Grand Ole Opry 10/15 & 10/16

The countdown to #5000 continues this week as the Grand Ole Opry will be presenting it's 4,998 Saturday night broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry. 

This weekend will see Grand Ole Opry members Connie Smith and John Conlee scheduled for both nights. They will be joined on Friday night by Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Bobby Osborne and Country Music Hall of Fame members Oak Ridge Boys, while on Saturday night Jeannie Seely is one the schedule. While it would be nice to see more Opry members on the schedule, it is wonderful that Connie and Jeannie continuing to support the Opry, with more appearances lately from John and Bobby. 

For those wondering where Bill Anderson has been lately, he posted in his October newsletter that he will be having some surgery and will not be appearing on the Opry until (hopefully) October 30, giving him time to recover. 

The guest list on Friday night is very interesting. One of the highlights is Jim Peterik making his Opry debut. Also scheduled are the fabulous Malpass Brothers. For those who are not familiar, these guys are very, very good. Erin Enderlin, one of the bright young songwriters in Nashville is also listed as is Stephanie Urbina Jones. All together, this makes for a very good lineup. 

In addition to the Opry members previously listed for Saturday night, comedian Henry Cho is on the schedule, along with Deana Carter. Personally, I am happy to see Deana listed as she is very talented. They will be joined by Stephanie Quayle, Elvie Shane and Tyler Farr. 

As with last weekend, there will be no live Circle TV this week.

Friday October 15
7:00: John Conlee; Erin Enderlin; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Stephanie Urbina Jones; The Malpass Brothers; Jim Peterik; Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday October 16
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Stephanie Quayle; John Conlee; Elvie Shane
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith; Henry Cho; Tyler Farr; Deana Carter

As mentioned, this will be the Opry debut for Jim Peterik, and while this will be his Opry debut, he is certainly a veteran in the music business as it was in the 70s that he released his first solo album "Don't Fight The Feeling." and for over 55 years Jim has been the driving force of The Ides Of March. Their timeless hit “Vehicle” is played daily all over the world; and their live show remains a juggernaut featuring all the original members. 

In the seventies, Jim combined his love for melody with driving rock in the band Survivor. Their phenomenal rise to the top was borne on the back of the amazing songs that Jim co-wrote. The Eye Of The Tiger from the film Rocky III, has become an indelible classic, and garnered Jim Grammy and People’s Choice awards; as well as an Oscar nomination. Other Billboard chart-toppers followed: The Search Is Over, High On You, and I Can’t Hold Back. Further hits from films followed, too. Burning Heart from Rocky IV topped the charts; and Jim co-wrote the theme of the seminal animation hit Heavy Metal with Sammy Hagar.  

A long lasting and fruitful relationship started in 1980 between Jim and the southern-rock group .38 Special. Jim co-wrote their platinum hits Hold On Loosely, Caught Up In You, Wild-Eyed Southern Boys, Fantasy Girl, and Rockin’ Into The Night. Their collaboration continues to this day. Jim has also written with the beloved Lynyrd Skynyrd. 

n September of 2014, Jim’s Autobiography “Through The Eye Of The Tiger” was released. The book traces Jim’s path from humble beginnings in Suburban Chicago to his stellar career as a Platinum Hit Songwriter, Successful Musician and In-Demand Producer. In 2016 Jim released “The Songs”, taking his top hits to Nashville in an entirely new light, working with some of Music City’s greatest. Recently, Jim has worked with Dennis DeYoung, formerly of Styx on his 2 acclaimed solo releases; and is working with Chicago’s Robert Lamm. Jim has also produced “Tigress: Women Who Rock The World” which will be released 5 November 2021. 
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday October 16, 1971. This was also the Grand Ole Opry's 46th birthday celebration: 

1st show
6:00: Tex Ritter (host); Dolly Parton; Jim Ed Brown; Stonewall Jackson; Roy Drusky; Willis Brothers
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Ray Pillow; Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Stu Phillips; Bill Carlisle
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Tom T. Hall; Del Wood; George Morgan
7:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Loretta Lynn; Charlie Louvin and Melba Montgomery; Crook Brothers; Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Charlie Walker
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Grandpa Jones; Dottie West; Billy Walker; Del Reeves; Justin Tubb
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Wilburn Brothers; Connie Smith; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Bob Luman; The 4 Guys

