Grand Ole Opry 7/8 & 7/9

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend and what stands out is the abundance of female hosts this weekend. On Friday night, three of the four segments will be hosted by female members, while on Saturday, all four have female hosts (considering that The Whites are a majority female group.). Pam Tillis, Jeannie Seely and Lorrie Morgan are the females hosting on Friday night, joined by Craig Morgan, while on Saturday it will be Jeannie and Pam, joined by Sharon and Cheryl White and Connie Smith. Other Opry members set to perform this weekend include Mike Snider (both nights) and Jesse McReynolds, The Whites and Josh Turner on Friday, while on Saturday Bobby Osborne is set to appear. 

Guest artists this weekend are all folks who have appeared on the Opry before. Scheduled for Friday night are Smithfield, John Berry, Clare Bowen and Lorrie's son, Jesse Keith Whitley. Saturday will have Ray Scott, Carly Pearce, Mark Wills, Elizabeth Cook, Craig Wayne Boyd and Mandy Barnett gracing the Opry stage. I don't know about anyone else, but Mark and Mandy seem to be on the Opry more than most of the Opry's members. 

Friday July 8
7:00: Pam Tillis  (host); Mike Snider; Smithfield
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; John Berry
Intermission
8:15: Craig Morgan (host); The Whites; Clare Bowen
8:45: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jesse Keith Whitley; Josh Turner

Saturday July 9
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Scott; Mike Snider
7:30: The Whites (host); Carly Pearce; Mark Wills
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Elizabeth Cook Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Pam Tillis (host); Craig Wayne Boyd; Mandy Barnett

That comes out to 12 acts on Friday and Saturday night, with 8 Opry members on Friday and 6 Opry members on Saturday. 

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of July 8 & 9, 2011:

Friday July 8 
7:00: Pam Tillis (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jean Shepard; Mike Snider
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; The Grascals
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Edens Edge
8:45: Larry Gatlin (host); John Conlee; Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday July 9
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Joey+Rory
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; John Conlee; Kip Moore
8:00: Pam Tillis (host); Jean Shepard; Riders In The Sky; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Dailey & Vincent

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Joey+Rory
10:00: John Conlee (host); Jack Greene; The Whites; Kip Moore
10:30: Pam Tillis (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Dailey & Vincent

Now from ten years ago, the weekend of July 7 & 8, 2006: 

Friday July 7
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; T. Bubba Bechtol
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jean Shepard; The Grascals
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Gary Nichols; Doyle Dykes; Vince Gill
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jeff Bates; Gene Watson

Saturday July 8
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Rockie Lynne
7:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jimmy C Newman; T. Bubba Bechtol
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; David Ball
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Seely; Doyle Dykes; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Rhonda Vincent; Vince Gill

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; David Ball
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; T. Bubba Bechtol
10:30: Vince Gill (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jean Shepard; Doyle Dykes; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Rockie Lynn
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Rhonda Vincent

Now looking back 25 years ago, to Saturday July 6, 1991:

1st show
6:30: Del Reeves (host); Justin Tubb
6:45: Jimmy C Newman (host); Hank Locklin
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Stonewall Jackson; The Whites; Skeeter Davis
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Eddy Raven; Louise Mandrell
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); 4 Guys; Connie Smith; Charlie Walker; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Bill Anderson; Ray Pillow; Roy Drusky; Jeannie Seely

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Eddy Raven; Bill Carlisle; Louise Mandrell
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); The Whites
10:30: Del Reeves (host); Mike Snider
10:45: Jimmy Dickens (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Skeeter Davis; Connie Smith; Hank Locklin; Charlie Walker
11:30: 4 Guys (host); Jeannie Seely; Roy Drusky; Ray Pillow

Looking back into the history of the Grand Ole Opry, it would appear that on Saturday July 8, 1972, Barbara Mandrell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. I mention that "it would appear" because that is the date I have listed on my membership list and this was the Saturday night that she was introduced as an Opry member. However, in the Opry's Picture History Books, the date listed is July 29. What brings that date in question is that Barbara did not appear on the Opry that Saturday night. Regardless of the exact date, this will be Barbara's 44th year as an Opry member. 

