The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the weekend shows. With November upon us, it also marks the Opry's return to the Ryman Auditorium for the next 3 months, and now until the end of the year, the Opry will be back to 2 shows on most Saturday nights.
The Friday Night Opry for this week looks very good. For openers, you have Stonewall Jackson returning to the Opry stage for just the 2nd time this year. It was on November 3, 1956 that Stonewall first joined the Grand Ole Opry, which means that this week he will be celebrating 58 years as an Opry member. (as a disclaimer, he was fired from the Opry in December 1964 for not making the required number of Opry appearances, and he rejoined the cast in May 1969). So while he has not been a member for the entire 58 years, it is still an accomplishment that I hope gets mentioned.
Joining Stonewall on Friday night will be guest artists Deana Carter and The Secret Sisters, along with O'Shea, who will be making their Opry debut. As far as Opry members, Steve Wariner is scheduled, along with Bill Anderson, Del McCoury and one of the Opry's newest members, Old Crow Medicine Show, with the latter 3 also scheduled for Saturday night.
Joining that group on Saturday night will be Holly Williams, along with Chase Bryant and Sara Haze. And on the 2nd show, a hosting assignment goes to Ray Pillow.
Friday November 7
7:00: The Whites (host); Mark Wills; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Deana Carter; The Secret Sisters
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Stonewall Jackson; Sam Bush
8:45: Steve Wariner (host); O'Shea; Old Crow Medicine Show
Saturday November 8
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Sara Haze
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Chase Bryant; Del McCoury Band
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Holly Williams; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Old Crow Medicine Show
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Sara Haze
10:00: Ray Pillow (host); Chase Bryant; Del McCoury Band
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Holly Williams; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Old Crow Medicine Show
The have left the usual spot open on Saturday night for Jimmy Dickens, and I am sure that on Saturday, they have given Old Crow the entire last segment.
Overall, 2 very good nights as far as the Opry is concerned. And for those wondering, there will be a live Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this weekend with Rex Allen, Jr. as the host.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, November 6 & 7, 2009:
Friday November 6
7:00: Jean Shepard (host); The Whites; The Steeldrivers
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Bomshel
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Joey+Rory
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Connie Smith; Gene Watson
Saturday November 7
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Isaacs
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Jean Shepard; Sarah Buxton
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Ray Pillow; Rebecca Lynn Howard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Gene Watson
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Isaacs
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Sarah Buxton
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Stu Phillips; Rebecca Lynn Howard; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Gene Watson
And from 10 years ago this weekend, November 5 & 6, 2004:
Friday November 5
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; Larry Sparks
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Jim Ed Brown; King Wilkie
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jessica Andrews
9:00: John Conlee (host); Osborne Brothers; George Canyon
9:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Jan Howard; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Marty Stuart
Saturday November 6
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Larry Sparks
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; T. Graham Brown
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Osborne Brothers; Jessica Andrews
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Walker; George Canyon; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); John Conlee; Buddy Jewell
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Larry Sparks
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Billy Walker; T. Graham Brown
10:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jessica Andrews; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; George Canyon
11:30: John Conlee (host); Ray Pillow; Buddy Jewell
For this week's feature line-ups, I have 2 to offer. The first is from November 10, 1962 which was the Grand Ole Opry's 37th birthday celebration. There was one show from the Ryman Auditorium that night and it went from 6:30 until midnight. Here is the running order of the show, 52 years ago this weekend, November 10, 1962:
6:30: J.L. Perry
Willis Brothers (host): Big Daddy
Sonny James: Young Love
Carl Butler: Honky Tonkitis
Cousin Jody: Television Set
Merle Kilgore: Something Going On
Skeeter Willis: Sally Goodin
Melba Montgomery: Happy You; Lonely Me
Billy Deaton: (?)
Willis Brothers: Everylovin' Dixieland
7:00: Delited
Ray Price (host): Pride
Bill Carlisle: It Takes All Kinds
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Ferlin Husky: It Was You
Stringbean: Barnyard Banjo Picking
Texas Ruby: California Blues
Ray Price: Walking Slow
7:30: Pet Milk
Jim Reeves (host): I'm Gonna Change Everything
Glaser Brothers: I'm Losing Again
Hawshaw Hawkins: Silver Threads and Golden Needles
Jimmy Dean: (?)
