The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend. Both nights have pretty nice line-ups with some interesting names scheduled. As far as Opry members this weekend, both nights will feature Riders In The Sky, Mike Snider, John Conlee and Jeannie Seely. They will be joined by Connie Smith and Jesse McReynolds on Friday night, while Bobby Osborne, Bill Anderson and Steve Wariner are set for Saturday. In fact, Bill and Steve will anchor the final segment.
As far as guest artists this weekend, the Friday Night Opry has some really good artists listed. First, Jamey Johnson is scheduled to close out the show. Jamey has made several Opry appearances over the past six months and personally, I would like it if Jamey ever became an Opry member. He is well respected and liked and he is an outstanding country singer. Charlie Nagatani is also scheduled. Charlie has been around for a long time and is celebrating his 80th birthday this year. He has made appearances on the Opry since 1985 and although he lives in Japan, he continues to make regular trips to Nashville and the Opry. Also scheduled for Friday night is the O'Connor Family Band featuring Mark O'Connor. Mark is one of the great fiddlers in the business and for years he kind of moved away from country and bluegrass music. He has resurfaced recently with an Opry appearance and it is nice to see him back. Also scheduled is Craig Campbell, Mo Pitney and Gary Mule Deer, who you can count on for some comedy relief.
While not as strong of a group as is being featured on Friday night, Saturday's guests include Chris Lane, Holly Williams, Tristan McIntosh and Sierra Hull. Tristan was featured on season 15 of American Idol and is from Nashville. She is just 16 and will be making her 2nd Opry appearance. Her first one was a walk-on with Darius Rucker, so this will be her first solo shot. For Holly Williams, this continues a string of recent Opry appearances and it is nice to see Sierra Hull back on the Opry.
Friday May 13
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Craig Campbell; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds; Mo Pitney
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Gary Mule Deer; O'Connor Family Band featuring Mark O'Connor
8:45: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Nagatani; Jamey Johnson
Saturday May 14
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Chris Lane; Holly Williams
7:30: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Tristan McIntosh
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Sierra Hull; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Steve Wariner
That comes out to 12 acts on the Friday Night Opry, of whom 6 are Opry members, and 11 acts on Saturday night, with 7 of those Opry members.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of May 13 & 14, 2011:
Friday May 13
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Derailers
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Old Crow Medicine Show
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Troy Olsen; Dailey & Vincent
Saturday May 14
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jim Ed Brown; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; The Bowling Family
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Joey+Rory; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); The Charlie Daniels Band
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of May 12 & 13, 2006:
Friday May 12
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Jim Ed Brown; Mark Wills
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Pinmonkey
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky; Jean Shepard; Ricky Skaggs
9:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jack Greene; John Conlee; Rhonda Vincent
Saturday May 13
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; Keni Thomas
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Pinmonkey
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jan Howard; Jim Ed Brown; The Wreckers
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Walker; Jean Shepard; Buddy Jewell; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Eddy Raven; Ricky Skaggs
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; Keni Thomas
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Eddy Raven; Pinmonkey
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; The Wreckers; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; Jack Greene; Ricky Skaggs
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Charlie Louvin; Billy Walker; Buddy Jewell
Finally, from fifteen years ago, the weekend of May 11 & 12, 2001. The first show on Saturday night featured a very rare Opry performance by former Opry member Don Williams.
