Grand Ole Opry 4/24 & 4/25-Updated

Who else knew that Randy Travis got married last month? It sure caught me by surprise.

Happy Thursday morning to all. The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend. I know several times I have praised the Opry for the quality of the line-ups they have had since the first of the year. A lot of the Opry's more popular members have been showing up including Brad Paisley (and he actually is coming back next week), and several appearances by Charlie Daniels, Terri Clark, Joe Diffie, Craig Morgan, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan and the Oak Ridge Boys. We are seeing more appearances by Del McCoury, Old Crow Medicine Show, Diamond Rio, Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill, and even Trisha Yearwood has shown up. There are upcoming appearances scheduled by Loretta Lynn and of course, Reba next weekend. It would appear that the Opry is off to a fine start for their 90th year.

You know that they can't keep it up every week, and this weekend is one of those that I think the quality is a bit down from the previous weeks. They are still decent shows, not just what I would call an "A" level.

As far as Opry members this weekend, the biggest name is Ricky Skaggs, who is set to host on both nights. Joining him on Friday and Saturday will be Jeannie Seely and Connie Smith, The Whites (who will be hosting on Saturday night) and  Mike Snider who will be hosting a segment on Friday night. For Mike, who used to be in the regular rotation of segment hosts, this will be just his 3rd time hosting this year. Other Opry members set for this weekend include Bobby Osborne on Friday night and Jesse McReynolds on Saturday. A pretty thin showing by the membership this weekend.

As far as guest artists on Friday night, Mary Gauthier, Exile and Darryl Worley are scheduled. Those three are no strangers to the Opry. High Valley is a Canadian Christian music duo who will be appearing as guests of Ricky Skaggs. And then you have Michael Ray who will be making his Grand Ole Opry debut, thanks in part to the AT&T U-verse country deep series.

Saturday night will include return appearances by Austin Webb, Striking Matches and JT Hodges. Zane Williams, who is out of Texas, and if my records are right, will be making his Opry debut.

Friday April 24
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; The Henningsens
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Mary Gauthier; Darryl Worley
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Michael Ray
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); High Valley; Exile

Saturday April 25
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Austin Webb; Mike Snider
7:30: The Whites (host); Janelle Arthur; Jimmy Wayne
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Jesse McReynolds; JT Hodges; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); Zane Williams; Striking Matches

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of April 23 & 24, 2010:

Friday April 23
7:00: Pam Tillis (host); John Conlee; The Whites
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; The Steeldrivers
Intermission
8:15: Marty Stuart (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jack Greene; Connie Smith
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Stonewall Jackson; Charlie Daniels Band

Saturday April 24
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Jaron & The Long Road To Love
7:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Jimmy C Newman; Connie Smith; Point Of Grace
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Joe Diffie; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Loretta Lynn

2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Loretta Lynn
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jaron & The Long Road To Love
10:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Jan Howard; Point Of Grace; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Joe Diffie

And from ten years ago, the weekend of April 22 & 23, 2005:

Friday April 22
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Jimmy C Newman; Jessi Alexander
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Osborne Brothers; Jack Greene; Sherrie Austin
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jean Shepard; Mel McDaniel; Ralph Stanley
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jon Randall; Riders In The Sky; Connie Smith
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; T. Graham Brown

Saturday April 23
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jeannie Seely; Joe Nichols
7:00: Dolly Parton (host); Jo Dee Messina; Hanna-McEuen; The Grascals
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Riders In The Sky; Connie Smith Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Catherine Britt; Ralph Stanley

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Osborne Brothers; Jo Dee Messina
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; The Grascals; Dolly Parton
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Mel McDaniel; Ralph Stanley; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); George Hamilton IV; Connie Smith; Hanna-McEuen
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Stu Phillips; Jack Greene; Catherine Britt

For this week's featured line-up, I have one to share from 68 years ago, Saturday April 26, 1947. This line-up will give you a good indication of what an Opry show line-up looked like back in those days.