Jim Reeves: Pride Goes For A Fall
Jean Shepard: One Less Heartache
George Hamilton IV: If You Don't Know
Blue Boys: Wheels
Jim Reeves: Stand At Your Window
8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): The Ballad of Jed Clampett
Cowboy Copas: Alabam'
Jimmy Newman: Bayou Talk
Del Wood: China Town
Flatt & Scruggs: Coal Loading Johnny
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Justin Tubb: (?)
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Flatt & Scruggs: Shuckling the Corn
8:30: Bass Homes
Porter Wagoner (host): (?)
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Jordanaires: (?)
Patsy Cline: She's Got You
Leroy Van Dyke: Auctioneer
Porter Wagoner: (?)
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): I'm Looking High and Low for My Baby
Wilburn Brothers: Trouble's Back in Town
Bill Monroe: Uncle Pen
Carters: The Sun's Gonna Shine In My Backdoor Someday
Ernest Tubb: Rainbow at Midnight
Cousin Jody: Don't Make Love in A Buggy 'Cause Horses Carry Tales
Margie Bowes: I Really Don't Want to Know
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Ernest Tubb: (?)
9:30: Stephens
Faron Young (host): Back Track
George Morgan: Macht Nichts
Carl Butler: Don't Let Me Cross Over
Louvin Brothers: Must You Throw Dirt In My Face
Bill Anderson: Mama Sang A Song
Loretta Lynn: Success
George Jones: (?)
Faron Young: Going Steady
10:00: Gates Rubber
Jim Reeves (host): Billy Bayou
Willis Brothers: Goodnight Cincinnati; Good Morning Tennessee
Skeeter Davis: Something Precious
Jim Reeves: Adios Amigo
Blue Boys: Red River Rock
10:15: Corn Products
Ray Price (host): Crazy Arms
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Del Wood: Sheik of Araby
Ray Price: You Done Me Wrong
10:30: Harvey's
Marty Robbins (host): (?)
Flatt & Scruggs: The Ballad of Jed Clampett
Billy Walker: Willic the Weeper
Marty Robbins: (?)
10:45: De Con
Ferlin Husky (host): Wings of A Dove
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me I'm Falling
Glaser Brothers: Let Me Down Easy
Crook Brothers: Soldiers Joy
Simon Crum: (?)
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): Darkness on the Face of the Earth
Porter Wagoner (?)
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Patsy Cline: Heartaches
Jordanaires: (?)
Jean Shepard: Two Shadows; Two Voices; Two Faces
George Hamilton IV: China Doll
Sam & Kirk McGee: Columbus Stockade Blues
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Twenty Miles From the Shore
11:30: SSS Tonic
George Morgan (host): Candy Kisses
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Jimmy Newman: I May Fall Again
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Roy Drusky: It Worries Me
Margie Bowes: Judge Not
Cowbody Copas: Alabam'
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
George Morgan: Almost
I don't think anyone can complain about that Opry show!!
Finally, it was on November 8, 1997 that Johnny Paycheck became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was inducted as a member by John Conlee and it was televised on TNN. Johnny really appreciated his Opry membership as it came after a period of personal difficulties for him, even having spent time in prison. Johnny was only able to enjoy his Opry membership for a short period of time as within a few years, respiratory issues forced Johnny to quit performing and he spent his final years in declining health, passing away in February 2003. Here is the Opry running order from Saturday November 8, 1997, the night Johnny Paycheck joined the cast of the Opry:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down the Country
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
6:45: Jogging In A Jug
Steve Wariner (host): Domino Theory of Love
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
Steve Wariner: Like A River to the Sea
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
Skeeter Davis: I'll Fly Away
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me On Sundays
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top/Rank Strangers
Porter Wagoner: Misery Loves Company
7:30: Standard Candy
John Conlee (host): The Old School
Bryan White: One Small Miracle
Terri Clark: Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me
Johnny Paycheck: Take This Job and Shove It/The Old Violin
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Billy Grammer: I Dreamed of An Old Love Affair
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Cherokee Shuffle
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops
8:30: Clifty Farms
Ricky Skaggs (host): Dim Lights, Thick Smoke
Jimmy C Newman: Lucille
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
The Whites: It Should've Been Easy
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Ricky Skaggs: Let Me Walk Lord, By your Side
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor Howdy
Oswald: What A Friend
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
Terri Clark: I Got Better Things to Do/Poor, Poor Pitiful Me
Kristy Lynn: Walk Softly On My Heart
Porter Wagoner: If Teardrops Were Pennies
10:00: Opry Book
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Jan Howard: Take Me As I Am
Grandpa Jones: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans
10:15: Banquet
Jimmy C Newman (host): LaCajun Band
Jean Shepard: Together Again
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya/Cajun Stripper
10:30: Purnell
Bill Anderson (host): I Get the Fever
Steve Wariner: One Small Miracle
Bill Anderson: This Is A Love Song
10:45: Your Quality Certified Home Builders
Steve Wariner (host): Domino Theory of Love
Ray Pillow: One Too Many Memories
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sugar in the Goard
Steve Wariner: Life's Highway
11:00: Coca-Cola
Ricky Skaggs (host): I Got A Pig Home in the Pen
4 Guys: Patriotic Melody
Johnny Paycheck: A-11/The Old Violin/Memory of A Memory
Ricky Skaggs: Little Maggie
11:30: Opry Book
Johnny Russell (host): Someday I'll Sober Up
Riders In The Sky: Riding Down the Canyon
Charlie Walker: There's A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
The Whites: He Took Your Place/Swing Down Chariot/Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot
Jeannie Seely: Those Memories
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!
