Grand Ole Opry 3/29 & 3/30

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the weekend shows as the month of March gets closed out. In looking at the line-ups, there really is nothing special as with the exception of Opry member Terri Clark on Friday night, the rest of the Opry members appearing are the usual group that you can count on weekly to support the show.

That list includes Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith and Bill Anderson, who are scheduled for both nights. Joining that group on Friday, in addition to Terri Clark, is Jesse McReynolds, who missed the Opry last weekend as he wasn't feeling well. Glad he is back on the schedule for this weekend. On Saturday night, it will be members The Whites and Bobby Osborne appearing.

Carly Pearce is guesting both nights. Joining her on the Friday Night Opry will be Levi Hummon, Tyler Farr, The Isaacs and Lauren Alaina. Saturday night it will be Tyler Rich, Jason Crabb, Sister Sadie, and my favorite (not) Jessie James Decker.

That comes out to 8 Opry members each night and 4 non-members.

Friday March 29
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Carly Pearce; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Levi Hummon; Terri Clark
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Jesse McReynolds; Tyler Farr
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); The Isaacs; Lauren Alaina

Saturday March 30
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Tyler Rich; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse James Decker; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); The Whites; Sister Sadie; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Carly Pearce; Jason Crabb

It seems as if every week, one or two artists make their Grand Ole Opry debut and this weekend it is Sister Sadie's turn to grace the Opry stage. While Sister Sadie will be new to the Opry, for some of the groups members, it is a stage that they are very familiar with.

The Grammy nominated group is made up of world renowned musicians Dale Ann Bradley, Tina Adair, Gena Britt, Deanie Richardson and Beth Lawrence, who originally formed after playing a sold-out 2013 show at the legendary Station Inn, in Nashville. Following that hype, the ladies decided to come together as a band and record music as Sister Sadie. They have continued to turn heads within Bluegrass and Americana circles, with fellow Bluegrass alum Alison Krauss saying that "Sister Sadie is an inspiring musical collaboration bringing together some of the best women bluegrass music has ever claimed."

The band has gained major attention with their 2018 sophomore project, Sister Sadie II. The album has garnered critical-acclaim from top publications, including Rolling Stone and Parade magazine, which called the album "a finger-picking good time from the fabulous ladies of the all-star bluegrass Americana act." As a result the band was a finalist for IBMA's coveted "Emerging Artist of the Year" award.

So far, 2019 has proven to be a career defining year for Sister Sadie. In addition to charting multiple No. 1 hits on Roots radio, the band was announced as a finalist for "Best Bluegrass Album" at the 61st Grammy Awards. The milestone marks the group's first nomination as a group, and Dale Ann Bradley's second, following a nomination in the category in 2015.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the final weekend in March 2009:

Friday March 27
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Trent Tomlinson
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Billy Currington
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mel McDaniel; Johnny Counterfit; Del McCoury Band
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Ray Pillow; Jack Greene; Rodney Atkins

Saturday March 28
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Love & Theft
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Keith Anderson; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Ronnie Milsap

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Del McCoury Band
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Mel McDaniel; Ronnie Milsap
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Love & Theft; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Keith Anderson

Now from 25 years ago, Saturday March 26, 1994:

1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); The Whites
6:45: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bill Carlisle
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Charlie Louvin; Jim Ed Brown; Skeeter Davis; Charlie Walker
7:30: The Four Guys (host); Ricky Van Shelton; Jan Howard; Jim and Jesse
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; J.D. Sumner and The Stamps; Jeannie Seely; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jimmy C Newman; Jeanne Pruett; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald and Charlie Collins; The Whites; Ricky Van Shelton; Colleen Walters
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); Riders In The Sky; Carol Lee Cooper
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeanne Pruett
10:45: The Four Guys (host); Roy Drusky; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Jim Ed Brown; J.D. Sumner and The Stamps
11:30: Billy Walker (host); Johnny Counterfit; Barry and Holly Tashian; Mike Snider; Jeannie Seely

Finally, from 50 year ago, Saturday March 29, 1969:

7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Glaser Brothers; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Stringbean; Lonzo and Oscar
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Grandpa Jones; The Four Guys; Crook Brothers; Del Wood
8:30: Billy Walker (host); Osborne Brothers; Archie Campbell; Lorene Mann; Stonewall Jackson
9:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Billy Grammer; Jeannie Seely; Bill Carlisle; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Willis Brothers; Bobby Lord; Cousin Jody
10:00: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Lonzo and Oscar; The Four Guys; Stringbean
10:15: Lester Flatt (host); Jeannie Seely; Grandpa Jones
10:30: Osborne Brothers (host); Glaser Brothers; Archie Campbell; Lorene Mann; Del Wood
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Billy Walker; Crook Brothers
11:00: Billy Walker (host); Willis Brothers; Bill Carlisle; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Bobby Lord (host); Charlie Louvin; Stonewall Jackson; Cousin Jody
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To finish it up for this week, I want to go back to Saturday March 30, 1974 which was the night that Earl Scruggs made his final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry's cast:

Earl Scruggs gave country music a new sound when he decided to pick the strings of a banjo, instead of strumming chords. He was the unchallenged virtuoso of the five-string banjo. He did not invent it. Joel Sweeney did in 1831. But Earl did invent a new style of picking, using three fingers in a new method which added versatility and brilliance to the instrument.

Young Scruggs learned to play the banjo before the age of six. He was born into a family of six children that loved bluegrass music. Earl had developed his famous style of picking by the age of ten. His first professional appearance was on a radio station in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In 1944, Earl introduced his new style of picking on the Grand Ole Opry. Three years later, he teamed up with a jovial guitar player by the name of Lester Flatt. The two became one of the most famous acts in country music.

Eager to strengthen his appeal to the emerging youth culture and frustrated by his partner Lester Flatt's musical inflexibility, Earl recruited his sons Randy and Gary to form a rock-oriented ensemble in early 1969. The Earl Scruggs Revue initially featured Gary on lead vocals, bass, and harmonica; Randy on electric and acoustic guitar; Bob Wilson on piano; and Jody Maphis on drums. The group's repertoire mixed traditional songs and contemporary folk-rock covers with Earl's instrumental specialties.

During the 1970s the band included Vassar Clements, who joined Earl, Gary and Randy on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 1972 homage to traditional country music, "Will the Circle be Unbroken." Bluegrass dobro veteran Josh Graves joined the group in March 1972, while Earl's youngest son Steve worked occasional dates and eventually replaced Bob Wilson. In 1978 Taylor Rhodes replaced Joe Maphis.

Though never embraced by bluegrass or country music purists, Earl's group found its niche as a live act playing to college-age audiences. The group recorded for Columbia throughout the decade and made frequent network television appearances. While Earl and the group left the Opry in 1974, they remained a major draw on campuses and in auditoriums as well as other venues until 1980, when persistent back issues forced Earl's retirement from the road.

Here is the running order from 45 years ago, Saturday March 30, 1974, the final night that the Earl Scruggs Revue performed as members of the Grand Ole Opry:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Charlie Walker (host): Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down

6:45: Rudy's
Willis Brothers (host): Truck Stop
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203/Looking Back to See
Willis Brothers: Buying Popcorn

7:00: Rudy's
Archie Campbell (host): (?)
Bob Luman: Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Tommy Jones: Dixie Hummingbird
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Tommy Jones: Orange Blossom Special
Archie Campbell: Make Friends

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Lonzo and Oscar: Moving On No. 2
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Lost Indian
Roy Acuff: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Carol Lee Cooper: Making Plans
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Billy Walker (host): I Changed My Mind
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Earl Scruggs Revue: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Connie Smith: Dallas
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Grandpa Jones: Just Plain Folks
Earl Scruggs Revue: I Shall Be Released

8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigrae
The Four Guys: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer
Stu Phillips: That's A Chance I'll Have to Take
Billy Grammer: What a Friend

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Charlie Walker (host): Wanting My Woman Again
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Charlie Walker: Jambalaya
Connie Smith: Louisiana Man
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips

10:00: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Doin' My Time
Bob Luman: Today I Started Loving You Again
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Back in the Country
Justin Tubb: Loving Arms
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back to the Mountains

10:30: Trailblazer
Stu Phillips (host): There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Grandpa Jones: Banjo Sam/Mountain Dew
Stu Phillips: For the Good Times

10:45: Beech-Nut
Billy Grammer (host): Lonesome Road Blues
Lonzo and Oscar: Rocky Top
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Sally Goodin
Billy Grammer: Just A Closer Walk with Thee

11:00: Coca Cola
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me A Love Song to Baby
Earl Scruggs Revue: Carolina Boogie
Tommy Jones: Alabama Jubilee
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Earl Scruggs Revue: T for Texas
Sam McGee: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
The Four Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of a Dove
Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer
Ronnie Robbins: Am I Good Enough to Be Your Man/Mama Tried
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Love Me/Big Boss Man/I'm Wanting To/El Paso/Singing the Blues

I just wanted to mention one other performer from that night and that was Tommy Jones.

