Grand Ole Opry 11/27 & 11/28

The Grand Ole Opry continues this weekend with two shows, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry with what I am sure will be shows dedicated to the memory of Grand Ole Opry member Hal Ketchum, who passed away on Monday evening. 

Having seen Hal numerous times at the Opry, I always thought he was a fine performer and songwriter. After joining the cast in January 1994, Hal appeared at the Opry a couple of times each year. However, beginning in 2001 through 2009, his appearances increased to between 20 and 30 each year, becoming one of the Opry's more popular members. He also did a great job hosting segments. Beginning in 2010, Hal began to experience a number of health issues that limited his performances. His final Opry appearances were in 2017. While there is no guarantee, hopefully we will hear a couple of Hal Ketchum songs on the Opry this weekend. 
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Looking at what has been posted on the Opry's website as of Thursday morning, there is no official line-up and only a limited number of artists have been listed as "scheduled to appear." When I checked in with the Opry on Wednesday evening, they also had no news. My guess is that they are just having a little difficulty filling out the line-up for these post-Thanksgiving shows. 

Looking at what they do have listed, the Friday Night Opry, the only Grand Ole Opry currently on the schedule is Jeannie Seely. She will be joined guests Mandy Barnett, Don Schlitz, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, and Michael Ray. 

As with the Friday show, Saturday's Grand Ole Opry has only one member listed and that is Trace Adkins, who will also be on the Circle TV livestream segment, where he will be joined by Matt Snell and Francesca Battistelli. Also on the schedule, but not on the televised portion, are Dusty Slay and Charlie McCoy. 

Just like last week, Riders In The Sky and John Conlee were both on the original list of artists set to appear this weekend, however they both have cancelled once again. Hopefully both the Riders and John are doing fine and staying safe. 

One the line-ups are posted, I will certainly update. 
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And now from 50 years ago, Saturday November 28, 1970: 

1st show 
6:30: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Bill Carlisle; Del Wood
6:45: Stu Phillips (host); Cousin Jody: Billy Troy
7:00: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Stringbean; Jerry Smith; Jimmy Dry
7:30: Osborne Brothers (host); Skeeter Davis: Earl Scruggs Revue; Crook Brothers
8:00: Del Reeves (host); Jean Shepard; Willis Brothers; The 4 Guys
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Webb Pierce; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Willis Brothers; Bill Carlisle; Cousin Jody
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Stringbean; Del Wood
10:15: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Earl Scruggs Revue
10:30: Osborne Brothers (host); Jerry Smith
10:45: Del Reeves (host); Jean Shepard; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Webb Pierce; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Lonzo and Oscar; The 4 Guys

Looking back at a couple of dates in Grand Ole Opry history, it was on November 27, 1971 that former Grand Ole Opry member Margie Bowes made her final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Margie Bowes was born in Roxboro, North Carolina in 1941. She began singing in elementary school. By the time she was 13 years old, she was appearing on TV programs including WDVA Virginia Barn Dance in Danville, WRXO-AM in Roxboro and other radio programs in North Carolina. In 1958, Bowes participated in the Pet Milk Company's nationwide talent search. She entered the contest in Nashville, Tennessee and won the competition later that year. 

Margie signed with Hickory Records and released her first single in 1958, "Won'tcha Come Back to Me" backed with "One Broken Heart". The singles gained some attention, but failed to chart. Her next two-sided single, "One Time Too Many"/"Violets and Cheap Perfume" also failed to chart, but she made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry later that year. In 1959, she released her third single, "Poor Old Heartsick Me". The song proved very successful for Bowes, and it just made the country top 10 that year. "Poor Old Heartsick Me" remained her signature tune.

In 1959, she released her follow-up, "My Love and Little Me". The song made the country top 20 and demonstrated she was more than a one-hit wonder. Bowes appeared on ABC-TV's Jubilee USA, and between 1959 and 1960 she released three more singles, though none of them gained any further success.

In 1961, she moved to Mercury Records and released a single that year called "Little Miss Belong to No One". The song just missed the top 20. No other singles with Mercury were successful for Bowes. By 1963, she moved to Decca Records and again started releasing singles that year. She had two singles that made the Top 40 with Decca. By 1969, Bowes left the label and recorded one more time for Stop Records in the early 70s.

After leaving the Opry, Margie did make a couple of guest appearances but she largely retired from performing. 

Margie Bowes passed away this past October. 

