Happy New Year and welcome to 2021 and the first Opry shows of the new year.
Looking at the Grand Ole Opry line-ups for this weekend, there are four Opry members on the schedule and all four have been on the Opry each of the last three weeks. On the Friday Night Opry, Connie Smith and Marty Stuart return, while on Saturday's Grand Ole Opry Jeannie Seely and Riders In The Sky are scheduled.
Among the guest artists, Charlie Worsham, Mandy Barnett and the former Miss North Carolina, Jeanne Robertson are both nights. Jeanne, known as a motivational speaker and humorist, has been on the Opry numerous times and having seen her in person, I have enjoyed her.
Rounding out the line-up on Friday night are The Isaacs, while on Saturday night, Kelsey Waldon and Radney Foster are scheduled.
Friday January 1
7:00: Mandy Barnett; Charlie Worsham
7:30: Jeanne Robertson; The Isaacs
8:00: Connie Smith; Marty Stuart
Saturday January 2
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Jeanne Robertson; Riders In The Sky
8:00: Charlie Worsham; Kelsey Waldon; Radney Foster; Mandy Barnett
Sadly, no Opry members on the televised segment again this week.
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From 50 years ago, Saturday January 2, 1971:
7:00: Rudy's
Bill Monroe (host): Molly & Tenbrooks
Bob Luman: What About the Hurt
Lonzo and Oscar: Lonesome Road Blues
Stringbean: Cripple Creek
Bill and James William Monroe: When You're Lonely
Bob Luman: Guitar Man/Heartbreak Hotel
Lonzo and Oscar: Out of Hand
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): But You Know I Love You
Earl Scruggs Revue: Fireball Mail
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nine Pound Hammer
Jimmy Gately: I Sure Like Your Truck
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
Earl Scruggs Revue: Paul & Silas
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Hero's Death
Bill Anderson: Where Have All Our Heroes Gone
8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Charlie Louvin: Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself to Sleep
Bobby Bare: Come Sundown
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Lester Flatt: I Can't Tell the Boys From the Girls
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: Something to Brag About
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
Uncle Josh: Just Joshin'
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Dottie West: Paper Mansions
Archie Campbell: Hey. Waiter
Roy Acuff: Green Back Dollar
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
9:00: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Letters Have No Arms
Tex Ritter: Wayward Wind
Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner's Daughter
Jimmy C Newman: Blue Lonely Winter
Ernest Tubb: Soldier's Last Letter
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Devil's Dream
Stu Phillips: For the Good Times
Tex Ritter: Boll Weevil
Loretta Lynn: You Want to Give Me a Lift
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): Vanishing Breed
Willis Brothers: There Goes the Farm
Ernie Ashworth: Love; I Finally Found It
Wilburn Brothers: It's Another World
Hank Snow: Conscience, I'm Guilty
Ernie Ashworth: Mind Your Own Business
Wilburn Brothers: It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Hank Snow: Tammy
10:00: Fender
Bill Anderson (host): Get White the Getting's Good
Earl Scruggs Revue: Rubin
Stringbean: Pretty Little Widow
Lonzo and Oscar: Movin' On #2
Bill Anderson: Still
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Bill Monroe: I'll Never Love No One Else But My Darling
Kenny Baker: Jolly Blacksmith
Bobby Bare: Come Sundown
Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: I Take the Chance
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): I Can't Tell the Boys From the Girls
Willis Brothers: Big Daddy
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I Wanna Be Loved
Lester Flatt: John Henry
10:45: Beechnut
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Tex Ritter: Just Beyond the Moon
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Loretta Lynn: Fist City
Archie and Phil Campbell: Release Me
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner's Daughter
Sam McGee: San Antonio Rose
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star
Hank Snow: Geisha Girl
11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Wilburn Brothers: Little Eyes/We Need a Lot More Happiness
Stu Phillips: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Ernie Ashworth: Lip's, Start Talking
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/I Walk Alone/If I Want To/Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Among those scheduled and who cancelled that night were Marion Worth, Billy Walker, Justin Tubb and Charlie Walker.
