The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. While the Opry's newest member, Dustin Lynch, is not scheduled this weekend, there are other Opry members who are.
Scheduled to appear both nights are Opry members Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky and Dailey & Vincent. That trio will be joined on Friday night by Bobby Osborne and Connie Smith, while on Saturday Jeannie Seely, The Whites and Lorrie Morgan are on the schedule.
Guesting both nights will be The Swon Brothers. Joining them on Friday night will be a couple of names from the past: John Schneider and Debby Boone. Also scheduled is A Thousand Horses, Mandy Barnett, Aaron Lewis and one of the newest female stars, Kelsea Ballerini.
In addition to The Swon Brothers, Saturday night will feature Darin & Brooke Aldridge, comedian Karen Mills, Waylon Payne and Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy.
Friday September 21
7:00: Mike Snider (host); John Schneider; The Swon Brothers
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); A Thousand Horses; Debby Boone
Intermission
8:15: Dailey & Vincent (host); Mandy Barnett; Aaron Lewis
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Kelsea Ballerini
Saturday September 22
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; The Swon Brothers
Intermission
8:15: Dailey & Vincent (host); Karen Mills; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Lorrie Morgan (host); Waylon Payne; Charlie McCoy
So the question has come up. Who is Karen Mills?
According to her website, Karen has been nationally touring comedian for 25 years and can be heard daily on Sirius/XM comedy channels. She has appeared on ABC, GAC, and most recently on season 12 of America's Got Talent.
Karen is also a cancer survivor, who in 2013 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Now cancer free, Karen believes her mission is to inspire people to love, laugh and approach everything life hands you with hope, humor and a positive attitude.
Karen is also a pretty good basketball player. Told she was too short to play college basketball, in 1981 he led the nation in assists and became the first division 1 first team All-American in UT-Chattanooga history. Her uniform is retired and she was the first female inducted into Chattanooga's Basketball Hall of Fame.
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And now, the posted Grand Ole Opry schedule for 10 years ago, the weekend of September 19 & 20, 2008:
Friday September 19
8:00: George Hamilton IV (host); The Whites; Carolina Rain
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jennifer Hanson
9:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jack Greene; Chris Young
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; Sierra Hull
Saturday September 20
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Connie Smith
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jean Shepard; Charlie Daniels Band; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Alan Jackson; Little Big Town; Darius Rucker; Kathy Mattea
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Alan Jackson
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Darius Rucker; Little Big Town
10:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jack Greene; Kathy Mattea; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Charlie Daniels Band
From 25 years ago, Saturday September 18, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Charlie Louvin; Hank Locklin
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Jeanne Pruett
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Seely; Stonewall Jackson; Ray Pillow; Jimmy C Newman
7:30: Charlie Walker (host); Jean Shepard; Mac Wiseman; Stephanie Davis
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Brother Oswald & Charlie Collins; Jim Ed Brown; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jack Greene; Roy Drusky; The Four Guys; Billy Walker; Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Charlie Louvin; Jan Howard; Mac Wiseman; Wilma Lee Cooper
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Hank Locklin
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Jean Shepard
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jeannie Seely
10:45: Jimmy C Newman (host); Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jack Greene; Justin Tubb; Billy Walker; Stephanie Davis
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Roy Drusky; Johnny Russell
Some might remember Stephanie Davis, who was a guest on the Opry that night. Stephanie is from Montana, later moving to Tennessee where she worked as a songwriter, having her songs regarded by Shelby Lynne, Waylon Jennings, Martina McBride and Garth Brooks, among others. Among the songs that Garth recorded were "The Gift," "Wolves," "We Shall Be Free," "Learning to Live Again," and "The Night Will Only Know." In 1993, Garth signed her as his opening act and she was also a member of his road band.
In 1993 she released an album on Asylum Records, which did not get many positive reviews. The only single that was released from the album was "It's All in the Heart" which only reached #72 on the country charts. Shortly there after, she moved back to Montana, saying that she was dissatisfied with the country music scene. Since then, she has recorded several albums for Recluse Records, which is her own label.
