Welcome to the first weekend in November and what should be a good weekend at the Grand Ole Opry House as the Friday Night Opry returns. Also, on Saturday night, the Grand Ole Opry expands back to a two hour show, with the final hour televised on Circle TV and their various social media outlets. The shows both nights will start at 7:00, which means that the televised portion will be pushed back one hour.
Sadly, at least looking at the schedule for this week, the Circle TV portion is going to be scripted much like GAC was, with a limited number of artists, bigger names, and slanted toward non-members. This week the televised hour will feature Opry member Craig Morgan and guest artists Justin Moore and Brantley Gilbert.
As to who else is listed on the schedule for this weekend, the Friday Night Opry, Grand Ole Opry members Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers and Dailey & Vincent are listed. Guest artists Jimmie Allen, Henry Cho and Jordan Davis are also scheduled.
Saturday night, in addition to Craig Morgan, Opry members Jeannie Seely and John Conlee are scheduled to appear. Along with Justin Moore and Brantley Gilbert, Henry Cho is back for a 2nd night, along with Suzy Bogguss.
At this point, the Opry has not posted the actual schedule and I will update as it becomes available.
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And now from 50 years ago, Saturday November 7, 1970:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Sammi Smith: He's Everywhere
The 4 Guys: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home
Billy Grammer: There's Power In the Blood
6:45: Rudy's
Roy Drusky (host): All My Hard Times
Ray Pillow: I'm Going Out & Burn Some Bridges
The 4 Guys: My Special Angel
Roy Drusky: Alone With You
7:00: Luzianne
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Earl Scruggs Revue: Flint Hill Special
Willis Brothers: San Antonio Rose
John Potter: Bright Lights & Country Music
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Earl Scruggs Revue: Paul & Silas
Willis Brothers: Bob
Jim Ed Brown: Mexican Joe
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
George Morgan: I Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way
Ernie Ashworth: Lips, Start Talking
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Roy Acuff: The Last Letter
George Morgan: For the Good Times
8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): John Henry
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Stu Phillips: Juanita Jones
Lester Flatt: Nine Pound Hammer
Hank Locklin: Before the Next Teardrop Falls
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Stu Phillips: Green, Green Grass of Home
8:30: Stephens
Tex Ritter (host): Take Him Fishin'
Glaser Brothers: Tennessee Girl & The Tennessee Square
Bill Carlisle: Worried Man Blues
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Old Joe Clark
Tex Ritter: The Streets of Laredo
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Glaser Brothers: All That Keeps You Going
Tex Ritter: Have I Stayed Away Too Long
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Willis Brothers: Pretty Diamonds
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Ray Pillow: Free Born Man
Billy Grammer: Jesus Is a Soul Man
Jim Ed Brown: Baby, I Tried
Ray Pillow: I'm Going Out & Burn Some Bridges
10:00: Fender
Roy Drusky (host): Long, Long Texas Road
Earl Scruggs Revue: Blue Ridge Mountains
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
Earl Scruggs Revue: Instrumental
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
The 4 Guys: Get Together/Let the Sun Shine In
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): I've Been Walking
Stringbean: Lonesome Road Blues
Sammi Smith: He's Everywhere
Lester Flatt: The Sunny Side of the Mountain
10:45: Beechnut
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
George Morgan: I Wouldn't Have You Any Other Way
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Tex Ritter: High Noon
11:00: Coca Cola
Glaser Brothers (host): The Last Thing on My Mind
Stu Phillips: For the Good Times
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Stu Phillips: You Win Again/Release Me
Sam McGee: Victory Rag
Stu Phillips: Me & Bobby McGee
11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Singing the Blues
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane/Rainbow at Midnight
Don Winters: Chime Bells
Marty Robbins: Bouquet of Roses/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You/Lovesick Blues/Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/What Is Life Without Love/El Paso
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Looking back at a couple of different dates, it was on Saturday November 6, 1993 that Grand Ole Opry member David Houston made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
Born and raised in Bossier City, Louisiana, David Houston, whose lineage included Sam Houston and General Robert E. Lee, became a regular on The Louisiana Hayride as a teenager.
David was one of the earliest artists with National Recording Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1963, he rose to national stardom with "Mountain of Love"; the song, which was different from the tune made famous by composer Harold Dorman, Johnny Rivers, and Charley Pride, rose to number two on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. Another song, "Livin' in a House Full of Love" (1965), did just as well.