Tommy Jones was recognized as a child prodigy by Chet Atkins. His debut Album "Tommy's Place" showcased his talent for a sensitive and melodic touch. Later, Chet produced "Chet Atkins Presents Tommy Jones," a landmark album. Tommy's final two CD's were "Country" and "Tide Pool."

Tommy appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as a teenager, and toured extensively with saxophonist Boots Randolph. He was a regular performer and instructor at many of the annual Chet Atkins Appreciation Society conventions in Nashville.

Tommy Jones passed away on September 4, 2002 at the age of 47.

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

Mid-Week Opry Shows 3/26 & 3/27 & 3/28

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the mid-week shows. Overall, a nice collection of artists performing this week.

The Tuesday Night Opry will feature Opry members Riders In The Sky, Terri Clark, Dailey & Vincent and Pam Tillis. Steven Curtis Chapman is also scheduled and will be in the Opry Shop signing.

Tuesday Night Opry March 26
7:00: Riders In The Sky; David Ball
7:30: Terri Clark; Big & Rich
Intermission
8:15: Bailey Bryan; Dailey & Vincent
8:45: Steven Curtis Chapman; Pam Tillis

The Wednesday Night Opry will feature another appearance by Chris Janson, who shows that he continues to support the show after becoming a member. Exactly as we had expected. Also appearing will be newly elected Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens.

Wednesday Night Opry March 27
7:00: Dailey & Vincent; Jillian Jacqueline
7:30: Henry Cho; Restless Heart
Intermission
8:15: Jason Crabb; Ray Stevens; Chris Janson

Opry Country Classics on Thursday night has a very nice line-up with the Oak Ridge Boys being featured as the spotlight artist, along with an appearance by the legendary group Asleep At The Wheel.

Opry Country Classics March 28
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Oak Ridge Boys
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Asleep At The Wheel; William Michael Morgan

Grand Ole Opry 3/22 & 3/23

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for both weekend shows, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. Show time both nights is 7:00. Both nights feature solid line-ups.

Appearing both nights, and once again hosting, will be the Opry's newest member Mark Wills. Mark did a fine job hosting during his debut and it looks like he has landed a spot in the rotation. Joining Mark both nights will be Opry members Mike Snider and Riders In The Sky.

Joining that trio on Friday night will be Bobby Osborne, Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. The Saturday night schedule as Larry, Steve and Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers listed, along with Connie Smith, Bill Anderson, Old Crow Medicine Show and Jesse McReynolds. It is certainly nice to once again see Old Crow listed on the Opry schedule. So in total, we have eight Opry members each night.

As far as guest artists his weekend, Friday night will feature Levon, Charlie Worsham, Shelly Fairchild and Scott Mulvahill, while on Saturday night, Austin Burke and Charles Esten are the only non-members who are scheduled to appear.

Friday March 22
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mike Snider; Levon
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Charlie Worsham
Intermission
8:15: Mark Wills (host); Shelly Fairchild; Crystal Gayle
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Scott Mulvahill

Saturday March 23
7:00: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Mike Snider; Austin Burke
7:30: Mark Wills (host); Riders In The Sky; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Charles Esten; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Old Crow Medicine Show (host); Jesse McReynolds

When looking at the Saturday line-up, I find it interesting that Mark Wills got the hosting slot over Riders In The Sky and Connie Smith, two artists who traditionally have hosted segments.

Making his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night will be Austin Burke. Austin is from Phoenix, Arizona and his musical career began at the age of three when he sang the national anthem for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns. At the age of 19, he moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. He spent several years writing songs and working to save enough money to record his debut single "Sleepin' Around." The song led to a contract with WME and the opportunity to open for numerous high-profile artists, including Vince Gill and Cole Swindell. In fact, it was Vince who called Austin with the invitation to make his Grand Ole Opry debut.

While not making his Opry debut on Friday night, there are some who might not be familiar with Scott Mulvahill. He was a long-time member of Ricky Skagg's group, Kentucky Thunder, playing upright bass and writing songs. He was a showcase performer at the 2018 American Music Festival and has been featured on Lightning 100 radio's Nashville Sunday Night series. Obviously, as a member of Kentucky Thunder, he has appeared on the Opry with Ricky before, and Ricky has also allowed Scott to step forward and sing solo on the Opry.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the 3rd weekend in March 2009:

Friday March 20
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jeannie Seely; Riders In The Sky; Vince Gill
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Jimmy C Newman; Dailey & Vincent
8:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); George Hamilton IV; Jean Shepard; Mike Snider
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith; Ralph Stanley

Saturday March 21
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Kellie Pickler
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; John Conlee; Dierks Bentley
8:00 Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Riders In The Sky; Ralph Stanley; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Charlie Daniels Band

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jean Shepard; Kellie Pickler
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; John Conlee; Dierks Bentley
10:30: Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Ralph Stanley; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Jim Ed Brown; Riders In The Sky; Charlie Daniels Band

Now from 25 years ago, Saturday March 20, 1994:

1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard
6:45: Jimmy Dickens (host); Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald; The Four Guys; Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C Newman
7:30: Marty Stuart (host); Martina McBride; Oak Ridge Boys; Clint Black
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Ray Pillow; Jeanne Pruett; The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jim Ed Brown; Connie Smith; Billy Walker; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jack Greene; Jeanne Pruett; Clint Black
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard;
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stonewall Jackson
10:45: Billy Walker (host); Johnny Russell; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Charlie Walker; The Whites; Connie Smith
11:30: Marty Stuart (host); Martina McBride; Oak Ridge Boys

Finally from 50 years ago, Saturday March 22, 1969:

7:30: Stu Phillips (host); Ernie Ashworth; Margie Bowes; Del Wood
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle; Crook Brothers
8:30: Billy Grammer (host); Mel Tillis; Dolly Parton; Jim and Jesse
9:00: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Justin Tubb; The Four Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sue Thompson
9:30: Charlie Walker (host); Willis Brothers; Wilma Burgess; Cousin Jody; Jimmy Martin
10:00: Ernie Ashworth (host); Margie Bowes; Stu Phillips; Del Wood
10:15: Lester Flatt (host); Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle
10:30: Mel Tillis (host); Dolly Parton; Jim and Jesse
10:45: Billy Grammer (host); Justin Tubb; The Four Guys; Crook Brothers
11:00: Willis Brothers (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Sue Thompson; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Charlie Walker (host); Wilma Burgess; Cousin Jody; Jimmy Martin; Lynn Anderson

(Porter Wagoner was scheduled to host two segments but cancelled).

A name that some might not remember from that night is Sue Thompson. Sue, who at last word is still alive and would be 93 years of age, was born in Nevada, Missouri. Married at the age of 17, with a daughter at age 20, and divorced after that, she worked in California nightclubs in order to support herself and her daughter. In San Jose, Sue won a talent contest and was invited by TV host Dude Martin to sing with his band. Later married, they recorded duets together, including "If You Want Some Lovin'" which led to her getting a recording contract from Mercury Records.

In the early 1950s, she divorced Martin and married Hank Penny. The couple hosted a TV show in Los Angeles, then later moved to Las Vegas. Sue recorded as a solo artist and as a duo with her husband for Decca Records, however much as with Mercury, she had no success. In 1960, she signed with Hickory Records and in 1961 "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)" became a No. 5 hit on the pop charts, followed successfully by "Norman" which reached No. 3. Both of those songs were written by successful songwriter John D. Loudermilk.

In 1962, she charted with "Have a Good Time," then in 1963 with "Willie Can." She continued to record however "Paper Tiger" in 1965 was her last Top 30 record. In addition to her success in the United States, she also charted hits in Australia. By the late 1960s, she was recording country music and in 1971 she worked with Don Gibson. They had a minor hits with "I Think They Call It Love," "Good Old Fashioned Country Love," and "Oh, How Love Changes." Her last country record on the charts was "Never Naughty Rosie" in 1976. After that, she was a performer in Las Vegas casinos and clubs in the Los Angeles area.
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Looking back at Grand Ole Opry history, it was 39 years ago, Saturday March 22, 1980 that two events happened: it was the final night that Marion Worth appeared on the Opry as a member and it was the first night that the Melvin Sloan Dancers (still referred to as the Tennessee Travelers) appeared on the Grand Ole Opry.

