As to the rest of the line-up this weekend, Grand Ole Opry members joining Brad on Saturday night include Mike Snider, Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne and Connie Smith. Connie, Bill, and Mike are also scheduled on Friday night, where they will be joined by members Jesse McReynolds, Dailey & Vincent (again hosting a segment), Ricky Skaggs and The Whites.
It is really, really nice to see Rhonda Vincent guesting on both shows Saturday night. These will be her first Opry appearances since Dailey & Vincent joined the cast. Joining Rhonda on Saturday will be Ashley Campbell, Charles Esten, and making her Opry debut, Bailey Bryan.
Friday's guests include Exile, Wade Hayes, Kristian Bush, Jimmy Fortune (who will be signing copies of his new CD in the Opry Shop, and Devin Dawson, who will also be making his Opry debut.
Friday May 5
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Mike Snider; Exile
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Devin Dawson
Intermission
8:15: Dailey & Vincent (host); Wade Hayes; Jimmy Fortune
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Kristian Bush
Saturday May 6
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Ashley Campbell; Rhonda Vincent
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Bailey Bryan
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Charles Esten; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Brad Paisley
2nd show
9:30: Brad Paisley
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Ashley Campbell; Rhonda Vincent
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bailey Bryan; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Charles Esten
As mentioned, there are two individuals who will be making their Opry debut this weekend, Devin Dawson on the Friday Night Opry and Bailey Bryan on Saturday night.
Devin Dawson is described as a California native with deep country roots. He considers Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson and Marvin Gaye as his influences. Devin, who is 28, graduated from Belmont University and first made an impact in 2014, covering a Taylor Swift song with some success. "All on Me" is his debut single which he is touring in support of. That tour includes an appearance on Seth Meyer's late night show, and tour dates opening for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.
As far as Bailey Bryan, she is another one of the artists on Rolling Stone's list of new country artists you need to know. She grew up in Sequim, Washington. She is a described as a storyteller with words and melodies that capture her generation, but are wisely crafted beyond her years. While she may have country roots, her music is diverse and unique with wide-spanned influences from the Dixie Chicks to Drake to Red Hot Chili Peppers and has opened for acts such as Macklemore and Sara Evans. Now living in Nashville, Bailey records for Warner Music Nashville and 300 Entertainment out of New York, and her debut single is "Own It."
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of May 4 & 5. 2007:
Friday May 4
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Mel McDaniel; Larry Sparks
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jimmy Wayne
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider
9:30: Pam Tillis (host); Stu Phillips; Jimmy C Newman; Riders In The Sky
Saturday May 5
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Elizabeth Cook
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jim Ed Brown; Larry Sparks
7:30: Mike Snider (host); George Hamilton IV; Julie Roberts
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Ray Scott; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Jake Owen
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Julie Roberts
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Seely; Larry Sparks; Ray Scott
10:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Ray Pillow; Jake Owen; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Elizabeth Cook
Now from 25 years ago, the weekend of May 8 & 9, 1992:
Friday May 8
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Roy Drusky; Jim Ed Brown; Ray Pillow
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; Billy Walker; Osborne Brothers
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard; The Whites; 4 Guys
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Pruett; The Carlisles; Air Force Band
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa Jones; Jim Ed Brown; Mike Snider
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Osborne Brothers; Justin Tubb; Jan Howard; Connie Smith
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; 4 Guys; Jack Greene
11:30: Charlie Walker (host); Jeannie Seely; The Whites; Johnny Russell
12:05: Reverend Jimmie Snow
Saturday May 9
1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jeannie Seely; Charlie Walker
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Ray Pillow; Skeeter Davis; The Four Guys
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Osborne Brothers; Ronna Reeves; Ricky Van Shelton
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith; Jack Greene; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Roy Drusky; Jan Howard; Riders In The Sky; Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Jim Ed Brown; Stu Phillips; Teddy Wilburn; Ronna Reeves
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Ricky Van Shelton
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); The Carlisles
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider
10:45: Billy Walker (host); Skeeter Davis; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys; Connie Smith; Justin Tubb; Roy Drusky
11:30: Jack Greene (host); Jan Howard; Riders In The Sky; Johnny Russell
Finally, from 50 years ago, Saturday May 6, 1967:
7:30: Cordite
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): (?)
Ernie Ashworth: At Ease Heart
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Stringbean: The Big 'Un Got Away
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: You're Never Very Far from My Heart
Margie Bowes: Making Believe
Ernie Ashworth: I'm Just an Empty Place
Bill Carlisle: Doctor R.D.
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die
8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Wonder If You're Lonesome Too
Charlie Louvin: Turn Around
Skeeter Davis: Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
Justin Tubb: But Wait; There's More
Flatt & Scruggs: Roustabout
Crook Brothers: Gray Eagle
Duane Dee: (?)
