The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the 3 shows this weekend. Yes, that is right as the Opry has scheduled Carrie Underwood for the Friday Night Opry and as a result of her appearance and strong ticket sales, a 2nd show has been added. That is the good news. The bad news is that for the 2nd week in a row, we have a Friday Night Opry that looks pretty similar to a Tuesday or Wednesday night show. There are only 7 acts booked, but after only 1 Opry member last Friday, we are up to 3 this weekend. No segment hosts and the same running order for both shows.
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry has guest artists Casey James, Jonathan Jackson, along with T. Bubba Bechtol. We also have a return performance by Fiddlin' Carson Peters and his band. 11 acts booked of whom 6 are Opry members. And there is a slot being saved for Jimmy Dickens.
Friday July 25
1st show
7:00: John Conlee; The Gibson Brothers
7:30: Lennon & Maisy; The Whites
8:00: Henry Cho; The Band Perry
8:30: Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: John Conlee; Greg Bates
10:00: Lennon & Maisy; The Whites
10:30: Henry Cho; The Band Perry
11:00: Carrie Underwood
Saturday July 26
7:00: John Conlee (host); Greg Bates
7:30: The Whites (host); T. Bubba Bechtol; Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band
Intermission
8:15: George Hamilton IV (host); Jean Shepard; Jonathan Jackson; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Jesse McReynolds; Casey James
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, July 24 & 25, 2009:
Friday July 24
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jim Ed Brown; Mark Wills
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Point Of Grace
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; T. Graham Brown
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Connie Smith; Mike Snider
Saturday July 25
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Cherryholmes
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Clay Walker; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Mandy Barnett
10:00: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Clay Walker
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stu Phillips; Cherryholmes; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Carrie Underwood
And from 10 years ago this weekend, July 23 & 24, 2004:
Friday July 23
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Mel McDaniel; Doyle Dykes
8:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jimmy C Newman; Waylon Payne; Sammi Smith
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Craig Morgan
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky; Charley Pride
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stu Phillips; Osborne Brothers; Bering Stait
Saturday July 24
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Darrell Scott
7:00: Hal Ketchum (host); SHeDAISY; Joe Nichols; Charley Pride
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Billy Walker; Jeannie Seely; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jessi Alexander; Connie Smith
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Jimmy C Newman; Jessi Alexander
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; The Whites; SHeDAISY
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Jean Shepard; Charley Pride; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Osborne Brothers; Connie Smith; Joe Nichols
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Billy Walker Darrell Scott
For this week's look back into Grand Ole Opry history, I have Saturday July 24, 1976, which was the last night that Bobby Lord performed on the Opry as a member.
Bobby Lord began his career on television and he was one of the most effective artists to use the media throughout the fifties and sixties. He was given his own television show at the age of 19 while attending the University of Tampa. In 1955, he joined the Ozark Jubilee, where he spent five years as a regular cast member and occcasional host. He came to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry in 1960 and stayed the the show until 1976, although he would continue to make guest appearances after leaving the show. He also hosted "The Bobby Lord Show", which was syndicated by WSM-TV. He had records on the charts from the late 1950s, into the early 1970s. After leaving the Opry, Bobby moved back to Florida where he owned an insurance agency. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 74.
Here is the running order of the Grand Ole Opry, July 24, 1976 as we remember Bobby Lord.
1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Life to Go
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Stonewall Jackson: Washed My Hands in Muddy Water/Waterloo
6:45: Rudy's
Willis Brothers (host): Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Lorrie Morgan: Merry-Go-Round of Love
Johnny Carver: Afternoon Delight
Willis Brothers: For the Good Times
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Good Deal Lucille
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: (?)
