Grand Ole Opry 1/1 & 1/2

With New Year's Eve on Thursday and New Year's Day on Friday, the Grand Ole Opry has gotten an early start to the week and has already posted the line-ups for the first two shows of 2016. Both nights look pretty good, especially the Friday Night Opry. 

The Friday Night Opry will feature Opry members Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Ricky Skaggs, Riders In The Sky, The Whites, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Bobby Osborne, Marty Stuart and Connie Smith. The guest artists have all appeared on the Opry before, and that group includes Josh Thompson, Logan Brill and Charles Esten. 9 of the 12 acts are Opry members and overall, a pretty nice line-up for New Year's night. 

A number of those Opry members will also be appearing on Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, and that list includes Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Jesse McReynolds, Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. As with Friday night, the guests have all made numerous Opry appearances in the past and that list includes William Michael Morgan, Jimmy Wayne, Lindsay Ell and Jackie Lee. That comes to 8 Opry members out of the 12 acts booked. 

What is nice is seeing Ricky Skaggs and Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers continuing their string of Opry appearances from 2015 and it is nice to see Marty Stuart starting the year off at the Opry. Marty is one of the Opry members that we need to see more often at the Opry. Overall, a nice way to start off 2016.

Friday January 1
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Josh Thompson; Mike Snider
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Riders In The Sky; The Whites
Intermission
8:15: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Logan Brill
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); Charles Esten; Connie Smith

Saturday January 2
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); William Michael Morgan; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy Wayne; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Jesse McReynolds; Lindsay Ell; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jackie Lee; The Whites

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of December 31, 2010 & January 1, 2011:

Friday December 31
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jack Greene; Craig Campbell
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jean Shepard; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); George Hamilton IV: John Conlee; Elizabeth Cook
8:45: Emmylou Harris (host); The Whites; Old Crow Medicine Show

Saturday January 1
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jean Shepard; Jett Williams
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Troy Olsen; The Bowling Family
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Restless Heart; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Emmylou Harris (host); Jesse McReynolds; Buddy Miller

Now from ten years ago, the weekend of December 30 & 31, 2005: 

Friday December 30
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Dan Seals
8:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Leland Martin; The Grascals
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Janie Fricke; Restless Heart
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Craig Morgan

Saturday December 31
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Erika Jo
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Janie Fricke
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Billy Walker; Jett Williams
8:00: Jean Shepard (host); Charlie Louvin; Dan Seals; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Daryle Singletary

With the new year upon us, let's go back a few years to 2 different shows. First, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from Saturday January 2, 1960, 56 years ago:

7:30: Pet Milk
Marty Robbins (host): Sweet Lies
Rusty and Doug: The Love I Want
Justin Tubb: I'm A Big Boy Now
June Carter: Comedy Routine
Marty Robbins: El Paso
Jerry Byrd: Slippery Elm
Glaser Brothers: Bay Of Mexico
Justin Tubb: Mine Is A Lonely Life
Marty Robbins: Just Married

8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Don't Let Your Deal Go Down
Carl Butler: Grief In My Heart
Benny Martin: If I Can Stay Away Long Enough
Alex Houston: And Elmer
Flatt and Scruggs: I'm On My Way
Carl Butler: Don't Steal From A Poor Man
Cousin Jake: Old McDonald Had A Farm
Crook Brothers: Lost Indian
Benny Martin: Me And My Fiddle
Flatt and Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Rock

8:30: Prince Albert
Don Gibson (host): I'm Moving On
Archie Campbell: Comedy Routine
Billy Grammer: Loveland
Tommy Jackson: Black Mountain Rag
Don Gibson: No One Stands Alone
Chet Atkins: Wildwood Flower
Minnie Pearl: Comedy Routine
Billy Grammer: It Takes You
Stringbean: Train Special 500
Don Gibson: Don't Tell Me Your Troubles
Tommy Jackson: Sally Goodin

9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Porter Wagoner (host): Uncle Pen
George Morgan: You're The Only Good
Harvie June: Poor Wildwood Flower
Cousin Jody: Horses Carry Tales
Porter Wagoner: Your Kind Of People
Minnie Pearl: Comedy Routine
Fruit Jars: Sally Johnson
George Morgan: Come Away From His Arms
Porter Wagoner: Pay Day

9:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): Chasin' A Rainbow
Bill Monroe: Tomorrow I'll Be Gone
Patsy Cline: Eyes Of A Child
Lonzo and Oscar: Gotta' Find Julie
Hank Snow: I Heard My Heart Break Last Night
Rusty and Doug: The Love I Want
Bill Monroe: Dark As The Night-Blue As The Day
Patsy Cline: Walking After Midnight
Hank Snow: Golden Rocket

10:00: Jamison Bedding
Marty Robbins (host): El Paso
Carl Butler: Grief In My Heart
Rusty and Doug: I Like You
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Marty Robbins: Hanging Tree
Glaser Brothers: She Loves The Love I Give Her
Carl Butler: I'll Cry Tomorrow
Rusty and Doug: Love Me To Pieces
Marty Robbins: I Can't Quit

10:30: Pops-Rite Popcorn
Don Gibson (host): I'm Moving On
Justin Tubb: Almost Lonely
Stringbean: Barnyard Banjo Picking
Don Gibson: Who Cares
Fiddle Tune: Leather Britches