For a decade from the end of the 50's through the end of the 60's, Mary Ann Ward, known professionally as Marion Worth, was a highly vaunted chart artist, who was a favorite on the Grand Ole Opry as well as the music rooms in Las Vegas. She was also one of the first Country performers to play New York's Carnegie Hall.

Marion's father was a railroad worker who taught her to play piano. At the age of 10, she won a talent contest for five straight weeks. After graduating high school and a business college, she became a bookkeeper for a record company. After entering another talent contest, this time with her sister, and winning, she decided to try a career in music.

She made her radio debut on KLIF in Dallas, then moved on to Birmingham where she worked in radio and television. Happy Wilson, whom Marion would later marry, was so impressed with Marion that he began recording her. At the end of 1959, he recording of "Are You Willing" went Top 15. The following year, recording on an independent label, she had a Top 5 hit with "That's My Kind of Love." That song would end up being her most successful single.

Jack Stapp signed Marion to appear on the Friday Night Follies, later to become the Friday Night Opry. Marion and was also signed to Columbia Records and began working with Don Law and Frank Jones. With her new label, she scored a Top 10 single with "I Think I Know." In 1961, she reached the Top 25 with "There'll Always Be Sadness." Her next chart success was in 1963 with her recording of "Shake Me I Rattle." That song reached the Top 15 on the country charts and also crossed over onto the pop chart. It was the same year (March 1963) that Marion became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The following years saw Marion make the country charts with a series of singles before moving on to Decca Records, with her final chart success coming in 1967 with "A Woman Needs Love," and "Mama Sez," the final single to chart in 1968. While her chart success ended, Marion continued to make regular appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and also was active in Las Vegas. Even though Marion left the Opry in 1980, she continued to tour the United States and Canada.

Marion Worth passed away on December 19, 1999 in Nashville, Tennessee from complications of emphysema. She was 69 years old.

Here is the running order from Saturday March 22, 1980, which was also the Grand Ole Opry's annual reunion show, often called Old Timer's Night:

1st show
6:00: Vietti
Charlie Louvin (host): Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Lonzo and Oscar: Rocky Top
Billy Grammer: Indian Love Call
Paul Howard: Stay a Little Longer
Charlie Louvin: Apartment No. 9

6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Vic Willis: Faded Love/Maiden's Prayer
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Roy Drusky: Strangers

6:45: Rudy's
Justin Tubb (host): You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Jim and Jesse: Let Me Whisper
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong With the Way That We're Doing it Now

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole Slewfoot
Connie Smith: When I Need Jesus; He's There
Wilburn Brothers: It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Zeke Clements: Just a Little Lovin'/Why Should I Cry Over You/Smoke on the Water
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed as Much of This as I Can Stand/Everything I've Always Wanted/Tennessee Saturday Night

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob, Arkansas
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Sid Harkreader: Sally Goodin/Amazing Grace
Alcyone Beasley: Silver Threads Among the Gold/Little Shoes
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Lafayette
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry/Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down/Don't Play Me No Songs About Texas
Bill Carlisle: Shanghai Rooster
Bill Monroe: Just a Little Talk With Jesus

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Hello Love
The Four Guys: Hangin' On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule/Mockingbird
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Hank Snow and Kelly Foxton: Stop Me from Loving You

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Charlie Louvin: Who's Gonna Love Me Now
Lonzo and Oscar: Fox on the Run
Billy Grammer: Am I Blue
Skeeter Davis: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
Porter Wagoner: A Satisfied Mind/I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name/Your Old Love Letters

10:00: Little Debbie
Jim and Jesse (host): Sleepy Eyed John
Vic Willis: Beer Barrel Polka
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Jim and Jesse: Paradise

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Roy Drusky: Welcome Home
Roy Acuff: Lord, Don't Give Up on Me

10:30: Trailblazer
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark For Me to Travel/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Connie Smith: Sing, Sing, Sing
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Bill Monroe: My Sweet Blue Eyed Darling

10:45: Beech-Nut
Wilburn Brothers (host): Release Me
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Gray Eagle
Wilburn Brothers: The Light House/God Bless America Again

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): There's a Fool Such as I
Bill Carlisle: Same Ol' Tale That the Crow Told Me
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Kirk McGee: Railroad Blues
Hank Snow and Kelly Foxton: Hasn't It Been Good Together

11:30: Budweiser
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
The Four Guys: Let Your Love Flow/Daddy's Little Cowboy
Marion Worth: Someone is Looking for Someone Like You
Curly Fox: Alabama Jubilee
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin'/Waterloo

There you have it for this week. Another busy one at the Opry and as always, I hope everyone listens and enjoys the Opry this weekend.

Mid-Week Opry Shows 3/19, 3/20 & 3/21

By now, everyone should know who was announced earlier today as the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame: Jerry Bradley, Ray Stevens, and Brooks & Dunn.

Jerry Bradley really surprised me as I had pretty much forgotten his contributions to the music business. When Bill Cody was reading off Jerry's biography, it was very impressive. He has worked with Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Ronnie Milsap, along with Willie and Waylon. He was also the man behind the famous Outlaws album. While it probably helped that his last name is Bradley, he certainly deserves election to the Hall, and with his election the trend continues that in this category, along with the musician category, it helps being a Nashville insider.

I am somewhat surprised over some of the comments I have read online regarding Ray Stevens and his election in the Veterans class. Personally, I have no issue with Ray and his accomplishments are enormous. He could have been elected as a songwriter, producer, instrumentalist, comedian or as a recording artist. Ray covered all the bases. Again, as with Jerry, when Bill was reading off the accomplishments of Ray, it reminded me of the things Ray had done that I had forgotten about. I am sorry to see some of the comments being made. This is probably the toughest category as there is just a huge backlog of candidates, and the list will continue to grow, especially if the voters follow the election of Brooks & Dunn in the Modern category with more acts from the 90s.

And that leaves us with Brooks & Dunn. Much as the voters did with Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson, they skipped over the late 70s and 80s and went with an act from the 90s. Really, Brooks & Dunn were a no-brainer and it was just a matter of not if, but when. The voters probably thought, as they did with Garth and Alan, let's just do it now. Those three were the big ones from that era and my guess is that next year the voters will go back into the 80s and pick a candidate from that era. I would certainly hope.

Congratulations to Jerry, Ray and Brooks & Dunn. All three very deserving.

As to the mid-week Opry shows, starting this week, not only is there the Tuesday Night Opry and Opry Country Classics, but the Opry begins its run of Wednesday night shows.

Tuesday March 19
7:00: Bill Anderson; Waylon Payne
7:30: The Swon Brothers; Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen
Intermission
8:15: Holly Williams; Trace Adkins; Charlie Daniels Band

Wednesday March 20
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Cale Dodds
7:30: Mickey Guyton; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Intermission
8:15: Kalie Shorr; Don Schlitz
8:45: Collin Raye; Crystal Gayle

Opry Country Classics March 21
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Connie Smith
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, T. Graham Brown, Teea Goans, Jerrod Niemann

Needless to say, with five shows a week, that is a lot of slots to fill. If nothing else, maybe it will clear the way to increase the number of Opry members appearing on the shows. I just hope it doesn't take away from the weekend shows.

Grand Ole Opry 3/15 & 3/16

With the SEC Basketball Tournament a Nashville this week, Saturday night's show is being advertised as "Grand Ole Opry Salutes the SEC" which will be sponsored by Belk. This special Opry show will feature free music, a fashion show and SEC action in the Opry Plaza as well as a hoops-themed evening Opry performance. I am sure a lot of fans will be at the Opry on Saturday night, but you have to wonder with the tournament at the Bridgestone Arena downtown, how many will make the trek out to the Opry House. From a personal standpoint from being in Nashville and the SEC Tournament two years ago, most of those who come for the basketball tend to stay downtown and in the downtown area. Hopefully a few make it out to the Opry area.

Regarding the Opry line-up for this weekend,  there are a few Grand Ole Opry members who will be appearing both nights. That list includes John Conlee, Mike Snider, Connie Smith, Riders In The Sky, Ricky Skaggs, The Whites and Eddie Montgomery with Montgomery Gentry. They will be joined on Friday night by Jeannie Seely and Jesse McReynolds, while on Saturday night Bobby Osborne and Craig Morgan are scheduled. That comes out to 9 Opry members each night.

Guesting this weekend will be Dillon Carmichael, Craig Campbell, and making her Opry debut, Lauren Jenkins on Friday night, while on Saturday the guest list includes Maddie & Tae and Riley Green, while the Nashville Irish Step Dancers will be making their annual St. Patrick's Day appearance.

