Grand Ole Opry 11/19 & 11/20

Looking at the line-ups for the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry this weekend, I see that Opry member Rhonda Vincent is scheduled for both nights and that brings a smile to my face. 

For years and years, Rhonda had a dream and desire to be a member of the Opry. Sadly, under the previous general manager, the invitation to join never came. Happily, after a change at the top, the invitation for Rhonda to join came in 2020, with her official induction taking place in February 2021. 

Talk about being a loyal member of the Opry, and taking her Opry membership seriously, the two shows this weekend will mark Rhonda's 22nd and 23rd Opry appearances of the year, with only Jeannie Seely, Riders In the Sky and Connie Smith appearing more often. 

Here is a perfect example of Rhonda's devotion to the Opry. After appearing on the Tuesday night Opry this week, Rhonda was off to Branson, Missouri to appear Wednesday and Thursday at the Mansion Theater, and then back to Nashville to perform at both Opry shows this weekend. A very busy week for Rhonda. 

So who else will be joining Rhonda at the Opry this weekend? As far as Opry members, John Conlee is on the schedule for both nights, with Connie Smith listed for Friday night with Jeannie Seely and Bobby Osborne on the schedule for Saturday night. 

A number of interesting guest artists this weekend. Starting with Friday night, Kristian Bush is back on the schedule, along with comedian Chonda Pierce. Additionally, there is Eric Paslay, Caitlyn Smith and Hayes Carll. Can't honestly say that any of these are huge names, but they certainly fill out the show with a lot of variety. 

Saturday night has a return appearance by Kat & Alex, along with The War and The Treaty, and John Crist, another of the comedians who seems to be in the rotation that the Opry is using. 

On an added note, there is no live Circle TV Opry show this weekend as the network will be showing a previously recorded show. 

Friday November 19
7:00: John Conlee; Eric Paslay; Caitlyn Smith; Hayes Carll
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith; Chonda Pierce; Kristian Bush; Rhonda Vincent

Saturday November 20
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Kat & Alex; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; John Conlee
Intermission
8:15: Rhonda Vincent; John Crist; The War and The Treaty

And now from 50 years ago, here the running order from Saturday November 20, 1971: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jimmy C Newman (host): Diggy Liggy Lo
Ernie Ashworth: A New Heart
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallin' Star/Boo Dan

6:45: Rudy's
George Hamilton IV (host): West Texas Highway
Barbara Mandrell: After Closing Time
George Hamilton IV: Anyway
Barbara Mandrell: Treat Him Right
George Hamilton IV: Country Fried

7:00: Luzianne
Bill Monroe (host): Cotton Eyed Joe
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Grandpa Jones: Make Me a Pallet Down on the Floor
Connie Smith: Louisiana Man
Bill Monroe: The Little Community Church
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Satisfied
Grandpa Jones: My Dear Old Southern Home
Connie Smith: In the Garden
Bill Monroe: (?)

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bobby Bare: Four Strong Winds
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Crook Brothers: (?)
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light
Bobby Bare: Miller's Cave
Willis Brothers: For the Good Times
Roy Acuff: Cabin in Gloryland

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Stringbean: Train 45 Heading South
Archie Campbell: Hey, Waiter
Mac Wiseman: I'll Still Write Your Name in the Sand/The Bluebirds Singing for Me
Stringbean: Y'all Come
Haskel McCormick: McCormick's String Picnic
Lester Flatt: Before I Met You

8:30: Stephens
Ernest Tubb (host): A Good Year for the Wine
Wilburn Brothers: We Need a Lot More Happiness
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
Marion Worth: You Don't Have to Be a Baby to Cry
Ernest Tubb: Blue Christmas
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Wilburn Brothers: The War Keeps Draggin' On
Ernest Tubb: Kansas City Blues

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
George Hamilton IV (host): Early Morning Rain
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: The Banks of the Ohio
George Hamilton IV: She's a Little Bit Country
Barbara Mandrell: Tonight My Baby's Coming Home
Jimmy C Newman: Cry, Cry Darling
George Hamilton IV: Country Fried

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
Howdy Forrester: Sally Goodin'
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:15: Union 76
Bill Monroe (host): You Won't Be Satisfied That Way
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Bill Monroe: Sally Goodin'

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host) and Bill Monroe: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Mac Wiseman: Shackles & Chains
Lester Flatt and Mac Wiseman: Will You Be Loving Another Man
Uncle Josh: Just Joshin'

10:45: Beechnut
Ernest Tubb (host): I'm Looking High & Low For My Baby
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Crook Brothers: 8th of January
Ernest Tubb: Shenandoah Waltz

11:00: Coca Cola
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Stringbean: Little Pink
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Phil Campbell: Mule Skinner Blues
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Sam McGee: Victory Rag
Archie and Phil Campbell: Release Me

11:30: Elm Hill
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Marion Worth: For the Good Times
Stu Phillips: Help Me Make it Through the Night
Wilburn Brothers: The War Keeps Draggin' On
Marion Worth: Okie from Muskogee
Stu Phillips: Danny Boy
Wilburn Brothers (with Lester and Leslie): The Old Country Church

A pretty solid show from 1971 with future Opry member Barbara Mandrell appearing. 

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.