10:45: De Con
Flatt and Scruggs (host): If I Should Wander Back Tonight
Benny Martin: Nine Pound Hammer
Harvie June: Mama Don't Chase My Love Away
Flatt and Scruggs: I'm Crying My Heart Out Over You
Fiddle Tune: Soldier's Joy

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): The Last Ride
Billy Grammer: Kissing Tree
Lonzo and Oscar: Going Down The Road Feeling Bad
Fruit Jars: Old Joe Clark
Hank Snow: The Party Of The Second Part
Jordanaires: He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
Sam and Kirk: Roll On, Buddy, Roll On
Billy Grammer: Loveland
Hank Snow: My Blue Eyed Jane

11:30: Phillips & Buttorff
George Morgan (host): Cry Baby Heart
Bill Monroe: Wait A Little Longer Please Jesus
Cousin Jody: Mocking Bird
George Morgan: Candy Kisses
Bill Monroe (fiddle): Scotland

11:45: Wall-Rite
Porter Wagoner (host): Tell Her Lies And Feed Her Candy
Patsy Cline: Oh Lonesome Me
Rusty and Doug: I Like You
Porter Wagoner: Satisfied Mind

A couple of interesting facts about this show. First, Don Gibson hosted two segments and the first song on each segment was Hank Snow's "I'm Moving On." Interesting in the fact that Hank was also on the Opry that night, although he did not play his signature song. The second fact is Patsy Cline. She did two segments on this show, which would be her last Opry appearance as a guest artist as the following Saturday night, January 9, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

There were also a couple of names on the schedule that might not be recognized:

Alex Houston was a ventriloquist and Elmer was his "wooden boy."  You can look him up on the internet and to put it mildly, Elmer was pretty scary looking. There are a few albums out of him and his material. During the late '60s, he toured military bases with Bob Hope and appeared on several country music television shows, including Porter Wagoner's. 

Then there was Harvie June. who was described as an "RCA songstress" who made several guest appearances on the Opry. She was around in the 1950s on various labels, eventually ending up on RCA in 1959. Other than that, I really can't find much about her. 

And to finish up the new year line-ups, let's go back 44 years to Saturday January 1, 1972 and see how they celebrated the start of 1972 at the Grand Ole Opry: 

7:00: Shoney's
Billy Grammer (host): I Saw Your Face in the Moon
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Tommy Overstreet: Take Me Home Country Roads
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
Ernie Ashworth: Jesus is A Soul Man
Tommy Overstreet: Gwen, Congratulations
Billy Grammer: He Touched Me

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Stringbean: Old Joe Clark
Onie Wheeler: Mother Prays Loud in Her Sleep
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Turn You Radio On
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Howdy Forrester: Sally Goodin
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): w/Uncle Josh, H. McCormick & Roland White: It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Grandpa Jones: Raining on the Mountain Now, My Love
George Morgan: Easy Loving
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Lester Flatt: I Can't Tell the Boys from the Girls
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
George Morgan: The Gentle Rains of Home
Uncle Josh: Fireball

8:30: Stephens
Stonewall Jackson (host): Muddy Water
Charlie Louvin: To Take Up Where Goodbye Began
4 Guys: Cottonfields/Mariah
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Charlie Louvin: I Placed A Call
Harold Weakley: Where No One Stands Alone
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

9:00: Luzianne
Bill Monroe (host): Love, Come Home
Lonzo & Oscar: There's A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Barbara Mandrell: Satisfied
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Fire on the Mountain
Bill Monroe: My Little Georgia Rose
Lonzo & Oscar: Out of Hand
Barbara Mandrell: Rocky Top
Bill Monroe: Bluegrass Breakdown

9:30: Kellogg's
Tex Ritter (host): Jealous Heart
Willis Brothers: I Can't Help It/Your Cheatin' Heart/Cold, Cold Heart/ I Saw the Light
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Marion Worth: I Really Don't Want to Know
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
Bill Carlisle: What Kinda Deal is This

10:00: Fender
George Morgan (host): Easy Loving
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
George Morgan: Walking Shadow; Talking Memory

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Tommy Overstreet: The Games People Play
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Will You Be Loving Another Man
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Grandpa Jones: The Valley of the Never Do No Good
Lester Flatt: Is Anybody Going North to Cincinnati

10:45: Beech-Nut
Bill Monroe (host) w/James Monroe: I Haven't Seen Mary in Years
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: I'm Gonna Leave You
Bill Carlisle: Same Ol' Tale That the Crow Told Me
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler

11:00: Coca-Cola
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Barbara Mandrell: Tonight My Baby's Coming Home
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Tex Ritter: High Noon
Willis Brothers: Bob
Sam McGee: Railroad Blues

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Lovesick Blues
Marion Worth: Burning Bridges
Lonzo & Oscar: Ol' Slewfoot
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/Begging to You/Don't Worry/My Woman, My Woman, My Wife/Wedding Bells/Big Boss Man/They'll Take Her Love From Me/Dear Lord, Forgive

Happy New Year and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend and welcome to 2016!!

Grand Ole Opry 12/25 & 12/26

With the holiday week upon us, the Grand Ole Opry didn't waste any time posting the schedule for the two shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. The highlight will be on Friday night as Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin will be celebrating 39 years as members of the Grand Ole Opry. 

In addition to The Gatlin Brothers, the Friday show will also feature Opry members Jeannie Seely, Jesse McReynolds, Riders In The Sky, Ray Pillow and Bobby Osborne. The Gatlins, Jeannie, Bobby and The Riders will return on Saturday night, where they will be joined by Mike Snider. That comes out to 6 Opry members on Friday night and just 5 on Saturday. 

