Grand Ole Opry 5/12 & 5/13

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. Overall, pretty solid line-ups with a good variety of artists.

Opry members scheduled for both shows this weekend include Jeannie Seely; Mike Snider; Ricky Skaggs and Riders In The Sky. Joining that group on Friday night will be Joe Diffie, Connie Smith, Steve Wariner and Jesse McReynolds. while on Saturday The Whites, Bobby Osborne and Bill Anderson join the group.

Guesting both nights will be LOCASH. Joining then on Friday night will be Jackie Lee and Billy Ray Cyrus, while Saturday's guest artists include Mark Wills, Linda Davis, and Angaleena Presley, who will be signing in the Opry Shop. For those not familiar with Angaleena Presley, she is part of the group Pistol Annies, with Miranda Lambert and Ashley Monroe. The group, which put out several albums, is still technically together, although they really haven't done anything for several years.

Friday May 12
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mike Snider; Joe Diffie
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jackie Lee; LOCASH
8:45: Steve Wariner (host); Jesse McReynolds; Billy Ray Cyrus

Saturday May 13
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mark Wills; Mike Snider
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Linda Davis
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Angaleena Presley; Opry Square Dances
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); LOCASH

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of May 11 & 12, 2007:

Friday May 11
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Lee Brice
8:30: Pam Tillis (host); Jim Ed Brown; T. Bubba Bechtol
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Angela Hacker
9:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Buddy Jewell

Saturday May 12
1st show
6:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mel McDaniel; Cole Deggs & The Lonesome
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Aaron Tippin
7:30: Pam Tillis (host); Charlie Louvin; George Hamilton IV; T. Bubba Bechtol
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; John Anderson; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Mel Tillis

2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Mel McDaniel; Cole Deggs & The Lonesome
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; T. Bubba Bechtol; Aaron Tippin
10:30: Pam Tillis (host); George Hamilton IV; John Anderson; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Mel Tills

So who was Cole Deggs & The Lonesome? Well, they were formed in 2006 and included Cole Deggs, Shade Deggs, David Wallace, Jimmy Wallace and Brian Hayes. Before forming the band, Cole was a songwriter and had written songs for Kenny Chesney, Tracy Byrd, Andy Griggs and Gary Allan, among others. As to the group, they were signed to Columbia Records in 2007 and released their first album that same year. Their first single, "I Got More" made it up to #25 on the country charts, while their 2nd single, "Girl Next Store" failed to reach the Top 40. There was no 3rd single as the group was dropped by Columbia Records and the group disbanded.

Now from 25 years ago, here is the posted line-up from Friday & Saturday May 15 & 16, 1992:

Friday May 15
1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); Roy Drusky; Ray Pillow; Jim and Jesse; Justin Tubb
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The 4 Guys; Jack Greene; Jeanne Pruett; The Whites
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa Jones; Connie Smith
8:00: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; George Hamilton IV; Mike Snider
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jan Howard; The Carlisles; Jeannie Seely

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Stonewall Jackson; The Whites; The 4 Guys
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); Bill Anderson; Ray Pillow; Ernie Ashworth
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Vic Willis Trio; Jack Greene; Mike Snider
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jan Howard; The Carlisles; Connie Smith
11:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Jeannie Seely; George Hamilton IV; Johnny Russell
12:05: Reverend Jimmie Snow

Saturday May 16
1st show
6:30: Jack Greene (host); Jan Howard
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jeannie Seely; Mac Wiseman
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Charlie Louvin; Jimmy C Newman; Jeanne Pruett
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Charlie Walker; George Hamilton IV; Wilma Lee Cooper
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Jimmy Dickens; Jim Ed Brown; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; Roy Drusky; The 4 Guys; Skeeter Davis

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Stu Phillips; Ray Pillow; Mike Snider
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Mac Wiseman
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Jack Greene
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Louvin
10:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; The 4 Guys; The Carlisles
11:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Skeeter Davis; Roy Drusky; Johnny Russell

(In the actual running of Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, Stu Phillips cancelled and Roy Drusky was moved into his spot on the 2nd show).

And now, here is the running order from 50 years ago, Saturday May 13, 1967. It was also the night that Merle Haggard made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

7:30: Cordite
Billy Walker (host): Oh, Lonesome Me
Bill Carlisle: Rusty Old Halo
Bob Luman: You Can Take the Boy from the Country
Margie Bowes: Making Believe
Billy Walker: Anything Your Heart Desires
Ernie Ashworth: At Ease Heart
Bill Carlisle: What Kind of Deal is This
Margie Bowes: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Billy Walker: Del Rio

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Nine Pound Hammer
Charlie Louvin: Here Comes Someone's Heartache
George Hamilton IV: Urge for Going
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Flatt & Scruggs: Nashville Cats
Ray Pillow: Six Days on the Road
Merle Haggard: The Bottle Let Me Down
Charlie Louvin: On the Other Hand

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: You're Never Very Far from My Mind
Wilburn Brothers: Hurt Her Once for Me
Loretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman Enough
Roy Acuff: Waltz of the Wind
Tommy Hunter: Fill Up My Cup of Disgrace
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: It Started Again
Wilburn Brothers: Roarin' Again
Howdy Forrester: (?)
Roy Acuff: Cabin in Gloryland

