Grand Ole Opry 5/18 & 5/19

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend. Both line-ups look pretty solid was we continue to move through Spring.

Grand Ole Opry members appearing both nights this weekend include John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, Mike Snider, and Ricky Skaggs. For Ricky, this continues his string of Opry appearances that have really increased in the past several months. It almost seems like Ricky is there every weekend for at least one of the shows.

Joining that group on Friday night will be members Diamond Rio and Connie Smith, while on Saturday night it will be Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne, The Whites and Larry Gatlin (without the brothers) appearing.

Guesting on Friday night will be Eric Paslay (his 3rd appearance in recent weeks), Tyler Childers, John McEuen (formally of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Parker Milsap, Trent Harmon and The Swon Brothers. Saturday night's guest artists include Jillian Jacqueline, Devin Dawson, Caitlyn Smith, and Charlie Nagatani, who will be making what seems to be his annual appearance on the Opry.

Friday May 18
7:00: John Conlee (host); Eric Paslay; Mike Snider
7:30: Diamond Rio (host); Tyler Childers; John McEuen
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Parker Milsap; Trent Harmon
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Swon Brothers; Connie Smith

Saturday May 19
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jillian Jacqueline; Mike Snider
7:30: Larry Gatlin (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Devin Dawson
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Charlie Nagatani; Caitlyn Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Ricky Skaggs

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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the weekend of May 16 & 17, 2008:

Friday May 16

8:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Josh Gracin

8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Del McCoury Band

9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Diamond Rio

9:30: Marty Stuart (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith

Saturday May 17

1st show

6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Chely Wright

7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jim Ed Brown; Rebecca Lynn Howard

7:30: John Conlee (host); Jack Greene; Jamie O'Neal

8:00: Steve Wariner (host); Mel McDaniel; T.G. Sheppard; Opry Square Dancers

8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; The Grascals

2nd show

9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jim Ed Brown; Chely Wright

10:00: John Conlee (host); Jeannie Seely; Jamie O'Neal

10:30: Steve Wariner (host); Rebecca Lynn Howard; T.G.Sheppard; Opry Square Dancers

11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; The Grascals

From 25 years ago, Saturday May 22, 1993: 

1st show

6:30: The 4 Guys (host); Wilma Lee Cooper

6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Skeeter Davis

7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Ray Pillow; Jeanne Pruett; Jim & Jesse; Mike Stephens

7:30: Jerry Clower (host); Stonewall Jackson; Bill Carlisle; Emmylou Harris

8:00: Jack Greene (host); Jimmy C Newman; Brother Oswald; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers

8:30: Hank Snow (host); Roy Drusky; Jan Howard; The Whites

2nd show

9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett; The 4 Guys; Skeeter Davis

10:00: Emmylou Harris (host); The Whites; Barry & Holly Tashian

10:15: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jim & Jesse

10:30: Jerry Clower (host); Roy Drusky

10:45: Jack Greene (host); Brother Oswald; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers

11:00: Hank Snow (host); Bill Carlisle; Stonewall Jackson; Justin Tubb

11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jan Howard; Mike Snider

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Looking back into the history of the Grand Ole Opry, it was on Saturday May 17, 1969 that Tammy Wynette first joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry, and it was 28 years later,  Saturday May 17, 1997 that Tammy Wynette made her final appearance on the Opry. Of course, she was not a member at the time of her final appearance, in fact, her time at the Opry was fairly short.

Tammy Wynette began developing her natural musical talents at an early age. Urged on by family and friends, she graduated from talent shows and charities to her own local radio show while still a teenager. It was during this time in her life that she began to truly perfect the heart-in-throat song styling that has carried her to the top of the country music world.

