Well, it is finally here. After a wait of almost a year, Rhonda Vincent will be formally inducted on Saturday night as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Happily, I will be heading down this weekend and will be at the Opry on Saturday night.
Bluegrass award-winner Rhonda Vincent began her professional music career at the age of five, playing drums with her family’s band, the Sally Mountain Show. She picked up the mandolin at eight and the fiddle at ten, performing with the family band at festivals on weekends.
Rhonda struck out on her own, singing with the Grand Ole Opry’s Jim Ed Brown. Her opportunity eventually led to a deal with Rebel Records. Her work caught the attention of Giant Nashville’s president, James Stroud, who signed Vincent to record two contemporary country albums.
After Giant, she signed with Rounder Records where her passion for traditional bluegrass music flourished. She made her label debut in 2000 with Back Home Again, recorded with her band, The Rage. She showcases her hard-driving, high-energy contemporary bluegrass on The Storm Still Rages in 2001, One Step Ahead in 2003, Ragin’ Live in 2005, All American Bluegrass Girl in 2006, and Good Thing Going in 2008.
In 2000, Vincent won her first in a string of seven Female Vocalist of the Year Awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association. In 2001, she won the Entertainer of the Year Award. In 2011, Vincent released a collaboration album with Gene Watson titled Your Money and My Good Looks.
During the Friday Night Opry on February 28, Rhonda was surprised by Opry member Jeannie Seely with an invitation to become the Opry's newest member. For many of us, it was a long overdue invite as Rhonda has appeared as a guest dozens and dozens of times over her career and has always expressed a desire to be an Opry member one day. Sadly, due to Covid and the various restrictions in place, it took almost a year for her formal induction to take place. Happily, it will finally happen.
Looking at the rest of the line-up for Saturday night, once again it will be Opry "regulars" Jeannie Seely and Riders In The Sky fronting the show, along with members Mark Wills and Dierks Bentley. Guesting this weekend will be songwriter and Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz and making his Grand Ole Opry debut, Parker McCollum.
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Riders In The Sky; Mark Wills; Don Schlitz
8:00: Dierks Bentley; Parker McCollum; Rhonda Vincent
It will be interesting who will do Rhonda's induction. With Covid and social distancing, it will be interesting for sure.
_________________________________________________________________________
As previously mentioned, Parker McCollum will be making his Grand Ole Opry debut this weekend.
Parker McCollum was born in 1992 and raised in Conroe, Texas. Early in his life he listened to classic country musicians such as Willie Nelson, Buck Owens and Porter Wagoner, and his family introduced him to red dirt musicians such as Cross Canadian Ragweed, Pat Green and Chris Knight. Working summers on a cattle ranch with his grandfather,[6] McCollum was further exposed to artists such as Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, and Steve Earle.
In elementary school McCollum learned violin and played in the school orchestra, and he started learning guitar at age thirteen. At thirteen he also began writing his own music, mixing genres such as Texas country music, Americana, and indie rock. After performing at a number of local open mics with his guitar, he started learning harmonica at age fifteen. By sixteen he was securing gigs at local venues, and he continued to work on his material through high school. After graduation he moved to Austin, Texas, where he began attending college.
McCollum continued to perform as a singer-songwriter while living in Austin, and he also went on his first tour with the Texas band Six Market Blvd. The tour inspired the lyrics for his first single, "Highway", which was released on June 5, 2013, and later included on his debut EP A Red Town View. Released on November 19, 2013.
McCollum's debut album The Limestone Kid, was released on February 24, 2015. Recorded at Cedar Creek Recording in Austin, it included styles such as Americana, Texas country, and folk-rock.
McCollum released an EP titled Probably Wrong: Session One on July 7, 2017. It was his first release to appear on the Billboard charts, debuting at No. 6 on Heatseekers Albums, No. 14 on Independent Albums chart, and No. 15 on Country Album Sales chart. Probably Wrong Session Two was released shortly after on September 8, 2017. The full 10-track Probably Wrong album was released on November 10, 2017.
McCollum signed with Universal Music Group on June 27, 2019. His first single under the label was "Pretty Heart". On October 16, 2020, McCollum released the EP, Hollywood Gold.
