December Opry Highlights

Where did 2019 go? I ask that question because we are now entering December, the final month of the year. In just a matter of weeks, it will be Christmas and the holiday season. As the Grand Ole Opry prepares to close out another year, here are the important dates and events that have taken place regarding the Opry, or Opry members, during the month of December:

December 2, 1889: Herman Crook was born. Herman was one of the Opry's original members, joining the show when it was still called the WSM Barn Dance. Herman's first Opry appearance was on July 24, 1926, and he was with the show until his death in June 1988, just short of 62 years. When he passed away, the Crook Brothers were the last of the originals on the Opry, and they never wavered from the traditional string band sound. As Roy Acuff said, "He loved country music, but he wanted it country. He didn't go for any of this rock n' roll type stuff."

December 14, 1899: DeFord Bailey was born. DeFord was another of the Opry's original members, making his first appearance on June 19, 1926. DeFord was there the night Opry founder George D. Hay changed the name of the show from the WSM Barn Dance to the Grand Ole Opry, and he played the first song on the newly named show. DeFord was with the Opry until he was fired in 1941, in a move that left DeFord very bitter. Despite repeated efforts by Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Bill Monroe, among others, DeFord stayed away from the Opry until returning on February 23, 1974, when he appeared for the Opry's first reunion show. DeFord would make several more Opry appearances before passing away in 1982. In 2005 he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

December 11, 1914: James Clell "Tex" Summey was born. Known professionally as Cousin Jody, he first came to the Opry with Roy Acuff in 1937, and he later worked with Pee Wee King and Lonzo & Oscar. He also performed as a solo act, until health issues forced him to retire. He passed away in 1975, and it should be noted that he was the first person to play the dobro and steel guitar on the Opry stage and he was the one who brought the original dobro sound with Roy Acuff.

December 19, 1920: Jimmy Dickens was born in Bolt, West Virginia. Jimmy first came to the Opry in 1948. While he left the show for a period of time, Jimmy returned to the Opry in 1975 and remained an Opry member until his death in January 2015. It is pretty safe to say that at the time of his death, Jimmy might have been the most beloved member of the Opry.

December 12, 1925: Dr. Humphrey Bate and his group soon to be known as the Possum Hunters, appeared for the first time on George D. Hay's Saturday night program.

December 26, 1925: The WSM Barn Dance was formally listed for the first time on the WSM program schedule that was printed in the Nashville Tennessean. The listing read, "Because of this recent revival in the popularity of the old familiar tunes, WSM has arranged to have an hour or two every Saturday night starting Saturday December 26. Uncle Dave Macon, the oldest banjo picker in Dixie, and who comes from Readyville, Tennessee, and Uncle Jimmy Thompson of Martha, Tennessee, will answer any requests for old-time melodies."

December 10, 1927: While there seems to be some confusion as to the exact date, it would appear that his was the date that the WSM Barn Dance became known as the Grand Ole Opry. The Barn Dance came on the air at 8:00. In the hour prior to the start of the Barn Dance program, WSM aired a classical musical show on the NBC radio network called "Music Appreciation Hour." At the conclusion of the Music Hour show that particular night, Barn Dance founder George D. Hay announced, "For the past hour we have been listening to music taken largely from Grand Opera; from now on we will present the Grand Ole Opry." While this is the story that was told by George D. Hay, there seem to be no independent verification of this event. In fact, some historians who have looked back at the WSM program schedules,  believe that the date was actually December 8, 1928, a year later, as the "Music Appreciation Hour" did not begin on WSM until that year. However, to back up the 1927 claim, others have pointed out that on December 11, 1927, the Nashville Tennessean used the word "Grand Ole Opry" in their editions of the paper. Either way, the new name stuck.

December 13, 1930: Grand Ole Opry member Buck White was born, Along with his daughters Sharon and Cheryl, The Whites have been Opry members since 1984. Most weekends will find Buck and his daughters performing on the Opry, and if asked, Buck will also dance with the square dancers. At the age of 89, Buck is the Opry's 3rd oldest member and still plays the piano as good as ever.

December 7, 1931: Grand Ole Opry member Bobby Osborne was born in Leslie County, Kentucky. Along with his brother Sonny, Bobby became an Opry member in 1964. At the age of 88, Bobby still appears on the Opry weekly and of course, always does "Rocky Top," sounding as good as ever.

December 7, 1940: After making several guest appearances during the month of November, this is the first date that Minnie Pearl is listed in the Opry program as a regular member of the Opry.

December 30, 1944: Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys made a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, appearing on the Prince Albert portion of the show that was broadcast on the NBC radio network. Minnie Pearl, who was there that night, remembered that a lady in the balcony was so excited that she fell out of the balcony onto the Ryman stage. And after Roy Acuff heard the electrified fiddles that Bob brought, he made the statement that the Opry would be ruined forever. What is interesting, that while Bob brought electrified fiddles with him, both Pee Wee King and Ernest Tubb had been playing electric instruments on the Opry previous to that night. There is another story from that night, regarding the use of drums and Bob being told to keep his drummer behind the curtain. Much like the electric fiddles, Bob's drummer was not the first to drum on the Opry, as Harold "Sticks" McDonald, a member of Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys, had brought drums to the Opry several years prior. He supposedly used them for a couple of weeks until George D. Hay told Pee Wee to take the drums home and leave them there. While that may be true, within a few years, many of the Opry's acts included drums.

December 8, 1945: Earl Scruggs made his Grand Ole Opry debut as a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys. He was the final member to join what many consider the greatest of Bill's many renditions of the Blue Grass Boys, and what many feel was the greatest bluegrass band ever. That group included Lester Flatt, Chubby Wise and Harold Watts. This group would only stay together until 1948. After leaving Bill's group, Earl would team up with Lester Flatt, before moving on to play a more progressive sound with his sons.

December 21, 1957: Elvis Presley made a backstage visit to the Grand Ole Opry where he was seen visiting with several Opry members including Hank Snow, Ray Price and Faron Young. While he didn't perform that night, he did go out on stage and wave to the audience.

December 28, 1958: Grand Ole Opry member Joe Diffie was born.

December 12, 1959: While performing on the Opry, Bill Monroe was served with divorce papers from his wife, Carolyn Brown. She charged that Bill was having an affair with his bass player, Bessie Lee Mauldin. The story goes that Carolyn was waiting for Bill outside the Opry that night and when he came out the Ryman's back door, she really laid into him.

December 24, 1960: The final Prince Albert Grand Ole Opry show was broadcast on the NBC network. The decline of radio and the rise of television led to the decision to end the Opry's broadcasts. Hank Snow was the host for that final broadcast, and I am happy to say that I have a recording of that show.

December 3, 1961: "Doctor" Lew Childre passed away. Lew, who was born in 1901, became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1945. He remained with the Opry through most of the 1950's.

December 6, 1964: The Grand Ole Opry fired 12 of its members for failing to meet the required number of yearly appearances on the show. The Nashville Tennessean wrote, "Twelve top country and western stars will not appear on the Grand Ole Opry in 1965, and have been prohibited from using the Opry name in their outside billings, it was learned yesterday. Another entertainer, long-time favorite Minnie Pearl, has been given a leave of absence from the show for the coming year, but will continue to use the Opry billing in her present contracts," a WSM spokesman said. Those who were dismissed from the Opry were George Morgan, Don Gibson, Billy Grammer, Johnny Wright, Kitty Wells, the Jordanaires, Faron Young, Ferlin Husky, Chet Atkins, Justin Tubb, Stonewall Jackson and Ray Price. It was later found that Chet Atkins was not an actual Opry member, which led to some comments concerning if the Opry's management really knew what was going on at the show. At the time, Opry members were required to appear 26 times per year. Many of those fired would later return to the show as members, including George Morgan, Don Gibson, Billy Grammer, Justin Tubb and Stonewall Jackson, while Minnie Pearl would return after her leave of absence. While never rejoining the cast, the remaining ones would appear on the show as guest artists.

December 23, 1967: Jack Greene became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jack started as a member of Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours before going on to a very successful solo career. Jack would remain an Opry member until his death in 2013.

December 14, 1973: Lorrie Morgan, age 14, made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Lorrie was brought on stage by her father, Opry member George Morgan. She sang "Paper Roses." A decade later, Lorrie would become an Opry member.

December 15, 1973: Grand Ole Opry member Skeeter Davis was suspended by the Opry's management for comments she had made the previous Saturday night while performing on the Opry. As Skeeter said, "Hank Williams got kicked off the Opry for drinkin' too much old wine. Me? I got kicked off for singing about the new wine." What actually happened was that Skeeter was on her way to the Ryman Auditorium for an Opry appearance when she witnessed the arrest of what were known as "Jesus Freaks," which was another name for the young people who were protesting not only in Nashville, but around the country. The arrests enraged Skeeter and on the Opry, she expressed her rage by talking about it, singing about it, and weeping about it. When she came off the stage after performing, she faced an angry Opry management. She was told that she was no longer considered an Opry member. Happily for all, and especially for Skeeter, she was invited back to the Opry 18 months later.

December 29, 1973: Opry member Tex Ritter made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance. Tex, who had joined the Opry in 1965, would pass away after suffering a heart attack, the following week.

December 25, 1976: Larry, Steve and Rudy, The Gatlin Brothers, became members of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be their 43rd year as Opry members, and according to my records, the only members to join the cast on Christmas day. In addition to their Opry appearances, Larry Gatlin serves as host of the Opry Country Classics show held in the Spring and Fall at the Ryman Auditorium.

