I don't want to be too hard on the Opry's management because overall, I think they are doing a better job. But, when I see only three Opry members on the Friday Night Opry, and a guest artist scheduled for all six shows over this weekend, I just have to scratch my head and wonder.
Anyways, the line-ups have been posted for the shows this weekend as the Grand Ole Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium for its annual winter run, which will last through January. There are two shows on Friday and Saturday night, in addition to two Tuesday Night Opry shows.
Looking at the Friday Night Opry, Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for both shows are Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Mike Snider is down for the first show and Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers are set for the late show. Saturday night has Mike Snider, Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne, Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely scheduled for both shows.
Home Free and Williams & Ree are scheduled for all four weekend shows, joined on Friday night by Stephanie Quayle, Shenandoah, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Carly Pearce and Michael Ray. On Saturday night, those two will be joined by Smithfield, Delta Rae, Charlie Worsham and one of my personal favorites, Suzy Bogguss.
Friday November 2
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Stephanie Quayle; Shenandoah
7:30: The Whites (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Williams & Ree
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Carly Pearce; Michael Ray; Home Free
2nd show
9:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Stephanie Quayle; Shenandoah
10:00: The Whites (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Williams & Ree
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Carly Pearce; Michael Ray; Home Free
Definitely a little thin on Friday night, and I don't see why the Opry didn't hold Mike Snider over for the second show and at least create an additional segment.
Saturday November 3
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Smithfield; Delta Rae
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Williams & Ree; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Worsham; Home Free
2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Smithfield; Delta Rae
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Williams & Ree; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Worsham; Home Free
Definitely a little better than Friday night. As to the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this weekend. Teea Goans will be the host.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of October 31 & November 1, 2008:
Friday October 31
8:00: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Jeff Bates
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Cherryholmes
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Rebecca Lynn Howard
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mel McDaniel; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Restless Heart
Saturday November 1
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; The Whites
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Brad Paisley; Trace Adkins; George Jones w/Georgette Jones; Jimmy Dickens
2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Jeannie Seely; Mel McDaniel; The Whites
10:00: Trace Adkins (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; Brad Paisley; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith
And from 25 years ago, Saturday October 30, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); The Four Guys
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard; Stonewall Jackson
7:00: Jack Greene (host); Skeeter Davis; Billy Walker; Charlie Louvin
7:30: Jerry Clower (host); Floyd Cramer; Louise Mandrell
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown; Brother Oswald; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Riders In The Sky; Jeanne Pruett; Jimmy C Newman; The Whites
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Floyd Cramer; Wilma Lee Cooper; Roy Drusky; Louise Mandrell
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Shelley Sims
10:30: The Four Guys (host); Bill Carlisle
10:45: Jerry Clower (host); Jimmy C Newman; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Riders In The Sky; Charlie Walker; Justin Tubb; Charlie Louvin
11:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jeanne Pruett; The Whites; Mike Snider
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While the Grand Ole Opry's birthday celebration now takes place in October, there was a time when November was the month and so it did in 1961 as the Opry celebrated it's 36th anniversary on Saturday November 4. Here is the running order from that night, 57 years ago.
7:30: Pet Milk
Faron Young (host): Back Track
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters
Roy Drusky: I Went Out of My Way
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me
Jimmy Newman: Alligator Man
Skeeter Davis: Optimistic
Glaser Brothers: Let Me Down Easy
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Faron Young: I Haven't Got the Time
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): My Long Journey Home
Billy Grammer: Save Your Tears
Patsy Cline: I Fall to Pieces
Grandpa Jones: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Alabam'
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Flatt and Scruggs: Where Will I Shelter My Sheep
Earl Scruggs: Earl's Breakdown
8:30: Faultless Starch
Jim Reeves (host): How Can I Write on Paper, What I Feel in My Heart
Hawkshaw Hawkins: I Wake Up With a Big Old Heartache
Willis Brothers: Everlovin' Dixie Land
Hank Locklin: This Song is Just for You
Jean Shepard: I've Got to Talk to Mary
Stringbean: 20 cent Cotton and 90 cent Meat
Carl Butler: Honky Tonkitis
Jordanaires: Satisfied
Jim Reeves: Melody
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Girl From Abilene
Wilburn Brothers: The Legend of the Big River Train
Ray Price: (?)
