Grand Ole Opry 9/14 & 9/15

After a couple of questionable weekends, the Opry seems back on track this week with a full lineup of artists for both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry.

The Friday Night Opry will feature Grand Ole Opry members the Oak Ridge Boys. Duane Allen has posted on his Facebook page that this will be the final Opry appearance for the group in 2018. Looking at their tour schedule I can see that they will be busy the rest of the year. For the Oaks, this will be their 10th appearance of the year, fulfilling their membership requirements.

Joining them on Friday night will be Grand Ole Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Diamond Rio, Bobby Osborne, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, and one of the Opry's newer members, Crystal Gayle. That comes out to eight members on Friday night, one of the better efforts in recent months. John, Mike and Crystal will also be appearing on Saturday night, joined by members Bill Anderson, The Whites and Jeannie Seely.

Guesting on both nights will be frequent Opry guest Mark Wills. Joining Mark on Friday night will be William Michael Morgan and Asleep At The Wheel, who will be closing out the show and also signing in the Opry Shop afterwards. Joining Mark on Saturday night will be Levi Hummon, Jim Lauderdale, Rachel Wammack, Charles Esten, and someone I am very happy to see appearing, the legendary Billy Joe Shaver.

Friday September 14
7:00: John Conlee (host); William Michael Morgan; Mike Snider
7:30: Diamond Rio (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Crystal Gayle
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Mark Wills
8:45: Oak Ridge Boys (host); Asleep At The Wheel

Saturday September 15
7:00: John Conlee (host); Levi Hummon; Mark Wills
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Lauderdale; Crystal Gayle
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Billy Joe Shaver; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Jeannie Seely (host); Rachel Wammack; Charles Esten

All in all, two very good shows. I especially like the Friday night show. Some great traditional acts and lots of good country music.


And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from the 10 years ago, the weekend of September 12 & 13, 2008:

Friday September 12
8:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Connie Smith; Cherryholmes
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Adam Gregory
9:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Restless Heart
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Rhonda Vincent; Gene Watson

Saturday September 13
1st show
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); George Hamilton IV; Danielle Peck
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Connie Smith; Jim Lauderdale
8:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Ray Pillow; Gene Watson; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Dierks Bentley (host); Jeannie Seely; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys

2nd show
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Connie Smith; Danielle Peck
10:00: Dierks Bentley (host); George Hamilton IV; Jan Howard
10:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Stu Phillips; Jim Lauderdale; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Gene Watson

Now from the second weekend in September 25 years ago, Saturday September 11, 1993. This was also the night that the Stoney Mountain Cloggers made their final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1st show
6:30: The Four Guys (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
6:45: Jack Greene (host); Jean Shepard
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown; Stonewall Jackson; Del Reeves; Jeannie Seely
7:30: Vince Gill (host); Barry & Holly Tashian; The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky; Jimmy C Newman; Brother Oswald; Charlie Louvin
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Billy Walker; Connie Smith; Roy Drusky; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown; Ray Pillow; Charlie Louvin
10:00: Jack Greene (host); Jean Shepard
10:15: Bill Anderson (host); The Four Guys
10:30: Charlie Walker (host); Mike Snider
10:45: Vince Gill (host); The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Billy Walker; Roy Drusky; Riders In The Sky
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Justin Tubb; Connie Smith; Johnny Russell

For many years, Ben Smathers and his troupe, the Stoney Mountain Cloggers, delighted Grand Ole Opry audiences with their impeccable and colorful routines. Ben utilized the high-stepping clogging style that could be traced back to German, Irish and Dutch immigrants that located themselves in western North Carolina.

Ben began dancing at the age of 14 and formed the Stoney Mountain Cloggers four years later in 1946. The group became regulars on Promenade Party from Greenville, South Carolina from 1956 to 1958, and then on September 13, 1958 they became members of the Grand Ole Opry. They had appeared on the show before then, and during the 1950s, Ben commuted to Nashville from North Carolina, where he worked as a railroad switch-man. He continued to work for the railroad until 1966.

