Winter continues across the country and while Nashville is not getting the snow like the rest of the country, there has been no shortage of rain and some flooding. As always, I hope everyone is safe and taking care of things. As far as the Grand Ole Opry, the show goes on with one show each night Friday and Saturday.
The Grand Ole Opry's newest member, Mark Wills, is scheduled for both nights this weekend. Really nice to see him stepping right up to fulfill his membership obligations. He will be joined each night by Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson, Riders In The Sky and Mike Snider. Joining that quartet on Friday night will be Jeannie Seely, The Whites and Jesse McReynolds, while Connie Smith and Bobby Osborne and the boys are scheduled for Saturday.
Guesting both nights will be the duo of Williams & Ree. They appeared several times last year and received a great audience response. Joining them on Friday will be Stephanie Quayle, Tegan Marie, Eric Paslay and the legendary Moe Bandy. Moe will be signing copies of his new book, Lucky Me, following the show.
Saturday night's guest include Jaida Dreyer, Runaway June and making his Grand Ole Opry debut, Tony Jackson. I will mention that Thompson Square was also on the original line-up but has cancelled due to the death of Keifer Thompson's mother.
Friday February 22
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Stephanie Quayle; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Moe Bandy
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Williams & Ree; Tegan Marie
8:45: Mark Wills (host); Jesse McReynolds; Eric Paslay
Saturday February 23
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Jaida Dreyer; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Runaway June
Intermission
8:15: Mark Wills (host); Williams & Ree; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Tony Jackson
It is really nice to see the Opry having Mark Wills, the newest member, hosting segments. Much like Chris Janson, I think Mark will do very well in that role, and let's face it, with the limited number of Opry members appearing on the show, the Opry needs new faces to host. Plus, Mark has been around the Opry long enough that he should know how the show runs.
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One of the most talked about singers in Nashville today is Tony Jackson. Best known for his rendition of the George Jones classic "The Grand Tour," Tony continues to record and tour on the strength of his unique approach to traditional country. The former U.S. Marine arrived on the scene with his debut album Tony Jackson in 2017, and ha s garnered over 62 million Facebook views for his videos to date and has charted four singles. His recordings have included songs and/or appearances by one of the music industry's elite artists including Bill Anderson, Vince Gill, John Sebastian and Steve Cropper.
Tony will be presented on the Opry stage by Bill Anderson, who penned two songs on his debut album, "They Lived It Up," and "I Didn't Wake Up This Morning." Tony Jackson records on DDS Entertainment/Sony-Orchard.
In addition to his nationwide touring, Tony Jackson is also currently a headliner on the Old Dominion Barn Dance in Richmond, Virginia.
In case you were wondering what Tony's connection is to the Jimmy Dean show, it is because Jimmy's widow, Donna Dean Stevens, is one of Tony's managers and producers, along with Jim Della Croce.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from the final weekend in February ten years ago, the weekend of February 27 & 28, 2009. On the Friday Night Opry, Billy Grammer was recognized upon his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and Jimmy Dickens returned to the Opry after an absence due to brain surgery.
Friday February 27
8:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mel McDaniel; Del McCoury Band
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jim Ed Brown; Mac Davis
9:00: Diamond Rio (host); Jack Greene; Billy Grammer; Jean Shepard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jan Howard; Mike Snider; Lee Greenwood
Saturday February 28
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jim Ed Brown; Hal Ketchum
7:30: Marty Stuart (host); Jean Shepard; Connie Smith; Infamous Stringdusters
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Billy Grammer; Del McCoury Band; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Charlie Haden Family & Friends featuring Jack Black
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Hal Ketchum
10:00: Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Infamous Stringdusters
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; Del McCoury Band; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Charlie Haden Family & Friends featuring Jack Black
From 25 years ago, Saturday February 26, 1994:
1st show
6:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Bill Carlisle; Skeeter Davis
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Brother Oswald
7:00 Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Charlie Walker; The Whites
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Patty Loveless; Ricky Skaggs
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith; The Four Guys; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jeanne Pruett; Billy Walker; Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jeanne Pruett; J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Patty Loveless
10:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Billy Walker
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky
10:45: The Four Guys (host); Stonewall Jackson; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); The Whites; Jimmy C Newman; Mike Snider
11:30: Jack Greene (host); Connie Smith; Ray Pillow; Johnny Russell
Finally, from 50 years ago, Saturday February 22, 1969. This was the final night that Flatt and Scruggs appeared on the Opry. The duo would break up officially several months later, with both Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs remaining with the Opry as individual members.