__________________________________________________________________________
Now from 50 years ago, Saturday February 6, 1971:
1st show
6:30: Hank Locklin (host); Bill Carlisle
6:45: Tex Ritter (host); Jean Shepard; Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Skeeter Davis; Grandpa Jones; Wilma Lee Cooper
7:30; Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Earl Scruggs Revue; Crook Brothers; Stringbean
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Bobby Bare; Tom T. Hall; David Houston; Barbara Mandrell
8:30: Hank Snow (host0; Billy Walker; Billy Grammer; Jimmy C Newman; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Willis Brothers
2nd show
9:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Willis Brothers; Jean Shepard; Diane McCall
10:00: Tex Ritter (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Dillards; Grandpa Jones
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Skeeter Davis; Stringbean
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Hank Locklin; Bill Carlisle
10:45: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; David Houston; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Bobby Bare; Tom T. Hall; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Billy Walker (host); Jimmy C Newman; Billy Grammer; Margie Bowes
___________________________________________________________________________
Looking back, it was on Saturday February 7, 1976 that Grand Ole Opry member Ronnie Milsap made his first Saturday night appearance as an Opry member. It was a big weekend for Ronnie has he had officially became an Opry member the night before, during the Friday Night Opry.
Here is the running order from 45 years ago, Saturday February 7, 1976:
1st show
6:30; Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line/The World Each Day
Billy Grammer: That's Life/God Will Take Care of You
6:45: Rudy's
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Curly Headed Baby
Skeeter Davis: Love Will Keep Us Together
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Tramp on the Street
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Barbara Mandrell: Standing Room Only
Roy Drusky: Sunrise
Ernie Ashworth: Wichita Woman
Barbara Mandrell: Steel Guitar Rag
Roy Drusky: One Day at a Time
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Life/The Carroll County Accident/Green, Green Grass of Home/Indian Creek
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Don Gibson: Sweet Dreams
Marion Worth: You Win Again
Justin Tubb: Looking Back to See
Roy Acuff: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Gray Eagle
Don Gibson: Oh, Lonesome Me
8:00: Martha White
Osborne Brothers (host): Smokey Mountain Smoke
Grandpa Jones: Ball Headed End of the Broom
Connie Smith: "Til I Kissed You
Charlie Louvin and Pam Dickerson: Don't It Seem to Rain A Lot in Our Lives
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Stu Phillips: A Castle; A Cabin
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Ronnie Milsap: Day Dreams
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Brush Arbor: White Line
Hank Snow: The Next Voice You Hear
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Roy Drusky (host): Alone With You
Willis Brothers: Bob
Don Gibson: I Can't Stop Loving You
Skeeter Davis: One Tin Soldier
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday
Don Gibson: Blue, Blue Day
Roy Drusky: Bouquet of Roses
10:00: Fender
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Sunshine
Barbara Mandrell: Satisfied
Del Wood: The Entertainer
Porter Wagoner: The Last One to Touch Me
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Traveling the Highway Home
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Heartbreak Street
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird/I Saw the Light
10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): Nashville on My Mind
Osborne Brothers: Smokey Mountain Smoke
Billy Grammer: That's Life
Grandpa Jones: Make Me A Pallet Down on the Floor
10:45: Beechnut
Hank Locklin (host): The Sweetest Mistake I Every Made
Connie Smith: 'Til I Kissed You
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Tangled Mind
Stu Phillips: Only You Can Hush the Wind
Marion Worth: Delta Dawn
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Ernie Ashworth: Wichita Woman
Kirk McGee: My Darling Rose Malone
Hank Snow: Mary Ann Regrets
11:30: Elm Hill
Charlie Louvin (host): I Just Want Out
Jeanne Pruett: Break Me Mind/Satin Sheets
Ronnie Milsap: Lovesick Blues/Just in Case/Day Dreams
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Charlie Louvin and Pam Dickerson: If I Could Only Win Your Love
Congratulations to Ronnie Milsap upon his 45th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole 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 Saturday night, when Rhonda Vincent officially joins the cast of the Grand Ole Opry.
