Grand Ole Opry 9/1 & 9/2

As I am sure everyone knows by now, Vince Gill extended an invitation to Chris Young on the Tuesday Night Opry to become the Opry's newest member. The actual induction will take place on Tuesday October 17 (Personally, I believe all Opry inductions should take place during the traditional Saturday night show). As to Chris Young, he first appeared on the Opry 11 years ago and has made well over 70 guest appearances. He is young, talented and continues to build his career in country music. Personally, I believe that the Opry's management (Steve Buchanan & Sally Williams) have made a great choice and the hope is that Chris will be a great Opry member.

That makes 3 new members in 2017 (so far). Crystal Gayle, Dailey & Vincent and now Chris Young. Look at the variety with these picks. Crystal is a veteran female artist, who I believe will one day be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame; Dailey & Vincent are one of the top acts in bluegrass; Chris is a contemporary young male artist. I think this speaks well for the Opry as they have added some variety to the cast. (Now if we can get them to add a comedian and perhaps a cajun member, we will be in really good shape!) Before Crystal's invitation, there had been a drought of several years; now we have 3 in one year. It would appear that with the new management, the Opry is picking up the pace as to new members. And that is a good thing.


Now for this week, Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. One show each night, and especially in the case of the Friday Night Opry, looking very good.

Friday will feature a number of Opry members led by Marty Stuart. In the case of Marty, who will be celebrating his 25th anniversary as an Opry member later this year, this will be just his 2nd Opry appearance of 2017 (hard to believe but Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Keith Urban have each make more appearances). I know Marty has been very busy recording his new album and touring in support of the project, but he sure is missed at the Opry. He is definitely one that we need to see more of.

Joining Marty on Friday night will be Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, Jesse McReynolds, Bill Anderson, Diamond Rio, and Connie Smith. John, Connie and Mike will also be appearing on Saturday night, joined by Jeannie Seely and Bobby Osborne.

Back in the days of Opryland, there was the annual Grand Master Fiddle contest, usually hosted by Porter Wagoner, with the winner getting an appearance on the Opry. While Opryland has closed, and Porter is no longer with us, the contest continues and on Saturday night, this year's Grand Master Fiddle Champion will be featured. Joining that individual on Saturday night will be guest artists Daryle Singletary, Emily West, Striking Matches, Charlie Worsham, Seth Ennis, and hopefully recovered from their recent illness, The Secret Sisters. As to guest artists on Friday night, the list includes William Michael Morgan, The Quebe Sisters, Mary Gauthier, and Lee Roy Parnell, who will be signing in the Opry Shop after the show.

Friday September 1
7:00: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; William Michael Morgan
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Quebe Sisters
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Lee Roy Parnell; Diamond Rio
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); Mary Gauthier; Connie Smith

Saturday September 2
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Daryle Singletary; Emily West
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Grand Master Fiddle Champion; The Secret Sisters
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Seth Ennis; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: John Conlee (host); Striking Matches; Charlie Worsham

That comes out to 12 artists on each show, with 8 Opry members on Friday and 5 on Saturday.

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of August 31 & September 1, 2007:

Friday August 31
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Chris Young
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Crystal Shawanda; The Whites
9:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Charlie Walker; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Carolina Rain
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Jamie O'Neal

Saturday September 1
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Ashley Monroe
7:00: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Suzy Bogguss
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Elizabeth Cook; Eddy Raven
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Ray Pillow; Jimmy Wayne; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Alecia Nugent; The Isaacs

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Suzy Bogguss
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Ashley Monroe; The Whites; Legacy Five
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Elizabeth Cook; Eddy Raven; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Alecia Nugent; Jimmy Wayne

So who was Crystal Shawanda, who was on the Friday Night Opry?

Crystal is Ojibwe from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve located on Manitoulin Island on Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. She was born in 1983. Crystal signed with RCA Nashville in 2007, and released her first single, "You Can Let Go" in Canada in January 2008. It reached the Top 10 in Canada and in February 2008 it was released in the United States. Her first album, "Dawn of a New Day" was released in Canada in June 2008 and in the United States in August of that year. The album entered the Canadian Country Albums chart at #2, and the Billboard Top Country Albums chart at #16, and became the highest charted album by a full-blooded Canadian First Nations country artist in the SoundScan era. That same year, she was featured on the six-part CMT series "Crystal: Living the Dream." In the late 2000's she toured with a number of country music artists across Canada and the United States including Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley. By 2010 she was recording for her own label, New Sun Records. While her last album was released in 2014, she remains active in the music business.

Now from 25 years ago, the weekend of September 4 & 5, 1992:

Friday September 4
1st show
6:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Del Reeves; Roy Drusky; Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; The Whites; Stonewall Jackson; Jan Howard
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith; The 4 Guys
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jack Greene; Jeanne Pruett; Mike Snider
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Ray Pillow; Jeannie Seely; Carlisles

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; The Whites; Charlie Walker; Justin Tubb
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard; David Houston; Mike Snider
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host); The 4 Guys; Skeeter Davis
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown; Carlisles; Del Reeves
11:30: Jack Greene (host); Ray Pillow; Jeanne Pruett; Johnny Russell
12:05: Reverend Jimmie Snow

Saturday September 5
1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett
6:45: Billy Walker (host); Jeannie Seely
7:00: Del Reeves (host); Vic Willis Trio; David Houston; Mike Snider
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Charlie Louvin; Jean Shepard; Roy Drusky; Stu Phillips
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Jan Howard; Charlie Walker; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys; Carlisles; Teddy Wilburn; Wilma Lee Cooper

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jeannie Seely; Vic Willis Trio
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Del Reeves
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Roy Drusky
10:30: Billy Walker (host); Charlie Louvin
10:45: The 4 Guys (host); Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); David Houston; Carlisles; Justin Tubb; Jim Ed Brown
11:30: Charlie Walker (host); Jan Howard; Teddy Wilburn; Johnny Russell

A couple of notes from that weekend: Roy Acuff was in a period of declining health and would pass away in November. As was often the case during those final months, Roy spent most of the week in the hospital and was released on Thursday with doctors saying that Roy would soon be back on the Opry. Well he was, the following night. Also, Justin Tubb cancelled out.

Here is the running order from that Saturday night, September 5, 1992:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Jeanne Pruett: Back to Back
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Billy Walker (host): Word Games
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Billy Walker: A Million & One

7:00: Shoney's
Del Reeves (host): Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime At A Time/Looking at the World Through A Windshield
Vic Willis Trio: Colorado
David Houston: Loser's Cathedral
Mike Snider: Soldier's Joy/Old Molly Hare/Angeline the Baker
Del Reeves: The Bells of Southern Bell

7:30: Standard Candy
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Charlie Louvin: I Love You Best of All
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make It With You Gone
Roy Drusky: Home Sick
Stu Phillips: Blue Canadian Rockies
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jan Howard: Gold Watch & Chain/Where No One Stands Alone/Heartaches by the Numbers
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down/Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
Opry Square Dance Band/The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me a Bluebird
The 4 Guys: New Looks From an Old Lover
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Teddy Wilburn: Someone Before Me
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Hank Snow: She Wears My Ring

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General Stores
Porter Wagoner (host): What Ain't to Be Just Might Happen
Stonewall Jackson: Angry Words
Jeannie Seely: What Do I Do With Me
Vic Willis Trio: Last Cheater's Waltz
Mike Snider: (?)
Porter Wagoner: Wake Up Jacob

10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Little Pink
Del Reeves: The Race is On
Grandpa Jones: Dear Old Sunny South by the Sea

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Roy Acuff (host): My Home in San Antone
Roy Drusky: Somewhere My Love/One Day at a Time

10:30: Pet Milk
Billy Walker (host): Down to My Last Cigarette
Charlie Louvin: My Baby's Gone
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain

10:45: B.C. Powder
The 4 Guys (host): Louisiana Night
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me
Opry Square Dance Band/The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Lafayette
The 4 Guys: Come From the Heart

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Bummin' Around
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter/The Family Bible
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me

