Grand Ole Opry 8/27 & 8/28

I want to start off this week by remembering a couple of artists that we lost last week, Tom T. Hall and Don Everly. 

Tom T. Hall was born in Olive Hill, KY on May 25, 1936. After his time with the Army, Hall attended Roanoke College where he worked as a disc jockey before launching his radio career at WRON/Ronceverte, WV. Hall went on to have a career in radio that spanned WMOR/Morehead, KY and WSPZ/Spencer, WV before Jimmy C. Newman recorded his song, “DJ For A Day,” in 1963. The following year, Hall relocated to Nashville and began work as a songwriter for Newkeys Music. In 1968, Jeannie C. Riley took her recording of Hall’s “Harper Valley PTA” to No. 1, selling more than six million copies and winning both a Grammy Award and CMA Award for the song. Hall later released his version as part of his The Definitive Collection album.

Tom T. also penned songs for Johnny Cash, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, Alan Jackson and Bobby Bare in addition to releasing his own material, including “A Week In A Country Jail,” “Ballad Of Forty Dollars,” “The Year Clayton Delaney Died,” “(Old Dogs, Children And) Watermelon Wine,” “Ravishing Ruby,” “I Love,” “Country Is,” “I Care” and “Faster Horses (The Cowboy And The Poet).” From 1980-1982, Hall hosted the syndicated country music television show Pop! Goes The Country. A member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1971, Hall was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He and his late wife Dixie Hall were enshrined in the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2019 Hall was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 

As mentioned, Tom T. Hall joined the Grand Ole Opry in January 1971. He left the Opry in June 1974, somewhat unhappy with the move of the Opry from the Ryman Auditorium to the new Grand Ole Opry House. He rejoined the Opry in March 1980 and made his last Opry appearance in June 1992. 
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Don Everly, half of the Country Music Hall of Fame duo The Everly Brothers, passed away on Saturday at the age of 84. Born Isaac Donald Everly on Feb. 1, 1937 in Brownie, KY, Everly first sang with his late brother Phil and mother and father, Ike and Margaret, as The Everly Family in the 1940s. As a duo, the brothers first gained attention from Nashville musicians while still attending an area high school and began writing and recording their own music in 1956. The following year, “Bye Bye Love,” written by fellow Hall of Famers Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, hit No. 1 setting off a string of hits that included “Wake Up Little Susie,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream” and “Problems.” From 1957 through 1958, the duo toured with Buddy Holly. The Everly Brothers signed with Warner Bros. in 1960 and recorded “Cathy’s Clown,” later re-released by Reba McEntire. In 1961, both brothers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, but additional success continued with “That’s Old Fashioned (That’s The Way Love Should Be)” being their last entry in the top 10 in 1962. Between 1957 and 1962, only Elvis Presley, Pat Boone and possibly Rick Nelson outsold The Everly Brothers.

In the 1970s, the brothers began releasing solo music and officially broke up in 1973 before reuniting 10 years later. During his solo run, Don found some success on the Country charts with his band, Dead Cowboys, and recorded “Everytime You Leave” with Emmylou Harris for her 1979 Blue Kentucky Girl album. The Everly Brothers continued to perform together periodically until Phil’s death in 2014 (Chronicle 1/6/14). The pair were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class of 1986 and were named to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Don was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019 and was awarded the organization’s first Iconic Riff Award for his rhythm guitar intro to “Wake Up Little Susie.” 

Don and Phil Everly joined the Grand Ole Opry in June 1957 as part of a youth movement taking place at the Opry. Sadly, they did not last long as their career took them in a different direction. 

With the death of Don Everly, the list of former Grand Ole Opry members still living gets a little shorter. 
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Now looking ahead to this weekend at the Grand Ole Opry and the final weekend in the month of August. Really a nice group of Opry members in town and performing this weekend with Gene Watson, Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith and Dailey & Vincent on the schedule for Friday night. John Conlee returns Saturday night, joined by Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press. 

Guesting on Friday night will be King Calaway, Ingrid Andress and comedian Chonda Pierce. No comedian is listed for Saturday night, but I guess you could put Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots in that classification as Bobby will be on stage. Also guesting will be the legendary Rodney Crowell, Michael Ray, season 17 American Idol winner Laine Hardy (who will be making his Opry debut) and frequent Opry guest Lauren Alaina. 

