I want to start off with a couple of thoughts on Stonewall Jackson, who passed away last Saturday after a long illness.
I was heartened to see on the various social media sites, the kind words that were written about Stonewall, with many fans speaking specifically of the meetings with Stonewall, and how he appreciated the fans. That is not really surprising as Stonewall was from that generation who valued their fans and took the time to visit with them and in many cases, becoming friends. I had met Stonewall just a couple of times, once at Opryland and also at the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. He was funny and gracious.
Many of the comments were in regards to Stonewall Jackson not being in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the fact that he should be. I agree. During the course of his career, Stonewall had only two #1 hits, "Waterloo" and "B.J. the D.J." All told, he had 11 Top 10 hits, with his final one being "Me & You & A Dog Named Boo," in 1971. His chart career was relatively short, first hitting in 1958 and last in 1973. (By the way, I had heard that Stonewall didn't really like "Me & You & A Dog Named Boo," but it turned out to be a good record for him). Later in the 70s and 80s he would sing "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal," which became a big hit for John Anderson. That version of the song took away the thunder from Stonewall's recording.
Sadly, in many ways Stonewall will be remembered not for being a Grand Ole Opry member for over 60 years, nor the last of the current Opry members to have joined the cast in the 1950s, but instead for suing Gaylord Entertainment, The Grand Ole Opry and Pete Fisher in 2006 for age discrimination. Stonewall stood up for others, such as Charlie Louvin, Del Reeves and Billy Walker, and while there was an out of court settlement made to Stonewall, that act will probably cost him any chance that he had for the Hall of Fame.
Those of my generation remember Stonewall as one of the great honky-tonk singers of his time, and while he didn't have huge chart success, it seemed you could not turn on a country station in the 60s and early 70s without hearing a Stonewall Jackson song. Taking in the body of his work, and his personality, if I had a vote, I would vote Stonewall into the Hall of Fame.
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Now a look at the Grand Ole Opry for this weekend and the name that stands out on the schedule is Grand Ole Opry member Randy Travis, who is scheduled for Saturday night. Randy joined the Opry on December 20, 1986, so I am going to assume there will be some type of recognition upon Randy's 35th anniversary as a member of the Opry's cast. While not an Opry member, fellow Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz is also scheduled with Randy and I am going to guess that Don will be on stage with Randy and performing a couple of the hits he wrote for Randy.
Looking at the rest of the weekend, Grand Ole Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show is scheduled for both nights, joined by John Conlee. Connie Smith is listed for Friday night, while Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne and Carly Pearce are on Saturday's slate.
Jon Pardi is guesting both nights, while Brittney Spencer, Killer Beaz and Charlie Worsham are down for Friday.
Friday December 10
7:00: John Conlee; Brittney Spencer; Charlie Worsham; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Killer Beaz; Jon Pardi; Old Crow Medicine Show
Saturday December 11
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; John Conlee; Old Crow Medicine Show
8:00: Carly Pearce; Don Schlitz; Randy Travis; Jon Pardi
After no live Circle television over the past couple of weeks, the final hour on Saturday night will be televised live.
Now from 50 years ago, Saturday December 11, 1971. The show featured guest appearances by Roy Clark, Tommy Cash and Jimmy Dickens, who was not a member of the Opry at that time.