I'd take that 1997 lineup, too. But what a night in 1962! And no Mr. Acuff, either.
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteOne of the ways an underemployed person like myself finds entertainment in Byron's old lineups is in noticing when chance arranges a segment according to a pattern.
For instance, on the 10:30 Harvey's segment from 1962, the 3 acts -- Marty, Flatt & Scruggs, Billy Walker -- all record for Columbia. Last week, 1963 show, Harvey's had Ferlin Husky, the Louvin Bros. and Tex Ritter -- all Capitol acts.
If I were like the guy in the movie "A Beautiful Mind," I would be able to make more of this, I'm sure, but I don't think I should go there.
If you want to take a trip down memory lane, the Tennessean website has a gallery of photos from the 1974 DJ convention right now. There's a series of photos from the BMI awards banquet, the CBS Records show, the Grand Ole Opry Spectacular (great shots of Ernest Tubb, Minnie Pearl,, Barbara Mandrell, Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely, Jerry Clower, Hank Snow and others) and some assorted shots of DJ events and some names that you probably haven't heard in ages. Sometimes the Tennessean staff doesn't do such a hot job of researching as they identify Johnny Gimble as Vassar Clements and Kenny Price is identified in one photo as "another guest" which I find amusing and irritating at the same time. Just go to www.tennessean.com and scroll down to the "Galleries" tab and click on "Nashville Then: 49th Grand Ole Opry Birthday Celebration Week in 1974". It's the last tab on the main page today so if they add another gallery you may have to go searching for it after today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific Friday Night Opry - very impressed with Mark Wills, whom I am not a fan of, he sang three Ronnie Milsap songs & did a terrific job on all of them. The songs actually showcased a voice that I never thought he had, all he has to do is sing a good country song & sing it with conviction like he did tonight. That is the problem, when these newer artists sing what they record, ugh, but when they sing a country classic made famous by someone else, all I say is that I knew they could sing country music. The fight is within themselves - they are country artists, who are not singing true & real country music. Not a match. However I get it, if they want radio airplay, they won't be recording traditional country music. Sad as that is.
ReplyDeleteMike Snider hasn't been at the Opry all year, has appeared on every Friday/Saturday shows since October 10th AND actually told a couple of good jokes tonight. Will wonders never cease? :-)
All of tonight's performers were terrific especially, Stonewall Jackson, Bill Anderson, The Whites, Steve Wariner & Old Crow Medicine Show.
(Jeanene)
I was unable to listen to the entire show tonight, but from what I heard, the audience gave Stonewall a great ovation. Too bad he only did 1 song. He said his voice was hoarse, but I thought it sounded good. Bill Anderson and Sam Bush also did a nice job on that segment. I love Old Crow Medicine Show and is there a better sing-along song then "Wagon Wheel." Too bad that Darius is recognized in mainstream country for having the hit of the song when we all know it was Old Crow that had the original, and in my opinion, much better recording.
ReplyDeleteBarry, the gallery was great. I also caught three errors and emailed The Tennessean and got an immediate response. They didn't identify Kenny Price and misidentified Freddie Hart as Billy Walker and Charlie Walker as Webb Pierce. Funny thing is, from certain angles, I could see slight resemblances!