So excited for Rhonda and her induction to the Grand Ole Opry. Yes, pure speculation on who will do the honors (I am hoping it will be Bill Anderson). She has planned for activities all this week in Nashville. Rhonda is one of the hardest working artists - her schedule is always full, either with many shows, webinars, facebook events etc. She is a sincere person who doesn't flaunt fame but embraces her talent and shares it as far as she can. Byron, enjoy your trip to Nashville, and as always we will be looking for your after-reports. (from Anonymous in PA)
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to have been there either of those nights; I'd like to be there this Saturday night. I'm so happy for Rhonda, and I'm going to try to watch on Circle. Nice that it's being done on Circle, come to think of it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, interesting thing about the 1971 lineup. David Houston and Barbara Mandrell both were on with Lester at 8:00. They both joined the Opry the NEXT year.
Byron: Have a safe and healthy trip to Nashville this weekend. Enjoy as I know you will. Take lots of pictures to share with us. I'm so happy for Rhonda. :) Bob P.S. Will you be going to the Midnight Jamboree?
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be taking the pictures. As to the Midnight Jamboree, not so sure. Like so many others, really doing my best to stay safe and watching crowds and social distancing. Based on my last trip to Nashville, I feel very comfortable in the Opry House and how they have it set up for the shows. As to the Texas Troubadour Theater, I will have to see how it looks.
DeleteI was wondering about the Troubadour Theater since it is so small. Stay SAFE. Bob
DeleteBig weekend for Rhonda --- such a nice lady to talk to ---she has worked so hard on her Bluegrass and traditional country music over so many years --- deserves the title " Queen of Bluegrass" ---- congratulations to a wonderful little girl and better human being --- she has earned all the accolades coming to her, while still being a real person --- Dashmann , Flushing, Michigan
ReplyDeleteSomething else about Rhonda, on last year's Country Family Reunion cruise there was a young man from Oklahoma who really impressed everyone. He played during Rhonda's jam sessions and did his own jams. For her special week in Nashville and her induction she has made arrangements for him to be part of the festivities. He is playing at the Music City Bar and Grill Thu afternoon and Rhonda is "backing him up" and her band is playing with him. She has that much interest in his talent. Following him will be Ronnie McDowell - not bad !! Byron - hope you have a chance to see Vernon Lee Johnson on your trip. (from Anonymous in PA)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear Rhonda sing soon live on the 'Opry in her "debut."
ReplyDeleteShe will sound just as good in person as she does on her records.
A joyful night for Rhonda to finally become a member. We should all be grateful to Dan Rogers and anyone else who had the foresight to finally make this happen. But seeing those two older videos, especially the one where Billy Walker was introducing her, is a sad reminder of just how long this has been in coming true. I know that there have been some other acts in recent time reach the 200 appearance mark and not become members but those appearances have not stretched out over some 25+ years. I'd have to listen again to what was said about the 200 appearances but I feel like it well into the 200's by now. It seems to me she was at that point some 8-10 years ago but I could be wrong about that. And the case was made here a couple weeks back that Rhonda was older now and nobody knows who she is. Well, that is not her fault that it took so long unless there was some business conflict or politics involved with her relationship with Martha White. It reminds me a little of the Hall of Fame and how long some people wait to go in and then they do not live long enough to enjoy the honor!
ReplyDeletePlease tell me if you can think of another artist or act that has been loyal to the Opry over such a long time and waited so long to be ask to be a member. I know there are many other acts who desire to be a member and appear as often as they can but I can't think of anyone who has been coming to the Opry as long as Rhonda has. It may not count but she was there in "85 with Jim Ed and sang solo with his group and it seems like she appeared on her own around 1990. She appeared with her family sometime prior to that at the invitation of Hal Durham. I suppose T Graham Brown has been making appearances since the mid 80's when he started having hits so maybe he is one that lay claim to that position better than Rhonda....and he would make a good member.
I wonder what the longest time has been for someone appearing on the Opry the first time and then eventually becoming a member. I'm not thinking about someone like Mel Tillis, Roy Clark or Charley Pride who turned down offers to join to be fair to the Opry because they felt they could not be committed enough to be fair because of their career. And I know Teddy and Doyle appeared 13 years before they joined.
