This past week, Grand Ole Opry member Alan Jackson celebrated his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and to mark the occasion, Alan is scheduled to appear on this weeks Friday Night Opry. Alan will be recognized for his 25 years as an Opry member and I am sure he will also receive his 90th Opry anniversary block. While I like Alan and we know that within the next few years he will be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, he is one of those members from his generation that does not come around to the Opry that often. In fact, if we see him on the Opry more than once a year we are lucky. It's too bad as when I have seen Alan at the Opry, he seems to enjoy himself and the fans love him.
Joining Alan on the Friday Night Opry will be three members of the Country Music Hall of Fame: Bill Anderson, Charley Pride and the Oak Ridge Boys. It is nice to see Charley back on the Opry as this year he is touring in celebration of his 50th year as an entertainer. Other Opry members scheduled for Friday include Riders In The Sky, Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers, Mike Snider and Jeannie Seely. Of those scheduled for Friday night, all with the exception of the Oaks and Alan will be returning on Friday night where they will be joined by The Whites and Bobby Osborne and his group.
Guest artists on Friday include Easton Corbin, the ever popular Neal McCoy, and formal idol Scotty McCreery. The highlight on Saturday night will be Sara Evans. She always does a fantastic job when she appears, and she will be joined by Jessie James Decker, Mark Wills and Michael Ray.
Friday June 10
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Easton Corbin; Neal McCoy
7:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Mike Snider; Scotty McCreery
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Charley Pride; Oak Ridge Boys
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Alan Jackson
Saturday June 11
7:00: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Mark Wills; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jessie James Decker; Charley Pride
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Michael Ray; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Sara Evans
That comes out to 11 artists on Friday night, 12 on Saturday night, with 8 Opry members on each show. And it would appear that Alan must not rate as highly as Martina McBride as he did not get the entire segment to himself as Martina did last week.
With the CMA Music Fest taking place, there will be an Opry matinee on Saturday at the Ryman Auditorium. Here is the line-up for that show:
3:00: Riders In The Sky; Margo Price
3:30: Exile; Mo Pitney
Intermission
4:15: Jamie Lynn Spears; The Whites
4:45: Kristian Bush; Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five year ago, the weekend of June 10 & 11, 2011. This was also the Saturday of the CMA Music Festival. The one item that stands out is that the Saturday night Grand Ole Opry actually consisted of all Opry members.
Friday June 10
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Bradley Gaskin
7:30: John Conlee (host); Lauren Alaina; Scotty McCreery
Intermission
8:15: Mel Tillis (host); Roy Clark; Billy Ray Cyrus
8:45: Charley Pride (host); Riders In The Sky; Josh Turner
Saturday June 11-Matinee
3:00: The Whites; Thompson Square
3:30: Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Anna Wilson
4:00: Jimmy C Newman; Mandy Barnett
4:30: Crystal Bowersox; Jimmy Dickens
Saturday June 11
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mike Snider
7:30: Roy Clark (host); George Hamilton IV; The Whites
Intermission
8:15: Mel Tillis (host); Jan Howard; Jack Greene; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Charley Pride (host); Jean Shepard; Diamond Rio
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of 9 & 10, 2006. Again, this was the week of the CMA Music Festival:
Friday June 9
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Ralph Stanley; Darryl Worley
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jim Ed Brown; Pam Tillis
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Josh Gracin; Charley Pride
9:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Steve Wariner; Brad Paisley
Saturday June 10-Matinee
3:00: Jimmy Dickens; Rodney Atkins
3:30: Porter Wagoner; Pinmonkey
4:00: Mel McDaniel; David Lee Murphy
4:30: Charley Pride; Sara Evans
Saturday June 10
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Charley Pride
7:00: Pam Tillis (host); Gretchen Wilson; Keith Anderson; Montgomery Gentry; Chris Young
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Ralph Stanley; George Hamilton IV; Mel Tillis; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Riders In The Sky; Mark Wills
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Jimmy C Newman; Montgomery Gentry
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Ralph Stanley; Chris Young
10:30: Pam Tillis (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mel Tillis; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Keith Anderson
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Charlie Louvin; Mark Wills
Finally, from fifteen years ago, the weekend of June 8 & 9, 2001:
Friday June 8
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Seely; Billy Joe Shaver; Tracy Byrd
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Bill Carlisle; David Frizzell; Tammy Cochran
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Stu Phillips; Osborne Brothers; Little General Cloggers
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; Pam Tillis
9:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Jim & Jesse; Mike Snider; Gail Davies
Saturday June 9
1st show
6:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); The Whites; Bill Carlisle; Gail Davies
