I wish I had better news to report and that the Grand Ole Opry was back to normal, but with conditions the way they are, the Opry is continuing with their one hour show on WSM and Circle.
This week bluegrass is the theme and it will be Ricky Skaggs and Dailey & Vincent performing for us this week. Only two acts listed but I am sure with the social distancing that needs to take place, Dailey & Vincent will not be able to stand together, thus the three microphones will be put to use. It will be interesting to see if there are a couple of additional musicians with these three. The last couple of weeks have seen one or two support members helping out. On the other hand, with Ricky's musical skills, he might be able to handle everything himself.
Next week was supposed to be the initial end of the Opry streaming the shows with no audience. Craig Morgan and Luke Combs are listed on the schedule, with the site still listing live audience shows starting in May. I think at this point it is safe to say that probably is not going to happen. I would expect an announcement from the Opry within the next week to clarify the schedule for May and into June.
Until we get back to live shows, I hope everyone enjoys Ricky and Dailey & Vincent on Saturday night.
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And now, from 25 years ago, the 3rd Saturday in April 1995:
Saturday April 15
1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Bill Carlisle
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Stonewall Jackson
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Four Guys; Jack Greene; Osborne Brothers; Jean Shepard
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; J.D. Sumner & The Stamps; Charlie Daniels
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Charlie Louvin; Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jeanne Pruett; Mike Snider; Ricky Skaggs
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett; Del Reeves; Brother Oswald; Charlie Daniels
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Walker
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); The Whites
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Jean Shepard
10:45: Jimmy Dickens (host); Osborne Brothers; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; Stu Phillips; Mike Snider
11:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Steve Wariner; Ray Pillow; Johnny Russell
From 50 years ago, Saturday April 18, 1970:
1st show
6:30: Justin Tubb (host); Jerry Smith; Connie Eaton
6:45: Stu Phillips (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Billy Troy
7:00: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host); Del Wood; Cal Smith; Johnny Carver; Louie Roberts
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Bill Carlisle; Margie Bowes; Crook Brothers
8:00: Glaser Brothers (host); Hugh X Lewis; Jack Barlow; Cousin Jody
8:30: Bobby Lord (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Jeanne Pruett; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Justin Tubb (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Johnny Carver; Cal Smith
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Jerry Smith; Connie Eaton
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Del Wood; Billy Troy
10:30: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Hugh X Lewis
10:45: Bill Carlisle (host); Margie Bowes; Crook Brothers
11:00: Glaser Brothers (host); Cousin Jody; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Louie Roberts; Sam McGee
11:30: Bobby Lord (host); Jeanne Pruett; Jack Barlow
Looking back, it was on Saturday April 18, 1998 that Diamond Rio became members of the Grand Ole Opry.
Not many groups have joined the Grand Ole Opry cast during the modern era. That makes it all the more notable that Diamond Rio made its first Opry appearance in October 1991, and in 1998 became the first group since The Whites, who joined in 1984, to receive Opry membership. With their lighter-than-air harmonies and intricately woven instrumentation, this six-man group has been turning songs into standards since its 1991 debut album helped define the “young country” movement. Diamond Rio has been awarded Top Vocal Group honors a total of six times from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. The group has sold more than 10 million records, earning five gold and three platinum albums in the process.
Diamond Rio evolved from the Tennessee River Boys, a band that performed at the former Opryland theme park. Singer Marty Roe, guitarist Jimmy Olander and keyboardist Dan Truman left that group to form their own in 1986. Drummer Brian Prout and mandolin player Gene Johnson joined the new band in 1987. Bassist Dana Williams — a nephew of Opry members Sonny Osborne and Bobby Osborne — came on board two years later.
In 1991, Diamond Rio’s first single, “Meet in the Middle,” went to No. 1 — the first group in country music history to top the charts with its debut. The band followed “Meet in the Middle” with the hits “Mirror, Mirror” and “Mama Don’t Forget to Pray for Me.” In all, Diamond Rio has placed more than 30 singles on Billboard magazine’s country charts, including such chart-toppers as “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” “One More Day,” “Beautiful Mess,” and “I Believe.” The 2001 hit ballad “One More Day” became a key song of healing after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
In 2004, Diamond Rio received the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award for its work on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, for which the band members serve as National Ambassadors, as well as the American Lung Association, and others.