11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Cherokee Maiden
Jan Howard: You Belong to Me
Teddy Wilburn: Making Plans
Johnny Russell: Why Me Lord
Charlie Walker: Take Me Back to Tulsa

To finish it up for this week, let's go back 56 years to Saturday September 2, 1961:

7:30: Pet Milk
Cowboy Copas (host): Filipino Baby
Bill Carlisle: Have A Drink on Me
Roy Drusky: I Went Out of My Way
Connie Hall: I'm As Lonely as Anyone Can Be
Cowboy Copas: Alabam
Tommy Jackson: Orange Blossom Special
James O'Gwynn: House of Blue Lovers
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Roy Drusky: I've Got Some
Cowboy Copas: Dreaming

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow
Jimmy Newman: Big Mamou
Carl Butler: Honky Tonkitas
Stringbean: Barnyard Banjo Picking
Flatt & Scruggs: Go Home
Jimmy Newman: Finally
June Carter: Comedy
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Carl Butler: For the First Time
Flatt & Scruggs: Ground Speed

8:30: Faultless Starch
Porter Wagoner (host): (?)
Bill Anderson: Po Folks
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Margie Bowes: Yours Is A World I Can't Live In
Porter Wagoner (?)
Dick Flood: (?)
Old Hickory Quartet: Waiting for the Robert E Lee
Bill Anderson: The Tips of My Fingers
Porter Wagoner: (?)

9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Marty Robbins (host): Jimmy Martinez
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Wes Holly: (?)
Del Wood: Raggin' the Keys
Marty Robbins: It's Your World
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Take Me Back to Tulsa
Bobby Sykes: I Saw the Light Go Out
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry

9:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder
Glaser Brothers: Words Come Easy
Billy Walker: (?)
Rusty Adams: (?)
Billy Grammer: (?)
Norma Jean: (?)
Marty Martel: (?)
Glaser Brothers: Satisfied
Billy Grammer: (?)

10:00: Standard Oil
Cowboy Copas (host): Sunny Tennessee
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Roy Drusky: Three Hearts in A Tangle
Cowboy Copas: Signed, Sealed & Delivered

10:15: Rock City
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Homestead on the Farm
Jimmy Newman: A Fallen Star
Margie Bowes: Day After Day
Flatt & Scruggs: Where Will I Shelter My Sheep
Earl Scruggs: Flint Hill Special

10:30: Jim Walter Homes
Porter Wagoner (host): (?)
Connie Hall: Fools Like Me
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
Porter Wagoner: (?)

10:45: DeCon
Louvin Brothers (host): (?)
Norma Jean: (?)
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Louvin Brothers: (?)

11:00: Coca-Cola
Billy Grammer (host): (?)
Glaser Brothers: I Wish I Had Never Seen Sunshine
Bill Anderson: Columbus Stockade Blues
Sam & Kirk McGee: It's Raining Tear Drops
Billy Grammer: (?)
Archie Campbell: Sergeant York
Old Hickory Singers: Are You From Dixie
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldiers Joy
Glaser Brothers: Sweet Lies
Billy Grammer: (?)

11:30: National Life
Marty Robbins (host): El Paso
Carl Butler: Honky Tonkitis
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Billy Walker: (?)
Marty Robbins: Like All the Other Times
Dick Flood: (?)
Bobby Sykes: Only the Hangman
Carl Butler: (?)
Marty Robbins: Singing the Blues

A couple of names from that night, the first being James O'Gwynn. Known as "The Smilin' Irishman of Country Music," James was born in January 1928 in Winchester, Mississippi. He learned how to play the guitar as a child and his idols were Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams. After dropping out of school to help his father at work, he joined the U.S. Marines, serving for four years. It was during this time that he decided to become a country music singer. He was active between 1958 and 1962, recording for the D and Mercury labels. He joined the Louisiana Hayride and then with the help of Jim Reeves, he made an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He then moved to Nashville in 1961 and over the next several years, made appearances on the Opry. While he continued to record and release singles, he had limited chart success, with his top single, "My Name is Mud" reaching No. 7 on the Hot Country Songs charts. During the 1960s, he recorded for a number of independent labels with no success and by the end of the decade had moved to Arkansas, going into semi-retirement. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 82.

Connie Hall was another name from that night. She was born in 1929 in Walden, Kentucky and had some success in the late 1950s and 1960s. She was also a songwriter. Early in her career she worked in the Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky markets. In 1954 Jimmie Skinner hired her to sing on his radio show based in Newport, Kentucky, appearing on his radio, then eventually his television shows for several years. In 1957 she signed a recording contract with Mercury Records, and had a Top 10 duet with Jimmie Skinner, "We've Got Things In Common." Over the next several years, after signing with Decca Records, she had a number of singles on the country charts, with several reaching the Top 25. She also made appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. Louisiana Hayride and the Midwestern Hayride. In 1964 she left Decca Records, moving over to Musicor Records, where she remained until 1967. In 1970, she left Nashville, moving to Louisville, Kentucky.

There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!

Tuesday Night Opry 8/29

The Tuesday Night Opry for this week is split into just two segments with only six artists. I don't think anyone can complain.

7:00: Bill Anderson; Linda Davis; Rascal Flatts
Intermission
8:15: Del McCoury Band; Vince Gill; Chris Young

Nice to see Chris back on the Opry. He has been making a few appearances lately.

Grand Ole Opry 8/25 & 8/26

It took longer than usual, but the folks at the Grand Ole Opry finally have posted the schedule for the shows this weekend. After the multiple shows last weekend, it is back to just one show on Friday and one show on Saturday. Considering that it is the end of August and the fair season is in full swing, the Opry has managed to put together a pretty decent line-up for both nights.

Looking at the line-ups, Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for both nights include Mike Snider, The Whites and Jeannie Seely. On Friday night, that group will be joined by John Conlee, Bobby Osborne and Riders In The Sky. Saturday night, it will be Jesse McReynolds and Ray Pillow joining those three. That all adds up to 6 Opry members on Friday night and 5 on Saturday. Pretty skinny.

As to guest artists, Friday night will feature Glen's daughter Ashley Campbell, making her first guest appearance since the death of her father. Joining her will be Mark Lowry, Shenandoah, Turnpike Troubadours, Sunny Sweeney and Thompson Square. Saturday night it will be frequent Opry guest Darryl Worley, Angalenna Presley and Ashley McBryde guesting, along with Nashville star Jonathan Jackson, Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy, and the great Kathy Mattea, who I will continue to maintain, would make a very nice Opry member.

Friday August 25
7:00: John Conlee (host); Ashley Campbell; Mike Snider
7:30: The Whites (host); Mark Lowry; Shenandoah
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Turnpike Troubadours
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Sunny Sweeney; Thompson Square

Saturday August 26
7:00: The Whites (host); Darryl Worley; Jesse McReynolds
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Angalenna Presley; Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Pillow; Ashley McBryde; Opry Square Dancers; Jonathan Jackson; Kathy Mattea

What I find very interesting is that Ray Pillow is on the Opry this weekend and is not hosting a segment. Considering that they are going with only one segment after the intermission, I think this might be the Opry's way of saying that Ray is no longer in the rotation of hosting segments. If you think back when Pete Fisher was the Opry's general manager, Ray would usually appear about 10 times per year and would usually host a segment when he was on. In many ways, he was the member that Pete went to when they needed a host to fill out the line-up. Since Pete left the Opry in January, Ray has only appeared once. I know Ray is basically retired and it is probably his choice on whether or not he appears on the Opry, but in my opinion is voice is still in good shape, and he is a solid veteran to have on the Opry. Hopefully we see more of him as the year goes on.

