Grand Ole Opry 7/22 & 7/23

Let me start off my offering my thanks to all of the positive comments that I have received regarding my interview on "64 and more." It ended up as five parts and for those who have not seen it, they have been posted on YouTube, among other media sites. Again, my thanks and I hope everyone enjoyed it. 

As to the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, the line-ups have been posted. While the shows don't have the strongest line-ups that we have seen in the past, they both are pretty solid shows. Grand Ole Opry members appearing on both nights will be John Conlee, Mike Snider, The Whites and Connie Smith. Joining that group on Friday night will be Jesse McReynolds, while on Saturday Pam Tillis, Ray Pillow and Bobby Osborne will be featured. The adds up to five Opry members on Friday night and seven on Saturday. As to the Opry members, it is nice to see another appearance by Pam Tillis and Ray Pillow returning. 

Guests this weekend include Dylan Scott, The Swon Brothers, Ashley Campbell, Mo Pitney, Sam Bush and Charles Esten on Friday night. Sam Bush is appearing in support of his new album, "Storyman" and he will be signing copies of his new CD in the Opry Shop after the show. Saturday night will have Ray Scott, a return appearance by Post Monroe, Holly Williams and Jenn Bostic. Finally, T. Graham Brown is scheduled for both nights. 

Friday July 22
7:00: John Conlee (host); Dylan Scott; T. Graham Brown
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Swon Brothers; Ashley Campbell
Intermission
8:15: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; Mo Pitney
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Sam Bush; Charles Esten

Saturday July 23
7:00: John Conlee (host); Ray Scott; Mike Snider
7:30: Pam Tillis (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Post Monroe
Intermission
8:15: The Whites (host); Ray Pillow; Holly Williams; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Jenn Bostic; T. Graham Brown

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of July 22 & 23, 2011:

Friday July 22
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jimmy C Newman; Connie Smith; Matt Kennon
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; Diamond Rio
Intermission
8:15: Larry Gatlin (host); Jeannie Seely; Monte Warden
8:45: John Conlee (host); Ray Pillow; Josh Turner

Saturday July 23
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Holly Williams
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Connie Smith; Monte Warden
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; The Grascals; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Point Of Grace

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Holly Williams
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Johnny Rivers; Monte Warden; James Burton
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jan Howard; The Grascals; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Point Of Grace

Now from ten years ago, the weekend of July 21 & 22, 2006: 

Friday July 21
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Sherrie Austin
8:30: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Raul Malo
9:00: Jean Shepard (host); Ralph Stanley; Vince Gill
9:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jan Howard; Lane Turner; The Grascals

Saturday July 22
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jimmy C Newman; John Conlee
7:00: Hal Ketchum (host); Jo Dee Messina; Eric Church; Ralph Stanley
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Paulette Carlson; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Jean Shepard; Riders In The Sky; Raul Malo

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Paulette Carlson
10:00: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Jack Greene; Jo Dee Messina
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Jean Shepard; Ralph Stanley; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown; Raul Malo
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Ray Pillow; Eric Church

Finally, from 25 years ago, Saturday July 20, 1991:

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Del Reeves (host): Two Dollars In the Jukebox/A Dime At A Time/Looking at the World Through A Windshield
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
Del Reeves: She Thinks I Still Care

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Jimmy Dickens (host): Mountain Dew
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her that Way

7:00: Shoney's
Jack Greene (host): Oh, Lonesome Me
4 Guys: What'll You Do About Me
Jean Shepard: A Stranger In My Place
Mike Snider: Puttin' On the Dog
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything/Statue of A Fool

7:30: Standard Candy
Jerry Clower (host): Comedy
George Hamilton IV: I'm Using My Bible For A Road Map/Cabin in Gloryland
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
T. Graham Brown: You Can't Take It With You When It's Gone/The Rock
Jerry Clower: Comedy

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jim Ed Brown: Just For Old Time Sake/The 3 Bells
Roy Drusky: One Day At A Time/Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Roy Acuff: My Old Pal of Yesterday
Dan Kelly: Sally Goodin

8:30: Pips Rite
Hank Snow (host): There's A Fool Such As I
Jimmy C Newman: Lafayette
Charlie Walker: A Way to Free Myself
Jan Howard: You Belong to Me
Ray Pillow: If I Didn't Have You In My World
Hank Snow: Prisoner's Song

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater
Jean Shepard: Love's Gonna Live Here
Jack Greene: Our Time
Del Reeves: The Race is On
T. Graham Brown: You Can't Take It With You When It's Gone/The Rock
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

10:00: Little Debbie
Jimmy C Newman (host): Mottland
David Houston: My Elusive Dreams
Jimmy C Newman: Cochon De Lait

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Roy Acuff (host): Home in San Antone
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Roy Acuff: Freight Train Blues
Bill Carlisle: Elvira

10:30: Pet Milk
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Every Cross Your Mind
4 Guys: You Are My Reason to Live
Charlie Walker: Waltz Across Texas

10:45: B. C. Powder
Jerry Clower (host): Comedy
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Blackberry Blossom
Jerry Clower: Comedy

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
Skeeter Davis: He Will be There
Roy Drusky: The Last Farewell
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Jeannie Seely: Go Down Swinging
Hank Snow: Little Buddy

11:30: Creamette
Jim Ed Brown (host): Don't Bother to Knock
Jan Howard: I Wish I Could Love That Much Again
Ray Pillow: Congratulations; You're Absolutely Right
Johnny Russell: Baptism of Jesse Taylor
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter

For the "featured" line-up this weekend, I go back to Saturday July 24, 1971 as it was on this date that future Country Music Hall of Fame member Patsy Montana made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. 

