I am sure the first thing most will notice for this weekend is that there is only one show this weekend, Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, which will be taking place at the Ryman Auditorium. The reason is pretty simple: the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards is taking place on Sunday night, and will be using the Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Auditorium and Bluebird Cafe as locations for the show. Because of the prep work for the show and some filming taking place, the Opry House was not available for the Opry this weekend, thus the Ryman on Saturday night. This is just a one week situation and the Friday Night Opry will return next weekend.
Looking at the line-up, there are two Opry members on the schedule, Jeannie Seely and Vince Gill. Since joining the Opry 30 years ago, Vince has been one of the Opry's more reliable modern members, so it is strange that this will be his first appearance in 2021, and in fact, his first appearance since last October, almost six months (yes, I know he filled in with the Gatlin Brothers earlier this year, but that was in a backup role). Just my opinion, but with the current restrictions in place at the Opry, you would think that Vince would have been the perfect act to have been on the show more often. Hopefully, we will see more of Vince in the future as he has been missed at the Opry.
Guesting this week are a couple of acts who would make great Opry members: Suzy Bogguss and Mandy Barnett. In fact, I will add a third one for membership, Don Schlitz. All three have supported the Opry very well over the past decade. Also scheduled is Jimmie Allen and the designated comedian this week is Henry Cho.
April 17
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Don Schlitz; Mandy Barnett; Henry Cho
8:00: Vince Gill; Suzy Bogguss; Jimmie Allen
Jimmie Allen is becoming one of the more popular new acts in country music. In fact, it was announced last week that Jimmie was announced as the 2021 ACM New Male Artist of the Year.
Jimmie made his Opry debut on May 4, 2018 and since then has made several guest appearances. He is very energetic and has always been well received. His only album Mercury Lane was released in October 2018 and went to No. 11 on the country album chart. Thus far, he has released four singles, two of which went to No. 1, "Best Shot," and "Make Me Want To." His last two singles did not make the Top 40. He is currently signed to Broken Bow Records.
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Looking back to 50 years ago, Saturday April 17, 1971 saw Connie Smith rejoin the cast as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
The Four Guys: Cottonfields/Maria/Sweet Caroline
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
6:45: Rudy's
Ray Pillow (host): She Learned to be a Waitress (From Sitting Home Waiting on Me)
Del Wood: Psychedelic Mockingbird
Bobby Lewis: He Gives Us All His Love
Ray Pillow: You Don't Care What Happens to Me
7:00: Luzianne
Billy Grammer (host): Mountain Dew
Earl Scruggs Revue: Fireball Mail
Justin Tubb: I'm Going Back to Louisiana
Joe and Rose Lee Maphis: If I've Gotta Have Your Lovin'
Billy Grammer: Just A Closer Walk With Thee
Earl Scruggs Revue: The Girl From the North Country
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's a Sunday
Joe and Rose Lee Maphis: Alabama Jubilee
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Skeeter Davis: Bus Fare to Kentucky
Stringbean: Eight More Miles to Louisville
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Roy Acuff: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Skeeter Davis: Amazing Grace
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): In the Jailhouse Now
Hank Locklin: She's As Close AS I Can Get
Connie Smith: Louisiana Man
Floyd Tillman: Slipping Around
Ernest Tubb: One Sweet Hello
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Connie Smith: Once A Day
8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): Vanishing Breed
Bob Luman: Mona Lisa
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Lost Indian
Hank Snow: So Goes My Heart
Harold Weakley: Crazy Arms
Bob Luman: Sing the Blues to Daddy
Hank Snow: Tammy
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Looking Back to See
The Four Guys: One Pair of Hands
Justin Tubb: Free Born Man
Del Wood: Wesley's Tune
Jim Ed Brown: Angel's Sunday
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
10:00: Fender
Hank Locklin (host): Please Help Me, I'm Falling
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Bobby Lewis: He Gives Us All His Love
Hank Locklin: She's As Close As I Can Get
10:15: Union 76
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Skeeter Davis: Bus Fare to Kentucky
Joe and Rose Lee Maphis: Honey, Be My Honey Bee
Billy Grammer: What A Friend
10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): I Saw the Light
Ray Pillow: The Waitress
Floyd Tillman: Daisy May
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:45: Beechnut
Ernest Tubb (host): You Don't Have to Be a Baby to Cry
Leon Boulanger: San Antonio Rose
Crook Brothers: Sally Ann
Ernest Tubb: Another Story
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Take Me Back to Tulsa
Hank Snow: Tangled Mind
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Sam McGee: Wheels
Hank Snow: Mississippi River Blues
11:30: Elm Hill
Charlie Louvin (host): Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Bob Luman: Sing the Blues to Daddy
Diane McCall: Help Me Make it Through the Night
Charlie Louvin: Love Has to Die all By Itself
Bob Luman: I Got a Woman
Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: Did You Ever/Something to Brag About
Connie originally became a member of the Opry in September 1965. However, after performing on the show Saturday August 5, 1968, she gave up her membership. At the time, she was going through some personal and family issues and as she said in an interview, "I got to where I never opened my mouth till I got on stage, and then I never opened it again till the next show. I lost all my joy." She credited her turnaround to religion and specifically mentioned Jimmy Snow and his Evangel Temple, which she attended at the time. In addition to returning to the Opry, Connie also appeared on and hosted the Grand Ole Gospel Hour, which was taped after the Friday Night Opry.
