Grand Ole Opry May 23

Who else can't believe that it is Memorial Day Weekend? Seems like it snuck up on us this year.

I wanted to clarify a comment that I made on the blog last week in regards to the past couple of shows. First, I continue to be grateful to Opry management for continuing to have an Opry show on Saturday night. Dan Rogers and his team have made sure that the circle remains unbroken. I am sure it has been difficult getting the various acts to appear and I have been happy that several of the Opry's members, who don't appear often, have made an effort to be a part of these shows. I hope that continues.

But I also have to be honest. It seems as if the excitement and the special feeling that were evident when these non-audience shows first started has kind of faded away. Two weeks ago, doing a remote with Blake Shelton just didn't seem to flow and it was almost a wasted appearance by Dustin Lynch. This past Saturday just seemed a little flat.  Now, please don't consider that as criticism toward Keith or Kelsea as they are both great performers. I think that the format with two or three artists doing an acoustic performance, sitting on stools, has run its course.

Now that Tennessee has opened up a little bit, I think it is time for the Opry to add a bit more variety on the Saturday night shows. Social distancing is still important and should be taking place. With that said, I think the stage is plenty big enough for a bluegrass group, gospel group or even solo artists bringing a few of their band members.

Maybe the Opry has already reached out to a few of these groups and have not received a positive response. But if the projection of July being the earliest that audiences will be allowed back in the Opry House, perhaps June would be the time to ramp up the number of artists appearing in preparation for restarting the Opry as we know it.

Saying that, I realize that it might not be possible. I am sure many of the Opry's senior members don't want to come out and I respect their decision. Best to be safe. And, the Opry might not have that option in order to continue to follow the health and safety regulations instituted by the City of Nashville and Davidson County.

Dan and his team have a tough job and are in a tough position. As I said at the beginning, I am grateful for all he and his team have done to keep the Opry going and keeping the circle unbroken.
________________________________________________________________

As for the show this Saturday night, it will be a special Memorial Day show honoring our troops  featuring Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan, along with frequent Opry guests Steven Curtis Chapman and Kellie Pickler.

And now, from 25 years ago, Saturday May 20, 1995:

1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Bill Carlisle
6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jeanne Pruett; Jimmy Dickens
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald; Jimmy C Newman; Stonewall Jackson; The Whites
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jack Greene; Skeeter Davis; Charlie Walker; Stu Phillips
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jeannie Seely; Charlie Louvin; Del Reeves; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The Four Guys; Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; Charlie Louvin; Del Reeves; Wilma Lee Cooper
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); The Whites
10:15: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jack Greene; Jimmy Dickens
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard
10:45: Mike Snider (host); Ray Pillow; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; The Four Guys; Charlie Walker; Stonewall Jackson
11:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Gregg Rowles; Billy Walker; Johnny Russell

And from 50 years ago, Saturday May 23, 1970:

1st show
6:30: Stonewall Jackson (host); The Four Guys; Del Wood
6:45: Hank Locklin (host); Peggy Little
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Skeeter Davis; Archie Campbell; Stu Phillips; James William Monroe
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Willis Brothers; Stringbean; Crook Brothers; Jane Morgan
8:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Glaser Brothers; Jimmy C Newman; Bob Luman
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jim and Jesse; Roger Miller; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Hank Locklin (host); Willis Brothers; Skeeter Davis; Stringbean
10:00: Glaser Brothers (host); Archie Campbell
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); James William Monroe; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Del Wood
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Stu Phillips; Jane Morgan
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Bob Luman; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jim and Jesse; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Peggy Little; Don Winters

Jane Morgan was an interesting name on the Opry that night. She was promoting her single "A Girl Named Johnny Cash" which she sang on both shows that night.