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Bill Monroe: Linda Lou
Cousin Jody: Comedy
Margie Bowes: Lonely Pillow
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Ernest Tubb: Thru That Door
9:30: Stephens
Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry
Johnny and Jack: Let My Heart Be Broken
Ferlin Husky: The Waltz You Saved for Me
Lonzo and Oscar: Country Music Time
George Morgan: Everyday of My Life
Kitty Wells: Our Mansion is a Prison Now
George Hamilton IV: (?)
Marty Robbins: El Paso
10:00: Standard Oil/Sustaining
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Roy Drusky: Anymore
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Carl Butler: For the First Time
Skeeter Davis: I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know
Grandpa Jones: (?)
Del Wood: Creola Fandango
Billy Walker: Faded Lights and Lonesome People
Porter Wagoner: Everything She Touches Gets the Blues
10:30: Jasper Engine and Transmissions
Ernest Tubb (host): Don't Just Stand There
Jimmy Newman: Alligator Man
Stringbean: Herding Cattle
Patsy Cline: Crazy
Ernest Tubb: Thoughts of A Fool
10:45: De Con
Faron Young (host): Hello Walls
Jan Howard: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Crook Brothers: Lost Indian
Faron Young: Going Steady
11:00: Coca Cola
Ray Price (host): (?)
Willis Brothers: Pretty Diamonds
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Lonzo and Oscar: I Can't Pitch Woo in an Igloo
Billy Grammer: Save the Tears
Jordanaires: House of Gold
Sam and Kirk McGee: Lonely River
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Ray Price: (?)
11:30: Black Draught
Ferlin Husky (host): Wings of A Dove
Bill Monroe: On & On
George Morgan: You're the Only Good Thing
Wilburn Brothers: No Legal Right
Cousin Jody: Comedy
Loretta Lynn: I Walked Away from the Wreck
Glaser Brothers: Tired of Crying Over You
George Hamilton IV: (?)
Simon Crum: (?)
Two years later, the Opry celebrated it's 44th anniversary. Here is the running order from that night 55 years ago, Saturday November 2, 1963:
6:30: Rudy's
Jimmy Newman (host): The Mover
Kitty Wells: Heartaches for a Keepsake
Johnny Wright: O, Baby Mine
Stringbean: There Will Be Moonshine in Them Old Kentucky Hills
Bobby Lord: Out Behind the Barn
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Kitty Wells: I Gave My Wedding Dress Away
Jimmy Newman: D.J. for a Day
7:00: Delited
Porter Wagoner (host): I've Enjoyed As Much of This as I Can Stand
Roy Drusky: Peel Me a Nanner
Carl Butler: Don't Let Me Cross Over
Melba Montgomery: What's Bad for You is Good for Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Billy Walker: The Morning Paper
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Porter Wagoner: In The Shadow of the Wine
7:30: Kellogg's
George Morgan (host): Alright, I'll Sign the Paper
Marion Worth: (?)
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Willis Brothers: Private Lee
Bill Anderson: Still
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Tex Ritter: Boll Weevil
Square Dancers: Soap Suds Over the Fence
George Morgan: One Dozen Roses
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): New York Town
Ferlin Husky: Gone
Loretta Lynn: Before I'm Over You
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Flatt and Scruggs: Mama Don't Allow It
Billy Grammer: (?)
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Flatt and Scruggs: Flint Hill Special
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bill Monroe: John Henry
Ray Price: San Antonio Rose
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Sonny James: Going Through the Motions
Lonzo and Oscar: There's A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Brother Oswald: Roll On, Buddy, Roll On
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Johnny Cash: (?)
