The Grand Ole Opry has posted the schedule for the two shows this weekend and the first person I noticed on the schedule was Jamey Johnson. Nice to see his name listed as the last time he was on the Opry he made some on-stage comments regarding the fact that he felt he should have been the next member of the Opry. Nice to see that the Opry didn't take offense to his comments and that Jamey is still answering their calls.
Jamey is scheduled to appear on Saturday nights show, where he will be joined by Dillon Carmichael, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Carly Pierce and Gary Mule Deer, who is also scheduled for Friday night. On Friday he will be joined by Brett Kissel, The Swon Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, Bailey Bryan, The SteelDrivers, and the youngster Mason Ramsey.
Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for both shows this weekend include Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Connie Smith and Riders In The Sky. That quartet will be joined by The Whites on Friday night, while Bobby Osborne and Bill Anderson are scheduled for Saturday night.
Friday January 4
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Brett Kissel; The Whites
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Swon Brothers; Jim Lauderdale
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Bailey Bryan; Gary Mule Deer
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Mason Ramsey; The SteelDrivers
Saturday January 5
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Dillon Carmichael; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley; Carly Pierce
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Gary Mule Deer; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jamey Johnson
Jeannie Seely will be busy this weekend as in addition to hosting segments on both nights, she is also listed as the host of this weeks Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of January 2 & 3, 2009. This was also the weekend that the Opry went to one show on most Saturday nights:
Friday January 2
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jimmy Wayne
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; The Whites; Del McCoury Band
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Restless Heart
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Riders In The Sky; Jack Greene; Dailey & Vincent
Saturday January 3
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jimmy Wayne
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely; Del McCoury Band
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; Restless Heart; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); John Conlee; Connie Smith; Dailey & Vincent
From the first Saturday in January 25 years ago, Saturday January 8, 1994:
1st show
6:30:Grandpa Jones (host); Skeeter Davis; Jimmy C Newman
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Jim Ed Brown
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Bill Carlisle; The Four Guys; Jack Greene; Connie Smith
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Brother Oswald; Jeanne Pruett; Billy Walker; Mel McDaniel
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; George Hamilton IV; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Jim and Jesse; Jean Shepard
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Ronna Reeves; Jim Ed Brown; Charlie Walker; Jean Shepard
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Stonewall Jackson
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); Jimmy C Newman; Ray Pillow
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne
10:45: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Jack Greene (host); Mel McDaniel; Jeannie Seely; The Whites
11:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Four Guys; Jeanne Pruett; Johnny Russell
Hank Snow cancelled that weekend and Sonny Osborne was ill, thus only Bobby Osborne appeared.
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50 year ago, Saturday January 4, 1969, is an interesting date in the history of the Grand Ole Opry as it is the date that the Opry has listed as the date that Dolly Parton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, thus this will be her 50th anniversary as an Opry member. The only problem with that is the fact that Dolly Parton was not on the Opry this particular evening. However, she was on the Opry the following Saturday, January 11th, and would be introduced as the Opry's newest member that night.
"It was always my dream to be on the Opry," Dolly Parton says. As an early starter, she didn't have to wait long. "I actually got to sing on the Grand Ole Opry when I was about 10 year sold. I became a member in the late '60s. They call it the Mother Church because the old Ryman was a church, but it's sacred to me, wherever it goes, the church of my heart. For me, the Opry is like the song 'New York, New York,' if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere." And Dolly has made it everywhere. As a worldwide icon, famous for acting as well as music, she is arguably country music's greatest global ambassador. If she has sometimes unabashedly embraced show-biz glitz, somehow that never canceled out the backwoods authenticity that still characterizes her after five decades of stardom. "I've always thought that a certain bit of what magic I may have had in the minds of people was based on the fact that I look completely artificial," Dolly says. "But I am completely real as a human being. I'm a country girl, grew up poor with nothing, always wanting to have things and be things. Even though my look may be phony, my heart ain't."