Tammy's first trip to Nashville was as a song plugger rather than a singer. She had come to Epic Records to try to interest them in some material a friend had written for one of Epic's top artists. It is not known what became of the songs or the friend, but for Tammy it was the beginning of an entire new life. Within a few weeks she had her first single out "Apartment No. 9" and country music fans, as well as pop fans were proclaiming her a new star. She rose to the top of the charts and polls so quickly that there was no time for her to be proclaimed as best new female vocalist or best upcoming this or that. She was instantly at the top of everyone's list and her unique talent was to know no restrictions. She was a favorite on country, pop and top 40 stations. Tammy Wynette had arrived.

Following her initial hit single, she has been at the top of the charts constantly with singles and albums. Her outstanding singles include, "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad" (Grammy winner, 1967), "I Don't Wanna Play House," "He Loves Me All The Way," "Run, Woman, Run," "Good Lovin'," "Bedtime Story," and her 1969 Grammy winner, "Stand By Your Man."

Not content to be known solely as a singer, Tammy has written or co-written several of her own hits, including "Stand By Your Man," which recently enjoyed an encore success as a rhythm and blues hit. Tammy's voice has been used for the soundtrack recording of two current contemporary films, "Run, Angel Run," and "Five Easy Pieces." Far more than being just another singer, Tammy Wynette has become a very "in" singer with all audiences. As can be expected, her popularity has begun to spread in Europe. Touched by the despair and plaintive sob in her voice, a top French critic was moved to call her "The Edith Piaf of Country America." She is internationally recognized as America's foremost singer of soul songs, country style.

(From the Grand Ole Opry WSM Picture-History Book, 1976, Volume 6, Edition 2).

Tammy's time at the Opry was short and mirrored that of George Jones. She originally joined the Opry (according to their records) on May 17, 1969. After that, she left. In fact, going through the Picture-History Books, she is not pictured in the early 1969 edition, or the 1972 edition. But she shows up in the 1976 book. What I can tell you is that she rarely played the Opry, having just a handful of appearances along the way.

Here are a couple of line-ups for you. First, From May 17, 1969, the night the Opry lists Tammy Wynette as joining the cast of the show:

6:30:
Hank Locklin: (?)
Willis Brothers: (?)
Bill Carlisle: (?)

6:45:
The 4 Guys: (?)
Bobby Lord (?)

7:00: Luzianne
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
Charlie Walker: Honky Tonk Season
Stringbean: Ol' Man, Can You Play the Banjo
Del Wood: Ballin' the Jack
Bill Anderson: My Life
Charlie Walker: Jambalaya
Jimmy Gately: Cryin' Don't Pay
Stringbean: Nine Pound Hammer
Bill Anderson: City Lights/I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand/I'll Go Down Swinging/I Don't Love You Anymore/Once a Day/Cold Hard Facts of Life/Cincinnati, Ohio/Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself to Sleep

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Once More
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Jean Shepard: I'm Tied Around Your Finger
Archie Campbell: Scarlet Ribbons
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
Justin Tubb: The Great River Road Mystery
Roy Acuff: Filipino Baby

8:00: Martha White
George Jones (host): White Lightening
Tammy Wynette: D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Grandpa Jones: Old Blue
George Jones: I'll Share My World With You
Tammy Wynette: Stand By Your Man
George Jones & Tammy Wynette: Milwaukee, Here I Come
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Laurell
Tammy Wynette: Singing My  Song
Jones Boys: Fire on the Mountain

8:30: Stephens
Bill Monroe (host): Train 45
Glaser Brothers: California Girl
Margie Bowes: Understand Your Gal/Big City
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die
Bill Monroe: I Haven't Seen Mary in Years
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Johnny Cash: Folsom Prison Blues/Orange Blossom Special
Johnny Cash & June Carter: Jackson

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Locklin (host): Geisha Girl
Willis Brothers: Bob
Jean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers to You
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Willis Brothers: Rambling Boy
The 4 Guys: Daddy Sang Bass
Justin Tubb: Be Glad