December 27, 1978: Grand Ole Opry member Bob Luman passed away at the age of 41. Bob joined the Opry in 1965 and was known for his rockabilly sound that was very popular with many of the Opry's younger fans. While some on the Opry felt Bob's music had too much rock in it, he was a popular member of the cast and enjoyed great support. His last Grand Ole Opry appearance was on Saturday December 2, 1978, while Friday December 15 was his final Friday Night Opry appearance.

December 8, 1982: Marty Robbins passed away in a Nashville hospital at the age of 57. Probably the Opry's most popular member, he was famous for hosting the 11:30 segment when he was in town, and making the last half hour of the Opry his own, often performing well past the traditional midnight sign off time. Just that previous October, Marty had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

December 10, 1982: Longtime Smoky Mountain Boy Jimmy Riddle passed away. Over the years, Jimmy was an integral part of Roy Acuff's sound.

December 20, 1986: Randy Travis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Randy's 33rd year as an Opry member. Randy had a string of hits in the 1980s and 1990s, and helped to bring back a more traditional sound to country music. Sadly, Randy has suffered a serious of health setbacks and will probably never perform on the Opry again. However, he has visited the show several times in the past couple of years, and he always receives a great audience response when introduced on stage. Randy is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

December 17, 1993: Herman Harper, the famous and very popular bass singer for the Carol Lee Singers, passed away. Herman had been a member of the Oak Ridge Boys back in the day when they were considered one of the country's top gospel acts.

December 24, 1994: Vic Willis was scheduled to perform on the Grand Ole Opry for the final time. The Willis Brothers, originally known as the Oklahoma Wranglers, came to the Opry in 1946. After leaving in 1949 to tour with Eddy Arnold, they returned in 1957. In addition to Vic, the group included brothers Guy and Skeeter. Skeeter had passed away in 1976, while Guy retired in 1979 due to health issues. Vic continued on, forming the Vic Willis Trio, until he passed away early in 1995 from injuries suffered in an automobile accident.

December 30, 1994: Grand Ole Gospel Time, which followed the Friday Night Opry and hosted by Reverend Jimmie Snow, Hank's son, was broadcast for the final time. The show was taped on Friday night and broadcast on WSM Sunday mornings. Airing for 23 years, the show would feature a number of Grand Ole Opry performers including Connie Smith, Billy Walker and Roy Acuff, and feature such guests as Johnny Cash and Dennis Weaver.

December 10, 1996: Faron Young passed away in Nashville in what was a tragic end to his life. Faron was a former member of the Grand Ole Opry and was fired as part of the "Purge of 64." While he never rejoined the Opry's cast, Faron would come back and make several guest appearances.

December 19, 1999: Former Grand Ole Opry member Marion Worth passed away at the age of 69. Marion joined the Opry in 1963, and while never a superstar, she was very entertaining and a fan favorite. She left the Opry cast in 1980, when she went into semi-retirement and continued to perform for a time in Las Vegas.

December 20, 1999: The legendary Hank Snow passed away at his Rainbow Ranch in Madison, Tennessee after a period of declining health. Hank joined the Opry in January 1950 and was just weeks shy of 50 years of Opry membership. Hank last appeared on the Opry in September 1996, and is considered one of the all-time Opry greats.

December 16, 2000: Brad Paisley was surprised on stage by Jimmy Dickens and Jeannie Seely, in a segment hosted by Bill Anderson. Jimmy & Jeannie were dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the reason for the surprise visit was the delivery of an invitation for Brad to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Brad tearfully accepted and the following February he would officially join the cast.

December 30, 2000: Grand Ole Opry member Skeeter Davis made her final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Skeeter, who had been battling various illnesses, would enter a period of declining health that made it difficult for her to continue performing. Skeeter passed away in December 2004. Additionally, after being notified the previous month that he was being terminated, this was the final night that Jerry Strobel was employed as the Opry House manager. Jerry had worked at the Opry for over 30 years.

December 21, 2001: Josh Turner made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. His debut song was "Long Black Train" after which Josh received a standing ovation. Over the next several years, Josh would make dozens and dozens of guest appearances, until finally becoming a member in October 2008.

December 31, 2002: Grand Ole Opry member Jim McReynolds, one half of Jim & Jesse, passed away in Gallatin, Tennessee after a long illness. Jim & Jesse, along with the Virginia Boys, became Opry members in March 1964, and are considered one of the greatest acts in bluegrass music history.

December 30, 2006: The Grand Ole Opry's 2nd Saturday night show concluded at midnight for the final time. The following week, both Saturday Grand Ole Opry shows were cut to 2 hours, with the late show ending at 11:30.

December 16, 2011: Grand Ole Opry member Jack Greene made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Jack, who joined the cast in 1967, was in declining health which forced him into retirement. Jack passed away in 2013 from Alzheimer's. 

December 13, 2013: Grand Ole Opry member Joe Diffie was honored for 20 years of Opry membership. Joining Joe on the Opry that evening were Opry members Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

December 20, 2014: Grand Ole Opry member Jimmy Dickens made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance. On Christmas Day, Jimmy was admitted to a Nashville hospital and would pass away shortly after the first of the year. Jimmy's final song? "Out Behind the Barn."

December 11, 2015: Grand Ole Opry member Mel Tillis made his final Opry appearance on the Friday Night Opry. Mel, who joined the Opry in 2007, entered a period of declining health after the first of the year, that would ultimately lead to his passing in November 2017.

December 30, 2016: During a guest appearance on the Friday Night Opry, Marty Stuart, with help from John Carter Cash, surprised Dailey & Vincent with an invitation to become the Opry's newest members. This was also the 100th guest appearance for Dailey & Vincent. Their actual Opry induction would take place the following March.

December 1, 2017: Grand Ole Opry member Marty Stuart celebrated his 25th anniversary as member of the Opry. Helping Marty celebrate were Connie Smith, Charlie Worsham, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dallas Frazier, Kenny Lovelace, Marty's mother Hilda, and the Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers.

December 31, 2017: Longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer, and WSM personality, Hairl Hensley passed away. Hairl was a WSM and Grand Ole Opry announcer for 35 years, joining the station in 1972. He was a member of the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame.

December 21, 2018: Grand Ole Opry Staff Band member Jimmy Capps was honored upon his 60th anniversary of performing on the Grand Ole Opry. Jimmy originally came to the Opry as part of the Louvin Brothers group and continued after they left. In honor of Jimmy, the rehearsal room backstage at the Opry House was renamed the "Jimmy Capps Music Room."

December 21, 2018: On the same night that Jimmy Capps was honored, Vince Gill surprised long-time and frequent Opry guest Mark Wills with an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.  

December 23, 2017: Grand Ole Opry member Ray Pillow made his final appearance on the Opry. Ray, who joined the Opry cast in 1966, apparently has made the decision to retire form performing.

There you have it for the final month of the year. As usual at the Opry, there was a lot of activity during the month.

Grand Ole Opry 11/29 & 11/30

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I hope each of you have the opportunity to be able to spend some time with your families and your loved ones. In my case, we are headed down to North Carolina where we will be spending the Thanksgiving holiday with our two daughters, our grandchildren and their families.

A couple of names do stand out for this weekend. First, Vince Gill is scheduled for all four shows this weekend. That is good news. I was thinking with his work with the Eagles and his solo dates that he just didn't have time for the Opry. Thankfully, he will be headlining the shows this weekend.

Secondly, one of my personal favorites, Carson Peters and Iron Mountain are scheduled for both shows on Saturday night. If you haven't seen or heard Carson and his group, you are missing out. I have their CD "Grass Stains" and it has quickly become one of my favorite albums. These guys are just great musicians and Carson is such a talented young man. Hopefully he continues with his career and continues to put out some great music.

Other guests scheduled for this weekend include Dillon Carmichael, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Darin & Brook Aldridge, and Karen Mills on Friday night. Joe Mullins is another great bluegrass artist, and in fact, they are the current IBMA Entertainers of the Year.

Guests scheduled for Saturday night include Steve Earle, guitarist Tommy Emmanuel, Chonda Pierce, and Louise Mandrell. Louise, who was on Opry Country Classics during the week of the Opry's birthday bash, has a new album out, singing a host of country classics. Listening to her on the classics show, she hasn't lost anything and it is nice to see her back recording and performing.

As to Opry members, in addition to Vince Gill, Mike Snider and Jeannie Seely are set for all four shows, with Bobby Osborne and Riders In The Sky scheduled for both shows on Friday night.

Friday November 29
1st show
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Dillon Carmichael
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Karen Mills; Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Keith & Kristyn Getty

2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Dillon Carmichael
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Karen Mills; Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Keith & Kristyn Getty

Saturday November 30
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Carson Peters & Iron Mountain; Chonda Pierce
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Louise Mandrell
8:00: Vince Gill (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Tommy Emmanuel; Opry Square Dancers; Steve Earle

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Carson Peters & Iron Mountain; Chonda Pierce
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Louise Mandrell
10:30: Vince Gill (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Tommy Emmanuel; Opry Square Dancers; Steve Earle
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of November 27 & 28, 2009:

Friday November 27
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jim Ed Brown: Rhonda Vincent
7:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jack Greene
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; Matt Kennon
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Connie Smith; Doyle Dykes

Saturday November 28
1st show
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jimmy Wayne
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites; Charlie Louvin
8:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Riders In The Sky; Cherryholmes; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Brad Paisley

2nd show
9:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Brad Paisley; Jim Ed Brown
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Charlie Louvin; Jimmy Wayne
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky; Cherryholmes

Now from 25 years ago, Saturday November 26, 1994

1st show
6:30: Mike Snider (host); Brother Oswald
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Bill Carlisle
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Hank Locklin; Charlie Louvin; Jim Ed Brown; Connie Smith
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Martina McBride; Charlie Daniels; Don Gibson
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Stonewall Jackson; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jan Howard; The Four Guys; Del Reeves

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett; Hank Locklin; Darryl and Don Ellis
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Billy Walker
10:15: Mike Snider (host); Roy Drusky
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites
10:45: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; Charlie Walker; The Four Guys
11:30: Johnny Russell (host); Jack Greene; Ronna Reeves

As noted, Don Gibson appeared on the first show. This was Don's first Grand Ole Opry appearance in several years.

