Grand Ole Opry 11/14 & 11/15

Before getting into the line-ups for the Opry shows this weekend, just a few words as I have been reading the comments posted regarding the sound at the Ryman Auditorium and the Opry at the Ryman.

As far as the sound, at least to me, you can tell the difference when listening when the show is at the Grand Ole Opry House or the Ryman Auditorium. The sound just seems a little tighter when at the Opry House. Now when you are there in person, the sound is fine at both places, although I think they tend to turn up the volume a bit at the Opry House. But I don't think it is the building as much as how they are working the sound board.

As far as the comforts of the Opry House versus the Ryman, I guess as we get older we realize the comforts of the Opry House. The seats are padded, the aisles are wider and it is easier to go get a concession or a restroom break. And of course, the parking is free although you might have to walk a bit across the mall parking lot. My biggest complaint is that if you are sitting way up in the balcony, you are pretty high up. Thank goodness that they added the video screens.

My biggest gripe about the Ryman is the parking. On a hockey night, you are paying up to $35 to park in a prime spot, although if you feel like walking there are much cheaper lots further away. If there is an event at the Arena, traffic can be an issue as well as the parking. I do find it interesting the complaints about sitting on the hard benches for a 2 hour show. I guess some forget, or have never experienced the Opry when the show was much longer. Of course the Ryman did a huge business selling seat cushions. Finally, on the plus side, is you are much closer to the stage at the Ryman. The balcony gives everyone a great view of all the performers and it is certainly better to sit up there then under the balcony.

It is a little tough at the Ryman right now with the remodeling project going on. Getting people out and back in on Saturday night with 2 shows is a challenge. But when finished, I think everyone will be pleased with the Ryman improvements.

Now as far as the Opry this week, the show continues its winter run at the Ryman Auditorium with 3 shows this weeekend; the Friday Night Opry and 2 shows on Saturday night. The line-ups have been posted and both nights have full line-ups.

The Friday Night Opry will feature guest artists The Swon Brothers, Kalisa Ewing and Restless Heart. Also scheduled is frequent and popular guest Chris Janson, along with the Annie Moses Band, who also will be appearing on Saturday night. And also appearing on Friday and making their Opry debut will be The Stellas, a husband and wife team originally from Toronto, Canada.

Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature Opry members Ricky Skaggs, who is set for both shows, and Vince Gill, who is scheduled for just the 2nd show, as he will probably make his way down to the Ryman after the Predators hockey game. As far as guest artists on Saturday, Greg Bates. Lauren Alaina and Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band are on the schedule. Also scheduled and making his Opry debut will be Stoney LaRue.

Friday November 14
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Swon Brothers; Mike Snider
7:30: The Whites (host); Kalisa Ewing; Annie Moses Band
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Stellas
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Chris Janson; Restless Heart

Saturday November 15
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Greg Bates; (Jimmy Dickens?)
7:30: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Stoney LaRue
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jean Shepard; Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lauren Alaina; Annie Moses Band

2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Greg Bates; Mike Snider
10:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Stoney LaRue
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Lauren Alaina; Annie Moses Band

Nice to see some variety on both the Saturday shows, but I really hate to see the veterans, such as Jean Shepard, Jan Howard and Bobby Osborne only scheduled for 1 show each. 6 Opry members on Friday night and the first show on Saturday, and 8 on the 2nd Saturday show.

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, November 13 & 14, 2009:

Friday November 13
7:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jean Shepard; The Whites
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Joe Diffie
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown; Steve Wariner
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Band Perry; Josh Turner

Saturday November 14
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jim Ed Brown
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Carrie Underwood; Jake Owen; Martina McBride; Rodney Atkins

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jack Greene; Martina McBride
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; Carrie Underwood
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jean Shepard; Rodney Atkins; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jake Owen

Actually, 3 pretty solid shows. Friday night, there was only non-Opry member, while on Saturday night, just 2. The 2nd show on Saturday was much better than the 1st show, as that last hour at 8:00 was televised which reduced the number of acts.

Now, from 10 years ago this weekend, November 12 & 13, 2004:

Friday November 12
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Carolyn Dawn Johnson
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Charlie Walker; Jack Greene; David Lee Murphy
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Osborne Brothers; Lane Turner
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Louvin; Jean Shepard; Sugarland
9:30: John Conlee (host); Alecia Nugent; The Whites

Saturday November 13
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; Connie Smith
7:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Emerson Drive; Darryl Worley; David Lee Murphy
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Walker; Jack Greene; Mountain Heart; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Lorrie Morgan
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; David Lee Murphy
10:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Darryl Worley; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Osborne Brothers; Emerson Drive
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Connie Smith; Mountain Heart

Again, 2 pretty good nights. Lots's of acts and lot's of Opry members.