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Charlie Walker: Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:15: Pure
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself A Name
Jimmy Gately: Heavenly Sunshine
Bill Anderson: My Life

10:30: Buckley's
Stonewall Jackson (host): A Wound Time Can't Erase
Bobby Lord: Yesterday's Letters
Johnny Cash: I Still Miss Someone/Folsom Prison Blues
Johnny Cash &  June Carter: Jackson
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

10:45: True
Bill Monroe (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Margie Bowes: That Completely Destroys My Plans
Crook Brothers: Sally Ann
Bill Monroe: I'm On My Way Back to the Old Home

11:00: Coca-Cola
George Jones (host): The Race is On
Tammy Wynette: Stand My Your Man
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cotton-Eyed Joe
George Jones: I'll Be Over You When the Grass Grows Over Me
Tammy Wynette: Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad
Sam McGee: Uncle Bud
George Jones: Walk Thru This World with Me

11:30: Lava
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): My Georgia Moon
Grandpa Jones: Raining on the Mountain Now My Love
The 4 Guys: Swing Down Chariot
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Don't Care (if Tomorrow Never Comes)
Grandpa Jones: T for Texas
The 4 Guys: Love of the Common People
L. E. White: I'll Love You More Today (Then He Can From Now On)

What stands out from that first show, besides George, Tammy and Johnny Cash, was Bill Anderson doing a medley of hits that he had written. Wouldn't it be nice to hear Bill do that again on the Opry?

And now from Saturday May 17, 1997, the night of Tammy Wynette's final Grand Ole Opry appearance:

1st show

6:30: GHS Strings

Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion

Skeeter Davis: The End of the World

Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her that Way

6:45: Jogging In A Jug

Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack

Bill Carlisle: Gone Home

Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time

7:00: Shoney's

Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream

Jean Shepard: Farewell Party/Second Fiddle

Brother Oswald: Prairie Queen

Grand Ole Opry Staff Band: Buckaroo

Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya/Alligator Man

7:30: Standard Candy

Lorrie Morgan (host): I Didn't Know My Own Strength

Anita Cochran: Daddy, Can You See Me

Jan Howard: Take Me As I Am

Tammy Wynette: You Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad/Stand By Your Man/Apartment No. 9

Lorrie Morgan: Good As I Was to You

8:00: Martha White

Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend

Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train

Charlie Louvin: Nobody's Darling But Mine

The Whites: Pins & Needles

Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin

Bill Anderson: Still

8:30: Clifty Farm

Mike Snider (host): When You're Smiling

Jack Greene: Follow Me

Connie Smith: I've Got My Baby on My Mind

The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Mariah

Del Reeves: I Would Like to See You Again

2nd show

9:30: Dollar General

Lorrie Morgan (host): Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

Jan Howard: Oh, Lonesome Me

The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side

Anita Cochran: I Could Love A Man Like You/Will You Be Here in Five Years

Lorrie Morgan: Good As I Was to You

10:00: Massey Ferguson

Jimmy Dickens (host): Country Boy

Jimmy C Newman: Allons, A Lafayette

Jimmy Dickens: I'd Rather Sleep in Peace Than Know You're Gone

10:15: Opry Book

Grandpa Jones (host): Ball-Headed End of the Broom

Jean Shepard: A Phone Call Away

Grandpa Jones: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans

10:30: Purnell's

Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name

Tammy Graham: A Dozen Red Roses/I Know More about Love

Bill Anderson: Bright Lights & Country Music

10:45: 

Mike Snider (host): Black Jack

Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything

Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel

11:00: Coca-Cola

Del Reeves (host): Good Time Charlie's

Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco

The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On

Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

Del Reeves: Dang Me

George Hamilton IV: Forever Young

Del Reeves: This Must be the Bottom

11:30: Loreal

Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues

Charlie Walker: Right or Wrong

Connie Smith: Where is My Castle

Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories

Stu Phillips: Dust in My Eyes

Johnny Russell: There's A Fool Such As I

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