Who else finds it hard to believe that the Kentucky Headhunters will be making their Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday night?
During all of their years as entertainers, GRAMMY® Award-winning southern rock, blues and country group The Kentucky Headhunters have never performed on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. That all changes on Saturday, Dec. 4 when the boys from the Bluegrass State walk into the Opry’s hallowed wooden circle for the very first time.
“I must say The Kentucky Headhunters had to take a deep breath, twice, when our publicist Don Murry Grubbs called to say we had been asked to be on the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time,” says Headhunters guitarist and vocalist Richard Young.
In the early '90s when the Headhunters released their debut album, Pickin' on Nashville, Bill Monroe approached Roy Acuff about having the group perform on the Opry stage.
"Mr. Acuff said, ‘I think they are probably good boys and would do a fine job, but let's get 'em a haircut first," reminisces Young. "Needless to say, it never happened. We are so looking forward to our first appearance on the Opry stage in 30 years. We still got our hair, too. Well, most of it!”
The Kentucky Headhunters, declared "the great American rock 'n' roll band" by Billboard, began their professional journey in 1968 when brothers Fred and Richard Young and cousins Greg Martin and Anthony Kenney formed the southern blues-rock band Itchy Brother. The band later became The Kentucky Headhunters. Their first album from the early '90s, Pickin' on Nashville, was released by Mercury Records and surprised the world, becoming a bona fide hit, selling over two million copies. The album won a GRAMMY® Award, three CMA Awards, an American Music Award and an ACM Award. It spawned four consecutive Top 40 country hits: "Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine," "Dumas Walker," "Oh Lonesome Me," and "Rock 'n' Roll Angel." The Kentucky Headhunters are Richard Young, Fred Young, Greg Martin and Doug Phelps. To date, the band has sold over eleven million records worldwide.
Last month, the Headhunters released their first album of all-new material in half a decade. The twelve-track compilation, That’s A Fact Jack!, is available now via Practice House Records.
Personally, I had thought that the Headhunters had appeared on the Opry before, but in checking my records, I found that Brother Phelps did appear on the Opry after they had left the group. So I guess that clears up that mystery.
As to the rest of the Opry line-ups for the first weekend in December, Grand Ole Opry member and Country Music Hall of Fame member Ricky Skaggs is on the schedule for both nights. While Jeannie Seely is the only other Opry member on the schedule for Friday night, Saturday night's show, in addition to Ricky, will have John Conlee, Del McCoury Band, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith and Bobby Osborne performing.
Besides the Kentucky Headhunters making their Opry debut this weekend, Tim Dugger will also be performing on the Opry for the first time, with his appearance taking place on Friday night. That show will also feature a return appearance by Birdtalker, along with Tyler Rich, Holly Williams, the veteran group Shenandoah and Christian recording artists Keith & Kristyn Getty. Saturday night, in addition to the Headhunters, has Clare Dunn and Suzy Bogguss on the schedule.
Friday December 3
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Tyler Rich; Holly Williams; Shenandoah
Intermission
8:15: Birdtalker; Tim Dugger; Ricky Skaggs; Keith & Kristyn Getty
Saturday December 4
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; John Conlee; Del McCoury Band; Clare Dunn; Riders In The Sky; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss; The Kentucky Headhunters; Ricky Skaggs
A native of Alabama, Tim Dugger began performing music when he was a child in the '90s, getting his start singing at church. He veered toward country music as a teenager, playing in a series of bands, graduating to bars as he reached the end of his teens. Soon, he was hawking his original material at shows, which often followed the NASCAR circuit.
During the mid-2000s, when he was heading out of his teens, Dugger had a reality TV show called Highway to Fame in development. The show finally hit the air in 2012, featuring Dugger along with several other fledgling country singers.
He continued to perform regularly through the mid-2010s, writing and recording original material along the way. These songs would regularly appear as digital singles on the internet. By 2015, he'd signed with Curb Records, working with producer Jim Ed Norman on the material that comprised his debut EP, Beer on a Boat.