Guesting this weekend, and appearing both nights, will be Jim Lauderdale, Craig Wayne Boyd and Mandy Barnett. The will be joined on Friday night by Wade Hayes and John Berry, while Ashley Clark, Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band and The Willis Clan will appear with them on Saturday night. That come out to a total of 11 each night. 

I will note that on Friday night, there are only 3 segments, as the first one hosted by Jeannie Seely will last for an hour. Interesting in the fact that Ray Pillow is booked in a non-hosting spot and Ray has usually hosted when he makes an Opry appearance. 

Friday December 25
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Wade Hayes; Jesse McReynolds; Jim Lauderdale; John Berry
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Ray Pillow; Craig Wayne Boyd
8:45: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mandy Barnett

Saturday December 26
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Ashley Clark; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Lauderdale; Mandy Barnett
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Craig Wayne Boyd; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Fiddlin' Carson Peters Band; The Willis Clan

Now here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of December 24 & 25, 2010:

Friday December 24
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Holly Williams
7:30: Ray Pillow (host); Jesse McReynolds; Eddy Raven
Intermission
8:15: George Hamilton IV (host); Jack Greene; James Intveld
8:45: Jeannie Seely (host); Johnny Counterfit; Dailey & Vincent

Saturday December 25
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emily West
7:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Jack Greene; Eddy Raven
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Holly Williams; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Jeannie Seely (host); Jan Howard; Dailey & Vincent

And from ten years ago, the weekend of December 23 & 24, 2005: 

Friday December 23
1st show
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys featuring John Prine; The Wrights
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites
8:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jack Greene; Jennifer Hanson
9:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; T.G. Sheppard
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Elizabeth Cook; Restless Heart

Finally, it was 39 years ago this weekend, Saturday December 25, 1976 that Larry, Steve and Rudy, the Gatlin Brothers, became members of the Grand Ole Opry. 

From the Grand Ole Opry Picture History Book: 

"Few singing groups can sound quite so harmonious as family singing groups. The Gatlin Brothers have been at it, quite harmoniously for more than 40 years. A popular Opry attraction since their induction in 1976, the Gatlins have always loved to sing as a unit. They won their first talent contest at home in Texas in 1954 at a Hardin-Simmons University talent show in Abilene. Larry was six, Steve four and Rudy only two! They began performing gospel patterned after the Blackwood Brothers and the Statesmen on Slim Willets' radio and TV shows in Abilene that same year, dressed in cowboy outfits."

"During the mid-'70s, the Gatlins became consistent hit-makers at Monument Records. Initially, Larry was signed on his own, following his success as a songwriter, and he was soon working with Tammy Wynette. But the Gatlins wanted to perform their music together, so he wrote a song specifically for the three of them--in 15 minutes. 'Broken Lady' went to No. 1 and won the Gatlins a Grammy the same year that they joined the Opry cast, in 1976. 'I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love' climbed to the top of the charts in 1977, and 'All the Gold in California' followed two years later. Over the next 10 years, the Gatlins had nine more Top 10 hits, including 'Sure Feels Like Love' and the chart topping 'Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You.)'"

"Larry's songwriting career had begun when the Opry's Dottie West spotted him singing in Las Vegas in 1971, encouraged him to write, and even provided him a ticket to Nashville. Dottie would record two of Larry's songs; others were performed by Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson. In the '90s, Larry earned rave reviews for his work in the Broadway musical 'The Will Rogers Follies.' He released his autobiography , 'All the Gold in California: And Other People, Places & Things' in 1998. "

"The brothers returned in 2002 to an active touring schedule after a 10-year hiatus. In 2009, the trio released its first album of new, original material in 17 years, the critically acclaimed 'Pilgrimage.' The album, which Country Weekly called 'a history lesson with a heart,' basically serves as a musical retrospective of the group's three-decade music-business career and includes narrative storytelling segments about the songs. In 2009, Larry began hosting the Opry's new Thursday show, Opry Country Classics. He has also taken on something of a second career as a political and social commentator, appearing regularly on Fox Business Network's 'America's Nightly Scoreboard' and writing a column for FoxNews.com's Fox Forum. He appeared on CNN's 'Larry King Live' from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium a few days after the Nashville flood, even as he simultaneously hosted an Opry Country Classics show."

After Larry joined the Opry in 1976, he followed the path of most of the others from his generation who joined the Opry, and appeared at the Opry very little. He was too busy touring and making records, and then at the height of his career, personal issues set in, which in many ways led to the initial break up of the group. However, in the past decade, Larry and, and now Steve and Rudy, have really become fixtures at the Opry, and setting an example for others. And in addition to all of these increased Opry appearances, he is back touring, recording and doing media appearances. If I had just one complaint about Larry at the Opry, it is that he tends to stick to "Houston" and "All the Gold in California," while mixing in a new song once in a while. And for those who have not seen Larry live at the Opry, he is full of energy and lots of fun to watch. He regularly goes down into the audience and will joke with the audience, take their popcorn, pose for pictures and generally make fun of those coming in late. Much like Porter Wagoner used to do. He is really an asset to the Opry and I am very happy indeed that he is back.  