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To finish it up for this week, let's go way back in the time machine to January 2, 1960. Here is the running order from 61 years ago:
7:30: Pet Milk
Marty Robbins (host): Sweet Lies
Rusty and Doug: The Live I Want
Justin Tubb: I'm A Big Boy Now
June Carter: Comedy Routine
Marty Robbins: El Paso
Jerry Byrd: Slippery Elm
Glaser Brothers: Bay of Mexico
Justin Tubb: Mine Is A Lonely Life
Marty Robbins: Just Married
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Don't Let Your Deal Go Down
Carl Butler: Grief In My Heart
Benny Martin: If I Can Stay Away Long Enough
Alex Houston: And Elmer
Flatt and Scruggs: I'm On My Way
Carl Butler: Don't Steal From A Poor Man
Cousin Jake: Old McDonald Had A Farm
Crook Brothers: Lost Indian
Benny Martin: Me And My Fiddle
Flatt and Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Rock
8:30: Prince Albert
Don Gibson (host): I'm Moving On
Archie Campbell: Comedy Routine
Billy Grammer: Loveland
Tommy Jackson: Black Mountain Rag
Don Gibson: No One Stands Alone
Chet Atkins: Wildwood Flower
Minnie Pearl: Comedy Routine
Billy Grammer: It Takes You
String Bean: Train Special 500
Don Gibson: Don't Tell Me Your Troubles
Tommy Jackson: Sally Goodin
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Porter Wagoner (host): Uncle Pen
George Morgan: You're The Only Good
Harvie June: Poor Wildwood Flower
Cousin Jody: Horses Carry Tales
Porter Wagoner: Your Kind Of People
Jordanaires: I Ain't Never
Minnie Pearl: Comedy Routine
Fruit Jars: Sally Johnson
George Morgan: Come Away From His Arms
Porter Wagoner: Pay Day
9:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): Chasin' A Rainbow
Bill Monroe: Tomorrow I'll Be Gone
Patsy Cline: Eyes Of A Child
Lonzo and Oscar: Gotta' Find Julie
Hank Snow: I Heard My Heart Break Last Night
Rusty and Doug: The Love I Want
Bill Monroe: Dark AS The Night, Blue As The Day
Patsy Cline: Walking After Midnight
Hank Snow: Golden Rocket
10:00: Jamison Bedding
Marty Robbins (host): El Paso
Carl Butler: Grief In My Heart
Rusty and Doug: I Like You
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Marty Robbins: Hanging Tree
Glaser Brothers: She Loves The Love I Give Her
Carl Butler: I'll Cry Tomorrow
Rusty and Doug: Love Me To Pieces
Marty Robbins: I Can't Quit
10:30: Pops-Rite Popcorn
Don Gibson (host): I'm Moving On
Justin Tubb: Always Lonely
String Bean: Barnyard Banjo Picking
Don Gibson: Who Cares
Fiddle Tune: Leather Britches
10:45: De Con
Flatt and Scruggs (host): If I Should Wander Back Tonight
Benny Martin: Nine Pound Hammer
Harvie June: Mama Don't Chase My Love Away
Flatt and Scruggs: I'm Crying My Heart Out Over You
Fiddle Tune: Soldier's Joy
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): The Last Ride
Billy Grammer: Kissing Tree
Lonzo and Oscar: Going Down The Road Feeling Bad
Fruit Jars: Old Joe Clark
Hank Snow: The Party Of The Second Part
Jordanaires: He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
Sam and Kirk: Roll On, Buddy, Roll On
Billy Grammer: Loveland
Hank Snow: My Blue Eyed Jane
11:30: Phillips & Buttorff
George Morgan (host): Cry Baby Heart
Bill Monroe: Wait A Little Longer Please Jesus
Cousin Jody: Mocking Bird
George Morgan: Candy Kisses
Bill Monroe: Scotland
11:45: Wall-Rite
Porter Wagoner (host): Tell her Lies And Feed Her Candy
Patsy Cline: Oh Lonesome Me
Rusty and Doug: I Like You
Porter Wagoner: Satisfied Mind
The following week, January 9, 1960, Patsy Cline would become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry. Thus, on this particular night she was still a guest artist.
Also, a name from that night that some might recognize was Harvie June.
Harvie June Van was born on March 2, 1940 in Monterey, Tennessee. She got her start singing when she was three years old, on radio station WHUB in Cookeville, Tennessee. Her family moved on up to Dayton, Ohio. They had a songwriter friend by the name of Mrs. Louise Webb, of Nashville, who introduced them to King Records artist director, Louis Innis, who then signed her to a recording contract.