Friday May 11
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jack Greene; Bill Carlisle; Trick Pony
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jeanne Pruett; Osborne Brothers; Jim Ed Brown; The Clark Family Experience
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Del Reeves; George Hamilton IV; Rhonda Vincent
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Walker; T Bubba Bechtol; Sherrie Austin
9:30: Marty Stuart (host); Elizabeth Cook; Mike Snider; Gene Watson
Saturday May 12
1st show
6:30: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Bill Carlisle; Mandy Barnett; The Clark Family Experience
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown; George Hamilton IV; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Rhonda Vincent; Billy Walker; Don Williams
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Louvin; Jimmy C Newman; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); T Bubba Bechtol; Chad Brock; Hal Bynum
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Riders In The Sky; The Whites; Mandy Barnett
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeanne Pruett; Billy Walker; Rhonda Vincent
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Del McCoury Band; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stonewall Jackson; Del Reeves; Chad Brock
11:30: Mike Snider (host); Ray Pillow; T Bubba Bechtol; The Clark Family Experience; Hal Bynum
There are a couple of line-ups that I wanted to highlight this weekend. It was 49 years ago this weekend, May 13, 1967 that Merle Haggard made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Merle would appear a few times over the years, making his final Opry appearance in October 2015, just six months prior to his recent passing. Here is the Opry running order from the night of Merle Haggard's Opry debut:
7:30: Cordite
Billy Walker (host): Oh, Lonesome Me
Bill Carlisle: Rusty Old Halo
Bob Luman: You Can Take the Boy From the Country
Margie Bowes: Making Believe
Billy Walker: Anything Your Heart Desires
Ernie Ashworth: At Ease, Heart
Bill Carlisle: What Kind of Deal is This
Margie Bowes: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Billy Walker: Del Rio
8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Nine Pound Hammer
Charlie Louvin: Here Comes Someone's Heartache
George Hamilton IV: Urge for Going
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Flatt & Scruggs: Nashville Cats
Ray Pillow: Six Days on the Road
Merle Haggard: The Bottle Let Me Down
Charlie Louvin: On the Other Hand
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Please Come Back, Little Pal
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: You're Never Very Far From My Mind
Wilburn Brothers: Hurt Her Once for Me
Loretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman Enough
Roy Acuff: Waltz of the Wind
Tommy Hunter: Fill Up My Cup of Disgrace
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: It Started Again
Wilburn Brothers: Roarin' Again
Howdy Forrester: Instrumental
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland
9:00: Luzianne
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Bobby Lord: Look What You're Doing To You
The Browns: I'd Just Be Fool Enough
Minnie Pearl: You Are My Sunshine
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Life
Norma Jean: Conscience, Keep An Eye On Me Tonight
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Devil's Dream
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): Rumba Boogie
Jimmy C Newman: Louisiana Saturday Night
Marion Worth: Walk Thru This World
George Morgan: I Couldn't See
Hank Snow: (?)
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey
Jimmy C Newman: Cry, Cry Darling
Hank Snow: Down at the Pawn Shop
10:00: Schick
Flatt & Scruggs (host): It Was Only the Wind
Charlie Louvin: God Bless Her, Cause She's My Mother
Margie Bowes: Enough To Make A Woman Lose Her Mind
George Morgan IV: Early Morning Rain
10:15: Pure
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Bill Carlisle, Jr: Just to Satisfy You
Ray Pillow: Tow Minus One Leaves Blue
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Howdy Forrester: Instrumental
10:30: Buckley's
Wilburn Brothers (host): The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight
Loretta Lynn: If You're Not Gone Too Long
Loretta Lynn & Teddy Wilburn: Sweet Thang
Ernie Ashworth: Sad Face
10:45: Kent
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): The Birds Are Back to Sing
Bob Luman: Let's Think About Living
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Conscience, I'm Guilty
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Lost Indian
Hank Snow: The Runt
Sam McGee: Nine Pound Hammer
Tommy Hunter: In A Way
Jim Ed Brown: You Can Have Her
Hank Snow:(?)
11:30: Lava
Jimmy C Newman (host): Tennessee Saturday Night
Marion Worth: Apartment #9
Merle Haggard: Days of Wine & Roses; Swinging Doors
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Marion Ward: Loose Talk
Cousin Jody: Wabash Cannonball
Jimmy C Newman: Dropping Out of Sight
Many Opry fans wonder why Gene Watson has never become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. I can't answer that question but what I can tell you is that it was 44 years ago this weekend, Saturday May 13, 1972, that Gene Watson made his Opry debut.
