Grand Ole Opry 3/19 & 3/20

When ever I look at the line-up for the Grand Ole Opry shows, I will look for certain names. One of the names I look for is Carly Pearce, and once again, she is scheduled for Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. Carly has made more recent appearances than any other non-member and she has always expressed her love of the Opry and how she would one day like to be an Opry member. Jeannie Seely, in particular, seems to have made it known that she would like to see Carly join the cast. Because of that, each time many of us see Carly listed on the schedule, we wonder, will this be the week that it happens? 

Nobody really knows, but I will put it out there that it could be. For what it is worth, she is scheduled for the final slot on the televised portion of the Opry, and she is also listed on the schedule for April 10, which is already sold out. She also has a new album out that is doing very well and has been nominated for three ACM awards (single record, vocal event, female vocalist), with the show taking place on Sunday April 18. 

Another name on the schedule for this week is Rissi Palmer, who is scheduled for the Friday Night Opry. This will be her first Opry appearance in 13 years. 

“It’s always special to perform at the Opry,” Palmer said. “I am so excited to return with a renewed sense of what it all means to me as an artist.”

She made her Opry debut in 2007, on the heels of her debut single release “Country Girl.” The song reached No. 54 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and with it, Palmer became the first Black female country artist to land on the country music charts in two decades, since Dona Mason in 1987. Her eponymous debut album also contained songs including “Hold On To Me” and “No Air” (on the 2008 re-release). She lent her creativity to an array of projects, including the holiday single “Grown Up Christmas List,” the children’s album Best Day Ever, and the EP The Back Porch Sessions. Her most recent album, Revival, came in 2019.

In looking at the rest of the schedule for this weekend, Grand Ole Opry members Riders In The Sky and Mark Wills are scheduled for both nights and they will be joined on Saturday night by Craig Morgan. And who else besides me, enjoyed seeing the Riders on the televised portion last Saturday night? They were certainly on their game and I was happy to see that they were allotted a full 15 minutes to open the broadcast. They were wonderful. 

Besides Rissi Palmer on Friday and Carly Pearce on Saturday, other non-members this week include Charlie Worsham and comedian Gary Mule Deer, who are scheduled for both nights, and that duo will be joined on Friday by Tenille Arts and Austin Jenckes, while on Saturday The Isaacs are scheduled. 

Friday March 19

7:00: Riders In The Sky; Tenille Arts; Austin Jenckes; Gary Mule Deer
8:00: Rissi Palmer; Charlie Worsham; Mark Wills

Saturday March 20
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Riders In The Sky; Charlie Worsham; Mark Wills; Gary Mule Deer
8:00: Craig Morgan; The Isaacs; Carly Pearce
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday March 20, 1971:

1st show
6:30: Glaser Brothers (host); Justin Tubb
6:45: Hank Locklin (host); Penny DeHaven
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Bill Carlisle
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Willis Brothers; Jim and Jesse; Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Billy Grammer; George Morgan; Stringbean
8:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Charlie Walker; Chase Webster; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Glaser Brothers (host); Willis Brothers; Justin Tubb; George Morgan
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Hank Locklin; James William Monroe
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Jim and Jesse
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Stringbean; Bill Carlisle
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Billy Grammer; Crook Brothers
11:00: Charlie Walker (host); Chase Webster; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Penny DeHaven; Ronnie Robbins; Cousin Jody

So who was Chase Webster? 
Born  Gary Daniel Bruce, he is probably most noted for writing the song "Moody River," which became a No. 1 hit for Pat Boone in May 1961. The song was also recorded by Johnny Burnette, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Rivers, and in 2009 by John Fogerty. Other than that, there is very little known about this forgotten singer. He was born near Franklin, Tennessee and was a regular on the TV show Country Carnival. He had some minor hits that he recorded for Dot records, but nothing that defined his career. 
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Looking back at the Opry's history, March was the time for a few of the Opry's annual reunion shows, often referred to as "Old Timer's Night," when former and retired Opry members would come back to appear on the show. The nickname stuck as many of the earlier shows featured performers who went back tot the Opry's earliest days. The first show took place in 1974, prior to the Opry moving to the new Grand Ole Opry House. 

I'm going back to revisit two of the reunion shows, the first taking place on March 20, 1976. Here is the running order from that show: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Charlie Walker (host): My Shoes Keep Walking to You
Willis Brothers: The World is Waiting for the Sunrise
Charlie Walker: Marbles

6:45: Rudy's
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday/Cold Brown Bottle
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walking

7:00: Shoney's
Bill Anderson (host): If You Can Live With It
Dottie West: (?)
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Duke of Paducah: If You Knew Susie
Paul Howard: Stay A Little Longer
Bill Anderson and Mary Lou Turner: Sometimes
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Honey Wilds: Sittin' on Top of the World
Chet Atkins: (?)/Wheels/Wildwood Flower/Freight Train/(?)
Sid Harkreader: Mockingbird Breakdown/Amazing Grace/Red Wing/
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Loving Heart
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Cotton-Eyed Joe