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Osborne Brothers: A World of Forgotten People
Jimmy Gately: Heavenly Sunshine
Lonzo and Oscar: Columbus Stockade Blues
Bill Anderson: It's My Life
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Jimmy Gately: Dirt Under Her Feet
Lonzo and Oscar: A King Size Cola and a Moon Pie
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Shady Grove
Skeeter Davis: The Closest Thing to Love
Glaser Brothers: Gentle on My Mind
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey
Cousin Jake: Almost Persuaded #44
Skeeter Davis: Am I That Easy to Forget
Crook Brothers: Cotton-Eyed Joe
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Billy Grammer: The Hour of Separation
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Del Wood: Down at Papa Joe's
Roy Acuff: Waltz of the Wind
Billy Grammer: Mabel
Smoky Mountain Boys: Lee Highway Blues
9:00: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): You Don't Have to be a Baby to Cry
George Morgan: Like a Bird
Margie Bowes: All the World is Lonely Now
Ernie Ashworth: Where Do You Go
Ernest Tubb: Saturday Satan; Sunday Saint
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
George Morgan: Wichita Lineman
Billy Parker: That's A Big World Out There
9:30: Kellogg's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Willis Brothers: Rambling Boy
Marion Worth: A Legend in My Time
Charlie Walker: Honky Tonk Season
Jim Ed Brown: Man and Wife Time
Marion Worth: You Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Jim Ed Brown: Honky Tonk Man
10:00: Fender
Jim Glaser (Glaser Brothers host): Please Take Me Back
Lonzo and Oscar: Out of Hand
Del Wood: Beer Barrel Polka
Glaser Brothers: Gone on the Other Hand
10:15: Pure
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Ernie Ashworth: Oh, Lonesome Me
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
10:30: Buckley's
Archie Campbell (host): The Cockfight
Skeeter Davis: Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
Osborne Brothers: My Favorite Memory
Archie Campbell: Look Up; Look Down that Lonesome Road
10:45 Kent
Ernest Tubb (host): Letters Have No Arms
Billy Grammer: I'm Letting You Go
Crook Brothers: Texas Quick Step
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
11:00: Coca Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Willis Brothers: Bob/Give Me 40 Acres
Margie Bowes: Understand Your Gal/Big City
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin Hen
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Margie Bowes: Take Me As I Am or Let Me Go
Sam McGee: Under the Double Eagle
11:30: Lava
George Morgan (host): Like a Bird
Jim Ed Brown: Man and Wife Time
Jim Ed Brown and George Morgan: Now Is the Hour
Marion Worth: Almost Persuaded
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
George Morgan: Molly Darling
Jim Ed Brown: The Longest Beer of the Night
Marion Worth: Faded Love
Charlie Walker: Honky Tonk Season
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As mentioned, Billy Grammer was honored upon his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry during the 2009 show.
"Gotta Travel On" put singer Billy Wayne Grammer on the musical map. Adapted from a 150-year-old British folk tune, that October 1958 release landed him on a trio of charts: country (#5), pop (#4), and r&b (#14). In addition, the million-selling record was the first hit for Monument Records and its founder, record producer Fred Foster. A 1961 release, "Bonaparte's Retreat b/w "The Kissing Tree," is estimated to have sold 500,000 units.
The eldest of thirteen children, Billy began playing guitar at five and from an early age played locally with fiddle father Arch Grammer. Billy Grammer made his radio debut on WJPF-Herrin, Illinois, in 1940. After military service in World War II he worked for Connie B. Gay at WARL-Arlington, Virginia. There Billy performed on Jimmy Dean's CBS-TV show (1957-58). Billy became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 27, 1959.
Billy designed the Grammer Flatt Top Guitar, donating his first model to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1969. The agile guitarist's sophisticated licks garnered numerous studio sessions with artists such as Eddy Arnold, Louis Armstrong, and Patti Page, and inspired other guitarists, such as Roy Clark. In 1965 he had his own syndicated TV series.
On May 12, 1972, Billy and his group were playing at a rally in Laurel, Maryland where Alabama governor George Wallace was shot. Billy also delivered the invocation for the Grand Ole Opry House opening on March 16, 1974, and in 1990 he was inducted into the Illinois Country Music Hall of Fame.
Billy Grammer was born on August 28, 1925 in Benton, Illinois. He passed away at the age of 85 on August 10, 2011. He had been in declining health since suffering a heart attack several months earlier. Billy also suffered from the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa and later in life became completely blind.
Surprisingly, Billy never had a number one record in his career.