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Del Wood: Stars & Stripes/Caissons/Anchors Away/U.S. Marines/America the Beautiful
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star/Diggy Liggy Lo
7:30: Standard Candy
Bobby Lord (host): Live Your Life Out Loud
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Billy Grammer: Family Man
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Cumberland Gap
Bobby Lord: Fall Away
Skeeter Davis: The Old Rugged Cross/The King is Coming
Billy Grammer: Under the Double Eagle
Bobby Lord: Hawkeye
8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Life of Riley
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Justin Tubb: Sweetwater, Texas
Oswald: Mountain Dew
Lester Flatt: Father's Table Grace
Jeanne Pruett: Break My Mind
Justin Tubb: Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again
8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jean Shepard: Wabash Cannonball
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady/Take Back, It's Over
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Jean Shepard: Ain't Love Good
Hank Snow: Paper Roses
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Louisiana Saturday Night
Willis Brothers: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Del Wood: Stars & Stripes/Caissons/Anchors Away/U.S. Marines/America the Beautiful
Johnny Carver: Afternoon Delight
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Bill Carlisle: Business Man
10:00: Fender
Jerry Clower (host): Marcelle Stops the Train
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Curly Headed Baby
Jerry Clower: Comedy
10:15: Union 76
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Skeeter Davis: Come on Over
Oswald: Sailing On
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host):
Paul Warren: Black-Eyed Susie
Lorrie Morgan: Stand By Your Man
Justin Tubb: Looking Back to See
Lester Flatt: Great Big Woman and A Little Biddy Bottle of Wine
Kenny Ingram: Flint Hill Special
10:45: Beech-Nut
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: Peace in the Valley
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Hello, Love
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldiers Joy
Hank Snow: That's When He Dropped the World in my Hands
Jeanne Pruett: It Doesn't Hurt to Ask
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow: My Little Old Town Down in New Orleans
11:30: Elm Hill
Bobby Lord (host): Rainbow Girl
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away/Ain't Love Good
Rex Allen: Green, Green Grass of Home/The Streets of Larado
Bobby Lord: Y'all Come
What was interesting is that this night featured two future Opry members, Larry Gatlin and Lorrie Morgan. Lorrie was scheduled in place of Marion Worth who cancelled out. Also, Johnny Carver was a replacement for Charlie Louvin, who also cancelled.
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!
From Anonymous in PA: Yawn, for this weekend line-up. Oh for history to repeat itself as in 2009 and 2004. Do they really have that many people all of a sudden buy tickets because of Carrie Underwood (or is someone giving them away); hard to believe they are paying those exorbitant prices for one act.
ReplyDeleteOne more thought From Anonymous in PA: we have already purchased our tickets for the 2015 Anniversary weekend - how many of the folks going this weekend do you think will be doing something like that this far in advance. Of course, we have the 2014 tickets too :-)
ReplyDeletethis continues to prove the opry mgt has no desire to keep the tradition of opry members carrying the water for the grand ole opry; it is now all about $$$$ AND WHAT MAJOR ATTRACTION CAN WE GET TO SELL THIS BABY OUT OR TO MAYBE EVEN SELL TWO SHOWS OUT!! SHAME ON YOU MR. FISHER FOR YOUR TEARING DOWN THE TRADITION, I WOULD NOT DOUBT THAT YOU MIGHT AUCTION OFF THAT CENTER PIECE OF STAGE IF THE $$$$ ARE GOOD ENOUGH.......
ReplyDeleteOn the 1976 lineup, where was Roy Acuff? Only Os was scheduled on the program (perhaps the Smoky Mountain Boys came out too). Interesting...
ReplyDeletePL, I have a couple of lineups from 1976 and Mr. Acuff was missing. I think he had some heart issues at the time, but Byron will know if anybody does.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, you are too kind to the current management.
Acuff had a heart attack in April of 1976 and was off the Opry for nearly 6 months while he recovered. Oswald and Charlie Collins continued to appear on the show during that time.
ReplyDeleteShould we keep Carrie away so a second show isn't necessary?
ReplyDeleteI applaud Carrie Underwood for her love of the 'Opry and her frequent appearances.
I don't see how her appearing has anything to do with what's wrong with today's 'Opry.
@Anonymous in PA
ReplyDeleteBoth of tonight's shows are sold out and have been for a while. So it appears that in fact "that many people suddenly buy tickets because of Carrie Underwood" and also The Band Perry, who is a pretty popular current act. Seems to me that if an Opry lineup represents a wide breadth of country music as tonight's lineup does, then the Opry is doing at least part of its job, and those people buying tickets to see Carrie Underwood and/or The Band Perry will get a nice education. Historically, the Carrie crowds have proven quite welcoming of more traditional acts.
Tomorrow night's show also appears to be selling well without a current marquis name (a testament to the appeal of the legendary Opry members playing) - not sold out, but the only sections with a high percentage of seats available are in the back of the main floor and the back and sides of the upper level.
Just speaking up because it's possible to find merit in some of what's called country today *and* believe in the importance of respecting the people and the music who are the historical foundation of country music.
What is interesting is that the Opry decided to go with 2 shows tonight with Carrie Underwood, but they stuck to 1 show last Friday night with Brad Paisley. I am sure a 2nd show featuring Brad would have also sold out.