Here is the running order from Saturday December 25, 1976, the night that The Gatlin Brothers became Opry members: 

1st show
6:00: Vietti
Bill Monroe (host): Love, Come Home
Ray Pillow: Slowly Coming Over Me
Marion Worth: Just A Little Lovin'
David "Lonzo" Hooten: If We Make It Through December
Bill Monroe: Bluegrass Breakdown
Ernie Ashworth: The Shamrock Motel
Bill Monroe: Mule Skinner Blues/Ashland Breakdown

6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Forgive and Forget Us
Charlie Louvin: Let's Put Our World Back Together/A Toast to Mama/Love Has to Die (All By Itself)/I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow/I Want A Happy Life
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Wilma Lee Cooper: Philadelphia Lawyer

6:45: Rudy's
Ernest Tubb (host): The Women Make A Fool Out of Me
Skeeter Davis: Desperado
Billy Grammer: My Life's Been A Pleasure
Ernest Tubb: Another Story; Another Time; Another Place

7:00: Shoney's
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Minnie Pearl: Comedy/I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes
Jimmy C Newman: Blue Lonely Winter
Stu Phillips: Have A Nice Day

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up Jacob
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Justin Tubb: You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers: Broken Lady/Statues Without Hearts
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Shuckin' the Corn
Jack Greene: You Don't Need A Cowboy
Jeannie Seely: Mama Never Told Me About Cowboys
Vic Willis: Christmas Carols by the Old Corral
Lester Flatt: Hot Corn, Cold Corn
Bob Luman: A Satisfied Mind
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Lester Flatt & Charlie Nixon: Dobro Instrumental

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Bill Carlisle & The Carlisles: I've Waited Too Long
Jim & Jesse: Then I'll Stop Going for You
Fruit Jar Drinkers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatam
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Ernest Tubb (host): I'll Get Along Somehow
Charlie Louvin: Sweet Texas
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Wayne Hammond: Welcome to My World
David "Lonzo" Hooten: Daddy Looked A Lot Like Santa
Billy Grammer: I Dreamed of An Old Love Affair
Ernest Tubb: Blue Christmas

10:00: Fender
Bill Monroe (host): A Beautiful Life
Ray Pillow: Gone At Last
Ernie Ashworth: My Love Will Never Change
Del Wood: My Country

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Old Time Sunshine Song
Marion Worth: Just A Little Lovin'
Charlie Walker: Who'll Buy the Wine
Onie Wheeler: Old Roy

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Why Do You Wander
Jack Greene: Birmingham
Jeannie Seely: American Trilogy
Jimmy C Newman: The Potato Song
Lester Flatt & Marty Stuart: Rawhide

10:45: Beech-Nut
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Justin Tubb: Sweetwater Texas
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers: Statues Without Hearts/Hallelujah
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: 8th of January
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): The Long Eared Christmas Donkey
Bob Luman: Blue Christmas
Vic Willis: Cool Water
Fruit Jar Drinkers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Katy Hill
Kirk McGee: Always Be Kind to Daddy
Hank Snow: Silent Night

11:30: Baltz Bros. 
Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Bill Carlisle & The Carlisles: Have a Drink on Me
Marty Robbins: El Paso City/Love Me/Among My Souvenirs/Way Out There/El Paso

Congratulations again to Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers on 39 years of membership at the Grand Ole Opry!!!

This is the Opry's final line-up from 2015, the 90th year of the Grand Ole Opry. Next week starts another year, the 91st. It should be an exciting year with several anniversaries of note, including the 50th anniversary of Opry member Ray Pillow and the 25th Opry anniversary for Vince Gill. Others to mention includes 25 years for Clint Black and Alan Jackson, and depending on how to count her, 30 years for Reba. It will be interesting to see how the Opry approaches those three, considering they are not among the Opry's most loyal members. It will also be 30 years for Randy Travis. Finally, let's not forget Stonewall Jackson, as 2016 will mark 60 years since Stonewall originally joined the Opry. 

So, how did the 90th end up? In the coming weeks I will be doing my annual year in review, but until then Merry Christmas to all and enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!

Christmas Eve and Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry

With today being the start of Christmas week, and the Friday Night Opry taking place on Christmas night, I thought it would be interesting to look back at past Grand Ole Opry shows that have taken place on either Christmas Eve or Christmas night. I have gone back to the mid-1960s and have the line-ups, and in many cases, the songs listed that were performed on those shows. 

What I have found interesting is the quality of the Opry line-ups in the 1960s, and though the 1980s, which I would attribute to the fact that most of the Opry's members were home for the holidays and lived in the Nashville area. I know that "back in the day" Opry members would often exchange gifts during those Opry shows. The other interesting fact is that I thought I would see more Christmas songs listed. When I think back to those Opry shows, and listening while growing up, I always seemed to remember that almost every act sang a holiday song. Yet in looking at these shows, very few actually did. 

So here is what I have, with the Christmas Eve shows listed first, then the Christmas shows, starting with the oldest and moving forward to the recent. And as a point of information, it was during the 1976 Christmas show that Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers became Opry members. 