Here is the running order from 22 years ago, Saturday April 18, 1998, the night Diamond Rio joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Jimmy C Newman (host): Diggy Liggy Lo
Bill Carlisle: (?)
Jimmy C Newman: Jole Blon
6:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Jean Shepard (host): Love's Gonna Live Here
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Picking Up the Pieces
Jean Shepard: Tennessee Waltz
7:00: Shoney's
Vince Gill (host): The Cold Gray Light of Dawn
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Skeeter Davis: I Can't Stay Mad at You
George Hamilton IV: We Will Meet Again
Jack Greene: My World Ain't Turning Yet
Vince Gill: My Pretty Little Adriana/Whenever You Come Around
7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me and My Big Loud Mouth
Chonda Pierce: Comedy
Charlie Louvin: When I Stop Dreaming
Diamond Rio: Meet in the Middle/Tennessee
Jimmy Dickens: I'd Rather Sleep in Peace Then Know You're Gone
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
The Four Guys: Swing Down Chariot
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Ida Red
Porter Wagoner: A Satisfied Mind
Porter Wagoner and Christie Lynn: Dooley
8:30: Fan Fair
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
Jeannie Seely: Making Believe
The Whites: Doing it By the Book
Johnny Russell: Wabash Cannonball
2nd show
9:30: Opry Book
Porter Wagoner (host): Freight Train Boogie
Brother Oswald: Mansion on the Hill
Jack Greene: Satisfaction
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin'
Jeanne Pruett: A Poor Man's Woman
Porter Wagoner and Christie Lynn: If Teardrops Were Pennies/Head on Over to the Twist and Shout
10:00: Opry Book
Jimmy C Newman (host): Good Deal, Lucille
Jan Howard: I Wish I Could Love that Much Again
Kenny Sears: Orange Blossom Special
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
10:15: Banquet
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Vince Gill: Two Worlds Apart
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown
10:30: Purnell's
The Four Guys (host): The Grundy County Auction
Jean Shepard: When Two Worlds Collide
The Four Guys: Shenandoah
10:45: Opry Cruise
Billy Walker (host): Don't Stop in My World
Roy Drusky: Waltz of the Angels
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Billy Walker: Blue Suede Shoes
11:00: Coca Cola
Johnny Russell (host): Good Hearted Woman
Ray Pillow: Cinderella
Stu Phillips: Only God
Diamond Rio: Dig A Little Deeper/Walking in Jerusalem Just Like John
11:30: Turbo Nutrition
Jeannie Seely (host): Speaking of the Devil
Charlie Walker: Right or Wrong/Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
The Whites: Swing Down Chariot
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend!!
Thanks as always for the great stuff, Byron. And this should be a great Saturday night. Yes, I think Ricky is a one-man band.
ReplyDeleteRicky could play every instrument well at one time ------ Dailey is a great singer, and Darren Vincent is a wonderful versatile performer --- they will put on a great show ---one of the best in this series ---- and best of all, beautiful people every one of them -----
ReplyDeleteFor me the Opry is about variety so I would have liked to see something else to add balance to their bluegrass style. However, it seems 3 is the magic number for these shows. Speaking of 3, as Byron noted next week is currently only showing 2 people with Craig and Luke so I am curious who will take that 3rd spot. I would like to see someone more traditional there, but with many of them older in age I am not sure who would be comfortable taking the risk to come to the Opry House.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking fo variety and I am soooo happy to see some Bluegrass this week. Man, do I miss cajun country on the Opry. Not having Jimmy C. Newman or any other artista that does that genre is a huge void!!!!!!
DeleteNittannee, Jimmy C. was a family friend and I couldn't agree more. I think they've had Doug Kershaw guest since, but they really need to reach out to Cajun country.
DeleteMichael: Thanks for responding. Yes, they have. I wish they would reach out to Jo-El Sonner or someone. Cajun Country is the only genre that I really dont see on the Opry.