ReplyDeleteOverall, the Opry is having a very good year with their attendance. Most shows have sold-out, or come very close, and that includes the mid-week Opry shows. There are a couple of reasons for this, one of which is the increased marketing and promotion that the Opry is doing, much of it with social media. The "Nashville" television show has not hurt either as Steve Buchanan is the executive producer of the show and the Opry is featured everyweek. That is bringing new fans to the show. Andof course, there are less Opry shows per week then in the old days.
If anyone has not been to an Opry show lately, I can certainly say that it is not your mom or dad's Opry. The production is much more slick and there is a lot of interactive activities going on to enhance the experience.
I will conclude by saying that while there are things wrong with the Opry, Carrie Underwood is not one of them. She is one of the younger members who actually "gets" being an Opry member and for that she should be congratulated for. Think about this: if everyone Opry member gave the Opry just 8-10 shows per year, it would be a pretty amazing show each weekend.
I am not a lover of Carrie Underwood's music, but I'm a big fan because, clearly, she respects the history of country music. A lot of younger artists CLAIM to. She walks the walk.
ReplyDeleteAs critical as I am of the current management for its obvious disrespect for country music history, I also realize that the Opry DOES have to change with the times. I've said it before. Back in the late 1950s, Dee Kilpatrick added the Kershaws and the Everlys and offended a lot of old-timers by collapsing the Gully Jumpers and the Possum Hunters into the other two old-time string bands, the Crook Brothers and the Fruit Jar Drinkers. But he also added Wilma Lee & Stoney, Porter Wagoner, and others who were clearly traditional. The current group has no sense of balance.
Fred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteWell said, Michael. The good news about Carrie is that she honors her membership by playing the Opry. The bad news -- for us oldtimers, at least -- is that her music bears so little resemblance to country as to be negligible.
This is thin soup.
There are plenty of acts with which Fisher could "modernize" and stay true to the spirit of the show. He has chosen to add members and guests that are mostly foreign to the tradition.
Rather than rooting for Carrie and most of the other new members to show -- what would we have then? -- I'd rather a change of ownership.
I don´t know how many here follow The Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree, but tonite it was CANCELLED!!!! They were going to celebrate Bobby Osborne´s 50th Anniversary on The Grand Ole Opry on the jamborre tonite. AS a result, they are re-broadcasting last weeks perfornace by the Survivor´s.
ReplyDeleteThis is really sad!!!!! Very very sad!!!! That breaks the consecutive performance streak which was second only to the Opry. So sad!!!
Byron do you know what happened???? Was Bobby Osborne on tour or sick???
That is August 2 and not July 26.
DeleteThe streak stopped at 3, 519 consecutive broadcasts of LIVE jamboree..... I guess if we count archived shows from the past and things like that, the streak is still on. Its just sad to see that it was cancelled tonite, cause that is just as important as the Opry, it too has a rich history!!!!
ReplyDeleteNittannee, they have done several taped broadcasts over the years, so they haven't had the consecutive shows streak for a while--but like you, I'd like to know the reason!
ReplyDeleteFred, thanks. I agree on ownership. As for the kind of music, in my heart, I am with you. But I also know that much the same thing has been said in the past. The Everly Brothers weren't considered country by many at the time they got started, and there's the great story of the night Ira Louvin responded to the applause they got by throwing his mandolin. I don't mind different kinds of country music on the Opry. I mind the lack of respect for real country music and the people who made it, as you do.
Fred, Bismarck:
DeleteFunny about the Everlys, Michael. Instrumentally and in every other way except their teenaged themes, they were more country-sounding, when they burst on the scene in 1957, than all the artists who had fallen into the clutches of Chet Atkins and his like. A lot more country-sounding, on "Bye, Bye, Love," for instance, than Webb Pierce (who, for the first time in his five years at Decca, struck out on a "cover"). Then they came right out with the excellent LP, "Songs Our Daddy Taught Us," which was the Blue Sky Boys all over again.
I suspect their offense was all that air play on pop radio. But people should have believed their ears. Even singing that malt-shop stuff, the Everlys were more country than Marty Robbins, for instance, milking similar themes on such as "White Sport Coat" and "She Was Only Seventeen."
The mid-1950s were the days that started us down the road to now, and the Everlys were the least of the offenders. Of course, a lot of those who strayed paid the price. I think of poor Bobby Helms, who hit a home run with country-starved fans with his first release, "Fraulein." Then his brilliant producers -- with what had worked so well right under their noses-- decided they would turn the slight, balding Bobby into a pop star with "Special Angel" and "Jingle Bell Rock."
