Grand Ole Opry 6/4 & 6/5

As many already know, former Grand Ole Opry member B.J. Thomas passed away last week after a battle with lung cancer. He was 78. 

Born in rural Hugo, OK, Billy Joe Thomas moved to Houston, Texas with his family and where he grew up absorbing a variety of musical influences from the traditional country of Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams Dr. to the soulful sounds of Jackie Wilson and Little Richard, whose “Miss Ann” was the first single B.J. ever bought. He began singing in church as a child and in his teens joined the Houston-based band the Triumphs.

Thomas’ career was anchored by numerous enduring hits, among them his million-selling cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” the Grammy-winning “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” and the iconic “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” which won the Academy Award for best original song. A five-time Grammy award winner and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, Thomas has sold over 70 million albums worldwide, scoring eight No. 1 hits and 26 Top 10 singles over his 50+ years in the music industry. His lengthy chart history led to him being named one of Billboard’s Top 50 Most Played Artists Over The Past 50 Years. Such memorable hits as “I Just Can’t Help Believing, “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love,” “New Looks From An Old Lover” and “Hooked on a Feeling” have made him a staple on multiple radio formats over the years.

Beyond populating multiple radio formats with so many beloved hits, Thomas also voiced the theme song, “As Long As We’ve Got Each Other,” for the popular TV series Growing Pains, and has lent his voice to numerous commercials, including campaigns for Coca-Cola and Pepsi. He can also be seen on television hosting Time Life Music’s Forever 70s infomercial. As an actor, he also appeared in the films Jory and Jake’s Corner. Thomas authored two books, including his autobiography Home Where I Belong.

Though Thomas will be remembered as one of this generation’s premiere vocalists and a consummate entertainer, the humble artist was most proud of his family. He’s survived by his wife of 53 years Gloria, their three daughters Paige Thomas, Nora Cloud, and Erin Moore, and four grandchildren, Nadia Cloud, Keira Cloud, Ruby Moore, and Billy Joe Moore.

B.J. Thomas became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on August 7, 1981. His time at the Opry was very short, as he made his last appearance as an Opry member on August 27, 1982. From what I was told, Opry membership wasn't what he thought it would be and he decided to move on. There were no hard feelings between B.J. and Opry management and B.J. would make guest appearances on the show after he left. 
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Now looking at this weeks Grand Ole Opry shows and there are some familiar names on the schedule this weekend as several veterans who have been missing from the Opry will be making return appearances. 

On the Friday Night Opry Hall of Fame member Connie Smith is returning. Connie has been missing from the Opry for the past several months as she has been working on a new album. Additionally, one of the Opry's legendary members, Bobby Osborne will be making his first Opry appearance of 2021 and in fact, it will be his first Opry show in over a year. On Saturday night, Bill Anderson will be returning for just his 2nd appearance of the year. Bill wrote in his newsletter that he has several more June appearances on his schedule. Joining that group of Opry members this weekend will be Mark Wills and Riders In The Sky on the Friday Night Opry, while Jeannie Seely and Gary Levox are scheduled for Saturday night. 

Lauren Mascitti, who recently performed on the Opry with Shawn Camp, will be appearing as a solo artist on both shows this weekend, as will comedian Brad Upton. Appearing with those two on the Friday Night Opry will be Jason Ringenberg, who will be making his Opry debut, along with veteran entertainer, and Johnny Cash lover, Mark Collie, and LOCASH. Joining Lauren and Brad on Saturday night will be non-members Cassadee Pope, Hailey Whitters and the duo of Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley. 

In my opinion, the Circle televised segment, that will feature Cassadee Pope, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Hailey Whitters, along with Gary Levox, is not the strongest show that has been featured on the televised part of the Opry. While I am sure it will be a good hour, it just doesn't have the star power that we have come to expect on these Circle broadcasts. 

Friday June 4

7:00: Connie Smith; Mark Collie; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jason Ringenberg, Mark Wills
Intermission
8:15: Lauren Mascitti; Brad Upton; Riders In The Sky; LOCASH

Saturday June 5
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Lauren Mascitti; Bill Anderson; Brad Upton
8:00: Cassadee Pope; Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley; Hailey Whitters; Gary Levox

At first glance you would think there are no Opry members on the televised segment this week, but let's remember that Gary Levox is an Opry member,  as a member of Rascal Flatts.  After 20 years as front man to one of the most influential groups in Country history, Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox is embarking on a solo chapter that combines two of his biggest passions – music and faith.
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As mentioned, Jason Ringenberg will be making his Opry debut on Friday night. 