Gene Watson is one of the great voices in country music and he has had an outstanding career. Born October 11, 1943, he has had 6 #1 records, 23 Top 10 hits and over 75 singles that have hit the charts. His most famous songs include "Love in the Hot Afternoon," "Paper Rosie," Fourteen Carat Mind," and what is probably his signature song, "Farewell Party," which is also the name of his backup band. In 2002 Gene became a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame." He is still very active in both touring and recording and if you get the chance to see him live, do so. He is outstanding.
Here is the Grand Ole Opry running order from May 13, 1972, the night Gene Watson first appeared on the Opry stage.
1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Billy Walker (host): Things
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Billy Walker: Gone Our Endless Love/Charlie's Shoes
6:45: Rudy's
Ray Pillow (host): Cinderella
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Ray Pillow: She's Doing it to Be Again
7:00: Luzianne
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Don't Care if Tomorrow Never Comes
Louie Roberts: Old Time Religion
Bill Monroe: Kentucky Mandolin
Wilma Lee Cooper: Precious Memories
Louie Roberts: Release Me
Bill Monroe: John Henry
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Drusky (host): Long, Long Texas Road
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Stringbean: Ruby
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Roy Drusky: I Love the Way That You've Been Loving Me
Willis Brothers: Bob
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Jerry Whitehurst: Java
Roy Drusky: Red, Red Wine
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Virginia
Onie Wheeler: Mother Prays Loud in Her Sleep
Howdy Forrester: Instrumental
Jean Shepard: Happy Tracks
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back to the Mountains/Cabin in Gloryland
8:30: Stephens
Wilburn Brothers (host): Roll, Muddy River
Barbara Mandrell: Show Me
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Wilburn Brothers: Metals for Mothers
Barbara Mandrell: I Know My Lord Will Lead Me Home
4 Guys: Let There Be Peace
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Willis Brothers: Ghost Riders in the Sky
Del Wood: Gloryland March
Billy Walker: Gone Our Endless Love
Skeeter Willis: Maiden's Prayer
Del Wood: Standing Room Only
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes/Heartaches by the Number
10:00: Fender
Ray Pillow (host): Heart Over Mind
Wilma Lee Cooper: Leroy the Cripple Boy
Ray Pillow: She's Doing It to Me Again
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Birds Are Back
10:15: Union 76
Bill Monroe (host): Little Joe
Louie Roberts: Old Time Religion
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky
10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Drusky (host): Alone With You
Stringbean: Roll on Buddy
Harold Weakley: Where No One Stands Alone
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home/Strangers
10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob, Arkansas
Jean Shepard: Virginia
Crook Brothers: Soldier's Joy
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
11:00: Coca-Cola
Stu Phillips (host): Help Me Make It Through the Night
4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Sam McGee: John Henry
Stu Phillips: Me & Bobby McGee
11:30: Elm Hill
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Bill Carlisle: Same Old Tale That the Crow Told Me
Barbara Mandrell: Tonight My Baby's Coming Home
Gene Watson: Danny Boy/I Can't Help It
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Barbara Mandrell: Show Me
Wilburn Brothers: All We Have For You Mom
I assume there is a Midnight Jamboree this weekend, but in checking the website this morning, there is still no host listed or any show information. Finally, next weekend will be a big one at the Opry with two shows on both Friday and Saturday night, featuring Opry member Carrie Underwood. Also set to appear is Dallas Wayne, of XM/Sirius radio fame, who is not a bad country singer himself.
Until then, enjoy the Opry this weekend!!
Steve is celebrating his 20th Opry anniversary this weekend which is why there's only two in that segment.
ReplyDeleteA.B.
Yes he is and thanks A.B. for mentioning it. I completely forgot about Steve and I should not have.
Deletesad news for some, happy news for others, but Nashville has been cancelled after 4 seasons.