Friday March 15
7:00: John Conlee (host); Dillon Carmichael; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Craig Campbell; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Lauren Jenkins
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Eddie Montgomery with Montgomery Gentry

Saturday March 16
7:00: Nashville Irish Step Dancers; John Conlee (host); Maddie & Tae; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Riley Green; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Intermission
8:15: Craig Morgan (host); Connie Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Eddie Montgomery with Montgomery Gentry

Just in case anyone has forgotten, Saturday night will be the 45th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry moving to the new Grand Ole Opry House from the Ryman Auditorium. I am sure that will be mentioned at some point during the show (I would hope).
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Each week it seems that another artist is making their Opry debut and this weekend it will be Lauren Jenkins making her debut on the Friday Night Opry.

 Born in Texas and raised in Carolina, Lauren Jenkins, who records for Big Machine Records, has been a touring artist since she was 15 years old. Named an Artist to Watch by the New York Times, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Pandora, and many more, Lauren was also chosen as a member of the "Class of 2019" by radio DJ Bobby Bones. She recently completed writing, co-producing, and starring in an original short film titled Running Out of Road that accompanies the release of her debut album, NO SAINT, which is out this month. The first single from the album is the recently released "Give Up the Ghost."
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of March 13 & 14, 2009:

Friday March 13
7:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jeannie Seely; John Conlee; Justin Moore
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mel McDaniel; Tracy Lawrence
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Craig Morgan
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); Mike Snider; Connie Smith; Charlie Daniels Band

Saturday March 14
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; John Conlee; Radney Foster
7:30: Marty Stuart (host); Charlie Louvin; Connie Smith; Crystal Gayle
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jean Shepard; Riders In The Sky; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Mike Snider; Tracy Lawrence

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); John Conlee; Jeannie Seely; Radney Foster
10:00: Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Mike Snider; Crystal Gayle
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jean Shepard; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky; Tracy Lawrence

Nice to see that even ten years ago, the Opry was capable of putting on a very solid show. A full line-up with a great group of Opry members.

Now from 25 years ago, Saturday March 12, 1994:

1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host): Skeeter Davis
6:45: The Four Guys (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jean Shepard; Roy Drusky; Charlie Louvin; Osborne Brothers
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jeannie Seely; Grandpa Jones; Joe Diffie
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Stonewall Jackson; Charlie Walker; Jeanne Pruett; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Bill Carlisle; Hank Locklin; The Whites; Jimmy C Newman

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Brother Oswald and Charlie Collins; Joe Diffie
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Charlie Louvin and Bob Bates
10:15: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jeanne Pruett
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Osborne Brothers
10:45: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); The Four Guys; Jean Shepard; Roy Drusky; Ray Pillow
11:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Charlie Walker; Stonewall Jackson

Finally, from 50 years ago, Saturday March 15, 1969:

7:30: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Grandpa Jones; Merle Travis; Kay Adams; Johnny Carver
8:00: Billy Grammer (host); Skeeter Davis; The Four Guys; Crook Brothers
8:30: Ray Pillow (host); Bill Carlisle; Martha Carson; Harden Trio
9:00: Stu Phillips (host); Del Wood; Cousin Jody; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Harold Weakley
9:30: Willis Brothers (host); Marion Worth; Lonzo and Oscar; Van Trevor
10:00: Bill Carlisle (host); The Four Guys; Kay Adams
10:15: Billy Grammer (host); Skeeter Davis; Johnny Carver
10:30: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Van Trevor; Merle Travis
10:45: Willis Brothers (host); Martha Carson; Crook Brothers
11:00: Ray Pillow (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Harden Trio; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Stu Phillips (host); Marion Worth; Cousin Jody

Not a particularly strong line-up from 50 years ago, but there are a couple of names worth noting that many may have forgotten.

Van Trevor was the stage name of Robert Boulanger. He was born in 1949 and passed away in 2005. He was a singer/songwriter and among the songs he recorded a number of singles and albums throughout the 1960s. He was a solid performer, just never a big star.

Kay Adams, on the other hand, did have some success in country music. Kay was born in Knox City, Texas and grew up in Vernon, Texas. Among her recordings in the 1960s were "Six Days a Waiting," "Old Heart Get Ready," "Anymore," "Don't Talk Trouble to Me," "Trapped," "Roll Out The Red Carpet," "I Cried At Your Wedding," : Honky Tonk Heartache," and "She Didn't Color Daddy."

Part of the Bakersfield sound, Kay appeared on the Buck Owen' Ranch television show and in 1965 she won the award for Top New Female Vocalist at the  inaugural Academy of Country Music Awards show. Her vocal style and recordings, which featured the Bakersfield sound twangy Telecaster guitar, has been compared to Wanda Jackson.

Her recording career ended in the late 1970s and at last report, she was still alive at the age of 77.
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I am sure most everyone is aware that 45 years ago, Saturday March 16, 1974, the Grand Ole Opry moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House. It was a huge occasion with President Richard Nixon and other dignitaries attending, along with the majority of the Opry's members.

Friday March 15, the Friday Night Opry took place at the Ryman Auditorium. That was the final Opry performance at the old Ryman and like the previous Saturday night, which was the final Saturday Grand Ole Opry performance from the Ryman, the night was emotional.

I have posted the opening night line-up from Saturday March 16, 1974 numerous times (if anyone would like to see it again, I would be happy to post it), however it has been a few years since I listed the running order from the final Friday show, March 15. Before posting it, let me make a note: for many years, the Opry sold a souvenir program from that final night at the Ryman. However, the actual running order of the show was a little different:

7:00: Cracker Barrel
Roy Drusky (host): Alone With You
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' on Me
Jan Howard: The One You Slip Around With
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Charlie Walker: Wanting My Woman Again
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose

7:30: Varallo
Bill Anderson (host): If You Can Live With It
Bob Luman: Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Jim and Jesse: Diesel on My Tail
Mary Lou Turner: Poor Sweet Baby
Bill Anderson: A World of Make Believe
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Jim and Jesse: Paradise
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks

8:00: Odom Sausage/U.S. Borax
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Bobby Bare: Ride Me Down Easy
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Phil Campbell: Valley of the Never Do No Good
Bobby Bare and Bobby Bare, Jr: Daddy, What If
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man

8:30: Kroger
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Minnie Pearl: Careless Love
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
Roy Acuff: Back in the Country
Jean Shepard: At the Time
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Roy Acuff: Cabin in Gloryland

9:00: Baltz Bros./Schlitz
Wilburn Brothers (host): It's Another World
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Jeanne Pruett: You Don't Need to Move a Mountain
Del Wood: There's a Big Wheel
Wilburn Brothers: I'm Gonna Tie One on Tonight
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Del Wood: Down Yonder

9:30: Acme Boots/Beech-Nut
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Hank Locklin: Goodbye, Dear Old Ryman
Grandpa Jones: Dooley
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Cates Sisters: Devil's Dream
Hank Locklin: Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Grandpa Jones: Heading South with Nashville on My Mind
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Jim Ed Brown: Sometimes Sunshine

10:00: Cee Bee Food Stores/Schlitz
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me A Love Song to Baby
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife; She's My Woman
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Charlie Louvin: Little Reasons/Will You Visit Me on Sundays/What Are Those Things
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes

10:30 Shoney's
George Morgan (host): Red Rose From the Blue Side of Town
The Four Guys: Let Me Be There
Ray Pillow: Excuse Me
Lonzo and Oscar: A King Size Cola & A Moon Pie
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
The Four Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of a Dove/
Ray Pillow: Countryfried
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
George Morgan: Candy Kisses

Now the posted line-up as printed in the program:

7:00: Roy Drusky (host); Del Reeves; Charlie Walker; Jan Howard
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bob Luman; Jim and Jesse
8:00: Archie Campbell (host); Bobby Bare; Dottie West; Justin Tubb
8:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard; Stonewall Jackson; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper
9:00: Wilburn Brothers (host); Osborne Brothers; Jeanne Pruett; Del Wood
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Hank Locklin; Grandpa Jones; The Carlisles
10:00: Billy Walker (host); Charlie Louvin; Stu Phillips; The Willis Brothers
10:30: George Morgan (host); The Four Guys; Ray Pillow; Lonzo and Oscar; Ernie Ashworth

As mentioned last week, Bobby Bare left the Opry rather then continue with the show when it moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House. This particular Friday Night Opry was his final show until he rejoined the Opry last year.