8:00: Martha White
Grandpa Jones (host): Are You From Dixie
Connie Smith: Til I Kissed You
Hank Locklin: These Arms You Push Away
Jimmy C Newman: Alligator Man
Jimmy Driftwood: The Mixed Up Family

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Movin' On
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Pee Wee King: Tennessee Waltz
Hank Snow: Paper Roses

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Willis Brothers: Maiden's Prayer/Faded Love
Dottie West: Last Time I Saw Him
Stonewall Jackson: Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Charlie Walker: Marbles
Bill Anderson and Mary Lou Turner: Sometimes/That's What Made Me Love You

10:00: Fender
Minnie Pearl (MC): (?)
Connie Smith: Til I Kissed You
Justin Tubb: Keep Me from Blowing Away
Minnie Pearl: Careless Love

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nine Pound Hammer
Jan Howard: Make the World Go Away
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): Make Me a Pallet Down on the Floor
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigrae
Pee Wee King: Bonaparte's Retreat
Grandpa Jones: In My Dear Old Southern Home

10:45: Beechnut
Jimmy C Newman (host): Big Mamou
Alcyone Beasley: Silver Threads Among the Gold
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Mississippi Sawyer
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Wreck of the Old 97/One More Ride
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Hank Locklin: These Arms You Push Away
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Skeeter Davis: Midnight Blues
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow: Address Unknown

11:30: Elm Hill
Roy Drusky (host): Truck Driving Man
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets/Count Me Out
Jimmy Dickens: Family Reunion/We Could
Roy Drusky: This Life of Mine

Despite all that talent, the Opry only ran over about 15 minutes. Also of note is that Minnie Pearl did host a segment, however as was the case in those days, a female host (which seldom happened and if it did it most likely was Minnie) was not called a host, but was referred to as an MC. 
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Finally, let's move it up a year to 1977, with the reunion show taking place on March 19. 

1st show
6:00: Vietti
Bill Anderson (host): Happiness
Zeke Clements: Just a Little Lovin'/Why Should I Cry Over You
Mary Lou Turner: Love It Away
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
Bill Anderson and Mary Lou Turner: Sometimes

6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Walker (host): Word Games
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Wilma Lee Cooper: Little Darling Pal of Mine
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain

6:45: Rudy's
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Justin Tubb: Sweetwater, Texas
Willis Brothers: Anytime/Just a Little Lovin'
Billy Grammer: East Tennessee Blues

7:00: Shoney's
Wilburn Brothers (host): Roll, Muddy River
Skeeter Davis: Desperado/He Will Be There
Paul Howard: Come On In Baby; The Boogie's Fine Tonight
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Wilburn Brothers: Get All Excited

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Honey Wilds: 12th St. Rag
Sarie: Comedy
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Roy Acuff: The Heart That Was Broken For Me

8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Pee Wee King: Bonaparte's Retreat/Tennessee Waltz
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule/Mockingbird
Alcyone Beasley: Silver Threads Among the Gold
Bill Monroe: Mule Skinner Blues

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): Hello Love
The 4 Guys: Cotton Fields/Maria/Turn Around, Look at Me
Lonzo and Oscar: Wedding Bells/I Can't Help It/You Win Again/Your Cheatin' Heart/Cold, Cold Heart
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Hank Snow: Paper Roses

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): Gone at Last
Billy Walker: How Great Thou Art
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas 
Billy Grammer: I'm Letting You Go
Ernie Ashworth: There's No Place I'd Rather Be Tonight
Mary Lou Turner: It's Different With You
Bill Anderson: Liars 1; Believers 0

10:00: Fender
Jimmy C Newman (host); Jambalaya
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Wilma Lee Cooper: Gathering Flowers from the Hillside
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Just a Friend
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Zeke Clements: Anytime
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:30: Trailblazer
Bill Monroe (host): My Blue Eyed Darling
Skeeter Davis: I'll Fly Away
Justin Tubb: As Long as There's a Sunday
Bill Monroe: Monroe's Blues

10:45: Beechnut
Charlie Walker (host): The Lord Knows I'm Drinking
The 4 Guys: Top of the World
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Eighth of January
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Merry Go Round of Love
Stu Phillips: Have a Nice Day
Pee Wee King: Deck of Cards
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Stu Phillips: It Is No Secret
Kirk McGee: Victory Rag/Freight Train
Hank Snow: I Keep Dreaming of You All the Time

11:30: Elm Hill
Osborne Brothers (host): Midnight Flyer
Marion Worth: Just a Little Lovin'/An Old Love Turned Memory
Lonzo and Oscar: Las Vegas
Osborne Brothers: Smokey Mountain Smoke
Sonny Osborne: Rubin

When looking back at not only these two line-ups, but at other reunion shows, the majority of the old timers returning would appear just during the first show. One exception was usually Pee Wee King, who among the older former Opry members, was still active and enjoyed coming back and visiting. Another one was the Duke of Paducah. Wonderful memories. 
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Finally, here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry March 23

7:00: The Swon Brothers; Jerrod Niemann; Adam Hambrick; Riders In The Sky
8:00: Lindsay Ell; Henry Cho; Dailey & Vincent

Glad to see more artists coming out to support 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.