In 1966, Houston recorded his breakthrough secular smash, "Almost Persuaded." This song, which is unrelated to the Philip Paul Bliss hymn of the same title, is the tale of a married man managing to resist a temptress he meets in a tavern. Houston's recording of it quickly rocketed to number one that August, eventually spending nine weeks atop Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart. For 46 years, no song equaled or bettered Houston's feat until Taylor Swift matched the nine-week record of "Almost Persuaded" on December 15, 2012, with "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
David was awarded 2 Grammy Awards for Best Country & Western Recording and Best Country & Western Performance, Male in 1967 for "Almost Persuaded".
"Almost Persuaded" began a string of top five Houston singles through 1973, including six more number ones: "With One Exception" and "You Mean the World to Me" (1967); "Have a Little Faith" and "Already It's Heaven" (1968); "Baby, Baby (I Know You're a Lady)" (1970); and 1967's "My Elusive Dreams" duet with Tammy Wynette. In later years, Houston dueted with Barbara Mandrell on several of her early hits, most notably 1970's "After Closing Time" and 1972's "I Love You, I Love You". His last Top 10 country hit came in 1974 with "Can't You Feel It", though he continued making records until 1989.
As mentioned, David made his last appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on November 6, 1993; later in the month he suffered a ruptured brain aneurism and remained in a coma for five days until his death on November 30, at the age of 57.
Here is the running order from Saturday November 6, 1993:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Del Reeves (host); Bells of Southern Bell
The Whites: Pins & Needles
Del Reeves: A Dozen Pair of Boots
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): What'll I Do with the Baby-O
The 4 Guys: How Married Are You Mary Ann
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Grandpa Jones: Little Old Log Cabin By the Stream
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Diggy Liggy Lo
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Jean Shepard: Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me/Second Fiddle
David Houston: My Elusive Dreams
Jimmy C Newman; Cajun's Dream/Alligator Man
7:30: Standard Candy
Billy Monroe (host): Why Did You Wander
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me I'm Falling
Brother Phelps: Let Go, Baby/Playing House
Bill Monroe: Walk Softly on My Hear/Bluegrass Breakdown
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host); Southern Fried
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Jack Greene: Statue of a Fool
Connie Smith: Once a Day
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Golden Slippers
Bill Anderson: Still
8:30: Kraft
Jim Ed Brown (host); Looking Back to See
Charlie Louvin: Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep
Jan Howard: Oh, Lonesome Me
Mike Snider: Soldier's Joy/Angeline the Baker/Old Molly Hare
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
2nd show
Dollar General
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Stonewall Jackson: Old Chunk of Coal
Wilma Lee Cooper: Wreck on the Highway
Billy Walker: A Million and One
The Whites: Doing It By the Book
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Grandpa Jones: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans
10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Monroe (host): Love, Come Home
Roy Drusky: Homesick
Bill Monroe: Just a Little Talk with Jesus/Old Dangerfield
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Bill Anderson (host): Family Reunion
Mike Snider: Snuff Dipper
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards
10:30: Piccadilly
Jim Ed Brown (host): Morning Comes Too Early
Jean Shepard: Bouquet of Roses
Jim Ed Brown: A Child is Born
10:45: Opry Book
The 4 Guys (host): In the Middle of the Night
Jimmy C Newman: Thibodeaux & His Cajun Band
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Liberty
The 4 Guys: May You Find Yourself in Heaven
11:00: Coca Cola
Charlie Walker (host): A Way to Free Myself
Connie Smith: The Deepening Snow
David Houston: Living In a House Full of Love
Nashville Bluegrass Band: On Again; Off Again/I've Got a Newborn Soul
Charlie Walker: Smoke; Smoke; Smoke
11:30: General Jackson
Jack Greene (host): You Love Takes Good Care of Me
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock/Evil on Your Mind
Charlie Louvin: I Don't Love You Anymore
Johnny Russell: Got No Reason Now for Going Home
Martha Carson and Jack Greene: Satisfied
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The final line-up is from Saturday November 7, 1998, which was the night that Jimmy Dickens was recognized upon his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. While it was celebrated as his 50th anniversary as a member of the Opry, Jimmy actually left for 17 years, so he was actually shy of that mark. Regardless, it was a great night of celebration for Jimmy.