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
June Carter and The Carter Sisters: (?)
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Margie Bowes: Our Things
Ernest Tubb: The Way You're Living
9:30: Pet Milk
Hank Snow (host): Ninety Miles an Hour Down A Dead End Street
The Browns: The 3 Bells
Faron Young: Yellow Bandana
Jean Shepard: (?)
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters
Leroy Van Dyke: Happy to Be Unhappy
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: There's a Big Wheel
Stonewall Jackson: B.J. the D.J.
Hank Snow: Blue Roses
10:00: Gates Rubber
Billy Grammer (host): (?)
Bobby Lord: Life can Have Meaning
Curly Fox: T. Model & A Train
Billy Walker: Heart, Be Careful
Billy Grammer: (?)
10:15: Luzianne
Roy Acuff (host): The Great Speckled Bird
Del Wood: Columbus Stockade Blues
Jimmy Newman: D.J. for a Day
Roy Acuff: Wreck on the Highway
Howdy Forrester and Jimmy Riddle: Apple Blossoms
10:30: Harvey's
Ferlin Husky (host): Wings of a Dove
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Tex Ritter: (?)
Simon Crum: (?)
10:45: Ford
Faron Young (host): (?)
George Morgan: You're the Only Good Thing
Bill Anderson: Eight by Ten
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Faron Young: (?)
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Skeeter Davis: Something Precious
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
The Browns: Oh, No
Lonzo and Oscar: Hand Holding
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Gloryland March
Sam and Kirk McGee: Let's Meet by the Old Oaken Bucket
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Love Somebody
Hank Snow: There's a Fool Such as I
11:30: SSS Tonic
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Hank Locklin: Flying South
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Stonewall Jackson: Wild, Wild Wind
Margie Bowes: Judge Not
Sonny James: The Minute You're Gone
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry
As I have written before, the Opry birthday was celebrated at the same time as the annual Disc Jockey Convention, and as these line-ups showed, it was pretty much everyone on deck, so to speak. And pretty much every Opry member appeared. But notice the differences between the shows that were just two years apart. There were changes in sponsors and the Opry had lost several members as Jim Reeves had left and tragically, Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Jack Anglin had passed away. In 1961 Marty Robbins was not anchored in the 11:30 segment, but by 1963 he was. And notice that Roy Acuff and Hank Snow were missing from the 1961 show.
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The line-up has also been posted for the Tuesday Night Opry on November 6. There will be two shows that night, highlighted by Grand Ole Opry members Josh Turner and Little Big Town.
1st show
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Josh Turner
8:00: Home Free; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:30: Little Big Town
2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky; Mandy Barnett
10:00: Josh Turner
8:00: Home Free; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:30: Little Big Town
There you have it for this week. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!
hmmmm????, on the Opry segments, very strange. Love Teea Goans, she will be great on the ET Midnite Jamboree.
ReplyDeleteI love Teea Goans also. I found it strange to have 2 Opry shows on Tuesday and only 6 artists. Bob
ReplyDeleteBob, I find only 6 artists performing discouraging. :(
DeleteI buy 'Opry tickets sometimes months ahead figuring I'm a cinch to see several performers I will like when the performance takes place.
If the 'Opry keeps booking fewer and fewer artists for shows, (probably to save money) I will be less and less likely to gamble on buying tickets.
I understand the displeasure with the Tuesday night lineup, but I'm more upset about the weekend (and Friday in particular) lineup. 3 Opry members on a Friday show is very disappointing and what the Tuesday night show lacks in quantity, it makes up in quality with 3 artists that can really bring a crowd with Josh Turner, Home Free, and Little Big Town. With all 3 on the show, I would sure think they sell out both shows even with the thin lineup.
