July Opry Highlights

Welcome to July and the heart of summer. 4th of July. While things are currently fairly quiet at the Grand Ole Opry, there have been notable events that have taken place during the month. Here are the important events, or milestones that have taken place during the month of July at the Opry, or with the Opry's members:

July 15, 1913: Lloyd Estel was born in Adams County, Ohio. Better known as Cowboy Copas, he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1946. He would remain an Opry member until his death in 1963.

July 27, 1925: Former Grand Ole Opry member Annie Lou Dill was born, Along with her husband Danny, they were known as "The Sweethearts of Country Music." Annie Lou and Danny were members of the Opry from the late 1940s through the mid 1950s. They remained a popular duo into the 1960s. However Annie Lou and Danny divorced, at which point the act became history. Annie passed away in January 1982.

July 24, 1926: The Crook Brothers, led by Herman Crook, made their first appearance on the WSM Barn Dance. Considered one of the Opry's original members, the Crook Brothers would remain a part of the Opry until the death of Herman in July 1988. That adds up to 62 years at the Opry, usually accompanying the square dancers.

July 7, 1927: The late Charlie Louvin was born in Section, Alabama. Charles Loudermilk was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years. Along with his brother Ira, Charlie was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Charlie passed away on January 26, 2011.

July 9, 1929: Grand Ole Opry member Jesse McReynolds was born in Coeburn, Virginia. One of the true legends in bluegrass music, Jim and Jesse joined the Opry in 1964. Following the death of Jim McReynolds on December 31, 2002, Jesse has continued on at the Opry and at the age of 91 he is the oldest member of the Opry cast. After having some recent health issues, Jesse is now back at the Opry most every week and sounds as good as ever.

July 7, 1930: Doyle Wilburn was born in Hardy, Arkansas. Along with his brother Teddy, the Wilburn Brothers were long time members of the Opry.

July 14, 1932: The great Del Reeves was born in Sparta, North Carolina. Del joined the Grand Ole Opry in October 1966 and was an Opry member until his death in 2007. Del had one of the great personalities in country music and did a variety of impressions, including those of Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash and Hank Snow.

July 4, 1934: Over 8,000 people showed up for an all-day Opry sponsored show in West Tennessee. The show featured Opry stars Uncle Dave Macon, Fiddlin' Arthur Smith, the Gully Jumpers and the Crook Brothers. As a result of the success of this show, Opry founder George D. Hay started the Artists Service Bureau, which would become the official booking agency for Opry members. In the future, this organization would cause some issues at the Opry, and eventually would lead to several Opry members, including Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright, leaving the Opry.

July 4, 1937: Ray Pillow was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. Ray came to the Opry in 1966 and has been a member of the Opry since. Now retired, Ray is considered one of the real nice guys in country music.

July 19, 1937: The late George Hamilton IV was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. George was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 54 years before passing away in September 2014.

July 11, 1939: The Grand Ole Opry moved to the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville. They would stay at the War Memorial for just a few years as the type of crowd that came to Opry shows was not the ones that the operators of the building wanted to see. The Opry moved to War Memorial from the Dixie Tabernacle, which held more people but was in deplorable condition. Because of the lower capacity, which was listed as 2,200, the Opry decided to charge an admission fee of 25 cents, which did not stop the crowds from coming to the show. War Memorial Auditorium still stands in Nashville and is used. In 2010, when the Grand Ole Opry House was flooded, several Opry shows were relocated there.

July 6, 1940: Jeannie Seely, known as "Miss Country Soul" was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania. In September, Jeannie will celebrate 53 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. as she joined the cast in September 1967. As far as female Opry members, Jeannie is one of the best and most weekends you can find her at the Opry and hosting a segment.

July 15, 1944: Country Music Hall of Fame member Rod Brasfield became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Rod was hired to replace comedian Whitey Ford, the Duke of Paducah, on the Prince Albert portion of the show, which was broadcast on the NBC radio network. Rod was hired after Whitey got into a contract dispute with R.J. Reynolds and their advertising agency, which sponsored the segment. Rod was very successful, often teaming with fellow comedian Minnie Pearl. Rod was not only a great comedian, but was also an excellent actor. He was featured in the movie, "A Face In the Crowd" which starred Andy Griffith. Rod remained a member of the Opry until passing away in September 1958.

July 24, 1948: Roy Acuff announced that he was running for Governor of Tennessee. He decided to run after the current Governor made some poor comments regarding country music. As a Republican in Tennessee in 1948, Roy really didn't stand much of a chance, and he lost the election by a wide margin. It was said that his campaign rallies drew large crowds that enjoyed the music and special guests, but would leave once the political speeches started.

July 21, 1951: Left Frizzell made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Lefty would later become an Opry member, but he was gone pretty quickly. Lefty would later say that it just didn't work out and that the Opry wasn't the dream that he thought it would be.

July 5, 1952: Ralph Sloan and The Tennessee Travelers became members of the Grand Ole Opry. The group was formed in 1949 and they were originally called the Cedar Hill Square Dancers. Ralph passed away in 1980 after which his brother Melvin Sloan took over the group, changing the name to the Melvin Sloan Dancers. Melvin has since retired himself and the group is now simply called the Opry Square Dancers.

July 9, 1952: Grand Ole Opry members Carl Smith and June Carter were married. The marriage only lasted a few years as Carl expected June to give up her career to become a full time wife and mother. While the marriage was short, it did produce a daughter, Rebecca Carlene Smith, better known as Carlene Carter. After the marriage ended, June would go on to remarry two more times, with her final marriage being to Johnny Cash, while Carl would have a very successful marriage with Goldie Hill, who did retire from performing after being married to Carl.

July 18, 1954: Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Skaggs was born in Cordell, Kentucky. Ricky joined the Opry cast in May 1982. For many of us, it is hard to believe that Ricky will be 66.

July 2, 1955: According to various reports, Patsy Cline made her first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Continuing to guest on the Opry, Patsy would eventually become an Opry member in 1960, after asking if she could join.

July 7, 1956: Johnny Cash made his first guest appearance on the Opry.

July 28, 1956: Just three weeks after making his Grand Ole Opry debut, Johnny Cash became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Johnny would remain an Opry member until 1958, when he left Nashville and moved to California. Even though he gave it up, Johnny was always welcomed as a guest artist whenever he was in Nashville, and he would especially appear if June Carter was around. It was during one such performance in 1965, while under the influence of drugs, that Johnny kicked out the Opry stage lights and was told not to come back. He stayed away for a few years, but by the late 1960s, he was back. Toward the end of his life, Roy Acuff reportedly asked Johnny to once again become an Opry member, but Johnny declined.

July 24, 1957: Grand Ole Opry member Pam Tillis was born in Plant City, Florida.

July 12, 1961: Bill Anderson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 59th year as an Opry member. Bill made his first Opry appearance in 1958 and would guest several times before being asked by Opry manager Ott Devine to become a member. Currently the longest active member of the Opry's cast, and over the age of 80, Bill is still actively touring and making Opry appearances. He is always well received and sounds as good as ever. An argument can be made that this Hall of Fame member is one of the greatest all-around talents in the history of country music, as he has been successful as a solo artist, duet artist, songwriter, author, game show host and television personality. Bill has done it all.

July 18, 1964: Connie Smith made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Connie joined the cast the following year and this will be her 55th year as an Opry member. And she sounds as good as ever.

July 31, 1964: Jim Reeves, along with Dean Manual, died in a plane crash just outside of Nashville. Jim was just 39. While he was not an Opry member at the time of his death, giving it up a few years earlier, Jim was very successful while an Opry member. However, as the focus of his career changed, he felt that the Opry was no longer for him.

July 10, 1965: Roy Acuff was seriously injured in a car accident near Sparta, Tennessee. Roy suffered two pelvic fractures, a broken collarbone and several broken ribs. Also injured in the crash were Shot Jackson and June Stearns. Roy would be out of action for about a month, returning to the Opry in August.

July 26, 1966: Opry member Martina McBride was born in Sharon, Kansas.

July 1, 1967: Dave Hooten replaced Johnny "Lonzo" Sullivan as part of Lonzo and Oscar. Johnny had recently passed away and it was agreed before his death that Roland "Oscar" Sullivan would continue with the act. David was generally considered a good replacement for Johnny.

July 8, 1967: Mother Maybelle and The Carter Sisters (June, Anita and Helen), made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry. The group originally joined the Opry in May 1950 and left in order to tour full time with Johnny Cash. As with many other veteran Opry members, Maybelle Carter complained many times to management in regards to the slots they were scheduled on the show.

July 24, 1971: Country and Western music legend Patsy Montana made her first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

July 8, 1972: Barbara Mandrell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. While some accounts, including the Grand Ole Opry, list her induction date as July 29, this was actually the night that Barbara was announced as a member. Celebrating her 48th year as an Opry member, Barbara is now retired from performing. When she made the decision to retire, he asked Opry management if she would remain a member of the Opry, of which they agreed. Without knowing it at the time, Barbara started a trend where retired members would retain their Opry membership, reversing a policy where members had to give up their Opry membership if they were no longer active.