Once Connie returned to the Opry, she never has left and in fact, she had become one of the Opry's regular members in supporting the show.
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.
For those interested, the Opry has opened up more seats and appear to be increasing the number of those attending the Opry. They have also added another price point for tickets: $125, $100 and $75.
ReplyDeleteAs much as we loved going to the Grand Ole Opry in years past, there is just no way I would put out $250 for a show like this. We can see several of our personal favorites entire concerts for that much. (from Anonymous in PA).
ReplyDeleteBill Anderson's 60th is all that is making me go again. I've been saying for many months or even years that this is what would draw me back. This may sound harsh but it is loyalty to Bill more than the Opry. All the times we have been to his road shows it would seem odd and wrong not to be there as he celebrates such a big milestone. $275 for two of us.
DeleteRight now they said masks are still required and only pre packaged concessions. After a year of all of this I don't see much changing in three months. Where there are tight restrictions they will stay and where there is not they will open up more. That's where we are.....in my opinion!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Jim, I agree: Things at the Opry will open up when everything else is opening up, at least in Tennessee. We need to remember the states vary. I live in Las Vegas, and we're about to open up, too much in my opinion.
DeleteAs for the Opry, I believe Dan Rogers wants to make the Opry much better than it has been for the past year or so. I fear that the corporate folks might use this as an excuse to scale back the number of performers further. I hope they don't, because it would kill the Opry.
The new attendance allowed will allow for 33% capacity, which is what the city is allowing for all indoor venues, so no longer receiving an "special exemption permit" to allow for higher capacity than any other venue. Hopefully, they can get clearance to allow for higher attendance as they have done a very good job of monitoring guests for compliance with all required protocols.
ReplyDeleteEvery show in April has been sold out and tourism in Nashville is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels on the weekends, so the demand for additional seats is there. With the sanitizing and cleaning needed, I don't think there would be much opportunity to allow for more than one show per night and adding night(s) may be difficult to field a line-up.
Thanks Patrick. Just to add, I have bought tickets for shows in July and October (the birthday weekend which is Oct 1 & 2), and they are still using the same method currently in place: no specific seat assignments, with seating determined by the order date of the ticket with notification via email 48 hours before the show as to the exact seat location.
DeleteFor those watching, or not watching the Opry tonight on Circle, there is no Opry backdrop, just the back wall of the Ryman. Except for the Opry microphone stand, it doesn't even look like the Opry.
ReplyDeleteKind of a minor shock seeing Vince Gill. He appears that he has put on some significant weight and his hair is much longer. He also said he had Covid back in January.
Byron: I agree with you. I noticed that and made a comment about it to a few of my fb friends. Bob
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the people Bob commented to. He and Ricky Skaggs must be going to the same stylist.
DeleteVince and Ricky also have always had the tendency to, well, show their baby fat a bit? As someone who fights the battle of the bulge daily, I fully appreciate the problem. And I suspect if Vince had the virus, he also didn't have much interest even in going out to the golf course, much less exercising.
For those Rhonda Vincent fans who will be in Nashville, TN on May 29th Rhonda will be releasing her new cd and doing the Grand Ole Opry
ReplyDeleteand a Live Midnight Jamboree at 10:00 PM. Bob
Rhonda Vincent will also be on the Opry May 28th. Bob
ReplyDeleteJust think, Rhodna Vincent is just about to the age of some of those in Byron's next post were when they were wanting release the! I know there was a little more than age to it but.....!
ReplyDeleteI hope she can continue to perform much like this if things ever get back to normal and a full touring schedule!
Jim
Knghtsville, IN
Was I the only one very VERY impressed with Jimmy Allen? I mean he isn't as triditional as some would like, but you can not fake that soulful delivery and he knows his history because of his dad! I told Byron jokingly that I suggest membership like, now! E. Z.
ReplyDelete