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of August 24 & 25, 2007:

Friday August 24
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Jimmy C Newman; Sunny Sweeney
8:30: Jimmy  Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Whiskey Falls
9:00: Steve Wariner (host); Charlie Walker; Jack Greene; Mel McDaniel
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mandy Barnett; Mel Tillis

Saturday August 25
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Mandy Barnett
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); George Hamilton IV; Jack Greene; Rockie Lynne
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Sunny Sweeney
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mel McDaniel; Buddy Jewell; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Chuck Wicks; Jamey Johnson; Connie Smith

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Chuck Wicks; Jamey Johnson
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Connie Smith; Mandy Barnett
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jan Howard; Rockie Lynne; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Ray Pillow (host); Sunny Sweeney; Buddy Jewell

Now from 25 years ago, the weekend of August 28 & 29, 1992:

Friday August 28
1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jan Howard; Roy Drusky
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The 4 Guys; Jean Shepard; The Whites; Jerry Clower
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jeanne Pruett
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Skeeter Davis; Jack Greene; Mike Snider
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Billy Walker; Ray Pillow; Wilma Lee Cooper

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Charlie Walker; The Whites; Jerry Clower
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); The 4 Guys; Jean Shepard; Grandpa Jones
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Justin Tubb; Jeanne Pruett; Del Reeves; Charlisles
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jim Ed Brown; Billy Walker; Mike Snider
11:30: Jack Greene (host); Ray Pillow; Skeeter Davis; Johnny Russell
12:05: Reverend Jimmie Snow

Saturday August 29
1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Del Reeves
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jim Ed Brown
7:00: Jack Greene (host); Skeeter Davis; Charlie Walker; Wilma Lee Cooper
7:30: Jerry Clower (host); Nashville Bluegrass Band; Connie Smith
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); The 4 Guys; Jeanne Pruett; Opry Square Dance Band; The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Louvin; Jan Howard; Roy Drusky; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Charlie Louvin; Carlisles; Skeeter Davis; Michael White
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Jack Greene
10:30: Del Reeves (host); Jeannie Seely
10:45: Jerry Clower (host); Connie Smith; Opry Square Dance Band; The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jeanne Pruett; Justin Tubb; Nashville Bluegrass Band
11:30: The 4 Guys (host); Jan Howard; Roy Drusky; Mike Snider

Finally, it was 17 years ago, Saturday August 26, 2000 that Pam Tillis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Pam Tillis has enjoyed many career-defining moments on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. The daughter of singer and songwriting legend Mel Tillis, she made her Opry debut on the Ryman Auditorium stage at age eight, singing "Tom Dooley" with her dad. "It was a larger-than-life moment for me," Pam recalled. "It was sort of like he was passing me the baton. The microphone came down to me and it was in slow motion. My little knees were knocking together. I got my knees under control and it traveled up. My lip was twitching and I was like little kiddie Elvis!"

In 2000, Pam was on the legendary stage once again, now looking down rather than up, as Little Jimmy Dickens invited her to become an Opry member. Without a moment's hesitations she said yes. Throughout here career, Pam has earned nearly 20 Top 10 singles, three Country Music Association awards, including the coveted Female Vocalist of the Year in 1994, and two Grammys. She has experimented with pop, Broadway, and jazz, seamlessly incorporating those influences into music that remains unmistakably country as its core.

Through the '80s, Pam worked as a back-up vocalist, jingle singer, club performer, songwriter, and demo singer before her first hit single, "Don't Tell Me What to Do" reached the Top 5 in 1990. She followed with hits including "Maybe It Was Memphis," "Shake the Sugar Tree," "Mi Vida Loca," and "All The Good Ones Are Gone." Two albums were million-sellers.

"In all my years in the music business," Pam said, "I've been very proud that I wasn't calculated, that I really did what I felt, and what I thought was honest for me to sing. Daddy always said, 'Never change who you are; let it come around to you.' So when things did happen for me, it was because what I wanted to do was what people now wanted to hear."

These days, Pam is still on the road, often touring with Lorrie Morgan. And she still appears on the Opry every once in a while.

Here is the running order from Saturday August 26, 2000, the night Pam Tillis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:

1st show
6:30: WSM On-Line/Texmex
Jeannie Seely (host): Leaving & Saying Goodbye
The Whites: Pins & Needles
Bill Carlisle: I've Waited too Long
Mandy Barnett: Hurt/Trademark
Jeannie Seely: Making Plans

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy, Neighbor, Howdy
Billy Walker: She Goes Walking Thru My Mind
Matt King: A Woman's Tears
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Jack Greene: Ever Since My Baby Went Away
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand/On A Highway Headed South

7:30: Standard Candy
Marty Stuart (host): Hillbilly Highway
Darryl Worley: When You Need By Love
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sunday's
Pam Tillis: The Good Ones are Gone/Maybe it Was Memphis

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Pam Tillis: Mi Vida Loca
T. Bubba Bechtol: Comedy
Holly Dunn: You Really Had Me Going
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Cherokee Shuffle
Bill Anderson: Still

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Mountain Dew
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Mike Snider: John Henry
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way

2nd show
9:30: Big Lots
Porter Wagoner (host): My Long Journey Home
Connie Smith: How Long, Oh, How Long/He Was There All the Time
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
Porter Wagoner: Daddy's Old Sayings & Mama's Beliefs/Sorrow on the Rocks

10:00: Lincoln Mercury/Opryland Hotel
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Skeeter Davis: I Can Call Jesus Anytime
Stu Phillips: Colorado
Mandy Barnett: Up the Lazy River/The Whispering Wind
Jimmy Dickens (host): I'd Rather Sleep in Peace Than Know You're Gone

10:30: Folex Spot/Joggin' In A Jug
Marty Stuart (host): Rock Island Line
Matt King: Burying Bones
Pam Tillis: No Used Crying over Spilled Perfume/More Than You Prayed For
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Marty Stuart: Dark as a Dungeon

11:00: Coca-Cola
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks
Mike Snider: My Nose was Runnin' Money
Holly Dunn: Devil, Stand Back
Billy Grammer: I Dreamed of an Old Love Affair
Bill Anderson: A Picture From Life's Other Side

11:30: Wildhorse Saloon
Charlie Walker (host): Cherokee Maiden
T. Bubba Bechtol: Comedy
Darryl Worley: When You Need My Love/A Good Day to Run

There you have it for this week. Once again, congratulations to Pam Tillis an her anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Grand Ole Opry 8/18 & 8/19-Updated

Saturday shows have been rearranged with The Steel Woods added for both shows.

It will be a busy weekend for the Grand Ole Opry as there will be one show on Friday night, two shows on Saturday night, and then two more shows on Sunday night as the Opry will be taking advantage of the Monday eclipse.

First, looking at the Friday and Saturday shows, Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill returns and will be hosting segments on all 3 shows. He will be joined on each show by Opry member John Conlee. As to other members, Friday night will feature Connie Smith, Mike Snider, Jesse McReynolds, Riders In The Sky, and a rare Opry appearance by Hal Ketchum. Saturday night Vince and John will be joined by one of the Opry's newest members, Crystal Gayle, along with Bobby Osborne, Jeannie Seely and The Whites for both shows, along with Connie Smith on the early show and Riders In The Sky on the late show.

As to guest artists this weekend, Friday night will feature Phil Vassar, Moe Bandy, Flatt Lonesome, Brooke Eden, and making her Opry debut, Tegan Marie. Saturday night's guest list includes Janie Fricke and Jeff & Sheri Easter.

Friday August 18
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Moe Bandy; Mike Snider
7:30: John Conlee (host); Tegan Marie; Flatt Lonesome
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds; Hal Ketchum
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Brooke Eden; Phil Vassar

Saturday August 19
1st show
7:00: Connie Smith (host); The Whites; Jeff & Sheri Easter
7:30: John Conlee (host); Janie Fricke; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Steel Woods; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Crystal Gayle

2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Jeff & Sheri Easter
10:00: John Conlee (host); Janie Fricke; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); The Steel Woods; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Crystal Gayle

As mentioned, this will be the Opry debut for Tegan Marie. Tegan was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2003 (yes, that will make her 14 this year). She began playing guitar at age 6, was writing music at age 8, and was performing nationally at the age of 11. Tegan has become a young star via YouTube. She has posted videos of herself performing songs such as Sara Evans' "Stronger," Maddie& Tae's "Shut Up and Fish," and Florida Georgia Line's "H.O.L.Y," which has had over 17 million views on various social media platforms. Who knows where her career will take her next, but as far as this weekend is concerned, she will be on the Friday Night Opry.

