Final Ryman Shows/First New Opry House Shows

It was on Saturday March 9, 1974 that the Grand Ole Opry held it's final Saturday night show at the Ryman Auditorium. The following week, the Grand Ole Opry had the grand opening of the new Opry House. To have a look back, I have posted the line-ups from the final Saturday night at the Ryman Auditorium (March 9), the final Friday Night Opry at the Ryman (March 15), the first Grand Ole Opry show at the new Opry House (March 16), the first Friday Night Opry from the new Opry House (March 22) and the 2nd Saturday Grand Ole Opry show (March 23) from the new Opry House.

When the new Opry House was finished, a schedule had to be set up for the move. As mentioned, Saturday March 9, 1974 was the final Saturday night show at the Ryman. Then, because tradition dictated that the new house ought to open on a Saturday, the final broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry from the Ryman was set for Friday March 15, with "Grand Ole Gospel Time" to follow.

Jeanne Pruett has said that her most moving moment at the Grand Ole Opry was that last Saturday night at the Ryman. "Marty Robbins and I did the last show, the 11:30 segment. I can remember when the curtain came down, well, we were going from what we knew and loved and held dear, to the unknown. And I just wondered to myself if it was the end of the Opry, or was it the beginning."

Here is the running order of the final Grand Ole Opry show at the Ryman Auditorium Saturday March 9, 1974:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Willis Brothers: Cool Water

6:45: Rudy's
Bobby Bare (host): Detroit City
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Bobby Bare: The Mermaids

7:00: Rudy's
Billy Grammer (host): Under the Double Eagle/Black Mountain Rag/Wildwood Flower
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Nine Pound Hammer
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: To My Mansion in the Sky
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jeanne Pruett: You Don't Need to Move A Mountain
Lonzo & Oscar: Charming Betsy
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Ida Red
Roy Acuff: Back in the Country
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets

8:00: Martha White
Wilburn Brothers (host): Roll, Muddy River
Justin Tubb; Rambling Man
Jody Miller: Good News
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl
Justin Tubb: Texas Dance Hall Girl
Jody Miller: Let's All Go Down to the River

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jan Howard: My Kind of People
4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Hank Snow: Brand On My Heart
Jan Howard: Sunshine On My Shoulders
4 Guys: Top of the World
Hank Snow: Hello Love

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bobby Bare (host): Come Sundown
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Wilma Lee Cooper: Philadelphia Lawyer
Bobby Bare: Blowing in the Wind/Worried Man Blues/Gotta Travel On
Skeeter Willis: Maiden's Prayer
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I Shall Not Be Moved
Bobby Bare & Bobby Bare, Jr: Daddy, What If

10:00: Fender
Stu Phillips (host): Pride
Jody Miller: Darling, You Can Always Come Back Home
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): When I Lay My Burdens Down
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Loving Heart

10:30: Beech-Nut
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Jerry Clower: The Coon Hunt
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: How Great Thou Art

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Jan Howard: Where No One Stands Alone
4 Guys: Streaking With My Baby on a Bright and Sunny Afternoon
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbin Ridge
Tanya Tucker: Delta Dawn
Sam McGee: Freight Train/Victor Rag/I Don't Love Nobody
Hank Snow: I Don't Hurt Anymore

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
Jeanne Pruett: You Don't Need to Move a Mountain/Satin Sheets
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/I'm Wanting To/Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms/Love Me/Now Is the Hour

As far as the final Friday night, it was a very emotional evening. Minnie Pearl said, "The night we left, the last night we played at the Ryman. I was crying. I was so sentimental about the old building. I never felt that way about the War Memorial, and that's where I started on the Opry. But we had thirty years or more at the Ryman and it has so much ambiance. The church pews, the haze of hair spray in that ladies' room." And Jan Howard said, "That last night was a very sacred moment."

