be there 50 years.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
From ANONYMOUS in PA: Last week there were a lot of sound problems coming across the airwaves from the Grand Ole Opry - maybe it will be better this week with all the "biggies" on the show. Regarding the DJs/Announcers, absolutely agree with accolades for Eddie Stubbs and the other WSM/Opry announcers (past and present). Sure can't say the same thing for SIRIUS/XM; my husband likes Roadhouse (formerly Hank's Place, formerly Willie's Place) and I listen to Prime Country; the only DJ worth anything is Wade Jesson - he is articulate, knowledgeable, and has a pleasant voice - I can't stand the others on either channel. I also dislike their push for Willie - on the top of the hour, it's a Willie song and then you have to hear his advertisement that you are "in his house" and the morning DJ calls him the"boss man" - to me it is disrespectful to the listeners. There sure isn't much excitement to turning on the radio and the Grand Ole Opry anymore.
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteANON in PA: I always enjoyed Wade Jesson's column in Billboard, back when country rated a weekly column there. (He was one who insisted on Webb Pierce in the Hall of Fame until Webb finally got there.) I'm glad to hear he is still a force for our music out there somewhere. Very knowledgeable fellow.
Great to hear Jimmie Dickens on the first show tonite.
ReplyDeleteFunny that we were discussing Eddie Stubbs and his fiddle on this post and I found a surprise in my notes from May 11, 1996. First, I found they were sadly incomplete. However, I did note that when Os an Charlie did What a Friend We Have in Jesus, Earl White and Eddie Stubbs accompanied them on fiddles.
ReplyDeleteAlso, looking at the 2004 lineup, I found that on Saturday May 8th, although Jimmy Dickens was scheduled for both shows. John Conlee actually hosted those portions. Jimmy was on a show date with Bill Anderson in Texas. We saw them perform together in November 2006 in Nashville, Indiana!
I agree that it was great to hear Jimmy Dickens on again and sounding good and strong. Wonder if he is considering doing some different songs. I would think that We Could would be pretty easy to remember and perform. No matter what he performs it is just great to hear him back on the Opry stage singing.
Given that Larry Gatlin was running late I thought that segment on the first show recovered and went over well with the last minute changes. It was also interesting to hear Riders actually close after Carrie Underwood performed. I wonder why it was done that way this time?
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Jim, thanks for filling in the missing data on the past line-ups. What I am posting are the announced line-ups for those weeks, 5 & 10 years ago, with my notes scribbled in. I may have missed a couple.
ReplyDeleteI am sure others have noticed the pictures of Jimmy Dickens that have been posted from his recent Opry appearances. He really looks frail, especially the ones I saw from this past weekend. He is sounded pretty good but we also know that at his age and health situation he is doing the best that can be expected. I think as long as he sticks to the one show per weekend, he stays fresh. I know he has done "Mountain Dew" the last couple of weeks, so maybe that is the song he is most comfortable with.
Still no Mike Snider and nothing new to report regarding him.
Finally, I am sure most saw the news that "Nashville" has been given the ok for a third season. Guess that means Steve Buchanan or Pete Fisher don't have to worry about filling a bunch of potentially empty spots on the Opry line-ups. But I did read that it has not been determined where the filming will take place. The city of Nashville is being asked to put up a lot more money then they really want to spend and there are other towns competing for the show.
From ANONYMOUS PA: we only watched the first 2 or 3 episodes of Nashville - didn't care for it; maybe if they have to move "out of town" that will slow down the appearances (we can only hope); haven't seen the pix of Little Jimmy - will just a search do it ?
ReplyDeleteByron, Thanks for continuing to post these lineups. As I have noted, it is nice to compare because I usually get something from your list to add to mine and I never noted all the songs, just special performances. Besides, it's fun to be able to throw something extra in once in a while.
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN
Thanks,Byron! Do you have a link to the Little Jimmy Dickens pictures? I couldn't find any from last weekend. The ones I've seen from past weeks all show a guy who looks not too bad for what he's been through, and I think he does look better than a lot of other 93 year old people. He does look thinner which is quite noticeable because he wasn't all that heavy to begin with. God Bless Him and may be we all treasure him while we can!
ReplyDelete