1st the shows from Christmas Eve:

December 24, 1966: 
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Ernie Ashworth; Skeeter Davis; Cousin Jody; Ray Pillow
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Grandpa Jones; Jim & Jesse; Curly Fox
8:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Bill Carlisle; Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Archie Campbell; Marion Worth; George Morgan; Bob Luman
9:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Bill Monroe; Charlie Louvin; Dottie West
9:30: Roy Acuff (host); Osborne Brothers; Billy Grammer; Carter Family; Lonzo & Oscar
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
10:15: Jimmy C Newman (host); Dottie West; Grandpa Jones
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Bob Luman; Cousin Jody
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Jim & Jesse
11:00: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Lonzo & Oscar; Billy Grammer
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Osborne Brothers; Marion Worth; Curly Fox 

Saturday December 24, 1977: 
1st show
6:00: Roy Drusky (host); Skeeter Davis; Justin Tubb; Billy Grammer; Lonzo & Oscar; Ernie Ashworth
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); Stonewall Jackson; Charlie Walker
6:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Wilburn Brothers; Bill Carlisle; Del Wood
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Louvin; Minnie Pearl
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Jean Shepard; Bob Luman; Stu Phillips
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Ray Pillow; Marion Worth

2nd show
9:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Charlie Walker; Skeeter Davis; Billy Grammer; Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely 
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Justin Tubb; Stonewall Jackson; Lonzo & Oscar
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Charlie Louvin; Ernie Ashworth
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Jean Shepard; Wilburn Brothers; Stu Phillips
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Bob Luman; Del Wood
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Ray Pillow

Saturday December 24, 1983:
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Charlie Walker (host): My Window Faces South
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Charlie Walker: Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer/Jingle Bells

6:45: Rudy's
Jimmy Dickens (host): May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Jimmy Dickens: There's No Place Like Home on Christmas

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Riders In The Sky: I'm Trying to Forget Its Christmas
Jeannie Seely: I'm All Through Crying Over You
Billy Grammer: The Old Spinning Wheel/Detroit City
Del Wood: Jingle Bells
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Christmas Time's 'A Comin'
Jean Shepard: The Tips of My Fingers
Roy Drusky: Silent Night
Wilma Lee Cooper: Rachel's Guitar
Lonzo & Oscar: Jangle Bells/Frosty the Snowman
Crook Brothers/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Black Mountain Rag
Bill Monroe: Life's Railway to Heaven

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jesse McReynolds: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Minnie Pearl: I Wish You A Merry Christmas
Bill Carlisle: Same Old Tale That the Crow Told Me
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art/Sing, Sing, Sing

8:30: Acme 
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
4 Guys: (?)
Billy Walker: He Sang the Songs about El Paso
Jan Howard: White Christmas
Stu Phillips: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
4 Guys: My Fannie Mae
Jimmy Dickens: Take An Old Cold Tater
Charlie Louvin: My Baby's Gone
Ray Pillow: You're Playing Hard to Forget
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name/Ol' Slewfoot

10:00: Little Debbie
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Del Wood: Waiting for the Robert E Lee
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry

10:15: Sunbeam
Bill Monroe (host): Ol' Ebeneezer Scrooge
Jeannie Seely: When Will I See You Again
Bill Monroe: Christmas Time's 'A Comin'

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Vic Willis Trio: Colorado
Teddy Wilburn: Because He Lives
Roy Acuff: From Cradle to Cross to Crown/I Saw the Light

10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Drusky (host): Mississippi
Connie Smith: Go Tell It on the Mountain
Crook Brothers/Melvin Sloan Dancers: New Five Cents
Roy Drusky: White Christmas

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Jesse McReynolds: What About You
Jean Shepard: Kentucky
Wilma Lee Cooper; Anywhere Just Inside Your Arms
Lonzo & Oscar: Gone, Gone, Gone
Hank Snow: A Letter to Santa Claus

11:30: Hardee's 
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Bill Carlisle Jr.: Blue Christmas
Jan Howard: Rocky Top/Gold Watch & Chain
Billy Walker: He Sang the Songs about El Paso

Saturday December 24, 1988
1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
4 Guys (host): How Married Are You Mary Ann
Jan Howard: I Don't Know A Thing About Love
4 Guys: When You've Got A Good Woman It Shows

6:45: Rudy's
Bill Monroe (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Jeannie Seely: The Divorce Song
Charlie Walker: Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Bill Monroe: Christmas Times 'A Comin

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Jean Shepard: So Used to Loving You
Roy Drusky: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Stonewall Jackson: Old Chuck of Coal
Bill Carlisle: Leave that Liar Alone
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus/Sugarfoot Rag

7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Skeeter Davis: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Lorrie Morgan: Hard Candy Christmas
Jimmy Dickens: There's No Place Like Home on Christmas

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: Sing, Sing, Sing/The Key's in the Mailbox
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:30: Music Valley Merchants
Hank Snow (host): Well Never Say Goodbye, Just Say So Long
Jim & Jesse: The Big Dreamer
Charlie Louvin: Small Men Cast Long Shadows
Ray Pillow: The Kind of Love I Can't Forget
Vic Willis Trio: Sioux City Sue
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
4 Guys: What'll You Do About Me
Jan Howard: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Roy Drusky: Silent Night
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Porter Wagoner: Forty Miles from Poplar Bluff/Tennessee Saturday Night

10:00: Little Debbie
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me & My Big Loud Mouth
Jeannie Seely: It Should Be Easier Now
Jimmy Dickens: I Leaned Over Backwards for You

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Jean Shepard: Someone's Gotta Cry/Second Fiddle
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

10:30: Pet Milk
Bill Monroe (host): Santa Claus
Skeeter Davis: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Bill Monroe: What A Wonderful Life

10:45: B.C. Powder
Charlie Walker (host): Cherokee Maiden
Osborne Brothers: Kentucky
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Charlie Walker: White Christmas