Roy Acuff had said, "Certainly there are memories of this old house that will go with us forever. Not all of them good. Not all of them. Many of them are, but some of them are punishment. Punishment in the way that we ask you to come to visit with us and then we sit you out in this audience here and in the hot summer we sell you a fan for a dollar. You do your own air-conditioning. And some of you, we sell you a cushion to sit on because the seats are not just the most comfortable they can be. But out in Opryland, when you come to see us, we'll furnish the air conditioner. We'll furnish the cushion seats. You just don't know how much we do appreciate you people. It's you who have made the Grand Ole Opry so successful. Will  you not forget us when we move into our new building? You'll love us for being out there and we'll love you for coming to see us. Thank you. God bless you all, good night."

Here is the running order for that final Friday Night Opry at the Ryman Auditorium March 15, 1974:

7:00: Cracker Barrel
Roy Drusky (host): Alone With You
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Jan Howard: The One You Slip Around With
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Charlie Walker: Wanting My Woman Again
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose

7:30: Varallo
Bill Anderson (host): If You Can Live With It
Bob Luman: Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Jim & Jesse: Diesel On My Tail
Mary Lou Turner: Poor Sweet Baby
Bill Anderson: A World Of Make Believe
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks

8:00: Tennessee Pride/Borox
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Bobby Bare: Ride Me Down Easy
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Phil Campbell: Valley of the Never Do No Good
Bobby Bare & Bobby Bare, Jr: Daddy, What If
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man

8:30: Kroger
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Stonewall Jackson: Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
Minnie Pearl: Careless Love
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
Roy Acuff: Back in the Country
Jean Shepard: At the Time
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland

9:00: Baltz Bros./Schlitz
Wilburn Brothers (host): It's Another World
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Jeanne Pruett: You Dont' Need to Move A Mountain
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Wilburn Brothers: I'm Gonna Tie One On Tonight
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Del Wood: Down Yonder

9:30: Acme Boots/Beech-Nut
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Hank Locklin: Goodbye Dear Old Ryman
Grandpa Jones: Dooley
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Cates Sisters: Devil's Dream
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Grandpa Jones: Heading South With Nashville on My Mind
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Jim Ed Brown: Sometimes Sunshine

10:00: Cee Bee/Schlitz
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me A Love Song to Baby
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife; She's My Woman
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Charlie Louvin: Little Reasons/Will You Visit Me On Sundays/What Are Those Things
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes

10:30: Shoney's
George Morgan (host): Red Rose From the Blue Side of Town
4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Ray Pillow: Excuse Me
Lonzo & Oscar: A King Size Cola and A Moon Pie
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings Of A Dove
Ray Pillow: Countryfried
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
George Morgan: Candy Kisses

After George Morgan finished Candy Kisses, Jimmie Snow began "Grand Ole Gospel Time," the weekly show that followed the Friday Night Opry. At the conclusion of that show, Johnny Cash, June Carter, The Carter Family and Hank Snow led in the singing of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." (interesting that none of those acts was on that final Opry show.) When they were done, the building emptied out and the signs came down.

Hal Durham said that at that final show people were grabbing up souvenirs and whatever they could find to remember the building. The thought then was that it would be torn down. We got to the new building on Saturday and realized that we knew nothing about it. We didn't know where the restrooms were or the backstage was, and we had the President coming in.

Opening Night of the new Grand Ole Opry House was on Saturday March 16, 1974. The new Grand Ole Opry House was packed to the very last row of the balcony. There were hundreds of specially invited guests in the audience. One suspected that a lot of them had never been to a Grand Ole Opry broadcast before. But this was a special occasion, one deemed worthy of Nashville's and Tennessee's business, political, and cultural leaders. And the President of the United States was in attendance to help inaugurate the new Opry House.

It all began with the sounds of the Fruit Jar Drinkers, who had been on the Opry since the earliest days, along with the voice of Grant Turner, who had been an Opry announcer for over thirty years. Formal proceedings began with Opry member Billy Grammer giving the invocation and WSM president Irving Waugh pointing out that in 1976 the United States of America would celebrate its bicentennial. "By then," he said, "for more than one-fourth of the nation's years there will have been a Grand Ole Opry."

Much earlier, when construction had just begun on the new Opry House, Roy Acuff had said, "I've made my request that if I'm still here when the Opry House opens, they let me be the first one to go on the stage. I just want to open the curtain and sing two songs. Then they can have it."