Just some random thoughts about what it took to get to this night. Not trying to be negative. Very happy for Rhonda and all of her fans and friends that it finally happened and for the Opry who gained another loyal member who will be a great ambassador.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
We subscribed to Circle TV yesterday so we could watch Rhonda; didn't remember that they only do the second segment and didn't listen in on WSM for the first hour - will have to catch the archives program. How did Rhonda received the Opry Member memento - when the show came back on she was holding it. Great show, well deserved.
ReplyDeleteI could not tell who put the award in Rhonda's hands but Mike Terry explained the award about 45 seconds into his introduction of her as the newest member. I notice the award looks different than the originals and there was no mention of wood from the Ryman.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember if it was heard on Circle but when Mike first introduced Rhonda to the stage he called her the "Queen of Country Music" instead of "Queen of Bluegrass". Nothing like misinformation for those who don't know who she is.
Earlie someone mentioned that they would like to see Bill Anderson make the induction but that didn't happen. I guess with Jeannie giving the invitation, Connie being sick and Bill staying away, the couldn't find a veteran to pass the torch so Dierks had to do it. She's officially a member and that is what counts. I'm sure Jim Ed and Charlie Louvin are smiling down. Remember Rhonda made a recording "New Dreams and Sunshine" with Charlie years ago. Somewhere she recorded "Just for Old Time's Sake" with Jim Ed too.
The Midnight Jamboree was enjoyable and ran long. Jeannie Seely was there along with Vernon Lee Johnson mentioned here earlier. Her brother Brian sang "Midnight Angel" with her and her mother sang "Slippers with Wings" near the end of the show. The show ran about 90 minutes. David McCormick was there as well Jesse Lee Jones and his wife Emily and their daughter.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Being at the Opry House last night I can tell you that it was a great show and the atmosphere was great at the Opry House. I was impressed with Parker McCollum. In my mind, he did a great job performing "Middle Age Crazy," the Jerry Lee Lewis hit.
ReplyDeleteI will add more later, but to answer the question regarding Rhonda and the Opry award, it was handed to her by the stage manager during the commercial break. He also was also speaking to Rhonda during the commercial break, going over the script for the segment that followed. With the social distancing measures in place, it was a surprise that Rhonda had her group with her and how close Rhonda and Dierks got after "Mama Tried."
With the social distancing requirements at the Opry, it was not surprise at all that there was no interaction, or "special guest" to do her induction. And the way it took place, Rhonda did not seem to mind at all.
Really a great night and each performer was at their best.
I don't know what the band did backstage but on stage I thought they were separated enough to be safe and they never sang around one mic as they sometimes do. Without her band it would not have been much of an induction performance and had that been the case they would have been better to wait. Hope we don't find that Rhonda is suspended on her first night by getting too close to Dierks and not following the social distance rules!
ReplyDeleteAs I think about this, wonder how they taped the show with Lady A. That would have been similar to Rhonda and her band I would think.
Looking forward to the rest of your comments Byron and glad you had a good time.
Jim
Hope we don't find that Rhonda is suspended on her first night by getting too close to Dierks and not following the social distance rules! Jim: I sure hope that doesn't happen. That would be a shame. It was just excitement. Bob
DeleteI don't think there was an issue and no, she is not going to be suspended. Actually with her touring schedule, I highly doubt we will see her at the Opry that often.
DeleteI noticed Rhonda's tour schedule. She always has a lot of tour dates. Bob
DeleteI missed the show live, but went back and watched the induction from the livestream. I'm not saying he was the "best" choice for the induction, but Dierks does have a great respect for bluegrass and I think he is a pretty good choice. I really wish artists had the freedom to go out and make the music they wanted like Dierks did with his bluegrass album in 2010. That said, Rhonda's speech stole the show and all congratulations to her.
ReplyDeleteJeannie Seely and Rhonda are great friends. I was dumbfounded that she was not asked to do the induction.
ReplyDeleteI want to know about different sponsors on down through the years .I know Martha White has been on the Opry since 1948,but what about the sponsors likePrince Albert Flour,Goo Goo Candy,Kellogg's,Purina,Rudy's,Royal Cream Cola,Hardee's I will come back with other sponsors.Thanks John W.iNGALLS
ReplyDelete