Grand Ole Opry May 30

The Grand Ole Opry has now suspended live shows through the month of June. Wish there was better news to report. Until then, the Saturday night acoustical shows continue.

Last week, the Grand Ole Opry offered a wonderful show that paid tribute to our Veterans. Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan was joined by Kellie Pickler and Steven Curtis Chapman in what turned out to be a very nice evening of acoustical music. Some of the songs were very personal and emotional, especially those from Craig.

This week, two of the younger Grand Ole Opry members will be appearing as Chris Janson and Chris Young are on the schedule, joined by Brett Young. Kind of funny: two Chris and two Young s scheduled but none of the three are related. Once again, this promises to be another entertaining evening.

Now, let's look back at a few different dates:

First, 21 years ago, Saturday May 29, 1999 Brad Paisley made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Here is the running order from that night:

1st show
6:30: Opry Book
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Skeeter Davis: I Can Call Jesus Anytime
Jimmy C Newman: Cochon De Lait/Texa-Cajun

6:45: The Circle Club
Jack Greene (host): Over There
The Whites: San Antonio Rose
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Stay a Little Longer
Jan Howard: My Heart Skips a Beat
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Joni Harms: Two-Steppin' Texas Blues/Catalog Dreams
Porter Wagoner: When the Saints Go Marching In/I'll Fly Away/Amazing Grace/I Saw the Light/Y'All Come

7:30: Standard Candy
Billy Walker (host): Let's Think About Living
Brad Paisley: Who Needs Pictures/Me Neither
Sherrie Austin: Never Been Kissed/Lucky In Love
Billy Walker: Back on the Mountain Again

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): I've Got Way Too Much Time on My Hands
Jim and Jesse: Blue Ridge Mountain Sunset
Young Guns: Take This Heart
Holly Dunn: Daddy's Hands
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Cherokee Shuffle
Bill Anderson: Still

8:30: Physician's Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Jean Shepard: Tennessee Waltz
Johnny Russell: Got No Reason Now for Going Home
George Hamilton IV & V: Forever Young
Del Reeves: I Would Like to See You Again

2nd show
9:30: B.G.V.R.
Porter Wagoner (host): Fireball Mail/Night Train to Memphis
Jeannie Seely: I'm Almost Ready
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun Country
Sherrie Austin: Put Your Heart Into It/Never Been Kissed
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/Cabin in Gloryland

10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Jim Ed Brown (host): Looking Back to See
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Hero's Death
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells/Pop a Top

10:15: The Circle Club
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Brad Paisley: Who Needs Pictures/Sleeping on the Fold-Out
Jimmy Dickens: A Death in the Family

10:30: Epiphone
Holly Dunn (host): That's What Your Love Does to Me
Jack Greene: This One Belongs to Me
Holly Dunn: There Goes My Heart Again

10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Jean Shepard (host): Gone, Gone, Gone
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Fire on the Mountain
Jean Shepard: Secret Love

11:00: Coca Cola
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks
George Hamilton IV & V: Abilene
Ray Pillow: Cinderella
Joni Harms: Two-Steppin' Texas Blues/Catalog Dreams
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards

11:30: Opryland Inn
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Stu Phillips: Colorado/Only God
Del Reeves: You Comb Her Hair
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down/There's A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere

Brad would make dozens of Opry appearances over the next couple of years, eventually becoming a member in February 2001. Sadly, he made many more appearances before joining then he has after becoming a member.
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50 years ago, Saturday May 30, 1970 saw an appearance by actor/singer Jim Nabors, who was a friend of Opry member Minnie Pearl. Jim appeared on the 2nd show that night and in fact, was introduced by Minnie on the Opry stage. Here is the running order from that night:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Bible on the Table (A Flag Upon the Wall)
Earl Scruggs Revue: Nashville Skyline Rag
Ernie Ashworth: That Look of Goodbye
Willis Brothers: Buying Popcorn

6:45: Rudy's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Lift Ring; Pull Open
Earl Scruggs Revue: My Home is Across the Blue Ridge Mountains
Stu Phillips: Wild Side of Life/You Win Again
Jim Ed Brown: Baby. I've Tried

7:00: Luzianne
Bill Monroe (host): Rawhide
Webb Pierce: The Man You Want Me to Be
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Leroy Van Dyke: She Called Me Baby
Bill Monroe: There's an Old, Old House
Webb Pierce: There Stands the Glass
Leroy Van Dyke: Walk on By/Auctioneer
Bill Monroe: Panhandle Country

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): Big Wind
Dolly Parton: It's Just the Way I Am
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes/Thinking 'Bout You Babe
Crook Brothers: Gray Eagle
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: Run That By Me One More Time
Dolly Parton: How Great Thou Art
Billy Walker: When A Man Loves A Woman
Porter Wagoner: You Gotta Have a License

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Billy Grammer: Instrumental
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Lester Flatt: I've Been Walking
Dottie West: Long Black Limousine
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Lester Flatt: Cumberland Gap

8:30: Stephens
Hank Locklin (host): Flying South
Marion Worth: Okie From Muskogee
Bobby Bare: Miller's Cave
Jim and Jesse: I've Got a Freight Train In My Mind
Hank Locklin: Danny Boy
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Devil's Dream
Marion Worth: Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Bobby Bare: Margie's at the Lincoln Park Inn

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Willis Brothers: Private Lee
Dolly Parton: My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy
Ernie Ashworth: Where Do You Go
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: Just Someone I Used to Know
Willis Brothers: Gypsy, Rose & Me
Dolly Parton: Daddy, Come and Get Me
Porter Wagoner: Big Wind

10:00: Fender
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Webb Pierce: More & More/The Man You Want Me to Be
Jim Ed Brown: Baby, I've Tried

10:15: Union 76
Bill Monroe (host): I Haven't Seen Mary in Years
Earl Scruggs Revue: Nine Pound Hammer
Stu Phillips: Crystal Chandeliers
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host) and Paul Warren: Orange Blossom Special
Archie Campbell: Make Friends
Leroy Van Dyke: An Old Love Affair Now Showing
Lester Flatt: A Great Big Woman and A Little Biddy Bottle of Wine

10:45: Beechnut
Hank Locklin (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Minnie Pearl: Intro of Jim Nabors
Jim Nabors: Your Cheatin' Heart/Rock-A-Bye

11:00: Coca Cola
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Dottie West: Country Girl
Billy Grammer: Under the Double Eagle
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Sam McGee: Folsom Prison Blues
Billy Grammer: God Will Take Care of You/The Old Rugged Cross

11:30: Lava
Bobby Bare (host): Four Strong Winds
Marion Worth: Okie From Muskogee
Jim and Jesse: Golden Rocket
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey
Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore
Marion Worth: How Great Thou Art
Jim and Jesse: I Wish You Knew
Bobby Bare: Detroit City

Sorry that there is not much else to write about or report on. Things are pretty quiet at the Opry. I guess that is not an entirely bad thing.

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