Your trusted Grand Ole Opry reporter will be taking a few days off for a short vacation. As I write this, the Opry has not posted the line-ups for the shows this weekend. However, based on advance word, there are a few artists that I can mention who will be at the Opry this weekend:
The Friday Night Opry will feature Opry member Lorrie Morgan, along with guest artists Jamey Johnson, Country Music Hall of Fame members Bobby Bare and Jimmy Fortune, Carly Pearce and Walker McGuire.
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will again feature Opry member Lorrie Morgan, along with Amber Digby, The Steel Woods and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.
I know, kind of a short list but I am sure once it is all filled in, it will be a great night at the Opry.
As usual, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of July 13 & 14, 2007:
Friday July 13
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Mel McDaniel; Jean Shepard; Chris Young
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; The Whites; Jimmy Wayne
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Walker; Connie Smith; The Grascals
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Alecia Nugent; Gene Watson
Saturday July 14
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Chuck Mead
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jack Greene; Blue Country
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Jim Ed Brown; Lee Roy Parnell
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jan Howard; Alecia Nugent; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Restless Heart
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Lee Roy Parnell
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Jack Greene; Blue Country
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jim Ed Brown; Chuck Mead; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Alecia Nugent; Restless Heart
Now from 25 years ago, the weekend of July 17 & 18, 1992:
Friday July 17
1st show
6;30: Bill Monroe (host); Jim Ed Brown; Skeeter Davis; Roy Drusky; The 4 Guys
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeanne Pruett; Charlie Walker; Ray Pillow
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim and Jesse; Connie Smith
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jimmy Dickens; Del Reeves; The Whites
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jan Howard; Justin Tubb; Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Carlisles; Charlie Louvin; Billy Walker; Jim and Jesse
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa Jones; Skeeter Davis; The 4 Guys
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Jeanne Pruett; Ray Pillow; Jimmy C Newman; Stonewall Jackson
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Connie Smith; Jim Ed Brown; The Whites
11:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; Del Reeves; Mike Snider
12:05: Reverend Jimmie Snow
Saturday July 18
1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Skeeter Davis; Ray Pillow
7:00: Billy Walker (host); Charlie Louvin; Jeanne Pruett; Carlisles; The Whites
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Del Reeves; Jeannie Seely; Eddy Raven
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Walker; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Stonewall Jackson; the 4 Guys; Mark Brine
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; Billy Walker Charlie Louvin; Roy Drusky
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Jim Ed Brown; Charlie Walker
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Carlisles
10:30: Del Reeves (host); Jeanne Pruett
10:45: Jimmy Dickens (host); Eddy Raven; Opry Square Dance Band; The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Stonewall Jackson; Justin Tubb; The Whites; Mark Brine
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); The 4 Guys; Jeannie Seely; Mike Snider
What is also interesting regarding the Opry in 1992, was the number of shows that they were putting on weekly with Opryland open, In addition to the weekend shows, the Opry was running a Saturday and Sunday matinee, along with Tuesday and Thursday matinee shows. Each show started at 3:00 and were two hour shows. For this particular week, each matinee show featured Roy Acuff and Porter Wagoner, among others. What is amazing with Roy Acuff is that he was in the final months of his life and did 8 Opry shows that week!!!
Mark Brine, a name that might not be familiar to some, was featured on both Saturday night shows. Mark grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts and started his musical career at the age of 13. After being a part of several local groups in the New England area, Mark moved to Nashville in 1974, as he became more interested in traditional country music, specifically that of Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams. It took a while, but he eventually signed with Door Knob Records and in 1978 he released three singles, "Hello Lady," "Coming Home to Love," and "Words." In 1979, he switched to Society Records, again with limited success and in 1985 he left Nashville and moved to Baltimore. In 1992, Resigned Records released his single, "New Blue Yodel," and when Hank Snow heard it, he invited Mark to appear on the Grand Ole Opry, which he did on this particular night.
Finally, it was Saturday July 14, 1973 that The Glaser Brothers, Tompall, Chuck and Jim, made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry.
Often referred to as Tompall & The Glasers, the group came to Nashville in 1959, from their home state of Nebraska. The brothers were known for their tight harmonies and the perfect blend of their voices. Their big break came in 1957 when they appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Show, and attracted the attention of Marty Robbins. Marty signed them as backup singers on his albums and also as solo artists for his label, with their first single "Five Penny Nickel" released in 1958.