Ruby Rose Blevins, known to the world as Patsy Montana was as a singer, songwriter and actress and was the first female country singer to have a million selling single with her hit, "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" which was released in 1935. Her career began in the early 1930's and extended into the 1950's. The vast majority of her career was with the WLS National Barn Dance. In the 1960's, after several years of retirement, she attempted a comeback. By the time she made her first appearance on the Opry, she was 63 and at the tail end of her career. She passed away in 1996, the same year as her Hall of Fame induction. 

Here is the running order from 45 years ago, July 24, 1971, the night Patsy Montana made her first Grand Ole Opry appearance, a night that also featured a guest appearance by Johnny Cash, who at the time was at the high point of his great career. 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stu Phillips (host): That's the Chance I'll Have to Take
Merle Kilgore: Wolverton Mountain
Connie Eaton: Who's Sorry Now
Stu Phillips: Me & Bobby McGee
Merle Kilgore: Honky Tonk Man

6:45: Rudy's
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Poor Ellen Smith
Murry Kellum: Joy to the World
Wilma Lee Cooper: Coming Down From God
Murry Kellum: Long Tall Texan

7:00: Luzianne
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
4 Guys: Let the Sun Keep Shining
Stan Hitchcock: Free Born Man
Barbara Mandrell: Break My Mind
Billy Grammer: Jesus Is A Soul Man
4 Guys: You Can Tell the World About This
Stan Hitchcock: You Gave Me A Mountain
Billy Grammer: What A Friend

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Patsy Montana: A Cowboy's Sweetheart
Crook Brothers: 8th of January
Roy Acuff: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Willis Brothers: High Cost of Living
Patsy Montana: Little Rag Doll

8:00: Martha White
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Stony Edwards: A $2 Toy
Wilma Burgess: Snowbird
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
Stringbean: Y'All Come
Stony Edwards: Po Folks Stick Together
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed of A Hillbilly Heaven

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hollow Poplar
Johnny Cash: A Boy Named Sue/Sunday Morning Coming Down
Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash: No Need to Worry/Jackson
Hank Snow: That's When the Hurting Sets In

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Stu Phillips (host): Let the Guitars Play
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Merle Kilgore: All for the Love of A Girl
Patsy Montana: Sixteen Tons
Stu Phillips: For the Good Times
Murry Kellum: Joy to the World
Merle Kilgore: Tiger Woman

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Johnny Cash: Man in Black
Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash: If I Were A Carpenter/Help Me Make it Through the Night/No Need to Worry
Johnny Cash: Folsom Prison Blues

10:15: Union 76
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Big Midnight Special
Stan Hitchcock: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Orange Blossom Special

10:30: Trailblazer
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Stringbean: Ruby
Billy Grammer: Beautiful Isle of Somewhere

10:45: Beech-Nut
4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Maria
Connie Eaton: Who's Sorry Now
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
4 Guys: One Pair of Hands

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Barbara Mandrell: Treat Him Right
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Hank Snow: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Barbara Mandrell: Rocky Top
Sam McGee: Victory Rag
Hank Snow: So Goes My Heart

11:30: Elm Hill
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Wilma Burgess: Misty Blue
Stoney Edwards: Today I Started Loving You Again
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
Wilma Burgess: Tennessee Waltz

For those keeping track at home, it was a pretty thin night for Opry members as only the following were on: Stu Phillips; Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Billy Grammer; 4 Guys; Roy Acuff; Willis Brothers; Tex Ritter; Stringbean and Hank Snow, along with the Crook Brothers; Fruit Jar Drinkers and Sam McGee. That comes out to 12. Today, 12 would be awesome, back then it would have been considered not a great night as most nights in those days featured between 20-25 Opry members. 

On a final note, in the interview that I did the subject of Opry members not making appearances came up and one of the names that I mentioned who was really good at getting in her ten appearances per year was Carrie Underwood. Carrie is probably the biggest female country music star touring and recording right now, yet this Opry member has always found time to do the Opry. To follow that up, she has added four more Opry appearances to her schedule as she will be appearing on Wednesday August 10 for two shows and on Friday August 12 for both shows that night. That just happens to be the weekend I am going to be in Nashville as on Saturday August 13 Vince Gill is celebrating 25 years as a member of the Opry. As I have said before, my hats off to Carrie. 

I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!