You will also notice that Connie Smith is only doing the first show on Saturday night. That is because she is the host this week of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, which tapes at 10:00. Thus, only time for one Opry show for Connie.

On Sunday night, the Grand Ole Opry is having two shows, taking advantage of the eclipse and all of the tourists who will be in Nashville, where there will be 100% coverage. Opry members scheduled include Jeannie Seely, Darius Rucker, Riders In The Sky and Little Big Town. Here is the line-up for those two shows:

1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Darius Rucker
7:30: The Sisterhood; Riders In The Sky
8:00: Wynonna; Charles Esten
8:30: Little Big Town

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely; Darius Rucker
10:00: The Sisterhood; Riders In The Sky
10:30: Wynonna; Charles Esten
11:00: Little Big Town

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of August 17 & 18, 2007:

Friday August 17
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Mel McDaniel; Riders In The Sky; Jennifer Hanson
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Bluegrass Elvises
9:00: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; The Grascals
9:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jack Greene; Sawyer Brown

Saturday August 18
1st show
6:30: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard
7:00: Trisha Yearwood; Clint Black; Cole Deggs & The Lonesome; Cherryholmes
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown w/Helen Cornelius

2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Mel McDaniel; Trisha Yearwood
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jack Greene; Jean Shepard; Clint Black
10:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Stu Phillips; Cole Deggs & The Lonesome; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; The Whites; Cherryholmes

Now from 25 years ago, the weekend of August 21 & 22, 1992:

Friday August 21
1st show
6:30: Jack Greene (host); The Osborne Brothers; Jeanne Pruett; Roy Drusky
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Jimmy C Newman; Stu Phillips; Skeeter Davis
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith; The Whites
8:00: Bill Monroe (host); Del Reeves; Jan Howard; The 4 Guys
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jim and Jesse; Jeannie Seely; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow; Charlie Walker; Del Reeves
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); The Osborne Brothers; David Houston; Carlisles
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Skeeter Davis; Mike Snider; The 4 Guys; Jack Greene
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jim and Jesse; Connie Smith; Justin Tubb; Jeannie Seely
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); The Whites; Stu Phillips; Johnny Russell
12:05: Reverend Jimmie Snow

Saturday August 22
1st show
6:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jim and Jesse
6:45: Jack Greene (host); The Whites
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; The Osborne Brothers; The 4 Guys; Ray Pillow
7:30: Roy Clark (host); Jan Howard; Carlisles; Billy Joe Royal
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); The 4 Guys; Bill Anderson; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Louvin; Roy Drusky; Grandpa Jones; Jeannie Seely

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim and Jesse; Jeanne Pruett; David Houston; Billy Joe Royal
10:00: Roy Clark (host); Mike Snider
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Walker
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Osborne Brothers
10:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jack Greene; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites; Justin Tubb; The 4 Guys
11:30: Roy Drusky (host); Charlie Louvin; Carlisles; Johnny Russell

Finally, going back 44 years, here is the running order of the Grand Ole Opry, Saturday August 18, 1973:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms/Rudy's
Bill Anderson (host): I Get the Fever
Jerry Hill & Linda Dahl: Whole Lotta Lovin'
Jimmy Gatley: Borrowed Angel
Bill Anderson: The Corner of My Life
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Winds of A Dove
Sunday Sharpe: Stand By Your Man
Bill Anderson: Don't She Look Good

7:00: Rudy's
David Houston (host): She's All Woman
Ernie Ashworth: Mind Your Own Business
Penny DeHaven: Happiest Girl in the Whole USA
Shoji Tabuchi: Sally Goodin
David Houston: Good Things
Ernie Ashworth: Each Moment Spent with You
Penny DeHaven; Down in the Boondocks
David Houston: Hold that Tear
Shoji Tabuchi: Bile Them Cabbage Down

7:30: Standard Candy
Charlie Louvin (host): Bottom of the Fifth
Melba Montgomery: Got A Chance & I Took It
Doug Kershaw: Louisiana Man
Crook Brothers: Soldier's Joy
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: American Trilogy
Melba Montgomery: Pass Your Love Around
Doug Kershaw: Diggy Liggy Lo

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Skeeter Willis: Faded Love
Del Wood: Cajun Stripper/Gloryland March
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Jimmy Dickens: I'm Little But I'm Loud/We Could

8:30: Stephens
Hank Locklin (host): Today I Started Loving You Again
Marion Worth: Delta Dawn
Stan Hitchcock: The Same Old Way
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sally Goodin
Hank Locklin: Jonas P Jones
Marion Worth: He Thinks I Still Care
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Skeeter Willis: Listen to the Mockingbird
Melba Montgomery: Crawdad Song
Bill Anderson: Still
Willis Brothers: Cimarron
Melba Montgomery: Lonely Street
Bill Anderson: Po Folks

10:00: Fender
Charlie Louvin (host) w/Diane McCall: Something to Brag About
Jerry Hill & Linda Dahl: Whole Lotta Lovin'
Colonel Monero Loudermilk: Watermelon Swinging on the Vine

10:15: Union 76
David Houston (host): She's All Woman
Penny DeHaven: Landmark Tavern
Shoji Tabuchi: San Antonio Rose
David Houston: Almost Persuaded

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Del Wood: 12th Street Rag
Jimmy Dickens: Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Roy Acuff: Just A Friend

10:45: Beech-Nut
Billy Grammer (host): Bonaparte's Retreat
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special/Today I Started Loving You Again
Crook Brothers: The Gray Eagle
Billy Grammer: I Know a Man

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Locklin (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Doug Kershaw: Diggy Liggy Lo/Battle of New Orleans
Sunday Sharpe: Everything I Touch Turns to Sugar
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Hank Locklin: Jonas P Jones
Doug Kershaw: Louisiana Man
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me I'm Falling

11:30: Elm Hill
The 4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Maria
Marion Worth: Delta Dawn
Stan Hitchcock: The Same Old Way/Just Call Me Lonsome
The 4 Guys: Down by the Lazy River

For 1973, it was a pretty slim collection of Opry members that night: Bill Anderson; The 4 Guys; David Houston; Ernie Ashworth; Charlie Louvin; Roy Acuff; Willis Brothers; Del Wood; Hank Locklin, and for one show Billy Grammer and Sam McGee. (Of course, the Crook Brothers and Fruit Jar Drinkers. (and no, Jimmy Dickens was not an Opry member in 1973).

As to a couple of others from that night:

Jerry Hill and Linda Dahl were from Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were on the Opry because they one first price in a talent contest in Colorado Springs, as the winner of that contest received an invitation to appear on the Grand Ole Opry.

Sunday Sharpe had a very limited career in country music. She was active in the mid-1970s and recorded one album for United Artists Records, "I'm Having Your Baby." She had a total of seven singles that reached the charts, with one, "I'm Having Your Baby" making it to the Top 20. And yes, that song was a female version of the Paul Anka hit, "You're Having My Baby."

Finally, Colonel Loudermilk, who was on Charlie Louvin's segment on the 2nd show was Charlie's father.

I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!

Tuesday Night Opry 8/15

A very busy week coming up at the Grand Ole Opry with one show on Friday night, two shows on Saturday night, and then two more shows on Sunday night!!! Lots of big names coming in for the weekend, but before we get to that, there is a Tuesday Night Opry show to get through.

Tuesday August 15
7:00: Bill Anderson; Dailey & Vincent
7:30: Henry Cho; Tracy Lawrence
Intermission
8:15: Craig Morgan; Charlie Daniels Band
8:45: Dierks Bentley

A very nice Tuesday line-up

August Opry Highlights

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer!! And where has summer gone? I can't believe that August has begun and many children are returning to school. It has gone fast. I hope everyone is enjoying some great weather and warm temperatures, where ever you are. As usual, here are the important and historical events that have taken place in the history of the Grand Ole Opry, or regarding Opry members, during the month of August:

August 22, 1910: Country Music Hall of Fame member, and former Grand Ole Opry comedian, Rod Brasfield was born in Smithville, Mississippi. Rod joined the Opry in the late 1940s and was famous for his comedy routines with Minnie Pearl and June Carter, among others. Rod was a member of the Opry until he passed away in September 1958.