Those two were big hits, but a year later Bobby was toast, forsaken by country and pop fans alike.
Memories!
Nittannee, Bobby Osborne is scheduled to host the Midnight Jamboree this Saturday night, not last night. And Saturday is when the Opry is going to honor Bobby for 50 years of Opry membership. Also on Monday night, Eddie Stubbs is going to have Bobby and Sonny in studio live during his show.
ReplyDeleteI forget who was originally scheduled to host the show and why they cancelled. I know a couple of weeks back, Jim Glaser cancelled due to the illness of his wife and Anita Stapleton was a last minute replacement. I can't believe they were unable to find anyone as a last minute subsititue last night.
There have been rumors off and on concerning the future of the Midnight Jamboree. They have been running taped shows over the winter months for a few years now and there was a period of time when they were taping the Jamboree earlier in the evening and playing the tape at midnight. There have been nights when the crowds have been pretty small but that has been the case for a few years. Heck, I remember one February night when Justin Tubb hosted the show and there were only 6 of us there!! (They still advertise the show as the 2nd longest radio show after the Grand Ole Opry.) The attendance really took a hit when the Opry went to just 1 show on Saturday night.
As far as the Opry last night, there was another guest appearance by Jimmy Dickens. That seems to be almost a weekly event now. He is sounding ok, and you can still tell he is struggling with his voice. George Hamilton IV and The Whites switched segments on who was hosting. Apparently George V did not get the message and he only made it in time for George's last song.
Wasn't Jesse Mc Reynolds on fire last night? Loved their instrumental.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone who has strong feelings concerning the Friday Night Opry lineup the last couple of weeks, I think it might be a good idea to write management and respectfully let them know. I am sure there were several Opry members available to play and they wouldn't have had to resort to calling unknowns to fill the show out. I drove 6 hours to see the show last week which had one single Opry member. Will never do that again. If this is what they expect to showcase on a routine basis, count me out. It was good the 89 years it lasted.
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteI realize I placed a post, four above -- a response to Michael, about the Everly Brothers -- where nobody, including Michael, is likely to see it. So please back up to get the benefit of my usual penetrating insights. Thanks!
Fred, I'll reply down here. WE feel now that the Everlys sounded more country than, say, Marty Robbins did at the time, but I think we'd agree that a lot of people didn't feel that way then. Also, Marty by then had earned his bona fides. The odd thing is that, of course, a decade later, Ray Price, who was as country as you could get, put 47 strings on "Danny Boy" and was nearly executed.
ReplyDeleteChet Atkins and Owen Bradley did go "uptown" with the Nashville Sound, and we can complain all we want about it, but they didn't destroy country music to the degree that later folks did. I guess it's fair to say they built on the pop stuff that the two of them put into the music. I think their impact on the financial side may have been greater. The point being that country singers could get their stuff on the pop charts instead of being covered, and they could make better money at concerts.
We can like all of it. But I think we have come to a strange pass when I listen to The Beatles and think, they sound more country than a lot of so-called country acts!
Fred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteEspecially when they sing Buck Owens, Michael!
And I'm finding it's true even when they aren't singing Buck!
ReplyDeleteI have contended for a long time that country music has become the music of misfits, kind of like the Island of misfit Toys on that old animated Christmas classic Santa Clause is Coming to Town. Right down to the acceptance of all the little unfortunate children who accept the broken or irregular toys because for one reason or another they are not able to have shiny new ones that are free of flaws.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about Rock or other music so feel free to correct me. I have my doubts that any performer on contemporary pop or rock radio are running around siting Merle Haggard, Roy Acuff, Loretta or Kitty as their main influences. Yet, the majority of these young performers that are on mainstream country radio today will cite names I recognize but couldn't pick out in a police lineup, all from Rock or Southern Rock music. If you hear a country name it might be Johnny Cash or Dolly, household names anyone can pull out, just like the Opry has become a catch word to pretend you care about heritage.
I have always felt that those citing those rock influences were not good enough at their first love to run with the big dogs so they decided to sing songs about beer, being drunk, cheating, tailgating, driving a tractor, all the stereotypical topics but add their rock influenced noise and melodies, if they can be called that, and call it country. By the time this started happening in the 70's the good rock that at least had some talented performers, Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Darin, The Everly Brother's was also being run down by the hard rock and southern rock and those fans turned to country and pretty soon we ended up with this homogenized mess we call country today.
