Upcoming this week, the Grand Ole Opry has three mid-week shows as in addition to the Tuesday Night Opry, the Wednesday Night Opry returns and, for the second year in a row, the Opry will be taking its show on the road, to the Bonnaroo Music Festival on Thursday night.
Tuesday June 11
7:00: John Conlee; Paul Cauthen
7:30: Henry Cho; Randy Houser
Intermission
8:15: The Isaacs w/Terry Bradshaw; Chris Janson
8:45: Craig Morgan; Luke Combs
A very solid show with good variety. Always enjoy an appearance by Terry Bradshaw along with The Isaacs. And another Opry appearance by Chris Janson. It is nice to see that after becoming an Opry member, he is still supporting the show. For Chris, this will be his 13th Opry show of 2019.
Wednesday June 12
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Waylon Payne
7:30: Rachel Wammack; Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Shenandoah; Matt Stell
8:45: Old Crow Medicine Show
Old Crow Medicine Show has undergone a line-up change this year and Charlie Worsham is now part of the group. And as Old Crow has cut back on touring in 2019, they have increased their Opry appearances. This will be their 8th Opry show in 2019, with several more on the schedule.
Thursday June 13
(At Bonnaroo)
Old Crow Medicine Show
Ricky Skaggs
Riders In The Sky
Steve Earle and The Dukes
Morgan Evans
Ashley Monroe
Molly Tuttle
Wendy Moten
Like last year, a very solid line-up featuring three of the Opry's more popular members, along with a guest list that should appeal to the Bonnaroo crowd. This show takes place under a tent, and last year's show was considered a great success. Nice to see a return appearance by Riders In The Sky, whom the crowd loved.
Chuck Glaser has passed away. That list of former Opry members is exceedingly low now.
ReplyDeleteHe had a very difficult last few years. He never fully recovered from his stroke, and in recent years he had Parkinson's. And of course Jim died not long ago. Sad news. Thanks for sharing, and our best goes to his family and friends.
DeleteLuke Combs has been invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
ReplyDeleteVery happy for Luke Combs; his music is better than one might think. Induction date to be announced. I like this Opry pick a whole lot better than the one recently inducted. There's nothing that I like about her.
DeleteHopefully the next couple of members will be well established artists. Rhonda Vincent would be a great choice ... not sure why the Opry thinks Alison Krauss should be the only female bluegrass artist on their roster. It's not as though she appears on the stage all that often & that we would get her & Rhonda mixed up.
In the meantime, congratulations to Luke Combs!! #whenitrainsitpours
(Jeanene)
Luke could be huge for the Opry if he shows up and plays. He is in the top 2 or 3 country artists right now in the mainstream yet he resists some of the mainstream trends of electronically driven music.
DeleteI like how the current management (Sally Williams and her team) have been adding new members, and quality members. I think Luke will support the Opry and do his 10 shows per year that they ask for. And of the young artists out there today, he might be the most country of the group. Great start to his career. I am very happy for him and the way the invitation was handled.
DeleteRhonda Vincent and Kathy Mattea miss out again. Bob
ReplyDeleteI really wouldn't know Luke if he walked up to me or called me up and sang to me. So, I have now opinion on him at this point. BUT, I agree with the Rhonda Vincent chants I hear. Just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteNow is a good time for me to quote some lines from a great Ray Price song and share some memories.
I must cling to what's gone if I'm to go on
I can't face the future I've tried
Perhaps for the rest looking back isn't best
But for me it's the way to survive
Hope you don't mind me sharing some things I have been listening to out of the not too distant past. I'm listening to some Opry shows and Eddie Stubbs programs from 2012-2013.
Remember Jean Shepard introducing Jan Howard and when Jean went to set on her stool she fell? And you could hear Jan say "oh shit". Even the next weekend Jean was still making light about it.
I have listened to the Browns with Eddie Stubbs after Maxine had her three strokes. Listened to Jim Ed celebrate his 50th. That was the night Maxine said she couldn't have surgery because Obama Care wouldn't cover it and the crowd went wild. Also the night she said shit on the air and Pete Fisher came out and told Jim Ed he just got off the phone with the FCC!
I also listened to Eddie's show on 50th anniversary of the plane crash. Jean Shepard could not be there so Earl White took her place. Bobby Wright and Jack Anglin's son were there along with Charlie Dick and Kathy Copas Hughs. Does anyone know how Kathy Copas is doing?
We should all be very thankful to Kitty and Johnnie for bringing Eddie Stubbs to Nashville. I know the HOF has stepped up their live programs and interviews in front of the public and Eddie has been a part of that with the Intimate Evening series. Still, he came to town early enough to interview and preserve conversations with so many people and I believe had intimate conversations maybe nobody else could have had with them. Carl Smith comes to mind as one I still can't believe he interviewed over WSM for several hours. And we owe thanks to WSM for allowing him to do those things. You can tell that he does not have as much freedom today as he once did.
I'm just counting my blessings that I have been able to hear and experiencing these things before they are gone. Hope you don't mind my rambling!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
The Opry added a total of 10 artists the entire decade of the 1970’s. I think Sally Williams will shatter that (which is good).
ReplyDeleteI think the quality of the new artists she is added “get” what the Opry is— Combs, Jensen, Daily & Vincent, I think will be there. It’s all about growth I believe. If two “big” acts are there weekly, the crowd will come. And if the Opry is going to survive that is what is needed.
I will admit I have never followed Luke Combs. In fact I’ve not much more than heard of him. But after the announcement I checked him out, and he’s good. I could listen to him. He’s not 100% traditional, but close for today’s commercial success of artists.
Along with others, I still believe Gene Watson, Kathy Mattea, Suzy Boggus, Tracy Lawrence, Rhonda Vincent, The Isaacs, Jamey Johnson and even Ray Stevens would make great members. Maybe in the future.
Never heard Luke Combs - I went online and listened to excerpts of each song on his debut (only) CD, sorry but each one sounded just like the one before and it was not a country sound. But wait, it is said that the first five were number one's - how do they calculate that information these days. As I have said many times before, the 90th Anniversary Opry Weekend was probably our last (and we were disappointed then). As we have all suggested our recommendations for performers who would make wonderful new members and still have not seen them selected, it appears we are not thinking like "management". Sad. (Anonymous in PA)
ReplyDeleteAfter someone played Luke for me today I can say I have heard him before. I just can't match the music, face and name. All I can say is it could be worse.
ReplyDeleteTo David's point about growth, I agree and understand. If the Opry is to survive there is no doubt they are going to add many people that I'm not in tune with. But for the sake of a few of the younger(not so young) acts like Ricky Skaggs and a few others, I hope it survives. And I agree with those folks David listed as good potential members.
I have a co worker who has been listening to WSM over the net. He likes all kinds of Country but leans to the new. He is in his mid 40's I think. Anyway, he is the one that showed me a video of Luke and when I said he was to be the new member of the Opry his response surprised me. He said he rather new in the business to be joining the Opry.....I think of the legends being members of the Opry. I tried to explain the history of the Opry to him and the fact that in the heyday, this was common for popular up and comers or artist just getting success, to become members. Difference is that the Opry could push them to stardom in the day. Anyway, maybe is perception is common and what the Opry is trying to overcom......for what it;s worth.
Some more archive listening for me today included Van Howard on the Midnite Jamboree with Eddie Stubbs as M.C. and a knockout band that included Pete Wade, Buddy Emmons, Buddy Spicher, Hank singer and Jimmy Capps. This was 2007.
Also heard Don Helms with Chris Malpass. I forgot that they worked and recorded together.
Jim
Knightsville, IN