When the speeches were ended and the show was about to start, a democratic decision had been made. The Opry acts would appear in more or less alphabetical order, thus assuring Roy his opening spot. The house lights dimmed, the curtain rose, and there was a huge white scrim. Projecting on it was the picture of George D. Hay from the 1940 movie 'Grand Ole Opry.' "First we're gonna hear from Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys," the movie voice of The Solemn Old Judge intoned, "Smoke it up, Roy!" And there was Acuff. A young Acuff of thirty four years earlier. And that Roy Acuff began to sing "Wabash Cannonball." Then the scrim began to rise slowly and throught it the audience could see the 1974 Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys, making a perfect musical segue from the film to the live performance on the new Opry stage. The effect was electric. There was a standing ovation, prolonged through most of the song. And there were some tears. But not from Acuff: he was in his element. This was his moment. Stage lights came on full and behind him came the other roster acts of the Grand Ole Opry. Nearly sixty in number. All singing and all nonrehearsed. Roy followed with "You Are My Sunshine" then brought on Ralph Sloan and the Tennessee Travelers and the Opry was underway. That first show started at 6:30 and ran until 10:15. Here is the running order:

Roy Acuff: You Are My Sunshine
Howdy Forrester/Tennessee Travelers
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Jerry Clower: Marcel's Talking Chain Saw
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: Wish I Didn't Have To Miss You
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Richard Nixon and Opry Cast: Happy Birthday Mrs. Nixon
Richard Nixon: My Wild Irish Rose
Roy Acuff and Opry Cast: Stay A Little Longer
Richard Nixon and Opry Cast: God Bless America
Jan Howard: My Kind of People
Fruit Jar Drinkers/Tennessee Travelers: Sally Goodin
Jim & Jesse: Freight Train
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Hank Locklin: Danny Boy
Lonzo & Oscar; Traces of Life
Bobby Lord: Live Your Life Out Loud
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: American Trilogy
George Morgan: You Turn Me On
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Ray Pillow: Countryfried
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Hank Snow: I'm Moving On
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Ernest Tubb: Walking the Floor Over You
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Hearted Me
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Marion Worth: Delta Dawn
Sam McGee: San Antonio Rose
Porter Wagoner: I've Never Seen So Many Happy Faces
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: The Right Combination

The Presidential party arrived at the Opry House a few minutes past seven. President Nixon watched the show for about half an hour before Roy Acuff appeared on the stage again and said, "Tonight we're honored by the very first President to visit us at the Grand Ole Opry and you can know that we boys and girls, we're just delighted that this has happened while we are here at the Grand Ole Opry. I just couldn't say the words that would really let you people know how delighted I am that I can be here and take the microphone and ask the President and Mrs. Nixon, with their troupe, if they would mind honoring us and coming down and be on the stage here this evening. We would be delighted to have you." (This was considered vintage Acuff. Totally sincere and understanding that the President was to have the center spotlight: the "troupe" he mentioned included a governor and two U.S. senators. They were never introduced to the audience.) While Roy was speaking, the Nixon party came down to the wings of the stage accompanied by National Life board chairman Bill Weaver and Mrs. Dorothy Ritter, the widow of Tex. The Opry band played "Hail to the Chief" and the Grand Ole Orpy cast crowded together on center stage, applauded wildly, as did the audience.

There was a presentation of a handmade dulcimer to Mrs. Nixon by Dorothy Ritter and then Acuff suggested everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to the First Lady, adding a further suggestion that the President play the piano. Before going to the piano, the President pulled a yellow yo-yo out of his pocket that Bill Weaver had given him before going on stage, which completely surprised Roy Acuff. The President played "Happy Birthday" and "My Wild Irish Rose." President Nixon was completely annimated on the Opry stage, so much so that Roy said to Grant Turner, "He's got me stunned." Then it was time for the formal program.