July 14, 1973: Tompall, Chuck, and Jim, the Glaser Brothers, made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry. The brothers, who often had creative differences, decided to go their separate ways, They would reunite several years later, but then broke up for good. But, at the personal invitation of  Hank Snow, the brothers appeared on the Opry one final time, in January 1990 at a show honoring Hank for 40 years of Opry membership. The brothers were awesome that night and you can see the video of the performance on YouTube. That night was the final night that they would appear together.

July 21, 1973: Just over a year after Barbara Mandrell joined the Opry cast, Jeanne Pruett became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Like Barbara, Jeanne is now retired. This will be her 47th year as an Opry member. Jeanne was the last singing member of the cast to join the show before it left the Ryman Auditorium (of course, Jerry Clower joined after Jeanne but he was known as a comedian). On the night of her induction, Dolly Parton handled the honors. Now retired, Jeanne has recently written an autobiography and has been known to visit the Opry now and then.

July 7, 1975: Grand Ole Opry member George Morgan passed away in a Nashville hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was just 51. George joined the Opry in 1948 as the replacement for Eddy Arnold. He left the Opry in 1956 to star on a television show, but returned in 1959. George's daughter Lorrie followed in his footsteps as an Opry member.

July 24, 1976: Bobby Lord made his final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Bobby came to the Opry in 1960 from the Ozark Jubilee. After leaving the Opry, Bobby went into semi-retirement, living in Florida and working in real estate. He later hosted a sportsman show on TNN. Although he gave up his Opry membership, Bobby would continue to make occasional Opry appearances when he was up in the Nashville area. Bobby, who also had his own television show, passed away in 2008

July 24, 1976: On the same day as Bobby Lord's final appearance as an Opry member, a fire broke out backstage at the Opry House that morning. The fire was discovered at 6:00 a.m. on the lighting dimmer board and was quickly put out. Damage was estimated at nearly a quarter million dollars.

July 31, 1976: Former Grand Ole Opry member made his first Saturday night appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

July 4, 1980: Future Diamond Rio member Dana Williams made his first Opry appearance as a bass player for Jimmy C Newman.

July 5, 1980: John Conlee made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry.

July 2, 1982: Former Grand Ole Opry member DeFord Bailey died in Nashville at the age of 82. DeFord was one of the first members of the WSM Barn Dance, but was fired in 1941 by Opry founder George D. Hay. Various reasons were given for the firing, but it would appear that race was the major reason. While he did come back to make guest appearances in the 1940s, DeFord was very bitter about being fired by the Opry and went to great lengths to avoid the opportunity to make guest appearances. However in February 1974 he returned for the annual reunion show. He was well received and would make a few more reunion shows before passing away. DeFord is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

July 1, 1983: Gaylord Broadcasting Company purchased the Grand Ole Opry, WSM radio and the entire Opryland complex from American General Corporation. Even though it was called Gaylord Broadcasting, it was actually Edward Gaylord and his wife Thelma who were the actual owners. At the time, Gaylord owned "Hee Haw" and other major media outlets. The price was rumored to have been between $250 and $350 million. The Opry was for sale at the time because of the purchase of National Life and Accident Company and the new owners, American General, had no interest in owning the Opry or Opryland. It was Roy Acuff who convinced Edward Gaylord that the Opryland properties were perfect for him to buy and add to his company. Over time, Gaylord Broadcasting would become Gaylord Entertainment and is now known as Ryman Hospitality.

July 30, 1983: Former Grand Ole Opry members The Glaser Brothers returned for a guest appearance on the Opry. The brothers were having some chart success at the time with "Lovin' Her Was Easier" and had briefly reunited.

July 6, 1985: Johnny Russell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Johnny would remain a very popular and loyal member of the Opry until passing away on July 3, 2001 after a period of declining health. One of the most talented performers in country music, Johnny was a singer, songwriter and comedian. After joining the Opry, Johnny would normally appear on the 11:30 segment, telling funny stories and singing serious songs. I was privileged one day to have met Johnny at Opryland and to spend a little bit of time with him.

July 3, 1993: Alison Krauss became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 27th year as an Opry member. At the time she joined, she was the Opry's youngest member. Alison has won more Grammy Awards then any other female country music, or bluegrass singer.

July 10, 1999: June Carter Cash made a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, in what would be her final appearance on the Opry stage. June was an Opry member in the 1950s and was known for singing with her family and for her comic skills.

July 6, 2002: Melvin Sloan, leader of the Melvin Sloan Dancers, retired. Melvin began dancing on the Opry following the death of his brother Ralph Sloan in 1980. After Melvin's retirement, the Opry took over management of the square dancers and they are now called the Opry Square Dancers. Melvin has been doing well in retirement and occasionally will be seen backstage at the Opry.

July 2, 2004: Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Van Shelton made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance. Now retired, Ricky joined the Opry in June 1988. Sadly, he was another one from that era that did not appear on the Opry very often.

July 5, 2008: Ending a long standing tradition, the start time of Saturday's early Grand Ole Opry show was changed from 6:30 to 7:00, resulting in a two hour show. This followed the change of the late Saturday show being cut to two hours the previous January. There was no reason given for the change, and no, there was no price reduction on account of the shorter show.

July 15, 2008: Future Grand Ole Opry member Darius Rucker made his first guest appearance on the Opry, singing "Don't Think I Don't Think About It."

July 8, 2011: Jimmy Dickens made a surprise appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry to ask the Oak Ridge Boys if they would like to become the Opry's newest members. Of course, the Oak Ridge Boys said yes, and later this year they will celebrate their 7th year as Opry members. The Oak Ridge Boys had been asked previously if they were interested in becoming Opry members, however they had declined due to their heavy touring schedule. While they are still actively touring, the group has found the time to appear on the Opry and fulfill their membership obligations.

July 16, 2011: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson was honored upon his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Alison Krauss joined the celebration that evening.

July 13, 2012: Grand Ole Opry member Randy Travis made his final scheduled performing appearance on the Opry. Randy would later suffer a serious stroke that would end his performing career.

July 3, 2013: Alison Krauss celebrated 20 years of Opry membership. As part of the show that night, she does a duet with Jamey Johnson on "Make the World Go Away."

July 1, 2017: Montgomery Gentry performs "Where I Come From" on the Grand Ole Opry. It would be the final Opry appearance for Troy Gentry, who would pass away in September as the result of a helicopter crash. Since his passing, Eddie Montgomery has continued on as an Opry member.

July 19, 2019: Luke Combs was formally inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. While somewhat of a surprise, so far it has worked out pretty well as in his first year as a member, Luke has shown that he will be supporting the show.

July 22, 2019: Sally Williams, general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, announced her resignation from Ryman Hospitality. While she was at the company for over 20 years, she had only been in charge of the Opry since 2017, following the resignation of Pete Fisher.

There you have it for this month. Another busy one at the Opry.

Grand Ole Opry Saturday June 27

A few quick hits:

There were a couple of comments that I saw that it was one of the best shows, if not the best, that the Opry has done since the COVID-19 shows have been taking place. Clint Black and Darius Rucker were a fantastic pairing and it was enjoyable to see and hear a full band behind them. I know some have questioned Darius' commitment to country music, however I think by now we know he is the real deal and an asset to the Opry. As far as Clint Black, he makes so few Opry appearances that we forget how good he is, and he has aged well. I know he lives in California and doesn't get to Nashville very often, but when he does, it is a treat. Great singer and guitar player. I saw one comment that he is Hall of Fame worthy and I agree. Hopefully he doesn't have to wait too long.

While the Opry will not have a live audience show until July 18 at earliest, they are going to be resuming the backstage tours at both the Grand Old Opry House and the Ryman Auditorium beginning this week. A quick look at the calendar shows just morning tours being conducted. Getting the Opry House back opened is a good start and I think is a good sign that live shows could be resuming soon. We all are waiting for the word.

Now, looking at the show for this Saturday night, I am sure that Opry management was in a tough spot after the cancellation of Jimmy Buffett and Mac McAnally. That left Brad Paisley, in a show that was being advertised as "Brad Paisley and Friends." The only other addition for Saturday has been Keb' Mo'. That should be an interesting pairing. On a personal note, I have seen Keb' Mo' on the Opry previously and he is very talented. I'm looking forward to hearing him again. How he fits in with Brad will be interesting to see.
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From 25 years ago, Saturday June 24, 1995:

1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
6:45: Jean Shepard (host); Bill Carlisle
7:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jan Howard; Charlie Louvin; Brother Oswald; Jimmy C Newman
7:30: Jack Greene (host); Jeanne Pruett; Ray Pillow; Roy Clark
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Seely; The Four Guys; Charlie Walker; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Roy Drusky; Mike Snider; Riders In The Sky

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; The Whites
10:00: Marty Stuart (host);
10:15: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Jack Greene
10:45: Jeannie Seely (host); Stu Phillips; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Th Four Guys Ray Pillow; Joe Stampley
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Roy Drusky; Charlie Walker

And 50 years ago, Saturday June 27, 1970:

1st show
6:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Ernie Ashworth; Joe and Rose Lee Maphis
6:45: Billy Grammer (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Cousin Jody
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); James William Monroe; Earl Scruggs Revue; The Four Guys; Bill Carlisle
7:30: Bobby Lord (host); Grandpa Jones; Willis Brothers; Crook Brothers; Warner Mack
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Mel Tillis; Hank Williams, Jr., Diane Trask
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Bob Luman; Charlie Louvin; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Billy Grammer (host); Willis Brothers; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Joe and Rose Lee Maphis
10:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); The Four Guys; Ernie Ashworth
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Diana Trask
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Hank Williams, Jr.
10:45: Bobby Lord (host); Grandpa Jones; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Mel Tillis; Bill Carlisle; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Bob Luman; Warner Mack; Dianne McCall
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This week's look back takes us back to June 27, 1981 as this would appear to be the date that Buck White and The White Sisters, later to be known as The Whites, made their debut on the Grand Ole Opry.