Charlie Louvin: On the Other Hand
Earl Scruggs: Reuben
8:30: Stephens
Porter Wagoner (host): You Can't Make a Heel Toe the Mark
Bobby Lord: Look What You're Doing to You
Tex Ritter: Just Beyond the Moon
Norma Jean: Conscience, Keep an Eye on Me Tonight
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Life
Debbie Kay: A Legend in My Time
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of this As I Can Stand
9:00: Luzianne
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Marion Worth: Especially You
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Lonzo & Oscar: I'm Moving On #2
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey
Marion Worth: Touch My Heart
Roy Acuff: Traveling the Highway Home
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
George Morgan: I Couldn't See
Dottie West: Paper Mansions
Bob Luman: Memphis
Hank Snow: There's A Fool Such as I
4 Guys: Shenandoah
George Morgan: Almost
Hank Snow: Breakfast With the Blues
10:00: Schick
Flatt & Scruggs (host): It Was Only the Wind
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Margie Bowes: Enough to Make A Woman Lose Her Mind
Flatt & Scruggs: Nashville Cats
10:15: Pure
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Norma Jean: Don't Let that Door Knob Hit You
Bill Carlisle: What Kind of Deal is This
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday
Mac McGaha: Shuffling Back
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home
10:30: Buckley's
Tex Ritter (host): Boll Weevil
Charlie Louvin: See the Big Man Cry
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Tex Ritter: Remember the Alamo
10:45: Kent
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob, Arkansas
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: You're Never Very Far From My Mind
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Ernie Ashworth: Heartbreak Avenue
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Bobby Lord: Look What You're Doing to You
Dottie West: Paper Mansions
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Hank Snow: Listen
4 Guys: Mariah
Sam McGee: Cabbage Head
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Hank Snow: Down at the Pawn Shop
11:30: Lava
George Morgan (host): I Couldn't See
Marion Worth: That's All Right
Lonzo & Oscar: Things Look Silly Until You Understand
Debbie Kay: Sugar-time
George Morgan: Danny Boy
Bob Luman: (?)
George Morgan & Marion Worth: Slippin' Around
A name from that night that some may have forgotten and that was Duane Dee. Duane was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and he was known for making a few guest appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. He originally regarded for Capital Records and his 2nd single was "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," which reached #44 on the country charts in 1968. (Yes, this is the same song that in 1975 Freddy Fender recorded, and his version went to #1). He had a few more minor hits, including "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," which went to #36 on the country charts in 1971, while the Bee Gees version went to the top of the pop charts. His last record to hit the charts was "Morning Girl" which was released on ABC Records in 1974. After that, he moved to Florida.
The other name from that night was Debbie Kay, often introduced as Debbie Lori Kay. Debbie was born in New York in 1950, but grew up in Ontario, Canada. Her father was a disc jockey and he asked a local Canadian group to allow Debbie to sing in their band. She toured with the band, Rogues, for about a year and then she joined the Tommy Hunter Show. After signing a record deal with Columbia Records, she made her first appearance on the Canadian charts in 1965 with "Picking Up My Hat," She continued to record with records hitting both the Canadian pop and country charts. In June 1968, her recording on "Come On Home" reached #12. In 1971, she was nominated for several Juno Awards, including "Best Female Vocalist" and "Best Country Female Artist."
She changed record labels several times and her songs would continue to hit the Canadian adult contemporary and country charts. She also appeared on various television programs including the Tommy Hunter Show, Wilburn Brothers Show (there is a clip of her appearance on YouTube) and Music City USA. She also had her own one hour CBC variety show, "The Debbie Lori Kay Show." In 2005 she was inducted into the Ontario Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2006, she suffered serious injuries in a car accident and the last that was heard, she was living in the Seattle, Washington area.
There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!
This lineup reminds me that George Morgan and Marion Worth had some success as a duet, and that Norma Jean was a member and is still among us--it would be nice if she could come back for an appearance.
ReplyDeleteWhat I do find interesting in those line-ups from that era, were the number of artists who did duets with each other, such as George Morgan and Marion Worth.
DeleteAs to Norma Jean, I know she is still active in Texas, doing some shows for the Heart of Texas people. Not sure how often she gets up to Nashville, if ever, and whether or not the Opry, or Norma Jean, would even have an interest. But, as you said Mike, it would be nice.
Thinking of Loretta Lynn, recovering in Nashville from a stroke.
ReplyDeleteLoretta is in my thoughts and prayers for a full recovery...Bob
ReplyDeleteIf the initial reports are accurate, Loretta seems to be doing ok and is recovering. As mentioned, those were the initial reports.
ReplyDeleteI hope in her case it's one of those mini-strokes or TIA's from which you can make a full recovery. "Stroke" is a scary word, but it doesn't always mean a "bad" stroke, though I can't think of a good one!
ReplyDeleteI have no words for what Brad did with Bill Anderson!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSay what you will about him, he loves the place so very much and does all he can! SUCH AN AMAZING SONG!!!!!