For this week's feature line-up, I go back 62 years ago this weekend to Saturday November 15, 1952. Some interesting names performed that night and a nice look back.

7:30: Warren Paint
Roy Acuff (host): Low and Lonely
Lew Childre: Hang Out the Front Door Key
Roy Acuff: Eye From on High
Howdy Forrester: Blackberry Blossom

7:45: American Ace
Roy Acuff (host): They Can Only Fill One Grave
Webb Pierce: That Heart Belongs to Me
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
Oswald: Surely Is A Train
Riddle: Bill Bailey

8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb: Fortunes in Memories
Hank Snow: The Girl Who Invented Kissin'
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Carter Family: Willow Will You Weep for Me
Bill Monroe: Footprints In the Snow
Moon Mullican: Mean Mama Blues
Ernest Tubb: Driftwood on the River
June Carter: Comedy-Walkin' To Missouri
Chet Atkins: Guitar Polka
Hank Snow: Such A Fool As I
Bill Monroe: Tall Timber

8:30: Prince Albert Show
Red Foley (host): Birmingham Bounce
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Martha Carson: Crying Holy to the Lord
Square Dancers: Mississippi Sawyer
Red Foley: My God Is Real
Old Hickory Singers: Kentucky Babe
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Martha Carson: Swing Down A Chariot
String Bean: Old Joe Clark
Red Foley: Somebody's Crying
Square Dancers: Devil's Dream

9:00: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Don't Make Me Go To Bed
Fruit Jar Drinkers: McCloud's Reel
George Morgan: Yesterday's Roses
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Jug Band: Uncle Noah's Ark
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: Thank God
Homer Harris: To Be Selected
Oswald: Roll On Buddy
Howdy Forrester: Sally Goodin'

9:30: Fortune Feed
Carl Smith (host): Our Honeymoon
Jimmy Dickens: You Don't Love Me
Ray Price: I Can't Escape From You
Anita Carter: Foggy Mountain Top
Lonzo and Oscar: Let's Live A Little No.2
Possum Hunters: Bill Cheatham
Carl Smith: Sing Her A Love Song
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
Faron Young: Going Steady
Carl Smith: This Side of Heaven
Hal Smith: Sally Goodin'

10:00: Wall Rite
George Morgan (host): I Love Everything About You
Bill Monroe: When the Cactus Are in Bloom
Johnny and Jack: Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes
Tommy Sosebee: I'd Trade All My Tomorrows
Don Slayman: Turkey in the Straw

10:15: Dr. Le Gear
George Morgan (host): Honky Tonk Street
Cowboy Copas: Some Fine Morning
Bill Monroe: Boat of Love
Webb Pierce: I'll Always Take Care of You
Charlie Cline: Arkansas Traveler

10:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Somebody's Stolen My Honey
Jimmy Dickens (host): Asleepin' At the Foot of the Bed
Gully Jumpers: Soldiers Joy
Faron Young: My Open Arms
June Carter: Beautiful Morning Glory
Ernest Tubb: I'm With A Crowd But So Alone
Ray Price: Please Be Mine
Chet Atkins: Mary Lou
Jimmy Dickens: Hot Diggety Day
Ernest Tubb: Daisy May

11:00: Soltice
Roy Acuff (host): The Streamlined Cannon Ball
Lonzo and Oscar: Goodbye Little Darlin'
Roy and The Gang: Gethseme
Howdy Forrester: Cripple Creek

11:15: O-Cello
Carl Smith (host): There's Nothing As Sweet As My Baby
Johnny and Jack: The Only One I Loved I Lost
String Bean: Roll On Buddy, Roll On
Carl Smith: I Overlooked An Orchard
Fiddle: Rickett's Hornpipe

11:30: Darimix
Hank Snow (host): I Went to Your Wedding
Lew Childre: Sister Lucy
Moon Mullican: Pipeliner Blues
Crook Brothers: New Five Cents
Hank Snow: Boogie Woogie Flying Crowd

11:45: Hester Battery Co.
Cowboy Copas (host): Boomerang
Sam and Kirk: Sugar Moon
Grandpa Jones: Frog Hair
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sweet Jenny Lee
Cowboy Copas: Copy Cat

I don't think anybody could complain about the show that night!!

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!