Friday August 27
7:00: Gene Watson; Riders In The Sky; Jeannie Seely; King Calaway
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee; Chonda Pierce; Ingrid Andress; Dailey & Vincent

Saturday August 28
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; John Conlee; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Connie Smith; Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots
8:00: Michael Ray; Rodney Crowell; Laine Hardy; Lauren Alaina

While I am pleased that Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots will not be on the Circle TV portion of the Opry on Saturday night, sadly neither will any Opry members be featured. 

For those who listened last week, which was Saturday night show #4990, "Nashville" star Connie Britton introduced the show via video. It would appear that they are going to have a different celebrity introduce each show leading up the the 5000th on Saturday October 30. 

Finally, in regards to the Opry's 5000th Saturday night show on October 30, the initial list of Opry members scheduled to appear that night has been released and it is a very nice list with a lot of variety: Bill Anderson, Terri Clark, Vince Gill, Chris Janson, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Gatlin Brothers and Chris Young, with more to be announced. 
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday August 28, 1971: 

1st show
6:30: Osborne Brothers (host); Margie Bowes; Bobby Harden
6:45: Charlie Louvin (host); Willis Brothers; Del Wood
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Claude Gray; Connie Eaton
7:30: Tompall and The Glaser Brothers (host); Stu Phillips; Bill Carlisle; Crook Brothers
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa Jones; Charlie Walker; Louie Roberts
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys; Diana Trask; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Willis Brothers; Bobby Harden; Del Wood; Diane McCall
10:00: Tompall and The Glaser Brothers (host); Earl Scruggs Revue
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Osborne Brothers; Margie Bowes
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Ramona Jones; Jimmy C Newman; Bill Carlisle
10:45: Charlie Walker (host); Stu Phillips; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Louie Roberts; Connie Eaton; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); The 4 Guys; Diana Trask
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Looking back to Saturday August 28, 1976, Jimmy C Newman celebrated his 20th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Here is the running order from that night: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Melba Montgomery: No Charge
Billy Grammer: Amazing Grace

6:45: Rudy's
Wilburn Brothers (host): Country Honey
Cledus Maggard: The White Knight
Mike Lunsford: Honey Hungry
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl

7:00: Shoney's
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Don Gibson: Doin' My Time
Lonzo and Oscar: Green Green Grass of Home
Stoney Cooper: (?)
Bill Carlisle: Shanghai Rooster
Don Gibson: A Legend in My Time

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Seven Lonely Days
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Cotton-Eyed Joe
Jean Shepard: Ain't Love Good
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Roy Drusky (host): Strangers
The 4 Guys: In the Morning Sun
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady/The Bitter They Are
Marion Worth: Okie from Muskogee
The 4 Guys: Turn Around; Look at Me
Roy Drusky: One Day at a Time

8:30: W. E. Stephens
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Micki Fuhrman: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Kenny Roberts: I Miss My Swiss; My Swiss Miss Misses Me
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
George Hamilton IV (host): Early Morning Rain
Billy Grammer: (?)
Cledus Maggard: The Torn Flag
Mike Lunsford: Honey Hungry
Billy Grammer: Somewhere My Love
George Hamilton IV: Canadian Pacific
Don Eanes: Black Mountain Rag

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Jean Shepard: Ain't Love Good
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Roy Acuff: Cabin in Gloryland

10:15: Union 76
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Curly Headed Baby
Wilburn Brothers: Country Kind of Feelings
Melba Montgomery: Lonely Street
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: When My Time Comes to Go

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Don Gibson: Oh, Lonesome Me/I Can't Stop Loving You
Roy Drusky: Deep in the Heart of Dixie

10:45: Beech-Nut
The 4 Guys (host): In the Morning Sun
Marion Worth: You Win Again
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Rachel
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of a Dove

11:00: Coca Cola
Jimmy C Newman (host): When the Saints Go Marching In
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady/The Heart
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Jimmy C Newman: Cry, Cry Darling
Kirk McGee: Wheels
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

11:30 Elm Hill
Stu Phillips (host): Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Micki Fuhrman: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry/One Day at a Time
Kenny Roberts: She Taught Me to Yodel/Stolen Hours
Stu Phillips: It Is No Secret
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Finally, back 66 years go another of those great 1950 era line-ups, this time looking at Saturday August 27, 1955: 

7:30: Federal Fertilizer
Jordanaires: Theme
Marty Robbins: That's Alright Mama
Fiddle Tune: Old Joe Clark
Red Sovine: I Hope You Don't Care
Louvin Brothers: God Bless Her
Fiddle Tune: Fire on the Mountain