August 30, 1919: Muriel Ellen Deason, known professionally as Kitty Wells, was born in Nashville. Kitty, along with her husband Johnny Wright, were members of the Grand Ole Opry from the early 1950s until they left the show in December 1964 over a dispute regarding booking fees. Although they left the Opry cast, Kitty would come back to make a few guest appearances on the show. There are also some reports that she asked to rejoin the Opry cast in her later years, but the request was declined. Kitty passed away in July 2012.

August 8, 1921: Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, Louisiana. Webb first appeared on the Opry in 1952, and joined the cast shortly after. He was an Opry member for a very short period of time as he figured out he was losing out on a lot of money by not appearing on the road on Saturday nights. Webb would come back and make an occasional appearance in his later years. In 2001, after his death, Webb was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

August 28, 1925: The great guitarist Billy Grammer was born in Benton, Illinois. Billy joined the Opry in 1959 and was as well known for his guitar playing as he was for his singing. His career song was "Gotta Travel On." Billy remained a member of the Opry until his death in August 2011.

August 12, 1927: The man known as "The Wagonmaster," Porter Wagoner was born in West Plains, Missouri. Porter came to the Opry in 1957 from the Ozark Jubilee, and he would remain a very popular Opry member until his death in October 2007, shortly after celebrating 50 years as a member of the Opry. During his long career, this Hall of Fame member had over 80 singles on the country charts and was instrumental in the career of a number of country music artists, including Norma Jean, Dolly Parton, Mel Tillis, Buck Trent and Patty Loveless, among others. Even to this day, Porter is missed at the Opry.

August 29, 1927: Jimmy C Newman was born in High Point, Louisiana. Jimmy joined the Opry in August 1956 and along with his Cajun Band, was a very popular member of the Opry. You could always count on a bouncy, cajun sound whenever Jimmy appeared on the Opry. Jimmy passed away in June 2014 after a short illness.

August 4, 1931: Former Grand Ole Opry manager Hal Durham was born in McMinnville, Tennessee. After the Grand Ole Opry moved to Opryland and the new Grand Ole Opry House, Hal was asked by newly promoted Opry general manager Bud Wendall to come and help him out. It worked out pretty well and soon Hal was running the Opry. He received the official title of general manager in 1978 and would hold that position for the next 15 years. It should be noted that it was under Hal's direction attendance requirements were relaxed, and a number of members were added to the cast with no commitment to the show. After a long retirement, Hal passed away in March 2009.

March 20, 1935: Justin Tubb was born in San Antonio, Texas. Justin would follow in the footsteps of his famous father Ernest and became a successful country music singer, along with being a fine songwriter. Justin became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955, at the age of 20. At the time he was the Opry's youngest member. Justin remained with the Opry until his sudden death in January 1998.

August 14, 1941: Constance June Meador was born in Elkhart, Indiana. Better known as Connie Smith, she joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1965, left for a few years, then returned for good. In 2015 she celebrated 50 years as a member of the Opry, and sounds as great as ever.

August 11, 1946: Grand Ole Opry member John Conlee was born in Versallies, Kentucky. John, who has one of the unique voices in country music, joined the Opry in 1981 and remains a very active member of the cast.

August 11, 1952: Hank Williams was fired as a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Opry manager Jim Denny. Hank was fired because it was determined that his behavior and personal habits were detrimental to the Opry, and country music in general. Hank was very upset and disappointed at being fired and had hoped that one day he could return as an Opry member. However, Hank passed away and his Opry return never took place.

August 16, 1952: Grandpa Jones, who had left Nashville for a short period of time, rejoined the cast of the Opry. Grandpa had first joined the show in the 1940s.

August 29, 1953: James Clell Summey, known professionally as Cousin Jody officially became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jody first came to the Opry in 1938 as a part of Roy Acuff's group. He also performed with Pee Wee King and Eddy Arnold. While he appeared on the Opry many times as a solo artist, he also appeared with Lonzo & Oscar. While he was noted for his comedy skills, Jody was also a fabulous dobro player, and in fact it was Jody who first played the dobro on the Opry and helped to define the Acuff sound. Cousin Jody stayed as a member of the Opry until the early 1970s, when health issues forced him to retire. He passed away in August 1975.

August 14, 1954: Ernest Tubb took a leave of absence from the Grand Ole Opry. He was gone for a couple of months, returning in November of that year. What is strange about this is that while he was gone from the Opry, Ernest still hosted the Midnight Jamboree each week. Several reasons and rumors were given as to the reason for not appearing on the Opry, with health related issues being the most common.

August 28, 1954: Stringbean, or "String Beans" as he was referred to during this period of time, left the cast of the Grand Ole Opry to join the Ramblin' Tommy Scott Show. He was gone for just a short period of time and returned to the Opry, where he would remain until his death in November 1973.

August 4, 1956: As best as can be determined, Jimmy C Newman became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Except for a very brief period of time when Jimmy was absent from the show, Jimmy would remain with the Opry until his death in 2014. On a side note, when Jimmy first joined the Opry, the "C" was missing as at that point he had not dedicated himself to the cajun sound that he would later become famous for.

August 11, 1956: This is the date that George Jones first became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The dates have changed numerous times over the years as George would come and go from the Opry. Among other dates listed in various editions of the Grand Ole Opry History Picture Book are August 4, 1956; January 4, 1969 (he did rejoin the cast on that date after previously leaving), and in the 1979 edition of the book, a 1973 date is listed. Not that it all mattered as George wasn't on the Opry all that often, but whenever he did George received a great ovation.

August 22, 1957: Former Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn was born in San Antonio. Texas. Holly was an Opry member for a number of years before retiring and leaving Nashville in 2003. After she left town, the Opry dropped her as a member. Holly passed away in November 2016 after a battle with cancer.

August 4, 1959: Skeeter Davis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. With the exception for a period on time in the 1970s when she was suspended from the Opry's cast, Skeeter was an Opry member until her death in 2004. Skeeter, who's biggest hit was "The End of the World" make her final Opry appearance in 2002, after which declining health forced her into retirement. Skeeter was always bouncy when on the Opry and brought a smile to a lot of faces.

August 8, 1959: Jim Reeves rejoined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Jim first joined the Opry in 1955. He had left the show a year earlier because of the demands on his career.

August 26, 1961: Future Grand Ole Opry member Ray Pillow made his debut on the Opry. Ray made a great impression and was invited back for more appearances, which eventually led to Ray becoming an Opry member in April 1966.

August 10, 1963: Jim Ed, Maxine and Bonnie, known collectively as The Browns, became members of the Grand Ole Opry. While Maxine and Bonnie left the act in 1967 due to family considerations, Jim Ed continued on as a solo member. Over the years, Maxine and Bonnie would return for guest appearances and it was always a special treat when they did. Jim Ed was an Opry member for over 50 years, before passing away in 2015. Bonnie passed away in 2016, while Maxine continues to go strong. In 2015, The Browns were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

August 23, 1963: Former Grand Ole Opry member Milton Estes died at the age of 49. Milton was originally a member of Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys and served as the groups announcer.

August 27, 1963: Former Grand Ole Opry manager Jim Denny passed away from cancer at the age of 52. When he became the Opry's manager, Jim was the first WSM employee to specifically be given that role. During his time with the Opry, he brought dozens of new members to the show including Webb Pierce, who would later be his partner in Cedarwood Publishing, one of the first music publishing companies to locate in Nashville. It was the success of Cedarwood that led to Jim leaving the Opry as WSM management viewed it as a conflict of interest. In 1966, Jim Denny was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

August 8, 1964: The Osborne Brothers, Bobby and Sonny, became members of the Grand Ole Opry. While both are still considered members of the Grand Ole Opry, Sonny retired from performing in 2005, at which time Bobby continued with his own group, The Rocky Top X-Press. On this same date, Dottie West became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Dottie, who each year is in the discussion for the Country Music Hall of Fame and has yet to be elected, passed away in September 1991.