Over the next four years, Dugger regularly played live, maintaining his strong connection to the NASCAR circuit. He released his second EP, the Brandon Hood-produced Signs of a Good Time, early in 2020.
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I have to say, that in my humble opinion, the Saturday show looks very, very good. Six of the Nine artists are Opry members, and the case can be made that Suzy Bogguss would make a good member. The Kentucky Headhunters are an interesting act, while Clare Dunn has done a good job on the Opry in her pervious appearances. Sadly, there will be no live TV again this weekend.
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday December 4, 1971:
7:00: Shoney's
Jack Greene (host): The Whole World Comes to Me
Jeannie Seely: All Right, I'll Sign the Papers
Billy Walker: Smokey Places
Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely: She's All I Got
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely: Much Oblige
Jimmy Dry: Sing Me a Sad Song
7:30: Standard Candy
Del Reeves (host): A Dozen Pair of Boots
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Jimmy C Newman: Blue Christmas
Del Reeves: Philadelphia Fillies
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Satisfied
Stringbean: Y'all Come
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star
Del Reeves: A Dime at a Time
8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): True Life Blues
Jean Shepard: Help Me Make it Through the Night
Stu Phillips: For the Good Times
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Bill Monroe: Highway of Sorrow
Jean Shepard: Safe in the Loving Arms of Mine
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigrae
Bill Monroe: Stoney Lonesome
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: I'm Sorry if My Love Got in Your Way
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Mac Wiseman: Jimmie Brown, the Newsboy
Roy Acuff: The End of the World
Connie Smith: Too Much to Gain to Lose
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
9:00: Luzianne
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Dottie West: Six Weeks Every Summer; Christmas Every Other Year
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Dance All Night
Billy Grammer: God Will Take Care of You/What A Friend
Dottie West: Country Girl
Bill Carlisle: Polka Salad Annie
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Willis Brothers: Big Daddy
Lonzo and Oscar: Lonesome Road Blues
Hank Snow: On the Sea Shores of Old Mexico
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Lonzo and Oscar: Easy Loving
10:00: Fender
Billy Walker (host): When A Man Loves A Woman
Jack Greene: Hanging Over Me
Jeannie Seely: All Right; I'll Sign the Papers
Billy Walker: A Million and One
10:15: Union 76
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: On the Banks of the Ohio
Stringbean: Ruby
Jimmy C Newman: Back Pocket Money
10:30: Trailblazer
Bill Monroe (host): Christmas Time's A' Coming
Jean Shepard: Silver Threads & Golden Needles
Willis Brothers: Cimarron
Bill Monroe: White House Blues
10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Connie Smith: I'll Fly Away
Bill Carlisle: I'm Movin'
Crook Brothers: Ragtime Annie
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Snowbird
Dottie West: Me & Bobby McGee
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Dottie West: Put Your Hand in the Hand
Billy Grammer: Theme from Dr. Zhivago
Sam McGee: Wildwood Flower
Hank Snow: As Love Goes
11:30: Elm Hill
Stu Phillips (host): Help Me Make it Through the Night
The 4 Guys: You Can Tell the World About This/Sweet Caroline
Lonzo and Oscar: Columbus Stockade Blues
Stu Phillips: Welcome to My World
Mac Wiseman: Homestead on the Farm
Del Reeves was scheduled for a second spot however he did not make it.
There you have it for the first weekend of December. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTBWiUkR69w Bob
ReplyDeleteWhen Circle Network launched, the original premise was that they would have "compilation shows" of Opry shows and not be live. When the pandemic hit, it became the only avenue to keep the Opry in front of people's eyes instead of relying solely on radio or other audio-only outlets. Having said this, not having as many live broadcasts isn't a surprise to me since it wasn't originally supposed to be that way.
