Tuesday Night Opry August 24

After missing his last scheduled appearance due to illness, Jamey Johnson is back on the schedule for this week's Tuesday Night Opry. Also scheduled to appear is a group that hasn't been around the Opry for a while, The Grascals. There was a point in time when they were making very frequent appearances on the Opry and many thought they would some day become members. 

Also appearing will be Grand Ole Opry members Jeannie Seely and Terri Clark, along with comedian Henry Cho, Hailey Whitters and Brotherly Love. 

7:00: Connie Smith; The Grascals; Hailey Whitters; Henry Cho
Intermission
8:15: Brotherly Love; Terri Clark; Jamey Johnson

As a group, this will be the Opry debut for Brotherly Love, yet as individuals, they are not strangers to the Opry. 

Brotherly Love consists of Jimmy Fortune, Bradley Walker, Mike Rogers and Ben Isaacs, who have joined forces to record a stellar album/video that showcases each artist’s widely-acknowledged individual gifts and spotlights their incredible musical chemistry.

Each member of the group brings a wealth of experience to the Gaither Music Group project. Fortune rose to fame as a member of the Statler Brothers and penned some of their biggest hits (“Elizabeth,” “Too Much on My Heart”) before forging a successful solo career when the quartet retired. Walker is a DOVE Award-winning artist with a strong following in country, gospel and bluegrass. Isaacs has performed with his mother and sisters for years as the GRAMMY-nominated group The Isaacs.  Formerly with the legendary Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Rogers is one of the most highly respected musicians in bluegrass music.

Each member brings their intriguing amalgam of experiences and influences to Brotherly Love. The result is a diverse collection that spotlights some of the best-loved gems on America’s musical landscape. Walker takes lead on the mournful Hank Williams Sr. classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Fortune’s pristine tenor shines on the Vince Gill hit “Go Rest High on That Mountain.” Rogers delivers a spirited take on the O Brother, Where Art Thou hit “Man of Constant Sorrow”; and Isaacs’ warm voice revives the Don Williams’ hit “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.”

Their friendship and camaraderie shine on the title track, “Brotherly Love,” a country hit for the late Keith Whitley and Earl Thomas Conley. The album also features the Statler Brothers’ classic “The Class of ’57” and Roy Orbison’s “Crying” as well as such gospel standards as “The Lighthouse,” “Daddy Sang Bass” and “Where No One Stands Alone.”

A 12-time GRAMMY-nominated producer who has shepherded many of the top names in the industry, Isaacs produced Brotherly Love. 

Isaacs, Fortune and Rogers have all spent time performing in successful groups; but for Walker this was a new experience. “This is really my first time to be able to record an album as part of a group. Almost everything I’ve ever done has been as a solo artist, singing lead,” says Walker, who won the 2018 DOVE Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album. “I feel so blessed just to be a part of this."

In addition to recording the album, the foursome also filmed a concert video at Rory Feek’s barn that will be featured as a television special on multiple networks. The award-winning singer/songwriter Feek conducted behind-the-scenes interviews with the group members as well as Bill Gaither and hosted the DVD, which captures special, in-the-round performances of the songs on the album, plus two bonus songs—“Elizabeth” and “I’ll Fly Away.”  

This project not only showcases great songs brought to life once again through amazing performances, it also celebrates the bonds of true friendship. “If ever we needed brotherly love we sure need it in the world today towards one another,” Fortune says. “We need to look at each other with the love of real brotherhood. We’re all in this together. No matter what our differences are, we have more in common than we think we do, and that is love for one another. That’s what this whole project is all about, and that’s why we wanted to call it Brotherly Love.”
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