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Paper Roses
Jim & Jesse: When I Dream About the Southland
Connie Smith: Satisfied
Justin Tubb: Texas Dance Hall Girl
Charlie Louvin: New Dreams and Sunshine
Hank Snow: Silent Night

11:30: Creamette
George Hamilton IV (host): C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Ray Pillow: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Bill Carlisle: White Lightening
Vic Willis Trio: Be Glad/Let It Be Me
George Hamilton IV: Silent Night

Saturday December 24, 1994
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Grandpa Jones (host):(?)
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Grandpa Jones: The Christmas Guest

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Bill Monroe (host): Love Come Home
Del Reeves: She Thinks I Still Care
Bill Monroe: Put My Little Shoes Away

7:00: Shoney's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Wilma Lee Cooper: Away In A Manger
Charlie Walker: Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Jean Shepard: Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me/Farewell Party
Jim Ed Brown: A Child Is Born

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Jan Howard: The Christmas Song
Jim & Jesse: I'm Happy Every Day I Live
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Mike Snider: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Bill Anderson: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Freight Train Boogie
Ricky Skaggs: A New Star Shinning
The Whites: He Took Your Place
Roy Drusky: Will Santa Come to Shanty Town
Opry Square Dance Band: Snow Flake Reel
Marty Stuart: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Porter Wagoner & Marty Stuart: Misery Loves Company

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Snowbird
4 Guys: River of Dreams
Charlie Louvin: See the Big Man Cry
Connie Smith: Away In A Manger
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes/Heartaches by the Number
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Tell Her Lies and Feed Her Candy
Oswald: No One Will Every Know
Ray Pillow: That Ain't No Way to Treat My Heart
Jean Shepard: If Teardrops Were Pennies
Stonewall Jackson: Old Chunk of Coal
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus

10:00: 
Grandpa Jones (host): (?)
Mike Snider: Chicken Necks and Wings
Grandpa Jones: The Christmas Guest

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Bill Monroe (host): Goodbye Old Pal
Jan Howard: The Christmas Song
Bill Monroe: Christmas Time's A Comin'

10:30: Gruhn Guitars
Bill Anderson (host): Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Jim & Jesse: I'n Changing the Words to My Love Song
Bill Anderson: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

10:45: Fairfield Communities
Ricky Skaggs (host): Thanks Again
The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side
Opry Square Dance Band: Liberty
Ricky Skaggs: It Takes 3

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Fraulein
4 Guys: Silent Night
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Charlie Louvin: Mama's Angels
Billy Walker: Cattle Call
Hank Snow: Silent Night

11:30: Cates Pickles
Johnny Russell (host): Act Naturally
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Charlie Walker: Right or Wrong
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Johnny Russell: I Wish You A Merry Christmas

Saturday December 24, 2005: 
6:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jack Greene; T.G. Sheppard
7:00: Ray Pillow (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Sherrie Austin
7:30: Charlie Walker (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Hal Bynum
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Stu Phillips; Cherryholmes
8:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Billy Walker; T. Graham Brown

Saturday December 24, 2011:
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jim Lauderdale; Laura Cantrell
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Johnny Counterfit; Eddy Raven
Intermission
8:15: George Hamilton IV (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; David Ball; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Riders In The Sky; Suzy Bogguss

Now the shows from Christmas night: 

Saturday December 25, 1965:
7:30: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Do What 'Cha Do Do Well
Osborne Brothers: Up This Hill and Down
Wilma Lee Cooper: Pirate King
Grandpa Jones: Cindy
Ernest Tubb: For God & Country & You
Stringbean: String's A Pickin
Wilma Lee Cooper: Tramp on the Street
Ernest Tubb: May the Good Lord Bless & Keep You

8:00: Martha White
George Hamilton IV (host): Write Me A Picture
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
George Morgan: Silent Night
Jim & Jesse: Maybelline
George Hamilton IV: Truck Driving Man
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Dottie West: Before the Ring on Your Finger Turns Green
George Morgan: Almost

8:30: Stephens
Charlie Louvin (host): Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep
Loretta Lynn: Happy Birthday
Bob Luman: Five Miles from Home
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Charlie Louvin: The First Noel
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Loretta Lynn: The Home You're Tearing Down
Jimmy Capps: Jolly Ol' Saint Nick
Charlie Louvin: You Finally Said Something Good/See the Big Man Cry

9:00: Pet Milk
Roy Drusky (host): Strangers
Skeeter Davis: It Only Hurts For A Little While
Glaser Brothers: Teardrops Til Dawn
Billy Grammer: Browns Ferry Blues
Roy Drusky: Peel Me A Nanner
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Jerry Whitehurst: (?)