Finally, from 50 years ago, Saturday November 29, 1969:

1st show
6:30: Willis Brothers (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Cal Smith
6:45: Osborne Brothers (host); Jeanne Pruett; Jack Barlow
7:00: The Four Guys (host); Charlie Walker; Jean Shepard; Stringbean
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa Jones; Ray Pillow; Crook Brothers
8:00: Tex Ritter (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Lawrence Reynolds; Lonzo and Oscar
8:30: Bill Monroe (host); Stu Phillips; Wilma Burgess; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Tokyo Matsu

2nd show
9:30: Willis Brothers (host); Grandpa Jones; Wilma Lee Cooper; Stringbean
10:00: Osborne Brothers (host); Jeanne Pruett; Cal Smith
10:15: The Four Guys (host); Jack Barlow
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard; Lawrence Reynolds
10:45: Ray Pillow (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Crook Brothers
11:00: Tex Ritter (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Burgess; Stu Phillips; Tokyo Matsu

A couple of names from that night, beginning with Lawrence Reynolds.

Lawrence Reynolds was born on July 13, 1944 in St. Stephens, Alabama. He had a hit single with "Jesus Is a Soul Man" in 1969, which hit No. 28 on the Billboard charts. "Jesus Is a Soul Man" was co-written by Jack D Cardwell. Lawrence released an album in 1970, also called Jesus Is a Soul Man, which peaked at No. 45 on the U.S. Country Albums chart in 1970. He died of coronary artery disease on August 15, 2000.

The second name from that night is Tokyo Matsu. She was from Tokyo, Japan and was a graduate of Kunitachi School of Music where she studied classical music, but her first love is country music. She had previously been nominated for Fiddle Player of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. At last reports, she is still alive at the age of 74.

To finish it up for this week, it was Saturday November 30, 2002 that Tim McGraw made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Also appearing on the same night was Brad Paisley. Loretta Lynn was also scheduled, however she cancelled and was replaced on the schedule by T. Graham Brown.

1st show
6:30: Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Jimmy C Newman: La Cajun Band
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of a Fool
Jimmy Dickens: Mountain Dew

7:00: Gutter Guard/Standard Candy
Brad Paisley (host): Wrapped Around
Pinmonkey: Bared Wire & Roses/I Drove All Night
Brad Paisley: Jingle Bells/Silent Night/I Wish You'd Stay
Tim McGraw: Don't Take the Girl/Unwound
T. Graham Brown: I Tell It Like It Used to Be/Turn the Wine Into Water/Darlene
Brad Paisley: I'm Gonna Miss Her

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me
Jeannie Seely: Winter Wonderland
Doyle Dykes: Wabash Cannonball/O Holy Night
Opry Square Dance Band: Cherokee Shuffle
Porter Wagoner: Carroll County Accident

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Bill Anderson (host): Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Mountain Heart: A Road I've Not Been Down/Real Time
Bill Anderson: Christmas In Your Arms

2nd show
9:30: Tootsie's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
Jack Greene: Try a Little Kindness/Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
T. Graham Brown: I Tell It Like It Used to Be/Turn the Wine Into Water
Jimmy Dickens: We Could

10:00: Lincoln Mercury/Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Osborne Brothers: Lonesome Feeling/Rocky Top
Tim McGraw: Sing Me Home/Don't Take the Girl/Unwound/Everywhere

10:30: WSM online.com/Wildhorse Saloon
Jimmy C Newman (host): Allons Ah Lafayette
Jan Howard: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Doyle Dykes: Wabash Cannonball/O Holy Night
Opry Square Dance Band: Snow Flake Reel

11:00: Coca-Cola
Bill Anderson (host): Liars 1; Believers 0
Charlie Louvin: Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep
Vince Gill: Look at Us
Pinmonkey: Barbed Wire & Roses/I Drove all Night
Bill Anderson: I Lot of Things Different

11:30: Tootsie's
Jeannie Seely (host): Anytime
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away/Charlie's Shoes
Mountain Heart: The Grand Tour/Lee Highway Blues
Jeannie Seely: Today I Started Loving You Again
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A couple of more items. First, here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, November 26

7:00: John Conlee; Emily Ann Roberts
7:30: Striking Matches; Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:15: Jim Lauderdale; Jeff Allen
8:45: Rhonda Vincent; Jason Crabb

As most of you know, Jesse McReynolds missed the Opry last weekend. He wrote on his Facebook page that he had the flu and was staying home to get better.

Finally, thanks for all the comments from the post last week. I thought it would generate some responses and I was pleased to see so many of you chime in. My thanks and I enjoyed reading them all.

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone. Be Safe and don't eat too much turkey!!

Grand Ole Opry 11/22 & 11/23

As we get to the end of 2019, and as I have been reviewing the Grand Ole Opry weekly line-ups, I thought it would be a good time for some of my thoughts.

It would appear, unless the unexpected happens, that the Opry will end the year with 68 members. However, that really doesn't tell the story, as of those 68 members listed, 17 of those will end the year with zero appearances, and of those 17 it can safely be said that 12 of those members will never perform on the Opry again.

To put it into perspective, here are the 12, along with the last time performing on the Opry:

Bobby Bare: August 18, 2018
Ray Pillow: December 23, 2017
Hal Ketchum: August 18, 2017
Stu Phillips: June 4, 2017
Loretta Lynn: January 21, 2017
Stonewall Jackson: November 5, 2016
Jan Howard: October 24, 2015
Randy Travis: July 13, 2012
Ricky Van Shelton: July 2, 2004
Jeanne Pruett: June 9, 2001
Barbara Mandrell: June 14, 1997
Tom T Hall: June 6, 1992

The other five who will finish 2019 with no Opry appearances: Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap and Blake Shelton.

Granted, a few of those such as Randy Travis, Jeanne Pruett and Jan Howard have appeared at the Opry, introduced on stage to be acknowledged by those attending the show.

Now, let's list those who are Grand Ole Opry members and don't appear more than 2 or 3 times a year:

Dierks Bentley
Clint Black
Garth Brooks
Emmylou Harris
Alison Krauss
Little Big Town
Martina McBride
Brad Paisley
Dolly Parton
Rascal Flatts
Darius Rucker
Marty Stuart
Travis Tritt
Keith Urban
Trisha Yearwood
Chris Young

Two of the names I really am disappointed to see on this list are Brad Paisley and Marty Stuart. Both know better and as much as they both say they love the Opry and it's history, their support tells otherwise. With Brad, I specifically remember how he stepped forward after the 2010 flood and then the death of Jimmy Dickens, but after the media left, so did Brad. I know Marty has been busy, but so have others. He needs to return to his roots.

While Garth Brooks is on that list, I give him a pass. My understanding is that while Garth does not appear on the Opry often, he does a lot behind the scenes to support the Opry in other ways and has always answered their requests when asked.

And finally, Dolly Parton. I give her credit for her two shows this year, but prior to those, she was another one missing in action.

So not counting Luke Combs and Kelsea Ballerini, giving those two new members the opportunity to show us how they will support the Opry, that leaves us with 33 members who are actually appearing and supporting the show in some capacity.

So, of those 33, who are carrying the heavy loads and can be counted on to be at the Opry more weekends than not? The list of those who have appeared more than 20 times in 2019 is rather small:

Bill Anderson
John Conlee
Dailey & Vincent
Jesse McReynolds
Bobby Osborne
Riders In The Sky
Jeannie Seely
Ricky Skaggs
Connie Smith
Mike Snider
Mark Wills
The Whites

Basically, you have 12 members who are committed to the Opry. Any one what to guess what the average age of those artists is? And with those 12 doing the heavy lifting, we have seen what happens to the line-ups when many of those are missing.

Most of the other members who are not listed appear between 10 and 20 times each year and I am personally fine with those folks. I don't doubt the commitment of artists such as Vince Gill, Chris Janson, Crystal Gayle, Trace Adkins, Oak Ridge Boys and Carrie Underwood. And I really don't have an issue with those who are retired. God Bless them and we should be thankful for what they each brought to the Opry. My issue is that of the 68 Opry members there are only 33 that can be counted on to appear 10 times per year or more. In other words, only half of the Opry's cast are true participating members.

I am only pointing this out, as in the last several years we have lost a good number of veteran artists who supported the Opry: Jim Ed Brown, Jimmy Dickens, Jack Greene, George Hamilton IV, Charlie Louvin, Jimmy C Newman and Jean Shepard to name a few. And while we are lucky that most of the 12 who are making the most appearances are in good health, let's be honest. Any one of them could go at any time. And we wonder why some weeks, there are less than five or six members per show.

Hopefully under the new leadership of Dan Rogers, Opry membership is addressed and members added who will appear and support the show. If the Opry is going to continue with the host format, members need to be added that can actually host. The recently added Mark Wills is a great example. We need more members, such as Mark, who will step forward and support the show.

