Well, what did every one think of the show this past Saturday night? Certainly a change of pace from the week before and I thought it was another good one. Darius Rucker and Luke Bryan got along like old friends and the music was good. Neat to hear "Wagon Wheel" two weeks in a row from two different acts. Personally, I have always preferred Old Crow's version of the song.
So with that out of the way, here we go with another Saturday night Circle show from the Grand Ole Opry. I know it has been mentioned before, but we should all be grateful to the Grand Ole Opry and Circle TV for continuing these Saturday night shows. They are very much appreciated.
The show this week will feature three more artists who will be making their Opry debut on the Circle shows. Grand Ole Opry member Pam Tillis will head the line-up, where she will be joined by Runaway June and Jon Pardi. This will be the first appearance for Runaway June on the Opry since Natalie Stovall joined the group.
Now, looking back 50 years, Saturday August 22, 1970:
1st show
6:30: Charlie Walker (host); Peggy Sue; David Rodgers
6:45: Billy Grammer (host); Jack Barlow; Karen Wheeler
7:00: Bill Anderson (host); Stu Phillips; Jan Howard; Louie Roberts; Jimmy Gately
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Norro Wilson; Crook Brothers; Howdy Forrester
8:00: Bobby Lord (host); Grandpa Jones; Hugh X Lewis; Sammi Smith; Jerry Smith
8:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Stonewall Jackson; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Charlie Walker (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Peggy Sue; David Rodgers
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); Jack Barlow; Karen Wheeler
10:15: Billy Grammer (host); Norro Wilson
10:30: Stu Phillips (host); Grandpa Jones; The Shilos
10:45: Stonewall Jackson (host); Louie Roberts; Crook Brothers
11:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Bobby Lord (host); Hugh X Lewis; Jay Lee Webb; Sammi Smith
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A couple of weeks back, I shared the line-up from July 31, 1976, which was the first Saturday night in which Don Williams performed as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This week, I go back to August 22, 1981, which was the final Grand Ole Opry appearance by Don Williams as a member. While he gave up his Opry membership, this future Country Music Hall of Fame member, would come back on rare occasions and appear on the Opry.
Here is the running order from 39 years ago, Saturday August 22, 1981:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Full Moon; Empty Pockets
Ernie Ashworth: Irene
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): T For Texas
Jan Howard: Six Weeks Every Summer; Christmas Every Other Year
Charlie Walker: Little Old Wine Drinker Me/Waltz Across Texas
7:00: Shoney's
Charlie Louvin (host): What Are Those Things
Billy Grammer: When Your Hair has Turned to Silver
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
John Conlee: Could You Love Me One More Time/Miss Emily's Picture
Joe Edwards: Black Mountain Rag
Charlie Louvin: Ten Years' 3 Kids; 2 Loves Too Late
7:30: Standard Candy
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Skeeter Davis: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/I'll Fly Away
Roy Drusky: If the Whole World Stopped Loving
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Lost Indian
Archie and Phil Campbell: Hey, Waiter
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Vic Willis Trio: Colorado
David Houston: Bandera Waltz
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird/Shake My Mother's Hand for Me
8:30: Acme
The Four Guys (host): Loving Up a Storm
Jeannie Seely: When Your House is Not a Home
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hollow Poplar
Don Williams: Living on Tulsa Time/I Believe in You/Amanda
The Four Guys: Swing Down Chariot
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
The Four Guys (host): Mama Rocked Us to Sleep with Country Music
Ray Pillow: She Never Likes Nothing for Long
Jan Howard: Good Hearted Woman
Don Williams: Living on Tulsa Time/I Believe in You/Amanda
The Four Guys: Turn Your Radio On
10:00: Little Debbie
Charlie Louvin (host): The Way I Am
John Conlee: Could You Love Me One More Time/Miss Emily's Picture
Charlie Louvin: Is This How It Is When Its Over
10:15: Sunbeam
David Houston (host): Texas Ida Red
Ernie Ashworth: Irene
David Houston: Bandera Waltz
10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): I Couldn't Believe it Was True
Charlie Walker: The One Rose That's Left in My Heart
Howdy Forrester: Cotton Eyed Joe
Roy Acuff: Jesus Will Outshine Them All
10:45: Beechnut
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Skeeter Davis: The Old Rugged Cross/The King is Coming/I'll Fly Away
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Old Joe Clark
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
11:00: Coca Cola
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
The Pilgrims: When They Call My Name
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Jeannie Seely: I'm Almost Ready
Archie and Phil Campbell: The Interview
11:30: Bama
Roy Drusky (host): Billy Bayou
Billy Grammer: Somebody Loves You
Vic Willis Trio: Shenandoah
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Roy Drusky: There'll Never Be Anyone Else but You for Me/Just a Closer Walk With Thee
Sadly, Don Williams, who was a member of the Opry for just a little over five years, never was really missed at the Opry as he appeared such few times. There seemed to be no hard feelings between Don and the Opry. At the end of the day, Don just felt that Opry membership wasn't what he thought it would be and wasn't for him.