DeleteI quit buying Opry tickets in advance a long time ago. If I'm in Nashville now it's for something at the Ryman or another show and I wait to see if anyone is on the Opry that I'm interested in until then. I used to plan trips around the Opry and go to the old Friday Night Opry that ran four hours in the winter, both Saturday night shows when we'd see 20-22 Opry members and the Midnite Jamboree hosted by an Opry star. Oh the good old days! (oldtimeopry)
DeleteI am actually fine with the Tuesday night line-up. While only 6 artists, the quality is very good. Josh Turner just released a new gospel album, which is probably why he received an entire segment.
DeleteFriday night is a different story. No reason to mess with the weekend shows. Just think of this: if Ricky Skaggs were to cancel on Friday for whatever reason, it would put a big hole in that show and management would probably be scrambling.
Like others have commented, except for the birthday weekend, I no longer buy Opry tickets well in advance. $100 a ticket is too much of a gamble to take. I would rather wait and take my chances on getting a good seat a little closer to the show when you have some sort of idea who might be appearing.
Wanted to share the news that Dave Rowland passed away yesterday at the age of 76. Dave was most famous as the male singer in the group Dave & Sugar, who had several country music hits including "The Door is Always Open." Dave was also a member for a period of time of The Four Guys, which by definition would have made him a former Opry member. Dave also sang with various gospel groups including J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Byron and Oldtime Opry. When we started attending the Opry at least once and sometimes as much as four times a year in the late 80's, we didn't have to worry if we were going to see a good show and get our money's worth. Oh, we might be just a little disappointed if one of our favorites was not there but that was the Opry and part of the mystique. And, even up into the early 2000's you could accept seeing a few more artist that you really didn't care to see because the majority were sold. You understood that time was changing and the Acuff's, Snow's, Monroe's and the like couldn't live forever.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this today is getting to the point of false promotion. I know, "schedule and artist are subject to change" but that really doesn't get it when you fork out close to $100 and spend much more to get there and stay in town. People who did not understand the Opry, that it was a radio variety show(in that many different artist performed), would often ask "who are you going to see?" My response was that we didn't know but certain folks were pretty much guaranteed to be there and the rest would all be good and solid too. That always brought looks of confusion.
Other than a special event, I would not buy tickets way in advance as some of you have also said because I can't afford to throw that kind of money around. It is a shame that the only thing close to a guarantee (and I understand and would not want that to be 100%) of worthwhile show is when they can lock in a current "big" name and promote it way in advance. And then for me, that is not the best show, but that is just me, can't make us all happy all the time and I accept that.
At our last Bill Anderson show I thanked him for continuing to come out and see us and said that we would rather spend our money to see him and other individuals than take a chance on going to the Opry. I said that we love the Opry and are thankful it is still going but we know we will get a good show when we see the individual performances. Whether Bill enjoys everything at the Opry now or not, he is like all of us and dearly loves the show. When I started saying what I did, my brother said Bill looked a bit concerned that I might be degrading the Opry. However, when I finished, Bill said "well that is a very nice compliment to us and we appreciate it".
You know where I always go! Bless those artist who over the decades leading up to the most recent half dozen years or so, and those still hanging in there, for making the Opry a sure bet when you bought those tickets months in advanced. Thanks to their dedication, we are able to be talking about the Opry in 2018.
And just to be clear, my comments are just thoughts and concerns about something I love very much. They are not a put down to anyone. I am still so thankful that many of the artist, veteran and new alike, that I like, still have an Opry to come to.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Has anybody heard anything about Jesse McReynolds? Bob
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat does anyone think about Home Free being members of the Opry. I listened to their performance tonight and was impressed with the reception from the audience.
ReplyDeleteI like Home Free. I have never seen them in person but you are right, they sound good while on the Opry.
DeleteMembership might be a bit of a stretch for me, and I have bought one of their albums. They have very little original music and while their tilt country, they do have several non-country songs as well. That said, they are amazingly talented and they do seem to put butts in the seats and thus I don't think they would be a worse idea than many of the other potential members out there.
Delete