Grand Ole Opry 11/25 & 11/26

With the Thanksgiving weekend upon us, the Grand Ole Opry has posted the schedules for the 3 shows this weekend; the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill is returning to the Opry on Saturday night. Vince has been gone from the Opry for a little while as he has been touring. But now that he is back in town and performing his Christmas shows with Amy Grant, Vince is back on the Opry schedule. He will be joined by another Hall of Fame member, Connie Smith, who is also scheduled for the Friday Night Opry. Joining Connie for all 3 of the shows are Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, and Jeannie Seely. Friday night will see 2 additional Opry members as Riders In The Sky and Jesse McReynolds are scheduled, while Bobby Osborne is on the list for Saturday night.

As to the guest artists this weekend, the name that stands out is John Oates, who is half of the duo of Hall & Oates. John will be making a solo appearance on the Opry this weekend as Pete Fisher and the Opry's management continue to reach out to a variety of artists. While John is not known for his country music, he has completed work on a Christmas project with The Time Jumpers. That could very well explain why he is a guest on Vince's segment. Joining John Oates on Saturday night will be Love and Theft, Jimmy Wayne, Suzy Bogguss and Flatt Lonesome.

The Friday Night Opry has guests artists Jaida Dreyer, Johnny Lee, Will Hoge, Mary Sarah, T. Graham Brown and the Annie Moses Band listed.

Friday November 25
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jaida Dreyer; Mike Snider
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Johnny Lee; Will Hoge
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds; Mary Sarah
8:45: Connie Smith (host); T. Graham Brown; Annie Moses Band

Saturday November 26
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Love and Theft; Mike Snider
7:30: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jimmy Wayne
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Suzy Bogguss; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); John Oates; Flatt Lonesome

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Love and Theft; Mike Snider
10:00: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jimmy Wayne
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Suzy Bogguss; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); John Oates; Flatt Lonesome

That comes out to 12 artists on Friday night, 6 of whom are Opry members, while there are 11 acts for each show on Saturday night, again with 6 Opry members per show.

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of November 25 & 26, 2011:

Friday November 25
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; James Wesley
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Sherrie Austin
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jan Howard; Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
8:45: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; Del McCoury Band

Saturday November 26
1st show
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jimmy C Newman; Hunter Hayes
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Elizabeth Cook
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Pillow; Del McCoury Band; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Charlie Daniels Band

2nd show
9:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jimmy C Newman; Hunter Hayes
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); George Hamilton IV; Elizabeth Cook
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Del McCoury Band; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Charlie Daniels Band

From ten years ago, the weekend of November 24 & 25, 2006:

Friday November 24
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Mountain Heart
8:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; T. Graham Brown
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Grand Ole Opry Band; Cherryholmes

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Mountain Heart
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Stu Phillips; Jimmy C Newman; Mandy Barnett
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Grand Ole Opry Band; Cherryholmes
11:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; T. Graham Brown

Saturday November 25
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Trent Tomlinson
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; David Ball
7:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mel McDaniel
8:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jan Howard; Mandy Barnett; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Grand Ole Opry Band; Mountain Heart

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Trent Tomlinson
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; David Ball
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Grand Ole Opry Band; Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mandy Barnett
11:30: Ray Pillow (host); Mel McDaniel; Mountain Heart

Looking back 25 years ago to Saturday November 23, 1991:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Skeeter Davis: If I Don't Have You
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green, Grass of Home/'Ol Slewfoot

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Ricky Skaggs (host): Life's Too Long to Live Like This
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
Ricky Skaggs: There's An Old Kind of Love Goin' Around

7:00: Shoney's
Bill Monroe (host): Why Did You Wander
Jean Shepard: Bouquet of Roses
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
4 Guys: Cottonfields/Mariah
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter
Billy Walker: Peace in the Valley
Bill Monroe: The Little Community Church House

7:30: Standard Candy
John Conlee (host): Lady, Lay Down
Davis Daniel: For Crying Out Loud/But Love Me
Forester Sisters: That Makes One of Us/Men
John Conlee: Rose Colored Glasses

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: The Deepening Snow/Satisfied/How Great Thou Art
Grandpa Jones: Banjo Sam
Ramona Jones: Sail Away Ladies
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Rachel

8:30: Opryland
Hank Snow (host): Vanishing Breed
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Roy Drusky: All For the Love of A Girl
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
Hank Snow: It's Over Over Nothing at All

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Jan Howard: Love's Gonna Live Here
David Daniel: Picture Me Holding Pictures of You/Love Me
Ray Pillow: The Kind of Love I Can't Forget
Porter Wagoner: What Ain't To Be Just Might Happen

10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Monroe (host): White House Blues/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Ricky Skaggs: Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line
Bill Monroe: Christmas Time's 'A Comin'

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend
4 Guys: Tennessee/We're Only Here For A Little While
Roy Acuff: Freight Train Blues

10:30: Pet Milk
Grandpa Jones (host): Fifteen Cents is All I Got
Jean Shepard: The Days of Wine and Roses
Grandpa & Ramona Jones: Arkansas Traveler

10:45: B.C. Powder
John Conlee (host): Common Man
Forester Sisters: Sincerely
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
John Conlee: The Dog House

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Colorado Country Morning
Jim Ed Brown: When A Child Is Born
Justin Tubb: Sing Blue-Eyed Elaine Again
Connie Smith: I've Got My Baby on My Mind
Bill Carlisle: Rusty Old Halo
Hank Snow: That Lucky Old Sun

11:30: Creamette
Jimmy C Newman (host): Big Mamou
Roy Drusky: As Long As I Live
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Charlie Louvin: This Darn Pen
Johnny Russell: Ain't 'Cha Ever Gonna Cry
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya

While the official Grand Ole Opry induction date for Jean Shepard was November 21, 1955 (which was actually a Monday), the first date that Jean appeared on the Opry as a member was the following Saturday, November 26, 1955. Here is the line-up from 61 years ago this Saturday, the night that Country Music Hall of Fame member Jean Shepard made her first appearance on the Opry as a member.