The Whites have been a part of the Grand Ole Opry family more than 30 years and have been showcasing their own family harmony as a professional stage act for nearly 40 years. Daddy Buck and daughters Cheryl, Sharon, and Rosie are all top-level singers and musicians individually.

Buck’s skills on the piano landed him early gigs with the Opry’s Hank Snow, Ernest Tubb and others. He married Pat Goza in 1951, and in 1962 they moved from Texas to Arkansas, where they began performing with another couple as the Down Home Folks. Their children performed as the Down Home Kids.

By the mid-’60s, the family was well known in bluegrass circles, and when the younger Whites decided they wanted to sing professionally, the family moved to Nashville in 1971. During their first years in Nashville, they performed as the Down Home Folks and recorded several bluegrass albums.

In 1973, mother Pat retired from the group, and in 1975, The Whites played a Washington, D.C. show with Emmylou Harris. That association led to Sharon and Cheryl providing background vocals on Harris’ 1978 Blue Kentucky Girl album.

“She just opened so many doors for us and put us in front of people who had never seen us before,” Sharon told interviewer Paul Edward Joyce. “We just had a great relationship and will forever be grateful to her for how she helped us.”

In 1982, Sharon White married Ricky Skaggs, a one-time member of Emmylou’s Hot Band who also co-produced The Whites’ major-label debut, Old Familiar Feeling. The album yielded four Top 10 hits, including “You Put the Blue in Me,” and “Hangin’ Around.” The album also featured the distinctive dobro work of Jerry Douglas, now a member of Opry star Alison Krauss’ band, Union Station. Other albums by The Whites, which blend country, folk, bluegrass, and gospel sounds include Forever You, Ain’t No Binds, and Doin’ It by the Book.

In 2000, The Whites appeared in the film, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, performing the Carter Family classic, “Keep on the Sunny Side.” Also in 2000, they released the album, A Lifetime in the Making. The Whites were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008, the same year their collaboration with Skaggs called Salt of the Earth won a Grammy award.

And while these “down home folks” have graced stages all over the world, they continue to perform regularly on the Grand Ole Opry.

Here is the running order from 39 years ago, June 27, 1981:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Full Moon; Empty Pockets
Ernie Ashworth: There's No Place I'd Rather Be Tonight
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

6:45: Rudy's
Billy Walker (host): Word Games
Jeannie Seely: You Don't Need Me, But You Will
Billy Walker: You Don't Know Me

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Charlie Louvin: Ten Years; Three Kids; Two Loves Too Late/Red, Red Wine
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Porter Wagoner: Everything I've Always Wanted/Cold Hard Facts of Life/Carroll County Accident/Green, Green Grass of Home/On A Highway Headed South

7:30: Standard Candy
Grandpa Jones (host): Banjo Sam
Jean Shepard: Chime Bells
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Lafayette
George McCormick: Y'all Come
Grandpa Jones: Fallen Leaves

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: Satisfied/Sing; Sing; Sing
Vic Willis Trio: Colorado
Roy Drusky: If the Whole World Stopped Loving
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Roy Acuff: Cabin in Gloryland

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me a Bluebird
The Four Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
David Houston: Texas Ida Red
Buck White and The White Sisters: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Fire on the Mountain
Hank Snow and Kelly Foxton: Things

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Saturday Night
The Four Guys: I'm Almost Ready
Jeannie Seely: Make the World Go Away
Wilma Lee Cooper: The White Rose
Ernie Ashworth: You Can't Pick a Rose in December
Porter Wagoner: Ol' Slewfoot/Cold Hard Facts of Life/Carroll County Accident/Green, Green Grass of Home

10:00: Little Debbie
Charlie Louvin (host): Faded Love
Jean Shepard: Too Many Rivers
Charlie Louvin: She Is

10:15: Sunbeam
Grandpa Jones (host): Kitty Klide
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Jimmy Dickens: Out Behind the Barn
Grandpa Jones: Nashville on My Mind

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Stonewall Jackson: Full Moon; Empty Pockets/Life to Go
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:45: Beechnut
Roy Drusky (host): Strangers
Connie Smith: I've Got My Baby on My Mind
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Gray Eagle
Roy Drusky: Remember Me, I'm the One Who Loves You

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): The First Hurt is the Worst Hurt of All
Bill Carlisle: I'm Movin'
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Ray Pillow: Even the Bad Times are Good
Kirk McGee: St. James Infirmary
Hank Snow and Kelly Foxton: Check

11:30: Bama
David Houston (host): Texas Ida Red
Vic Willis Trio: American Trilogy
Buck White and The White Sisters: Follow the Leader/Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
David Houston: After All

The Whites became Grand Ole Opry members on March 2, 1984 and have been very loyal and popular members since joining. It is always a pleasure to see them on the Opry stage.

That takes care of it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this Saturday night.

Grand Ole Opry Saturday June 20

First, the latest from the Grand Ole Opry website:

"We continue to work to resume Grand Ole Opry shows with live audiences as soon as we can do so aligning with the re-opening guidelines of Nashville. When shows with a live ticketed audience do return, we plan to start slowly, having shows one night per week on Saturdays. Assuming all goes well, we would expand to additional nights. 

While we are unsure when ticketed shows will return, presently tickets are on sale for Saturdays throughout July. Shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday during the month of July have been canceled and tickets for these events will be automatically refunded to the credit card used to place the order. It may take up to 14 days for the refund to reflect on your credit card account. There is no need to call or email our Customer Service team – they have already begun to process these refunds. No decision has been made about shows beyond July. Right now, we hope to proceed as planned."

Even as that notice was posted last week, Bobby Bones again on Saturday's show said that no final decisions had been made. Obviously still a lot in play.

Coming off another fine show this past Saturday night, one that featured no Grand Ole Opry members, there are two on the schedule for this week as Darius Rucker and Clint Black are scheduled to perform. It is really nice to see Clint on the schedule as he rarely comes to Nashville to do the Opry. I know he has been promoting new music so it will be nice to hear what he has to offer. _______________________________________________________________________

From 25 years ago, Saturday June 17, 1995

1st show

6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Bill Carlisle

6:45: Jeanne Pruett (host); Brother Oswald

7:00: The Four Guys (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Charlie Louvin; Jean Shepard

7:30: Opry Square Dance Band; Mike Snider (host); Billy Dean; The Whites

8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Hank Locklin; Carolee Singers; Charlie Walker
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Stu Phillips; Tim Watson and Black Creek; Jeannie Seely

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Hank Locklin; Jeanne Pruett; The Whites
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:15: Jean Shepard (host); Roy Drusky
10:30: Mike Snider (host); Charlie Louvin; Bob Clark
10:45: The Four Guys (host); Brother Oswald; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Stu Phillips; Charlie Walker; Billy Dean
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Carolee Singers; Charlie Nagatani; Tim Watson and Black Creek

This was also the night that Eddie Stubbs became the Grand Ole Opry's newest announcer.

And from 50 years ago, Saturday June 20, 1970:

1st show
6:30:
6:45: Billy Walker (host)
7:00: Stu Phillips (host); Bill Carlisle; Stringbean; Ernie Ashworth
7:30:
8:00: Billy Grammer (host); Bob Luman; Joe and Rose Lee Maphis; Margie Bowes
8:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Loretta Lynn; Cousin Jody; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Billy Walker (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Wilma Burgess; Del Wood
10:00: Ray Pillow (host); LaWanda Lindsey; Bill Carlisle
10:15: Stu Phillips (host); Stringbean; Norro Wilson
10:30: George Morgan (host); Ernie Ashworth; Joe and Rose Lee Maphis
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Billy Parker; Crook Brothers
11:00: Billy Grammer (host); Loretta Lynn; Darrell McCall; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Bob Luman (host); Margie Bowes; Cousin Jody; Tommy Jones

Who remembers LaWanda Lindsey?

LaWanda Lindsey was born on January 12, 1953 in Tampa, Florida. She began her career at age 14 and had her first nationally charted record at age 16 with "Partly Bill". She was one of several quite young artists recording country music for Chart Records during this period and was paired with country singer-songwriter Kenny Vernon, to record a number of duets. She got her start singing on WEAS-AM radio station in Savannah, GA, where her father, Norman H. "Lefty" Lindsey, was the General Manager and on-air personality. In 1973 she became a protégé of Buck Owens and began recording for Capitol Records, later in 1977-1978 she was on Mercury Records.