ReplyDeletehttp://deadline.com/2016/05/nashville-canceled-abc-4-seasons-1201754363/
It's going to be a bittersweet appearance for charles esten on may 20th's opry.
personally, I really enjoyed watching the show, but it was bringing down opry lineups, especially the 90th birthday weekend. I wonder if the Opry will make another TV series after this.
Glad to see you back on Kyle. I missed your comments. As to your last sentence, I am sure the Opry will come up with something. I don't think they are done with television.
DeleteWhat will be Pete Fisher's next excuse for keeping members from appearing?
ReplyDelete"What will be Pete Fisher's next excuse for keeping members from appearing?"
ReplyDeleteNow that's a GREAT comment!
I'm afraid Pete will come up with something.
My hope is that he gets around to inviting certain folks who LOVE the 'Opry and will come anytime they're asked to become members.
We watched the first two shows of Nashville, that's all we could stand; and we have never appreciated those actors being on the Opry; certainly ruined a few of the shows for us when we were in attendance. The last 3 anniversaries come to mind. So we are the "happy" ones on the announcement. It will never happen, but I would love for the Opry to get back to more members and a smaller number of guests appearing each week. We listen via XM and there has been problems with the sound quite frequently, often when it is the microphone used for introductions; makes for frustrated listening.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I have watched "Nashville" just once and didn't care for it. That said, I do have great respect for the actors and the talents that they have, but let's not forget that they are actors playing the role of a country music singer, and that they are not actual country music stars. With Ryman Hospitalities one of the backers of the show and Steve Buchanan one of the producers, it was not surprise that there was a lot of cross promotion going on with the Opry.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't think we have seen the last of these stars on the Opry. The show will be in syndication for years and I am also hearing of rumors that the show might be picked up by a cable network. Stay tuned!!!!
And yes, I still member the birthday show when they gave an entire half hour of the show to the Nashville people.
I HAVE NO USE FOR THE SHOW OR ITS ACTORS.IT WAS SACRILEGIOUS TO THE OPRY. JIM HERZOG
ReplyDeleteI agree that the sound man on the radio broadcasts is terrible, be it WSM or XM.
ReplyDeleteIt is often impossible to hear the introductions. In today's digital world, I simply don't understand why volume levels can't be very close.
Was listening tonight and Eddie Stubbs introduction of Connie Smith was completely missed. Sounded like his mic was not even on.
ReplyDeleteNow, there have been several comments about people not liking the show "Nashville" and its disgracing the Opry, but, as odd as it may seem, that show is what really introduced me to the Opry and classic country music.
ReplyDeletePrior to the debut of the TV show "Nashville," I had been a big fan of country, but basically only knew the stuff recorded from the late 80s until presently, because that's all that was played on my local station.
However, when I started watching the show, I became really fascinated with the amazing city of Nashville, and planned a trip there back in summer of 2013, after the show's first season. It was during my trip to Music City that I found out that country music went a lot further back than George Strait. Then I truly discovered the Opry. I had known about the Grand Ole Opry from Hee Haw and occasional scenes of "Nashville," but I didn't know much about what the show really was.
The show I saw is what some may consider as a bit of a "not-so-special" lineup, but to me I had just an amazing experience on this show. It had a great mix of artists. That night there were artists like Mark Wills & James Otto, who I had grown up hearing, as well as opry legends like Jimmy C. Newman, Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius, and Jean Shepard, who introduced me to what the real deal of country sounded like live!
After that, I started digging deeper into country music's past, and came to find so many of the great country legends, and became a regular Opry listener.
Again, while some might have been against "Nashville," it was the show that somewhat caused me to find the amazing show known as the Grand Ole Opry, and discover what country music really sounds like (although the TV show itself doesn't particularly play the traditional stuff).
While I don't think I'm really going to miss the Opry's over promoting the tv show on its program, I'm going to miss watching the show. That wednesday night drama ended up changing my life.