ReplyDeletePatrick, I had heard through the rumor mill that Circle was only under contract to show a certain number of "live" shows. I have not been able to confirm that and wondering what you might have heard. And yes, I do remember that when Circle started airing the Opry shows, they were not live broadcasts. It would appear that perhaps Circle is easing its way back to what they originally had programmed.
DeleteTo follow up on that thought, I find it interesting when reading the comments on the Opry's Facebook page when Circle elects not to show a live show but a rebroadcast. There are a couple of angry people who seem to go off each week this happens.
That's how GAC was with the Opry. Bob
DeleteThere is a Honky Tonk in Mount Prospect, Illinois by the name of "Dumas Walker." Bob
ReplyDeleteSee, we are more correct than we sometimes think when we say big changes started when Mr. Acuff passed. These days, if you can live long enough you will probably get to play the Opry no matter your genre of music. Opryland is still with us.....the home of America's music" now known as the Grand Ole Opry. I know, I know.....times change!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, we talk about what is currently played on radio today and I'm wondering if Nat listens to the station out of Bloomfield, Indiana. They are owned by the Mid-America Radio Group and broadcast Classic Country. I understand it is programed outside the country, somewhere in Europe I believe. That figures! They are not the slickest or most professional sounding station but I can drive down the road and leave the radio turned up. They play mainly 60's through 80's but they go back to the 40's. At the top of the hour they play some pretty old stuff. I've heard Roy Acuff's first recording of the Cannonball from 1947, Johnny and Jack and Good Night Sweetheart, Grandpa Jones and Mountain Dew, Jimmy Newman and Cry, Cry Darilin' and it seems like they have played Bill Monroe. They play more than just the number one's coming up with some rare ones for the day. Not the Jeff Hoag/Eddie Stubbs deep catalog things but it sure is nice to be able to drive down the road and listen to them.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I listen to it sometimes Jim. The problem with it, in my mind at least, is that I've heard many of the songs they play about a million times. How many times can I listen to "one piece at a time" or "love a rainy night?" It seems they have broadened their play list some recently, which is a step in the right direction. I feel the same way about Willie's Road House, where I swear they have a play list they repeat often. That's why I loved Eddie Stubbs and now love Jeff Hogue. Play classic country, and often include songs I haven't heard in decades, and some I haven't heard at all.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to please me! :)
As to the 'Opry, I sure don't understand some of the groups I've heard lately. Not one bit country.
Nat,
DeleteI haven't been able to listen for any great length of time or consecutive days so I had not noticed the repetition yet. It doesn't surprise me though. I just know it's nice to hear Faron Young, Mel Tillis, Dotty West and others once in a while when I'm in one of my two vehicles that the cassette deck has failed in. Most of my vehicles are 90's vintage!
When my brother was still able to do his classics show on local radio, he would do requests once a month. He would get so frustrated at the people calling to ask for the same thing each time he did it. We both agree with you, we want variety. There is so much great music from the 40's through the 80's to chose from. But the program directors think they have to be big hits to be played.
My brother also gets mad when he listens to Charlie Monk on XM and he plays Elvis and all the slippery slope music from the 70's such as Olivia (or Oliver as Justin used to say) Newton John and others. I hope we never meet him because my brother will give him an ear full.
Jim
Jim and Nat: What is teh name of that station?? I would liek to see if I can get it over here in Spain over teh internet. One sattion I listen to is WUUQ out of Chattanooga ove rher ein Spain. Great playlists.. MAinly play 60-80, and some things I have never heard or havent heard in years. I am a big fan of teh Hoage and Stubbs catalogue... I have learned lots of music from listening in.
ReplyDeleteSeeing reports that Grand Ole Opry member Stonewall Jackson has passed away. A true legend in country music and an Opry member for just over 60 years. While this is not a surprise, it is still sad to see.
ReplyDeleteI wonder when he passed Did you hear Ricky dedicate "Why I'm Walkin'" to him last night?