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August 22 is another anniversary date for an Opry member, as it was on that date in 1987 in which Roy Clark joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry.
Roy had been invited a few times to become an Opry member, but turned down the invitation each time as he really wasn't based in Nashville and felt that he could not commit to the show. In fact, the only time he really spent in Nashville was for the twice a year taping of Hee Haw. However, the Opry wanted Roy as a member and felt he would be a great fit for the show. As it turned out, they were fine with Roy as a member with limited appearances and yes, he was a good fit for the Opry.
Here is the running order from that night 33 years ago, Saturday August 22, 1987:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
The Four Guys (host): Mama Rocked Us to Sleep with Country Music
Lorrie Morgan: Lone Star State of Mind
The Four Guys: God Bless the U.S.A.
6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Louvin (host): Let Her Go; Let Her Go; God Bless Her
Del Wood: 12th Street Rag
Charlie Louvin and Jennifer O'Brien: Everytime You Leave
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Ray Pillow: I'll Break out Again Tonight
Jeannie Seely: It's My Fault
Ernie Ashworth: Memphis Memory/Talk Back Trembling Lips
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda
Wade B. Landry: Orange Blossom Special
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jan Howard: Wayfaring Stranger/Heartaches by the Number
Roy Clark: Thank God & Greyhound You're Gone/I Remember When Country was Country/Under the Double Eagle
8:00: Martha White
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me & My Big Loud Mouth
Tom T Hall: Ravishing Ruby
Tom T Hall and Lamb Chop: Old McDonald Had a Farm
Tom T Hall: I Love
Wilma Lee Cooper: Coming Down from God
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Gray Eagle
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn
8:30: Music Valley
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jean Shepard: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Roy Drusky: Dear Heart
Stonewall Jackson: Smoke Along the Tracks
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Hank Snow: The Prisoner's Song
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
Jeannie Seely: It's My Fault
The Four Guys: Fox on the Run
Tom T Hall: Faster Horses/Old Dogs, Children & Watermelon Wine
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
10:00: Little Debbie
Charlie Louvin (host): Kiss Me Again if You're Going Away
Skeeter Davis: My Last Date with You/Silver Threads and Golden Needles/The End of the World
Charlie Louvin: (?)
10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Roy Clark: Come Live with Me/Instrumental/If I Had to Do it All Over Again
10:30: Pet Milk
Ray Pillow (host): You're One Memory That I'd Like to Make Again
Lorrie Morgan: Silver Wings & Golden Rings
Ray Pillow: The Kind of Love I Can't Forget
10:45: Heil-Quaker
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Jan Howard: Take Me as I Am (Or Let Me Go)
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her that Way
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Forever +1; Forever +2
Jean Shepard: The Old Rugged Cross
Ernie Ashworth: The D.J. Cried
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Dreamed About Mama Last Night
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Hank Snow: The Rainbow's End
11:30: B.C. Powder
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Roy Drusky: As Long As I Live/It's No Secret
Johnny Russell: No One Will Every Know
Stonewall Jackson: Ol' Chunk of Coal
There you have it for this week. I will be taking most of this week off for a short vacation trip to the mountains but I will certainly be watching and reading any comments. And, as always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday night.
I remember that night well, and Mr. Acuff's obvious pleasure at yet another Roy in the cast. I wish Roy Clark had appeared there more often, but it was always a treat when he did. Talk about having more talent than you know what to do with!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet all that talent came from an awful lot of long, hard work that I was never able to muster myself to even play a rudimentary tune on a simple guitar ---- Roy and so many others of our favorites are to be be admired -- and we have no idea ---
DeleteDashmann, Flushing < Michigan
Since Byron has been posting those 1970 Opry lineups I became curious about the Earl Scruggs Revue. I downloaded three or four of their albums to my collection. In a nut shell they were basically rock, with Earl on banjo. Does anyone know how the Opry traditionalists took this? Was this the reasoning for their short Opry stint as members? I know Earl was beloved but after the break up with Lester Flatt he seems it was just a few years and the Revue was gone.