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Willis Brothers: Pinball Anonymous
Jean Shepard: It's A Man
Hank Snow: My Mother
Lonzo & Oscar: Take Them Cold Feet Out of My Back
Marion Worth: Shake Me, I Rattle
Willis Brothers: When I Come Driving Thru

10:00: Schick
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Stringbean: Little Liza Jane
Loretta Lynn: Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven
Del Wood: Columbus Stockade Blues
Ernest Tubb: Blue Christmas
Leon Rhodes: Leon's Guitar Boogie

10:15: Mary Carter
Roy Drusky (host): White Lightening Express
Dottie West: No Sign of Living/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Pete Drake: For Pete's Sake
Roy Drusky: Alone With You

10:30: Harvey's
Jim & Jesse (host): Memphis
Grandpa Jones: Kentucky
George Morgan: You're The Only Good Thing
Jim & Jesse: Johnny B Goode

10:45: Newport
Charlie Louvin (host): Less & Less/I Don't Love You Anymore
Osborne Brothers: Memories
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Charlie Louvin: Life Begins At Love

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): The Golden Rocket
Skeeter Davis: Walking the Floor Over You
Glaser Brothers: Baby, They're Playing Our Song
Hank Snow: I've Cried A Mile
Lonzo & Oscar: Fingers
Sam & Kirk McGee: (?)
Skeeter Davis: Sunglasses
Hank Snow: I Don't Hurt Anymore

11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Ruby Ann
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Jean Shepard: A Tear Dropped By
Curly Fox: Fifty Years Ago
Don Winters: Chime Bells
Marion Worth: Ever Since MY Baby Went Away
Willis Brothers: A 6 ft 2 by 4
Marty Robbins: Ribbon of Darkness/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You/You Know How Talk Gets Around

Saturday December 25, 1971:
7:00: Shoney's
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Archie Campbell: Make Friends
Jimmy C Newman: Alligator Man
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Jimmy C Newman: Louisiana Dirty Rice
Ernie Ashworth: My Bottle Is Dry

7:30: Standard Candy
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Earl Scruggs Revue: Nashville Skyline Rag
Ray Pillow: Step Aside
Tom T Hall: Chattanooga Dog
Earl Scruggs Revue: Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Ray Pillow: Since Then
Tom T Hall: That's How I Got to Memphis

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host) & Bill Monroe: Will You Be Loving Another Man/Little Cabin Home on the Hill
Grandpa Jones: Jingle Bells
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Lord, I'm Coming Home
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: I'm Gonna Leave You
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Lester Flatt: Shuckin the Corn

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Tex Ritter: Here Was A Man
Jean Shepard: Safe in the Loving Arms of Mine 
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Del Reeves: The Best Is Yet to Come
Lonzo & Oscar: Charming Betsy
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

9:00: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Dottie West: Six Weeks Every Summer; Christmas Every Other Year
Earl Scruggs Revue: T for Texas
Wilburn Brothers: Christmas at the Opry
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
George Morgan: Easy Loving
Jack Greene: Statue of A Fool
Jeannie Seely: All Right, I'll Sign the Papers
Ernest Tubb: The Women Make A Fool Out of Me

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): As Love Goes
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Marion Worth: For the Good Times
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Tom T Hall: The Year that Clayton Delaney Died
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star
Hank Snow: My Blue Eyed Jane

10:00: Fender
Bill Monroe (host): Were You There
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Don't Care if Tomorrow Never Comes
Charlie Louvin: I Placed A Call/Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Stringbean: Herding Cattle
Ray Pillow: Heart Over Mind

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): When I Lay My Burden Down
Tex Ritter: Christmas Carols by the Old Corral
Jean Shepard: I Thought of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
Del Wood: Gloryland March

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Is Anybody Going North to Cincinnati
Grandpa Jones: The Valley of the Never Do No Good
Stonewall Jackson: Life to Go
Lester Flatt: Sugar Tree Stomp

10:45: Beech-Nut 
Ernest Tubb (host): Blue Christmas
Wilburn Brothers: The War Keeps on Dragging On
Stu Phillips: Help Me Make it Through the Night
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
4 Guys: Shenandoah

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Dottie West: Put Your Hand in the Hand
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Lonzo & Oscar: Easy Loving
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Sam McGee: Buck Dancer's Choice
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Singing the Blues
Marion Worth: I Really Don't Want to Know
Charlie Walker: My Baby Used to Be That Way
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/Long Gone Lonesome Blues/I'm So Afraid of Losing You Again/Today I Started Loving You Again/They'll Never Take Her Love From Me/Begging to You/Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/The Best Part of Living/Walking the Floor Over You

Saturday December 25, 1976:
1st show
6:00: Bill Monroe (host); Ray Pillow; Marion Worth; Lonzo; Ernie Ashworth
6:30: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host); Charlie Louvin; Del Wood
6:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Skeeter Davis; Billy Grammer
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Walker; Minnie Pearl; Jimmy C Newman; Stu Phillips
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dottie West; Justin Tubb; Crook Brothers; Stoney Mountain Cloggers; Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Vic Willis; Bob Luman
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jeanne Pruett; Stonewall Jackson; Bill Carlisle; Jim & Jesse; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Charlie Louvin; Skeeter Davis; Wayne Hammond; Lonzo; Billy Grammer
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Ray Pillow; Ernie Ashworth
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Marion Worth; Charlie Walker; Onie Wheeler
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C Newman
10:45: Porter Wagoner (host); Justin Tubb; Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers; Crook Brothers; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Bob Luman; Vic Willis; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Jeanne Pruett; Bill Carlisle

Saturday December 25, 1982:
1st show
6:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Jeannie Seely
6:45: Jack Greene (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy Dickens; Skeeter Davis; Charlie Walker; Billy Grammer
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); Jean Shepard; Lonzo & Oscar; Billy Walker; Bill Carlisle
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Jan Howard; Roy Drusky; Stonewall Jackson; Stu Phillips
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; 4 Guys; Vic Willis Trio