ReplyDeleteJim
Yes, I did hear. They are saying he passed away today. That would probably explain the significance of Ricky singing Stonewall's classic hit last night.
DeleteWDCK-FM is a very low budget radio station. Not sure very much programming is live, mostly internet stuff and very little local information.
ReplyDeleteNo web-stream that I know of. Sorry!
He passed away early Saturday morning.
ReplyDeleteNASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) – The country music world lost one of its legends today.
ReplyDeleteLongtime country music performer Stonewall Jackson passed away Saturday morning after a long battle with vascular dementia, according to a Jackson family member.
Stonewall came to Nashville in 1956 from Tabor City, North Carolina, looking to sing his songs for anyone who will hear it.
He famously walked into one of Nashville’s top publishing companies at the time, Acuff-Rose, just to “see if anybody in country music would talk to me.”
Stonewall’s songs quickly earned him a meeting with the founder of the Grand Ole Opry, George D. Hay, and its manager, W.D. Kilpatrick. Jackson recalls, “They took me down the hall and signed me to a regular member’s contract…I’ve been here ever since.”
Before Stonewall’s career took flight, he spent his time shipping Opry souvenir books from the basement of the National Life Building, according to the Opry website.
His first hit, “Life to Go,” changed everything in 1958.
Stonewall recorded several hit country songs in the late 1950s and early 1960s, such as “Smoke Along the Track,” “B.J. the D.J.,” and “Waterloo,” which became his signature tune.
Over his career, Stonewall would record 44 singles that placed on the Billboard country charts.
Stonewall is credited with the first “live” album recorded at the Ryman Auditorium, with his Recorded Live at the Grand Ole Opry album in 1971.
The late Porter Wagoner used to introduce Stonewall on his show by saying he came to the Opry “with a heart full of love and a sack full of songs.”
Stonewall lived in Brentwood, TN, with his wife, Juanita, who ran his publishing company Turp Tunes. Juanita died in 2019 from Alzheimer’s Disease.
His son, Stonewall Jackson Jr., remains in the Nashville area and served as primary caretaker for both of them through their illnesses.
Stonewall Jackson died at 5:35 a.m. on Saturday...he was 89 years old.
I'm not as sharp as I used to be. Is he the last of those that joined in the 50's?
ReplyDeleteTater use to introduce him as being "Plain as an old shoe" which might have sounded crude to those who really didn't follow the Opry close but I know it was said with love and respect and probably pretty true.
He played Brazil in the late 90's for two sets during our 4th of July festival. After his first set, I gave him a pencil drawing I had done of him and Mr. Acuff. He ask if I would like to present it to him on stage during the evening set. That would have been neat just to be able to have said some nice things to and about Stonewall as fans. However, Jeannie Seely was playing the same evening in Nashville, Indiana and we had to get on the road to make it to her show.
One of the earliest LP's my brother and I had access to was the Harmony(Columbia reissue/single LP) LP "The Exciting Stonewall Jackson". There are some wonderful ballads on that LP. A Little Guy Called Joe, A Broke Heart-A Wedding Band, Tears on Her Bridal Bouquet, and Wedding Bells for You and Him. Eventually we would acquire that 1971 live LP too.
It's too bad that Stonewall will probably best be remember for the dispute he had during Pete Fisher's reign. He was a solid and loyal member while his health was good and the Opry would have him.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I think he is the last of those from the 1950s..... So sad!!! With each passing of these legends, it is no longer the Opry I grew up on in the 80s and 90s.
ReplyDeleteYes, he was the last of the Opry's members who were left that had joined the cast in the 1950s. Bill Anderson joined in 1961 and now he is the longest current Opry member.
ReplyDeleteThere is Snow in Hawaii! But we already knew that didn't we. Remember the 1967 LP Snow in Hawaii.....by Hank of course!
ReplyDeleteJim