Roy introduced the President, with the words, "So I'd like to say to the world that is listening in, from our new home here in Opryland, USA: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, Richard Nixon." The President praised the character of the Opry's music and or country music. After finishing his remarks, he brought back out the yo-yo and made an attempt to get it to work, with Roy offering some lessons with the President making that famous remark, "I'll stay here and try to learn how to use the yo-yo, and you go and be President, Roy." The cast then sang, "Stay All Night, Stay A Little Longer." Roy asked the President if he belonged to the musicians union, saying that some talk would be said if he wasn't, with the President responding that he was an honorary member of the union in New York City. Nixon then played the piano one more time, leading the cast in singing "God Bless America" and then left. The entire Presidential visit lasted about an hour.

Finally, from Bill Anderson: I was standing onstage when Mr. Acuff and the president were out there playing with the yo-yos. I was next to Ernest Tubb and thought, Well, here's a man who's been at the Grand Ole Opry since 1943, and I turned to him and said, "Ernest, did you ever think you'd live to see the day when the president of the United States would come to the Grand Ole Opry?" He looked at me and said, "No, but I wish it had been another president."

With the 2nd show starting at 10:47 and ending at 1:54am, here is the running order for that show:

Roy Acuff: Back in the Country
Howdy Forrester: Eighth of January
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Bill Anderson: A World of Make Believe
Ernie Ashworth: Honky-Tonk Hardwood Floor
Jim Ed Brown: The Three Bells
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Little Darling Pal of Mine
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: Somewhere My Love
Jack Greene: Statue of A Fool
Jeannie Seely: Can I Sleep In Your Arms Tonight, Mister
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: What In the World Has Gone Wrong With Our Love
Porter Wagoner: I've Never Seen So Many Happy Faces
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: The Right Combination
Jan Howard: Sunshine on My Shoulders
Stonewall Jackson: Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
Grandpa Jones: Heading South With Nashville on My Mind
Connie Smith: Dallas
Bobby Lord: Mississippi
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife' She's My Woman
Jerry Clower: The Last Piece of Chicken
George Morgan: Red Rose From the Blue Side of Town
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jimmy C Newman: Potato Song
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Ray Pillow: Countryfried
Sam and Kirk McGee: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Hank Snow: There's A Fool Such As I
4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Justin Jubb: Rambling Man
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmin
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Marion Worth: Me and Bobby McGee
Marty Robbins: Devil Woman
Ronnie Robbins: Mama Tried
Marty Robbins: I'm Wanting To/Big Boss Man/Singing the Blues

The Opry members who did not appear that first night at the new Opry House were Bobby Bare, Archie Campbell, Bill Carlilse, Lester Flatt, Tom T. Hall, David Houston, George Jones, Bob Luman, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Billy Walker and Tammy Wynette. Of those listed, Tom T. Hall was the only one actually scheduled but he did not appear. It would come out shortly after that both Tom T. Hall and Bobby Bare decided to quit as Opry cast members instead of following the Opry to the new home. Tom. T. would rejoin the Opry in 1980 while Bobby Bare would not rejoin. He would, however, return for guest appearances. Also, Richard Nixon, Hank Locklin, Lonzo & Oscar, Jean Shepard and The Willis Brothers were scheduled for the 1st show only. And not to forget Skeeter Davis: she was still suspended from the Opry so she was not invited.

There were no defined segments or segment hosts that night. The commericals were still done and most of the acts were introduced by the announcers. The first show went pretty much in alphabetical order, while the second show tried to but since some artists needed to get out of town for Sunday appearances, the order did get changed up in a few cases.

To finish up the look at the line-ups from the last Ryman shows and the first Opry House shows, here are the line-ups for the 1st Friday Night Opry and the 2nd Saturday Grand Ole Opry shows at the new Opry House As you can see, it was pretty much back to normal at the Opry. You will also notice that on both nights Jimmy Dickens made a guest appearance. He was not an Opry member at this time.