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); 4 Guys; Jack Greene; Ernie Ashworth; Skeeter Davis; Ray Pillow
10:00: Charlie Walker (host); Jimmy Dickens; Teddy Wilburn
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Stonewall Jackson
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith
10:45: Billy Walker (host); Jean Shepard
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; Justin Tubb; Jimmy C Newman
11:30: Roy Drusky (host); Jan Howard; Vic Willis Trio/Bill Carlisle

Saturday December 25, 1993:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Monroe (host): I'm On My Way Back to the Old Home/Wheel Hoss/The Evening Prayer Blues

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Jim Ed Brown: Four Walls/He'll Have to Go

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor Howdy
Charlie Walker: Right or Wrong
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Oswald: I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
Rick Wayne: Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Danny Davis: Let's Think About Living
Porter Wagoner & Marty Stuart: Misery Loves Company

7:30: Standard Candy
4 Guys (host): We're Only Here For a Little While
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: It's Christmas Time Again
Connie Smith: Away In A Manger
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
4 Guys: How Married Are You Mary Ann/Moments to Remember

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks Christmas
Jan Howard: White Christmas
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Right or Wrong
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make it With You Gone/Wabash Cannonball
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Grandpa Jones: Some Little Bug Is Going to Find You Someday
Hank Snow: A Letter to Santa Claus

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Jan Howard: As Long As I'm Rocking With You
Osborne Brothers: My Favorite Memory/Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: Are You Teasing Me
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus/Winter Wonderland/Deck the Halls/Jingle Bells

10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Monroe (host): Footprints in the Snow
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Picture on the Wall
Bill Monroe: The Lord Will Protect My Soul/John Hardy

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Grandpa Jones (host) (?)
Charlie Louvin: Mama's Angels
Grandpa Jones: The Christmas Guest
Joe Carroll: Aunt Dinah's Quilting Party

10:30: Piccadilly
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
Jim & Jesse: When I Dream About the Southland
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar

10:45: Opry Book
Billy Walker (host): Down to My Last Cigarette
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel
Billy Walker: Peace in the Valley

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Connie Smith: Then and Only Then
Stonewall Jackson: Side Steppin' the Blues
Charlie Walker: Silver Dew on the Bluegrass Tonight
4 Guys: In the Middle of the Night
Hank Snow: Silent Night

11:30: General Jackson
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Cumberland Boys: Have A Country Christmas
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Johnny Russell: Ain't You Even Gonna Cry
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells/Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Saturday December 25, 1999: 
1st show
6:30: Opryland Hotel/Banquet
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Billy Walker: Jesus Walks In/Funny How Time Slips Away
Jim Ed Brown & Kim Ed Brown: The Angels Cried

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor Howdy
Jim & Jesse: The Magic Little Garden/What Child Is This
Mandy Barnett: I'll Be There/Silent Night
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus/Y'All Come
Rick Wayne: Over the Line

7:30: Standard Candy
Jean Shepard (host): Why Don't You Haul Off & Love Me
Osborne Brothers: Today I Started Loving You Again/Rocky Top
Mike Ireland: Christmas Past/What A Merry Christmas This Could Be
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me

8:00: Martha White
Jeannie Seely (host): Winter Wonderland
George Hamilton IV: Christmas Guest
Wilma Lee Cooper: The White Rose
Riders In The Sky: Woody's Roundup
Opry Square Dance Band: Fire on the Mountain
Jeannie Seely: Shake Me I Rattle

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Johnny Russell (host): Act Naturally
Mike Snider: Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer/Jingle Bells
John Berry: I'll Be Home for Christmas/ O Holly Night/The Christmas Song

2nd show
9:30: Capitol Records
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Jim & Jesse: Stormy Horizons
Riders In The Sky: Woody's Roundup
Mandy Barnett: The Whispering Wind/Ever True, Every More
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus/Fireball Mail/Night Train to Memphis/House of Gold

10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Jim Ed Brown (host): Winter Wonderland
Wilma Lee Cooper: Wreck on the Highway
Jim Ed Brown: (?)

10:15: Fluffo
Billy Walker (host): Come A Little Bit Closer
Osborne Brothers: A World of Forgotten People
Billy Walker: Singing the Blues/Charlie's Shoes

10:30: Ryman
Jean Shepard (host): A Phone Call Away
John Berry: I'll Be Home for Christmas/O Holly Night
Jean Shepard: Before the Next Teardrop Falls

10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
George Hamilton IV (host): Natividod
Opry Square Dance Band: Sail Away Ladies
George Hamilton IV: Silent Night

11:00: Coca-Cola
Jeannie Seely (host): Burning That Old Memory
Stu Phillips: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Charlie Walker: Drinking Champagne
Ray Pillow: That Ain't No Way to Treat My Heart/Too Many Memories
Jeannie Seely: Make the World Go Away

11:30: Ryman Reunion Celebration Videos
Johnny Russell (host): Truck Driving Man
Mike Snider: If My Nose Was Running Money/The Fur Coat
Mike Ireland: Christmas Past/What A Merry Christmas It Would Be

Saturday December 25, 2004:
6:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Pinmonkey
7:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Gail Davies; Melonie Cannon
7:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Elizabeth Cook; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Walker; Sherrie Austin
8:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Osborne Brothers; Mandy Barnett

Saturday December 25, 2010:
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emily West
7:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Jack Greene; Eddy Raven
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Holly Williams; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Jeannie Seely (host); Jan Howard; Dailey & Vincent

Merry Christmas to all and I hope you have all enjoyed these past Christmas Opry line-ups.