Dolly grew up in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, near where her Dollywood theme park now attracts millions of tourists. She came to fame singing with Porter Wagoner in a partnership that lasted from 1967-74. At the same time, as a solo artist she was recording autobiographical classics including "Coat of Many Colors," as well as bold anthems of female pride, love, and empowerment including "Just Because I'm a Woman," "Jolene," and one of the most successful songs in music history, "I Will Always Love You." Later chart successes such as "Islands in the Stream" and "9 to 5" (for which Dolly was nominated for an Academy Award) hit both pop and country radio as the icon became one of the most recognized entertainers of all time. Dolly's lasting impact on the country genre was recognized with her 1999 election to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
So now, here is the running order from 50 year ago, Saturday January 4, 1969, the night that the Opry considers as Dolly Parton's Opry induction date (a show that Dolly did not appear on):
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): I Get the Fever
Bill Monroe (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Jean Shepard: I Thought of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/A Dear John Letter
Del Reeves: Good Time Charlie's
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Ray Pillow: I Wish I Could Fall in Love Today
Bill Anderson: Happy State of Mind
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Nine Pound Hammer
Mel Tillis: I'm Tired
Stringbean: Run, Little Rabbit, Run
Stu Phillips: Bring Love Back into Our World
Ernie Ashworth: My Love for You
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Flatt and Scruggs: Ballad of Jed Clampett
Mel Tillis: Life Turned Her That Way
Flatt and Scruggs: Folsom Prison Blues
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Osborne Brothers: Memories
Glaser Brothers: Through the Eyes of Love
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: There's a Big Wheel
Margie Bowes: Once A Day
Howdy Forrester: Dusty Miller
The Four Guys: Turn Around, Look at Me
Jeannie Seely: Welcome Home to Nothing
9:00: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): I'm Looking High and Low for My Baby
Jack Greene: Your Love Takes Good Care of Me
Loretta Lynn: Your Squaw is on the Warpath
Bob Luman: Guitar Man
Grandpa Jones: Old Blue
Chill Wills: Everybody Loves Somebody
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hollow Poplar
Ernest Tubb: Another Story; Another Time; Another Place
9:30: Kellogg's
Tex Ritter (host): Texas
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
George Hamilton IV: Take My Hand for A While
Jim and Jesse: When the Snow is on the Roses
Del Wood: Down at Papa Joe's
Lonzo and Oscar: A King Size Cola and A Moon Pie
Cousin Jody: Steel Guitar Rag
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven
10:00: Fender
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Homestead on the Farm
Del Reeves: Highway 40
Jean Shepard: If Teardrops were Silver
Archie Campbell: The Cockfight
Bill Carlisle: Me Name is Jones
Ray Pillow: Wonderful Day
10:15: Pure
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Bill Monroe: John Henry
Glaser Brothers: Gone on the Other Hand
Ernie Ashworth: A New Heart
Stu Phillips: Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Buckley's
Bill Anderson (host): Bright Lights and Country Music
Willis Brothers: Bob
Mel Tillis: Who's Julie
Osborne Brothers: Making Plans
Stringbean: Ruby
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops
10:45: Kent
Ernest Tubb (host) w/Loretta Lynn: Sweet Thang
Jack Greene: Until Me Dreams Come True
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Crook Brothers: Bill Cheatham
Loretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman Enough
11:00: Coca Cola
Tex Ritter (host): Boll Weevil
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain
Bob Luman: Memphis
Margie Bowes: Saint to A Sinner
Grandpa Jones: I'll Just Keep Living Alone
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Sam and Kirk McGee: Steel Guitar Rag
11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Roy Drusky: White Lightening Express
Jim and Jesse: Gonna Have a Big Job
Del Wood: Beer Barrel Polka
Lonzo and Oscar: Days of Wine and Roses
Marty Robbins: Tonight Carmen/Begging to You/Don't Worry/El Paso
Now let's jump to the following Saturday night, January 11, 1967, when Dolly Parton made her first Grand Ole Opry appearance as an Opry member:
7:30: Standard Candy
Tex Ritter (host): Take Him Fishing
Billy Grammer: Mabel
George Morgan: Little Green Apples
Osborne Brothers: Kentucky
Margie Bowes: I Still Miss Someone
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
The Four Guys: Turn Around, Look at Me
Tex Ritter: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Miami
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host) w/Paul Warren: Black Eyed Susie
George Jones and Brenda Carter: Milwaukee, Here I Come
Wilburn Brothers: We Need Lot More Happiness
Loretta Lynn: Fist City
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey
George Jones: I'll Be Over (When the Grass Grows Over Me)
Flatt and Scruggs: I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bill Monroe: Virginia Darling
Dottie West: Reno