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Looking back, it was on Saturday September 20, 1997 that Johnny Paycheck was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1977 "Take This Job and Shove It" made Johnny Paycheck a country superstar seemingly overnight. Yet by the time that blue-collar anthem hit the airways, Johnny had been through twenty years worth of career ups and downs. He had worked as a front man for some of the top talents in the country business, and he had recorded some of the most vigorous, fascinating honky-tonk music ever produced. Along the way he had also co-written such country classics as "Apartment #9" and "Touch My Heart."
Born Donald Eugene Lytle, he received his first guitar when he was six, and he was entering talent contests by age nine. He left home while still a teenager, traveling throughout Ohio and nearby states until he enlisted in the navy. Court-martialed in 1956 for slugging a superior officer, he spent two years in military prison. After his release, he took to the highway again, eventually landing in Nashville.
Adopting the professional name Donny Young, he signed as a songwriter with Tree Publishing and as a singer with Decca Records. He also began a succession of jobs as bass player, front man, and harmony vocalist for such stars as George Jones, Porter Wagoner, Faron Young, and Ray Price. After recording for Mercury in 1962, he was discovered by industry veteran Aubrey Mayhew, who took over management of his career, changed his stage name to Johnny Paycheck, and recorded him for Hilltop Records in New York. Johnny's first Top Forty Single, "A-11," was released on Hilltop in 1965.
Early in 1966, Johnny and Mayhew started Little Darlin' Records and moved their operations to Nashville. Johnny's Little Darlin' catalog stands out as one of the most musically audacious of its era, typified by such hits as "The Lovin' Machine" and such non-hits as "(Pardon Me) I've Got Someone to Kill." Unfortunately, Johnny's health and personal well-being were in decline throughout this same period. By the close of the 1960s he and Mayhew had fallen out, and Johnny had been reduced to living on skid row in Los Angeles. Tracked down by industry insider Nick Hunter, he moved to Denver to dry out and eventually hooked up with producer-executive Billy Sherrill, who signed him to Epic Records. In 1971, Johnny's Epic debut, a cover of the Freddie North r&b hit "She's All I Got" hit #2 on the charts and was nominated for a Grammy. Johnny stayed with Epic into 1982, marketed first as a love balladeer and later as a so-called Outlaw. Along the way he scored such memorable hits as "Someone to Give My Love To," "Slide Off of Your Satin Sheets," "I'm the Only Hell Mama Ever Raised," "Me and the IRS" and his career record "Take This Job and Shove It."
However, his personal life remained tumultuous. He had drug problems and legal problems, and on December 19, 1985, he shot a man (not fatally) during a barroom confrontation in Hillsboro, Ohio. Sent to prison in February 1989, he was released two years later. Completely straight, he picked up the pieces of his career and remained active as a performer until declining health forced his retirement. Among his later hits was "Old Violin," which Johnny would sing quite often while performing on the Opry.
Johnny Paycheck passed away on February 19, 2003 at the age of 64 after a period of declining health due to emphysema and asthma. Dying broke, Johnny's burial plot was donated by George Jones and his funeral and burial expenses were paid by his former manager Glenn Ferguson.
While September 20, 1997 is the date Johnny was asked to become the Opry's newest member, his formal induction took place several months later, on November 8.
Johnny certainly did not fit the image of an Opry member. Earlier in his "outlaw" days, Johnny was not invited to sing on the show, something he wanted. So how did Johnny become an Opry member? Reports at the time stated that Opry member Johnny Russell worked hard to convince Opry general manager Bob Whittaker that Johnny had indeed cleaned up his act and wanted very much to join the Opry. And while his days as an Opry member were pretty short, Johnny was always proud and thankful for his Opry membership.