Just some thoughts.
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Now, to the four Grand Ole Opry shows for this weekend and of course, one of those who I listed as appearing only several times per year, Darius Rucker, is scheduled to appear on both shows Friday night.

Joining Darius will be Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Connie Smith, Ricky Skaggs and Riders In The Sky. Additionally, The Whites are scheduled for the first show and Bobby Osborne is listed on the second show. That all adds up to seven members on each show.

John Conlee, Ricky Skaggs, Mike Snider and Riders In The Sky are back for Saturday night, joined by Jeannie Seely, and on the first show, Jesse McReynolds. That gives us six members on the early show and five on the late show.

Guesting on Friday night will be Charlie Worsham, Jimmie Allen, High Valley and Cam. On Saturday night, Drew Baldridge, Restless Heart and Kalie Shorr are listed on the schedule, along with very frequent guest Charles Esten and The Milk Carton Kids, who I know one of our readers has a personal interest in.

Friday November 22
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); Charlie Worsham; Mike Snider
7:30: Connie Smith (host); The Whites; Jimmie Allen
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); High Valley; Cam
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Darius Rucker

2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Charlie Worsham; Mike Snider
10:00: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Cam
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jimmie Allen; High Valley
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Darius Rucker

Saturday November 23
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Drew Baldridge; Mike Snider
7:30: John Conlee (host); Kalie Shorr; The Milk Carton Kids
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds; Restless Heart; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Charles Esten

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Drew Baldridge; Mike Snider
10:00: John Conlee (host); Kalie Shorr; The Milk Carton Kids
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Restless Heart; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Charles Esten
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of November 20 & 21, 2009:

Friday November 20
7:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jason Michael Carroll
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Shane Yellowbird
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Stonewall Jackson; The Whites; Connie Smith
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Ralph Stanley; Little Big Town

Saturday November 21
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Holly Williams
7:30: The Whites (host); Jack Greene; Ralph Stanley
8:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Jan Howard; The Lovell Sisters; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Connie Smith; Charlie Daniels Band

2nd show
9:30; Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Holly Williams
10:00: The Whites (host); Jack Greene; Ralph Stanley
10:30: Mike Snider (host); Ray Pillow; Charlie Daniels Band; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Connie Smith; The Lovell Sisters

I had to look up Shane Yellowbird as I honestly couldn't remember who he was. Shane is from Canada and had won several Canadian Country Music Awards prior to 2009, which was the year that his last album was released. While still apparently active, it seems that he really hasn't done much lately.

Now from 25 years ago, Saturday November 19, 1994:

1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Jeanne Pruett; Alison Krauss
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Riders In The Sky
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald; Dan Kelly; Jan Howard; Jack Greene; Bill Carlisle
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Loretta Lynn; Patty Loveless
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers; Charlie Louvin; Jimmy Sturr
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown; Connie Smith; Jimmy C Newman

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett; Jim and Jesse; Patty Loveless
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Loretta Lynn; Johnny Russell
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); The Four Guys
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Riders In The Sky
10:45: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; Charlie Walker; Nashville Bluegrass Band; Del Reeves
11:30: Mike Snider (host); Connie Smith; Billy Walker; John Conlee

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

1st show
6:30: Willis Brothers (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Del Wood
6:45: Charlie Walker (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Urel Albert
7:00: Archie Campbell (host); Lorene Mann; The Four Guys; David Peel
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Stu Phillips; Bill Carlisle; Crook Brothers
8:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Stan Hitchcock; Margie Bowes
8:30: Tex Ritter (host); Stonewall Jackson; Marion Worth; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Willis Brothers (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Wilma Lee Cooper; Del Wood
10:00: Archie Campbell (host); Lorene Mann; Charlie Walker
10:15: Stu Phillips (host); Jim and Jesse; The Four Guys
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Urel Albert
10:45: Stonewall Jackson (host); Bill Carlisle; Crook Brothers
11:00: Tex Ritter (host); Margie Bowes; David Peel; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Marion Worth; Stan Hitchcock

One name that night who might not be familiar to everyone is David Peel.

While born and raised in Nashville, TN, David hitchhiked with his guitar in tow to Hollywood during a college Spring break in pursuit of a folk-singing career. With dreams of singing the songs he knew and loved driving him forward, he began playing venues throughout Southern California. However, upon discovery by actor Fess Parker of acclaimed Disney films such as 'Old Yeller' and 'Davy Crockett', and star of the hit television series 'Daniel Boone', David began an acting career instead, appearing in series such as 'The Virginian' as well as in 'Daniel Boone'. With the distinction of being the only true "Nashvillian" in the cast, his single film credit would be to play a major role in Robert Altman's Academy-Award-nominated movie, 'Nashville' with Lily Tomlin, Jeff Goldblum, and Henry Gibson.

Returning to his musical roots, David established his own solo recording career in Nashville. He quickly hit national country charts with a string of hit singles including 'I'm Walkin'' and 'Wax Museum' , later to add 5 additional albums; 'Move Two Mountains', 'Hit the Road Jack', 'Rise and Walk', 'I'll Sing On', and 'Glory Bound' to his decades-spanning career.

David is still active today, primarily doing smaller, private events.
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Taking a look back, it was 17 years ago, Saturday November 23, 2002 that Jim McReynolds performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the final time.

James Monroe McReynolds was born on February 13, 1927 in the tiny community of Carfax, Virginia. Musical instruments were always abundant in the McReynolds family, and both Jim and his younger brother Jesse started playing music at a very young age. Both sides of their family played and sang the old-time traditional mountain music. In fact, their grandfather Charles McReynolds, a fiddle player of note, recorded at the historic RCA sessions held in Bristol, Va. in 1927.

When Jim & Jesse were learning to play and sing, the brother duet acts in country music were extremely popular. They listened to the radio shows and bought 78 rpm records of such pioneers as the Delmore Brothers, the Monroe Brothers, and the Blue Sky Boys, and sought to emulate their styles. With Jesse playing mandolin and singing lead and Jim providing the tenor harmony and guitar accompaniment, the two brothers came up with a vocal blend that was uniquely their own.

Following Jim's discharge from the United States Army, he and Jesse made their professional debut a few months later in the spring of 1947 on WNVA in Norton, Va. This tenure lasted only a few months and was the beginning of a long succession of radio jobs. They appeared on stations in Charleston, W.Va., Bristol, Va., Forest City, N.C., Augusta, Ga., Waterloo, Ia., Wichita, Kansas, eventually working their way to Versailles, Kentucky, where in 1952 they joined the Kentucky Barn Dance.

By 1956, Jim & Jesse were appearing on television in Tallahassee, Fla., and subsequent shows were added in Savannah, Ga., Dothan, Ala., Pensacola, Fla., and Valdosta, Ga., where they later moved. They signed with Starday Records in 1958 and recorded several tunes which became standards, including "Hard Hearted" and "Pardon Me," along with the instrumentals "Dixie Hoedown" and "Border Ride."

In 1960, Martha White Flour began sponsoring Jim & Jesse on television, and the following year they moved to Prattville, Ala., and also made their first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. A recording contract with Columbia produced such classics as "Gosh I Miss You All The Time" and "Diesel Train" before they migrated over to Epic where they would enjoy their biggest commercial success. In the early 1960's, the Jim & Jesse sound really crystallized with Allen Shelton on banjo and Jimmy Buchanan on Fiddle, producing the classic albums "Bluegrass Special," "Bluegrass Classics," and "The Old Country Church."

After many guest appearances, on March 2, 1964, Jim & Jesse fulfilled their life's dream to become members of WSM's Grand Ole Opry. Their records continued to sell at a steady pace, but as the bluegrass and country music fields became separate industries, Jim & Jesse had to adapt to keep up with the times. They added electric instrumentation to their recordings and hired musicians who could double on both acoustic and electric instruments. They also had many BILLBOARD country chart hits including the well-known "Diesel on my Tail."

In 1993, the brothers received bluegrass music's highest honor when they were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. They later went to the White House in 1997 to receive the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship Award from then First Lady Hillary Clinton.

In 2001, Jim started experiencing voice problems. After visiting numerous doctors and specialists, he was advised not to sing. In April of 2002, he underwent thyroid surgery and cancer was found, and it had spread to the lymph nodes. Jim was off the road until June, but resumed with Jesse and continued undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. His condition worsened and he developed brain tumors.

Through it all, Jim never lost his dignity. His last appearance was at the Ryman Auditorium on WSM's Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, November 23, 2002. He had to be helped to the stage, and even though he couldn't sing, sitting on a stool, he played rhythm guitar flawlessly. His appearance, as always, was neat, clean, and pressed to the highest degree as he smiled with pride helping to make the music he loved for the last time.

Sadly, on December 19, Jim's wife Arreta, died suddenly of a massive heart attack. Jim started hospice care the next day. His death came December 31, at 7:40 p.m. at  the Sumner Regional Medical Center in Gallatin, Tenn. His daughter Janeen was by his side.

Funeral services were held at the Alexander Funeral Home in Gallatin, on January 4, with burial taking place the next day at the Robinette Cemetery, a small family cemetery on top of a mountain at the McReynolds' homeplace where Jim was born in Carfax, Va.