Jane, who is still alive at the age of 95, was more noted for being an adult contemporary singer, who was featured in nightclubs and was known for her numerous television appearances from the 1950s thru the 70s. She also appeared in several different plays on Broadway. "A Girl Named Johnny Cash" was written by Martin Mull and Jane made a 1971 appearance on The Johnny Cash Show, singing that song.
___________________________________________________________________

Finally. let's go back 72 years to Saturday May 22, 1948. The Opry was only in its 23rd year and was selling out the Ryman Auditorium every Saturday night. Here is the running order from that night:

7:30: American Ace Coffee
Roy Acuff: We Planted Roses on Our Darling's Grave
Tommy Magness: Cacklin' Hen
Annie Lou and Danny: We're Making Money on the Farm
Jimmy Riddle: Silver Bells
Roy Acuff: Unloved and Unclaimed
Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris: Give Me Back the Money I Paid for a Wife
Jug Band: Polly Wolly Doddle
Roy and Gang: The Great Speckled Bird
Sonny Day: Lost Indian
Annie Lou and Danny: Little Green Valley
Oswald: Behind Those Walls of Grey
Roy and Gang: Were You There

8:00: Purina
Eddy Arnold: Texarkana Baby
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Bradley Kincaid: Two Little Orphans
Oklahoma Wranglers: Cool Water
Eddy Arnold: Don't That Moon Look Lonesome
Jamup and Honey: Jokes
Zeke Clements: Little Rock Ark.
Bill Monroe: I'm Working on a Building
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Eddy Arnold: I'll Hold You in My Heart

8:30: Warren Paint & Color Co.
Ernest Tubb: Don't Flirt With Me
Lew Childre: Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet
Paul Howard: Breaking It Off a Little Too Far
String Beans: Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms
Ernest Tubb: Seaman's Blues
Grandpa Jones: Riding on That Train
Robert Lunn: I'm a Man Not a Mouse
Possum Hunters: Take Your Foot Out of the Mud
Ernest Tubb: Daisey Mae

9:00: Royal Crown
Roy Acuff: Sweeter Than the Flowers
Jimmy Riddle: My Little Gal
York Brothers: Look Before You Leap
Texas Ruby: Hold on Little Doggie
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Ravins Gap
Lonzo and Oscar: Cornbread and Lasses
Curly Fox: Deck of Cards
Roy Acuff: Life's Railway to Heaven
Oswald: Weary Lonesome Blues
Tommy Magness: Smoky Mountain Rag

9:30: Prince Albert
Red Foley: Television
Old Hickory Singers: Bicycle Built for Two
Cowboy Copas: Tennessee Waltz
Minnie Pearl: Jokes
Red Foley: I Love to Tell the Story
Cowboy Copas: Signed Sealed and Delivered
Rod Brasfield: Jokes
Wally Fowler: Keep on the Firing Line
Red Foley: Picking Up Pieces of a Broken Heart
Square Dancers: Blackberry Blossom

10:00: Wallrite
Bill and Don: Molly and Ten Brooks
Bradley Kincaid: Blue Tail Fly
Bill and Doyle: Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong
Quartet: Remember the Cross
Benny Martin: Down Yonder

10:15: Weather House
Roy Acuff: Not a Word from Home
Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris: When You and I Were Young Maggie
Roy Acuff: Poem
Gang: There's a Beautiful House
Jug Band: Lazy Day

10:30: Fletcher Wilson
Texas Ruby: It's Over Forever
Curly Fox: Down Yonder
York Brothers: Bothered by the Blues
Curly and Ruby: Someone More Lonesome Than You

10:45: Martha White
Milton Estes: New Filipino Baby
Lew and String Beans: Foggy Mountain Top
Jimmy Selph: That Old Moon
Milton Estes: I'll Fly Away

11:00: Eddy Arnold Songbook
Eddy Arnold: Teardrops in My Heart
Grandpa Jones: Rosa Lee
Gully Jumpers: Ricketts Hornpipe
Eddy Arnold: You Only Want Me When You Are Lonesome
Eddy Arnold: Molly Darling

11:15: Gaylock Seat Covers
Ernest Tubb: Our Last Goodbye
Dot and Smokey: Golden River
Drake Brothers: My Best to You
Ernest Tubb: Yesterday's Tears

11:30
Lonzo and Oscar: Old Mother Nature
Cowboy Copas: Ain't Nobody Gonna Miss Me
Wally Fowler: I'm on My Way
Lonzo and Oscar: Poppin' Bubble Gum

11:45
Paul Howard: San Antonio Rose
Zeke Clements: Blue Mexico Skies
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Just Because
Robert Lunn: New River Train
Paul Howard: Please Don't Leave

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