The Tuesday Night Opry has scheduled two shows for tonight with special guest artist Miranda Lambert scheduled. Tonight also marks 25 years since Alan Jackson made his first guest appearance on the Opry, and he will be featured on both shows.
1st show
7:00: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers; Kristian Bush
7:30: Del McCoury Band; Connie Smith
8:00: Alan Jackson
8:30: Marty Stuart; Miranda Lambert
2nd show
9:30: Alan Jackson
10:00: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers; Miranda Lambert
10:30: Kristian Bush; Del McCoury Band
11:00: Connie Smith; Marty Stuart
I don't think there are very many complaints about the quality of the line-up tonight.
Also, today marks 25 years since Garth Brooks became a member of the Grand Ole Opry as he was inducted into the cast by Johnny Russell. Garth has always said that being a member of the Opry has been the highlight of his career. I really thought Garth would have been willing to come to the Opry to be honored for 25 years of Opry membership as the Opry does a very nice job with these milestone dates. However, as of this moment, nothing has been scheduled.
Tonight's show was really good, and it was great to see Alan Jackson back on the Opry. I hope this is the first of many more Opry appearances in the near future.
ReplyDeleteIt's really odd that they celebrated Alan's 25th anniversary of first appearing, when tonight was garth's 25th anniversary. After checking his schedule, I see that he has been open since the end of september, and could've attended the birthday weekend as well as tonight's show. This week seems to be the only week this month he's actually open. Considering his respect for the Opry, and being out of retirement, it doesn't seem right for him to be missing for his anniversary show. When he was an active performer before his retirement, how frequent was he on the Opry?
On an unrelated matter, I've been watching some Jean Shepard videos, and I noticed that when she's singing, she has one arm behind her back. Does anyone know why she does that? Does she do that for some special significance?
Kyle,
DeleteThat hand behind her back is a Jean Shepard trademark. She keeps time and signals the band with her hand. An instance would be when she is doing Second Fiddle to an Old Guitar and gets ready to yodel she would signal the band to step up the pace. It has always been a challenge to me to get pictures of her from the side or slightly behind when she has her hand behind her.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I see that Amber Digby is scheduled for Opry Classics Thursday and according to her website she will also be on the Friday night Opry. I have to say I am pleased yet surprised at how many time she has now appeared on a Opry show in the past couple of years. I hope it continues. Thanks Pete Fisher!
DeleteJim
Knightsville, IN
I will also add that Rhonda Vincent has an Opry appearance scheduled for next week. Tuesday night I believe.
ReplyDeleteThere was a comment on the last thread on possibly Miranda Lambert being asked to become a new Opry member. Obviously that did not happen, but I will say that I doubt the Opry will have any new member in the near future only because they have just printed the new Opry Family Album (Opry Picture History Book), which for those who have not seen it, is a very impressive book. There is a hardback version and a paper back version. I will comment more on the book, but with the expense the Opry has put into the book, I don't think they want to add a member who is not in it, at least until they are ready to print the next edition.
As far as Garth Brooks, in the 25 years that he has been an Opry member, he has made 62 appearances, an average of 2.5 a year. But, in looking at the individual years, 1991 he was on 11 times, 10 in 1992 and 12 in 1993. Take away those 33 appearances in 3 years, that leaves just 29 for the remaining 22. Barely 1 a year.
I am reminded of Mr. Acuff telling Ricky Skaggs he would be "just like the others" and never show up, and Ricky said he took great pleasure in leaning into Dressing Room #1 and yelling, "I'm here!" As it turns out, Garth was just like the others. And that really saddens me.
DeleteGlad to see Rhonda back on the Opry. Old words and I know we have discussed possibly why.....BUT.....WHY IS SHE NOT A MEMBER! Okay, we have Allison as a bluegrass female but how often is she there?
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN
I agree, Rhonda would make a tremendous addition to the Opry.
ReplyDeleteI always get a kick out of the 'Opry members who get all torn up describing their love for 'Opry and how they just love being part of the family.
ReplyDeleteBut they never perform there!
Too busy making real money, I guess.
That's why I am an unabashed fan of Carrie Underwood.
She SHOWS how much she loves the 'Opry by performing frequently there.
Fred, Bismarck:
ReplyDeleteInteresting about that hand behind Shepard's back. I always thought it was just a nervous tic. What are other ways that singers signal their bands? (As long as I've been a country fan, they've been well-hidden from me.)