Ever since moving from his family’s hog farm in Southern Illinois to Nashville, TN in 1981, Jason Ringenberg has been an iconic Americana artist since day one. He has pioneered the genre from his high-energy roots-rock band, Jason & The Scorchers, to his Emmy Award-winning children’s music with Farmer Jason and to his solo efforts as himself carving out space all his own. Jason’s reverence of country music and rock music has always been his forte, mixing the sounds of Hank Williams, The Ramones, and a dash of Bob Dylan along with his tenor voice.

Jason has been awarded an Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award, a TV Emmy, and an exhibit in the Country Hall of Fame, but appearing on the Grand Old Opry is a total dream come true. Mojo Magazine in the U.K. calls Jason Ringenberg; “the Godfather of Americana music.”
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And now, from 50 years ago, Saturday June 5, 1971: 

1st show
6:30: Bob Luman (host); Barbara Mandrell; Jerry Smith
6:45: Willis Brothers (host); Johnny Carver; Stringbean
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); June Stearns; Tommy Jones; Brother Oswald
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jay Lee Webb; Crook Brothers; Speck Rhodes
8:00: Billy Grammer (host); Skeeter Davis; Lonzo and Oscar; Tom T. Hall
8:30: The 4 Guys (host); Harold Weakley; Marion Worth; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Louie Roberts

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Willis Brothers; Stringbean; Speck Rhodes
10:00: Lonzo and Oscar (host); Barbara Mandrell; Jerry Smith
10:15: Tom T. Hall (host); Jay Lee Webb
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Johnny Carver; Tommy Jones
10:45: Billy Grammer (host); June Stearns; Crook Brothers
11:00: The 4 Guys (host); Skeeter Davis; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Marion Worth; Louie Roberts

Definitely a night short on Opry members. Bob Luman only did the first show, while Dolly Parton, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper were scheduled but cancelled.
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Now let's go back to June 4, 1966. This was night in which Mrs. Grissoms sponsored the opening segment of the Grand Ole Opry, replacing Luzianne which moved to another spot. Mrs. Grissoms would remain an Opry sponsor until the early 90s when they were replaced with GHS Strings. 

In 1955 a young secretary named Grace Grissom, decided to pursue her dream of becoming a business owner. Grace, along with support of her husband Herbert founded Mrs. Grissom’s Salads.

During that period of history, America was still recovering from the effects of WWII. There were no golden arches and the term “fast food” didn’t exist. Women had entered the workplace during the war and discovered life outside the home.

They also discovered the overwhelming challenge of preparing family meals from scratch after working all day in the factory.  One of Grace’s friends had a small, struggling company nearby that made prepared sandwich spreads and sold them through local grocery stores. Grace instinctively knew this was the business she had dreamed of starting.

Grace, and husband Herbert, became business partners with their friends and before long were making major improvements in the way the products were made and sold. Within a year, the Grissoms bought out their partners and Mrs. Grissom’s Salads was born.

Mrs. Grissoms is still in business today

Here is the running order from Saturday June 4, 1966: 

6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Bill Anderson (host): Truck Driving Man
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Ernie Ashworth: I Wish
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops

6:45: Rudy's
Bobby Lord (host): Take the Bucket to the Well
Curly Fox: Orange Blossom Special
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning

7:00: National Life & Accident Insurance Company
(Jud Collins, MC)
Flatt and Scruggs: Memphis
Roy Drusky: Reel Me a Nanner
The Blue Boys: Four Walls/Adios, Amigo/He'll Have to Go
Marion Worth: 21 Days of Darkness
Flatt and Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Roy Drusky: Anymore
DeFord Bailey: Fox Chase/Love Struck Me Down
Marion Worth: The French Song
Flatt and Scruggs: When the Saints Go Marching In

7:30: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks a Lot
Skeeter Davis: If I Had Wheels
Charlie Louvin: Something's Wrong
Stringbean: Wake Up, Little Birdie
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Billy Grammer: Bonaparte's Retreat
Del Wood: 4-Leaf Clover
Charlie Louvin: You Finally Said Something Good
Ernest Tubb: Mississippi Gal

8:00: Martha White
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): It Is Easier to Say Than Do
Roy Drusky: White Lightening Express
Bob Luman: Poor Boy Blues
Marion Worth: He Called Me Baby
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Kenny Roberts: (?)
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Roy Drusky: Three Hearts in a Tangle

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Just a Friend
Tex Ritter: Take Him Fishin'
Margie Bowes: Look Who's Lonely
Jim Ed Brown: Regular on My Mind
Sam Smith: (?)
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back to the Mountains

9:00: Pet Milk
Jimmy Newman (host): Back Pocket Money
The Carter Family: I Walk the Line
Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore
Norma Jean: Lonesome No. 1
Jimmy Newman: A Fallen Star
Anita Carter: I've Heard the Wind Blow Before
Bobby Bare: Blowing in the Wind/Worried Man Blues
Norma Jean: Go Cat Go
Jimmy Newman: Cry, Cry Darling

9:30: Kellogg's
Ernest Tubb (host): You Don't Have to be a Baby to Cry
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops
Del Wood: Tiger Rag
Ernest Tubb: Half a Mind
Skeeter Davis: If I Ever Get to Heaven
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Willis Brothers: Love Thy Neighbor
Ernest Tubb: Seaman's Blues

10:00: Schick
Bobby Lord (host): Cash on the Barrel Head
Norma Jean: I Wouldn't Buy a Used Car from Him
Bob Luman: Memphis
Bobby Lord: Losers Like Me

10:15: Pure
Wilburn Brothers (host): 
Knoxville Girl
Stringbean: Wanda
Loretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman Enough
Wilburn Brothers: Someone Before Me

10:30: Harvey's
Roy Drusky (host): Rainbows & Roses
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
Broadway Buglers: Black Mountain Rag
Roy Drusky: Strangers

10:45: Newport
Jimmy Newman (host): Back Pocket Money
Bobby Bare: Four Strong Winds
Crook Brothers: (?)
Jean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers to You
Jimmy Newman: Jambalaya

11:00: Coca Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: It Started Again
Margie Bowes: That Completely Destroys My Plans
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Sam Smith: Oh, Lonesome Me
Sam McGee: These Boots are Made for Walking
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You

11:30: Lava
Tex Ritter (host): The Boll Weevil
Willis Brothers: Gonna Swing 'Til My Rope Breaks
Loretta Lynn: Two Mules Pull this Wagon
Wilburn Brothers: I Can't Keep Away from You
Tex Ritter: History Repeats Itself
Marion Worth: Somebody Had to Lose
Willis Brothers: Tumbling Tumbleweed
Wayne Gray: Wheels
Tex Ritter: There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder

A couple of interesting notes from that night: The 7:00 National Life and Accident Segment had Jud Collins as the MC. From what I can discover, this was filmed as part of the National Life and Accident Company sponsored Grand Ole Opry syndicated television programs. 

Jud Collins, along with Louie Buck and David Cobb, are considered as the first three announcers of the Grand Ole Opry. He was employed by WSM in 1940, and worked there for 37 years before retiring as Vice President WSM Inc. in 1977. WSM Radio duties included: news, special events and sports announcing. He announced the Grand Ole Opry programs on WSM, NBC and Mutual Networks. He also wrote announced and produced music programs for WSM and NBC, and was WSM Military Reporter for Army Maneuvers prior to World War II. In 1950, he became Nashville's first TV news anchor and for 20 years, served as principle anchor for all news programs on WSM-TV, Channel 4. He served as political commentator and anchor for WSM-TV election returns telecasts from 1950 to 1970, originated and hosted Nashville's first variety TV program "Noon", which won a radio Television Council Award for ten consecutive years. He was appointed News Director for WSM Radio and Television in 1964. In 1974, he became a member of the Board of Directors for Fidelity Federal of Tennessee (Regions Bank) and served as member of the Executive Committee and the Advertising Committee. Other business involvements include two years as news anchor for Channel 2 and from 1981-1985. 

Also included in that filmed segment was an appearance by DeFord Bailey. There has been much written over the years that after DeFord was fired by George D. Hay in 1941, he never came back to the Opry until 1974. Obviously that is not true as through the 60s, DeFord appeared a couple of times at the Opry. For those interested, there is video of his appearances on YouTube. 

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There you have it for this week. Thanks for reading and commenting and as always, I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.