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!!!