7:45: American Ace
Ferlin Husky: I Feel Better All Over
Martha Carson: I Feel It in My Soul
Bennie Martin: Ice Cold Love
Ferlin Husky: I'll Be There for a Lifetime
Fiddle Tune: Ragtime Annie

8:00: Martha White
Jordanaires: Theme
Ernest Tubb: I Know My Baby Loves Me
Cowboy Copas: Filipino Baby
Wilburn Brothers: Mixed Up Melody
Possum Hunters: Bill Cheatham
Ernest Tubb: It's a Lonely World
Grandpa Jones: 8 More Miles to Louisville
Maybelle Carter: Wild Flower
Cowboy Copas: The Man Upstairs
Wilburn Brothers: My Heart or My Mind
Ernest Tubb: Daisy May

8:30: Prince Albert
Hank Snow: Honeymoon on a Rocket Ship
Jordanaires: Dig a Little Deeper
Marty Robbins: Maybelline
Fiddle Tune: Mississippi Sawyer
Hank Snow: God's Little Candles
Moon Mullican: Someone More Lonesome Than You
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Marty Robbins: This Broken Heart of Mine
Chet Atkins: Smiles
Hank Snow: A Fool Such As I
Fiddle Tune: Arkansas Traveler
Jordanaires: Let's Make a Joyful Noise

9:00: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff: Little Moses
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Grey Eagle
Johnny and Jack: So Lovely Baby
Lonzo and Oscar: Courting in the Rain
Kitty Wells: As Long As I Live
Jug Band: Uncle Noah's Ark
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Roy Acuff: Lights in the Valley
Oswald: Nobody's Business
Roy Acuff: Green Back Dollar

9:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Jordanaires: Theme
Ernest Tubb: Kansas City Blues
Louvin Brothers: If We Forget God
Anita Carter: Here We Go Again
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Martha Carson: Crying Holy
Eddie Hill: Smack Dab in the Middle
Grandpa Jones: Pretty Little Pink
Ernest Tubb: Driftwood on the River
Chet Atkins: Ida Sweet as Apple Cider
Martha Carson: Singing on the Other Side
Fiddle Tune: Devil's Dream

10:00: Wall-Rite
Cowboy Copas: Feeling Low
Bill Monroe: Close By
Wilburn Brothers: Temptation Go Away
Cowboy Copas: Any Old Time
Fiddle Tune: Katy Hill

10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Marty Robbins: Isle of Golden Dreams
Carl Butler: Fan Mail Charlie
Moon Mullican: Pipeliner
Marty Robbins: Pretty Words
Fiddle Tune: Bile Them Cabbage Down

10:30: Hester Battery
Ernest Tubb: Two Glasses Joe
Red Sovine: The Bandit
Bob Jennings: Oh, Mama What Does the Blue Bird Say
Ernest Tubb: Mississippi Gal
Fiddle Tune: Eighth of January

10:45: D Con
Hank Snow: Cryin, Prayin, Waitin, Hopin
Jimmy Snow: Someone Else's Heartache
Gully Jumpers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Hank Snow: Why Don't You Punish Me
Fiddle Tune: Cacklin Hen

11:00: W. E. Stephens
Ferlin Husky: I'll Baby Sit With You
Marty Robbins: Call Me Up and I'll Come Callin on You
Martha Carson: Counting My Blessings
Autrey Inman: It's A Shame
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Ferlin Husky: Cus You're So Sweet
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Maybelle Carter: Gold Watch and Chain
Marty Robbins: I'll Go Alone
Fiddle Tune: Rickett's Horn Pipe

11:30: Delited
Cowboy Copas: Gone and Left Me Blues
Louvin Brothers: When I Stop Dreaming
Eddie Hill: Same Old Dream
Wilburn Brothers: I Wanna, Wanna Wanna
Bill Monroe: Mule Skinner Blues
Bennie Martin: Who Put the Tears in Your Blue Eyes
Sam and Kirk: When My Sweetie Puts Her Loving On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Louvin Brothers: Love Thy Neighbor
Cowboy Copas: Tragic Romance
Fiddle Tune: To Be Announced

On of the fascinations in looking at these older line-ups are the song selections as many of the artists were early in their careers with many hits to follow, while others, such as Bill Monroe, already had established himself. 

There you have it for this week as we close out the month of August. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.