And apparently as I think someone has said here before, those of us who support the older style or true country or roots country, or whatever we choose to call it, are not vocal enough or supportive enough or maybe aggressive enough to push back the invasion. One of our well known local DJ's who just retired told us 20 years ago that someday it would all be one music. I covered my ears but I knew he was probably correct. We're getting closer.
And I agree about the Beatles, Paul McCartney and some others. They could do better country than most anyone being played on the radio these days. They did have Buck, Merle and other country acts as influences. Even though they were different I think they got what country was about.
Have I stirred any emotions? Feel free to straighten me out. Just my opinions, really not even educated opinions.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Fred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteI'm with Jim all the way. I've long felt young singers choose "country" because it's easier to get themselves played on country radio. (Country, with its inferiority complex, will take anybody who flatters it by calling themselves country.) Over-the-hill pop singers and rockers discover their country roots for the same reason.
Artistically, it costs them little, since usually they're singing approximately the same music. (I'd even rather they do that than sing ballads to John Deere tractors.)
I will say I think fans of "true country" have been plenty vocal about their preferences over the years. But that battle was lost for good with the consolidation of radio stations, the devotion of headquarters to consultants and the loss of independence by disc jockeys. With the passage of time, we have become the old wheezes -- no matter our age -- that the husband of what's-her-name called us, despised and disregarded.
We'll see how it all turns out. I read a Wall Street Journal story recently about how touring has become more important than ever to acts of all stripes because their CDs aren't selling like they used to and they can't make the same living off of iTunes. At least this old wheeze still spends hundreds of dollars a year on CDs; but I guess that doesn't count because the money isn't going to the right people.
"I have always felt that those citing those rock influences were not good enough at their first love to run with the big dogs so they decided to sing songs about beer, being drunk, cheating, tailgating, driving a tractor, all the stereotypical topics but add their rock influenced noise and melodies, if they can be called that, and call it country."
ReplyDeleteYou see above perhaps the best analysis of today's country music ever. The sad part of it is, the music described is exactly what today's buying public wants. The "country" stars of today make more in a week than our true country music heroes made in a lifetime. We can all lament the direction country is heading and where it is right now, but the fact is the stars of today are giving the buying public of today EXACTLY what they crave, which is mindless watered down Southern rock. I personally simply listen to "myjoy" gospel music on my radio when I'm riding around in my car. It features more traditional country than our today's country stations. I simply can't take the mindless drivel passing as "Country Music" today.
Long live Cracker Barrell and WSM, the last two bastions of what country music is about.
Nat, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the buying public. Just listen to the Opry when most of these folks appear. I've said before that our society is drastically changing. Not to get get morally correct or political but overall values, morels, and respect are being tossed under the bus. Anything is acceptable. My mom and dad were country folks and I don't feel they were a part of it but they are a part of the 60's generation and the Vietnam era that had such chilling effects on our society. Generally, today people like what they are told to like and do what they are told to do. Led around by our nose more every day.
Far enough.
Agree on Cracker Barrell, WSM and don't forget RFD TV.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Comcast, in all their wisdom, doesn't carry RFD-TV. Bummer!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jim.
Nat
@Nat ...
DeleteThere is a great deal of information on the internet regarding the mergers of both Comcast/Time Warner Cable & DirecTV/AT&T with regard to RFD-TV. Patrick Gottsch, Founder of RFD-TV Media appeared before a House Sub-Judiciary Hearing back in May. He also has held two, one-hour live shows on RFD-TV to speak about the mergers/RFD-TV & he took calls from around the country. Very interesting to listen to.
For the past 14 years, I have been a customer of DirecTV - they do carry RFD-TV. With AT&T buying DirecTV, AT&T has stated that they may put RFD-TV on the next tier up, which then would be an increase to those of us on the tier we are already on. That won't be happening - I will have no problem jumping ship to DISH Network, where they carry all three RFD channels - RFD-TV, Family Net & Rural TV.