Here is the running order from Saturday November 23, 2002, the final night that brothers Jim and Jesse McReynolds performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the final time:

1st show
6:30: Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
The Whites: Swing Down Chariot
Steve Forbert: My Carolina Sunshine Girl; My Rough and Rowdy Ways
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn; Mountain Dew

7:00: Gutter Guard/Standard Candy
Steve Azar: I Don't Have to Be Me 'Til Monday/Waiting on Joe
Jean Shepard: I'm Not that Good at Goodbye
Steve Wariner: Tips of My Fingers/This Christmas Prayer
Montgomery Gentry: This Is My Town/She Changed Her Mind/Hillbilly Shoes
Diamond Rio: What A Beautiful Mess I'm In/I Believe/Unbelievable
Jean Shepard and Steve Wariner: The Great Speckled Bird/Wabash Cannonball

8:00: Martha White
Mike Snider (host): Smith Reel; Miller's Reel
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Holly Dunn: Can't Stop Now/Daddy's Hands
Opry Square Dance Band: Blackberry Blossom

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jim Ed Brown (host): Bar Room Pals and Good Time Gals
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou/Cajun Stripper
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You/Satisfied
Jim Ed Brown: Morning

2nd show
9:30: Tootsie's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Connie Smith: Ribbon of Darkness/You Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Montgomery Gentry: This Is My Town/Hillbilly Shoes
Jimmy Dickens: I'd Rather Sleep in Peace then Know You're Gone

10:00: Lincoln Mercury/Shoney's
Jean Shepard (host): Silver Threads & Golden Needles
Jan Howard: I Can't Help It
Jim and Jesse: I Wish You Knew
Diamond Rio: Love a Little Stronger/One More Day
Jean Shepard: Half A Mind/Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me

10:30: WSM online.com/Wildhorse Saloon
Steve Wariner (host): On Life's Highway
Holly Dunn: You Really Had Me Going
Steve Forbert: My Carolina Sunshine Girl/My Rough and Rowdy Ways
Opry Square Dance Band: Rachel
Steve Wariner: This Christmas Prayer

11:00: Coca Cola
Jim Ed Brown (host): Morning Comes Too Early
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo/Cajun Stripper
Steve Azar: My Heart Wants to Run/?/
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

11:30: Tootsie's
Mike Snider (host): Acorn Hill; Crazy Creek
Ray Pillow: I'm Still Not Over Losing You
The Whites: Pins & Needles/Keep on the Sunny Side
Mike Snider: Sourwood Mountain/Lost Indian

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!

Tuesday Night Opry 11/19

As a public service, since the Opry did not post the line-up on their new and improved website, here it is for tonight:

7:00: Bill Anderson; Abby Anderson; Del McCoury Band; Blanco Brown
Intermission
8:15: Lee Roy Parnell; Sylvia; Henry Cho
8:45: Dailey & Vincent; Charley Pride

Very, very rare to see Charley Pride on a week night show and there are actually four Opry members.

Overall, a very solid line-up

Grand Ole Opry 11/15 & 11/16

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the four shows this weekend as the Opry continues the winter run at the Ryman Auditorium. With the smaller capacity of the Ryman, the Opry will go with two shows each night, Friday and Saturday.

In looking at the shows for this weekend, and while there is no "big" name on either night that would attract a boatload of fans, the shows are all solid and have a lot of variety.

Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for all four shows include John Conlee, Mike Snider, Bill Anderson and Riders In The Sky. Joining that group on the Friday Night Opry will be Jeannie Seely, along with Jesse McReynolds on the first show and Bobby Osborne on the late one. Saturday night, Connie Smith and The Whites are scheduled. As we have seen many times, it is the veteran Opry members who are carrying the load each night.

Comedian Gary Mule Deer will be guesting on all four shows. Joining him on Friday night will Lee Greenwood. Joining Lee will be Scott Mulvahill, Maggie Rose and Home Free. Saturday night, in addition to Gary Mule Deer, those listed include Cassadee Pope, King Calaway, Charles Esten, and making her Opry debut, Caroline Jones (not to be confused with the actress Carolyn Jones who passed away several decades ago.

Friday November 15
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Scott Mulvahill; Mike Snider
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Maggie Rose
8:00: John Conlee (host); Gary Mule Deer; Home Free
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lee Greenwood

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Scott Mulvahill; Mike Snider
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Maggie Rose
10:30: John Conlee (host); Gary Mule Deer; Home Free
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lee Greenwood

Saturday November 16
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); Cassadee Pope; Mike Snider
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; King Calaway
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Gary Mule Deer; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Caroline Jones; Charles Esten

2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Cassadee Pope; Mike Snider
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; King Calaway
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Gary Mule Deer; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Caroline Jones; Charles Esten

Caroline Jones, who is making her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night, might not be a familiar name to many country music fans.

Declared one of Rolling Stone’s “10 Country Artists You Need to Know” as “an ambitious, entrepreneurial guitar heroine primed to bring back the pop-country glory of the Nineties,”singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Caroline Jones co-produced her forthcoming EP, Chasin’ Me, with Grammy and Academy Award-winning producer Ric Wake. The talented independent artist wrote all tracks of the EP except for “Gulf Coast Girl,” written for her by Jimmy Buffett and Mac McAnally, and “All of the Boys,” co-written with Zac Brown.

Garnering over 5 million impressions across platforms, the video for title track Chasin’ Me spent three weeks at the #1 spot on CMT.com’s 12 Pack Countdown. In April, she made her late-night debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with a brand-new rendition of her tongue-in-cheek anthem “Tough Guys,” to be included in the track listing.

On June 9th, Caroline kicked off her third consecutive year touring with Zac Brown Band, and prior to that, she was on the road with Kenny Chesney. Throughout 2018, Jones toured with Jimmy Buffett & the Eagles, Zac Brown Band & OneRepublic, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Vince Gill, and Kip Moore, among other performances and festivals.

When she is not on the road touring, Caroline is also the host of Sirius XM’s Art & Soul where she sits down with musicians from around the world for intimate acoustic performances and conversations about their craft and creating the perfect song.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of November 13 & 14, 2009:

Friday November 13
7:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jean Shepard; The Whites
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Joe Diffie
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown; Steve Wariner
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Band Perry; Josh Turner

Saturday November 14
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Jim Ed Brown
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Carrie Underwood; Jake Owen; Martina McBride; Rodney Atkins

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jack Greene; Martina McBride
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; Carrie Underwood
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jean Shepard; Rodney Atkins; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jake Owen

And from 50 years ago, Saturday November 15, 1969:

1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Tommy Jones
6:45: Ray Pillow (host); Del Wood; Cousin Jody
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Justin Tubb; Ernie Ashworth; Cal Smith
7:30: Stu Phillips (host); Stan Hitchcock; Martha Carson; Crook Brothers
8:00: Willis Brothers (host); Dottie West; Stringbean; Jack Barlow
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jim Glaser; Bill Carlisle; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Marion Worth; Red Sovine

2nd show
9:30: Willis Brothers (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Cal Smith; Tommy Jones
10:00: Justin Tubb (host); Stringbean; Archie Campbell
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Del Wood; Martha Carson
10:30: Stu Phillips (host); Stan Hitchcock; Cousin Jody
10:45: Ernie Ashworth (host); Jack Barlow; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Dottie West; Ray Pillow; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Red Sovine; Sam McGee
11:30: Glaser Brothers (host); Marion Worth; Bill Carlisle

Finally, continuing with the theme of 1974, the first year at the Grand Ole Opry House, here is the running order from 45 years ago, Saturday November 16, 1974:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Charlie Louvin (host): You're My Wife; She's My Woman
The Four Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Charlie Louvin: I Want to See You

6:45: Rudy's
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me A Love Song to Baby
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Ernie Ashworth: Each Moment Spent with You
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain

7:00: Rudy's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
Justin Tubb: Sunshine Lady
Barbara Lea: Ain't Love Grand
Porter Wagoner: Carolina Moonshine
Billy Grammer: God Will Take Care of You/Whispering Hope
Justin Tubb: Loving Arms
Porter Wagoner: Wake Up, Jacob

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Old Time Sunshine Song
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Lonzo and Oscar: Traces of Life
Del Wood: There's a Big Wheel
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Jimmy C Newman: Tennessee Waltz
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Wonder if You're Lonesome, Too
Dottie West: Paper Mansions
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Willis Brothers: Buying Popcorn
Lester Flatt: Great Big Woman & A Little Biddy Bottle of Wine
Dottie West: Sweet Memories
Stu Phillips: Let Me Love You All Over Again
Nashville Grass: Ashes of Love

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Late
Marion Worth: Put Your Hand in the Hand
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Hank Snow: Paper Roses
Stonewall Jackson: I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Hank Snow: Hello Love

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): It's My Life/Happy State of Mind/Gentle on My Mind
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Charlie Louvin: I Don't Love You Anymore/Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself to Sleep/See the Big Man Cry
Ernie Ashworth: My Love for You
Bill Anderson: Everytime I Turn the Radio On
Mary Lou Turner: He Thinks I Still Care
Charlie Louvin: will You Visit Me on Sundays/What Are Those Things
Bill Anderson: Don't She Look Good

10:00: Fender
Billy Walker (host): Things
Dottie West: Sweet Memories
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Billy Walker: How Great Thou Art

10:15: Union 76
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Billy Grammer: Good Night Waltz
Barbara Lea: Ain't Love Grand
Porter Wagoner: The Last One to Touch Me

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Salty Dog Blues
Justin Tubb: Sunshine Lady
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: The Bluebirds Singing for Me
Marty Stuart: Rawhide

10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Eighth of January
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me a Bluebird
The Four Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of a Dove
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy
The Four Guys: Let There Be Peace
Sam McGee: Whispering Hope
Hank Snow: I'm Not at All Sorry for You

11:30: Elm Hill
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Marion Worth: Back Home Again/Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Stu Phillips: She Thinks I Still Care/Why Me Lord
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry/Washed My Hands in Muddy Water/Waterloo

There you have it as we continue to roll through November. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend.