After the Friday Night Opry ended, Grand Ole Gospel took place, hosted by Jimmie Snow. Guests on his show that night included Hank Snow, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Mother Maybelle Carter and The Carter Family. I always found it interesting that those artists did not appear on the Opry that night.
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To finish up this week, I wanted to take a moment and remember the late Don Gibson, who on March 16, 1996, made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

Born in Shelby, North Carolina, Don Gibson was the son of a railroad man. With three brothers and two sisters, Don knew early on that he would be responsible for financing his music career. So, he went to work in the textile mills to earn enough money. While he was only a kid, he moved to Knoxville, Tennessee to be a regular on the WNOX Tennessee Barndance. He also played numerous clubs in the area. Wesley Rose, president of Acuff-Rose Publishing, saw Don perform and offered him a songwriting contract. But since Don wanted to sing, he told Wesley that it was a deal only if he got to perform. To accommodate his requests, he signed a writing contract with Acuff-Rose and a recording contract with RCA.

Among the songs written and recorded by Don Gibson were "Sweet Dreams," "Oh, Lonesome Me," and "I Can't Stop Loving You." The last two were written by Don on the same afternoon, and were recorded on the same day, with "Oh, Lonesome Me" going all the way to No. 1 on the country charts. Don only had two other No. 1 hits with "Blue Blue Day,"topping the charts in 1958 and "Woman (Sensuous Woman)" reaching No. 1 in 1972. Don also he reached the Top 5 with "Give Yourself a Party," "Who Cares," "Don't Tell Me Your Troubles," "Just One Time," "Sweet Dreams," "Sea of Heartbreak," "Lonesome Number One," "Country Green," and "I Can Mend Your Broken Heart." Don also recorded a series of duets with Dottie West.

Don originally joined the Grand Ole Opry in May 1958. He was among those fired in December 1964 for failing to meet the attendance requirements which the Opry had in place at the time. Don rejoined the Opry in 1975, however his Opry appearance would be few.

Don was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2010. He passed away on November 17, 2003 from natural causes at the age of 75.

Here is the running order from 23 years ago, Saturday March 16, 1996, Don Gibson's final show at the Grand Ole Opry:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Grandpa Jones (host): Fifteen Cents is All I Got
Bluegrass Boys: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Grandpa Jones: It's Raining Here This Morning

6:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Jan Howard: Evil on Your Mind

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Freight Train Boogie
Brother Oswald: John Hardy
Jean Shepard: Head Over Heels in Love with You
Stonewall Jackson: Ol' Chunk of Coal
The Whites: It Should've Been Easy
Porter Wagoner: Forty Miles from Poplar Bluff

7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
The Hemphills: Let's Have a Revival/Partners in Emotion
Don Gibson: Oh, Lonesome Me/I Can't Stop Loving You
Jimmy Dickens: When Your House is Not a Home/Mountain Dew

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Before I Met You
Billy Walker: Come A Little Bit Closer
Jeannie Seely: Another Bridge to Burn
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Bill Anderson: The Touch of the Master's Hand/Still

8:30: Kraft
The Four Guys (host): It's All Right
Charlie Walker: Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Connie Smith: I've Got My Baby on My Mind
Del Reeves: I Would Like to See You Again
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
The Four Guys: Forever Young

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Jean Shepard: Gone, Gone, Gone
The Hemphills: Let's All Go to Church/Partners in Emotion
Christi Lynn: Don't Stop for Nothing

10:00: Massey Ferguson
Del Reeves (host): Good Time Charlie's
Wilma Lee Cooper: Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill
Del Reeves: Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at a Time/Looking at the World Through a Windshield

10:15: Zim's Crack Cream
Grandpa Jones (host): Nashville on My Mind
The Whites: Move it on Over
Grandpa Jones: Four Stone Walls & A Ceiling

10:30: Gruhn Guitars
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
The Jordanaires: The Unclouded Day
Jimmy Dickens: We Could

10:45: Fairfield
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Jeannie Seely: Another Bridge to Burn
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sugar in the Goard
Bill Anderson: Big Railroad Man

11:00: Coca Cola
The Four Guys (host): Cottonfields/Mariah
Jeanne Pruett: Back to Back
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Stu Phillips: Blue Canadian Rockies
Jan Howard: My Heart Skips a Beat
The Four Guys: Tennessee

11:30: Loreal
Billy Walker (host): Ashes of Love/Blue Moon of Kentucky/That's All Right
Connie Smith: Walk Me to the Door/Walkin' After Midnight
Ray Pillow: Please Don't Leave Me Anymore/The Kind of Love I Can't Forget
Roy Drusky: Waltz of the Angels
Billy Walker: Adam's Side/Charlie's Shoes

As mentioned, when Don Gibson rejoined the Opry, his appearances were very few. In fact, from 1983 until 1994 he made no Opry appearances. However in 1994, at the urging of Carol Lee Cooper, Don was persuaded to come back to the Opry. He made one appearance in 1994, then three in 1995, and then that final 1996 appearance.

And one final note from that Saturday night. You might have noticed that the Bluegrass Boys appeared on the opening segment while there was no host for the 2nd segment, with Jan Howard opening and closing. The host was supposed to have been Bill Monroe, however that morning Bill suffered a stroke, which would end his performing career. His final appearance had been on the Friday Night Opry, the night before.

There you have it for this week and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend. And don't forget, Monday is the Hall of Fame announcement. 10:00 central time.

Tuesday Night Opry 3/12 & Opry Country Classics 3/14

The big news, which the Grand Ole Opry has been heavily promoting, is that Trisha Yearwood will be celebrating her 20th anniversary as a member of the  Grand Ole Opry on this weeks Tuesday Night Opry.

Whether belting out one of he signature hits on the Grand Ole Opry stage or writing a best-selling cook book, Trisha Yearwood approaches everything she does with an abundance of passion, integrity, and talent.

The Georgia native knew she wanted to be a country singer by the time she was five years old. Winning a talent contest in Macon at 16 served to further fuel her creative desires. As a teen, she talked her parents into a family vacation in Nashville and after seeing her heroes on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, she knew there was nothing else she wanted to do.

She moved to Music City to attend Belmont University, took a job as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and began pursuing her dream. She worked as a receptionist at MTM Records and begin singing demos. She met Garth Brooks when the two were hired to sing a duet demo for songwriter Kent Blazy. Garth introduced her to his producer, Allen Reynolds, who introduced her to Garth Fundis, who would become her friend and longtime producer. After five years in Nashville, Trisha signed with MCA Records and her first single, "She's in Love With the Boy," rocketed to the top of the country charts in 1991. Since then, Trisha has populated country radio with such memorable hits as "Wrong Side of Memphis," "The Woman Before Me," "XXXs and OOOs (An American Girl)," "Thinkin' About You," "The Song Remembers When," "Walkaway Joe," and "How Do I Live," as well as hit singles with Garth, now her husband. Trisha has won Grammy Awards and has been recognized as a top female vocalist by both the CMA and ACM.

Among all the accomplishments and accolades, being a member of the Grand Ole Opry holds special significance for Trisha. "My mother came here on her senior class trip from South Georgia," she says. "She wrote in her diary about seeing Hank Snow, Hawkshaw Hawkins and all those people. When I was inducted as a member of the Opry in 1999, she brought her diary and got Hank Snow to sign it. So it's not only about me, it's also about my whole family."

While I don't doubt Trisha's story about Hank Snow signing her mother's diary, I do have to believe she was mistaken as to the date (perhaps it took place on her Opry debut). In 1999, Hank was in declining health and had not appeared on the Opry for several years. Now it is possible that Trisha did get Hank to sign the book through a mutual acquaintance, but I know in 1999 Hank was nowhere near the Opry House.

In addition to Trisha Yearwood, the Tuesday Night Opry will also feature Opry members Terri Clark, Mark Wills, Trace Adkins and Ricky Skaggs.

Tuesday March 12
7:00: Mark Wills; Terri Clark
7:30: Rodney Atkins; Aaron Lewis
Intermission
8:15: Trace Adkins; Ricky Skaggs
8:45: Trisha Yearwood

Trisha was asked to join the Opry's cast on Saturday January 16, 1999, which was also the weekend in which the Opry returned to the Ryman Auditorium for the first time since moving to the Grand Ole Opry House in 1974. The invitation was not a total surprise as Trisha had been hinting around for several years that she would love to be an Opry member. Sadly, she has followed the lead of many of her contemporaries and once becoming a member, has made very few Opry appearances.