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett; Osborne Brothers; David Ball
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Joni Harms; Connie Smith; Dan Seals
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); T.G. Sheppard; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Osborne Brothers; T.G. Sheppard
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeanne Pruett; The Whites; David Ball
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Gail Davies; Joni Harms; Hank Locklin; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Del Reeves; Dan Seals
11:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Ray Pillow; Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
It was on Saturday June 11, 1988 that Patty Loveless became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Patty grew up in Kentucky and was one of seven children and she has distinct memories of listening to the Opry on Friday and Saturday nights as a child. She remembers going to the Opry for the first time when she was 14 years old. " I went as the guest of Dolly and Porter. It was the very first time I really got to visit backstage, and I felt like I was just in hillbilly heaven." It was several years after that visit when Patty, then known as Patty Ramey, was drafted to fill in at a traveling Opry concert on a bill that included the Wilburn Brothers, who, like Porter before them, was struck by this teen-aged prodigy with a voice beyond her years. She eventually became the Wilburn's full-time female singer out on the road, following in the footsteps of her distant cousin Loretta Lynn. During the mid-80s, Patty, then managed by her brother Roger, began a solo career that produced a long string of Top 10 hits and quickly led her back to the Opry. She says of the Opry, "It's very family-orientated backstage, whether you're a stranger that's in town and just coming to visit, or whether you might be a visitor of one of the artists that's an Opry member. It's kind of like your family having a reunion. That's the way they always treat us, every weekend."
Patty, now 59, has had a career that has included 14 studio albums, 27 music videos, and 49 singles, 5 of which went to #1 on the Billboard chart. She also has performed harmony with a number of country artists on their hits. Patty has also won numerous CMA and ACM Awards and several Grammys.
Here is the Opry running order from June 11, 1988, the night Patty Loveless became an Opry member:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Grandpa Jones (host): Stop that Tickling; Me
4 Guys: Some Memories Just Won't Die
Ramona Jones: Hey Boys, Grab Your Partner, Come On Out Tonight
6:45: Rudy's
Bill Anderson (host): Son of the South
Lorrie Morgan: Silver Wings & Golden Rings
Bill Anderson: Still
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me & My Big Loud Mouth
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Del Reeves: The Only Girl I Can't Forget
Charlie Louvin: I Love You Best of All
Jan Howard: Take Me As I Am Or Let Me Go
Jimmy Dickens: I Leaned Over Backwards for You
7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Ray Pillow: Invitation to the Blues
David Houston: Have A Little Faith
Patty Loveless: If My Heart Had Windows/A Little Bit in Love
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand
The Right Combination: Old Joe Clark
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: A Tear Dropped By/Second Fiddle
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of A Fool
Roy Drusky: Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy/One Day At A Time
Larry McNeely: Amazing Grace (In Memory of Herman Crook)
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light
8:30: Music Valley
Hank Snow (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Billy Walker: Wild Texas Rose
Holly Dunn: That's What Your Love Does to Me/Daddy's Hands
Hank Snow: Nevertheless
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
4 Guys: What'll You Do About Me
Jeannie Seely: The Divorce Song
Wilma Lee Cooper: Loving You
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Bill Anderson & Roy Acuff: I Wonder If God Likes Country Music
10:00: Little Debbie
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Patty Loveless: A Little Bit in Love/If My Heart Had Windows
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand
10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend
Del Reeves: Six Days on the Road/Truck Driving Man
Randy Pollard: Soppin' the Gravy/Brilliancy
10:30: Pet Milk
Grandpa Jones (host): Are You From Dixie
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Alisa Jones: Golden Slippers
10:45: B.C. Powder
Jimmy Dickens (host): May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
Charlie Walker: Fraulein
Jimmy Dickens: What Will I Do Then
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Bummin' Around
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong With the Way that We're Doing it Now
Jean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers to You
Charlie Louvin: Loving Arms
Holly Dunn: That's What You're Love Does to Me/Daddy's Hands
Hank Snow: The Prisoner Song
11:30: Creamette
Jack Greene (host): Try a Little Kindness
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Roy Drusky: Always
Johnny Russell: No One Will Ever Know
Jack Greene; There Goes MY Everything
Congratulations once again to Patty Loveless on her 28th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and to Alan Jackson on his 25th year as a member of the Opry.
On a final note, the family of Grand Ole Opry member Ralph Stanley has asked for prayers as Ralph has been in declining health. He has retired from performing and has turned his Clinch Mountain Boys over to his son Ralph Stanley II.
