Grand Ole Opry 4/23 & 4/24

It's going to be an exciting weekend at the Grand Ole Opry House as the legendary guitarist George Thorogood will be making his Opry debut on Saturday night. 

No, he is not a country artist in the traditional sense, but his music has received airplay on the SiriusXM Outlaw channel, including his rendition of the Hank Williams classic "Move It On Over."

“I’m incredibly humbled by the honor and excited to connect with this audience,” says Thorogood. “I’ll be stepping onto the Grand Ole Opry stage with my guitar to share some great American music.”

“Of course the Opry showcases the best in country music to fans around the world each week, but we also appreciate opportunities to welcome guests from other genres and walks of life, including Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, Academy Award-winning actors and directors, and even a U.S. President,” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “George Thorogood is an Opry fan himself, and we’re all in for a great show.”

In a special collaboration, a unique “SiriusXM Road to George Thorogood’s Opry Debut” will be rolled out including involvement across a wide array of SiriusXM channels discussing this historic moment. Thorogood will be a guest on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country (ch. 60) and Volume (ch. 106) sharing his one-of-a-kind perspective on music and what this Opry debut means to him.

George will be featured on the Circle televised segment on Saturday night, where he will be joined by one of the newest Grand Ole Opry members, Luke Combs, along with another guest artist, Niko Moon. 

Joining this trio on Saturday night will be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, Rhonda Vincent, along with fellow Opry members Riders In The Sky and Mark Wills. Also scheduled, and the designated comedian, is Jeanne Robertson. Not only is she funny but Jeanne is also a great storyteller. 

After a one week pause due to the ACM Awards, the Friday Night Opry returns this weekend with a very strong show featuring Grand Ole Opry members the Oak Ridge Boys, Dailey & Vincent, Riders In The Sky and Jeannie Seely. Jeanne Robertson is also scheduled on Friday night, along with Country Music Hall of Fame member Jimmy Fortune, Anita Cochran, and making his Opry debut, Elvie Shane. 

Friday April 23
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Anita Cochran; Elvie Shane; Jeanne Robertson; Dailey & Vincent
8:00: Jeannie Seely; Jimmy Fortune; Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday April 24
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Mark Wills; Riders In The Sky; Jeanne Robertson; Rhonda Vincent
8:00: Luke Combs; Niko Moon; George Thorogood

Two very strong line-ups for this weekend. Nice to see eight on the schedule for Friday. 
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Ok, I admit it. I have never heard of Elvie Shane before and I am going to guest that not many of you have either. 

Elvie Shane was born in Caneyville, Kentucky, and according to his bio he "aspires to bring his blue-collar upbringing and vibrant American lifestyle to the masses with his distinctive brand of Country music." The BBR Music Group recording artist has carved his own path within the genre by combining honest storytelling with gritty electric guitar licks and unmistakable Southern swagger. Elvie’s larger-than-life personality and hard-to-believe exploits have the makings of an action-packed film and rather than display them on the big screen, the singer-songwriter culls those colorful experiences into his music.

“There’s always been this balance of a little Rock-n-Roll and Jesus in my life. I appreciate both ends of the spectrum,” Elvie, who briefly served as an evangelist preacher until he realized it wasn’t his calling, admits. This duality can be heard within the swampy revival anthem “Sundays In the South,” a vivid story-song that gives a nod to his mother and pays tribute to his religious upbringing that is equal parts tent revival and nostalgia of Elvie’s often trouble-filled youth.

An English Literature and Creative Writing major during his time at Western Kentucky University, Elvie was famously turned away from his school news paper for his Hunter S. Thompson-inspired approach to writing. That didn’t stop his creativity though, as Elvie credits a professor for urging him to enter some of his work into a writing contest where he won several awards. 

Years later at a party, Elvie picked up the guitar and performed a Chris Stapleton song—after discovering he could sing, his friends in a band convinced him to join them on the road as an opener. 

Elvie found his voice as an artist after penning “County Roads,”a rollicking ode to his upbringing. The song serves as not only the title track to his debut EP, set to be released in April, but the ultimate blend of his love for Country storytelling, his soulful vocals and Classic Rock influences with domineering guitar tones and a stomping beat. 

He signed with BBR Music Group in early 2019 and released “My Boy” as his first song on the label amidst the pandemic in 2020. Now Top 40 and climbing on Country radio, the song went viral once again as videos of stepchildren playing the song for their stepparents flooded social media. The heartwarming track connected with blended families in such a beautiful way, leading Elvie to release the sister version, “My Girl.” With only one song released, he was named to Pandora’s 2021 Artist to Watch list as well as Music Row’s “Next Big Thing” 2021 list.
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And now from 50 years ago, Saturday April 24, 1971:

1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Ernie Ashworth; Bill Carlisle
7:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Earl Scruggs Revue; Tom T. Hall
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Glaser Brothers; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Crook Brothers; Willis Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Tex Ritter; Stonewall Jackson; Lonzo and Oscar; Stu Phillips
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Stringbean; Charlie Walker; Fruit Jar Drinkers; The Four Guys

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Willis Brothers; Dolly Parton; Bill Carlisle
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Tom T. Hall; Earl Scruggs Revue
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Stonewall Jackson; Ernie Ashworth; Bill Monroe
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Tex Ritter; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper
10:45: Glaser Brothers (host); Stringbean; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Stu Phillips; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Lonzo and Oscar; The Four Guys
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Looking back to a couple of shows, the first one is from Saturday April 23, 1994. On that particular night, one of the Grand Ole Opry's more popular members, Randy Travis made an appearance. Here is the running order from that night 27 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
The Four Guys (host): Operator, Information; Get Me Jesus on the Line
Charlie Louvin: Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot
The Four Guys: How Married Are You, Mary Ann