Kyle, well said from one of the younger Opry fans!!! And I can see your point of view. I know many of us go back to the Opry's glory days, back when the Opry was at the Ryman and the early years at the Grand Ole Opry House. But sometimes we forget where the new Opry fans are coming from. It's just too bad that you are too young to have experienced the Opry back when there were 25-30 artists on a show and lots of music.
DeleteIf I have one real complaint as to the show "Nashville" it is how they sometimes portray the Opry. I can still remember a couple of years ago sitting next to two younger ladies from out west who came to the Opry because of watching "Nashville" and seeing the Opry on that show. They were all excited as you can imagine. They sat through the first segment, and I forget who all was on that night, but I do remember Jimmy C Newman. As the segment was taking place, I could see the puzzled look on their face when the commercials came on and the artists doing their one song and gone. Then the curtain came down at the end of the segment and they were really puzzled. Guess that never happened on the show. The next segment was hosted by Ray Pillow and the one girl asked me who he was and was he a "big" star. At that point I knew they were in trouble. They left at intermission, very disappointed that the Opry was not like it was on "Nashville" and on this particular night, none of the "Nashville" stars were on the Opry.
"Nashville" is bringing a lot of younger fans to the Opry and the Opry is sold out most nights. They are really promoting high school and middle school groups instead of the senior citizen groups. They have upgraded the sound and lighting, along with the visual experience. No, it is not the show many of us grew up with, but it is still the Opry. Just a different, more relevant Opry. That doesn't mean we have to like it. But if there is one credit I will give to Steve Buchanan and Pete Fisher it is that they have kept the Opry relevant and have reenergized the show. Many of us have forgotten, but in the late 1980s and through the 1990s, some nights the Opry was only drawing half a house, if that. It was old and tired. We were seeing the same 25 cast members each week. The new and younger country music fans were turning their back on the show.
Now, if we could convince Steve and Pete to invite more of the legends and veterans back on to the show, everything would be ideal.
Byron, that story makes me think of the differences in how the Opry was televised. When TNN started doing it, it was largely a radio show with camera rolled in, and Keith Bilbrey to fill in the dead spots. Eventually, on GAC, I guess, it became a "produced" show that really bore little resemblance to what the Opry actually looked like the rest of the time, and I remember thinking, if all I saw was the TV show and then I went to the Opry, I might just be disappointed. Maybe, though, like Kyle, I would have had my eyes and ears opened to something both old and new.
DeleteKyle, I really appreciate your post.
ReplyDeleteUs old farts want the 'Opry to be exactly like it was when we were your age, and things do tend to change as time marches on.
I absolutely hate to admit it, but the show Nashville has probably been (overall) a positive force for the 'Opry.
It got you, didn't it? :)
Tonite I have heard besides and Opry debut there will be a retirement announcement made by someone on stage tonite.
ReplyDeleteAs of intermission, we have had the debut but no retirement.
ReplyDeleteBill Anderson just saluted not just Steve Wariner, but also who I thought was about to retire: Eddie Oliver, who celebrated his 50th year as a square dancer on the Opry by hanging up his shoes. And he was, I believe, the last dancer from Ralph Sloan's Tennessee Travelers, Ralph Sloan having died in 1980 and his brother Melvin then having taken over.
ReplyDeleteMike, you are correct. Exactly 50 years dancing on the Opry. What a way to go out.
ReplyDeleteIt turns out Eddie was profiled in a feature last year and said when he hit #50, he was quitting and planned to do some traveling. What a way to go out, indeed.
ReplyDeleteFor those who did not listen, it was really a great Opry show last night. Steve Wariner was honored for 20 years of Opry membership and they played a video of the night he joined, having been inducted into the Opry by Bill Anderson, and also featuring Chet Atkins. Pete Fisher presented the 90th anniversary block to Steve along with a framed poster of the night.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, Eddie Oliver celebrated 50 years as a member of the Square Dancers. He originally joined Ralph Sloan and The Tennessee Travelers on May 14, 1956. Later he was a part of the Melvin Sloan Dancers and when Melvin retired, he continued on as the senior member of the Opry Square Dancers. Eddie was given a standing ovation by those attending last night and he received special mention. He then announced his retirement. And yes, what a way to go out.