August 14, 1965: Bobby Bare became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Bobby stayed as an Opry member until March 1974, when he quit the cast as the show moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House. Bobby, who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, recently released a new album and still will occasionally show up at the Opry House.

August 21, 1965: After changing the date several different times, this seems to be the date that the Opry recognizes as to when Connie Smith became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Originally the Opry listed the date as in June, then switched to the August date. What is interesting in either case is that Connie did not appear on the Opry on this date, but actually first appeared as on Opry member a month later, in September. Regardless, this will be Connie's 52nd year as an Opry member.

August 28, 1965: After suffering serious injuries seven weeks earlier in a car accident, Roy Acuff returned to the Opry stage.

August 17, 1967: Charlie Walker became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Charlie, who is a member of the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame, came to the Opry from Texas, where he launched his very successful recording career. Charlie was always a very active member of the Opry, and continued to perform on the show until his death in September 2008.

August 5, 1968: Grand Ole Opry member Terri Clark was born in Montreal, Canada. As a Canadian, she would join Hank Snow and Stu Phillips as the only Opry members from the land up north.

August 12, 1972: David Houston became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. David was another of the artists who came to Nashville, and the Opry, via the Louisiana Hayride. His signature song was the great classic, "Almost Persuaded" which spent weeks at No. 1 on the country charts. David remained an Opry member until he passed away in November 1993.

August 21, 1975: Grand Ole Opry member, and on of the original members, Sam McGee died in a tractor accident on his farm in Tennessee. He was 81. Along with his brother Kirk, he first performed on the WSM Barn Dance in 1926. During his time at the Opry, Sam would appear with various individuals and groups including the Dixieliners. Sam was the first Opry member to use an electric guitar on the show, after which George D. Hay told him to put it back in the case, take it home, and not bring it back.

August 11, 1976: Roy Acuff returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage after suffering a heart attack earlier in the year.

August 11, 1979: Guy Willis, a member of The Willis Brothers, made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Along with his brothers Skeeter and Guy, The Willis Brothers joined the Opry in 1946, left to tour with Eddy Arnold, and returned in 1957.

August 7, 1981: B.J. Thomas became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. However, he did not remain with the Opry for very long, leaving just several years later. For B.J., Opry membership just did not turn out the way he thought it would.

August 22, 1981: Don Williams made his final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Don joined the cast in 1976, and much like B.J. Thomas a little later, found out that Opry membership just wasn't what he expected.

August 14, 1982: Grand Ole Opry legend Ernest Tubb made his final appearance on the Opry. Suffering from emphysema, Ernest had a difficult time breathing, which made singing very difficult. Not only was this his final Opry appearance, but it was also the final night that Ernest hosted the Midnight Jamboree. After his final appearances in Nashville, he made one more short, final tour in November before retiring and spending his remaining years at his home in Nashville.

August 28, 1982: Just two weeks after the final Opry appearance by Ernest Tubb, Marty Robbins performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the final time. Marty had been a fixture as the host of the 11:30 segment of the show for years. Marty, who suffered from heart issues, would pass away in December.

August 24, 1984: Rock artist Neil Young made his debut on the Opry stage. While he is best known for his rock appearances, and being a member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Neil has written a number of country music songs.

August 22, 1987: Roy Clark became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Roy's 30th year as an Opry member. While he is getting up there in age, Roy still comes out to the Opry once in a while, and songs great.

August 29, 1987: Grand Ole Opry member Archie Campbell passed away in a Knoxville, Tennessee hospital at the age of 73. He had been in declining health, dealing with heart issues. Archie joined the Opry in 1958 and achieved some of his greatest success as a member of the cast of Hee Haw. Archie was known for his comedy and story telling and often used one of the Opry's announcers as his straight man. In his later years, Archie would make most of his Opry appearances in the winter months, spending the prime tourist season performing at his theater in Gatlinburg.

August 10, 1991: Vince Gill became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 26th year as an Opry member. On the night he joined, he was introduced by Roy Acuff. Over the years, Vince has made known his love of the Opry and has challenged others of his generation to support the show.

August 30, 1991: On her way to the Friday Night Opry, Dottie West was involved in a serious car accident at the entrance to Opryland, which would ultimately prove to be fatal. While Dottie put up a struggle and went through several surgeries, she would pass away a week later.

August 31, 1995: Former Grand Ole Opry and WSM announcer David Stone passed away at the age of 93. Along with his brother Harry, David helped to change to focus of the Opry from a regional show into a nationally recognized professional one. He helped to bring such artists, and professionals, as Pee Wee King, Roy Acuff, and Eddy Arnold to the Opry.

August 9, 1996: Hank Snow returned to the Grand Ole Opry for the first time that year. He had been suffering from respiratory issues. He performed three songs that night, including the hit, "I Don't Hurt Anymore." Hank would make just a few more Opry appearances before retiring the following month.

August 24, 1998: Grand Ole Opry member Jerry Clower died in a Jackson, Mississippi hospital after undergoing open heart surgery. He was 71. Jerry joined the Opry in November 1973, the last member to join the cast before the show moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House. A great comedian and storyteller, Jerry was loved by many.

August 26, 2000: Pam Tillis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. For Pam, this will be her 17th year as an Opry member.

August 18, 2001: The Grand Ole Opry moved the televised portion of the Opry from TNN to CMT, as TNN changed into Spike TV and changed their focus away from country music. The first show on CMT featured Vince Gill, who celebrated 10 years as an Opry member. Also appearing that night were Steve Wariner, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy C. Newman, Brad Paisley, Elizabeth Cook and Loretta Lynn. Quite an impressive line-up for the televised portion.

August 10, 2002: During the televised portion of the Grand Ole Opry on CMT, the Dixie Chicks announced that Porter Wagoner and Bill Carlisle had been elected as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Personally, I have always felt that the Hall of Fame did an injustice to both Porter and Bill by having the Dixie Chicks make the announcement as part of an Opry show. Nothing again the Dixie Chicks, I just thought the Hall of Fame should have made a bigger deal out of the announcement. In Porter's case, it was long overdue. It is still fun going back an looking at the tape of that night as Porter looked like he was biting his tongue and holding back what I think he really wanted to say.

August 23, 2002: Grand Ole Opry member Del Reeves made his final appearance on the Opry. Del entered a period of declining health that led to his retirement from the Opry. As with so many others of that generation, Del suffered from respiratory issues and emphysema, which would lead to his death several years later.

August 31, 2002: The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 4,000 Saturday night broadcast. The Opry did a tribute to Minnie Pearl that featured Clint Black, Barbara Mandrell, Vince Gill, Amy Grant and Steve Wariner.

August 23, 2003: Trace Adkins became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 14th year as an Opry member. On the night of his induction, his idol Ronnie Milsap did the honors, assisted by Lorrie Morgan.

August 25, 2010: In a special ceremony, Brad Paisley and Jimmy Dickens sang, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" as the historic center piece of wood was returned to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House after being damaged in the historic flood of May 2010. Thanks to extensive repair and renovation, the center circle was restored to its former condition.

August 6, 2011: The Oak Ridge Boys became members of the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry had wanted the quartet as members for years, however they had always declined due to their heavy touring schedule. However, 6 years ago the Oak Ridge Boys felt the time was right and they accepted the offer by Jimmy Dickens to join the cast. On the night they joined, the group sang, "Bobby Sue," "Amazing Grace," and of course, "Elvira." Every time they are on the Opry, they never fail to receive a standing ovation.

August 13, 2011: Vince Gill celebrated 20 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, in a show dedicated to Grand Ole Opry member Billy Grammer, who had passed away earlier in the week. Joining Vince that night, who opened the show performing Billy's great hit, "Gotta Travel On" were Amy Grant, Martina McBride, and Emmylou Harris, among others.

August 7, 2014: Earl White, the last remaining member of the Crook Brothers square dance band, passed away after a short illness. After the passing of Herman Crook, and then Lewis Crook, Earl continued as the fiddle player for the square dancers, joined by Charlie Collins before he passed away.

August 8, 2015: Connie Smith is honored for 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Marty Stuart hosted a one hour segment of the show, which included Connie singing her monster hit, "Once A Day."