Comcast does not carry RFD-TV because they consider themselves "an urban provider." I'm trying to figure out how that makes sense or where the wisdom is in their decision in thinking their cable provider is for urban people only. It is my opinion that if one eats in this country, they are a part of the agricultural industry. It's one channel & it's not as if the carriage charge is going be a zero dollar amount. But what do I know? All I want to do is sit down, turn on the tv & watch a football game (GO BEARS!!) the Marty Stuart show & a few other shows & it should not be as difficult as it all has become. (If anyone watched Marty's last show of the 6th season, I am wondering if you think it was just fabulous as I did. It was an hour show about Marty & Johnny Cash & their musical/personal relationship - all I'm going to say is that they truly were musical soul mates. What a great, great hour of music & old film footage.
Also, Comcast removed RFD-TV from their Colorado/New Mexico line-ups in favor of Al Jazeer news channel about a year ago. Comcast never contacted Patrick Gottsch prior to them dropping RFD from their line-ups in Colorado & New Mexico.
There is an entire campaign currently going on between RFD-TV & Comcast - should you be interested in giving your opinion directly on the FCC site, please visit RFD's website at www.rfdtv.com. You will see on their home page at the top & on the right side. There are two proceedings - 14-57 for the Comcast/Time Warner merger, that's the one you want to start with first (which I already have) and then the next one is for those DirecTV customers - proceeding # 14-90 concerning the DirecTV/AT&T merger.
Also, an option is to watch RFD-TV streamed on your mobile phone, tablet, desk/lap tops & all that. Sign up on the "Country Club" area on their site. At one time the charge was $5/mo or $60/year - it has increased to $10/mo or $90/year.
Trying to watch tv is no longer our mother/father's three network channels with a PBS channel kicked in for good measure anymore. Ridiculous that it has become so difficult.
Looking forward to good Opry shows - have a good weekend everyone.
(Jeanene)
Went to the FCC and gave my comments.
DeleteNot sure it will have any effect at all, but at least I've given it a shot.
Thanks!
Nat ~ when I watched Patrick Gottsch on the second RFD-Live show about two weeks ago, he had reported how many thousands of people sent their comments/opinions to the FCC - he was very happy to see how many had & keeps encouraging those who haven't given their comments/opinions to the FCC to do so.
Delete(Jeanene)
It was nice to hear Sonny Osborne and his laughter again last night as he and Bobby were interviewed by Eddie Stubbs. It had been a long time since I had heard him talk at any length. I didn't get to hear all of it but they were on all the way till the end of Eddie's show. Much of what I came away with was how proud Sonny is of Bobby and he gave him credit for his vocal style and ability as the reason for their success. Sonny should take a lot of credit for his banjo work as well. They obviously love and respect the Opry and as one might expect from past opinions voiced by Sonny, he doesn't think too much of it's current condition.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else tune in?
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I heard bits and pieces.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed it when Eddie had to play a record the second time because Bobby had been in the men's room!
It was a typical Eddie Stubbs production.
In other words, fantastic.
Just noticed both the Tuesday and Wednesday 'Opry performances this week feature exactly two 'Opry members.
ReplyDeleteIt would appear that 'Opry membership is meaning less and less............
I got to hear a little bit. I thought it was great, of course. Sonny had had a stroke a few years ago, and he sounded a little less glib than he used to be.
ReplyDeleteSonny came up with one of the greatest lines I'd ever heard. He was interviewed about Bill Monroe and he said that Mr. Monroe always would refer to himself in the third person, and then Sonny said, "He likes himself," and laughed and said, "And he should."
Jerrod Niemann, Randy Houser, and Lee Brice were all on the Wednesday Night 'Opry tonight.
ReplyDeleteIf these three are the future of Country Music and what the 'Opry holds in store for the future, all I can say is God help us all.
I got so wrapped up in the conversation about the current state of the Opry I didn't pay much attention to Byron's mention of Bobby Lord. Most of you have heard Bobby on those 60's Opry broadcasts. His high energy stuff like Hawkeye were okay but he really did a good job on ballads such as "When the Snow Fall's, "Life Can Have Meaning", "The Green Fields of Home" and "Fall away". He did a handful of real good albums for Hickory. It was refreshing to hear him on the Opry in the 80's. At that time I knew very little about him but have since gained a great appreciation for his recordings and performances. I never met him but he seemed like a real nice man. Anyone out there ever see him in concert or meet him?
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN
Jim, I always wished he had had a bigger career--great voice, great personality. Once he did a guest shot after leaving and was on Bill Anderson's old "Backstage" show. Bill had Bobby tell the story of how the marquee once showed his name as Baby Lard. Bobby came back with how Bill wrote great songs like "Tips of My Fingers" and "City Lights," and the one he gave Bobby to record was called "Pie-Peachy-Pie-Pie."
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