Grand Ole Opry August 29

In case anyone missed this news out of Nashville last week, courtesy of the Ernest Tubb Record Shop:

"8/18/2020... A date that will be in the country music history books. The question often comes up, like the old song, “Who’s gonna fill their shoes?”... Well today, after 52 years, at the helm of The Ernest Tubb Record Shop, The Midnight Jamboree, and The Texas Troubadour Theater, David McCormick has officially decided he’s ready to sit back and enjoy what he’s worked so hard for all of these years. David is proud and honored to pass the torch to his friend and brother for over 25 years, JesseLee Jones -Brazilbilly , and his wife, Emily Ann Cavalcanti . Most of you know JesseLee as “Brazilbilly”, and the proprietor of Robert's Western World , one of the last true Honky Tonks in town. JesseLee and Emily believe in tradition. They stand for and defend the music that made our beloved “Music City”, and will fight to protect and preserve everything the Ernest Tubb Record Shop and The Midnight Jamboree stand for. David simply asks you all to welcome them with open and loving arms as they forge ahead to keep this 73+ years of Ernest Tubb alive and well! David also wants to send a special note of thanks and love to all of his friends and music family that have made the years so very special for him. As soon as we can, we will be putting together a special celebration and will keep everyone posted on details when we have them. David wanted us to be sure we signed this post off with “Thanks A Lot”, and he loves you all."

I believe this is a good move for the Ernest Tubb Record Shop and the Midnight Jamboree. We all know that recent years have not been kind to either of these Nashville institutions. Hopefully, the Midnight Jamboree will be up and running again as soon as it is safe to do so and the Ernest Tubb Record Shop will continue to be the place to go for country music of all kinds.
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Last week was another nice show for the Grand Ole Opry as the circle remains unbroken. It was nice to see Opry member Pam Tillis making an appearance in recognition of her 20th anniversary as an Opry member. Joining Pam was Jon Pardi, who I thought did a nice job, along with Runaway June.

This week, Opry member Steve Wariner will be heading up the broadcast, making his second appearance since the Opry began this series of Saturday night shows. Joining Steve will be Ingrid Andress and Jordan Davis. So a little something for everyone this week.
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Now, from 50 years ago, Saturday August 28, 1970

1st show
6:30: Jim and Jesse (host); Jay Lee Webb; Carol Johnson
6:45: Stu Phillips (host); Johnny Seay; Lorene Mann
7:00: Roy Drusky (host); Gary and Randy Scruggs; Del Wood; Louie Roberts
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Stan Hitchcock; Karen Wheeler; Crook Brothers
8:00: Del Reeves (host); Tom T Hall; Norro Wilson; Cousin Jody
8:30: Hank Locklin (host); The Four Guys; Carl and Pearl Butler; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Stu Phillips (host); Johnny Seay; Karen Wheeler; Jay Lee Webb
10:00: The Four Guys (host); Lorene Mann; Louie Roberts
10:15: Jim and Jesse (host); Del Wood; Carol Johnson
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Gary and Randy Scruggs; Carl and Pearl Butler
10:45: Roy Acuff (host); Cousin Jody: Crook Brothers
11:00: Del Reeves (host); Stan Hitchcock; Sam McGee
11:30: Hank Locklin (host); Tom T Hall

A very thin night of Opry members. In fact, on the late show, Roy Acuff hosted two segments due to a lack of members (remember that Tom T was not an Opry member at the time). On a happy note, it was nice to see an appearance by former members Carl and Pearl Butler.
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August 28, 1976 was a special night for Jimmy C Newman as he was recognized upon his 20th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Here is the running order from that night 44 years ago:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Melba Montgomery: No Charge
Billy Grammer: Amazing Grace

6:45: Rudy's
Wilburn Brothers (host): Country Honey
Cledus Maggard: The White Knight
Mike Lunsford: Honey Hungry
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl

7:00: Shoney's
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Don Gibson: Doin' My Time
Lonzo and Oscar: Green, Green Grass of Home
Stoney Cooper: (?)
Bill Carlisle: Shanghai Rooster
Don Gibson: A Legend in My Time