Between 1960 and 1975 the trio recorded ten studio albums and had nine singles on the country charts and was considered one of the most awarded groups in country music. From 1973 to 1978, they went their own separate ways, which each brother pursuing individual interests. They reunited in 1979 and released several singles and two albums, with "Loving Her Was Easier" reaching No. 2 on the Billboard charts. The brothers also had their own publishing company, with John Hartford as one of their songwriters. In 1970, they opened their own studio in Nashville, "Hillbilly Central" which became one of the homes for the outlaw movement that took place in country music.
In 1990, the brothers were asked to reunite for one final show at the Grand Ole Opry, at the personal invitation of Hank Snow, who was being honored for 40 years of Opry membership. Despite the differences between the brothers, they performed to perfection at what turned out to be their final show (you can find it on YouTube, and it is a classic to watch).
Tompall passed away in 2013, Chuck is now retired, and Jim continues to perform on occasion.
Here is the running order from their final night as Opry members, July 14, 1973:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Charlie Walker: Soft Lips & Hard Liquor
Joe Edwards: Old Joe Clark
6:45: Rudy's
Justin Tubb (host): Lodi
Del Wood: Standing Room Only
Judy Bryte: Wabash Cannonball
Justin Tubb: Texas Dance Hall Girl
7:00: Rudy's
George Jones (host): White Lightening
Tammy Wynette: Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad
4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Harold Morrison: Dueling Banjo
Patsy Sledd: Noting Can Stop My Loving You
George Jones: A Picture of Me Without You
Tammy Wynette: Stand By Your Man
4 Guys: Sing Me Back Home/I'll Fly Away/Jambalaya/She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain/You Are My Sunshine/Shutters & Boards
George Jones & Tammy Wynette: We Go Together
7:30: Standard Candy
Tex Ritter (host): Fall Away
Stringbean: Cripple Creek
Willis Brothers: Cimarron
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Tex Ritter: Green Grow the Lilacs
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven
8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Charlie Louvin: Funny Man
Jimmy C Newman: Back Pocket Money
Penny DeHaven: This Time
Lester Flatt: The Girl I Love Don't Pay Me No Mind
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: Did You Ever
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Marty Stuart: Roanoke
8:30: Stephens
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
Mary Lou Turner: I Am Woman
Johnny Carver: Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Bill Anderson: The Corner of My Life
Mary Lou Turner: Take Me Home, Country Roads
Johnny Carver: You Really Haven't Changed
Bill Anderson: All the Lonely Women in the World
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Tex Ritter (host): Boll Weevil
Willis Brothers: There Goes the Farm
Charlie Walker: The Lord Knows I'm Drinking
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Tex Ritter: The Streets of Laredo
Judy Bryte: The Wreck of the Old 97
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Tex Ritter: High Noon
10:00: Fender
Charlie Louvin (host): Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me/Rusty Old Halo
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: American Trilogy
10:15: Union 76
George Jones (host): She Thinks I Still Care
Tammy Wynette: Kids Say the Darndest Things
Harold Morrison: Dueling Banjo
Pasty Sledd: Pass Me By
George Jones/Tammy Wynette/Harold Morrison/Pasty Sled: Let's All Go Down to the River
10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Country Boy
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
Del Wood: Gloryland March
Lester Flatt & Marty Stuart: The Bluebirds are Singing for Me
10:45: Beechnut
Bill Anderson (host): If You Can Live With It
Mary Lou Turner: The Shelter of Your Eyes
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Bill Anderson: The Corner of Your Life
11:00: Coca-Cola
Jimmy C Newman (host): Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Take Me Back to Tulsa
Jimmy C Newman: The Kind of Love I Can't Forget
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Jimmy C Newman: Jole Blon
11:30: Elm Hill
Glaser Brothers (host): Release Me/Then I Turned and Walked Away Slowly/Many Tears Ago/You Win Again/Bouquet of Roses/There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Johnny Carver: Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree
Penny DeHaven: Down in the Boondocks
Glaser Brothers: Rings
Johnny Carver: You Really Haven't Changed
Penny DeHaven: The Love of Your Life
Glaser Brothers: Faded Love/Rose of Old Pawnee/Just A Girl I Used to Know/I'll Hold You in My Heart/More & More
As you can see, the Glaser Brothers finished strong as they left the Opry and went their separate ways.
There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry!!
Does anyone know where I can find either audio or video from a 2010 concert Dierks Bentley did at the Ryman? It appears it was taped as a PBS special that aired in 2012. I remember seeing it on YouTube several months ago but not anymore. I've tried both the Opry/Ryman and the PBS online stores among other places and cannot find anywhere that it was released for sale. I know it is a shot in the dark that anyone who reads this would know if a copy exists either for viewing or buying, but figured I would take the shot and see.