I hope everyone enjoys the shows this weekend!!!
Sad news about Ralph Stanley; we always liked his performances. Hopefully he can rest in his retirement. The reports/reviews about the CMT awards are very negative; didn't intend to watch, glad we did not.
ReplyDeleteByron, are you in Nashville for the festivities? Any word/rumors on the October anniversary matinee performer? Hope it is, at least, an Opry Member (you can't be sure these days).
ReplyDeleteNo, I am not in Nashville this week. I gave up on it years ago just because the crowds have gotten so big it is hard to get around and really see anything.
ReplyDeleteNo rumors at all regarding the birthday matinee as of yet. And yes, it would be nice to have a quality Opry member performing. The last few years have been pretty good with the Oak Ridge Boys and Steve Wariner. Let's hope that the trend continues. And yes, I have my tickets for all the shows that weekend.
When we met you at the 90th, I told you and the others that was our last anniversary trip and we did not order tickets this year. It was a good run for us over the years, but the changes and disappointments just made it easy for our decision. We will listen on XM. (From Anonymous in PA)
DeleteI remember!!!! I keep thinking the same thing but I guess I am stubborn and just not ready to give it up. There is always that hope that it will get better.
DeleteWhich artists do you guys see going into the Hall of Fame within the next 10 years from the Modern and Veterans categories?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Nashville is coming back, and will air on CMT.
ReplyDeleteThis past Wednesday the 8th R.O.P.E. held their annual Luncheon with the Stars and my brother and I attended. The crowd was not quite as big as last year but it was still and enjoyable afternoon. Performing this year were Dickey Lee, Dianne Sherrill, The Tennessee River Boys, Teea Goans and Little David Wilkins. Kieth Bilbrey was the M.C. Dickey Lee sounded great and in my opinion Teea Goans stole the show. She is the real deal with a strong clear voice and she is a big fan of country music like Ray Price, Gene Watson and Bill Anderson. She said "you won't find this kind of music downtown!"
ReplyDeleteBill Anderson, Jan Howard, Jeannie Seely with her husband Gene, Bobby Lewis, Bobby G. Rice, Tommy Cash, Stu Phillips and his wife Aldona, Mac Wiseman and Sharon Wilburn, daughter of Doyle Wilburn and Margie Bowes, were all there to meet and greet in addition to the performers.
Jan Howard looked well and stayed visiting with folks till almost everyone was gone. Stu Phillips looked good and as usual was soft spoken and pleasant and seemed to enjoy visiting. Sharon Wilburn looks a lot like her mom and told us she is working on some recordings. You can find were on Facebook.
During the performance while they were resetting the stage, Keith Bilbrey came out in the crowd to visit with Mac Wiseman. Lesley Elliot, who works so hard to put this event together and helps keep R.O.P.E. going, presented Mac with an award he was not present to accept last October. Then, Keith ask Mac to sing a couple verses of the Wabash Cannonball. Keith had to have a little more so he talked Mac into one verse of Tis Sweet to be remembered. Mac still sounds great and he will be performing with Rhonda Vincent, Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds at the Ryman July 14th.
Byron is right about the traffic. Even on Tuesday before the festival officially started, it was a real mess downtown. There is construction everywhere and they had part of Broadway closed off for performances.
It was worth the trip and the $30 ticket. We spent over four hours mingling with performers we like had lunch and got to see a pretty good show that lasted an hour and half.
I have not been to the awards show in October but friends went last year and had a great time. Something to keep in mind and maybe attend sometime before the last of the performers most of us like are gone!
Jim Rhodes
Knightsville, IN
My friend is is Nashville. Even though she doesn't spend much time downtown. She said most of the streets are blocked off and you can't touch any parking for less than $30.00 Bob Bien
DeleteJim: Thanks for the great and detailed report on the ROPE luncheon. Many of the traditional country music fans have said that the luncheon and the next generation show are the two best events.
ReplyDeleteAs far as ROPE, I was really glad to hear that Stu Phillips was there. He has kind of disappeared from the public and is essentially retired from performing. Hope he makes it to the Opry in another year for his 50th. Sounds like Jean Shepard was not there. She usually attends the luncheon and I hope she is doing ok.
As far as the Friday Night Opry, I listened and I thought it was a great show. Pete Fisher came out and made the presentation to Alan Jackson on his 25th year as an Opry member, which probably would have meant more if Alan actually came to the Opry more than once a year. But it was still nice to hear him. Charley Pride did his usual great job and the Gatlin Brothers with Neal McCoy were funny. Another sold out show last night.