Here is the running order from that night:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
Skeeter Davis: Silver Threads & Golden Needles
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
6:45: Kodak
Jack Greene (host): Highway to the Sky
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
Porter Wagoner and Brother Oswald: Mansion on the Hill
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Billy Grammer: Legend in My Time
Leroy Van Dyke: Walk on By
Christie Lynn: Chains/The Last Thing on My Mind
7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
Jimmy Dean: Drinking From My Saucer
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): No Fair Falling in Love
Charlie Louvin: In the Cross
Del Reeves: The Bells of Southern Bell
Sweet Adelines: Who Will Buy
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Singers: Cherokee Shuffle
Bill Anderson: Po Folks
8:30: Physician's Mutual
Johnny Russell (host): Truck Driving Man
Charlie Walker: There's A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
The 4 Guys: In My Tennessee Mountain Home
Lari White: You Can't Go Home Again
Stu Phillips: Only God
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
2nd show
9:30: Opry Book
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Jan Howard: Oh, Lonesome Me
Billy Grammer: Unknown Soldier
Leroy Van Dyke: Auctioneer
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home
Porter Wagoner and Christie Lynn: Milwaukee, Here I Come
10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Skeeter Davis: I Can Call Jesus Anytime
Jimmy C Newman: Cochon De Lait/Texa-Cajun
10:15: Banquet
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Bobby Bare: Marie Laveau
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn
10:30: Epiphone Guitar
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
Sweet Adelines: Who Will Buy
Bill Anderson: The Paper
10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Charlie Walker (host): San Antonio Rose
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Charlie Walker: There's A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
11:00: Coca Cola
The 4 Guys (host): Walking With My Baby by the San Francisco Bay
Lari White: Take Me/You Can't Go Home Again
Jack Greene: Over There
Stu Phillips: The Great El Tigre
The 4 Guys: Amazing Grace
11:30: Opry Book
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Del Reeves: You Comb Her Hair/Hound Dog
The Whites: Doing It By the Book
It was a big night for Jimmy as he was featured on the televised portion that night. Bobby Bare appeared on both shows, at Jimmy's invitation, while his good friend Jimmy Dean appeared on the first show. Backstage that night were Waylon Jennings, Carl Smith and Garth Brooks.
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend. It will be good to have two nights of shows back.
The final line-up is from Saturday November 7, 1998, which was the night that Jimmy Dickens was recognized upon his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. While it was celebrated as his 50th anniversary as a member of the Opry, Jimmy actually left for 17 years, so he was actually shy of that mark. Regardless, it was a great night of celebration for Jimmy.
Here is the running order from that night:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
Skeeter Davis: Silver Threads & Golden Needles
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
6:45: Kodak
Jack Greene (host): Highway to the Sky
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
Porter Wagoner and Brother Oswald: Mansion on the Hill
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Billy Grammer: Legend in My Time
Leroy Van Dyke: Walk on By
Christie Lynn: Chains/The Last Thing on My Mind
7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
Jimmy Dean: Drinking From My Saucer
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): No Fair Falling in Love
Charlie Louvin: In the Cross
Del Reeves: The Bells of Southern Bell
Sweet Adelines: Who Will Buy
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Singers: Cherokee Shuffle
Bill Anderson: Po Folks
8:30: Physician's Mutual
Johnny Russell (host): Truck Driving Man
Charlie Walker: There's A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
The 4 Guys: In My Tennessee Mountain Home
Lari White: You Can't Go Home Again
Stu Phillips: Only God
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
2nd show
9:30: Opry Book
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Jan Howard: Oh, Lonesome Me
Billy Grammer: Unknown Soldier
Leroy Van Dyke: Auctioneer
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home
Porter Wagoner and Christie Lynn: Milwaukee, Here I Come
10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Skeeter Davis: I Can Call Jesus Anytime
Jimmy C Newman: Cochon De Lait/Texa-Cajun
10:15: Banquet
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Bobby Bare: Marie Laveau
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn
10:30: Epiphone Guitar
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
Sweet Adelines: Who Will Buy
Bill Anderson: The Paper
10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Charlie Walker (host): San Antonio Rose
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Charlie Walker: There's A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
11:00: Coca Cola
The 4 Guys (host): Walking With My Baby by the San Francisco Bay
Lari White: Take Me/You Can't Go Home Again
Jack Greene: Over There
Stu Phillips: The Great El Tigre
The 4 Guys: Amazing Grace
11:30: Opry Book
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Del Reeves: You Comb Her Hair/Hound Dog
The Whites: Doing It By the Book
It was a big night for Jimmy as he was featured on the televised portion that night. Bobby Bare appeared on both shows, at Jimmy's invitation, while his good friend Jimmy Dean appeared on the first show. Backstage that night were Waylon Jennings, Carl Smith and Garth Brooks.