8:00: Purina
Oklahoma Wranglers: Mocking Bird
Eddy Arnold: When You Cry You Cry Alone
Crook Brothers: Bile Dem Cabbage Down
Annie Lou and Danny: Hear Dem Bells
Eddy Arnold: No One To Cry To
Honey Wildes: Jokes
Oklahoma Wranglers: I'd Love to Be a Cowboy But I Am Afraid of Cows
Lonzo and Oscar: Cornbread and Lasses
Eddy Arnold: What Is Life Without Love
Roy Wiggins: Memories of You

8:30: Warren Paint & Color Co.
Lew Childre: Hog Calling Blues
Paul Howard: Stay A Little Longer
Bill Monroe: Kentucky Waltz
Milton Estes: Casey Jones
Clyde Moody: Foggy River
Lew and String Beans: Walking in My Sleep
Chubby Wise: Down Yonder
Jimmy Selph: That's Why I Worry
Robert Lunn: Grandfather's Clock
Possum Hunters: Green Back Dollar

9:00: Royal Crown
Golden West Cowboys: Steel Guitar Rag
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Tennessee Waggoner
Cowboy Copas: Texas Red
Jack and Johnnie: Unloved and Unclaimed
Bradley Kincaid: Old Smokey
York Brothers: Rainbow at Midnight
Golden West Cowboys: Texas Playboy Rag
Cowboy Copas: Filipino Baby
Jack and Johnnie: Sing Tom Kitty
Shorty Boyd: Orange Blossom Special

9:30: Prince Albert
Red Foley: Night Train to Memphis
Square Dance: Skip to My Lou
Old Hickory Quartet: When You Wore a Tulip
Rod Brasfield: Jokes
Judy Martin: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Red Foley: Jole Blon
Fowler Quartet: I've Got That Old Time Religion in My Heart
Grandpa Jones: John Henry
Salty Holmes: I Want My Mama
Red Foley: Lay Down Your Soul
Square Dance: Wake Up Susan

10:00: Wallrite
Earl Scruggs: Dear Old Dixie
Lester: Rainbow of My Dreams
Kirk McGee: Where the Rippling Waters Flow
Quartet: That Home Above
Lester and Bill: Toy Heart

10:15: Weather House
Paul Howard: My Life's Been a Pleasure
Lew and String Beans: My Darling Nellie Gray
Clyde Moody: Rose of Alamo
Possum Hunters: Off to Charleston
Paul Howard: Please Don't Leave

10:30: Cherokee Mills
Oklahoma Wranglers: Wrangler Boogie
Bradley Kincaid: Just Plain Folks
Marie and Clyde: I'm Sorry If I Caused You to Cry
Oklahoma Wranglers: Missouri

10:45: Southern Woodenware
Golden West Cowboys: Things Are Going to Be Different Around Here
Bill Monroe: Goodbye Old Pal
Crook Brothers: Searching for a Grave
Golden West Cowboys: Southland Polka

11:00: Eddy Arnold Songbook
Eddy Arnold: No Children Allowed
Lily Belle: Be My Darling
Lonzo and Oscar: I'll Never Be Single Again
Eddy Arnold: I Love No One But You

11:15: Ernest Tubb Songbook
Ernest Tubb: There's Going to Be Some Changes Made Around Here
Short Brothers: You Have Gotta Pay the Fiddler If You Dance
Jerry: Farewell
Ernest Tubb: I Wonder Why You Said Goodbye

11:30: Saf Kill
Wally Fowler: Texas Red
York Brothers: Let's Talk It Over
Gully Jumpers: Chinese Breakdown
Johnny and Jack: The Life That Has Been Ruined
Wally Fowler: Waiting for the Call to Glory

11:45: Michigan Bulb
Milton Estes: Somebody Else's Trouble
Jimmy Walker: Dust on the Bible
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Rubber Dolly
Milton Estes: Sorry

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!