ReplyDeleteThe final Grand Ole Opry show for Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs was on Saturday February 22, 1969. The did the first show that night and were scheduled for the second show, but cancelled. Both Lester and Earl continued as individual Opry members, with Lester forming his group The Nashville Grass and Earl forming the Earl Scruggs Revue, which as David mentioned, was basically a family group featuring his sons.
DeleteFlatt and Scruggs traditionally hosted the 8:00 Martha White segment, as Martha White was their longtime sponsor. Lester continued as the host of that segment, along with hosting either the 10:15 or 10:30 segment. Earl did not host any segments.
The breakup came about because Lester wanted to stick to traditional bluegrass while Earl wanted to push the boundaries and expand the sound. As Earl was quoted, "I just didn't want to play Cripple Creek every night." The breakup was not that friendly.
While Lester continued his Opry appearances until his death. the Earl Scruggs Revue made their Opry debut on September 13, 1969. Their final appearance as Opry members was on March 30, 1974, just after the opening of the new Grand Ole Opry House. In fact, Earl was one of the few Opry members who did not appear on the opening night of the new Opry House.
Later in his life, Earl would make a few guest appearances on the Opry, usually with Ricky Skaggs or Marty Stuart involved. It has been reported that Earl, along with Kitty Wells, did ask to be reinstated as Opry members later in their lives, primarily for the insurance, however they were told no.
As to how the Opry traditionalists took to Earl, I don't have an answer although they generally played on at least one of the segments hosted by Roy Acuff when they were on the Opry and Roy always had kind words to say about Earl.
And yes it was a good show Saturday night with A LOT of publicity. That really caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteAs to Roy Clark, Durham almost had to allow him to have Limited appearances. I believe Archie Campbell had been basically doing to same thing for several years.
Out of curiosity, what time of the year did Hee Haw do the taping of their shows for a particular season. I know that they taped an entire season's worth of shows during a twice-a-year taping period. Does anyone know when the tapings took place and how many days did they film? The editors of the show definitely earned their money!
ReplyDeleteThey taped in June and October, taping 13 shows each time. I believe the tapings lasted 2 weeks each.
DeleteI've heard that video editing was not all that great back then, and the TV industry was forced to admit that HeeHaw was ahead of its time in that regard.
DeleteI just watched a feature on the CBS Morning News about the Ryman Auditorium and was disappointed and saddened to see that the 1897 Confederate Gallery sign has been removed and a more politically acceptable generic sign has taken its place.
ReplyDeleteI understand and agree that politics is not really welcome in this forum but this is not so much about politics as it is about desecration of The Mother Church. Is there no end to this PC madness? I used to attend the Opry at the Ryman shows frequently but I will never step foot in the building again until the sign is returned to its rightful place. The Ryman is a part of our musical heritage and I won't deny it or be ashamed of it! Rant over.
When Hee Haw started in on CBS in 1969, they originally wanted to film the show at the Ryman Auditorium. However, the Johnny Cash show was being taped there and they were unable to secure the building. They decided to tape the show at WLAC-TV 5 in Nashville as they had a decent size studio to use and it was downtown by the Capital. Eventually, the taping took place at the Grand Ole Opry complex.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the taping generally took place in June and October. Sam Lovullo, who was the producer of Hee Haw wrote a wonderful book about the show, "Life in the Kornfield." Some great stories in the book.
It's also worth remembering that Hee Haw had a lot in common with Laugh-In in terms of the speed and approach. Funny that Laugh-In lasted about six years and Hee Haw four times as long!
DeleteThe Opry is advertising that on September 5, it's Mr. Paisley and Ms. Underwood. I'm glad she's getting in there. She's been great about her loyalty to the Opry. He's been much better during these times.
Wasn't Hee Haw also filmed in California at some point?
ReplyDeletePam Tillis heads the lineup, but to hear Circle Network tell it, Jon Pardi is the star.
ReplyDeleteWe will know soon enough how it plays out.
I was happy to see a clip of Opry Backstage with Natalie Stovall from when she was 12 on the livestream tonight. Nice little throwback with Bill Anderson.
ReplyDeleteA.B.
Porter was in the background
DeleteThat was good one. Bob
ReplyDelete