From 1969 to 1978, LaWanda Lindsey placed 14 songs on the Billboard country charts but only two of her songs ("Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries" in 1970 and "Hello Out There" in 1973) placed in the top 30. She nevertheless had a nice mid-level career in the industry before retiring in 1979.
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Now let's go back to Saturday June 19, 1982 as it was on this night 38 years ago that Riders In The Sky became members of the Grand Ole Opry.

Here is the running order from that night:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Ernie Ashworth: There's No Place I'd Rather Be Tonight
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry

6:45: Rudy's
Jack Greene (host); Walking on New Grass
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

7:00: Shoney's
Ernest Tubb (host): Letters Have No Arms
Del Wood: Are You from Dixie
Bobby Lord: Fall Away
Riders In The Sky: How the Yodel Was Born/Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Jack Leonard: Back on My Mind Again
Ernest Tubb: Rainbow at Midnight

7:30: Standard Candy
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Jean Shepard: Cryin' My Heart Out Over You/Slippin' Away
Wilburn Brothers: Making Plans
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Rachel
Grandpa Jones: Four Stoned Walls & A Ceiling/What'll I Do with the Baby-O

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Lonzo and Oscar: All the Gold in California
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Connie Smith: I Just Had You on My Mind/Once a Day
Roy Acuff: Stream Line Cannonball

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Storms Never Last
The Four Guys: I Think About Your Loving All the Time
Ray Pillow: She's Doing it to Me Again
Roy Drusky: Have I Stayed Away Too Long
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Saturday Night Hop
Hank Snow: I Have You & That's Enough For Me

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Ernest Tubb (host): Have You Ever Been Lonely
Del Wood: Just Because/Bill Bailey/Beer Barrel Polka
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin'/Ol' Chunk of Coal
Jack Leonard: Lone Star Beer & Bob Wills Music
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas

10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): The Banjo is the Instrument for Me
Jeanne Pruett: It's Too Late/Temporarily Yours
Grandpa Jones: There's a Grave in the Wave of the Ocean

10:15: Sunbeam
Jack Greene (host): Try a Little Kindness
Justin Tubb: Take a Letter Miss Gray
Jack Greene: Your's for the Taking/There Goes My Everything

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Down in Union County
Riders In The Sky: (?)/Turkey in the Straw/Chicken Reel/Devil's Dream
Roy Acuff: In the Center of the Grand Ole Opry Stage/I Saw the Light

10:45: Beechnut
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Connie Smith: Lovin' You Baby
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Mississippi Sawyer
Roy Drusky: Blues in My Heart

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Right or Wrong
Jean Shepard: Alabama Jubilee
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Saturday Night Hop
Wilburn Brothers: Release Me
Lonzo and Oscar: Little Cabin Home on the Hill
Kirk McGee: While I'm Away
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me

11:30: Bama
The Four Guys (host): I Think About Your Loving All the Time
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink of Me
Sheila and Bill Carlisle, Jr.: In the Pines
Ray Pillow: All You Have to Do is Come Back Home/Remember Me
The Four Guys: Swing Down Chariot

Riders In The Sky have been great Opry members over the years and have kept Western music alive on the Opry. Congratulations on another year of Opry membership.

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

Oh, and not to forget, Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!!

Grand Ole Opry Saturday June 13

Update: Two more acts have been added for Saturday night: Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum will be doing double duty on Saturday as The Scott Family has been added. In addition, frequent Opry guest Charlie Worsham has also been added. Two good choices to round out the schedule.

Before getting to this weeks show, the Grand Ole Opry broke the news yesterday that on Saturday June 27, the legendary Jimmy Buffett will be making his Opry debut. Joining Jimmy will be Opry member Brad Paisley along with Mac McAnally. That's a big score for the Opry and I am sure that there will be a lot of publicity and new viewers to the Opry. That's the good news.

As we look ahead, Nashville is still in Phase 2 as to reopening. What that means is that the Opry still cannot conduct shows with a live audience at the Grand Ole Opry House. They will be unable to do so until Nashville moves into Phase 3. Sometime in July has been the target date for a return to live audiences at the Opry House, however, with Phase 2 extended it could be tough for the Opry to meet that goal. That's the bad news.

Finally, last week's show was fine. Steve Wariner was his usual good self and acted as host for the hour. There was a lot of young talent on the stage with Carly Pearce, Lee Brice and Michael Ray, each of whom has appeared on the Opry numerous times. In fact, Saturday was Carly's 75th guest appearance and Michael isn't that far behind. It is always good to see young artists, who understand what the Opry is all about, supporting the show. Who knows? Someday, they may be members.

Now moving ahead to this week and as Bobby Bones announced last Saturday night, Lady Antebellum will be on the Opry this week. Unfortunately, as I type this out, the trio is the only act announced for this weeks show. Kind of disappointing that there apparently will be no Opry member present. It has happened before and I am sure it will happen again, Just sad to see that with almost 70 members, one couldn't have been scheduled.
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From 25 years ago, Saturday June 10, 1995:

1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); Clinton Gregory
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Osborne Brothers
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Bill Carlisle; Charlie Louvin; The Whites
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Billy Walker; Rhonda Vincent
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Seely; Charlie Walker; Johnny Russell; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jim Ed Brown; The Four Guys; Skeeter Davis; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald; The Whites; Clinton Gregory
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Charlie Louvin
10:15: Jimmy C Newman (host); Osborne Brothers
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Mike Snider
10:45: Bill Anderson (host); Stu Phillips; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); The Four Guys; Billy Walker; George Hamilton IV; Stonewall Jackson
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Johnny Russell; Charlie Walker; Jeannie Seely

Clinton Gregory was on the schedule for that night. In the 1990s,  he was on the Opry quite a few times, but in recent years has somewhat faded away.

A singer, fiddler, and guitarist who became a star in both country and bluegrass, Clinton Gregory was born in Martinville, Virginia on March 1, 1966. He grew up surrounded by music; his father, Willie Gregory, was a gifted fiddler who came from a long line of musicians and encouraged his son to follow in his footsteps. Clinton began playing the violin when he was five years old, and a year later he was good enough to perform at bluegrass festivals.

When Clinton was 12, his family relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where Willie had landed a gig at the Grand Ole Opry. As Clinton continued to focus on his music, he developed a reputation of his own in the Music City, and began working steadily as a sideman and session player with some of the leading country acts of the day. In 1990, Gregory stepped into the spotlight by releasing his first solo album, Music 'n Me, for the independent country label Step One Records. The album was well-received, but it was Clinton's second long-player, 1991's If It Weren't for Country Music I'd Go Crazy, that proved to be his commercial breakthrough. The title tune became a hit, peaking at 26 on the country singles charts, and three other tunes from the LP earned airplay as singles.

Freeborn ManReleased in 1992, Freeborn Man spawned Gregory's biggest hit, the single "Play, Ruby, Play," which rose to 25 on the country singles chart and another tune from the album, "Who Needs It," fared nearly as well, topping out at 29. By this time, Clinton was appearing frequently at the Grand Ole Opry. (In February 1992, Clinton performed on the Opry stage alongside his father, who died only two months later.) However, after the 1993 album Master of Illusion failed to live up to commercial expectations, Clinton left Step One for a major-label, Polydor. His first album for Polydor, 1995's Clinton Gregory, sold modestly, and a variety of professional and personal setbacks soon followed.

For the better part of the next ten years, Gregory was off the music industry's radar, but in 2005 he returned to music thanks to Neil Young. Young invited Gregory to play on his album Prairie Wind, and to join his band for the concerts that were filmed for the documentary Neil Young: Heart of Gold.

In the wake of his work with Young, Gregory made his way back into performing and songwriting, and in 2012 he completed his first album in 17 years, Too Much Ain't Enough. Released by the independent Melody Roundup label, Too Much Ain't Enough was well received by critics and fans, and a second album, the bluegrass-oriented The Roots of My Raising, appeared in 2013. That album was his last one to have made the charts.
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday June 13, 1970:

1st show
6:30: Willis Brothers (host); Jack Barlow; Louie Roberts
6:45: Stu Phillips (host); Liz Anderson; Hager Twins
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Hank Locklin; Stringbean; Jeanne Pruett; Johnny Carver
7:30: Billy Grammer (host); Susan Raye; Leroy Van Dyke; Crook Brothers
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Martha Carson; Bill Carlisle; Lorene Mann
8:30: Billy Walker (host); Marion Worth; Billy Troy; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Willis Brothers (host); Susan Raye; Hager Twins; Jack Barlow
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Stringbean; Liz Anderson
10:15: Hank Locklin (host); Jeanne Pruett; Louie Roberts
10:30: Bill Monroe (host); Bill Carlisle; Lorene Mann
10:45: Roy Acuff (host); Martha Carson; Crook Brothers
11:00: Billy Walker (host); Billy Grammer; Leroy Van Dyke; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Marion Worth; Johnny Carver; Billy Troy; Ronnie Robbins
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Looking back to a special night, June 12, 2004 , the night Terri Clark became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Terri Clark grew up on country music — not only hearing records by contemporary artists including Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, and The Judds, but learning from family members, including her grandparents.