9:00: Luzianne
Porter Wagoner (host): 'Ol Slewfoot
Bobby Lord: Look What You're Doing to You
The Browns: I'd Just be Fool Enough
Minnie Pearl: You Are My Sunshine
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Life
Norma Jean: Conscience, Keep An Eye on Me Tonight
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Devil's Dream

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): Rumba Boogie
Jimmy C Newman: Louisiana Saturday Night
Marion Worth: Walk Thru This World
George Morgan: I Couldn't See
Hank Snow: My Mother
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey
Jimmy C Newman; Cry, Cry Darling
Hank Snow: Down at the Pawn Shop

10:00: Schick
Flatt & Scruggs (host): It was Only the Wind
Charlie Louvin: God Bless Her 'Cause She's My Mother
Margie Bowes: Enough to Make a Woman Lose Her Mind
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain

10:15: Pure
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Bill Carlisle, Jr: Just to Satisfy You
Ray Pillow: Two Minus One Leaves Blue
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Howdy Forrester: (?)

10:30: Buckley's
Wilburn Brothers (host); The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight
Loretta Lynn: If You're Not Gone Too Long
Teddy Wilburn & Loretta Lynn: Sweet Thang
Ernie Ashworth: Sad Face

10:45: Kent
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): The Birds are Back to Sing
Bob Luman: Let's Think About Living
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Conscience, I'm Guilty
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Lost Indian
Hank Snow: The Runt
Sam McGee: Nine Pound Hammer
Tommy Hunter: In A Way
Jim Ed Brown: You Can Have Her
Hank Snow: (?)

11:30: Lava
Jimmy C Newman (host): Louisiana Saturday Night
Marion Worth: Apartment No. 9
Merle Haggard: Days of Wine & Roses/Swinging Doors
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Marion Worth: Lose Talk
Cousin Jody: Wabash Cannonball
Jimmy C Newman: Dropping Out of Sight

Finally, it was on Saturday May 13, 1972 that the great Gene Watson made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1st show
6:30: Billy Walker (host): Things
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Billy Walker: Gone Our Endless Love/Charlie's Shoes

6:45: Rudy's
Ray Pillow (host); Cinderella
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Ray Pillow: She's Doing it To Me Again

7:00: Luzianne
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Don't Care (If Tomorrow Never Comes)
Louie Roberts: Old Time Religion
Bill Monroe: Kentucky Mandolin
Wilma Lee Cooper: Precious Memories
Louie Roberts: Release Me
Bill Monroe: John Henry/Shenandoah Breakdown

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Drusky (host): Long, Long Texas Road
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Stringbean: Ruby
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Roy Drusky: I Love the Way That You've Been Loving Me
Willis Brothers: Bob
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Jerry Whitehurst: Java
Roy Drusky: Red, Red Wine

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Virginia
Onie Wheeler: Mother Prays Loud in Her Sleep
Howdy Forrester: (?)
Jean Shepard: Happy Tracks
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back to the Mountains/Cabin in Gloryland

8:30: Stephens
Wilburn Brothers (host): Roll Muddy River
Barbara Mandrell: Show Me
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Wilburn Brothers: Metals for Mothers
Barbara Mandrell: I Know My Lord Will Lead Me Home
4 Guys: Let There Be Peace

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Willis Brothers: Ghost Riders in the Sky
Del Wood: Gloryland March
Billy Walker: Gone Our Endless Love
Skeeter Willis: Maiden's Prayer
Del Wood: Standing Room Only
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes/Heartaches by the Number

10:00: Fender
Ray Pillow (host): Heart Over Mind
Wilma Lee Cooper: Leroy the Cripple Boy
Ray Pillow: She's Doing it to Me Again
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Birds are Back

10:15: Union 76
Bill Monroe (host): Little Joe
Louie Roberts: Old Time Religion
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Drusky (host): Alone With You
Stringbean: Roll On Buddy
Harold Weakley: Where No One Stands Alone
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home/Strangers

10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob, Arkansas
Jean Shepard: Virginia
Crook Brothers: Soldier's Joy
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

11:00: Coca-Cola
Stu Phillips (host): Help Me Make It Through the Night
4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Sam McGee: John Henry
Stu Phillips: Me & Bobby McGee

11:30: Elm Hill
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Bill Carlisle: Same Old Tale That the Crow Told Me
Barbara Mandrell: Tonight My Baby's Coming Home
Gene Watson: Danny Boy/I Can't Help It
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Barbara Mandrell: Show Me
Wilburn Brothers: All We Have for You, Mom

While never becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Gene Watson has certainly made his fair share of Opry appearances over the years, more than many of the Opry's members. Gene, who turns 74 this year, has had 75 singles on the country charts, 23 of which went into the Top 10, and 6 that hit #1, including his first #1 in 1975 "Love in the Hot Afternoon." That was followed by "Paper Rosie," "Farewell Party," "Pick the Wildwood Flower," "Fourteen Caret Mind," and "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without." In 2002, Gene was elected to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Certainly a case can be made that Gene should receive serious consideration for the Country Music Hall of Fame, and many feel, such as I, that Gene should have been a member of the Opry years ago.

There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend. And a very Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms!!!!