Tuesday Night Opry 11/12

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, November 12:

7:00: Jeannie Seely; John Berry
7:30: Chonda Pierce; Tenille Towns
Intermission
8:15: Tyler Rich; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
8:45: Grace Potter; Craig Morgan

Unlike last week, when only one Opry member was on the schedule, this week there is double that number, meaning we are up to two members. Frankly, with the CMA Award show the next night, I thought we would see a stronger line-up.

Of note, this will be the Opry debut for Grace Potter.

For those who have logged on to buy 2020 Grand Ole Opry tickets, you will notice a couple of things. First, the price structure has really changed with more categories: Diamond ($115); Platinum ($105); Premium ($90); Preferred ($78); Gold ($60); Rhinestone ($55); Limited View ($50); and Standing Room ($60). Secondly, you still have to call the box office for the prime seats. The reason is that the Opry is trying to limit the number of tickets that could possibly fall into the hands of scalpers and those operating the secondary ticket sites.

Meanwhile, in my opinion. the website continues to be not very user friendly.

November Opry Highlights

Hard to believe but November is upon us. Many consider the months of November, December, January and February the "winter" months, as the cold wind from the North starts blowing. As far as the Grand Ole Opry is concerned, November is the start of the "winter run" as the Opry moves from the Grand Ole Opry House downtown to it's most famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium. Doing what I do at the start of each month, here are the important and historical events that have taken place at the Grand Ole Opry, or in relation to members of the Opry, during the month of November:

November 9, 1895: The man who started it all, George D. Hay was born on this date in Attica, Indiana. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, he came to Nashville and WSM in 1925 and in November of that year started the WSM Barn Dance, later to be named the Grand Ole Opry. As his influence at WSM and the Opry declined as the years went on, he would eventually leave Nashville and move to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he passed away in 1968.

November 11, 1899: Kirk McGee, one of the Opry's original performers, was born in Franklin, Tennessee. Kirk, along with his brother Sam, would perform on the Opry with a variety of performers and often backed up the square dancers. Kirk would remain with the Opry until his death in 1983.

November 28, 1912: Early Grand Ole Opry member Robert Lunn was born in Franklin, Tennessee. He was nicknamed the "Original Talking Blues Man." Robert first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry on March 31, 1934, and he stayed with the Opry until he retired in 1958. What is interesting is that he was known for his "Talking Blues" yes he never recorded the song until 1947. He was very popular and did many early Opry tent shows, often appearing with Roy Acuff.

November 6, 1925: Uncle Dave Macon, Sid Harkreader and Dr. Humphrey Bate performed a show at the Ryman Auditorium that was broadcast on WSM radio. This is considered the first country music concert to have been broadcast on WSM.

November 9, 1925: George D. Hay began working at WSM radio in Nashville, with the title of "Radio Director." Later in the month, he would put Uncle Jimmy Thompson in front of a WSM microphone on a Saturday night, which was the beginning of the WSM Barn Dance, later renamed the Grand Ole Opry.

November 28, 1925: At 8:00 p.m., and originating from the fifth-floor studio at the National Life and Accident Insurance Company's headquarters in downtown Nashville, George D. Hay stepped up to a microphone and introduced Uncle Jimmy Thompson on WSM radio. This is considered as the birth of the Grand Ole Opry. The first tune played by Uncle Jimmy was "Tennessee Wagoner."

November 2, 1926: Former Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Walker was born in Texas. This former disc jockey joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1967 and would remain a member of the Opry until his death in 2008. Each of the occasions that I had the opportunity to speak to Charlie, I always found him friendly and interesting.

November 30, 1931: Teddy Wilburn was born. Teddy, along with his brother Doyle, were longtime members of the Grand Ole Opry. After Doyle's death, Teddy remained as a solo artist on the Opry, until his death in 2003.

November 1, 1937: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson was born. Bill became an Opry member in 1961 and is still an active member today. Not only has the Country Music Hall of Fame member have numerous hit records to his credit, but he is also considered one of the great songwriters in the history of country music and this past year he was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  Hard to believe that Bill will be 82 this year. He still sounds great and continues to write great songs.

November 30, 1940: Minnie Pearl made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Minnie would become one of the most beloved members in the history of the Grand Ole Opry and would be an Opry member for over 50 years.

November 2, 1948: Roy Acuff was defeated in his campaign to become the Governor of Tennessee. While Roy would remain a big supporter of Republican candidates, Roy himself would never run for public office again. Roy's campaign mixed country music and politics, but it was not enough to overcome the Democratic majority in Tennessee.

November 6, 1948: While official records are many times hard to come by, it would appear that this was the date that Jimmy Dickens first became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jimmy was an Opry member until leaving in 1957, however he returned to the cast in 1975. Jimmy then stayed with the Opry until his death in January 2015.

November 13, 1949: The Grand Ole Opry sponsored its first overseas tour, as a group of Opry performers traveled to England, Germany and the Azores as part of a USO sponsored tour. Among the Opry stars making the trip were Roy Acuff, Rod Brasfield, Jimmy Dickens, Red Foley, Minnie Pearl and Hank Williams.

November 22, 1952: The first Country Music Disc Jockey convention took place in Nashville. Among the activities that took place was the Grand Ole Opry birthday celebration, the first time a formal event was held to recognize the Opry's anniversary. The DJ convention would continue to grow, eventually growing into such events as Country Music Month and Fan Fair. While the DJ meetings would move to February, the Opry still celebrates his birthday/anniversary each fall, now usually taking place the first or second weekend in October.

November 13, 1953: Del Wood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Del was known for her ragtime piano playing, and her #1 record, "Down Yonder." Del would remain as a member until her death in October 1989.

November 14, 1953: Bill Carlisle joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Bill was an Opry member for just over 49 years, until passing away on March 17, 2003, the same year that he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

November 20, 1954: Western singer and television star Gene Autry made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

November 21, 1955: Jean Shepard became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jean, who passed away in 2016, was an Opry member for over 60 years, the only female to achieve that number. Not only was November 21 the date that Jean joined the Opry, but it was also her birthday and wedding anniversary. It should be noted that after Jean joined the Opry in 1955, she never left.

November 3, 1956: The great Stonewall Jackson originally joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. This year will mark his 63rd anniversary from when he first joined the show. While it is now over 60 years since Stonewall originally joined, it should be noted that Stonewall was fired from the Opry in 1964 for failing to make the required number of annual appearances. He rejoined the cast in 1969. Stonewall's last appearance on the Opry was several years ago when he was recognized upon his 60th anniversary of joining the Opry. It would certainly be nice to see Stonewall back on the Opry once again.

November 10, 1956: The Wilburn Brothers, Teddy and Doyle, became official members of the Grand Ole Opry. Teddy and Doyle, along with other family members, originally came to the Opry in the 1940s, however due to child labor laws, they were sent packing. Thankfully, with the help of Roy Acuff, the brothers returned and became one of the most successful brother acts in the history of country music.

November 9, 1960; Hank Locklin accepted an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank had made his first Opry guest appearance on November 28, 1953. Over the years, he would continue to guest until finally becoming an Opry member. Hank would remain an Opry member until his death in March 2009, 6 month short of 50 years as an Opry member.

November 3, 1961: The Country Music Association announced the first class of inductees to the new Country Music Hall of Fame. In that first class were Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose and Hank Williams. Roy Acuff would join that group the following year to become the first living inductee into the Hall.

November 25, 1961: Grand Ole Opry announcer, and WSM air personality, Eddie Stubbs was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Before joining WSM, Eddie was a fiddle player with the Johnson Mountain Boys, and then later he was a part of Kitty Wells' band.

November 29, 1961: A group of Opry members, which included Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Bill Monroe, Patsy Cline and Grandpa Jones, performed before a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall in New York.

November 7, 1964: Minnie Pearl performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the final time before taking a leave of absence from the show. If not for taking the leave, Minnie would have been dismissed from the Opry the following month as part of the Purge of 1964. Minnie was just so busy traveling and doing television shows that she wasn't around Nashville all that often. Minnie would return to the Opry on February 12, 1966.

November 28, 1964: Willie Nelson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Willie was an Opry member for just several years, as Nashville was tough on him and he eventually left Music City, returning to his native Texas and reinventing his career. While at the Opry, Willie would constantly complain about the low pay and having to give up every Saturday night to be there.

November 25, 1965: Leroy Van Dyke was fired/suspended as a member of the Grand Ole Opry for failing to meet the Opry's attendance requirements. Leroy had joined the Opry's cast a few years earlier. While Leroy never returned as an Opry member, he has made guest appearances on the show.

November 25, 1967: Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. Dolly's first Opry appearance since 1959 was the previous month, however on that show, Porter and Dolly did not do a duet. The song they performed that night was "The Last Thing on My Mind." While not an Opry member, Dolly would join the cast in January 1969.

November 20, 1968: While not specific to the Grand Ole Opry, the first televised Country Music Association Awards show was televised on NBC. While the awards started in 1966, it took several years to find a network interested in airing it. The show was televised from the Ryman Auditorium with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans as the hosts.

November 12, 1971: Construction officially started on the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland USA. It was a massive project, taking until March 1974 to complete. While there were initial worries about the Opry leaving downtown and the Ryman Auditorium, the Opry has done just fine in its new home.

