Grand Ole Opry 4/3 & 4/4

It seems like every week is tough and this past one was another one as we lost two members of the Grand Ole Opry. Jan Howard and Joe Diffie passed away this past weekend. Both will be missed. Jan was one of the "Grand Ladies" of the Grand Ole Opry, while Joe was a very popular member who joined the cast in the early 1990s. Both will be missed and I have enjoyed reading the many tributes that have come in for both, especially the articles and comments on Jan. We should all have great memories of each one.

As to the Grand Ole Opry show for Saturday night, it will be a trio of ladies that will be performing on the Opry stage, which in addition to being broadcast on WSM and Circle, will also be available through the various streaming sites.

Opry member Terri Clark, and guest artists Ashley McBryde and Lauren Alaina, along with host Bobby Bones, will be on the stage this weekend. All are very talented and it should be another very nice show.
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And now, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from 25 years ago, the first weekend in April 1995:

Saturday April 1, 1995
1st show
6:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Bill Carlisle
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Jean Shepard (host); Skeeter Davis; Hank Locklin; Jimmy C Newman; Stu Phillips
7:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Jeanne Pruett; John Conlee; George Lindsay
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Roy Drusky; Jan Howard; Del Reeves; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Singers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Charlie Louvin; The Four Guys

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Roy Drusky; Brother Oswald; Jan Howard; Del Reeves
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Jean Shepard
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); Rhonda Vincent
10:30: John Conlee (host); The Four Guys
10:45: Jeanne Pruett (host); Hank Locklin; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Louvin; Ray Pillow; Jimmy C Newman;
11:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Charlie Walker

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday April 4, 1970:

1st show
6:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stu Phillips; Del Wood
6:45: George Morgan (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Ernie Ashworth
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Ray Pillow; Stringbean
7:30: Archie Campbell (host); Willis Brothers; Leroy Van Dyke; Crook Brothers
8:00: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Jim and Jesse; Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan
8:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Grandpa Jones; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Lonzo and Oscar; Billy Parker

2nd show
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Willis Brothers; George Morgan; Ray Pillow; Del Wood
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Ernie Ashworth
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Archie and Phil Campbell; Stringbean
10:30: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Leroy Van Dyke
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Crook Brothers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Grandpa and Ramona Jones; Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan; Fruit Jar Drinkers: Snuffy Miller; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Jim and Jesse; Lonzo and Oscar

Looking  back at significant dates at the Grand Ole Opry, it was Saturday April 4, 1998 that Opry member Jerry Clower made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

Jerry Clower was known as one of the country’s top comedians, but he also wrote a number of books. He is not only known for his comedy, but also for his religious influence.

Jerry Clower was born in Liberty, Mississippi, on September 28, 1926. He grew up in Amite County among family and friends who became the source of his funny routines. After he graduated from high school in l944, he joined the navy. Soon after he was discharged, he earned a football scholarship at Southwest Junior College.  Later, he won another scholarship to Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi.

Jerry majored in agriculture at Mississippi State and received a job with Mississippi Chemical Company where he became the Director of Field Services for his company. While working, he gained popularity when his coworkers heard his Coon Hunt Story and other comedy routines. One of his close friends suggested that Clower record an album with some of his routines. Jerry liked the idea and recorded an album under the Lemon label.

His first album was named Jerry Clower from Yazoo City Talkin’, and it sold over 8,000 copies without being advertised. He received a contract with MCA in l97l, which sent his album to the billboard charts. Soon after, he recorded a second album, From the Mouth of Mississippi. His third album was called Clower Power, and his fourth was Live in Picayune. As a result of these albums, he earned the title of Country Music’s funniest man.

Jerry Clower joined the Grand Ole Opry in October 1973 and was the last member to join the Opry while it was still at the Ryman Auditorium. He passed away on August 24, 1998 following heart surgery.

Here is the running order from 22 years ago, the night of Jerry Clower's final appearance on the Opry:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Anderson (host): Family Reunion
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Bill Anderson: Five Little Fingers

6:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Skeeter Davis: Wait a Little Longer, Please Jesus
Jimmy C Newman; Diggy Liggy Lo

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Brother Oswald: Never Grow Old
Holly Dunn: Daddy's Hands
Charlie Louvin: When I Stop Dreaming
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown

7:30: Standard Candy
Jerry Clower (host): No Dogs in Hotel
Riders In The Sky: How Does He Yodel/Along the Timber Trail
Patty Loveless: To Have You Back Again/You Don't Seem to Miss Me
Jerry Clower: (?)

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Lost All My Money But A $2 Bill
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
The Whites: Pins & Needles
 Vince Gill: When I Call Your Name
Vince Gill and Patty Loveless: Go Rest High on That Mountain
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sugar in the Goard

8:30: Opry Book
Johnny Russell (host): Got No Reason Now for Going Home
The Four Guys: My Special Angel
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Stu Phillips: The Great El Tigrae
Jeannie Seely: Speaking of the Devil
Johnny Russell: Making Plans

2nd show
9:30: Opry Book
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Saturday Night
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Ray Pillow: Cinderella
Patty Loveless: To Have You Back Again/If My Heart Had Windows/Timer I'm Falling in Love
Christie Lynn: Head on Over to the Twist & Shout

10:00: Opry Book
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Jan Howard: Love's Gonna Live Here
Jimmy Dickens: We Could/Mountain Dew

10:15: Banquet
Jimmy C Newman (host): Bayou Blues
Jean Shepard: Tennessee Waltz
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya/Cajun Stripper

10:30: Purnell's
Jerry Clower (host): Big Red Goat
Holly Dunn: Daddy's Hands
Jerry Clower: (?)

10:45: Ryman Cruise
Bill Anderson (host): I'm All Right
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Singers: Ida Red
Bill Anderson: 3 A.M.

11:00: Coca Cola
The Four Guys (host): Cottonfields/Mariah
Riders In The Sky: That's Amore
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
The Whites: He Took Your Place
Vince Gill and Patty Loveless: You're My Kind of Woman; You're My Kind of Man
The Four Guys: May You Always

11:30: Turbo Nutrition
Johnny Russell (host): Someday I'll Sober Up
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away/Jesus Walks In/Ashes of Love/Blue Moon of Kentucky/That's All Right
Jeannie Seely: Bubbles in My Beer/Another Bridge to Burn
Johnny Russell: Orange Blossom Special

There you have it for this week. I wish there was more to add. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!

Be safe!!!!!