By the time she finished high school, she was already making local appearances. Shortly after that came a trip to Nashville, where she honed her craft playing for tips at clubs. Signing with Mercury Records in 1994, she hit the charts in short order with four Top 10 hits (“Better Things to Do,” “When Boy Meets Girl,” “If I Were You,” and “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me”) as Billboard named her its Top New Female Country Artist in 1995. The following year, she picked up her first Canadian Country Music Award, underlining what would turn out to be enduring home country appeal.

For the remainder of the decade, Terri continued to score well at country radio with hits including “Now That I Found You,” “You’re Easy on the Eyes” (her first No. 1), and “Every Time I Cry.” But even as her popularity continued, she began to reach more deeply in her songwriting and performance. In 2000 she released the introspective Fearless, which earned critical acclaim for its artistry and a Top 20 single in “A Little Gasoline.” Two years later, she returned with Pain to Kill, an album that balanced the depth of its predecessor with more radio-friendly production and generated hits including “I Just Wanna Be Mad,” which was the first No. 1 country hit by a female artist in more than two years. In 2004 Mercury released her Greatest Hits collection (which included a new No. 1 hit, “Girls Lie Too”) and Terri joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry.

“Just to be on the Opry is an honor,” Terri says today. “I never thought I’d get to be a member. It’s a tremendous responsibility, too. I feel like a lot of us who are younger members of the Opry really need to make sure that we pass down the tradition of it, and make sure that younger people who are getting into country music know what it means.”

Here is the running order from 16 years ago, Saturday June 12, 2004, the night Terri Clark joined the Grand Ole Opry:

1st show
6:30: Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater
Jeannie Seely: Anytime/When He Leaves You
Osborne Brothers: Rock of Ages/Rocky Top
Jimmy Dickens: Mountain Dew

7:00: Tootsie's/Standard Candy
Marty Stuart (host): Rock Island Line
Terri Clark: Girls Lie Too
Mel Tillis: It's A Love Revival/Southern Rains
Mel and Pam Tillis: Waiting on the Wind
Billy Dean: Billy the Kid
Terri Clark: Walkin' After Midnight/I Wanna Do It All
Marty Stuart: Hillbilly Rock

8:00: Martha White
Mike Snider (host): Instrumental
Jean Shepard: Tennessee Waltz
Billy Walker: Don't Stop in My World
Connie Smith: IF It Ain't Love
Opry Square Dance Band; Bile Them Cabbage Down
Mike Snider: Puttin' on the Dog (The Fur Coat)/Fire on the Mountain

8:30: Caribbean Cruise
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
George Hamilton IV & V We Will Meet Again
Jimmy C Newman; La Cajun Band
Pam Tillis: Deep Down/Mi Vida Loca
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards

2nd show
9:30: Coca-Cola
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
Jim Ed Brown: Looking Back to See/The 3 Bells
Billy Dean: Thank God I'm A Country Boy/Billy the Kid
Jimmy Dickens: I'd Rather Sleep in Peace

10:00: Resort Quest
Pam Tillis (host): Band in the Window
Jean Shepard: Virginia; Second Fiddle
Mel Tillis: Good Woman Blues/I Got the Horse; You've Got the Saddle
The Stutteretes: Once A Day/I Fall to Pieces/ You Ain't Woman Enough/Stand By Your Man
Pam and Mel Tillis: Detroit City

10:30: Caribbean Cruise
Marty Stuart (host): The Whiskey Ain't working Anymore
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me I'm Falling
Connie Smith: How Long; How Long/You & Your Sweet Love
Opry Square Dance Band: Cherokee Shuffle
Marty Stuart: In the Pines

11:00: WSMonline.com
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
George Hamilton IV & V: We Will Meet Again
Jimmy C Newman: Sugar Bee
Terri Clark: Girls Lie Too/Walkin' After Midnight
Bill Anderson: Too Country

11:30: Opry Visa Card
Mike Snider (host): Angeline the Baker/Soldier's Joy/Old Molly Hare
Billy Walker: I'm Back on the Mountain Again
Jack Greene: Walking on New Grass
Julie Roberts: It Ain't Down Home/Break Down Here
Mike Snider: Fire on the Mountain

For those wondering, the Stutteretes were Mel's backup group.

Congratulations again to Terri Clark upon her 16th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this Saturday night.

Grand Ole Opry Saturday June 6

First, I wanted to comment on last Saturday's show, which I thought was very, very good. Chris Young acted as "host" and was joined by Chris Janson and Brett Young. You could tell that all three have worked together in the past and enjoy each other's company. The song selections were excellent and there was a lot of stories about each song. Some were very emotional. Continuing what seems to be a pattern, a couple of classic country songs were also included, including Chris Young singing the Joe Diffie song "Pick Up Man," Chris Janson singing "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and Brett Young doing the George Jones classic "Bartender Blues."

What also helped was that there were several members of the Opry Staff Band on stage and that helped to bring some up-tempo to the songs, a change from what has been mostly acoustic performances on the shows.

Now let's look ahead to this Saturday night as the month of June gets off to a very solid start with Grand Ole Opry member Steve Wariner making his first appearance on the newest, and hopefully, temporary version of the Opry. Joining Steve this week will be another of the young married couples in country music: Michael Ray and Carly Pearce. And, I am happy to say, that there will be a fourth performer on Saturday as Lee Brice, who currently has a duet out with Carly will also be appearing.
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And now, the Grand Ole Opry line-up from 25 years ago, Saturday June 3, 1995:

1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard
6:45: Jimmy C Newman (host); Bill Carlisle
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jan Howard; Del Reeves; Jerry Clower
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); Mel McDaniel; Karen Peck and New River; Johnny Russell
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; George Hamilton IV; Jack Greene; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Riders In The Sky; Jeannie Seely; The Four Guys; Mike Snider

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald; Roy Drusky; Jean Shepard; Charlie Walker
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jerry Clower
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Johnny Russell
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Ray Pillow
10:45: Billy Walker (host); The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); The Four Guys; Jeannie Seely; Mike Snider
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jack Greene; Stu Phillips; Mel McDaniel

From 50 years ago, Saturday June 6, 1970:

1st show
6:30: Hank Locklin (host); Stringbean; Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Del Wood
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Ray Pillow; Cousin Jody; James William Monroe
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa Jones; Willis Brothers; Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Stu Phillips; Lonzo and Oscar; Justin Tubb
8:30: Del Reeves (host); Margie Bowes; Archie Campbell; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Jack Greene (host); Willis Brothers; Jeannie Seely; Stringbean
10:00: Hank Locklin (host); Ernie Ashworth; Del Wood
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs; Revue; Ray Pillow
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Stu Phillips; Cousin Jody
10:45: Roy Acuff (host): Justin Tubb; Crook Brothers
11:00: Del Reeves (host); Grandpa Jones; Archie Campbell; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Bob Luman; Lonzo and Oscar; Margie Bowes
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It was 28 years ago this weekend, Saturday June 6, 1992 that Grand Ole Opry member Tom T. Hall made his last appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

One of 10 children born to a Baptist minister, Tom T. began playing guitar at age four and wrote his first song at nine. In his teens, he formed a bluegrass band, which performed locally. After a stint in the Army, while working as a radio copywriter in Roanoke, Virginia, he wrote songs on the side that were recorded by Jimmy C. Newman, Johnnie Wright, Dave Dudley, and Bobby Bare.

After moving to Nashville in 1964, he had several early hit recordings of his own, including “I Washed My Face in the Morning Dew,” and when Jeannie C. Riley’s recording of his “Harper Valley P.T.A.” sold six million copies and swept away multiple awards, Tom T.’s own recording career at Mercury Records accelerated. That career continued through more than 45 albums. For two years, he hosted the syndicated TV program Pop Goes the Country and made guest appearances on several other shows.

He has written 12 No. 1 hit songs, with 26 more that reached the Top 10, including the No. 1 international pop crossover smash "Harper Valley PTA" and the hit "I Love", which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. He is included in Rolling Stones list of 100 Greatest Songwriters. He became known to fans as "The Storyteller," thanks to his storytelling skills in his songwriting.

In his later years,  Tom T. supervised acoustic sessions at his own recording studio, continued to write those utterly distinctive songs, and could be seen at venues from Nashville’s Station Inn to festivals across the country in support of the bluegrass music he holds especially dear.

Tom T. has authored a string of books, including an autobiography, a songwriting textbook, and several novels. His songs continue to be recorded with by bluegrass bands and country and Americana acts alike.

In the course of his career, Tom T. has received numerous honors. He was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2002.  On February 12, 2008, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In regard to Hall's longer-than-anticipated wait to be inducted, he attributed it to being somewhat reclusive and "not well liked" among the Nashville music industry, noting that he almost never collaborated with other songwriters and by the 1990s was largely out of step with the corporate style of country music.