2nd show
9:30: Tex Ritter (host); Willis Brothers; Dolly Parton; Jim Ed Brown; Roy Drusky; Stonewall Jackson; Jimmy C Newman; Del Wood
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Grandpa Jones; Ray Pillow
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Stu Phillips; George Morgan
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Tom T. Hall; Dottie West; Justin Tubb; Bill Carlisle
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Loretta Lynn; Billy Walker; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Del Reeves; Freddie Hart; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Wilburn Brothers; Connie Smith; The 4 Guys; Bob Luman

What a line-up!! Certainly a few more Opry members then they had at this year's birthday weekend. 

A couple of notes from that show: Porter Wagoner was originally scheduled to host the 6:00 and 9:30 segments but was sick and did not appear, thus Tex Ritter hosted. Also scheduled but failing to appear were Tompall and The Glaser Brothers, Jim and Jesse and Cousin Jody. Ernie Ashworth, Bill Monroe, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, Charlie Louvin and Charlie Walker only appeared on the first show, while Jimmy C Newman and Earl Scruggs only on the second. 

While that is an impressive list of Opry members, there were a few who did not appear that night: Bobby Bare, Margie Bowes, Archie Campbell, Skeeter Davis, Billy Grammer, Hank Locklin, Lonzo and Oscar, Bobby Lord, Osborne Brothers, Jean Shepard, Stringbean, Marion Worth and George Hamilton IV. Also not appearing was Mel Tillis, who many feel was actually an Opry member during this period. 

The first show actually stayed pretty much on time, however the second show did not end until 1:00 a.m. 
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Looking back, it was 55 years ago, Saturday October 15, 1966 that Del Reeves became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Del first appeared as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry in 1958 while still in the Air Force. When Del joined the Grand Ole Opry, it was an emotional night for Del and he later said: 

"And in 1967 I finally joined the Opry, during the DJ convention week. Porter Wagoner introduced me. And my mother and daddy were in the audience to see one of their seven sons make the Opry. I don't even think I got out Doodle-do-do-do, which has been my trademark with me, before I started cryin.' Porter came up and put his arms around me. And when he done that I laid my head on his shoulder, and the band kept playin', an' Porter started gettin' tears in his eyes, an' it was just one big cryin' mess. I think I finally did begin to compose myself." (Interesting that Del's memory faded a little bit: the year was actually 1966 and the DJ convention was actually the following week). 

What is also interesting is that Del's manager Hubert Long, had been asked a year earlier if Del was interested in joining the Opry, however Hubert turned the Opry down as Del was very busy on the road and wasn't going to be able to meet the Opry's 26 Saturday night appearances that were required at the time. But Hubert told Del not to worry, the Opry would call back, and they did. 

Here is the running order from Saturday October 15, 1966: 

7:30: Luzianne
Jimmy C Newman (host): Back Pocket Money
Willis Brothers: A 6ft 2 by 4
Bob Luman: Come On & Sing
Jean Shepard: If Teardrops were Silver
Jimmy C Newman: Cry, Cry Darling
Del Wood: Melinda
Ernest Ashworth: Pushed in a Corner
Willis Brothers: Big Daddy's Alabammy Bound
Jimmy C Newman: Bring Your Heart Home

8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Wonder If You're Lonesome Too
Tex Ritter: High Noon
Bill Anderson: I Get the Fever
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Flatt and Scruggs: Houston
Crook Brothers: 8th of January
Billy Grammer: The Real Thing
Flatt and Scruggs: Mama, You've Been on My Mind
Earl Scruggs: Lonesome Road Blues

8:30: Stephens
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slew Foot
George Morgan: Almost
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain
Archie Campbell: Most Richly Blessed
Porter Wagoner: The Green, Green Grass of Home
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Jeannie Seely: It's Only Love
Mac McGaha and Buck Trent: Turkey in the Straw

9:00: Pet Milk
Ernest Tubb (host): Driving Nails in My Coffin
Bill Monroe: The Walls of Time
Wilburn Brothers: Hurt Her Once for Me
Marion Worth: More Than You'll Ever Know
Ernest Tubb: Another Story
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Ernest Tubb: Slipping Around