Here is the running order from Saturday March 13, 1999, the night Trisha Yearwood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Skeeter Davis: I'll Fly Away
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Bessyl Duhon: Cajun Stripper

6:45: National Corvette Museum
Jim Ed Brown (host): Looking Back to See/Morning/Pop a Top/The 3 Bells

7:00: Shoney's/Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Bill Carlisle: I've Waited Too Long
Janie Fricke: Bouncing Back/Don't Worry 'Bout Me Baby
Porter Wagoner: Fireball Mail/Night Train to Memphis/Cabin in Gloryland
Rick Wayne: On the Line
Randy Scruggs: Black Mountain Rag
Steve Wariner: Holes in the Floor of Heaven
Trisha Yearwood: Living on the Wrong Side of Memphis/She's in Love With the Boy/Sweet Dreams

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): No Fair Falling in Love
Marty Stuart: Southern Accent
John Prine: Paradise
Jean Shepard: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel
Bill Anderson: Still

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' At the Foot of the Bed
Ricky Skaggs: Little Maggie
The Whites: I Hear the Wind A' Blowing
Vince Gill: Pretty Little Adriana/When I Call Your Name

2nd show
9:30: Blue Green Vacation Resort Development
Porter Wagoner (host): On a Highway Headed South
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jimmy C Newman: Good Deal, Lucille
Trisha Yearwood: A Perfect Love/How Do I Live/She's in Love With the Boy
Porter Wagoner: I'll Fly Away

10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Vince Gill (host): Don't Come Crying to Me
Randy Scruggs: Soldier's Joy
Vince Gill: Whenever You Come Around

10:15: Ray Stevens Show
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Mike Snider and Marty Stuart: Rawhide
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her that Way

10:30: Epiphone
Marty Stuart (host): Doin' My Time
John Prine: Grandpa Was a Carpenter
Marty Stuart and John Prine: Angel From Montgomery

10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Ricky Skaggs (host): I'm Lost, I'll Never Find the Way
Jean Shepard: Tennessee Waltz
Opry Square Dance Band w/Ricky Skaggs and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Ricky Skaggs: Connemara

11:00: Coca-Cola
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks
Holly Dunn: Daddy's Hands
John Conlee: Friday Night Blues
Jeannie Seely: Make the World Go Away
Billy Walker: Come a Little Bit Closer
Bill Anderson: The Paper

11:30: Opry Book
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Jack Greene; Statue of a Fool
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Del Reeves: Splish; Splash/Answer the Phone/Hound Dog
Stonewall Jackson: A Wound Time Can't Erase
Johnny Russell: Wabash Cannonball

Wilma Lee Cooper was schedule along with Jim Ed Brown on the 6:45 segment but missed the show due to snow. Also, can't help but notice that the last two segments on the second show were all Opry members who only appeared on that 2nd dhow (exception being Bill Anderson). It was as if they just grouped a bunch of Opry members together.
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Opry Country Classics on Thursday night will feature Chris Janson as the spotlight artist:

Thursday March 14
Host: Bill Cody
Spotlight Artist: Chris Janson
Also Appearing: Elizabeth Cook; Wade Hayes; Jeannie Seely; Mike Snider

Grand Ole Opry 3/8 & 3/9

So, any news from the Opry this past week?

Yes, they invited Kelsea Ballerini to become the Grand Ole Opry's newest member. As I noted, not a total surprise as she has been making numerous appearances on the Opry lately and she is very popular with the younger fans, those who will be buying tickets to future shows. As with any new member, I wish her well and hope that she supports the show. Her formal induction will be Tuesday April 16.

Now on to this week at the Opry. Two shows and while both have solid line-ups, the Friday Night Opry particularly looks strong. Heading the line-up will be Grand Ole Opry member Darius Rucker, who stops by for a visit before starting his summer tour with a reunited Hootie & The Blowfish. Joining Darius on the Friday Night Opry are members Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs, Diamond Rio, Jeannie Seely, Riders In The Sky, Bobby Osborne and Josh Turner, who will be visiting fans and signing in the Opry Shop.

Jeannie, Riders and Ricky are also on the schedule for Saturday night, where they will be joined by members Mike Snider, The Whites, Del McCoury, and coming off his 55th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Jesse McReynolds.

Guesting on Friday night will be Elizabeth Cook, William Michael Morgan, Phil Vassar and making his Opry debut, Dee White. Saturday night, the list includes Carlton Anderson, Tegan Marie, Charles Esten and Doyle Dykes, who will also be signing in the Opry shop.

Friday March 8
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Elizabeth Cook; Dee White
7:30: Diamond Rio (host); William Michael Morgan; Phil Vassar
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Crystal Gayle; Josh Turner
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Darius Rucker

Saturday March 9
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Carlton Anderson; Jesse McReynolds
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Tegan Marie; Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Doyle Dykes; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Charles Esten

It seems as if each week there is another artist making his or her debut on the Grand Ole Opry and as mentioned, this weekend it will be Dee White appearing on the Friday Night Opry.

Dee White is from Alabama and is another of the young artists who made the Rolling Stone's list of 10 new country artists you need to know (August 2018). His debut album, Southern Gentleman, came out in August 2018 and while in Nashville has worked with producers Dan Auerbach and David Ferguson, who did a lot of work with Johnny Cash.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of March 6 & 7, 2009:

Friday March 6
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; Gloriana
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Del McCoury Band; Emerson Drive
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Stonewall Jackson; Riders In The Sky; Rhonda Vincent
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Connie Smith; John Michael Montgomery

Saturday March 7
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jim Ed Brown; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Josh Turner
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Ray Price; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jack Greene; Carrie Underwood

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jim Ed Brown; Del McCoury Band
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Jean Shepard; Josh Turner
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Ray Price; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Carrie Underwood

Now from 25 years ago, Saturday March 5, 1994:

1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy Dickens
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Bill Carlisle; Roy Drusky; Ricky Skaggs
7:30: Billy Walker (host); Greg Rowles; Rhonda Vincent; Riders In The Sky
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Stonewall Jackson; John Conlee; The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jack Greene; Jimmy C Newman; The Four Guys

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; Brother Oswald; Greg Rowles
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Charlie Louvin
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Billy Walker
10:45: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jack Greene; The Whites; Ray Pillow; Jimmy C Newman
11:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Charlie Walker; Connie Smith; Johnny Russell

For those who might not be familiar with Greg Rowles, he was a male vocalist of the year winner from Star Search. He has worked in television and radio and was a music minister for a period of time. He still does consulting work with churches, as well as performing at the Alabama Theater in
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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45 years ago, Saturday March 9, 1974 was the final night for the Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. It was also the final Saturday night in which Bobby Bare would be a member of the Grand Ole Opry. For whatever reason, Bobby declined to follow the cast to the new Grand Ole Opry House. While Bobby decided to no longer be an Opry member, within a few years he would be back occasionally to make a guest appearance or two, and then in 2018 he would be invited to have his Opry membership reinstated.

Here is the running order from that final Saturday night:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Willis Brothers: Cool Water

6:45: Rudy's
Bobby Bare (host): Detroit City
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Bobby Bare: The Mermaids

7:00: Rudy's
Billy Grammer (host): Under the Double Eagle/Black Mountain Rag/Wildwood Flower
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nine Pound Hammer
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Billy Grammer, Jr.: Orange Blossom Special
Wilma Lee, Stoney and Carol Lee Cooper: To My Mansion in the Sky
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jeanne Pruett: You Don't Need to Move a Mountain
Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Ida Red
Roy Acuff: Back in the Country
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets

8:00: Martha White
Wilburn Brothers (host): Roll Muddy River
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Jody Miller: Good News
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl
Justin Tubb: Texas Dance Hall Girl
Jody Miller: Let's All Go Down to the River

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jan Howard: My Kind of People
The Four Guys: Let Me Be There
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Hank Snow: Brand on My Heart
Jan Howard: Sunshine on My Shoulders
The Four Guys: Top of the World
Hank Snow: Hello Love

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bobby Bare (host): Come Sundown
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Wilma Lee Cooper: Philadelphia Lawyer
Bobby Bare: Blowing in the Wind/Worried Man Blues/Gotta Travel On
Skeeter Willis: Maiden's Prayer
Wilma Lee, Stoney and Carol Lee Cooper: I Shall Not Be Moved
Bobby Bare and Bobby Bare, Jr.: Daddy, What If

10:00: Fender
Stu Phillips (host): Pride
Jody Miller: Darling, You Can Always Come Back Home
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): When I Lay My Burdens Down
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Loving Heart

10:30: Trailblazer
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Lonzo and Oscar: Traces of Life
Wilburn Brothers: God Bless America Again

10:45: Beech-Nut
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Jerry Clower: The Coon Hunt
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: How Great Thou Art

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Jan Howard: Where No One Stands Alone
The Four Guys: Streaking with My Baby on a Bright and Sunny Sunday Afternoon
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Tanya Tucker: Delta Dawn
Sam McGee: Freight Train/Victor Rag/I Don't Love Nobody
Hank Snow: I Don't Hurt Anymore

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
Jeanne Pruett: You Don't Need to Move a Mountain/Satin Sheets
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/I'm Wanting To/Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms/Love Me/Now is the Hour

In looking at the line-up from that night, one of the things that stands out is the lack of long-time Opry members appearing that night. Folks such as Ernest Tubb, Bill Monroe, Grandpa Jones. Lester Flatt, Archie Campbell, Porter Wagoner, Bill Anderson...all among the missing.