Here is the running order from 21 years ago, Saturday September 20, 1997, the night that Johnny Paycheck was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Anderson (host): Family Reunion
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Bill Anderson: Orange Blossom Special
6:45: Jogging In A Jug
Grandpa Jones (host): Fifteen Cents is All I Got
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Grandpa Jones: Eight More Miles to Louisville
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Jeanne Pruett: Back to Back
The Whites: San Antonio Rose
Ray Pillow: Cinderella
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou
Christie Lynn/Dennis McCall/Carol Lee Cooper: Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine
Porter Wagoner: Sugarfoot Rag
7:30: Standard Candy
Steve Wariner (host): On Life's Highway
Country Rose Barbie: You're Looking at Country
Johnny Paycheck: Love's on Fire/The Old Violin/A-11
Steve Wariner: Big Old Empty House
8:00: Martha White
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Hal Ketchum: I Know Where Love Lives/Stay Forever
Wilma Lee Cooper: Matthew 24
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durango's Hornpipe
Jack Greene: Follow Me
8:30: Clifty Farms
John Conlee (host): Friday Night Blues
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
Jean Shepard: Live and Let Live
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down/Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
John Conlee: I Don't Remember Loving You
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Coming
Brother Oswald: Mansion on the Hill
Wilma Lee Cooper: Coming Down from God
Country Rose Barbie: You're Looking at Country
Porter Wagoner & Christie Lynn: Milwaukee, Here I Come
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home
10:00: Massey-Ferguson
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Hal Ketchum: The Way She Loves Me
Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time
10:15: Banquet
Steve Wariner (host): On Life's Highway
Roy Drusky: Jody and the Kid
Steve Wariner: Big Old Empty House
10:30: Purnell's
Jean Shepard (host): I'll Said My Ship Alone
Stu Phillips: Colorado
Jean Shepard & Jeannie Seely: Live and Let Live/Farewell Party
10:45: Certified Homes
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
11:00: Coca Cola
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
The Whites: Hanging Around/He Took Your Place
Johnny Paycheck: Love's on Fire Again/Old Violin
Bill Anderson: The Unicorn
11:30: Opry Book
John Conlee (host): Common Man
Jeannie Seely: Burning that Old Memory/Too Far Gone
Billy Walker: Come a Little Bit Closer/Jesus Walks In
John Conlee: Rose Colored Glasses
There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!
Update: Bobby Osborne is off the schedule for tonight.
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention that Jesse McReynolds came through his surgery fine and is home recovering and resting.
Hi Byron:
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the Tribute to Ray Charles Opry show, Monday, October 8th.
Hopped on the Opry site to try to figure out if this was an Opry show or a special event. I saw a box named "Event Type" and clicked on it and the way I read it, it sounded to me that this particular show was going to be just a normal Opry show, it just had a special theme to it and not some sponsored event that the Opry holds at the Opry House throughout the year.
Decided to call down to the Opry and I spoke to a customer service rep; she did confirm, that yes, this is going to be just another Opry show, but reminded me several times that this was going to be a special tribute show, with the artists listed on their site and it sounded as if more artists would be appearing by the time the day arrives.
So in case anyone would like to attend, this is a regular Opry show and tickets are on sale.
Happy to hear that Jesse McReynolds came through surgery fine and is recovering at home.
Enjoy the Opry shows this weekend.
(Jeanene)
Byron
ReplyDeleteI was not able to listen to the Opry last night but was told that Debby Boone did a nice job and talked about Red Foley and sang Peace In The Valley. I was also told they said this was her first time on the Opry. I thought sure she was on once before, maybe 10 years ago or so. Maybe she just did a walk on and that is what I am thinking of.
Is my memory off?
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I was not able to listen to the Opry last night because we attended the Bill Anderson show in Scottsburg, IN. I won't go into as much detail as I sometimes do but here is a short overview.
ReplyDeleteThis was the second year in a row that Bill has played here. They said it was a sell out last year. I forget how many the theater seats but I'm guessing around 500. There are a few bad seats they do not usually sell. I'm guessing it was 90-95% full.
Bill performed for one hour and forty minutes and did 15 songs. The song count is about normal but he talked and joked a little more than usual. If you heard him on the Opry last Saturday you could tell he was congested and he did not sing much, only singing part of City Lights then doing Mama Sang A Song. He mentioned the allergies and had to cough during one of his songs.
The band was James Freeze, Ziggy Johnson, Cotton Payne and Kenzie Wetz. Sorry Nat, still no steel, only Ziggie on the keyboard!