August 13, 2016: Vince Gill was honored upon his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Vince hosted two shows that night, both of which lasted over 3 hours. Vince as on stage the entire night, with both shows featuring Bill Anderson, Ashley Monroe, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Worsham, and of course, his wife, Amy Grant. As someone who was there, it was a spectacular night.

Grand Ole Opry 8/11 & 8/12

Before getting into the Grand Ole Opry line-ups for this weekend, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the death of Country Music Hall of Fame member Glen Campbell. While not a shock, it still was somewhat of a surprise when hearing the news. While Glen was never a member of the Opry, he did appear several times. What I find amazing is that he didn't make his first Opry appearance until November 5, 1983, well after the peak of his career. Prior to the Tuesday Night Opry, Bill Cody read a tribute to Glen, which was very nicely done.

Now to the Opry for this weekend:

The Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will be highlighted this weekend by two of the Opry's newest, and more popular members, as Dailey & Vincent and Old Crow Medicine Show will be appearing both nights. They will be joined by Mike Snider (keeping his consecutive Friday and Saturday night streak alive), along with Hall of Fame member Connie Smith. Joining that group on Friday night will be members Bill Anderson and Bobby Osborne, while Lorrie Morgan, The Whites and Jesse McReynolds will be making Saturday appearances.

Guest artists this weekend include Carlene Carter, Clare Bowen, Chuck Wicks, Bailey Bryan and Dick Hardwick on Friday night. Dick Hardwick will also be on Saturday's show, along with Mandy Barnett, Wade Hayes and Devin Dawson.

Dick Hardwick is a name that might not be familiar to everyone. On his website, Dick is described as "a corporate comedian who can provide clean corporate comedy entertainment for your company's conventions, meetings, and special events. Dick Hardwick is one of the most sought-after corporate and special event comedians in the country. Dick is known for his quick wit, 'off-the-wall-sense-of-humor' and ability to know what works for any audience each and every time he hits the stage. Dick is comfortable moderating a corporate awards banquet or serving as host of an outdoor concert at Atlanta Motor Speedway with 250,000 attendees." He is very popular and had made several CD's of his material. He has also appeared with Reba and Johnny Mathis, along with numerous other special events.

Friday August 11
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Carlene Carter; Clare Bowen
7:30: Dailey & Vincent (host); Dick Hardwick; Chuck Wicks
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bailey Bryan; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Old Crow Medicine Show

Saturday August 12
7:00: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Dick Hardwick; Wade Hayes
Intermission
8:15: Dailey & Vincent (host); Jesse McReynolds; Devin Dawson; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Old Crow Medicine Show

That comes out to 6 Opry members on Friday night and 7 on Saturday night. At least it is better than last weekend.

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

Friday August 10
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mandy Barnett
8:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Gary Mule Deer; John Cowan
9:00: John Conlee (host); The Stamps Quartet; Danielle Peck
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Buddy Jewell

Saturday August 11
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Ashley Monroe
7:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Rissi Palmer; Chris Young
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Andy Griggs; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: John Conlee (host); T. Bubba Bechtol; Loretta Lynn

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Loretta Lynn
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Ashley Monroe; Charlie Louvin; Mandy Barnett
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Rissi Palmer; Chris Young; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: John Conlee (host); T. Bubba Bechtol; Andy Griggs

Now from 25 years ago, Saturday August 15, 1992:

1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jeannie Seely
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Jeanne Pruett; Charlie Louvin; Del Reeves; Billy  Walker
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Justin Tubb; The Whites; Alison Krauss
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys; Jean Shepard; Jack Greene; George Hamilton IV

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; Stonewall Jackson; Bill Carlisle; Alison Krauss
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Roy Drusky; David Houston
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); The 4 Guys; June Webb
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites
10:45: Jack Greene (host); Jan Howard; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Jean Shepard; Charlie Louvin & Charles Whitstein; Ray Pillow
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jim Ed Brown; Connie Smith; Johnny Russell

Finally, it was on Saturday August 12, 1972 that David Houston became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Charles David Houston was born on December 9, 1935 in Bossier City, Louisiana. He was a descendant of Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas and Confederate General Robert E. Lee. His godfather was 1920s pop singer Gene Austin. His first professional appearance was at the age of 10 on the Louisiana Hayride

David was one of the earliest artists with National Recording Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1963, he rose to national stardom with "Mountain of Love," not the same song recorded later by Charley Pride. The song went to No. 2 on the Billboard charts. In 1965 he recorded "Livin' in a House Full of Love" and it also did very well on the charts. In 1966 he recorded his breakthrough hit "Almost Persuaded." The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts and spent nine weeks in that position. In 1967, he was awarded two Grammy Awards for Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Performance, Male.

That song began a string of Top 5 singles for David that lasted through 1973 and included six more No. 1 hits: "With One Exception," "You Mean the World to Me," "Have a Little Faith," "Already It's Heaven," and "Baby, Baby ( I Know You're A Lady" which reached the top spot in 1970. His other No. 1 was a duet with Tammy Wynette, "My Elusive Dreams." In addition to his duets with Tammy, he also recorded with Barbara Mandrell early in her career. His last Top 10 record was "Can't You Feel It," released in 1974. Although there were no more chart topping records, he continued to record through the 1980s.

David Houston died at the age of 57 on November 30, 1993 after suffering a brain aneurysm in Bossier City, where he is buried.

Here is the running order from 45 years ago, the night David Houston became an Opry member:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die
Ernie Ashworth: My Love for You
Wilma Lee Cooper: Philadelphia Lawyer

6:45: Rudy's
Stu Phillips (host): Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Diane Jordan: He's All I Got
Stu Phillips: Welcome to My World

7:00: Rudy's
Billy Walker (host): When A Man Loves A Woman
Stringbean: Hillbilly Fever
Del Wood: Standing Room Only
Billy Walker: Gone Our Endless Love
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Del Wood: Down at Papa Joe's
Billy Walker: Bouquet of Roses/Smokey Places/You Gave Me A Mountain

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bill Carlisle: Worried Man Blues
Karen Wheeler: The First Time for Us
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Roy Acuff: Wreck on the Highway
Bill Carlisle: What Kinda Deal is This
Karen Wheeler: Delta Dawn
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:00: Martha White
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
David Houston: Almost Persuaded
Shoji Tabuchi: San Antonio Rose/Old Joe Clark/Devil's Dream; Black Mountain Rag
Tex Ritter: Lorena
David Houston: Soft; Sweet; and Warm

8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Bonaparte's Retreat
Ray Pillow: Haven't You Heard
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Billy Grammer: Jesus Is A Soul Man
Ray Pillow: Excuse Me, I Think I've Got a Heartache
4 Guys: Shenandoah

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Stu Phillips (host): Help Me Make it Through the Night
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Diane Jordan: The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather be Sorry
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Del Wood: Gloryland March
Stu Phillips: Welcome to My World

10:00: Fender
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Billy Walker: A Million and One/Charlie's Shoes

10:15: Union 76
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): There's A Big Wheel
Ray Pillow: Excuse Me
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You/Coming Down from God

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): No Letter in the Mail
Karen Wheeler: The First Time for Us/There's A Friend in the Way
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:45: Beech-Nut
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Billy Grammer: What A Friend

11:00: Coca-Cola
Tex Ritter (host): Fall Away
David Houston: Baby; Baby
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Tex Ritter: High Noon
David Houston: Living In A House Full of Love
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because

11:30:
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
4 Guys: Cottonfields/Mariah/Sweet Yesterday
Ronnie Robbins: Mama Tried/Love of the Common People
Marty Robbins: Begging to You/Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/To Get to You/Singing the Blues

Diane Jordan, Karen Wheeler and Shoji Tabuchi all appeared that night. What is interesting is that Diane Jordan appeared on Stu Phillip's segments and at the time, Diane was doing some shows with Stu at Opryland; Karen Wheeler, who replaced Connie Smith that night, appeared on Roy Acuff's segments and of course, was the daughter of Onie Wheeler, and Shoji Tabuchi appeared on the segment with David Houston, and he was working with David at the time. So a couple of connections there.

