Grand Ole Opry 6/17 & 6/18

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the shows this weekend. Both nights look pretty good, with the edge going to Friday night. 

As far as Opry members this weekend, Lorrie Morgan is the name that stands out and she will be on both Friday and Saturday night, hosting segments. She will be joined both nights by fellow Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Bill Anderson and Riders In The Sky. Friday night, both Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds are scheduled, which is an odd occurrence as the Opry seems to schedule these bluegrass legends on opposite nights. Joining that pair will be Hall of Fame member Connie Smith. As far as Saturday night, the only additional member is Jeannie Seely.  

As far as guest artists this weekend, Holly Williams is set for both nights, joined by Love and Theft, Mark Wills and Lee Greenwood on Friday, while Jimmy Wayne, Jackie Lee, the great guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and Post Monroe will be there with her on Saturday night. The new name on that list is Post Monroe, who will be making their Opry debut. Post Monroe is a female trio consisting of Ashlee Hewitt, Whitney Duncan and Shelby McLeod. They are touring in support of their new EP and are listed on Rolling Stone's list of "New Country Artists You Need to Know." 

Friday June 17
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Love and Theft; Mike Snider
7:30: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Holly Williams
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Mark Wills
8:45: Lorrie Morgan (host); Riders In The Sky; Lee Greenwood

Saturday June 18
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy Wayne; Mike Snider
7:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Riders In The Sky; Post Monroe
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Jackie Lee; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Tommy Emmanuel; Holly Williams

That comes out to 12 acts on Friday night, 8 of whom are Opry members, and 11 acts for Saturday night, with 6 Opry members. 

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of June 17  & 18, 2011:

Friday June 17
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Little General Cloggers; Mike Snider
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Black Lillies
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Connie Smith; The Whites
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Kellie Pickler

Saturday June 18
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Sarah Darling
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jean Shepard; Charlie Nagatani; T. Graham Brown
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Robin Meade; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jim Ed Brown; Point Of Grace

Now from ten years ago, the weekend of June 16 & 17, 2006:

Friday June 16
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Little General Cloggers; 3 Fox Drive
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Elizabeth Cook; John & Jonathan McEuen
9:00: Jean Shepard (host); Pinmonkey; Mandy Barnett
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Stu Phillips; B.J. Thomas

Saturday June 17
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; Dale Watson
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Randy Houser; Jan Howard; Pinmonkey
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Melinda Schneider; Claire Lynch
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Mandy Barnett; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Gail Davies; John Anderson

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Pinmonkey
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Randy Houser; John Anderson
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Melinda Schneider; Claire Lynch; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jean Shepard (host); Gail Davies; Mandy Barnett
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Ray Pillow; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Dale Watson

Finally, from fifteen years ago, the weekend of June 15 & 16, 2001:

Friday June 15
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Bill Carlisle; BR5-49; Pam Tillis
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Eric Heatherly; George Hamilton IV; Mark McGuinn; Jack Greene
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Osborne Brothers; Jamie O'Neal
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Sara Evans; Charley Pride
9:30: Vince Gill (host); Mike Snider; Brad Paisley; Trisha Yearwood

Saturday June 16
1st show
6:30: Steve Wariner (host); Connie Smith; Bill Carlisle; Osborne Brothers; Jim Lauderdale
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Jim Ed Brown
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Chris Cagle; Mark McGuinn; Alan Jackson
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Billy Walker; Pam Tillis; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Del Reeves; Hal Ketchum; Charley Pride

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Hal Ketchum; Chris Cagle; Connie Smith
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Charlie Louvin; Jimmy C Newman; Charley Pride
10:30: Steve Wariner (host); Hank Locklin; Elizabeth Cook; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Pam Tillis
11:30: Charlie Walker (host); Del Reeves; Mark McGuinn

It was on Saturday June 17, 1967 that Stu Phillips became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Stu grew up in Calgary, Alberta. He grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry on a small crystal radio set and as he listened to the Opry, he fell in love with country music. At an early age, he formed a band that performed at local events. He also worked at a local radio station were not only was he a radio announcer, but also producer and engineer. He was the host of several shows in Canada including "Stu for Breakfast," "Town and Country," and "Cowtown Jamboree." From radio, he moved to television, first as host of "The Outrider," then as host of "Red River Jamboree" which was a major Saturday night show on the CBC network. 

In addition to his television success, Stu began to enjoy recording success with his "Echos of the Canadian Foothills" album. After four more years with the CBC, he set his sites on Nashville, moving to the city in 1965. He started working for a local morning TV show and also signed with RCA Records. With Chet Atkins producing, Stu began hitting the country charts with songs such as "Bracero," "The Great El Tigre," "Vin Rose," and "Juanita Jones." After making over 20 guest appearances, Stu was offered Opry membership. He has toured in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where he enjoyed great success. In 1993, Bear Family Records released a CD featuring 35 songs from his early Canadian albums. That same year he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. In 1998, on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, Stu and his wife Aldona, became American citizens. In addition to being an Opry member, Stu is also an ordained minister and has owned a winery. 

While I always thought Stu was a fine ballad singer, his career never produced the big chart hits in America. And on his 49th anniversary as an Opry member, Stu is now retired and rarely appears on the show. 

Here is the running order of the 2nd show from Saturday June 17, 1967, the night that Stu Phillips became a member of the Grand Ole Opry: 

9:30: Kellogg's
Charlie Louvin (host): See the Big Man Cry
Willis Brothers: Somebody Knows My Dog
Bob Luman: Why Don't You Leave Me Alone
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Charlie Louvin: How Great Thou Art
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
Charlie Louvin: Off & On

10:00: Schick
Billy Grammer (host): Wabash Cannonball
Del Wood: Under the Double Eagle
Stringbean: The Big 'Um Got Away
Billy Grammer: Detroit City

10:15: Pure
Justin Tubb (host): You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Osborne Brothers: Roll, Muddy River
Cousin Jody: On Top Of Old Smokey
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday

10:30: Buckley's
The Browns (host): Where Does the Good Times Go
Stu Phillips: (?)
The Browns: All of Me Belongs to You/The Fugitive

10:45: Newport
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: The Birds Are Back to Sing
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

11:00: Coca-Cola
Bob Luman (host): Let's Think About Living
Marion Worth: You Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Fire on the Mountain
Duke of Paducah: Four Leaf Clover
Bob Luman: Memphis
Sam McGee: Amos Johnson Rag
Marion Worth: He Thinks I Still Care
Bob Luman: You Can Take the Boy From the Country

11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): No Tears Milady
Ernie Ashworth: At Ease, Heart
Wilma Burgess: There Goes My Everything
Don Winters: Chime Bells
Marty Robbins: Tonight Carmen
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Begging to You/Bouquet of Roses/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You/You Know How Talk Gets Around/Lovesick Blues/El Paso

Congratulations again to Stu Phillips on 49 years of Opry membership. It would have been nice if the Opry had scheduled Stu this weekend so he could have been recognized for his achievement.

I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!