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend. It will be good to have two nights of shows back.
I'm sorry to sound so cynical but even though the 90th Anniversary was a disappointment and afterward our decision to be our last, I am glad we did go that year and all the many previous years and trips we made to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry. We just have no desire to go back. We once took our C/W dance group and did it all, the Opry, Opryland Park, Hall of Fame (the old one), Ryman to see Always Patsy Cline etc. Each year we tried to add something new or go back to see new exhibits at the HoF. One year we attended a taping of Prime Time Country with Gary Chapman. So many great memories. The "draw" of seeing the Grand Ole Opry isn't there anymore and certainly doesn't justify the price of the tickets. I am definitely not interested in the Circle TV, I never liked when GAC did their segments. We now concentrate on concerts/shows by individual performers and bluegrass. I really hope they get around to Rhonda's induction night, I will listen in for that !! (Anonymous in PA)
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Rhonda. Did anybody hear Rhonda on Coffee, Country and Cody Monday November 2nd at 8:30 AM? She was debuting her new single "What Ain't To Be Just Might Happen." I missed it. I'm hoping they put it in there archives. Please. Bob
DeleteCircle joins the long list of TV folks who think they can "improve" a 90 year old radio show by doing it differently.
DeleteThey have all been absolutely unsuccessful, as I suspect Circle will be.
Broadcast the same views shown on the screens at the 'Opry itself, and you've got yourself a GREAT SHOW!
And, it would be two hours, instead of a one hour show immediately followed by an instant replay. How lame is that?
Porter did "What Ain't To Be Just Might Be in 2011. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKAqpo4T5qo Bob
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Opry, here is the line-ups for the shows this weekend:
ReplyDeleteFriday November 6
7:00: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers; Connie Smith
7:30: Bill Anderson; Jimmie Allen
8:00: Jordan Davis; Henry Cho
8:30: Dailey & Vincent
Saturday November 7
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Suzy Bogguss; Jeannie Seely
7:30: John Conlee; Henry Cho
8:00: Craig Morgan; Justin Moore; Brantley Gilbert
Looks like it will be the mid-week format and not the traditional weekend format.
Under the circumstances, I think that's understandable. But I also think it's probably where we are headed long term.
DeleteI'm interested to see the Square Dancers listed, since, obviously, they have to make contact. There will be a LOT of caution, I'm sure.
I will assume that the square dancers will have gloves and masks on!!
DeleteSomebody correct me if I'm wrong! Ryman needs to make money. Circle needs ratings. I'm sorry to say, but Mrs. Smith and most of the legends with Bill Anderson being an exception maybe, but maybe not and if so only because of what he's written, are unknown to people 30 and younger completely. So, you have to try to get names they know to get anyone to come. Without that, it all dies. The Circle hour has names that everyone knows. It would not work at all if you had only legends or bluegrass folks because the people who spend money or who tune in, have no earthly idea who they are. And again, wsm isn't helping with ratings, so circle is much much more important. E. Z.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI don't know what the plan will be going forward with Circle. For now, with the limited audience, the final hour on Saturday night will continue on Circle and the various streaming services.
DeleteRegarding WSM, let's just remember that the name of the show is the "WSM Grand Ole Opry." The two are intertwined and always will be.
For the sake of conversation, if we were going to cut the gray hairs per Pete Fishers thoughts because nobody under 30 knows who they are then the knife needs to cut both ways. No more unheard of 20 somethings that you never see again. Not advocating either but it should be fair!
ReplyDeleteI remember back in 1998 talking with Billy Walker after a show about attendance being down at the Opry. He was not mad about the comment but it bothered him and he told us that when he joined in 1960 there were many nights that less than 500 were in the Ryman and the show survived for better times.