7:00: Shoney's
Billy Walker (host): When a Man Loves a Woman
Stringbean: Run Little Rabbit, Run
Lonzo and Oscar: Rocky Top
Billy Walker: She Goes Walking Through My Mind
Stringbean: Train 45 Heading South
Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy
Billy Walker: Singing the Blues/Lovesick Blues/How Great Thou Art
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): But You Know I Love You
Jan Howard: Love is Like a Spinning Wheel
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die
Del Wood: Let the Good Times Roll
Bill Anderson and Jan Howard: Dis-Satisfied
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Lord; I'm Coming Home
Bill Anderson: Quits
8:00: Martha White
Billy Grammer (host): Columbus Stockade Blues
Jean Shepard: Safe in the Loving Arms of Mine
Grandpa Jones: I Don't Love Nobody
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Jean Shepard: Heart, We Did All That We Could
Grandpa Jones: The Valley of the Never Do No Good
Billy Grammer: He Is the Light of the World
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jim and Jesse: Freight Train
Roy Clark: Thank God & Greyhound You're Gone/I Never Picked Cotton
Roy Acuff: Night Train to Memphis
Howdy Forrester: Dusty Miller
Jim and Jesse: When I Stop Dreaming
Roy Clark and Donna Darlene: Ashes of Love
9:00: Luzianne
Tex Ritter (host): Take Him Fishin'
Tommy Cash: I'm Gonna Write a Song
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Tex Ritter: A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to Miami
Tommy Cash: Six White Horses
9:30: Kellogg's
Charlie Walker (host): My Baby Used to Be That Way
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Jimmy Dickens: Out Behind the Barn
Peggy Little: Little Henry Hurt
Charlie Walker: Got My Mind on the Border of Mexico
The 4 Guys: She's All I Got
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
Peggy Little: My God is Real
10:00: Fender
Billy Walker (host): Funny How Time Slips Away
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Lonzo and Oscar: Easy Loving
Billy Walker: A Million and One
10:15: Union 76
Bill Anderson (host): Love Is a Sometimes Thing
Jan Howard: Love is Like a Spinning Wheel
Billy Grammer: What a Friend
Del Wood: Are You from Dixie
Bill Anderson: Always Remember
10:30: Trailblazer
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): There's a Big Wheel
Grandpa Jones: A Dollar Short
Jean Shepard: Silver Threads and Golden Needles
Jim and Jesse: Snowbird
10:45: Beechnut
Roy Acuff (host): Just a Friend
Roy Clark: The Tips of My Fingers
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
11:00: Coca Cola
Tex Ritter (host): Texas
Jimmy Dickens: There's No Place Like Home for Christmas
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin Hen
Tex Ritter: A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to Miami
Sam McGee: Under the Double Eagle
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
11:30: Elm Hill
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Tommy Cash: Rise & Shine/The Farmer & The Lord
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
There were a few cancellations that night as Bobby Bare, George Morgan, Marion Worth and Justin Tubb were all on the schedule but cancelled.
I want to mention Donna Darlene, who did a duet with Roy Clark that evening.
Donna Darlene, born in November 1938, was from Kane, Pennsylvania. She started singing at a young age and appeared on various radio stations in Western Pennsylvania. By the summer of 1954, Donna was part of the Bob Spicker and the Sunset Ramblers group, helping out on vocals and playing bass. In the mid 1950s, Donna was appearing on the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree, appearing with Dusty Owens. Donna recorded for several record labels including Stardust, Wizard and Admiral, with limited success. Donna was married at one time to Doug Kershaw and then to Shot Jackson. She passed away on June 24, 2017.
Finally, there will be another of the Opry's Country Christmas shows on Sunday night, December 12. Trace Adkins was originally on the schedule, but I see that he is now off. As to the rest:
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: The Isaacs
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers; Connie Smith; Mandy Barnett; Charlie McCoy; Riders In The Sky
I have to say that the first couple of shows have been very good, as the Gatlins, Mandy, Charlie and Riders have formed a nice regular group on the show. This has turned out to be a wonderful idea by the Opry and hope this tradition continues in years to come.
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.
About Stonewall Jackson and the Hall of Fame ... there are some very deserving people out there who probably will never get in, including him and Jimmy C. Newman (I am prepared to make THAT argument), Archie Campbell, the Wilburn Brothers, and George Hamilton IV. And others, of course. How much the lawsuit hurt and how much his not performing much in recent years--and of course the disease that caused his death entered into that--affect it is hard to say.
ReplyDeleteI thought of this. Stonewall was one of the members "purged" in 1964 for not making enough appearances. He was the last of those reinstated to come back--May 1969 (George Morgan, Billy Grammer, and Justin Tubb came back sooner). Ultimately, Stonewall was a member for more than 60 years, and a month or two ahead of Bill Anderson on the seniority list.
That got me to thinking about his lawsuit. He had left the Opry. When he came back, I have no doubt it was with the idea that if he was loyal to the Opry, the Opry would be loyal to him. So he gave up those 20 or so weekends where he could have made more money, as Billy Walker, Del Reeves, and Charlie Louvin did. And he was not repaid.