To finish it up, the announcement for the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame will take place on Monday March 18 at 10:00 a.m. Nashville time. Reba McEntire will be hosting the event. I am sure between now and then there will be a lot of names floated about.

Anyways, that does it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!

Tuesday Night Opry 3/5 & Opry Country Classics 3/7

Another strong Tuesday Night Opry this week featuring Grand Ole Opry members Little Big Town, Eddie Montgomery with Montgomery Gentry, Chris Janson and Bill Anderson.

Tuesday March 5
7:00: Bill Anderson; The SteelDrivers
7:30: Tenille Townes; Eddie Montgomery with Montgomery Gentry
Intermission
8:15: Scotty McCreery; Chris Janson
8:45: Kelsea Ballerini; Little Big Town

This week also marks the beginning of the spring run of Opry Country Classics. This week the spotlight artist will be Tracy Lawrence

Thursday March 7
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Tracy Lawrence
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, Frankie Ballard, Mandy Barnett, Charlie Worsham

March Opry Highlights

Welcome to March and the month that brings us Spring and a return to Daylight Savings Time, which means it doesn't get dark so early. I hope wherever you live that winter is coming to an end. Up here in Ohio, winter wasn't too bad. Less snow then usual, but more rain. Either way, glad spring is around the corner. Getting back to the business of the Grand Ole Opry, here are the important and historical events that have taken place at the Grand Ole Opry during the month of March.

March 9, 1925: Ralph Sloan, the leader and founder of The Tennessee Travelers, was born. Ralph and his group joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1952 and continued under Ralph's leadership until his death in 1980. After Ralph passed away, his brother Melvin took over as the group's leader, changing the name to the Melvin Sloan Dancers. Melvin continued on until his retirement in 2002.

March 24, 1928: Kitty Cora Cline became the first female solo artist to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Kitty was at the Opry until March 31, 1934, when she decided to quit. The story goes that on that particular evening, she was on her way to the Opry and witnessed a serious car accident that bothered her so much that she refused to travel by car again. Thus, she quit performing.

March 31, 1934: Robert Lunn made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. After joining the Opry, he stayed until retiring in 1958.

March 16, 1946: Future Grand Ole Opry member Grandpa Jones made his first appearance on the Opry, appearing as a member of Pee Wee King's band.

March 1, 1952: Uncle Dave Macon, one of the Opry's earliest stars, made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Uncle Dave was one of the Opry's originals and was one of the first professional musicians to join the cast. Two weeks later, on March 22, Uncle Dave passed away at the age of 82.

March 21, 1953: Bill Carlisle and the Carlisles made their first guest appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.

March 1, 1958: After criticizing the management of WSM radio, Marty Robbins was fired as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Opry management quickly realized their mistake and Marty was quickly hired back.

March 2, 1963: Opry members Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins made their final appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. Several days later, the duo would pass away when the plane they were riding in crashed on the way back to Nashville. Copas, Hawkins, along with Opry member Patsy Cline and pilot Randy Hughes were returning after performing on a benefit show in Kansas City.

March 9, 1963: The Grand Ole Opry observed a moment of silence to honor Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes. Also honored was Jack Anglin of Johnny & Jack, who also passed away the previous week, in his case the result of injuries from an auto accident. In the tribute read by Opry manager Ott Devine, he said, "All of their friends standing with me tonight on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium know that it is impossible to put our thoughts, or feelings, our love for Patsy, Hank, Cope, Jack and Randy. And so we ask for a moment of silent prayer in tribute to them."

March 29, 1963: Texas Ruby Owens died in a fire at her home. Along with her husband Curly Fox, she came to the Opry in the 1940s. After Ruby's death, Curly remained at the Opry as a solo act.

March 2, 1964: Jim & Jesse McReynolds were invited to become members of the Grand Ole Opry. Later that week, they made their first appearance as Opry members. Jim & Jesse were very popular members of the Opry and along with their group the Virginia Boys, continued as members of the Opry until the death of Jim in December 2002. After Jim's death, Jesse has continued on at the Opry. In September, he took ill and was hospitalized for a period of time. After a lengthy recovery, Jesse returned to the Opry last month. Jesse, who is the oldest member of the Grand Ole Opry, will be celebrating his 55th consecutive year as a member of the Opry's cast.

March 7, 1964: Ernie Ashworth, along with Jim & Jesse, made his first appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Ernie, who was famous for his hit song, "Talk Back Trembling Lips" and for his colorful suit with flaming lips on it, remained an Opry member until his death on March 2, 2009.

March 28, 1964: Connie Smith made her first appearance as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry. Connie appeared at the invitation of Bill Anderson. Later that evening, Connie stopped by at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop and the Midnight Jamboree. A year later, in 1965, Connie became an Opry member.

March 9, 1968: Irene Ryan, who played the part of Granny on the very popular show, "The Beverly Hillbillies," made a guest appearance on the Opry.

March 15, 1968: The Byrds, featuring Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, made an appearance on the Friday Night Opry. They sang "Sing Me Back Home" and "Hickory Wind." The Byrds always considered it an honor to perform on the Opry and this appearance ended up being their only one. It was later reported that a few of the Opry's members were not thrilled over their appearance and the audience response was much the same.

March 28, 1970: Grand Ole Opry member Marty Robbins returned to the Opry for the first time since suffering a heart attack in January. As usual, he returned as the host of the 11:30 segment. Reporter Jerry Thompson, who was there that evening, wrote, "The sound from the jam-packed crowd was deafening. They couldn't hear the words to the songs that familiar figure behind the Opry mic was crooning, but there was no mistake. Marty Robbins was back where he belonged. Midway through the show, Robbins sat at the piano and told the audience, 'I had so many things I was going to say tonight. I want to thank all of my friends for their concern and I want to thank God for letting me be there. Now, I can't think of anything else to say, so I guess I'll have to sing for you.' And sing he did until 12:27 a.m. when the curtain closed amidst repeated shouts of 'more, more, more.'" This was one night that Ernest Tubb did not complain about the Midnight Jamboree starting late.

March 27, 1971: Jan Howard became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  Jan will be celebrating her 48th year as an Opry member. Jan had been appearing on the Opry for several years before becoming an Opry member, and in fact, Opry member Bud Wendall had thought she was already a member. Jan is not basically retired from performing, although she has made a couple of visits backstage at the Opry over the past year. Finally, let's not forget that Jan's birthday is on March 13 and that Jan is the Opry's oldest female member.

March 9, 1974: The Grand Ole Opry had its final Saturday night show at the Ryman Auditorium. The Opry, which had been at the Ryman since 1943, was scheduled to move to the new Grand Ole Opry House the following weekend. Technically, this was Tom T Hall's final night as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, as he gave up his Opry membership when the Opry left the Ryman Auditorium.

March 15, 1974: The Grand Ole Opry conducted its final Friday Night Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. While the previous Saturday night was the final Grand Ole Opry show, this being the final show made for a very emotional night, so much so that both Bill Anderson and Charlie Walker forgot the words to their songs. The final segment this night was hosted by George Morgan, who concluded the show with his hit "Candy Kisses." This was also the final night that Bobby Bare was a member of the Grand Ole Opry as he left the Opry's cast when the show moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House. It took many years, but Bobby would rejoin the Opry in 2018. After the Opry ended, Reverend Jimmie Snow hosted the final Grand Ole Gospel from the Ryman with guests Hank Snow, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, and the Carter Family, none of whom actually appeared on the Opry that night. The show concluded with the singing of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and as soon as they were finished, the signs were taken down and many of the items were immediately transferred to the new Opry House. After the Opry left, the Ryman stayed empty for many years, with the inside of the building looking exactly as the Opry left it when they moved in 1974.

March 16, 1974: With President Richard Nixon in attendance, the Grand Ole Opry had its first performance at the new Grand Ole Opry House. When President Nixon made his appearance, he became the first President to visit and perform on the Opry. As yes, he did perform, playing several songs on the piano. There was much discussion on who would be the first Opry member to perform on the show, and with the decision made to go in alphabetical order, Roy Acuff took the honors, followed by Bill Anderson. With pretty much every Opry member in attendance, both shows that night ran well past the allotted time. The Grand Ole Opry House was the first building built specifically for the Opry, and despite damage from the flood in 2010, the building has held up well and has now been the Opry's home for 45 years.

March 30, 1974: The Earl Scruggs Revue made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry. When Flatt & Scruggs broke up, both Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs maintained their Opry membership. While Lester enjoyed playing the Opry on a regular basis, Earl had a more progressive sound and enjoyed playing before different audiences. While he gave up his Opry membership, Earl would continue to come back and perform on the show.

