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.