It was neat tonight hearing Vinnie perform with Larry and Steve!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
It was a wonderful show overall tonight. And yes, I really enjoyed Vince singing with Larry and Steve. I did find it interesting that Vince didn't stick around for more.
DeleteBack to Billy Walker's comment for a second. The Opry has always had ups and downs in their attendance. Even in the 80s when the Opry was running two shows on Friday night, there was serious consideration in dropping the 2nd Friday show. Ultimately, they kept the show during the Spring, Summer and Fall months. In the 90s and early 2000s, there were many Saturday nights when there were well short of 1,000 for the 2nd show. That was one of the reasons why management went to just one Saturday show except when a few select members appeared.
Last night's show was a pretty good example of what an Opry show should be. Legends and Hall of Famer's (Bill Anderson and Connie Smith); Bluegrass (Dailey & Vincent); 70's and 80's stars (Gatlin Brothers); Comedy (Henry Cho); New Artists (Jordan Davis and Jimmie Allen). Something for everyone.
I personally have no problem with new young acts if they have talent.
ReplyDeleteBut to be blunt, some have just been awful. One poor young lady couldn't sing a note, and said in all honesty, something like "I know I didn't sound very good tonight, but I sound really good on my new album."
New talent is absolutely necessary for the 'Opry, but the key word is TALENT.
I personally appreciate Tenille Townes, and tear up every time she sings "Somebody's daughter."
I have no problem with talented newcomers.
None.
EZ,
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree that the broadcast hour probably should include more new talent. See my comment above; it needs to be real talent.
But I've been to many, many, 'Opry shows in person. Trust me when I say the new acts tend to have almost no audience response unless they're singing traditional country music very well or something new exceptionally well performed. Rocky Top with the Osborne brothers is always the biggest applause generator. It just takes the right balance, I agree with that.
I've never understood why David Houston is basically forgotton. I never hear his name mentioned from any of the stars on their facebook pages, you never see any of his family talking about him; it's almost like no one wants to talk about him. I have even asked a few of the "kids of the stars" that have the big concert at the Nashville Palace if David Houston had any kids or has any family, and not one time has any of them responded to me.
ReplyDeleteHe has so many great recordings, and it is well worth your time to search them out. It's sad to see one of the biggest hit makers of the 60's to be basically forgotten about.
Toward the end of his life, David was married to a younger woman, Kathy Raye, and they had a son, David, Jr. I believe that David and Kathy had a couple of duets together. After David passed away, they seem to have faded away.
DeleteI found David Houston on Find a Grave, and Kathy died in 2003, only 44.
DeleteThe Friday night show was wonderful --- a good traditional show - great to have it back. But Saturday night Opry show was also great until the Circle TV hour ---- decent artists but a completely non- traditional format. We used to make a weekend in Nashville, watching all four Opry shows and most of the acts did not repeat songs from early to late shows. But, I wouldn't drive 500 miles each way to see the current Saturday night show ending with the Circle portion ---- sorry to be such a die-hard traditionalist ---- but if I make the effort to attend the Opry, I want to see the real Opry ----- Dashmann , Flushing, Michigan ---
ReplyDeleteSo listening to the ETubbRS , what awful things did Stonewall Jackson to get banned from the Opry ???? He is a wonderful Country artist and should be an Opry treasure like Jeannie, Connie, Conlee and Bill Anderson !!! What was Stonewall's great sin that shoved him aside ??? Dashmann, Flushing, Michigan
ReplyDeleteListening to (and watching a little), Saturday's Grand Ole Opry almost felt like two separate shows. During the first hour, which was on radio only, the Square Dancers started the show, followed by Suzy Bogguss, Jeannie Seely and John Conlee. Suzy and Jeannie did two songs, and John did three. But it seemed that they were rushing through as those three were done in under 35 minutes. They were followed by Henry Cho, who did just over 20 minutes. That was followed by a short break and then the final hour took place with Craig Morgan, Justin Moore and Brantley Gilbert, which was the televised hour. The hour featured the three of them sitting on stools, much as we have seen from the other Circle shows. But that last hour just didn't seem like the Opry we heard in the first hour. I know they are feeling their way through and I am hopeful as the weeks continue that the flow of the show will improve. Friday was excellent, but as I stated, Saturday felt like two separate shows.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Stonewall Jackson, let me point out that he was never banned from the Opry. During his lawsuit, my understanding is that Pete Fisher continued to offer him opportunities to be on the Opry, but Stonewall refused. I know at the time, Stonewall, Billy Walker, Del Reeves and Charlie Louvin were very vocal regarding the reduced number of appearances they were getting. While Billy, Del and Charlie did their talking to the Nashville Tennessean, Stonewall decided to sue Gaylord and Pete Fisher. The suit took a few years and was settled out of court. Stonewall then came back for some appearances for a few years, then he slowly cut back. I know in the past couple of years he has had a serious health issue and I think he just felt it was time to retire and enjoy the last years of his life.