March 14, 1975: One year after the Opry House opened, the Cumberland River overflowed its banks, causing a flood that forced the Opry to move the shows that weekend to the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville. It was also the weekend of the 1st anniversary of the Opry House, so the timing wasn't the best. At first, many thought the Opry would return to the Ryman for the weekend, but it was determined that the old building was in no shape to host a live show. Unlike the flood of 2010 which caused extensive damage to the Opry House, the 1975 flood just affected the parking lots and the surrounding area.

March 4, 1978: For the first time in the history of the Grand Ole Opry, an entire show was televised. PBS had approached Opry officials to see if there was any interest in televising the show as part of the annual fundraising drive that PBS conducts. The Opry agreed and it was considered such a great success that PBS would continue to televise an Opry show for the next three years. The Opry did agree to a few changes, including all references to their commercial sponsors, which included covering the sponsor's signs that appeared on the Opry stage and backdrop. (however, in looking at video from those nights, Martha White's sign appears to show through rather well and Roy Acuff did get in a few Martha White plugs). What made those nights so special, besides the quality of the line-ups, was the fact that the Opry did not change the show at all. The format remained the same, although several of the members dressed up a bit more than usual. These shows also gave people across the country who had never attended an Opry show, a chance to see the entire Opry as it happened.

March 10, 1979: James Brown appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. He appeared at the invitation of Porter Wagoner, who thought it would be a great idea. It was a tough night at the Opry as several of the Opry's members did not agree with Porter and decided not to appear that night. James was on stage for almost 20 minutes and would later say that he enjoyed performing on the show.

March 23, 1979: Lester Flatt returned to the Opry for the first time since the previous November. A brain hemorrhage kept Lester away.

March 12, 1980: Ralph Sloan passed away. Ralph and the Tennessee Travelers had been at the Opry since 1952. Upon his death, brother Melvin took over the square dance group.

March 22, 1980: Opry member Marion Worth made her final appearance on the Opry. Marion joined the Opry in 1965 and while she didn't have a spectacular career in country music, she was a fairly popular member of the show. After leaving the Opry, Marion did a few shows in Las Vegas, then eventually retiring. Marion passed away in December 1999.

March 22, 1980: On the same date as the final appearance of Opry member Marion Worth, Melvin Sloan officially took over as the leader of the Tennessee Travelers following the death several weeks earlier of his brother Ralph. With the change, the group became known as the Melvin Sloan Dancers.

March 28, 1980: Tom T Hall rejoined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Tom, along with Bobby Bare, quit in March 1974 when the Opry moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House. It was reported that Ernest Tubb ran into Tom T in the parking lot after a show at the Opry House and told him he needed to get back to the Opry. He did and for most of the 1980s, was a regular performer on the show. Tom T has not been on the Opry in several decades and is now retired.

March 1, 1982: Roy Acuff was honored with a two-hours special that was televised on ABC. An all-star cast of performers and entertainers honored Roy, including President Ronald Reagan, Vice-President George Bush, Minnie Pearl, Tom T. Hall, Bill Anderson, Chet Atkins, Charlie Daniels and Gene Autry.

March 7, 1983: TNN, The Nashville Network, made its debut. This network would later become the television home of the Grand Ole Opry as a half hour of the show was televised live each Saturday night.

March 3, 1984: The Whites, consisting of Buck, Sharon and Cheryl, became members of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be their 35th year as Opry members.

March 7, 1986: Randy Travis made his first guest appearance on the Opry. He was introduced by Jimmy Dickens and sang, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Later that year, in December, Randy would become an Opry member.

March 4, 1996: Grand Ole Opry legend Minnie Pearl passed away from complications after suffering a series of strokes. Minnie had been a Grand Ole Opry member for over 50 years and was perhaps the most loved member of the Opry.

March 9, 1996: Minnie Pearl was remembered at the Opry on the first Saturday night following her death. Wilma Lee Cooper, Jean Shepard, Jeanne Pruett, Skeeter Davis, Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely sang, "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" which was Minnie's favorite song.

March 15, 1996: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Monroe, an Opry member since 1939, made his final appearance on the Friday Night Opry. The following morning, Bill was admitted to Baptist Hospital after suffering a stroke.

March 16, 1996: Grand Ole Opry member Don Gibson made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Don had originally joined the Opry's cast in the late 1950s, and was fired in December 1964 for failing to meet the Opry's attendance requirements. He rejoined the cast years later, yet upon his return, he rarely appeared on the show. In fact, Don rarely performed anywhere. Don, who was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, passed away in November 2003.

March 14, 1998: Diamond Rio was invited to become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry. The accepted and officially became Opry members the following month.

March 13, 1999: Trisha Yearwood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Trisha had been invited in January by Ricky Skaggs to join the cast. This will be her 20th year as an Opry member. Even though she rarely appears on the Opry, there is a special show scheduled this month to celebrate her 20th.

March 22, 2001: Opry member Johnny Russell was honored at a special benefit show at the Opry House. The show was held to raise funds for Johnny to help cover his mounting medical bills. Among those attending were Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs and Ralph Emery.

March 7, 2003: Long time Grand Ole Opry member Bill Carlisle made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance. A few days after this show, Bill suffered a stroke. Bill joined the Opry in November 1953 and 49 years later, Bill was appearing on the Opry most every weekend. The stroke ended Bill's performing career and he passed away on March 17.

March 15, 2008: Randy Travis surprised Carrie Underwood during a guest appearance on the Opry and invited Carrie to become the Opry's newest member. Several months later in May, Carrie was officially inducted into the Opry's cast.

March 21, 2008: Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Walker made his final appearance at the Opry. Charlie had joined the cast in 1967. Charlie would pass away later that year from cancer. In addition to being a member of the Opry's cast, Charlie was also a member of the Country Disc Jockey Hall of Fame.

March 2, 2009: Opry legend Ernie Ashworth passed away. Ernie had been an Opry member for 45 years.

March 8, 2009: Grand Ole Opry member Hank Locklin passed away at the age of 91. Hank joined the Opry in 1960 and at the time of his death, was the Opry's oldest member. "Send Me The Pillow You Dream On" was one of Hank's classic numbers, as was his rendition of "Danny Boy" which he did every St. Patrick's Day.

March 1, 2011: It was announced that Grand Ole Opry members Reba McEntire and Jean Shepard had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. For Jean, it was the culmination of a long career in country music.

March 2, 2012: Future Grand Ole Opry member Dustin Lynch made his first guest appearance on at the Grand Ole Opry. Dustin would join the Opry's cast in 2018.

March 6, 2012: Opry members Connie Smith and Garth Brooks were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

March 24, 2012: Carol Lee Cooper. the leader of the Carol Lee Singers, announced her retirement. Carol Lee originally came to the Opry with her parents, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper in 1957. Her retirement was the result of some voice and vocal issues that she had been experiencing.

March 5, 2013: The Grand Ole Opry honored Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins on the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that took their lives, along with pilot Randy Hughes. Among those taking part in the tribute were Jean Shepard, Terri Clark, Mandy Barnett, John Conlee and Chuck Mead.

March 14, 2013: Opry member Jack Greene passed away after a long illness. Jack, who was formally a member of Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours, joined the Opry in December 1967. Jack always did a great job singing "There Goes My Everything" and "Statue of a Fool." Even in his later years, Jack never lost his great voice.

March 15, 2014: The Grand Ole Opry marked the 40th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry House with two special shows that featured Blake Shelton, Old Crow Medicine Show, Josh Turner, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Jimmy Dickens and Miranda Lambert.

March 6, 2017: It was announced that Sally Williams was promoted to the position of Senior Vice President of Programming & Artists Relations for Opry Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry. She previously had been the General Manager of the Ryman Auditorium.

March 11, 2017: Dailey & Vincent became the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry. The bluegrass duo had been extended an invitation by Marty Stuart in December, upon their 100th guest appearance on the show.

March 20, 2018: Chris Janson became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Chris had made over 100 guest appearances on the show and had always said that his dream was to some day become a member of the Opry's cast.

March 1, 2019: The Whites were honored upon their 35th anniversary as members of the Grand Ole Opry. Ricky Skaggs and Opry general manager Sally Williams joined in the salute.

March 2, 2019: Grand Ole Opry member Jesse McReynolds was recognized upon his 55th anniversary as an Opry member. Jesse, along with his brother Jim, joined the Opry's cast on March 2, 1964. While his brother passed away in 2002, Jesse has continued as an Opry member. Old Crow Medicine Show joined in the salute to Jesse.

There you have it for this month. I hope a lot of those dates bring back some memories.