ReplyDeleteAgreed Byron, I did not mention how terrific Sam Bush was. The first song he did was a tribute to Stringbean & Estelle's murder is, what Eddie Stubbs would describe as, a song that is sad, morbid & pitiful. We all know why he sang it. And I also wish Stonewall would have been able to do a second song & he did sound very good to me.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that Old Crow does the better version of Wagon Wheel & they turn it into a jam session as they did again last night. Unfortunately, Old Crow will never be played on my local "country" station or many around the country. I am sure they are played on some stations besides WSM & most likely on SiriusXM. I wonder how other countries do with playing American country artists on their radio stations. I know that some of our country artists are extremely popular, as George Hamilton IV was, for example.
Looking forward to tonight's Grand Ole Opry - Old Crow once again the last 30 minutes on both shows. Holly Williams, who has a terrific voice (& who just had a baby less than two months ago) is scheduled to appear. Del McCoury, Bill Anderson, Mike Snider, Bobby Osborne, Jeanie Seely & others. Six of nine are Opry members, better than one or two.
(Jeanene)
When Eddie Stubbs isn't there, the Opry's level of greatness is taken down a notch. Stubbs is the Opry. When he isn't there, it just isn't the same. --- Shane from Arizona
ReplyDeleteShane, I agree. In the history of Opry announcers, Eddie Stubbs is the greatest. I got to meet him backstage once, and I was so impressed. He's a nice guy, too. His voicewith his knowledge is priceless.
ReplyDeleteFrom Anonymous in PA: Agree with "Shane" and "Anonymous" -- Eddie Stubbs' love and appreciation of country music and the "artists" (not just performers) who create(d) it stands alone and I believe his own musical talent and performance history adds to everything he does both personal and professional. The others are announcers and DJs. His indepth interviews with people from all parts of the industry are unmatched and outstanding.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to meet Eddie. Would love to just take the man for coffee and just hear his stories. What a wealth of knowledge and what a classy man. My wife and I are big fans of Stubbs on WSM and listen to his show almost each night he's on the air. I can't imagine the Opry without him. No disrespect to Cody or Terry, but Stubbs has an approach that is a throw back to past Opry announcers. Sometimes the old ways are still the good ways. --- Peter from Illinois
ReplyDeleteI don't care too much for Mike Snider and his hosting
ReplyDeleteJules in North Carolina: I'm going to be honest here. I do not like the sound quality of the broadcasts from the Ryman. I am not a big fan of the Ryman. I know there is a collective gasp going on right now! We frequently makes trips to Nashville and attend the Opry. Sure, the Ryman is important historically, and I recognize that, but I'll be honest, after about 30 minutes my rear end hurts! It's uncomfortable! I hate trying to find somewhere to park downtown, too. It's just an overall pain. I much prefer the Opry at the Opry House.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jules. I like the Opry House. The Ryman is nice, but parking is ridiculous. Also, I agree with you guys that Eddie Stubbs is the greatest. T Tommy is a close second. from Duwayne in St. Louis
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteDuwayne: I'm showing my age here, but are you referring to T. Tommy Cuttrer (sp)? Surely he can't still be around!
Yup, I'm referring to T Tommy Cutrer. No, he's no longer alive. He was one of the best, and I think a close second to Eddie. -- Duwayne
ReplyDeleteT Tommy was a wonderful announcer but Eddie puts so much more into what he does. Just listen to Eddies pretty much nightly show and take note of the research and preparation into each selection's history. Eddie goes the extra mile all the time in telling you things like who played steel guitar on a 1956 hit.
ReplyDeleteDashmann Flushing, Michigan
It seems to me that every year it takes a few broadcasts for the sound from the Ryman to get up to par.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet by tonight (Tuesday), it will be better.
I don't like the live sound at the 'Opry House, especially on the lower level.
Prefer the Ryman for live performances; the Opry House live does not have the same acoustics and you get a lot of the background stage noise. Haven't been impressed with sound on the broadcasts for quite a while - they can't seem to get the right mix of performers' mikes and the music (often too loud and drowns out the voices).
ReplyDeletePerhaps the problem is the sound engineer and not the venue
ReplyDeleteFred, Bismarck:
DeleteIt could be as simple as this -- both in-house and over the air.
Duwayne, I could not agree more. Stubbs has a style like no other, and he can be quite funny, too. I love how He and Larry Gatling banter and Stubbs always cleverly fires back the quick responses to Garlin. Eddie is Nashville's biggest treasure. I always liked Ralph Emery but Stibbs is more polished. They should put Stubbs on a TV show - Eric in Iowa
ReplyDelete