DeleteYou mentioned that Jimmy C. was a family friend. I actually wrote him a letter in September-October of 2013. Sent it to the Opry BUT never heard from him. I imagine by that time he was fighting his illness. Wish I could have met him. I was a huge fan!!!!!!!!! Still am!!!!!!!
I see tjsi Thursday night, WSM is rebroadcasting a Opry Country Classics Show....really cool!!! I also like what they are doing recently on Friday nights with The Golden Era of The Grand Ole Opry…. There are many of us that want to hear those shows. For many they are repeats, but for some such as myself, they are brand new!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBluegrass.
ReplyDeleteBring it on!
Loved every 'Opry performance so far, but a little pep will be a nice change of pace.
Looking forward to a Bluegrass night, and yes, hopefully a little pick up in the music selections. I just hope Ricky doesn't talk too much, he usually does when hosting an Opry segment. We will hook up via YouTube.
ReplyDeleteVery upbeat show tonight. D and V really are interacting well with Ricky. Lots of talk, fun and lots of laughter! Just what we needed this evening!
ReplyDeleteMike Terry always does a wonderful job as announcer. Truly the voice of the Opry!
The show was great, we didn't need Bobby Bones, and I'm not QUITE prepared to call Mike the voice of the Opry, but let's say the co-voice, as long as Eddie Stubbs is around!
DeleteGary, I absolutely agree. A great show tonight. Really, really fun. I am watching on Circle and even Bobby Bones is tolerable tonight. You are right; just the type of show needed tonight.
ReplyDeleteWatched on Youtube and used WSM sound - a little disconnect but that was OK - show was great !!
ReplyDeleteSo who is Bobby Bones and why is he on the Opry show every week ???? I know he somehow maneuvered his way onto the Opry a few times, but for the life of me, I can't remember whether he sang or did comedy or what. Bones is involved in another show --- what is he , a promoter or what ??? He seems to have no discernable talent ---- how did he get here ???? And now the pompadour hairdo tonight ?????? What is this guy ??????? I can't figure him out ------ Dashmann, Flushing , Michigan
ReplyDeleteWhat is the purpose of Bobby Bones? Daily & Vincent have their own show and Ricky is a professional don't you think they can throw it to commercial themselves. Mr. Bones is useless on the show.
ReplyDeleteBobby Bones is the executive producer of Opry Live, which is the show that would normally be on Circle if not for the live Opry shows currently being shown. Opry Live, which normally would be on at 8:00 (7:00 central), shows highlights of past performances on the Opry.
ReplyDeleteWhen looking back in the TNN, CMT and GAC days, the televised Opry had different announcers then the radio show. Keith Bilbrey was the original TV announcer on TNN (prior to his becoming an Opry announcer on WSM), and Nan Kelley did the majority of the GAC announcing.
Bobby Bones is one of the centerpieces of the new Circle network, thus he gets to announce the Opry. Not that all of us like it, but that is just the way it is.
Here's why I think Bones got the job.....
ReplyDelete"best known for hosting the nationally syndicated The Bobby Bones Show, originating at WSIX-FM in Nashville, TN and for his role as a full-time mentor on American Idol on ABC. He was the winner of season 27 of Dancing with the Stars"
He is clearly an attempt by Circle and the 'Opry to widen the audience base.
It pains me to say it, but he's starting to understand what the 'Opry is all about, and gets a little better each week.
IF (and it's a big IF), he can draw some viewers to Circle Network, it's probably good for the 'Opry.
This is coming from a guy who had no use for him at the start.
Bobby Bone is immensely popular among the coveted 24-45 demographic. His radio is syndicated in over 175 markets in the US as well as on the iHeartRADIO app. He is a big supporter for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, as well as many service organizations that help veterans and active duty military. So with all of his "annoyances" as we would call them and as he says, "I get to say dumb things for a living because they have fought to give me that right.”
ReplyDeleteIn addition, he has appeared on the Opry as a part of his "musical group" Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots, which typically does "parody" type songs.
Other than the Opry breaks had never seen or heard of Bobby Bones; we did catch the replay(video) of the day Joe Diffie was on his radio show. He did a very good segment (interview) with Joe but I was disappointed that although Joe came in with his guitar and a band member, Bobby did not ask him to sing. It was like it went over his head to do it.
ReplyDelete