Finally, I wanted to mention Tristan McIntosh, who made her solo Opry debut last night. This former American Idol contestant is just 16 and she did a fantastic version of Vince Gill's "Go Rest High." I can see a bright future for her.
And as a reminder, this weekend will feature 2 shows each on Friday and Saturday night, with Opry member Carrie Underwood performing both nights. On Friday night, Toby Keith has been scheduled. It should be quite a weekend.
For probably the tenth time, I commend Carrie Underwood.
DeleteI could only wish all of the rest of the 'Opry super-stars had her commitment to actually show up and perform on the 'Opry.
It was reported this morning that WSM personality Kevin Anderson has passed away. Kevin had done the Opry Warm-Up show, or what was left of it and also assisted Eddie Stubbs with his Friday night all request show after the Opry.
ReplyDeleteByron, I saw the announcement at 8:30 this morning on Marcia Campbell's FB page of Kevin Anderson's passing. Stunned is the only word that applies for me. I so enjoyed listening to his Opry intermission shows, where he showcased the music of artists that were going to appear on the Opry and when he filled in for Eddie Stubbs and of course the Friday By Request Show. I found it very strange when he did not work the Friday Night Opry intermission at 8pm and found it stranger yet when Eddie Stubbs came on the air Friday night at about 9:45. He always comes on after the 10pm news/weather. Some woman filled in until Eddie arrived, I don't even remember her name. Kevin Anderson was 56 years old. My condolences to his family, friends, WSM colleagues and anyone who knew him within the country music community. May he rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteAnd it has been reported that Guy Clark has passed away as well. My condolences to his family, friends and the country music community as well.
I am so sick of 2016 already with regard to all the celebrity deaths and the year isn't even half over with yet. Ugh ... :-(
(Jeanene)
From KWTX-TV, Waco, Tx - WEST, Texas - The pilot of a crop-dusting plane that crashed over the weekend north of the town of West was a Grammy-nominated musician who had a long career as a singer and songwriter. - from anonymous in Kingman
ReplyDeleteJohn Allen Seay, Jr., 75, of Glen Rose, died after his plane hit a wire on a cellphone tower and crashed at around 1:50 p.m. Saturday at 1155 Hvalenka Rd.
He was ejected from the plane.
Seay had a decades-long career as a singer/songwriter and occasional actor.
For much of his career, Seay performed under the name Johnny Sea.
According to Seay’s website, he was 17 when he recorded his first record in 1959.
At the age of 18, he joined the Louisiana Hayride, a radio and later television country music show broadcast from Shreveport, La.
Elvis Presley performed on the show and even made his first television appearance there.
Seay had several hits in the 1960’s, recording for six major labels.
In 1966, he released the song "Day For Decision" on Warner Brothers Records.
The song was nominated for a Grammy Award, but lost to a collection of recordings by Edward R. Murrow.
In the late 1960’s, the singer began performing under his given name Johnny Seay again.
He had two more country hits for Columbia Records and was profiled in Life Magazine.
Seay spent his later years away from the spotlight, living as a cowboy on a ranch In Texas.
His family says he had more than 30 years of crop dusting experience and more than 18,000 hours of flying time.
He walked away from a crash in July 1983, his website says.
Seay’s daughter posted a message on the website that says, “Our hearts are completely broken. The greatest man I ever knew, died on the afternoon of Saturday, May 14th doing what he loved. He was in a plane crash while crop-dusting in West, TX. He was 75 years old.”
Seay leaves behind nine children and 14 grandchildren.
I saw Eddie Oliver is retired after 50 years on the Opry.Is it true?---Eddie is the last dancer from the Tennesse Travelers.That means the other Travelers are dead.Right?
ReplyDelete