From 1960 to 1964, they toured with Red Foley. In 1961, Ben and his Cloggers appeared on the Opry with Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline, and in 1962 they appeared with Roy Acuff and other Opry stars at Carnegie Hall, becoming the first square dancers to perform at that venue. From 1967 through 1969 they toured with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, as well as with the Charlie Daniels Band. Additionally, the Cloggers appeared at numerous state and county fairs. The group made over 100 television appearances, which included the Ed Sullivan Show, Hollywood Palace, Dinah Shore Show, Jimmy Dean Show and the Mike Douglas Show. They also made several appearances on Hee Haw. They also appeared in several movies, including Tennessee Beat and Country Music on Broadway. Ben also had a secondary career as an actor and appeared in several movies and TV series.

Ben Smathers died in Nashville in 1990, at the age of 62 following complications from open-heart surgery, on the 32nd anniversary of his membership on the Opry. Following his death, his widow, Margaret kept the Stoney Mountain Cloggers going until that final show on September 11, 1993, which was also their 35th anniversary as members of the Opry.

Here is the actual running order from September 11, 1993, the final night that the Stoney Mountain Cloggers were members of the Grand Ole Opry:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
The Four Guys (host): Turn Your Radio On
Wilma Lee Cooper: Give Me the Roses While I Live
The Four Guys: All Tied Up

6:45: Hall of Fame
Jack Greene (host): Until My Dreams Come True
Jean Shepard: Wabash Cannonball
Jack Greene: You Are My Treasure

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
Jim Ed Brown: Lying in Love With You
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Del Reeves: Luckenbach, Texas
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Porter Wagoner: Forty Miles to Poplar Bluff

7:30: Standard Candy
Vince Gill (host): Give Me One More Last Chance
Barry and Holly Tashian: I Dreamed of an Old Love Affair/If I Knew then What I Know Now
The Whites: House of Gold
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Riders In The Sky: Blue Montana Skies
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Bill Anderson: The Touch of the Master's Hand

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Breakfast with the Blues
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Roy Drusky: I Really Don't Want to Know
Mike Snider: Battle Cry of Freedom/Get Your Hand Off My Knew and Load the Cannon
Hank Snow: I've Cried A Mile

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Charlie Louvin: The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
Porter Wagoner: Ol' Slewfoot

10:00: Little Debbie
Jack Greene (host): I Don't Believe I'll Fall in Love Today
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Jack Greene: Ever Since My Baby Went Away

10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
The Four Guys: Shut the Door
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar

10:30: Picadilly
Charlie Walker (host): Right or Wrong
Mike Snider: Bells of St. Mary
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke

10:45: Opry Book
Vince Gill (host): Take Your Memory With You When You Go
The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Vince Gill: I've Been Hearing Things About You

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Geisha Girl
Billy Walker: A Million and One
Roy Drusky: Mississippi
Riders In The Sky: Cowboy Jubilee/Riding Down the Canyon
Hank Snow: The Third Man

11:30: General Jackson
Jimmy C Newman (host): Big Mamou
Justin Tubb: Walkin', Talkin', Cryin' Barely Beatin' Broken Heart
Connie Smith: Sing, Sing, Sing
Johnny Russell: In A Mansion Stands My Love/He'll Have to Go
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya

On that final night, the Stoney Mountain Cloggers were featured on the televised segment during the first show, and Vince Gill specifically asked to host the segment on their final night.