In November 2018 Tom T. and his wife Dixie were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and in June 2019, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Now retired at the age of 84, his last appearance was in 2011.

Tom T. Hall originally joined the Opry on January 1, 1971. He left the Opry after the move to new Grand Ole Opry House in 1974, but returned as a member in on March 28, 1980.

In the years after his final Opry appearance, he reportedly told people that he didn't understand why the Opry kept him as a member as he had no intention of coming back to the show. By that point in his career, he was performing very little, concentrating on his bluegrass recording and songwriting with Dixie.

Here is the running order from Saturday June 6, 1992, Tom T. Hall's final Opry appearance:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Jim Ed Brown: Lyin' In Love With You
Porter Wagoner: What Ain't to Be, Just Might Happen

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down the Country
Charlie Walker: Roly Poly
Del Reeves: Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at at Time/Looking at the World Thru a Windshield
Grandpa Jones: Dear Old Sunny South by the Sea

7:00: Shoney's
Tom T Hall (host): Ravishing Ruby
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Billy Grammer: Somebody Loves You
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Tom T Hall: Old Dogs, Children & Watermelon Wine

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Brooks & Dunn: Another Neon Moon/Boot Scoop Boogie
Randy Travis: Better Class of Losers/He Walked on Water/Diggin' Up Bones
Bill Monroe: Bluegrass Breakdown

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
The Four Guys: I'm Bound for Higher Ground/We're Only Here for a Little While
Mike Snider: (?): Puttin; on the Dog (The Fur Coat)
Opry Square Dance Band and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sail Away Ladies
Roy Acuff: Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain/How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

8:30: Opryland
Hank Snow (host): Silver Rails, Keep Me Free
Charlie Louvin and Charles Whitstein: The Family Who Prays
Jeanne Seely: When He Leaves You
Hank Locklin: My Turning Point in Life
Jack Greene: There's a Whole Lot About a Woman A Man Don't Know
Hank Snow: Let Me Go Lover

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Wilma Lee Cooper: Singing Waterfall
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
Brooks & Dunn: Another Neon Moon/Boot Scoop Boogie/Brand New Man
Porter Wagoner: Carolee Cooper Accident/Green Green Grass of Home

10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Ain't it Hard
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin'
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Grandpa Jones: I'll Meet You in the Morning

10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top/The 3 Bells

10:30: Pet Milk
Tom T Hall (host): The Year That Clayton Delaney Died
Roy Drusky: Too Old to Die Young
Tom T Hall: I Love

10:45: B.C. Powder
Bill Monroe (host): Why Did You Wander
Del Reeves: A Dozen Pair of Boots
Opry Square Dance Band and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
Bill Monroe: Wayfaring Stranger

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): There's A Fool Such As I
Charlie Louvin and Charles Whitstein: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Billy Grammer: Ain't Misbehavin
The Four Guys: How Married Are You Mary Ann/May You Always
Hank Snow: I've Done at Least One Thing That Was Good in My Life

11:30: Creamette
Jack Greene (host): Satisfied
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me, I'm Falling
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
Mike Snider: Shuckin' the Corn/Snuff Dipper
Jack Greene: Status of a Fool

Every segment that night, with the exception of the final 30 minutes, was hosted by either a current Hall of Fame member, or a future member.

To conclude, Bobby Bones mentioned in the coming weeks something special would be happening at the Opry that has never happened before. No clues and I have no idea what he might be talking about. Maybe we will find out more this Saturday.

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

Jimmy Capps

It was reported this morning that long time Grand Ole Opry Staff Band member Jimmy Capps had passed away at the age of 81.

Jimmy Capps was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He began playing the guitar at an early age, as well as listening to the Grand Ole Opry. By the age of 12, he was being featured on various radio stations in the North Carolina area.

In 1958, he had the opportunity to audition for the Louvin Brothers. According to Jimmy, "When I auditioned for my job with the Louvin Brothers, their current guitar player (Paul Yandell, who had been drafted into the Army)) had heard me working with a duet in North Carolina who sang all the Louvin Brother's songs, so I knew all the intros and turnarounds to their songs. He'd heard me play and recommended me to the Louvin. So I went to Burlington, N.C. and after their show, we went back to the hotel and I auditioned. I did all their intros and turnarounds to the songs they auditioned me with and they seemed to like me okay. But their guitar player noticed I didn't use a thumbpick...he then asked me if I could play "Malaguena"? I told him, "No I couldn't".

Charlie Louvin spoke up and said, "Well ... Ira and I very seldom sing "Malaguena" anymore ... so, we're gonna hire you anyway! Thanks to Charlie ... I guess I owe my whole career to him. That one split-second decision that he made is the reason I am here. That decision made all the difference in my life."

Jimmy Capps made his first appearance backing up the Louvin Brothers on the Grand Ole Opry in 1958 and in 1967, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry Staff Band. Since then there have been many changes in the Staff Band, but Jimmy always survived the changes.

In addition to his work on the Opry, Jimmy was a noted studio musicians who played on over 250 recordings. Among the hits were "Stand By Your Man," "He Stopped Loving Her Today," "The Gambler," "The Rose," "16th Avenue," "Elvira," "Here In The Real World," and the list goes on and on and on. It's hard to find a hit record out of Nashville that Jimmy was not a part of.

Jimmy was the recipient of numerous awards over the years and was featured on many television shows, including over 20 CMA Award Shows, Country's Family Reunion, and more recently as the guitar playing sheriff on Larry's Country Diner.

Recently, Jimmy wrote his autobiography, The Man In Back, and the musicians room at the Grand Ole Opry was named in his honor. The only award missing was election to the Country Music Hall of Fame and I am sure that will come sooner rather than later.

Jimmy Capps was truly a legend and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers to his family and close friends.

June Opry Highlights

Welcome to the month of June and Summer! June has always been a pretty busy month for the Grand Ole Opry and here are the highlights and important events that have taken place regarding the Opry or its members, during this month.

June 17, 1910: Clyde Julian Foley was born in Blue Lick, Kentucky. Better known as Red, he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1946, replacing Roy Acuff as the host of the Prince Albert portion of the show. He stayed at the Opry until 1954 when he left Nashville and went to Springfield, Missouri as the host of the Ozark Jubilee. When Red came to the Opry, it was specifically to host the Prince Albert portion and as such, he did not appear on any other segments of the Opry.

June 19, 1914: Lester Flatt was born in Overton County, Tennessee. Lester would become famous as a member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, then later teaming up with Earl Scruggs in the highly successful Flatt & Scruggs duo. After a very successful run, Lester and Earl split due to creative differences, with Lester favoring a more traditional bluegrass sound. He then formed the Nashville Grass and continued with that group, and at the Opry, until his death in 1979. While on the Opry, Lester traditionally hosted the Martha White portion of the show.

June 17, 1916: David Akeman, better known as Stringbean, was born in Anniville, Kentucky. Stringbean had been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for years, and was famous for his comedy and banjo playing. However, it was his role on Hee Haw that brought Stringbean his greatest fame to a national audience. Stringbean died in November 1973 when he, along with his wife Estelle, were murdered upon returning home from an Opry appearance.

June 28, 1924: George Morgan was born in Waverly, Tennessee. George spent several years in Ohio, specifically the Barberton area before becoming a star on the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. In 1948 he came to Nashville and the Opry, as the replacement for Eddy Arnold, who had recently left the show. George would remain a popular Opry member until his death in 1975. On a historical note, it was George who hosted the final segment of the Friday Night Opry prior to the move to the new Grand Ole Opry House in March 1974. George, who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, is also the father of current Opry member Lorrie Morgan.

June 19, 1926: DeFord Bailey made his debut on the WSM Barn Dance. DeFord was a member of the Grand Ole Opry until he was fired by Opry founder George D. Hay in 1941. His song, "Pan American Blues" would often be the opening number on the Opry's early broadcasts. After he was fired from the Opry, DeFord remained bitter toward WSM and the Opry for many years, and declined several invitations to come back and perform on the Opry. Finally, on February 23, 1974, he returned to the Opry for the Old-Timer's Night. He was introduced by Roy Acuff and Minnie Pearl and received a great ovation. He would return for several more Opry appearances, making his final appearance in April 1982, several months prior to his death.

June 2, 1927: Carl Butler was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Along with his wife Pearl, Carl had one of the biggest hits in the history of country music, "Don't Let Me Cross Over." Carl and Pearl were members of the Grand Ole Opry for several years in the early 1960's. He passed away in 1992.

June 23, 1929: Valarie June Carter was born in Maces Springs, Virginia. She, along with sisters Anita and Helen, and their mother Maybelle, came to the Opry in 1950. While June was not much of a singer, she was a fine comedian and often teamed with Rod Brasfield and Jimmy Dickens. June left the Opry in the 1960s, but would return on occasion with her famous husband, Johnny Cash. June made one last Opry appearance in July 1999.