November 10, 1973: David Akeman, known professionally as Stringbean, made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Later that night, when he and his wife Estelle returned home, they were ambushed and murdered by two men who were waiting in their home to rob them. The bodies were found the following morning by their neighbor and good friend, Grandpa Jones, who had come to pick up Stringbean for a fishing trip. Nashville, and the Opry, was shaken by the murders, with many Opry members, led by Roy Acuff, calling for the death penalty. Grandpa Jones left Nashville for a number of years, moving to Arkansas and opening his own dinner theater. The killers were quickly caught and convicted. One died in prison and the other is out on parole.

November 24, 1975: One of the Opry's early members, Asher Sizemore, passed away at the age of 69. Asher appeared on the Opry with his son, known as "Little Jimmie." While there is some confusion as to when they started on the Opry, the date appears to be September 24, 1932. They were on the Opry for most of the 1930s, leaving the Opry in 1942. Years after they left the Opry, the pair would continue to perform on various radio stations, primarily in the Midwest.

November 5, 1983: Glen Campbell made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He performed a melody of his hits.

November 21, 1985: Reba McEntire made her first appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Reba had actually joined the show earlier when she was asked to join during a taping of the Opry's 60th anniversary show. Since the show was taped for later broadcast, news of her Opry membership was kept under wraps. Reba, whose Opry appearances have become few and far between, has been an Opry member for 34 years.

November 3, 1990: Minnie Pearl was honored as an Opry member for 50 years. She joined the cast in 1940. As a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, this comedian is considered one of the great stars in the history of the Grand Ole Opry.

November 15, 1992: The Grand Ole Opry radio program was inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Communication's Hall of Fame.

November 23, 1992: Grand Ole Opry member Roy Acuff passed away in Nashville, just one month after his final appearance on the Opry. His influence at the Opry, and with country music in general, cannot be overstated. Thanks in large part to Acuff-Rose Publishing, Nashville became the home of country music. Roy was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years, and for many years he was the Opry's most popular member. There are many who feel that his death was the first nail in the coffin that had led to the many changes that have taken place at the Opry over the past several decades.

November 28, 1992: Marty Stuart became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Marty's 27th year as an Opry member. Marty joined the Opry's cast the week after Roy Acuff passed away and I thought Marty would be great addition to the Opry. Sadly, Marty seems to have gone in a different direction and he seldom appears on the show.

November 27, 1993: Joe Diffie became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Joe's 26th anniversary as a member of the Opry. I would expect the Opry to recognize this anniversary later this month.

November 6, 1993: Grand Ole Opry member David Houston made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

November 30, 1993: Just weeks after his final Opry appearance, David Houston passed away at the age of 57. David, who came to Nashville and the Opry from the Louisiana Hayride, had one of the biggest hits in the history of country music with "Almost Persuaded." David had joined the Opry in 1972.

November 30, 1995: Martina McBride became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Martina joined during a CBS television special that celebrated the Opry's 70th anniversary. This will be her 24th year as an Opry member. Loretta Lynn, who Martina said was a big influence to her while she was learning the business, did the formal induction. Regarding Martina, I love this story that I have repeated several times: She actually appeared on the Opry as part of the 70th anniversary birthday bash that was televised by TNN. She was the last performer on the televised segment before the cake was to be brought out, along with the cast singing "Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry" which always concluded the televised segment. During her portion, she sang two ballads that ran long, causing the cake and singing to be delayed until the next segment, which was not televised. There were many unhappy viewers at home who missed this Opry tradition, and many unhappy Opry members, who missed the chance to be onstage during the televised segment. Martina was very upset afterwards, believing that her mistake on the timing of her songs, cost her a chance of becoming an Opry member, something she always dreamed of. She apologized to everyone she could fine that night, and dreams do come true as the following month, she became an Opry member.

November 23, 1996: Trace Adkins made his first appearance as a guest on the Opry. 7 years later, in August 2003, he would become an Opry member. Trace has told the story several times that on the night of his first appearance, Grandpa Jones, who was hosting the segment, forgot his name. Not unusual for Grandpa.

November 8, 1997: Johnny Paycheck became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. For Johnny, this came pretty late in his life, and after several years of trying to rebuild his image and career after some series legal issues that included prison. Johnny Russell did a lot of work behind the scenes to help Johnny become a member, convincing Opry management that Johnny had cleaned up his act. Sadly, Johnny became ill a few years after joining the show.

November 7, 1998: Jimmy Dickens was honored for 50 years of Opry membership. Jimmy, who originally joined the Opry in 1948, was joined that night by Waylon Jennings, Bill Anderson, Carl Smith and Bobby Bare.

November 5, 1999: In a stunning move, Opry General Manager Pete Fisher announced a reorganization of the Opry Staff Band, which resulted a several of the band members being dismissed. Included in that list were Buddy Harman, Leon Rhodes, Joe Edwards, Ralph Davis and Ray Johnston. According to Pete Fisher, "After several months of observing what was going on with the staff band I made a decision to restructure it, not only to achieve efficiency, but also to upgrade the quality so that we're providing the best service we can."

November 23, 2000: Dolly Parton and Vince Gill hosted a CBS televised special celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.

November 24, 2000: Grand Ole Opry member Johnny Russell made his final appearance on the Friday Night Opry, thus ending his performing career as ill health forced his retirement. Johnny's final Saturday night appearance had taken place the previous week, on Saturday November 18. Johnny passed away several years later after a period of declining health.

November 8, 2002: The Grand Ole Opry was broadcast for the first time on Sirius satellite radio. For many, it was the first time that they were able to listen to an entire Opry show, while for others, it was the first time to enjoy the show without static.

November 23, 2002: Jim & Jesse McReynolds performed on the Opry for the final time. Jim McReynolds, who was in the final stages of an illness that would lead to his death on December 31, sang and played his guitar while sitting. The brothers had been Opry members since 1964, with Jesse still actively performing on the Opry.

November 30, 2002: Tim McGraw made his first guest appearance on the Opry. While never becoming an Opry member, Tim would appear on the Opry stage a few more times.

November 1, 2003: Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn made her final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Holly made the decision to give up her musical career and moved to New Mexico to pursue her passion as an artist. Sadly, and unlike a few other Opry members who retired from performing, Holly was fired as an Opry member several years later.

November 17, 2003: Grand Ole Opry member Don Gibson passed away in Nashville. Don was one of the greatest songwriters in the history of country music and in 2001 he had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Don joined the Opry on May 20, 1958, but was fired in December 1964 for failing to meet the required number of Opry appearances. He rejoined the show several years later, but even after coming back, his appearances were few. His last Opry show was on March 16, 1996.

November 24, 2003: Grand Ole Opry member Teddy Wilburn passed away. Teddy had been in declining health and had not performed on the Opry in several years.

November 15, 2005: The Grand Ole Opry returned to Carnegie Hall in New York for just the 3rd time in its history, this time to promote the Opry's 80th anniversary. The show included performances by Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs and Trisha Yearwood.

November 26, 2005: Grand Ole Opry member Jean Shepard was honored upon her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jean had joined the Opry's cast in November 1955. Sadly, Jean's recognition did not take place during the televised segment that evening.

November 19, 2007: During Charlie Daniel's 11th annual Christmas For Kids benefit at the Ryman Auditorium, Opry member Martina McBride surprised Charlie on stage with an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

November 8, 2008: Actor Kevin Costner and his country and western band, Modern West, performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.

November 14, 2009: The Grand Ole Opry streamed part of its show on MySpace. The segment featured Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Jake Owen and Rodney Atkins. This was the first time that the Opry attempted a broadcast like this and despite numerous technical issues, the Opry considered it a success.

November 9, 2010: Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Louvin made his final Opry appearance, in a show that took place at the Ryman Auditorium.

November 21, 2015: Jean Shepard celebrated her 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She appeared in a segment hosted by Bill Anderson, her first Opry appearance in a year. During the show, she announced her retirement and this was Jean's final appearance on the Opry.

November 5, 2016: Grand Ole Opry member Stonewall Jackson was recognized and honored upon his 60th anniversary of when he first joined the Grand Ole Opry. This was also Stonewall's last appearance on the show.

November 15, 2016: During a guest appearance on the Tuesday Night Opry, Carrie Underwood surprised Crystal Gayle during a guest appearance, with an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Crystal's official induction took place the following January.

November 24, 2016: Former Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn passed away in New Mexico from ovarian cancer. Holly joined the Opry's cast in October 1989 and was a member of the Opry until she was fired in the 2000's, after leaving Nashville and moving to New Mexico. In addition to her Opry duties, Holly also was a regular host of the Opry Backstage show.

November 19, 2017: Grand Ole Opry member, and Country Music Hall of Fame member, Mel Tillis passed away in Florida after an extended illness. Mel had joined the Opry in June 2007 after a very successful career as a singer, songwriter and actor.

November 15, 2018: Grand Ole Opry member Roy Clark passed away. The Country Music Hall of Fame member had joined the Opry's cast in 1987.

There you have it for this month.

Grand Ole Opry 11/8 & 11/9

The line-ups have been posted for the Grand Ole Opry shows this weekend. Four shows total, with two each on Friday and Saturday night.

Mark Wills, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky and John Conlee are the four Grand Ole Opry members who are scheduled for all four shows this weekend. Joining that quartet on the Friday Night Opry will be Ricky Skaggs, The Whites and Connie Smith. Saturday night, Jeannie Seely and Jesse McReynolds are on the schedule.

Sam Williams, the grandson of Hank Williams, is making a return appearance on the Opry on Friday night. Also scheduled is Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy, comedian Dusty Slay, and making her Opry debut, Jenee Fleenor.

Darryl Worley, who used to be a regular guest on the Opry and not so much lately, is scheduled for Saturday night, along with Chuck Wicks, Molly Tuttle, and making her Opry debut, Ana Cristina Cash.