As mentioned, the Stoney Mountain Cloggers became members of the Grand Ole Opry on September 13, 1958. Here is the line-up from the night they joined the Opry:

7:30: Sessions Peanut Butter
Marty Robbins (host): Just Married
Porter Wagoner: Tell Her Lies and Feed Her Candy
Jordanaires: Little Miss Ruby
Jean Shepard: Secret of Life
Marty Robbins: I Can't Quit
Carlisles: Leave That Liar Alone
Porter Wagoner: Haven't You Heard
Square Dancers: Sally Goodin
Stringbean: Shotgun Boogie
Jean Shepard: Sweet Temptation
Marty Robbins: Story of My Life
Fiddle Tune: Leather Britches

8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): I Don't Care
Jimmy Newman: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Carl Butler: The Blues Come Around
Benny Martin and Jo Ann: My Fortune
Flatt and Scruggs: Heaven
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Hylo Brown: Stonewall
Possum Hunters: Bill Cheatham
Jimmy Newman: The One You're Loving
Flatt and Scruggs: Dear Old Dixie
Fiddle Tune: Devil's Dream

8:30: Prince Albert
Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): I'll Get Even With You
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Don Gibson: Look Who's Blue
Tommy Jackson: Katy Hill
Hawkshaw Hawkins: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray
Chet Atkins: Bells of St. Mary
June Carter: Comedy
Don Gibson: I'm Gonna Give Myself A Party
Grandpa Jones: Daylight Saving Time
Hawkshaw Hawkins: I Don't Apologize
Tommy Jackson: Wake Up Susan

9:00: Jefferson Island
Jordanaires: Theme
Ernest Tubb (host): Two Glasses Joe
Bill Monroe: Sitting on Top of the World
Porter Wagoner: Turn It Over in Your Mind
Cousin Jody: Television Set
Ernest Tubb: Half A Mind
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sally Johnson
Bill Monroe: Sally Jo
Stonewall Jackson: Grieving in My Heart
Porter Wagoner: Satisfied Mind
Ernest Tubb: Hey Mr. Bluebird
Fiddle Tune: Soldier's Joy

9:30: Stephens
Coopers: Theme
Hank Snow (host): The Woman Captured Me
Cowboy Copas: Won't You Ride In My Little Red Wagon
Carl Butler: Nothing Can Stop Me
Wilma Lee and Stoney: Loving You
Hank Snow: I'm Hurting All Over
Crook Brothers: Bile Them Cabbage Down
Benny Martin: Border Baby
Cowboy Copas: Don't Shake Hands with the Devil
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: We Live in Two Different Worlds
Hank Snow: Big Wheel
Fiddle Tune: Forked Deer

10:00: Standard Brands
Marty Robbins (host): Sweet Lies
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Sensation
Don Gibson: Blue Blue Day
Jean Shepard: Sad Singing Slow Riding
Marty Robbins: I'll Step Aside
Del Wood: Echo Waltz
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
Jordanaires: In the Great Getting Up Morning
Marty Robbins: Singing the Blues
Fiddle Tune: Soldier's Joy

10:30: Delited
Carlisles: Theme
Ernest Tubb (host): You Don't Have to Be A Baby to Cry
Stonewall Jackson: Living this Way
Carlisles: Zat You Myrtle
Ernest Tubb: Driftwood on the River
Fiddle Tune: Patty on the Turnpike

10:45: De Con
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Cheated Too
Jimmy Newman: Why Baby Why
Crook Brothers: 8th of January
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Walking My Lord Up Cavalry Hill
Fiddle Tune: Buffalo Gal

11:00: Coca Cola
Jordanaires: Theme
Hank Snow (host): Caribbean
Carl Butler: I Know What it Means to Be Lonesome
Benny Martin and Jo Ann: My Fortune
Flatt and Scruggs: Before I Met You
Hank Snow: Whispering Rain
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Stringbean: Nine Pound Hammer
Gully Jumpers: Grey Eagle
Carl Butler: Jealous Heart
Hank Snow: Rumba Boogie

11:30: Jamison Bedding
Jordanaires: Theme
Porter Wagoner (host): Trade Mark
Don Gibson: Oh Lonesome Me
Bill Monroe: Brand New Shoes
Porter Wagoner: Eat Drink and Be Merry
Fiddle Tune: Flop Eared Mule

11:45
Cowboy Copas: Feeling Low
Sam and Kirk: I Wish I Had a Nickel
Cousin Jody: Dear John
Fruit Jars: Ida Red
Cowboy Copas: The Man Upstairs

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