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down the Country
Jean Shepard: Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me
Ricky Skaggs: I'm Lost and I'll Never Find the Way
Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
Jeanne Pruett: Back to Back
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything
Randy Travis: Look Heart, No Hands/Before You Kill Us All
Jimmy Dickens: Out Behind the Barn

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): On & On
Jimmy C Newman: La Cajun Band
Brother Oswald: Eunita
John Conlee: Domestic Life
Mike Snider: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Bill Monroe: Footprints in the Snow/Evening Prayer Blues

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
The Whites: Makin' Believe
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes
Roy Drusky: I Really Don't Want to Know
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel
Porter Wagoner and Colene Walters: Holding on to Nothing

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Fraulein
Jan Howard: Oh, Lonesome Me
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me I'm Falling
Riders In The Sky: Me Oh, My Miss Molly
Hank Snow: My Happiness

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Ray Pillow: One Memory to Another
The Four Guys: It's All Right (to Have a Good Time)
Jan Howard: Together When We Tried
Tim Atwood: They Call Me a Playboy
Porter Wagoner and Colene Walters: Once More
Porter Wagoner: Trouble in Amen Corner

10:00: Doctor's Cream
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me & My Big Loud Mouth
The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side
Jimmy Dickens: Shopping for Dresses

10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Grandpa Jones (host): Old Blue
Charlie Louvin and Bob Bates: My Baby's Gone
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Grandpa Jones: Four Stone Walls & A Ceiling

10:30: Gruhn Guitar
Bill Monroe (host): I'm On My Way Back to the Old Home
Roy Drusky: Blues in My Heart
Bill Monroe: He Will Set Your Fields on Fire

10:45: Opry Book
Riders In The Sky (host): The Trail to San Antone
Kukuruza Band: (?)
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Riders In The Sky: (?)/Happy Trails to You

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Blue Sea Blues
Mike Snider: Snuff Dipper
Hank Locklin: Country Music Hall of Fame
Jim Ed Brown: Lyin In Love With You
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make It
Hank Snow: Among My Souvenirs

11:30: General Jackson
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Johnny Russell: Making Plans
Jack Greene: Oh, Lonesome Me
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The second show is from Saturday April 24, 1998. On this particular night, former Grand Ole Opry member Ray Price made a guest appearance. Here is the running order from that night 23 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: Opry Book
Jimmy C Newman (host): Big Mamou
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

6:45: National Corvette Museum
Billy Walker (host): Come a Little Bit Closer
Wilma Lee Cooper: Matthew 24
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor Howdy
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Ray Pillow: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Skeeter Davis: I'll Fly Away
Charlie Louvin: Be a Life; Not a Judge
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/Old Camp Meeting Time

7:30: Standard Candy
Holly Dunn (host): That's What Your Love Does to Me
Stonewall Jackson: BJ the DJ
Ray Price: San Antonio Rose
Lee Ann Womack: I'll Think of A Reason/A Way to Survive/I Saw Miles and Miles of Texas
Holly Dunn: You Really Had Me Going/Daddy's Hands

8:00: Martha White
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jean Shepard: A Phone Call Away
Riders In The Sky: Give Me a Pinto Pal
Jeannie Seely: Hey, Good Lookin'
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Jim Ed Brown and Jeannie Seely: Love is No Excuse

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
The Whites: Pins & Needles
Jack Greene: Statue of a Fool
Jessica Andrews: I Will Be There for You
Osborne Brothers: Old Roy & Brother Os
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

2nd show
9:30: Blue Green Vacation Resort Development
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Border
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Charlie Louvin: Jesus is Whispering Now
Ray Price: City Lights/The Other Woman/For the Good Times
Porter Wagoner: A House of Gold/Carolina Moonshine

10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Wilma Lee Cooper: Sweeter Than the Flowers
Jimmy C Newman: American Cajun
Cajun Country: Cajun Stripper

10:15: Opry Visa Card
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Jessica Andrews: I Will Be There For You
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way

10:30: Epiphone
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Del McCoury Band: Don't You Think It's Time to Go
Billy Walker: Jesus Walks In

10:45: Jogging In A Jug
Jean Shepard (host): Wabash Cannonball
Roy Drusky: Waltz of the Angels
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Jean Shepard: I'm Not That Good At Goodbyes

11:00: Coca Cola
Holly Dunn (host): Love Someone Like Me
Riders In The Sky: Always Drink Upstream from the Herd
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything
Lynn Morris Band: New Patches
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Holly Dunn: Daddy's Hands

11:30: Fan Fair
Jim Ed Brown (host): Mexican Joe
The Whites: Makin' Believe
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigrae
Osborne Brothers: High on a Hilltop
Charlie Walker: Right or Wrong
Jim Ed Brown: Bar Room Pals and Good Time Gals/The 3 Bells

Ray Price came to the Grand Ole Opry in the early 1950s, joining such other Opry stars as Roy Acuff, Red Foley, Minnie Pearl, Rod Brasfield, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Jimmy Dickens, Bill Monroe, Kitty Wells, Webb Pierce, Faron Young, George Morgan, Carl Smith and June Carter, in what many consider one of the Opry's strongest group of members. However, as Ray's career grew, his Opry appearances dropped below the minimum required at the time and he was fired in December 1964 as part of the "Purge of 64." Unlike a few of the others who were fired, Ray never returned to the Opry as a member, but he was always welcomed back for guest appearances and he made quite a few during the remainder of his career, up until his death in 2013. 
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Finally, after an absence of several weeks, the Tuesday Night Opry returns. 

Tuesday April 27
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Mitchell Tenpenny; Riders In The Sky; Caitlyn Smith
8:00: Sierra Hull and Justin Moses; Lindsay Ell; Dusty Slay; Charlie McCoy

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