Here is the running order from Saturday November 27, 1971, Margie's reported last night on the Opry as a member: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
The 4 Guys (host); Let the Sun Keep Shining
Stringbean: Ruby
Margie Bowes: Understand Your Gal/Big City
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah

6:45: Rudy's
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): This Train
Ernie Ashworth: Sad Face
Del Wood: Raggin' the Keys
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I Couldn't Care Less

7:00: Luzianne
Charlie Louvin (host): I Don't Love You Anymore/Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself to Sleep/See The Big Man Cry
Earl Scruggs Revue: Lonesome Ruben
Grandpa Jones: Old Blue
Jack Barlow: Birmingham Blues
Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: I'm Gonna Leave You
Earl Scruggs Revue: You Ain't Going Nowhere
Grandpa Jones: Eight More Miles to Louisville
Jack Barlow: It Ain't No Big Thing
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sunday's

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Safe in the Loving Arms of Mine
Merle Kilgore: Ring of Fire
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Brother Oswald: Southern Moon
Jean Shepard: Just As Soon As I Get Over Loving You
Merle Kilgore: Honky Tonk Man
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
George Morgan (host): Easy Lovin'
Skeeter Davis: One Tin Soldier
Archie Campbell: Comedy
George Morgan: The Gentle Rains of Home
Louie Roberts: Sandy
George Morgan: Candy Kisses

8:30: Stephens
Wilburn Brothers (host): Roll Muddy River
Peggy Little: Little Henry Hurt
Jay Lee Webb: She's Looking Better By the Minute
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Wilburn Brothers: The War Keeps Dragging On
Peggy Little: Son of A Preacher Man
Jay Lee Webb: The Happiness of Having You
Wilburn Brothers: That She's Leaving Feeling
Ed Hyde: The Grey Eagle

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Doin' My Time
Margie Bowes: Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Louie Roberts: Come Back, Salina
Harold Weakley: Almost Persuaded
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Turn Your Radio On
George McCormick: Big Wind
Stoney Cooper: Back Up and Push

10:00: Fender
The 4 Guys (host): Over on the Other Side
Stringbean: Train 45 Heading South
Jack Barlow: Child Bride
The 4 Guys: Let There Be Peace

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Earl Scruggs Revue: Paul & Silas
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Earl Scruggs and Howdy Forrester: Sally Goodin

10:30: Trailblazer
Charlie Louvin (host) and Diane McCall: Something to Brag About
Grandpa Jones: Kitty Klide
Del Wood: Beer Barrel Polka
Charlie Louvin: I Placed a Call to My Conscience

10:45: Beechnut
George Morgan (host): Easy Lovin'
Jean Shepard: Safe in eh Loving Arms of Mine
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
George Morgan: The Last Letter

11:00: Coca Cola
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Skeeter Davis: One Tin Soldier
Merle Kilgore: Wolverton Mountain
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Phil Campbell: A Thing Called Love
Skeeter Davis: Love Takes a Lot of My Time
Sam McGee: Under the Double Eagle
Merle Kilgore: Folsom Prison Blues

11:30: Elm Hill
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Peggy Little: Little Henry Hurt
Jay Lee Webb: The Happiness of Having You
Wilburn Brothers: The War Keeps Dragging On
Peggy Little: My God is Real
Jay Lee Webb: Heart Over Mind

To finish it up for this week, let's remember Joe Diffie, who joined the Opry's cast 27 years ago, November 27, 1993. Sadly, Joe passed away earlier this year from Covid. He left us much too soon. 

Here is the running order from the night Joe joined the Opry; 

Saturday November 27, 1993 
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Monroe (host): Dear Old Dixie
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Brother Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Bill Monroe: Christmas Time's "A Comin'

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Bill Carlisle: I've Waited Too Long
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Skeeter Davis: 'T ain't Nice
Congressman Collin Peterson: Make the World Go Away
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
Mike Snider: Foggy Mountain Breakdown/The Fir Coat
Jimmy Dickens: Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Saturday Night
Joe Diffie: Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox
Jean Shepard: If Teardrops Were Pennies
Alison Krauss: Baby, You Don't Need Me Anymore
Joe Diffie: John Deer Green
Porter Wagoner: Indian Creek

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): I Get the Fever
Billy Walker: A Million and One
Jeannie Seely: Tell Me About It
Charlie Louvin: Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself to Sleep
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Ancient History
Jan Howard: Gold Watch & Chain
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
The Whites: San Antonio Rose
The 4 Guys: In the Middle of the Night
Hank Snow: Just a Faded Petal from a Beautiful Bouquet

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General 
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Jan Howard: Heartaches by the Number
Stonewall Jackson: Old Chunk of Coal
The Whites: Swing Down Chariot
The 4 Guys: Let There Be Peace
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
Porter Wagoner: Tennessee Sunshine

10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Jean Shepard: Wabash Cannonball
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens (host): John Henry
Jimmy C Newman: Allons A Lafayette
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

10:30: Piccadilly
Bill Monroe (host): True Life Blues
Alison Krauss: I Don't Know Why But I Do
Michael Cleveland: Orange Blossom Special
Bill Monroe: I'm Working on a Building

10:45: Opry Book
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Black Mountain Rag
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): From a Jack to a King
Joe Diffie: Together Again/Honky Tonk Attitude
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Mike Snider: T' Was the Night Before Christmas
Hank Snow: Black Diamond

11:30: General Jackson
Charlie Walker (host): Right or Wrong
Charlie Louvin: Less & Less
Jack Greene: The Great Speckled Bird
Johnny Russell: In A Mansion Stands My Love/He'll Have to Go
Charlie Walker: Take Me Back to Tulsa

I don't know about anyone else, but I always appreciated Joe as an Opry member. While he didn't appear on a regular basis, when he did, he always received a great reaction and enjoyed being at the Opry. 

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