Barbara Mandrell's first visit to the Grand Ole Opry was a career-defining moment. She had been in country music for nine years, touring with the Mandrell Family Band but had decided to take time off to enjoy her marriage to the band's drummer, Ken Dudney. "I had never been to Nashville when we went to the Opry," she remembers. "We had front-row seats in the balcony, and Dolly Parton was onstage at the moment I made that decision to return to music. I was watching her and thinking I can do this stuff. I love this stuff. I turned to my dad and said, 'Dad, if you will manage me, I want to get back into the country music business.' And he said, 'Well, okay, I'd bet my last penny on you.'"

Barbara wasted no time in signing with major label Columbia Records in 1969 after she brought her father on as manager. She released "I've Been Loving You Too Long" under the tutelage of producer Billy Sherrill. While working with Sherrill she had several Top 40 hits and a duet with Opry member David Houston. In 1978, the singer moved to ABC/Dot, where producer Tom Collins brought Barbara her first No. 1, "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed." That team produced multiple hit singles and albums, including the pop crossover single "If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want To Be Right." It was a brilliant move for the petite blond; her father managed he throughout a career with numerous hit singles, multiple best-selling albums, a television variety series featuring her sisters, several movie roles, and an autobiography. Barbara received the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist honors twice. In 2009, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

Barbara remembered the night she became an Opry member: "It was in July when Bud Wendell asked me to join the Grand Ole Opry. I was very honored. And I was introduced on the Roy Acuff segment. At the time, while I was acquainted with Mr. Acuff, I can't say we were friends. By coming to the Opry we became dear friends and now he's so special to me."

Here is the running order from Saturday July 8, 1972, the night Barbara Mandrell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): Wabash Cannonball
Oak Ridge Boys: (?)
Billy Grammer: Peace In the Valley

6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): I Don't Mind Going Under
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Pete Stamper: (?)
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

7:00: Luzianne
Tex Ritter (host): Green Grow the Lilacs
Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore
Johnny Paycheck: Love Is A Good Thing
David Houston: Danny Boy
Tex Ritter: Lorena
Bobby Bare: Me & Bobby McGee

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
Crook Brothers: Lost Indian
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Barbara Mandrell: Show Me

8:00: Martha White
Del Reeves (host): Girl On the Billboard
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Doin' My Time
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Ronnie Dove: Right or Wrong
Del Reeves: The Best Is Yet to Come
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: White Dove
Del Reeves: Philadelphia Fillies

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Marion Worth: For the Good Times
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Blackberry Blossom
Justin Tubb: Lodi
Mel Street: Borrowed Angel
Hank Snow: Geisha Girl

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Billy Grammer (host): Lonesome Road Blues
4 Guys: Shenandoah
David Houston: Soft, Sweet & Warm
Shoji Tabuchi: Rainbow In the Valley
Billy Grammer: What A Friend
Pete Stamper: (?)
David Houston: Jambalaya

10:00: Fender
Charlie Walker (host): Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Johnny Paycheck: She's All I Got
Charlie Walker: I Don't Mind Going Under

10:15: Union 76
Tex Ritter (host): High Noon
Bobby Bare: Come Sundown
Tex Ritter: Fall Away

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man 
Roy Acuff: Where Could I Go

10:45: Beech-Nut
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Coming Down From God
Ronnie Dove: Okie From Muskogee
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Golden Rocket
Barbara Mandrell: Tonight My Baby's Coming Home
Stu Phillips: Crystal Chandeliers
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cracklin' Hen
Barbara Mandrell: Satisfied
Stu Phillips: A Castle; A Cabin
Sam McGee: Wheels
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Again

11:30: Elm Hill
Del Reeves (host): Down In the Boondocks
Bob Luman: When You Say Love/Guitar Man
Marion Worth: Faded Love
Mel Street: Borrowed Angel
Del Reeves: Bells of Southern Bell/A Dime At A Time/Looking at the World Through A Windshield/Who Lotta Shaking Going On

Congratulations to Barbara Mandrell on 44 years of Opry membership. 

The line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry July 12 is as follows: 

7:00: The Whites; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Pam Tillis; Tommy Emmanuel & Richard Smith
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson; Cam
8:45: Ricky Skaggs; Justin Moore

Finally, for those who are interested, Leona Williams will be the host for the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this weekend. That should be a good show. 

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!!