Friday Night Opry, March 22:

8:00: Tennessee Pride/Borox
Charlie Walker (host): Stay A Little Longer
Penny DeHaven: I'll Be A Doggone
Mel Street: Borrowed Angel
Joe Edwards: Old Joe Clark
Charlie Walker: Wanting My Woman Again
Penny DeHaven: Down in the Boondocks
Mel Street: You Make Me Feel More Like A Man
Charlie Walker: Wild Side of Life

8:30: Kroger
Roy Acuff (host): Back in the Country
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Howdy Forrester: Sally Goodin
Roy Acuff: Wabash Cannonball
Stu Phillips: Pride
Jimmy C Newman: Louisiana Saturday Night
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

9:00: Elm Hill/Schlitz
Roy Drusky (host): Don't It Make You Want to Go Home
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Dottie West: Last Time I Saw Him
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Roy Drusky: Anymore

9:30: Acme/Beech-Nut
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Forgive; Forget Us #1
Connie Smith: Dallas
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Wilma Lee Cooper: Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Connie Smith: Down in the Valley
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Carol Lee Cooper: North to Chicago

10:00: Cee Bee/Schlitz
4 Guys (host): Turn Your Radio On
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
4 Guys: Top of the World
Del Wood: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Jimmy Dickens: One in A Million
4 Guys: Catfish John/Let Me Be There

10:30: Shoney's
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Barbara Mandrell: Midnight Oil
Jerry Clower: Rat Killing
Billy Grammer: Double Eagle/Black Mountain Rag
Barbara Mandrell & Ronnie Shaw: I Love You
Jerry Clower: Comedy

And finally, Saturday March 23, 1974, the 2nd Saturday night in the new Opry House:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Truck Stop
Merle Kilgore: Wolverton Mountain
Willis Brothers: Cool Water

6:45: Rudy's
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Poor Ellen Smith
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God

7:00: Rudy's
Roy Acuff (host): When I Lay My Burdens Down
Jean Shepard: At the Time
Jimmy Dickens: Take An Old Cold Tater
Minnie Pearl: Maple on the Hill
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Jimmy Dickens: We Could

7:30: Standard Candy
Stu Phillips (host): Pride
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Johnny Carver: Tie A Yellow Ribbon
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Soldier's Joy
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
Dottie West: Last Time I Saw Him
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye

8:00: Martha White
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Connie Smith: Dallas
Ernie Ashworth: Honky-Tonk Hardwood Floor
Louie Roberts: Don't Worry/Tonight Carmen
Roy Drusky: One Day at A Time
Connie Smith: He Touched Me
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Tembling Lips
Roy Drusky: Alone With You

8:30: Stephens
Jim Ed Brown (host): Stay A Little Longer
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Stan Hitchcock: The Same Old Way
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Jim Ed Brown: Sometimes Sunshine
4 Guys: Down by the Lazy River
Stan Hitchcock: You Gave Me A Mountain
Cates Sisters: Uncle Pen

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Big Midnight Special
Willis Brothers: Bob
Ernie Ashworth: Honky-Tonk Hardwood Floor
Merle Kilgore: Ring of Fire
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I Dreamed About Mama Last Night
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Stoney Cooper: Golden Slippers

10:00: Fender
Roy Drusky (host): Strangers
Dottie West: Country Sunshine/Last Time I Saw Him
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:30: Trailblazer
Justin Tubb (host): Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Jean Shepard: At the Time
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man

10:45: Beech-Nut
Stu Phillips (host): Crystal Chandeliers
Connie Smith: Dallas
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Cotton-Eyed Joe
Stu Phillips: Castle; A Cabin

11:00: Coca-Cola
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jimmy Dickens: Out Behind the Barn
Cates Sisters: Uncle Pen
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Jim Ed Brown: Why Me Lord
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top

11:30: Elm Hill
4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Maria
Stan Hitchcock: I'm Back in Baby's Arms
Louie Roberts: Just A Little Lovin'/Anytime/Bouquet of Roses/Cattle Call
4 Guys: Fall Away
Stan Hitchcock: Just Call me Lonesome
4 Guys: Let Me Be There

As you can see, that 2nd Saturday at the new Opry House was business as usual, compared to the first opening weekend. And the show ended on time at midnight.

How successful was the move? In 1974 the Opry drew 482,178 people. In 1975, attendance reached 751,546.

Hope everyone enjoyed the look back