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Seven Lonely Days
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Jean Shepard: Ain't Love Good
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Roy Drusky (host): Strangers
The Four Guys: In the Morning Sun
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady/The Bitter They Are
Marion Worth: Okie from Muskogee
The Four Guys: Turn Around; Look at Me
Roy Drusky: One Day at a Time

8:30: Stephens
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Stu Phillips: There Must be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Micki Fuhrman: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Kenny Roberts: I Miss My Swiss; My Swiss Miss Misses Me
Fruit Jr Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
George Hamilton IV (host): Early Morning Rain
Billy Grammer: (?)
Cledus Haggard: The Torn Flag
Mike Lunsford: Honey Hungry
Billy Grammer: Somewhere My Love
George Hamilton IV: Canadian Pacific

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Jean Shepard: Ain't Love Good
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Roy Acuff: Cabin in Gloryland

10:15: Union 76
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Curly Headed Baby
Wilburn Brothers: Country Kind of Feelings
Melba Montgomery: Lonely Street
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: When My Time Comes to Go

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Don Gibson: Oh, Lonesome Me/I Can't Stop Loving You
Roy Drusky: Deep in the Heart of Dixie

10:45: Beechnut
The Four Guys (host): In the Morning Rain
Marion Worth: You Win Again
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Rachel
The Four Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of a Dove

11:00: Coca Cola
Jimmy C Newman (host): When the Saints Go Marching In
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady/The Heart
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Jimmy C Newman: Cry, Cry Darling
Kirk McGee: Wheels
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

11:30: Elm Hill
Stu Phillips (host): Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Micki Fuhrman: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry/One Day at a Time
Kenny Roberts: She Taught Me to Yodel/Stolen Hours
Stu Phillips: It Is No Secret

I saw the name Cledus Maggard on this line-up and smiled thinking about his song "The White Knight." Who else remembers that one?

Micki Fuhrman was a name that I had not seen previously on the Opry and I name that I did not recognize. The following is from her website:

"Louisiana-bred Micki Fuhrman comes by her chops honestly. She grew up in a home
with a perpetual soundtrack of classic country including Ray Charles, Jim Reeves and
Tammy Wynette. By the age of seven she was singing in her grandmother's rural
church...at thirteen she joined a contemporary Christian band and by fifteen was
headlining Shreveport's venerable "Louisiana Hayride." She recorded for MCA and
Word Records, becoming one of the earliest artists to span both secular and Christian
markets. Micki garnered guest spots on "The Grand Ole Opry" and toured with several
major artists."

It would appear that she is still active today.
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I know I post this pretty much every year, but August 28, 1982 was the final night that Marty Robbins performed on the Opry. As usual, he closed out the show. Since Marty only appeared n the 2nd show that night, here is the running order from that show 38 years ago:

9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
The Four Guys: Marie, The Dawn is Breaking
Jean Shepard: I Thought of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas
Skeeter Davis: Satisfied
Mac Magaha: Rocky Top
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed as Much of This as I Can Stand

10:00: Little Debbie
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Lonzo and Oscar: I'm M Own Grandpa
Cajun Country: Cajun Stripper

10:15: Sunbeam
Grandpa Jones (host): Little Pink
Vic Willis Trio: Last Cheater's Waltz
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
Grandpa Jones: Fallen Leaves

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Back in the Country
Wilma Lee Cooper: When My Time Comes to Go
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Roy Acuff: Lord, Don't Give Up on Me

10:45: Beechnut
Roy Drusky (host): Fraulein
Connie Smith: 'Til I Kissed Ya
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Lafayette
Roy Drusky: Slowly

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Jan Howard: When I Dream
Jim and Jesse: The Magic Little Garden
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sugar Tree Stomp
Justin Tubb: Pull the Covers Over Me
Kirk McGee: St. James Infirmary
Hank Snow: My Happiness

11:30: Bama
Marty Robbins (host): Ribbon of Darkness
Jeannie Seely: You Don't Know Me, But You Will/I'm All Through Crying Over You
Charlie Louvin: I Don't Love You Anymore/Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep/See the Big Man Cry
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/This is the Moment/Some Memories Just Won't Die/Return to Me/Beyond the Reef/That's All Right/To Get to You/Tonight Carmen/Don't Let Me Touch You/Cool Water/18 Yellow Roses/Love Me/El Paso

Marty's final Opry segment lasted just over one hour.

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