June 12, 1936: Dr. Humphrey Bate, founder and leader of the Possum Hunters, died at the age of 61. Following Uncle Jimmy Thompson, Dr. Bate is considered the Opry's 2nd original member. In fact, many historians feel that he may actually have been the first rural performer to have been featured on WSM. Either way, Dr. Bate and the Possum Hunters were an important part of the Opry and his contributions are often overlooked.

June 13, 1936: Because of the size of the crowds, the Opry moved to the Dixie Tabernacle, located on Fatherland Street in East Nashville. While sounding impressive, the Tabernacle was actually a very primitive facility with wooden benches, sawdust floors and no dressing rooms. It was basically an old barn that had sides which were opened during the summer to keep the air flowing thru. However, it did seat 3,500 and contributed to the growth of the Opry.

June 5, 1937: Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys became members of the Grand Ole Opry. Pee Wee was one of the first professional entertainers to join the show and he helped to bring a more professional look to the Opry as his Golden West Cowboys were one of the sharpest looking groups around. Pee Wee and the Opry's founder, George D. Hay had many disagreements as the founder felt that Pee Wee's group was not country enough. As mentioned, Pee Wee brought a lot of professionalism to the show including being the first act to be introduced with entry and exit music. Pee Wee stayed at the Opry for a number of years before leaving and moving to Louisville, Kentucky to work in television. He had a successful show that aired live in several markets including Louisville, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Chicago. Later becoming famous for the "Tennessee Waltz." Pee Wee would continue to make guest appearances on the Opry. His autobiography, "Hell-Bent for Music" is excellent and I highly recommend the book.

June 25, 1940: Republic Pictures released the movie "Grand Ole Opry" which starred Roy Acuff, George D. Hay and Uncle Dave Macon. It was considered a basic movie for the times and while it was no means an academy award winner, it offers a great look at an early Roy Acuff. Copies can still be found online.

June 5, 1943: The Grand Ole Opry moved to the Ryman Auditorium, which would become known as "The Mother Church of Country Music." The Opry would stay at the Ryman until March 1974, and since 1999 has made annual winter visits back. Many consider the Opry's years at the Ryman as the golden years of the Opry and the show had tremendous growth while at the Ryman. While many were sad to see the Opry leave in 1974, deteriorating conditions in the building and in downtown Nashville made the move a necessity.

June 6, 1944: D-Day and the day that Grant Turner began working at WSM radio. Grant, who would become known as the "Dean" of Opry announcers, would remain at WSM and the Opry until his death in October 1991. Grant, who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, also hosted served as an announcer for the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, and did the Opry's warm-up show.

June 17, 1944: The Poe Sisters, Ruth and Nellie, became members of the Grand Ole Opry. Their idols were the Delmore Brothers, and George D. Hay would often refer to them as the "female Delmore Brothers." The Poe Sisters performed regionally in the Northeast before coming to Nashville and the Opry. However, their time at the Opry was very short. They originally left the Opry in 1945 when Ruth got married. They were gone for a few months, then came back, however in August 1946 they left again, this time for good.

June 17, 1944: On the same night as the Poe Sisters, Rod Brasfield made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

June 11, 1949: Hank Williams made his Grand Ole Opry debut. The performance was one for the ages as Hank was called back for a reported six encores, an Opry record that still stands to this day. The song that inspired the encores was "Lovesick Blues." Jimmy Dickens, who was there that night, would often say that it was the greatest Opry performance he had ever seen.

June 19, 1953: Future Grand Ole Opry member Jean Shepard made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Jean eventually joined the Opry in November 1955, and in 2015 became the only female in the history of the Grand Ole Opry to become a 60 year member of the cast.

June 12, 1954: Ferlin Husky became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Ferlin would stay as an Opry member until December 1964 when he was fired for failing to make the required number of Opry appearances. Like a few of the others who were terminated, Ferlin would not rejoin the cast but would return for guest appearances.

June 1, 1957: As part of the youth movement that was taking place at the Opry, the Everly Brothers became Opry members. The Everly Brothers did not stay long however, as they were destined for bigger and better things.

June 18, 1957: It was announced that Jimmy Dickens, who had joined the Opry in 1948, was leaving the Grand Ole Opry. According to Jimmy, "WSM would not let me work on a personal appearance tour on the Phillip Morris show and remain on the Opry. I enjoyed my eight year association with WSM and the Opry and I have nothing but good feelings toward everybody at the Opry." Jimmy would return as a member of the Opry in 1975.

June 13, 1959: Roy Drusky became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Roy came to Nashville and the Opry from Atlanta, Georgia and would remain an Opry member until his death in September 2004. In my opinion, Roy had one of the smoothest voices in country music and was a terrific ballad singer.

June 27, 1959: Grand Ole Opry member Loretta Lynn Morgan, better known as Lorrie, was born. And no, she was not named after Loretta Lynn. Does anyone else find it hard to believe that Lorrie is turning 61 this year?

June 14, 1961: Opry member Patsy Cline was seriously injured in an automobile accident in Nashville. It would take Patsy almost eight months to recover from the injuries, which left a scar on her forehead. Because of that scar, Patsy would wear a wig just about ever time she performed after that accident.

June 29, 1963: Jim Reeves made his final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jim joined the Opry in 1955, coming to Nashville from the Louisiana Hayride. At the time he left the Opry, Jim felt that he had outgrown the show and was already moving toward a more uptown, contemporary sound.

June 8, 1964: Alton Delmore died at the age of 55 in Huntsville, Alabama. The Delmore Brothers were early members of the Opry, performing on the show in the 1930's. Their influence would carry on for many years and in 2001 they were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

June 12, 1965: Tex Ritter became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. When Tex joined the cast, he was at the tail end of his great western movie career and many wondered why Tex would want to come to Nashville and be a part of the Opry. Tex surprised everyone, becoming one of the Opry's more popular members and becoming very involved in the Nashville community. For a period of time, he co-hosted the overnight radio program with Ralph Emery on WSM. Tex, who was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1964, was one of the early leaders and founding members of the Country Music Association and his wife was considered one of the Opry's ambassadors. Tex passed away from a heart attack in January 1974.

June 20, 1965: Ira Louvin, the older brother of Charlie Louvin and one half of the duo, the Louvin Brothers, was killed in an automobile accident. One of the greatest duos in country music history, the Louvin Brothers were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

June 11, 1966: Future Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely made her Opry debut. Jeannie would become an Opry member the following year, in September 1967, and is still an active member today, performing on the Opry most weekends, where she generally will be seen hosting segments.

June 25, 1966: Grand Ole Opry member Willie Nelson made his final appearance as a member of the Opry. Willie joined the Opry in November 1964, but things were not working out well for Willie in Nashville, so he left for his home state of Texas. While in Texas, Willie developed a new look and sound and became one of the biggest acts in the history of country music. While never coming back to the Opry as a member, Willie has made several guest appearances.

June 1, 1967: Stu Phillips became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Stu's 53rd year as an Opry member, and along with Hank Snow and Terri Clark, are the only two Opry members to join the cast from Canada. While June 1st is recognized as the date Stu joined, Stu did not make his first appearance as an Opry member until June 17. Stu's last Grand Ole Opry appearance was several years ago when he was recognized for 50 years of Opry membership.

June 28, 1974: Former Beatles member Paul McCarthy is introduced on the stage of the Opry by Roy Acuff. Paul did not perform but was visiting Nashville as part of a vacation with his family.

June 28, 1975: On that same night, Grand Ole Opry member George Morgan made his final Opry appearance. Included on the show that night was his daughter Lorrie, and they performed a duet together, "Smile for Me." Shortly afterwards, George passed away after suffering a heart attack.

June 17, 1978: Marty Robbins drove his new custom-made Panther Deville onto the stage of the Opry. In a moment of good humor, Roy Acuff found a security guard who wrote out a parking ticket to Marty.

June 20, 1980: Boxcar Willie made his Grand Ole Opry debut. Boxcar would later become a member of the Opry.

June 27, 1981: Buck, Sharon and Cheryl, better known as The Whites, made their debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Several years later, this popular group from Texas would become Opry members.

June 19, 1982: Riders In The Sky became members of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be their 38th year as Opry members. They remain the only members of the Opry keeping the sound of western music alive on the Opry stage.

June 26, 1982: Opry member B.J. Thomas, who had joined the cast just a year earlier, made his final Saturday night appearance as an Opry member. B.J., who would make his final Friday night appearance later in August, realized that being an Opry member just wasn't what he thought it would be. While he gave up his Opry membership, he would continue to make an occasional Opry appearance.

June 9, 1984: Following in the footsteps of her father, Lorrie Morgan became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Lorrie's 36th year as a member. Lorrie made her Opry debut at the age of 13, singing "Paper Roses."

June 18, 1984: Former Grand Ole Opry member Paul Howard passed away at the age of 75 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Paul joined the Opry in 1942 with his group, the Arkansas Cotton Pickers. The group included Grady Martin and Hank Garland and specialized in western music. Paul stayed with the Opry though the 1940's. He did return later for several of the Opry's reunion shows.