Bill did two songs from his new CD just released. Kenzie helped him do Everybody Wants To Be Twenety-One, the song he did with Jamie Johnson on the Opry a couple weeks back. He close with the last song on the CD titled Thankful. He said it was dedicated to all his fans and peers that have allowed him to have such a wonderful life in Country Music. He mention Jim Ed, Little Jimmy, George IV and others in the song!
The other interesting thing he did was the recitation The Big Railroad Man which had been requested. He said they had rehearsed it earlier because he had not done it in some time. He explained before hand that Curtis Leach, the same man who wrote Golden Guitar, had written it. He missed a couple lines and apologized afterword but it was sure good to hear it again. Seems like he used to do it around Christmas time on the Opry.
You hear some of the same stories and songs if you attend shows by the same artist often. We saw Ray Price about nine times and his set was usually pretty close to the same but it was just pleasant to be there in person. Same goes with Bill. He will be in Shipshewanna, IN October 11 and 12 and we will see him again on the 12th. That will be our fifth time in 15 months but it is worth it considering the point in time we are now in. As others have said here, with the Opry so different these day for fans of the older music and artist, seeing a single artist on concert is a good way to go. Not saying the Opry is out, just able to focus more on what we like with the road shows.
Ok, not that short! Sorry!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I also seem to remember that Debby Boone has previously done the Opry but I would have to check for sure. It wasn't that far back.
ReplyDeleteJim, I seem to remember Bill doing The Big Railroad Man on the Opry a couple of times, none recently. But didn't Hank Snow also do it a time or two or is my memory just fading?
While Bill is scheduled up there on the 11th and 12th, he is also scheduled to do the Opry on the 13th, for their birthday bash.
Byron,
ReplyDeleteI agree that if Debby was on it was in the past few years, not more than 10 years ago at least. Time gets away from me easy anymore. And, I could not say if she was on in the late 70's when the song was a hit but I would doubt it.
As for Bill and The Big Railroad Man, I'm thinking it has been over ten years since he performed it on the Opry. It seems he did it several time over a period of about six years or so back in the late 80's or early 90's, maybe a little later. And it seemed he would do it around Christmas time since it was set on a snow covered winter night.
I can't place Hank Snow ever doing it or recording it. Of all the train songs, although this really isn't about trains, that he did, the only one that comes to my mind that he did as a recitation was Last Ride which was part singing and part recitation. I have him doing it on a Pet Milk Opry show at the time it came out in 1959 and maybe another place in that period but I never heard him do it on the Opry in my years of listening live. I recall Leroy Van Dyke doing on Nashville Now with Ralph one night in the 80's though.
Something I forgot to mention last night is what Bill said was planned for sometime in late October. Bill did Old Army Hat and said that Ed Haley, the man the song is about, will turn 95 on October 30 and he wants to come to the Opry for his birthday. That is a Tuesday and Bill is scheduled that night. I did not think of it at the time because I did not realize the 30th was Tuesday when Bill was telling us so I wasn't paying close attention if he said it would actually take place on the 30th or on the 26th or 27th, the Friday or Saturday before. Regardless, pay attention as this time nears. It should be a very special Opry moment.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Thanks Jim. I may have gotten Hank's mixed up with the Last Ride. But I do remember Bill doing it on the Opry many years ago.
DeleteWe have been watching RFD-TV and the Country Family Reunions hosted by Bill Anderson - wonderful shows and he does a great job every time. Last 3 weeks have been the Ray Price tribute with 1 more to go. We last saw Bill on the Country Family Reunion Cruise (Larry's Country Diner) last Jan/Feb and he was fantastic. We are going to see him in Dec and will be on the cruise again in Jan/Feb. We have seen him many many times over the years in many venues including the Opry - he is one of the very best. We have also decided to catch the shows of our favorite artists as they come near us (Oak Ridge Boys, Rhonda Vincent, Malpass Brothers, Mo Pitney, Dailey and Vincent are the most recent).
ReplyDeleteI purchased a very nice Panasonic radio / tape player back in 1983 which made excellent cassettes of the Opry in the 80's - I think there was a little better reception of WSM back then here in Michigan. Those old tapes of artists dead and gone for the most part are wonderful to listen to now in the daytime during the week. Flushing , Mich Dashmann
ReplyDelete