A few things, if I may ....
DeleteThe joy in Mike Terry's voice was special. I wonder how many square dancers actually were out there!
If Circle is doing the second hour live, we need to remember that there have been similar issues throughout the Opry's history of making sure they got the Prince Albert Show on at the right time, and then on TNN, I recall a few nights where Keith Bilbrey had to stall because the 6:45 segment ran a little late, and then the 7:00. As Byron said, they are feeling their way.
Something to consider about the reduced number of performers is, again, social distancing: If they can do a fairly regular show with the fewest possible bodies, that's what they should do.
About Stonewall ... What I am about to say is going to end up seeming disrespectful to him, and I don't mean to be. When Hal Durham was manager, I noticed that there were some acts who would do only one show, and often they were on the 9:30 segment to start the second show--and Stonewall often was one of them (Wilma Lee Cooper sometimes, I noticed, as well as Louvin). I agree that they were mistreated. But I remember Del Reeves saying once the idea was, you gave up some Saturday nights when you were younger and bigger and able to make better money to be at the Opry, and then you got to perform there more often later in your career. I get that, too. But that also presumes the show was always going to stay the same. It never did. I wish it could have.
Speaking of Stonewall the Midnight Jamboree did an encore broadcast of Stonewall from 2/22/2010 last night/this morning. Even though it was an archive broadcast it was nice to hear Stonewall again. Bob
DeleteWhat does the in-house Opry audience experience during the Circle hour?
ReplyDeleteNothing really different then what takes place at a usual Opry show. There are the commercial breaks for television, which also take place for the radio. Commercials are read and Natalie or Bobby is usually standing toward the rear of the audience for their camera spots.
DeleteJeff Hoag is proving to be a wonderful replacement for Eddie Stubbs on WSM 650 AM. He has his own style , takes a different , fresh approach to playing the traditional stuff, mixed with a new thing here and there. I love listening to Jeff, as I did Eddie. I'm 77 so if Jeff can keep it going 10 or 15 years he will outlast me ---- We are so fortunate to have WSM, whatever the politics --- you can't find the good traditional stuff anywhere else ----- Dashmann, Flushing, Michigan ---
ReplyDeleteDashmann, I have faith that when Jeff hangs 'em up, you'll be critiquing his successor.
DeleteI hope Jeff gets to announce the Opry. That would seem appropriate. And I don't mean this unkindly in any way, but Bill Cody brings a little more of his personality into the announcing, and I don't really know how I feel about that!
WSM has been unwavering since I discovered the Opry in the late 50s and prepared for High school and college with Flatt and Scruggs early in the morning in those 50s --- over 60 years listening to the station with all the atmospheric quirks affecting reception over the years --- But WSM seems to endure for us traditionalists --- Dashmann , Flushing , Michigan
ReplyDeleteJust a random thought. I'm not crazy about the Circle stuff either. With the format changes and Mr. Bones etc. But, the Opry has always looked to expand itself. The only reason we have recordings up til the 60s, and the only recordings we have from the 30s to the 60s is because of the Prince Albert portion. So as much as it did not represent the real feel of the show, it's all we've got to preserve very very early recordings. I would not have sat and tried to get an am radio to come in at 5 or 6, but I loved the tnn portion which made Mr. Acuff and Cousin Mini legends to me. So let's hope, that unlike those times, where it was all we had, Circle will draw folks to the rest, and the best of the show! E. Z.
ReplyDeleteThanks EZ.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely food for thought!