There you have it for this week and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry!!!

Tuesday Night Opry 8/8 & Wednesday Night Opry 8/9

Here are the line-ups for the mid-week Opry shows:

Tuesday August 8
7:00: John Conlee; Carly Pearce
7:30: The Whites; Walker McGuire
Intermission
8:15: William Michael Morgan; The Steel Woods
8:45: Bobby Bones; Dailey & Vincent

Wednesday August 9
7:00: Bill Anderson; Michael Ray
7:30: Jeannie Seely; Easton Corbin
Intermission
8:15: Will Hoge; Luke Combs
8:45: Oak Ridge Boys

Grand Ole Opry 8/4 & 8/5

Summer rolls on and so does the Grand Ole Opry with two shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. Both shows are at 7:00.

Looking at the line-ups, there are a couple of names that bring a smile to my face. On the Friday Night Opry, Suzy Bogguss will be making an appearance. Personally, I have always enjoyed Suzy and her music and she is another of the females who I thought would have made a good Opry member. Also appearing on Friday night will be Steven Curtis Chapman, who is the host of Sam's Place, the gospel music show that takes place on Sunday night at the Ryman Auditorium. Saturday night, it will be the Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires show as this couple will be appearing. Also making a guest appearance will be The McCrary Sisters, who will be joined by Opry member Steve Wariner.

As to Grand Ole Opry members appearing this weekend, both nights will feature Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely and Dailey & Vincent hosting segments, along with Mike Snider. Since joining the Opry cast in March, this will be appearance number 13 & 14 for this popular bluegrass duo. All I can say to that is we finally have new Opry members who understand what it is to be a member. As to Mike, he continues his streak of not missing a Friday or Saturday show in 2017, the only Opry member who can make that claim.

Other Opry members appearing on Friday night include Jesse McReynolds and Connie Smith, while on Saturday night, it will be The Whites and Steve Wariner appearing. That all adds up to 6 Opry members each night.

Among the guest artists on Friday night will be Mark Wills, who will be making Opry appearance #18. Although he is not an Opry member, and I am not sure he should, he does appear more than a majority of the members. I guess it is nice that he answers the phone when the Opry has a slot to fill. Also guesting will be Shelly Fairchild and Trent Harmon. Saturday night, besides those already mentioned, David Ball returns to the Opry, along with Jerrod Niemann.

Friday August 4
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Shelly Fairchild; Jesse McReynolds
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mike Snider; Mark Wills
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Trent Harmon; Suzy Bogguss
8:45: Dailey & Vincent (host); Steven Curtis Chapman

Saturday August 5
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); David Ball; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Amanda Shires; Jason Isbell
Intermission
8:15: Steve Wariner (host); The McCrary Sisters; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Dailey & Vincent (host); The Whites; Jerrod Niemann

While she will not be making her Opry debut, it has been a few years since Shelly Fairchild performed on the Opry. Shelly is from Clinton, Mississippi, and began performing at an early age at church as in her high school's choir. She attended Mississippi College and while there, performed in several local stage shows. In 2004, she signed with Columbia Records, and her debut album "Ride" was released in 2005. She toured with Rascal Flatts and Blake Shelton, however, after having limited success, she was dropped by Columbia in 2005. She later signed with Stroudavarious Records. Her latest single "Mississippi Turnpike" was released this year.

For those who might not be familiar with The McCrary Sisters, they are a Christian gospel music quartet that is from Nashville. The group formed in 2010 and consists of sisters Beverly Ann, Deborah Dianne, Regina Avonette, and Alfreda McCrary. The sisters are daughters of a former Baptist preacher, Samuel McCrary, who was a founding member of The Fairfield Four. Their first recording, "Our Journey" was released in 2010. That was followed by "All the Way" in 2013 and "Let's Go," released in 2015. In addition to performing on the Opry on Saturday night, they will also be on Sam's Place, the gospel show that takes place at the Ryman Auditorium on Sunday night.

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of August 3 & 4, 2007:

Friday August 3
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Mel McDaniel; Rebecca Lynn Howard
8:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); The Whites; Sarah Johns
9:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Gail Davies; Diamond Rio
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Karen Peck & New River

Saturday August 4
1st show
6:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Mel McDaniel; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Chely Wright
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); George Hamilton IV; Lady Antebellum
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Jake Owen; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; The Whites

2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Rebecca Lynn Howard
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; The Whites; Chely Wright
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Pillow; Jake Owen; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); George Hamilton IV; Lady Antebellum

Now from 25 years ago, the weekend of August 7 & 8, 1992:

Friday August 7
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); The 4 Guys; Jan Howard; Roy Drusky
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim and Jesse; Skeeter Davis
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard; Carlisles; Ray Pillow
8:00: Jack Greene (host); Jeanne Pruett
8:30: Hank Snow (host); George Hamilton IV; Jeannie Seely; Sally Mountain Show

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Mike Snider
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); The 4 Guys; Jim and Jesse; Jean Shepard
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Skeeter Davis; Stonewall Jackson; David Houston
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; Carlisles; Jeanne Pruett; Jack Greene
11:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Sally Mountain Show; Johnny Russell; Mike Snider
12:05: Reverend Jimmie Snow

Saturday August 8
1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Ray Pillow
6:45: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jim Ed Brown
7:00: Jack Greene (host); Jean Shepard; David Houston; The Whites; Jeanne Pruett
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); Vic Willis Trio; Stonewall Jackson; Connie Smith
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); The 4 Guys; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jan Howard; Roy Drusky; Wilma Lee Cooper; Carlisles

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard
10:00: Charlie Walker (host); George Hamilton IV
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Jack Greene
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Jeannie Seely
10:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; Carlisles; Vic Willis Trio
11:30: The 4 Guys (host); Jan Howard; Roy Drusky; Mike Snider

Just to follow up, here is the actual running order of the Saturday night shows:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Porter Wagoner (host); Dooley
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters/Ol' Slewfoot

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya/Texa-Cajun

7:00: Shoney's
Jack Greene: (host): Happy Tracks
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make it With You Gone
David Houston: My Elusive Dreams
The Whites: Hangin' Around
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He is My Everything/Satisfied

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Shady Grove
Vic Willis Trio: Shenandoah
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Connie Smith: I've Got My Baby on My Mind/You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me/Once A Day
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky/Cryin' Holy Unto the Lord

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
4 Guys: New Looks from an Old Lover/Chord Buster's March
Mike Snider: Pick Away/Putting on the Dog
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Roy Acuff: No Letter in the Mail

8:30: Opryland
Hank Snow (host): Storms Never Last
Jan Howard: Slow Burning Memory
Roy Drusky: There'll Never Be Anyone Else But You for Me
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Unclouded Day
Bill Carlisle: Same Ol' Tale that the Crow Told Me
Hank Snow: Teardrops in My Heart

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Skeeter Davis: I Ain't Never
Jimmy C Newman: Lafayette
Jean Shepard: I'm Alright (I Just Had You on My Mind)/Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed as Much  of this as I Can Stand/Big Wind

10:00: Little Debbie
Charlie Walker (host): Right or Wrong
George Hamilton IV: Til I Can Gain Control Again
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze my Sharmon/Pick Me Up on Your Way Down

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Jack Greene: Satisfaction/There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything
Dan Kelly: Turkey Buzzard

10:30: Pet Milk
Bill Monroe (host): There's An Old, Old House
Roy Drusky: All for the Love of a Girl
Bill Monroe: Then Take Courage Unto Tomorrow

10:45: B.C. Powder
Jim Ed Brown (host): Lyin' In Love with You
The Whites: Doing It By the Book
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Snow Flake Real
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Bummin' Around
Vic Willis Trio: Colorado
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Connie Smith: Hey, Good Lookin'/You're Cheating Heart
Hank Snow: Mary Ann Regrets

11:30: Creamette
4 Guys (host): Real Love Making Night
Jan Howard: Somebody's Always Saying Goodbye/Why Lady Why
Mike Snider: (?)/Staten Island Hornpipe/Dueling Banjos
4 Guys: When You Got a Good Woman, It Shows

There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!