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Finally, it was 56 years ago, Saturday February 23, 1963 that Patsy Cline performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the final time. Patsy, who joined the Opry on January 9, 1960, would pass away a little over a week later, on March 5, as the result of a plane crash while returning home to Nashville.
Here is the running order from Patsy's final show:
7:30: Kellogg's
Faron Young (host): Yellow Bandana
Willis Brothers: San Antonio Rose
Marion Worth: Shake Me; I Rattle
Harold Morrison: Beaver Creek
Faron Young: How Much I Must Have Loved You
Del Wood: 12th Street Rag
Merle Kilgore: I Am
Willis Brothers: Big Daddy
Faron Young: Hello Walls
8:00: Martha White
Ray Price (host): Heartaches by the Number
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Doin' My Time
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Silver Threads and Golden Needles
Patsy Cline: Leavin' On Your Mind
Ray Price: Walk Me to the Door
Crook Brothers: Love Somebody
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Satisfied
Ray Price: Crazy Arms
8:30: Stephens
George Morgan (host): Mississippi
Cowboy Copas: Alabam'
Lefty Frizzell: (?)
Archie Campbell: Comedy
George Morgan: Almost
Curly Fox: (?)
Melba Montgomery: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Don't Shake Hands with the Devil
George Morgan: Rainbow in My Heart
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Roy Acuff (host): New River Train
June Stearns: Call Me Up
Bill Monroe: How Will I Explain About You
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Roy Acuff: Sweeter Than the Flowers
Brother Oswald: Southern Moon
Bill Monroe: Were You There
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Roy Acuff: Stay a Little Longer
Howdy Forrester and Jimmy Riddle: Cowbell Polka
9:30: Pet Milk
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Glaser Brothers: Lover's Farewell
Sonny James: (?)
Cousin Jody: Lady Cop
Hank Snow: Beggar to a King
Margie Bowes: Think it Over
Sonny James: (?)
Glaser Brothers: I Wish I Had Never Seen Sunshine
Hank Snow: These Hands
10:00: Strietmann
Faron Young (host): Safely in Love
Marion Worth: Tennessee Teardrops
Curly Fox: (?)
Faron Young: Alone With You
10:15: Luzianne
Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): Darkness on the Face of the Earth
George Morgan: Allegheny Rose
Del Wood: Blue Eagle
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Twenty Miles from Shore
10:30: Harvey's
Ray Price (host): (?)
Cowboy Copas: Filipino Baby
Patsy Cline: Bill Bailey
Ray Price: (?)
10:45: Sustaining
Roy Acuff (host): I Don't Know Why
Willis Brothers: Footprints in the Snow
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Crook Brothers: Soldier's Joy
Roy Acuff: So Many Times
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Big Wheel
Bill Monroe: A Good Woman's Love
Billy Walker: Thank You For Calling
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: There's A Higher Power
Hank Snow: Yellow Roses
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bile Them Cabbage Down
Glaser Brothers: Odds and Ends
Sam and Kirk McGee: Freight Train Blues
Bill Monroe: Big Sandy Breakdown
Hank Snow: Wreck of the Old 97
11:30: SSS Tonic
Marty Robbins (host): Ruby Ann
Margie Bowes: Within Your Crowd
Sonny James: (?)
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Marty Robbins: Devil Woman
Don Winters: Too Many Times
Margie Bowes: I Really Don't Want to Know
Sonny James: (?)
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry
I wanted to mention to those who will be staying up late Saturday night that the legendary Leona Williams will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. She always does a great job when hosting the show.
There you have it for this week. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and enjoys the Opry this weekend.
Remember when I mentioned that The Davisson Brothers were on Real Country in a previous post? Jaida Dreyer was on there too and won. Her prize was money and an Opry appearance. She was very good on the show.
ReplyDeleteA.B.
Building on the previous post, Tony Jackson was also on the show and if they were truly looking for "real country", Tony would have own in a heartbeat. I can't wait to hear Tony on the Opry.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the flooding, do you know what steps the Opry has taken to prevent a repeat of the flooding from a decade ago? I know that was somewhat of a very freak incident, but I would think they would have added levees to the area to prevent it from repeating.
Joe, First off, the flooding is expected to be nowhere near the levels of 2010 - the river is not even expected to exceed flood stage. I just wanted to put that out there since there has been some "overreactions" on some sites about the flooding potential.
ReplyDeleteThe entire Opry complex (except the mall) has a flood wall that is approximately 10 feet tall. In areas where it is necessary to pass through (roadways, etc.) there are removable panels that are dropped into the openings to seal those spots. The Opry House is actually outside the perimeter of the wall, but there are panels in storage that can be put into place to protect the Opry House.