June 20, 1986: Whitey Ford, the Duke of Paducah, died at the age of 85. Whitey joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1942 and remained a member of the Opry until 1959, when he left to pursue other career opportunities. Like others who left the cast, Whitey would return for numerous appearances. Along with Minnie Pearl, Whitey was the featured comedian on the Prince Albert shows before he was replaced by Rod Brasfield. After Rod joined, Whitey was shifted to other segments. In 1986, the year he died, Whitey was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

June 4, 1988: Herman Crook, the last living link to the start of the WSM Barn Dance and the Grand Ole Opry, performed on the Opry for the final time. Herman was a part of the Opry for 62 years, first appearing in 1926. Herman was a harmonica player and was a part of the Crook Brothers, the last true string band to appear on the Opry. Over the years, the Possum Hunters, Gully Jumpers and the Fruit Jar Drinkers would disappear, with members from those groups merged into the others, until only the Crook Brothers were left. Herman passed away the following week on June 10, after which the Crook Brothers name would disappear from the Opry line-ups.

June 10, 1988: Ricky Van Shelton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Now retired, this will be Ricky's 32nd year as a member of the Opry's cast.

June 11, 1988: Patty Loveless became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. At one time, Patty was a part of the Wilburn Brother's television show and performed as part of Porter Wagoner's show. Many times she has talked about how much Porter helped and influenced her career. And on the night she joined, it was Porter who inducted her. I don't know about anyone else, but I find it hard to believe that Patty has been an Opry member for 32 years.

June 11, 1988: On the same night that Patty Loveless became an Opry member, future Opry member Holly Dunn made her Opry debut.

June 24, 1989: Garth Brooks made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Garth would become an Opry member the following year.

June 2, 1990: Mike Snider became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 30th year as an Opry member. Mike is a great comedian and also a great banjo player and leads a string band that plays the type of music that the Opry was founded on. In fact, these days Mike is much more serious about the music than the comedy.

June 7, 1991: Alan Jackson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Alan's 29th year as an Opry member. Alan, who is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, rarely visits the Opry.

June 14, 1991: Future Grand Ole Opry member Clint Black made his Opry debut.

June 15, 1991: Grand Ole Opry legend Minnie Pearl made her last appearance associated with an Opry sponsored show. That night she performed in Joliet, Illinois. Several days later, she suffered a massive stroke that ended her performing days.

June 6, 1992: Grand Ole Opry member Tom T. Hall made his final appearance on the Opry. Tom originally joined the cast in 1971, left in March 1974 when the show moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House, then rejoined the cast in 1980. That decade saw Tom T. make a steady stream of Opry appearances. After he stopped appearing, he told several people that he would not be coming back. Tom T. Hall, who continues to live in the Nashville area, has been retired from performing for several years now.

June 3, 1994: The Ryman Auditorium reopened for the first time since the building was renovated as Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion was broadcast live from the auditorium. After the Opry left in 1974, the building sat basically empty, with the public being allowed in for self guided tours. After a performance and live album by Emmylou Harris, Gaylord Entertainment saw the value and importance of renovating the building. It is now one of Nashville's great treasures and one of the best decisions that Gaylord ever made.

June 3, 1994: Former Grand Ole Opry member Wally Fowler passed away at the age of 77. Wally came to Nashville in 1948 with his Oak Ridge Quartet and was a part of the Opry until 1950. During the time they were at the Opry, the Oak Ridge Quartet was featured on the Prince Albert portion of the show and Wally would many times host the final Opry segment. Over time, the Oak Ridge Quartet would become the Oak Ridge Boys, and the focus of the group would go from gospel to country. By then, Wally had long left the group. Coming full circle, the Oak Ridge Boys have become Opry members.

June 4, 1994: Former Opry member Zeke Clements died at the age of 82. Zeke came to the Opry in the 1930's as a member of the Bronco Busters, which were led by Texas Ruby. When the Opry began the annual reunion shows in the 1970s, Zeke would return and appear on several of the shows.

June 17, 1994: Sarah Wilson of Sarie and Sallie, who were Opry members from 1934-1939, passed away at the age of 97. And yes, they were really sisters, Edna Wilson and Margaret Waters.

June 23, 1995: Current WSM personality and Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs became an Opry announcer.

June 14, 1997: Grand Ole Opry member Barbara Mandrell made her final appearance as a performer on the Opry. Barbara retired from performing and asked Opry management if she could keep her Opry management, which they agreed to. While not knowing it at the time, this started a trend where retired Opry members were allowed to continue to be Opry members.

June 29, 1999: Pete Fisher became the general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, the first person hired specifically for that position. Pete would remain with the Opry until January 2017 when he left to become the head of the Academy of Country Music. Pete left that position last year and recently has returned to Nashville and has opened his own consulting business.

June 10, 2000: The Grand Ole Opry introduced a new Opry backdrop. The new state of the art lighting replaced the old red barn that had been used in various forms since the Opry moved to the Opry House in 1974. It was reported at the time that the old backdrop was being donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame, however if it has, it has never been put on display.

June 17, 2000: The Opry begins streaming shows live on the internet, giving those around the world an opportunity to listen to the show live. For many, it was the first chance to hear the show without static interference.

June 9, 2001: Grand Ole Opry member Jeanne Pruett made her final scheduled appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. Jeanne made the decision to retire as an active performer. While she is retired, Jeanne has been known to show up at the Opry on occasion and also to come out on stage and wave to the audience.

June 14, 2003: While Trace Adkins was making a guest appearance on the Opry, Jimmy Dickens came out with a ladder, climbed it and asked Trace if he would like to become a member of the Opry's cast. Trace, of course, said yes, and was inducted several months later.

June 21, 2003: Longtime Grand Ole Opry member Roy Drusky made his final appearance on the show. Roy Drusky passed away just over a year later, on September 23, 2004 as a result of lung cancer.

June 12, 2004: Terri Clark became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 16th year as an Opry member, and was the third person from Canada to join the cast, following in the footsteps of Hank Snow and Stu Phillips.

June 10, 2005: Carrie Underwood made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. She was the recent winner of that year's American Idol. Carrie became an Opry member in May 2008.

June 9, 2007: Mel Tillis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, being introduced on the Opry's stage by his daughter Pam. While officially becoming a member in 2007, Mel had actually been a part of the Opry before, as a member of Porter Wagoner's Wagonmasters and there is a belief that Mel was actually asked to become an individual member during that same time period, accepted but then backed out. He even made it into one edition of the Opry's History Picture Book as a member. However, it wasn't until 2007 that it became official. Mel remained a popular and loyal member of the Opry until passing away in November 2017.

June 6, 2008: The Four Guys made a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, in what would prove to be their final Opry appearance. They had been fired from the Opry in 2000 as all of the original members of the group had moved on or retired. They were introduced that night by Bill Anderson and received a nice response from the audience.

June 28, 2008: This was the final night that the Grand Ole Opry began its Saturday night first show at 6:30. The following week, the show was scheduled for 7:00, where it has been since. The show length was also cut 30 minutes, down to a two hours show.

June 23, 2009: Montgomery Gentry became members of the Grand Ole Opry. Since the death of Troy Gentry, Eddie Montgomery has continued as a solo member of the Opry, and this will be his 12th year as an Opry member. At the time, the duo were brought to the show upon the recommendation of fellow Opry member Charlie Daniels, who had joined the cast the previous year.

June 15, 2013: Patty Loveless was honored upon her 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Vince Gill was the host for the segment, which finished with "Go Rest High On That Mountain." A great moment and night at the Opry.

June 6, 2014: Long time Grand Ole Opry member Jimmy C Newman made his final Opry appearance. Jimmy joined the Opry in 1948. He passed away several weeks later.

June 11, 2015: Grand Ole Opry member, and newly elected Country Music Hall of Fame member, Jim Ed Brown passed away. Jim Ed had been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years and had one of the great voices in country music.

June 19, 2015: Garth Brooks made a surprise appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, his first Opry appearance since he inducted Carrie Underwood as an Opry member in 2008, and his first singing appearance on the Opry since 2005. He was joined by his wife Trisha Yearwood.

June 23, 2016: Grand Ole Opry member Ralph Stanley passed away after a period of declining health. Ralph joined the Opry cast in 2000. Along with his brother Carter, Ralph made his mark in bluegrass, performing as The Stanley Brothers. Many believe that The Stanley Brothers deserve consideration for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

June 4, 2017: Grand Ole Opry member Stu Phillips was honored for 50 years of Opry membership. Stu joined the Opry on June 1, 1967. As part of this appearance, Stu gave a very emotional tribute to those who had helped him during his career. That evening was Stu's final appearance at the Opry as it appears that he is now enjoying retirement.

June 10, 2018: The Grand Ole Opry went on the road with a special Sunday Night Opry at the Bonnaroo Music Festival. Among the acts performing were Opry members Del McCoury, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bobby Bare, Riders In The Sky, and the Opry Square Dancers.

June 11, 2019: Luke Combs was invited to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. John Conlee, Chris Janson and Craig Morgan did the honors. Luke's official induction would take place in July.


As I said, June has been a busy month in the history of the Grand Ole Opry.