9:30: Kellogg's
Bobby Lord (host): Cash on the Barrel Head
Willis Brothers: Diamonds on Your Hands
Ray Pillow: Volkswagen
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Bobby Lord: Losers Like Me
Del Wood: Cajun Stripper
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey
Bobby Lord: That's All Right

10:00: Schick
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
George Hamilton IV: Truck Driving Man
Stringbean: 20cent Cotton and 90cent Meat
Bob Luman: Memphis

10:15: Pure
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star
Ernest Ashworth: At Ease, Heart
Leon Butler: He'll Have to Go
Porter Wagoner: Howdy Neighbor Howdy

10:30: Harvey's
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Petticoat Junction
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
George Morgan: You're the Only Good Think
Flatt and Scruggs: Ballad of Jed Clampett

10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks a Lot
Dottie West: Let Me Talk to You
Ray Pillow: I'd Fight the World
Crook Brothers: Greenback Dollar
Ernest Tubb: I'll Step Aside

11:00: Coca Cola
Bill Monroe (host): Uncle Pen
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven
Wilburn Brothers: It's Another World
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking In My Sleep
Bill Monroe: Live & Let Live
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Sam McGee: Steel Guitar Rag
Bill Monroe: A Used to Be

11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Ribbon of Darkness
Marion Worth: Ever Since My Baby Went Away
Charlie Louvin: See the Big Man Cry
Billy Grammer: The Real Thing
Marty Robbins: The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight
Del Reeves: The Belles of Southern Bell
Cousin Jody: Mocking Bird
Marty Robbins: Devil Woman/Bouquet of Roses/I could Never be Ashamed of You/Take These Chains from My Heart/Lovesick Blues/El Paso

I always enjoyed seeing and hearing Del on the Opry as he was a real showman and I enjoyed his many imitations that he would do, among them being Roy Acuff, Hank Snow and Walter Brennen. I also find it hard to believe that "Girl on the Billboard" was Del's only #1 record. 

Del Reeves would remain a member of the Grand Ole Opry until his death on January 1, 2007. Sadly, Del's final years were not kind to him at the Opry as he was one of the veterans that had been singled out by Pete Fisher, thus leading to a reduction in his Opry appearances. In his last year he entered a period of declining health leading to his retirement and eventual death. 
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Finally, on Saturday October 16, 1976, the Grand Ole Opry paid tribute to Vito Pellettieri, who at that time had been the stage manager of the Opry for 42 years. At the time, Vito was 87 years old and was described as "the man who stood in the shadows of the Opry's dark curtain, and became one of the brightest personalities in country music." 

Vito Pellettieri was born in Nashville in 1889 and in his younger days was a musician and dance band leader. In 1934, George D. Hay, the founder of the Grand Ole Opry, hired Vito to help him run the show. As Vito said, "I helped originate the Grand Ole Opry. Mr. Hay called me and wanted me to help him with some music shows. I told him I didn't know anything about them hillbillies. First off, we started puttin' on shows at Hillsboro Theater, outside of Nashville. But it got rough. They'd all come in drunk and have orgies. So we moved, and it got yonder worse! A whole lot of drinkin' and all. They drank a lot in those days."

After the Opry moved to the Ryman Auditorium, Vito said that his duties were "Posting up programs, making sure the show ran smoothly and on time; continually watching the clock, and making sure the acts were ready to go on when their time came." Whether they were superstars or just starting out, Vito treated each one as if they were his children. If an act wasn't performing up to standards, no matter the star, Vito would pull him or her into a dressing room and hold them accountable. 

Vito was the one who organized the Opry into commercial segments with each act given a time slot in which to perform. Up until then it was disorganized chaos. And if an act didn't show up on time, they didn't go on. As he stated, he also added professionalism to the show, making sure each act was properly dressed and behaved. 

Vito never drove, taking the bus downtown each Saturday night to the Ryman Auditorium. In his later years, Vito would be driven to the new Grand Ole Opry House from his home. 

Roy Acuff was Vito's favorite Opry member, however Hank Snow and Vito had a special relationship that Hank wrote about extensively in his book. 