Who do you think does or did better tributes? Jeff or Eddie. I know that's not a fair question. Bob
DeleteChris Janson is in for Sunday night replacing Trace Adkins. I'm not 100% sure who the spotlight artist will be for the show, I've heard Chris and also the Issacs, so not sure.
ReplyDeleteJeff did a fantastic job on the Stonewall Jackson tribute. Eddie would be proud of him. I know I am. Bob
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to feel about the legal thing for a simple reason. I'd never heard of Stone Wall outside of the Civil War until Jeff Foxworthy mentioned it on the cmt awards. The opry has to be about filling seats, and I wonder even though a huge amount of the older artists are better than the younger ones, with most fans not knowing who they are, can't you kind of see the point in cutting them back?
ReplyDeleteI study the charts as a hobby and I include other trade publications other than Billboard. For instance Cashbox and Record World were just as reputable in country music as Billboard. In fact some believe Cashbox and Record World monitored country stations in jukeboxes better than Billboard. In taking in all the publications, “A Wound Time Can’t Erase” and “Life to Go”, were also number one hits.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree— he should be a Hall of Famer.
Stonewall may be turning over in his grave listening to Old Crow Medicine Show trying to sing Waterloo.
ReplyDeleteConnie Smith saved them! :)
I love the Crows but that was so bad I was trying to figure out who it really was ! Dashmann, Flushing, Michigan
DeleteNat: My thoughts exactly. I hope they didn't get a standing ovation for that performance. Bob
ReplyDeleteWho do you guys see going into the Hall of Fame this year coming up in 2022?.
ReplyDeleteI would think Tanya Tucker has got to be put in sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteI saw her sing live about a year ago, and I'm not sure I've ever heard any country singer sound better in person, male or female.
Nat, I'm with you, and I think she, like some other possibilities, probably irked some in the establishment. Another way to think about it: She got her start about the same time Marty Stuart did, and certainly has had a ton more hits, but Marty did a lot within the country music community. That's obviously not a knock on him, but it may reflect how they feel about her.
DeleteI was sort of hoping Marty in Modern Era and Tanya in Veteran Era would have gotten in to the HOF in the same year. They both started in 1972 and are about 10 days apart in age. It would have been a sight to see.
DeleteIs there still bad blood between Tanya and Glen Campbell's family? If there is, is there a possibility that someone in that camp is doing what they can to keep her out? Not saying they are, but it's something that has me wondering.
A.B.
I thought last night's Grand Ole Opry was one of the best in the past year. Really no complaints with any of the artists. The televised portion, where Randy Travis was honored was well done. Sadly, Randy is no longer able to talk or sing and had to be assisted while walking and standing. He seemed to enjoy himself and appreciated the standing ovation that he received, several times. Nicely done by the Opry.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what day or night it is anymore. I listened to the Tuesday Night Opry, the Wednesday Night Opry, the Friday Night Opry, the second hour of the Saturday Night Grand Ole Opry as I was driving home from Chicago on the WSM app & I am now listening to tonight's Sunday Night Opry Country Christmas & I have enjoyed every show very much. Luckily for me I can & am keeping it all straight; sure just when these wonderful Sunday Opry Country Christmas shows are coming to a close.
ReplyDeleteThe Opry did a wonderful job recognizing Randy Travis's 35 year of Opry membership, now I have to watch it.
While he is unable to speak and/or sing, we can see him keeping beat to a song bobbing his head, his musical abilities are still in him folks. We're so lucky to still have Randy Travis with us. He has recorded a great amount of stone-cold country music for all of us to listen to & enjoy. While I missed Carly Pearce's appearance, I thoroughly enjoyed Don Schlitz's appearance, he just stands there & sings the songs he wrote but he is so charming & can be quite funny & I think he would make a terrific Opry member. I enjoyed Jon Pardi paying tribute to Randy by singing 1982, he did a great job. I am a fan of Jon Pardi's, he is a traditional country singer. He engages the audience & does a great job & it appears he just loves being on the Opry, he's a hoot! Another one I could see being a good Opry member at some point, not now, maybe in a couple of years.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone ~
(Jeanene)
It was wonderful to have Brenda Lee surprising the audience last night, joining with Mandy Barnett in Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree.
ReplyDelete