Her first singles, "Can Can Skirt" and "My Sin of Yesterday" were released in 1954. She had three more releases after that, "The Lights Are Grouing Dim" with "I'm Just Not That Kind," "Mama Don't Chase My Love Away" with "Don't Offer Me The Stars" and "False or True." She recorded several more singles in the late 50s and early 60s. By the late 60s, she had faded away from the music scene and in recent years, as been largely forgotten.
She married her manager Bob Ferguson who would later become a RCA Record Producer and Executive. They would adopt two Native American children. Harvie would later divorce him. Today she lives in the Nashville area.
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.
On that 1960 show Don Gibson did a song he wrote called Don't Tell Me Your Troubles. I'm pretty sure there is a recording or video out there somewhere with June Webb performing that song on a show with Roy Acuff about this same time. I don't think she ever recorded it but it was interesting to hear her do it even including the humming that Don does!
ReplyDeleteAnd I've noted it before but I just love Last Ride by Hank Snow that had it #3 in 1959.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Happy New Year to all of the Fayfarers!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to remember, and I think there was some debate about it: When did Billy Walker become a member? Was it the end of 1960?
I the date listed for Billy Walker as January 1, 1960 but like so many others from that time period, it is a little hard to confirm. I know there have been a couple of different dates thrown around.
DeletePassing along the sad news that Glen Thompson passed away on Tuesday afternoon. I am sure his family and close friends would appreciate everyone keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteThose of you who follow the older line-ups that I post, particularly from 50 years ago, might have seen the name Hugh X Lewis. He made multiple Opry appearances back in the day. Hugh passed away on Christmas at the age of 90. Like so many other deaths, it was Covid related.
ReplyDeleteI have the music of Hugh X. Lewis in my iTunes. While not a big star he did have a great voice. An example of someone who made many, many Opry appearances and never was offered membership.
DeleteHe was a fine writer too and had many songs recorded by artist we discuss here all the time. BJ the DJ and several others were recorded by Stonewall. Carl Smith recorded Take My Ring Off Your Finger.
DeleteAgree David, he had a great voice and his recordings are very good, we have some of his LP's.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
For those who were listening, the Tuesday Night Opry replay on WSM tonight , after the Circle show, was a prime example of what I fear the Opry will morph into --- Carly Pierce led it off , did three songs , moaning thru all 3 with not one of the songs sounding remotely traditional ---- then Clint Black came on and did all rock songs ----- the final band played so loud and rocky with screeching vocals, I almost turned the radio off ---. At least on the Circle show , CVharlie Worsham, Mandy Barnett and Radney Foster were playing civilized and mostly thoughtful country stuff in their tributes to Tony Rice and KT Oslin ---- where are we headed with our beloved Opry ????? There are those who would destroy it ------- Dashmann , Flushing , Michigan ----
ReplyDeleteDashmann, I am actually going to cut some slack. First, I have faith that Dan Rogers will do what he can--admittedly, corporate may have something to say.
DeleteSecond, and more important, remember that Bill Anderson said because of COVID, they are limiting the number of acts and who can be backstage. I gather that because he has a band, he couldn't do the show unless he just went with the staff band. For now, the Opry is hanging on and hanging on pretty well, I gather, so let's see what happens when we emerge from this abyss.
Ya Charlie , we all fat finger stuff sometimes --- lol -- Dashmann
ReplyDeleteDan Rogers and the Opry did a great job with the tribute to Glen Thompson. It was well done and a great recognition of one of the Opry's best fans. I know Glen was always sad that the Opry Fan Club ended but he always took pride in the fact that he started it, hosted numerous Fan Club events and had thousands of members.
ReplyDeleteSome very nice tributes on the televised portion of the show last night to those Opry members that had passed away in 2020. We lost a lot of star power and it was wonderful that the Opry took the time to remember those gone.
The only thing was, I wish they had added that Mr. Acuff would call out, "Anybody here from Kenosha, Wisconsin?" and Glen would let out another yell. One time Mr. Acuff called him David, which, given Mr. Acuff's penchant with names, put Glen in good company.
DeleteWe will have to catch the replays on WSM archives; tried listening Saturday night but Jeanne Robertson wasn't making much sense and we turned it off. She is usually a very funny act.
ReplyDeleteWhile we have already talked about Mandy Barnett becoming a member of the Opry, what about Radney Foster and Charlie Worsham. I believe both of them would be great additions to the Opry. This is especially true with Radney. He is not “full of himself.” Also, he is extremely talented.
ReplyDelete