I don't think the Old GOO Museum Building, which is where the box office was temporarily located last year during the construction of the new gift shop and the Acuff House are protected.
Tony Jackson is THE REAL DEAL !! We met him and heard him on the CFR cruise (he did one of the songs Bill wrote) - a genuine natural talent, gracious gentleman - looking forward to hearing him on the Opry.
ReplyDeleteWow, Mark already hosting and he will be a terrific host - love him and his music!
ReplyDeleteJim Lauderdale has been added on to the final segment on Saturday night.
ReplyDeleteIt was also posted that Connie Smith will be hosting the Midnight Jamboree on Saturday night. That is a change.
Leona Williams has been sick and was in the hospital for 4 days. That info was per her son Ron Williams. Please keep Leona in your thoughts and prayers. Bob
DeleteThanks for letting us know about Leona. Hopefully they will have an update on the Jamboree. I would expect Connie to sing "Dallas"
DeleteLeona is one of those solid Country, singers, writers and performers that is overlooked. Had she not been married to Merle for a while only the hard core fans like us would know much about her. She is always a joy to visit with.
This past June she and Ron performed at the ROPE Luncheon. Before the show, she set in the crowd and greeted fans just like they were all old friends.....and some might have been. We did not have any unsigned LP's of just her so we had her sign Serving 90 Proof by Merle once we confirmed that she was the lady leaning on the bar. She said it was not planned but she was there and they ask her to get in the shot. One of my favorite LP covers of Merle's is Roots of My Raising. Leona is leaning against the far side of the Cadillac with her head turned just enough to see her face and Merle is standing in the door on the near side. She signed that one too.
Sure hope she gets better and continues to perform. She now lives in the Nashville area near Ron and as I have said before, there just isn't an excuse for her not getting to appear on the Opry a few times a year!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
About Billy Grammer, he is to this day, my all-time favorite. I have most of his albums and a bunch of his 45's. The only time I ever got to see him in person was at a George Wallace rally in 1972. He opened the program and did several of his familiar Opry songs. Sadly, he wasn't "invited" to the Opry very often during his later years.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I never hear talked is his TV show. It starred the Homesteaders, Alex Houston & Elmer, and Barbara Allen, and the announcer was Lowell Blanchard. I'd love to be able to get a hold of videos from that show.
Who do you guys see going into the Hall of Fame this year?.
ReplyDeleteDanny,
ReplyDeleteWhat time period are talking about for Billy's TV show.
We were lucky to meet him once the year the Golden Voice Awards was on the Jackson Showboat. He was just as down to earth as could be and talked to us for some time about Roy Acuff and Hank Snow. He could still see just well enough to autograph a couple of our LP's.
I always looked forward to his appearances on the Opry in the 80's and early 90's. I just loved his guitar work and enjoyed his singing. I always remember him having a running request with Hank Snow for Hank to do "Catch a Fallen Star and Bid My Blues Goodbye". It was also enjoyable to listen to his comments with all the guys in the staff band.
I forget exactly how we made contact with Billy at his home address in Illinois, maybe through purchase of some cassettes he was selling. Anyway, I started sending him a Christmas card of one of my train paintings I do each year. I remember his wife Ruth writing back for Billy and saying that he could barely see the card but enjoyed it and she read the history and story I always include on the back..which she said he enjoyed. We exchanged cards for a few years. Like Jimmy C. Newman, Billy lived on a road or private drive of his name. And, they had envelopes with a logo and name on them. Billy's had a pin and ink of his cabin home in Sesser.
Again, great memories that this blog helps keep fresh in my mind. We really are blessed!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
The TV show aired in the 1967-70 range. In my area, it was broadcast on Channel 4, Greenville, SC, 12 noon on Saturday. I have actually written to his home address as well. By the way, when he was hosting the Opry, he would always close with "Y'all come to see me at my house. I might not have room to bed you all down, but I'll drive nails in the wall and hang you up by your galluses."
DeleteDanny:
DeleteThanks for that info. I tend to forget that these folks had regional shows outside Nashville even after they became stars. I had never heard Billy mention having a show.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Thanks for all this. I think that Billy Grammer living in Ilinois and his vision problems reduced his performing a bit, but it was always special when he was on. I'll never forget him doing the Opry for the first time in a while on the TV portion, I think in 1986, with Whisper hosting, and they had some fun byplay. Capps played rhythm, Billy Linneman bass, and Harold Weakley the snare, and Billy said, "Keep Joe Edwards off this stage," which I guess referred to Joe playing electric. But I remember at the end, Capps grabbed the stool Billy was sitting on right after he stood up, and then Billy walked off with his hand on Jimmy's shoulder to steer him.