7:30: Federal Fertilizer Co.
Marty Robbins: Maybelline
Fiddle Tune: Old Joe Clark
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Don and Rita: Lonely Heart
Fiddle Tune: Grey Eagle

7:45: American Ace
George Morgan: Ever So Often
Goldie Hill: Ain't Gonna Wash My Face
Eddie Hill: Smack Dab In The Middle
George Morgan: Jesus, Saviour Pilot Me
Fiddle Tune: Devil's Dream

8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs: Theme Song
Jim Reeves: Looking For A Sucker
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Standing at the End of the World
Flatt and Scruggs: Flint Hill Special
Jean Shepard: Satisfied Mind
Moon Mullican: Mean Mama
Possum Hunters: Bile Them Cabbage Down
Jim Reeves: I've Lived A Lot in my Lifetime
Maybelle Carter: Wildwood Flower
Flatt and Scruggs: Bubbling In My Soul
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Car-Hoppin' Mama
Fiddle Tune: Blackeyed Susan

8:30: Prince Albert
Ferlin Huskey: I'll Baby Sit With You
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Louvin Brothers: I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby
Fiddle Tune: Soldier's Joy
Ferlin Huskey: Sayeth The Lord
Del Wood: Smoky Mountain Polka
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Louvin Brothers: In The Middle of Nowhere
Ferlin Huskey: Walking and Humming
Fiddle Tune: Katy Hill

9:00: Roy Crown Cola
Hank Snow: Music Making Mama
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Tennessee Wagoner
Lonzo and Oscar: The Cow Jumped the Moon
Bill Monroe: I Used To Be
Carlisles: Knot-Hole
Marty Robbins: Pretty Mama
Hank Snow: I Can See The Love in Your Heart
Lonzo and Oscar: Snow Deer
Carlisles: Lil Liza Jane
Fiddle Tune: Back Up and Push

9:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Jordanaires: Theme Song
Ray Price: I Don't Want You On My Conscience
Slim Whitman: Tell Me
Anita Carter: Mask On My Heart
Cousin Jody: Dear John
Crook Brothers: Girl I Left Behind
Louvin Brothers: Just Rehearsing
Grandpa Jones: Night Train to Memphis
Chet Atkins: Five Foot Two
Jordanaires: Shaking Bridges
Ray Price: Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes

10:00: Wall-Rite
George Morgan: Almost
Bill Monroe: Close By
Moon Mullican: Cherokee Boogie
George Morgan: The Best Mistake I Ever Made
Fiddle Tune: Buffalo Gal

10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Marty Robbins: That's Alright
Carlisles: I Was On My Way To The Show
Goldie Hill: Why Don't You Leave Me Alone
Marty Robbins: Don't Let Me Hang Around
Fiddle Tune: Devil's Dream

10:30: Hester Battery
Jim Reeves: Looking For A Sucker
R.D. Heardon: To Be Announced
Jean Shepard: Beautiful Lies
Jim Reeves: I'm Hurting Inside
Fiddle Tune: Mississippi Sawyer

10:45: D Con
Hank Snow: Just Keep on Moving
Jimmy Snow: Go Back You Fool
Gully Jumpers: Bully of the Town
Hank Snow: Within This Broken Heart
Fiddle Tune: Bill Cheatham

11:00: W. E. Stephens
Lonzo and Oscar: Theme Song
Ferlin Huskey: I Feel Better All Over
Hawkshaw Hawkins: The Love You Steal
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Lonzo and Oscar: Who Put That Brick Wall In My Way
Slim Whitman: Indian Love Call
Grandpa Jones: Call Old Rattler
Maybelle Carter: Gold Watch and Chain
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Ferlin Huskey: Cuz You're So Sweet
Fiddle Tune: Old Joe Clark

11:30: Delited
Ray Price: Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes
Louvin Brothers: When I Stop Dreaming
Eddie Hill: Someday You'll Call My Name
Sam and Kirk: While I'm Away
Cousin Jody: Oh, Wonderful World
Ray Price: Release Me
Dot and Smokey: Contact
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking In My Sleep
Louvin Brothers: Just Rehearsing
Ray Price: I'll Be There
Fiddle Tune: Sleepy Lou

One more item of note: The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree announced that the show this weekend, to be hosted by Leona Williams, will take place at the downtown Broadway shop. The taping will still take place at 10:00. At this point, it is a one time deal, but I really think this is the right move, especially with the Opry downtown at the Ryman. For those who have not noticed, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop downtown has been hosting several live events recently, including one last weekend with Mark Collie and Charles Esten, among others. Of further note, the past several years has seen the Midnight Jamboree suspend broadcasts during the winter months, instead going with previously aired shows. This winter, the Jamboree will be going live each weekend, with the exception of Christmas Eve. In my opinion, these shows need to take place at the downtown shop, as with the Opry at the Ryman and the crowds that are downtown for the bars and other events, it just makes sense. And to be honest, the Texas Troubadour theater area is a ghost town on Saturday night.

There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend and a very Happy Birthday to Glen Thompson, founder of the Grand Ole Opry Fan Club, and a true friend.

Enjoy!!