Bob Luman: Guitar Man
Archie Campbell and Lorene Mann: Warm and Tender Love
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Roy Acuff: You Win Again
9:00: Luzianne
Porter Wagoner (host): The Carroll County Accident
Mel Tillis: I Wish I Felt This Way at Home
Jim and Jesse: When the Snow Is on the Roses
Dolly Parton: In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)
Justin Tubb: I'm Going Back to Louisiana
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself a Name
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): Golden Rocket
Glaser Brothers: One of These Days
Bobby Lord: Yesterday's Letters
Willis Brothers: Big Daddy
Marion Worth: Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Lonzo and Oscar: There's A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Stu Phillips: Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Hank Snow: Let Me Go Lover
10:00: Fender
Tex Ritter (host): A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Miami
Wilburn Brothers: Hurt Her Once for Me
George Morgan: Wichita Lineman
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Margie Bowes: All the World is Lonely Now
Ernie Ashworth: Sad Faces
10:15: Pure
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Folsom Prison Blues
George Jones and Brenda Carter: Milwaukee, Here I Come
Loretta Lynn: Woman of the World
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
10:30: Buckley's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy, Neighbor, Howdy
Mel Tillis: Who's Julie
10:45: Kent
Roy Acuff (host): Low and Lonely
Bill Monroe: The Gold Rush
Dolly Parton: Just Because I'm A Woman
Joe Greene: Katy Hill
Bob Luman: Memphis
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Archie Campbell and Lorene Mann: The Dark End of the Street
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: The Birds are Back
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Marion Worth: Faded Love
Stringbean: Banjo Convention
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Fire on the Mountain
Hank Snow: Old Doc Brown
Sam McGee: Wheels
Chubby Wise: Lee Highway Blues
11:30: Lava
Glaser Brothers (host): Release Me/Then I Turned and Walked Slowly Away/Many Tears Ago/You Win Again/There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Jim and Jesse: Yonder Comes the Freight Train
Stu Phillips: Love Took My Heart And Smashed That Sucker Flat
Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
This was one of those nights that the Opry started off well but went off the tracks during the second half. The Porter Wagoner segment and the Roy Acuff segment kind of tied together, with Roy's 15 minutes actually lasting a half hour. As a result, Hank Snow's 11:00 segment did not start until after 11:30, and the Opry itself ran almost 25 minutes behind by the time it was over.
Also that night, George Jones rejoined the Opry. George originally joined the cast in August 1956. He left after a while, then rejoined on this particular night (January 11). He left again after this brief return, and rejoined again in 1973. George might hold the record for most times joining, leaving and rejoining the Opry.
I will add one more thought regarding Dolly Parton. While I congratulate her upon her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, it would mean much more if she had supported the show over those 50 years. I know she is an icon, but it would have been nice if she had found the time to appear more often on the show then just those occasional appearances she has made.
Dolly will be appearing on Saturday October 12, 2019 on both shows to celebrate her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
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Wanted to add one more note: Old Crow Medicine Show posted that the group is going on hiatus and will not be booking any more shows in the foreseeable future. In looking at their website, there is nothing listed as to coming events. In the jam band world in which Old Crow Medicine Show exists, hiatus usually means trouble within the group. Hopefully nothing permanent and we will see the group back performing soon and on the Opry.
And with that, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend and welcome again to 2019.
I wonder what the likelihood might be that Jamey Johnson is invited to be the next Opry member by his good friend, Bill Anderson? While I'm thinking the likelihood is slim to none, it's a great thought & one no one is really expecting because we have Mark Wills being inducted Friday of next week but one never knows. The Opry thinks of different ways of inviting all these artists. I really like Jamey Johnson & his music & he is always well received by the audience, with the Opry still at the Ryman, these shows always seem to be a bit magical. I really don't think the Opry took much offense to what Jamey said, in my opinion, he was just making his wishes be known that he would like to be a member. I think he would make a good Opry member, but again, that's just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about Old Crow. I hope whatever might be wrong, is righted & they get back on the road & back onto the Opry stage soon. I listened to them New Year's Eve night on WSM, they were absolutely terrific, but the female comedienne; ouch, not so much. She was on the Opry with them over the weekend.
As far as Dolly Parton - while I am congratulating her on 50 years of Opry membership, it is very disappointing that many Opry members do not take full advantage of coming to the stage they agreed to be a member of to sing a few songs & unfortunately I don't see that changing any time soon.
As far as her being a Country Music Hall of Famer, she was inducted in 1999 - she should have been inducted ten years earlier. ALL that she has done to promote country music, this is where this woman has always shined. She was with Porter Waggoner for 7/8 years, has toured extensively, has written most of her material & then a whole lot more than that, had a ton of hits, is a top rate actress on tv & at the movies, she has her Dollywood theme-park, has her literacy campaign to get children & adults to read, so nothing can be taken away from her. She was on Jimmy Fallon's show a couple weeks ago, as always she was hilarious & a few things flew out of her mouth that had Fallon falling out of his chair, but that's who she is & I'm totally good with that, she was just hilarious & I give her lots of credit, after all these years she still wears rhinestones & sequins, & for that alone, she gets 5 out of a 4 star rating from me & in my opinion, this is where she never forgot her roots.
Looks to be two terrific Opry shows this weekend.
(Jeanene)
I think the Opry may have taken a little offense to what Jamey Johnson said because to my knowledge that was 4 months ago at the Roger Miller tribute show on August 31 and before he said what he did he was on probably once or twice a month
ReplyDeleteByron, I'll second you on hoping Old Crow will be ok, and that Dolly should make more than one appearance a decade.
ReplyDeleteFive Opry Members on Friday and Six on Saturday, a sad commentary in my opinion, we are back to the same old filling in with many "new" non-Opry acts. Old Crow Medicine Show being on hiatus is like the other 85% of the Opry members who aren't showing up.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else think that Jim Lauderdale would be a good fit for the Opry as a member?
ReplyDeleteI can go with him. Sings good traditional country music.
DeleteStrongly believe that the next member should be a female performer - preferably Rhonda Vincent, but there are many others also waiting in the wings - Rhonda would cover the female and also the bluegrass that needs to be updated
ReplyDeleteBill Anderson seems to have really developed a relationship with Jamey. I think it is wonderful to see the statesman artists mentor the younger artists.
ReplyDeleteAs for a Dolly, you can’t help but like and respect her but I agree Byron, she could have shouldered some of the work and helped promote the female artists to be on the Opry. Don’t really understand why she didn’t.
Been away a couple weeks but wanted to say Thanks for all you do for us fans. I greatly appreciate each column and comment you provide.
Very best to you in 2019.
You know, sometimes it really doesn't matter what key you are in or if you are in tune or not.
ReplyDeleteSorry I don't explain who I am talking about, I try not to be that mean. But if you tuned in you will know what I mean....I think! Maybe the online auto tune version is the way to really enjoy.
I know, some of our favorite veterans are a little off from time to time but my gosh, they didn't sound that way at 20 something or they wouldn't be on the Opry at 70 or 80. That's the funny thing, I don't hear them inviting many seniors on the Opry to sing flat or off key, famous or not.
Did anyone happen to listen to the Midnite Jamboree the night that Jason Coleman and Megan Taylor performed on December 14? Megan's 9 year old daughter sang Coat of Many Colors and was excellent. Maybe her voice will change and she won't sound the same a couple years, maybe that is what is going on with some of these folks.
To further my rant tonight, I have to wonder what some in the audience think they have let themselves in for some nights. A world famous radio show or the local talent contest. $90 a seat?
What a difference a week or two can make. Seems only yesterday we were flipping out over such a great weekend.
Just my opinion.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Jamey Johnson was fantastic last night. Just he and his guitar. Haven't heard anything that fine on the Opry in a while. He should be a member and I am sure it will happen some day.
ReplyDeleteFor a minute i thought it was going to happen last night when Whisperin Bill Anderson called Jamey back out. Bob
DeleteAlso to add, Connie Smith was under the weather last night and did not appear. Bill Anderson hosted the entire last hour.
ReplyDelete