While never having been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame (and he should have been), in 1974 and 1975 he was one of the finalists. In 1971, Vito received from BMI, a special Commendation of Excellence as "The man who made it his personal responsibility to see that Grand Ole Opry performers were presented in their proper light." 

Here is the running order from Saturday October 16, 1976, which was also the Opry's 51st birthday celebration: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Guy Willis and C.W. Mitchell: Home on the Range
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me

6:45: Rudy's
Del Reeves (host): Girl on the Billboard
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me, I'm Falling
Del Reeves: Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song

7:00: Shoney's
Ernest Tubb (host): Letters Have No Arms
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind
Oswald: Mountain Dew
Roy Clark: Little Old Log Cabin In the Lane/A Pain in My Heart & Blues on My Mind
Roy Clark and Jimmy Henley: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Ernest Tubb: Another Story; Another Time; Another Place

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Wilburn Brothers: Country Kind of Feelings
Dottie West: Here Come the Flowers
Jimmy C Newman: Thibodeaux & His Cajun Band
Roy Drusky: Deep in the Heart of Dixie
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Porter Wagoner: When Leah Jane Would Sing

8:00: Martha White
Grandpa Jones (host): A Pretty Little Girl
The 4 Guys: Top of the World
Jerry Clower: Selling Possum For a Dime
David Houston: Come on Down
Lonzo and Oscar: Rocky Top
Marion Worth: Burning Bridges
Grandpa Jones: Night Train to Memphis

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Jeanne Pruett: Hold to My Unchanging Love/Love Me/You Don't Need to Move a Mountain/Satin Sheets
Stu Phillips: Have a Nice Day
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Jimmy Dickens: The Preacher Man
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Hank Snow: She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Sunshine
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Guy Willis and C.W. Mitchell: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Mac Magaha: Orange Blossom Special
Porter Wagoner: When Leah Jane Would Sing/Cold Hard Facts of Life/Carroll County Accident/Green, Green Grass of Home

10:00: Fender
Ernest Tubb (host): If You Don't Quit Checking on Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Kitty Wells: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels
Johnny Wright and Kitty Wells: Ashes of Love
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas

10:15: Union 76
Stonewall Jackson (host): Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): I Don't Love Nobody
Lonzo and Oscar: Crawdad Song
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of a Dove
Roy Clark: A Sweet Bunch of Daisies/Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Jimmy Henley: Orange Blossom Special/Bluegrass Breakdown

10:45: Beechnut
Wilburn Brothers (host): It's Another World
Jerry Clower: Selling Butter to See Tarzan
Oswald: The End of the World/The Great Speckled Bird
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Lafayette

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Jeanne Pruett: Hold To My Unchanging Love/Love Me/You Don't Need to Move a Mountain/Satin Sheets
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Del Wood: Chosen Children
Kirk McGee: While I'm Away
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind

11:30: Elm Hill
David Houston (host): Almost Persuaded
Stu Phillips: Have a Nice Day
Jimmy Dickens: Family Reunion
Marion Worth: Afraid
Stu Phillips: Let Me Love You All Over Again
Jimmy Dickens: The Preacher Man
David Houston: Come on Down

In 1959 it was announced that Vito faced mandatory retirement from both of his positions as the music librarian at WSM and as the stage manager of the Grand Ole Opry. Immediately, every single member of the Grand Ole Opry signed a petition demanding that he be allowed to continue at the Opry. WSM officials relented, and while he retired as the WSM librarian, he was allowed to continue at the Opry. Later that year, at the annual disc jockey convention, hosted by WSM and the Opry, Vito was honored with a surprise program. That night, Roy Acuff said, "He is one of the men who made the Opry what it is today." Vito received a five minute ovation after which he said, "This is the most impressive moment of my life."  

On Saturday night April 2, 1977, Vito worked his final night at the Grand Ole Opry. By that time, his duties had become largely "honorary" as age took its toll. A few days after that final show, Vito suffered a stroke and passed away on April 14. At the Opry, Vito was never replaced. As one Opry member said several years later, "I miss Vito. You know, we don't have a marshal anymore. What we have out there is a piece of paper in a box, with a list of the acts and when they're supposed to go on. But we don't have anybody encouraging us, goading us, giving us advice on how to do better. Nobody to jack us up."

Vito Pellettieri. One of those who helped to make the Opry what it is today. 

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.