ReplyDeleteMichael:
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing that with Jimmy leading him off stage. Recall that Billy is the one that introduced Bill the night he became a member. Also makes me think about Bill getting his Grammer guitar back. He carried that on the road for a little while after he got it back. I don't think he had it any of the times we saw him last year.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I have to admit that one of the joys I have when I post the older line-ups, or make mention of an Opry member from years ago, such as Billy Grammer, is reading the wonderful stories and memories that some of you have of these older and in some ways, forgotten Opry members. Certainly it speaks to a different time, when Opry members opened and answered their own mail, and you would get a personal response. I know those days will never come back as times have changed. Too bad as it was a time when performers really connected with their fans.
ReplyDeleteTo Jim and Byron in particular, I'm reminded of Oswald telling of how when everybody would get back in for Saturday night, they all were carrying the money they had made on the road, and would be asking one another, you have enough? You ok for the week? I have some cash if you need it? Those times weren't easy, but the old days around the Opry were obviously something special.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm still waiting for Whisper to tell us what "Lukey" meant, because Billy said people always asked why he called him Lukey and "I'll never tell."
Who do you guys see being the 2019 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees?.
ReplyDeleteByron and all,
ReplyDeleteSorry, I feel like I am hogging the blog!
Mark Wills is doing great as a host.
I'm a sentimental sort. I have to tell you I had tears in my eyes listening to Jesse just now. We are ever so close to loosing the generation so many of us treasure so much. There will always be good music out there but it will never be the same. Chris Scruggs and his group are as close as we will probably get.
Okay, I'll try to keep quiet for a while.
Jim
Did anybody see Charley Pride on American Masters? It was great and NO commercials. Bob
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI just read an article that the legendary producer Fred Foster has died at age 87. Well known as the founder of Monument Records & helped many young artist early on & signed them that are now legends in their own right such as Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton & others. Through the years He produced so many talented artist that during their career were on Monument. Billy Walker, Ray Price, Jeanne Seely, Roy Orbison, Grandpa Jones just to name a few. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family.
ReplyDeleteI saw that Grand Ole Opry member Keith Urban made a surprise appearance at the Dierks Bentley concert last night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Wouldn't it been nice if this Grand Ole Opry member, who rarely frequents the Grand Ole Opry, had made a surprise appearance instead at the Grand Ole Opry?
ReplyDeleteJust saying...
That's really sad. Bob
DeleteI taped American Masters on Charley Pride and look forward to seeing it.
ReplyDeleteIf they do one on Dierks or Keith, I'll ignore it.
My hope would be The Gatlin Brothers, Ray Stevens, and The Osborne Brothers. I would like to see them honored while they are still physically with us.
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteThat's a good thought. I will say that we might think of the Wilburns all being gone but Margie Bowes is still with us as well as Sharon Wilburn, Doyle and Margie's daughter. However, I think it will be a while before they go in if they ever do. I'll never tell my train of thought there!
I almost made it 24 hours!
Jim
Found this of interest
Deletehttps://www.facebook.com/margie.boweswilburn
Jim - I am an old-timer too; I love your comments -- keep posting. Dashmann - Flushing, Michigan ( by the way, my 9th grade grandson bowled a 300 game this AM - his first !!! )
ReplyDeleteIn case you don't already know: the great Mac Wiseman passed away today. Of course he was indelibly linked to the Opry, having been a Bluegrass Boy and was also the last surviving member of Flatt & Scruggs' Foggy Mountain Boys. I believe he also may have been the last surviving person to witness Hank Williams' Opry debut. I had the pleasured of meeting him several times (last in June 2018) and he was a true gentleman. Another sad day for country music. (oldtimeopry)
ReplyDeleteI’ve always wondered why Mac Wiseman was not a Opry member. He was loved and admired by so many.
ReplyDeleteI saw Mac Wiseman in concert at N. C. State University in 1973, along with Lester Flatt. A very young Marty Stuart was in Lester's band, and I tape recorded the concert, something you could easily do in those days at an outdoor show. I still have the tape. And oh yes, Mac Wiseman was indeed a piece of Country Music history.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who can help? What year?
ReplyDeleteMany years ago I saw a show on the Grand Ole Opry. I think it was a late Saturday show.
Hank Snow sang “The wreck of the old 97”. Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Jim Ed Brown or The Browns, Skeeter Davis and Ricky Scaggs were there. Late 70:s?
Porter Wagoner was on the matinee the previous day.
Maybe impossible, but some idea? Is there any site where I can see the old line ups?