Friday November 8
1st show
7:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites
7:30: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Jenee Fleenor
8:00: Mark Wills (host); Connie Smith; Dusty Slay
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Sam Williams; Charlie McCoy

2nd show
9:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites
10:00: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Jenee Fleenor
10:30: Mark Wills (host); Connie Smith; Dusty Slay
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Sam Williams; Charlie McCoy

Saturday November 9
1st show
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Chuck Wicks; Jesse McReynolds
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mike Snider; Ana Cristina Cash
8:00: John Conlee (host); Molly Tuttle Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mark Wills (host); Darryl Worley

2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Chuck Wicks; Jesse McReynolds
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mike Snider; Ana Cristina Cash
10:30: John Conlee (host); Molly Tuttle; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Mark Wills (host); Darryl Worley

As you can see, both shows are carbon copies of each other each night. And Riders In The Sky will be pretty busy this weekend as in addition to the four Opry appearances, they are also scheduled to host the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. So, if the taping starts at 10:00 and with the group scheduled to host the 9:30 portion on the 2nd show, I am going to guess that unless there is a change in the Opry schedule, the taping could start a few minutes late.

As mentioned, Jenee Fleenor and Ana Cristina Cash are both making their Opry debuts this weekend.

Jenee Fleenor is an award winning multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter known primarily for her fiddle playing.

 She is currently breaking glass ceilings in Nashville as the first female ever nominated for CMA Musician of the Year. Jenee was the CMA Touring Musician of the Year in 2015, a 2019 Music Row Album All Star Winner, and a 2019 ACM nominee for Specialty Instrument Player of the Year (the only female ever nominated in the category). She’s a member of Blake Shelton’s band and she also performs regularly in the house band of NBC’s hit show The Voice. The past few years she’s toured with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and has previously toured with country artists Martina McBride, Terri Clark and Don Williams.

Jenee is an in-demand session fiddler who has played on recent #1 hits: Blake Shelton’s “I’ll Name The Dogs,” Jon Pardi’s: “Dirt On My Boots,” “Head Over Boots” & “Heartache On the Dancefloor,” and Cody Johnson’s #1 record “Ain’t Nothin To It.” She’s recorded on hit records by Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Steven Tyler, Ronnie Dunn, Ashley Monroe, Joe Nichols, Reba, Terri Clark, Don Williams and Trisha Yearwood. Jon Pardi’s newest single “Heartache Medication” kicks off with Jenee’s signature fiddle; something country radio hasn’t heard since Alan Jackson.

As a songwriter Jenee has had songs recorded by Blake Shelton, Reba, Dolly Parton, Gretchen Wilson, Kathy Mattea and Del McCoury to name a few. “I Am Strong” (recorded by The Grascals & Dolly Parton) was nominated for song of the year at the IBMAs, and she also had a hit song (“Big Blue Raindrops”) recorded by the bluegrass artist Del McCoury that was on his Grammy winning record The Streets of Baltimore.

Ana Cristina Cash started her professional music career at age six. At the age of 16 she signed to Sony Music’s Latin division and released her first album Ana Cristina in the Spanish language. Her version of Shubert’s “Ave Maria” was released within a Sony Christmas compilation album titled Nuestra Navidad.

In 2005, at the age of 19, she became the first Hispanic in history to perform the “Star Spangled Banner” at a Presidential Inauguration. The following year in 2006 she was invited to perform at the White House for the President of the United States, the Crowned Prince of Spain, and notable world ambassadors. That same year, she released a duet with Michael Angelo of the song “You Can Change the World.” Its bilingual counterpart “El Mundo Puedes Cambiar” went on to become the theme song for the World Cup Germany 2006. She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Florida International University in 2010.

On Oct. 29, 2016, Ana Cristina married music producer John Carter Cash. Shortly after, she began to record and write music for her current release, The Tough Love EP. These recordings, with a dark and mysterious flair, show off Ana Cristina’s connection to rockabilly and gritty blues, with a flavor for country and soul. Ana and John Carter also own and operate Cash Cabin Enterprises LLC together. She is forever creative and is looking forward to every new chapter in her musical journey. She and her husband John welcomed their daughter, Grace June Cash, into the world on Sept. 11, 2017.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of November 6 & 7, 2009:

Friday November 6
7:00: Jean Shepard (host); The Whites; The SteelDrivers
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Bomshel
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Joey + Rory
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Connie Smith; Gene Watson

Saturday November 7
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Isaacs
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Jean Shepard; Sarah Buxton
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Ray Pillow; Rebecca Lynn Howard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Gene Watson

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Isaacs
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Sarah Buxton
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Stu Phillips; Rebecca Lynn Howard; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Gene Watson

And from 50 years ago, Saturday November 8, 1969:

1st show
6:30: George Morgan (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Del Wood
6:45: Willis Brothers (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Pete Drake
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Jean Shepard; Justin Tubb
7:30: Glaser Brothers (host); Grandpa Jones; Johnny Darrell; Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Ray Pillow; Jeannie C Riley; Bill Carlisle
8:30: Roy Drusky (host); Jim and Jesse; Margie Bowes; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Jerry Whitehurst; George Morgan

2nd show
9:30: Willis Brothers (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Lonzo and Oscar; Jean Shepard
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); Earl Scruggs Revue
10:15: George Morgan (host); Del Wood; Pete Drake
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Johnny Darrell
10:45: Ray Pillow (host); Bill Carlisle; Crook Brothers
11:00: Glaser Brothers (host); Justin Tubb; Jeannie C Riley; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Roy Drusky (host); Jim and Jesse; Weldon Myrick

To finish it up for this week, it was on Saturday November 8, 1997 that Johnny Paycheck became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Known first and foremost for his only No. 1 hit, the 1977 “Take This Job and Shove It,” Johnny Paycheck played in bands for George Jones, Porter Wagoner, Faron Young and Ray Price before taking his stage name and signing a recording deal as a solo artist.

In a recording career that lasted from 1965 to 1989, when he went to prison for 22 months for shooting a man in a bar fight, Paycheck charted 60 singles, including the Top 5 “She’s All I Got” and “Someone to Give My Love To” and the Top 10 “Slide Off of Your Satin Sheets” and “I’m the Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised.”

In the 1980s Johnny Paycheck's career took serious hits. Problems with drug and alcohol abuse combined with legal trouble slowed his career. In 1985, the country singer was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for shooting a man in the head at the North High Lounge in Hillsboro, Ohio. The bullet from Paycheck's .22 caliber pistol grazed the man's head. After fighting the sentence for years, Paycheck was finally forced to serve a 22-month prison sentence in 1989, before being pardoned by then Ohio Governor Richard Celeste.

Paycheck did have another hit in the 1980s with the single "Old Violin," which rose to number 21 on the charts. Ironically, Paycheck eventually ran into trouble with the IRS, having to file for bankruptcy in 1990. After prison, however, his friends say he ultimately put his life in order, having finally quit drugs and alcohol. Paycheck continued to tour and perform through the late '90s.

Though he was a changed man, Johnny Paycheck's health started to decline in the year 2000. At the age of 64, Johnny Paycheck died in Nashville, Tennessee in 2003. George Jones donated his burial plot at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville.

And now, here is the running order from 22 years ago, the night that Johnny Paycheck joined the Opry's cast:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down the Country
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted

6:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Steve Wariner (host): Domino Theory of Love
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
Steve Wariner: Like a River to the Sea

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
Skeeter Davis: I'll Fly Away
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top/Rank Strangers
Porter Wagoner: Misery Loves Company

7:30: Standard Candy
John Conlee (host): The Old School
Bryan White: One Small Miracle
Terri Clark: Poor, Poor Pitiful Me
Johnny Paycheck: Take This Job and Shove It/The Old Violin

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Po'Folks
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Billy Grammer: I Dreamed of an Old Love Affair
Opry Square Dance Band; Cherokee Shuffle
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops

8:30: Clifty Farms
Ricky Skaggs (host): Dim Lights, Thick Smoke
Jimmy C Newman: Good Deal, Lucille
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
The Whites: It Should Have Been Easy
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Ricky Skaggs: Let Me Walk Lord, By Your Side

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor Howdy
Brother Oswald: What A Friend
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
Terri Clark: I Got Better Things to Do/Poor, Poor Pitiful Me
Porter Wagoner and Kristi Lynn: If Teardrops were Pennies

10:00: Opry Book
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Jan Howard: Take Me As I Am
Grandpa Jones: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans

10:15: Banquet
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Jean Shepard: Together Again
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya/Cajun Stripper

10:30: Purnell Sausage
Bill Anderson (host): I Got the Fever
Steve Wariner: One Small Miracle
Bill Anderson: This Is A Love Song

10:45
Steve Wariner (host): Domino Theory of Love
Ray Pillow: One Too Many Memories
Opry Square Dance Band: Sugar in the Goard
Steve Wariner: Life's Highway

11:00: Coca-Cola
Ricky Skaggs (host): Pig in a Pen
The Four Guys: This is My Country/Caissons Go Rolling Along/The U.S. Marines/Anchors Away/U.S. Air Force Blues/Wild Blue Yonder/America the Beautiful
Johnny Paycheck: A-11/The Old Violin/Memory of a Memory
Ricky Skaggs: Little Maggie

11:30: Opry Book
Johnny Russell: Someday I'll Sober Up
Riders In The Sky: Riding Down the Canyon
Charlie Walker: There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
The Whites: He Took Your Place/Swing Down Chariot
Jeannie Seely: Those Memories

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend.