With the calendar turning to the month of July and the July 4th weekend upon us, a couple of notes to share prior to looking at the Grand Ole Opry for this weekend.
First, Circle TV will not be televising the Opry live this weekend, instead offering up a replay of a previous show. I would assume that Bobby Bones and the entire crew are taking the holiday weekend off. In looking back, and if my memory serves me, this will be the first Saturday night without a live telecast since the Circle shows began in March 2020. That is an amazing run when you think about it. I know there were weeks where TNN did not show a live Opry show and I seem to remember the same from CMT and GAC. So I would say that after 15 months, the crew deserves a weekend off.
The second item involves the return of the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree.
Here is the official word:
This Saturday marks the return of Ernest Tubb's Midnite Jamboree to its home, right here, at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. We are thrilled to have Darin & Brooke Aldridge as the hosts for this special night. Longtime Opry and Midnite Jamboree announcer, Keith Bilbrey, will be guest announcing. It will be LIVE and free to attend. The show starts at 10pm. Let's kick off this new chapter of the Midnite Jamboree in style. Thanks a lot.
It is going to be a busy weekend for Darin & Brooke Aldridge, as in addition to hosting the Midnite Jamboree, they are also going to be appearing on both Opry shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. Guesting with them both nights will be John Berry and John Crist.
There are just two Opry members scheduled each night, with Riders In The Sky and Pam Tillis scheduled to appear on Friday night and Jeannie Seely and Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press listed for Saturday night. While Jeannie and the Riders have been making regular appearances in 2021, this will be the first appearance for Pam and just the second appearance for Bobby.
Besides Darin & Brooke, and the two Johns, non-members appearing on Friday include T. Graham Brown, Emily Ann Roberts and Sister Hazel, while on Saturday night the Swon Brothers, Janelle Arthur and former "Nashville" star Charles Esten are listed.
Friday July 2:
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Emily Ann Roberts; Darin & Brooke Aldridge; John Berry
Intermission
8:15: Sister Hazel; T. Graham Brown; John Crist; Pam Tillis
Saturday July 3
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Swon Brothers; Darin & Brooke Aldridge; John Berry
Intermission
8:15: Janelle Arthur; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; John Crist; Charles Esten
Overall, a very average show at best.
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And now from 50 years ago, Saturday July 3, 1971:
1st show
6:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Harold Weakley
6:45: Willis Brothers (host); Del Wood; Johnny Russell
7:00: Justin Tubb (host); Bill Carlisle; Wilma Burgess; Stan Hitchcock
7:30: Charlie Walker (host); Grandpa Jones; Ernie Ashworth; Crook Brothers
8:00: Bobby Bare (host); Connie Smith; Joe & Rose Lee Maphis; Brooks Brothers
8:30: Tom T. Hall (host); Charlie Louvin; Diane McCall; The 4 Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Claude Gray
2nd show
9:30: Charlie Walker (host); Willis Brothers; Wilma Lee Cooper; Stan Hitchcock
10:00: Ray Pillow (host); Bill Carlisle; Johnny Russell
10:15: Charlie Louvin (host); Justin Tubb; Del Wood; Diane McCall
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Wilma Burgess; Claude Gray
10:45: Bobby Bare (host); Joe & Rose Lee Maphis; Crook Brothers
11:00: Tom T. Hall (host); Connie Smith; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); LaWanda Lindsey; The 4 Guys; Marion Worth
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There is another Grand Ole Opry anniversary to celebrate this weekend as Alison Krauss will be celebrating her 28th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Alison joined the Opry's cast on July 3, 1993 and here is the running order from that night:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Del Reeves (host): Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at a Time/Looking at the World Through a Windshield
The Whites: Hangin' Around
Del Reeves: Bad News
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down the Country
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Grandpa Jones: Little Old Home Down in New Orleans
7:00: Shoney's
Jack Greene (host): I'll Be There
Jimmy C Newman: La Cajun Band
Jeanne Pruett: I Oughta Feel Guilty
Stonewall Jackson: Ol' Chunk of Coal
Charlie Walker: There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of a Fool
7:30: Standard Candy
The 4 Guys (host): If It's from the Country, It's Coming from the Heart
George Hamilton IV: Has Anyone Here Seen Hank
Mike Snider: Battle Cry of Freedom/Get Your Hand off My Knee & Load the Cannon
Alison Krauss: Atlanta, I Hear You Calling/Big Mon
The 4 Guys: The Star Spangled Banner
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Comin'
Jean Shepard: Bouquet of Roses
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Charlie Louvin: See the Big Man Cry
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Ben Smathers
Opry Square Dance Band and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Address Unknown
Skeeter Davis: Lovesick Blues
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Jan Howard: You Don't Know Me
Roy Drusky: Son, Go Bring My Children Home
Hank Snow: I've Done at Least One Thing That Was Good in My Life
2nd show: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all Come
Del Reeves: There She Goes
Stonewall Jackson: Side Steppin' the Blues
Alison Krauss: (?)/Molly & Tenbrooks
Porter Wagoner: Wabash Cannonball/The Precious Jewel/Fireball Mail Night Train to Memphis/The Great Speckled Bird/On a Highway Headed South
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Bald Headed End of the Broom
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Gloryland March
The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home
10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
The 4 Guys (host): We're Only Here for a Little While
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
The 4 Guys: Swing Down Chariot
10:30: Piccadilly
Charlie Walker (host): Right or Wrong
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me
Charlie Walker: There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
10:45: Opry Book
Jimmy C Newman (host): Colinda
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Opry Square Dance Band and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sail Away Ladies
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Ancient History
Roy Drusky: Mississippi
Justin Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Jack Greene: Walking on New Grass/Statue of a Fool
Hank Snow: The Prisoner's Song/Are You Lonesome Tonight
11:30: General Jackson
George Hamilton IV (host): This Land is Your Land
Ray Pillow: Please Don't Leave Me Anymore
Jan Howard: Wayfaring Stranger
Mike Snider: Bells of St. Mary's
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
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Several of the readers have asked for more of the older line-ups, so I am happy to post this one from 67 years ago, Saturday July 3, 1954:
7:30: Prince Albert
George Morgan (host): Walking Shoes
Rod Brasfield: Gags
Carter Sisters: My Destiny
Dance: Old Joe Clark
George Morgan: The Great Judgement Morning
Moon Mullican: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Minnie Pearl: Gags
Carter Sisters: Well I Guess I Told You Off
George Morgan: I Think I'm Gonna Cry
Dance: Grey Eagle
8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): I Know My Baby Loves Me
Webb Pierce: Even Tho
Marty Robbins: Pretty Words
Johnny and Jack: You Are Just What the Doctor Ordered
Ernest Tubb: Jealous Lovin' Heart
Kitty Wells: He's Married To Me
Possum Hunters: Billy in the Low Ground
Webb Pierce: Sparkling Brown Eyes
Marty Robbins: Don't Make Me Ashamed
Dale Potter: Mocking Bird
8:30: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Hank Snow: I Don't Hurt Anymore
Jug Band: Bill Bailey
Martha Carson: I'll Bow Down
Lonzo and Oscar: Crazy About You Baby
Roy Acuff: Thank God
Oswald: Weary Lonesome Blues
Jimmy Riddle: Silver Bells
Howdy Forrester: Bill Cheatham
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Carl Smith (host): Go Boy Go
Jimmy Dickens: It May Be Silly
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Ray Price: Much Too Young To Die
Anita Carter: Heartless Romance
Jordanaires: Tattler's Wagon
Carl Smith: If You Tried As Hard To Love Me
Jimmy Dickens: You Better Not Do That
Chet Atkins: Alabama Jubilee
Carl Smith: Darling Am I The One
9:30: Warren Paint
Square Dance: Arkansas Traveler
Lew Childre: Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet
Cowboy Copas: Stranger in my Home
Roy Acuff (host): Wreck on the Highway
9:45: American Ace Coffee
Roy Acuff (host): Not A Word From Home
Carlisles: The Salesman Song
Oswald: Foggy Mountain
Goldie Hill: Call Off the Wedding
Roy Acuff: Radio Station S-A-V-E-D
Jimmy Riddle: Milk Cow Blues
10:00: Wall-Rite
George Morgan (host): I'd Like to Know
Webb Pierce: There Stands the Glass
Martha Carson: Lazarus
Don Slayman: Fire in the Mountain
George Morgan: It's Been Nice
10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Hank Snow (host): Music Making Mama
Minnie Pearl and Rod Brasfield: Gags
Ray Price: I'll Be There
Fiddle Tune: Cackling Hen
Hank Snow: Gonna Bid My Blues Goodbye
10:30: Hester Battery
Ernest Tubb (host): I'm Not Looking For an Angel
Jimmy Dickens; Thick and Thin
Carlisles: Moody's Goose
Duke of Paducah: Gags
Maybelle: Wild Flower
Moon Mullican: Good Deal Lucille
Ernest Tubb: I'm in the Crowd But So Alone
Jordanaires: Tattler's Wagon
Chet Atkins: Crazy Bone Rag
Jimmy Dickens: Waitress, Waitress
11:00: O-CEL-O
Roy Acuff (host): Lonesome Joe
Marty Robbins: My Isle of Golden Dreams
Bobby Hebb: Mr. Spoons
Jimmy Riddle: Pa Pa My Hoche
Roy Acuff: Eye From on High
Howdy Forrester: Billy in the Low Ground
11:15: W. E. Stephens
Carl Smith (host): Go Boy Go
Lonzo and Oscar: Wild Oats
Cowboy Copas: The Man Upstairs
Gully Jumpers: Dance All Night
Carl Smith: Back Up Buddy
11:30:
Hank Snow (host): Rumba Boogie
Lew Childre: Snow White Horse
Johnny and Jack: I Get So Lonely
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Hank Snow: Music Making Mama
11:45:
Webb Pierce (host): It's Been So Long
Sam and Kirk: I Wish I Had A Nickle
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Tennessee Wagoner
Webb Pierce: You Just Can't Be True
Fiddle Tune
The last 30 minutes did not have a sponsor listed. I took any spelling right off the program from that night.
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.
Happy July 4th to all!!
I think I would have preferred to be there in 1954!
ReplyDeleteGranting that there may be some touring and some personal matters, I think it's ridiculous that there are only two members on. I also think it's time for them to start going back to segments.
Glad to see Jeannie Seely and Bobby Osborne on the Saturday nightshow.
ReplyDeleteI guess two is better than NONE!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn looking at the schedule for this weekend, to me it is sad and regrettable that there are only two Opry members on each night. Does anyone have any thoughts regarding this rationale. Surely there are more Opry members that the two who will appear who would be willing to perform Friday and/or Saturday night. Does anyone think that having no host is going to become new norm for the Opry? It has always seemed to me that the Opry members were the emphasis of the show and any guest stars were bonuses. It almost feels the reverse now.
ReplyDeleteBruce,
ReplyDeleteI've been feeling that the host were on their way out for some time now. Just my opinion but I have wondered for a while if doing away with hosts was a long term plan and possibly advise from consultants. You all know I yearn for the days of 15-20 years ago and before but I can be realistic and understand that I'm getting to that age where change is inevitable and more pronounced. Things had to start changing whether I like it or not. Everything around us is changing, just look at what is acceptable on TV these days!
Who can be a host anymore? The numbers are dwindling and I can only think of maybe a dozen. Three of them are senior members, others are not there that often. On top of that, I'm thinking having hosts and traditional segments doesn't make a very good impression on today's audience. Given that some of the acts that appear today are not even country by todays standards and they go over well with the crowd, I don't think the majority of the crowd understands the Opry format we all grew up on. We know many think they will get to see an artist do several songs. If it is their first time and they have never listened on the radio they are probably confused when the old format is followed. Let alone the fact that most didn't know they were paying to hear commercials! Like so many other things that have changed in the last 15 months and will never return to the old way, I think Opry hosts and traditional segments are among them. I'd love to be wrong but per one of the new catch phrases of the day I think we are looking at the "new normal"!!
We lost George Hamilton IV in September 2014, Jimmy Dickens in January 2015, Jim Ed Brown in June 2015 and Jean Shepard in September 2016. Jimmy and Jean were not able to appear or host much in the final several months of their lives. George and Jim Ed were able to appear and host a little closer to their passing and I offer that when we lost Jim Ed the writing was on the wall for segment hosts. You began to see weekends when not enough experienced artist were on to properly host so Eddie and Mike started occasionally doing the hosting. The weekend shows started to look more like the mid week shows.
I'll repeat what I said in post not too long ago. The interaction between the host and guest in days past was part of the charm and character of the Opry. With today's diversity, another new catch phrase or word, I don't think the acts appearing on the Opry hang out together or know each other the way folks did when most appearing were just country acts. Therefore, the family and fellowship feeling is gone from the show and that lessens the appeal of the host and guest interaction.
In a nut shell, I think it is a reflection of the world we now live in and the expectations of the customer that will or has changed to Opry as many of us knew and loved it. I'm trying to accept it and still be a loyal fan and listener. I know we all used to get upset with Pete Fisher but maybe the overall shift in public taste, acceptance and understanding made the path the Opry is on inevitable. I'm not giving him a pass on some of the decisions he made but maybe they really didn't make that much difference in the end, they just sped up the process.
Wow, Bruce, did you want that long of an answer or rant! All just my uneducated opinion and feelings.
Jim
Knigthsville, IN
All these entertainers are capable of hosting a segment if given a chance ----- they do it all the time on the road shows --- Dashmann, Flushing , Michigan
ReplyDeleteI'll throw in that once upon a time, the segment "host" might not say much, and the announcer did introductions. But while anybody can host, not everybody can do it well. And I think of a TNN segment where Mr. Acuff said something at the end about how they had wanted him to do something, but it was his segment, so he didn't. Well!
DeleteI saw that Keith Bilbrey and family lost their home in a fire last week.
ReplyDeleteSister Hazel:
ReplyDelete"Sister Hazel is an American alternative rock band from Gainesville, Florida, whose style blends elements of jangle pop, folk rock, classic rock and southern rock."
Apparently they sing every style of music in the dictionary EXCEPT country music! :)
Can't wait.....
Sister Hazel was fairly well received, which kind of scares me.
ReplyDeleteAs I was listening to most of the Opry tonight, I was reading many of the comments on the Opry's Facebook page. Seemed that a number of people were upset that Circle was not doing a live Opry broadcast tonight, but were repeating an earlier show, one that was a "Salute to the Troops."
ReplyDeleteApparently some were not understanding of the concept that the Opry is a radio show. There were even a couple of comments stating that the "Circle Has Been Broken." Unreal and obviously some uninformed individuals.
I don't know what the future holds for the Opry and Circle TV. But to some, apparently the Opry has become nothing more than a one hour TV show on Saturday night.
Byron,
ReplyDeleteFunny you are telling all this. I'm not on Facebook, don't regret it at all, so I don't see these thigs. This kind of supports what I was saying earlier in the week. Intentional or not, the Opry has created something of a following that really doesn't understand the show. Therefore, to keep that audience happy, how can they ever go back to anything near what we are fond of? I'm truly afraid the Opry concept that survived nearly eight decades is a victim of progress and technology. I apologize to those who may be tired of me singing the blues but time changes everything. How's that, two songs in one sentence!!
It does give me a little hope when I here Bobby Osborne still go over very well even though he may not be on his A game 100% of the time these days. But he's how old, 86 or 87 or something like that? Pretty good I'd say.
Not being on FB, an word on how Jesse is doing? Just saw them on Porter's show. I'll throw out another song title, Gosh I Miss them (you) All the time!
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Jim: Bobby is 89. Close. But no cigar. Bob
DeleteI can enjoy folks like Bobby as they fall off from their peak. I am sick of "Rocky Top" though after he has done it every night he is on for what seems like the last 20 years ---- even Mr. Acuff didn't do the same song show after show --- Dashmann, Flushing, Michigan
DeleteThe first time Bobby Osborne comes on the 'Opry and does NOT sing Rocky Top will probably be the last time he's asked back.
DeleteThe crowd absolutely loves it, even with Bobby singing off key and the drummer at war with the rest of the band.
Bobby , out of pure pride , might not do Rocky Top anymore, if he ever listened to himself doing it ---- there are many better songs that he could perform and do them flawlessly --- even a 100mph fastball pitcher has to know when to go to the junk and be just as effective when he gets older ------ Dashmann , Flushing, Michigan ---
DeleteHow many letters can I leave out or words can I misspell? Sorry, but you get the point.
ReplyDeleteJim