ReplyDeleteStolen from the 'Opry's website:
ReplyDeleteFriday July 14, 2017
7:00 - 7:30 Connie Smith, Carly Pearce, Mike Snider
7:30 - 8:00 The Whites, Jimmy Fortune
8:00 - 8:15 INTERMISSION
8:15 - 8:45 Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Walker McQuire
8:45 - 9:15 Lorrie Morgan, Bobby Bare, Jamey Johnson
Saturday July 15, 2017
7:00 - 7:30 Jeannie Seely, Amber Digby, Mike Snider
7:30 - 8:00 Lorrie Morgan, Jesse McReynolds
8:00 - 8:15 INTERMISSION
8:15 - 8:45 Connie Smith, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Opry Square Dancers
8:45 - 9:15 Bill Anderson, The Steel Woods, Charles Esten
The above schedule courtesy of Nat Hill IV! :)
ReplyDeleteBobby Bare should be re-added to the cast as a member ASAP. He lives in Nashville and we could use another legend that would appear regularly. He's 82 -- so what? He's putting out great new music and he's popular on Satellite Radio. With the loss of Jim Ed, Jimmy C, IV, Dickens, Greene, Shepard in the last couple of years and the fact that Mel Tillis probably isn't coming back, sign Bare up! Anderson, Seely & Smith can't carry the entire show. (oldtimeopry)
ReplyDeleteSaturday will be Whisper's first appearance AFTER celebrating his 56th anniversary as an Opry member. If I'm correct--and I may not be--the only ones who were members longer were Herman Crook, Lewis Crook, Jean Shepard, Jimmy C. Newman, Kirk McGee, and Bill Monroe.
ReplyDeleteWhispering Bill sounded to be very emotional last night. Bob
DeleteStonewall
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anon. Byron may correct me on this, but here goes. I should have clarified that I meant consecutive years of membership. Stonewall would be tied with Bill because he went in the "purge" of 1964 and didn't come back as a member until 1969.
DeleteMike, as is the case the vast majority of the time, you are correct. Stonewall did leave for those 5 years. I always have found it interesting that when the Opry celebrates an anniversary, such as with Stonewall, Connie Smith or Jimmy Dickens, they make no mention of those artists leaving the Opry for a few years. At least they did get better recently by mentioning the date that an artist "first" joined the Opry. A distinction that when forgotten, made Jean Shepard and Charlie Louvin a little angry.
DeleteHere I go again! A little more lighthearted tonight so maybe someone will get a laugh out of what I have to say.
ReplyDeleteAt one point early in the show tonight I'm pretty sure I heard an artist do a song forward then for their second performance they did it backwards. Sure sounded like it to me! :)
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Eddie just announced that Kayton Roberts has passed on!
ReplyDeleteEarly this morning or very late last night is the word.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Kayton was always a touch of class when he played steel with Hank Snow. So sorry for his passing ---
DeleteKayton passed away at 11:05pm on Thursday evening. He had suffered a stroke a few days earlier and had been in a coma since then. One of the great musicians, in my opinion who helped define the Hank Snow sound for a number of years. The services for Kayton will be next Sunday.
DeleteKayton joined Hank Snow in 1967, as I recall, and he was originally a rhythm guitarist. Mr. Snow was thrilled when he learned that Kayton could play steel without a pedal. I always called him "the chiropractic steel player" because of how he hunkered down over his instrument. But imagine someone being in a singer's band for that long any more!
DeleteByron --- is there ever any chance of the Glaser Brothers getting Hall of Fame ??? They were arguably the greatest harmony group of all time, but I understand their breakups certainly hasn't helped their chances. Still, Jim and Chuck survive and it would be terrific for them to be recognized sometime ----- I welcome your comments ---- Flushing Michigan Dashmann
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteLike you, I am a fan of the Glaser Brothers and thought their harmonies were spot on. I have several of their record/CD's in my collection and still listen when I get the chance. While I wish I could say otherwise, I really don't think they stand much of a chance of ever getting in the Hall of Fame. In reality, their hit making days were pretty short, and they spent a few years in the anti-establishment/outlaw movement, and especially in the case of Tompall, rubbed a few people the wrong way.
DeleteJust too bad that the brothers could not get along as they got older.
I remember that on Jim's webpage or Facebook page--I don't remember which--he took questions from fans and someone asked about Tompall and his answer was something like, "I do not discuss such matters."
DeleteJim turns 80 this year and Chuck did last year. I know Chuck had Parkinson's and was in a wheelchair. There was a sweet video of some of the kids singing to him for a party.