The Grand Ole Opry has posted the lineups for the shows this weekend. Hopefully there will be no weather issues this weekend in Nashville and both shows will take place. I guess there is a first for everything and last Friday night the show was cancelled due to the heavy snow in the Nashville area.
In my memory, there has never been a weather-related cancellation of an Opry show, and I can tell you from personal experience, there have been some Opry shows that took place on some bad weather nights. I can specifically remember one show in the late 1990's-early 2000's, when I was at the Opry on a Saturday night and there couldn't have been no more than 150 people in the Opry House for either show. But the shows went on and it was a pretty good show at that. I also remember the hostesses asking the few fans who were sitting in the balcony for the second show to please move down to the main floor.
Looking at the schedule for this weekend, I am impressed with the lineups that they have put together as both nights look very solid.
One of the Grand Ole Opry's newest members, Mark Wills, is scheduled for both nights. He will be joined on Friday night by members John Conlee, Bobby Osborne, Jeannie Seely and The Isaacs. On Saturday night, Mark will be joined by Riders In The Sky, Del McCoury Band, and a couple of Hall of Famers, Bill Anderson and Connie Smith.
We have a new comedian who will be making his Opry debut on Friday night and that is Reno Collier. Reno comes from the Atlanta, Georgia area and has made a number of television appearances over the years, including on all of the major late night talk shows. He has also toured with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Ron White, along with Larry The Cable Guy. I guess we will see what he brings to the Opry.
Also guesting on Friday night is LOCASH and Sunny Sweeney. I saw Sunny on the Opry back in October and I really enjoyed her. She had made numerous Opry appearances over the years and it was nice to see her back.
Guesting on Saturday will be comedian Dusty Slay, along with Lindsay Ell and Charles Esten. Nice to see that even though "Nashville" has been off the air for a few years now, Charles is still performing on the Opry and making music.
Friday January 14
7:00: John Conlee; Sunny Sweeney; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mark Wills
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely; The Isaacs; Reno Collier; LOCASH
Saturday January 15
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Mark Wills; Bill Anderson; Lindsay Ell; Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith; Dusty Slay; Charles Esten; Riders In The Sky
A nice group of 5 Opry members each night. Also, no live TV this week.
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And now from 50 years ago, Saturday January 15, 1972:
7:00: George Morgan (host); Bill Carlisle; Ernie Ashworth; Johnny Carver
7:30: Billy Grammer (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Jim and Jesse; Stringbean
8:00: Bill Monroe (host); Grandpa Jones; Archie Campbell; Crook Brothers
8:30: Tompall (host) and The Glaser Brothers; Skeeter Davis; Earl Scruggs Revue
9:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Charlie McCoy; Bob Luman; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Hank Snow (host); Willis Brothers; Charlie Walker
10:00: Tompall (host) and The Glaser Brothers; Jim and Jesse; Stringbean
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Billy Grammer
10:30: George Morgan (host); Grandpa Jones; Wilma Lee Cooper
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Archie Campbell; Crook Brothers; Bob Luman
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Skeeter Davis; Willis Brothers; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Charlie Walker; Don Winters
(Charlie Louvin, Dottie West and Marion Worth were all scheduled but cancelled. Ernie Ashworth and Bill Carlisle, along with Marty Robbins who closed out the show, appeared only once that night)
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Looking back, it was 22 years ago, January 15, 2000 that the Grand Ole Opry welcomed Ralph Stanley as its newest member.
Despite little musical influence as a child, Ralph Stanley took up banjo playing as a teen. His mother bought his first banjo and began teaching him how to play “clawhammer” style when he was around fifteen years old.
His musical career didn’t kick into full swing until after he returned from a brief stint in the US Army in 1945. After considering a career as a veterinarian, he decided to join his guitar-playing older brother, Carter Stanley, and start a band called Clinch Mountain Boys. The band’s style was influenced by traditional mountain bluegrass music, singing styles of the Primitive Baptist Church, and Carter Family harmonies.
The duo soon caught the eye of a Columbia Records executive who signed them on as the Stanley Brothers. In the late 1950s, the brothers made a transition to King Records and continued performing as The Stanley Brothers until 1966 when Ralph’s brother passed away.
After overwhelming encouragement from fans and close friends, Ralph Stanley made the tough decision to keep performing on his own after his brother’s passing. He eventually paired up with Larry Sparks, Roy Lee Centers, and Charlie Sizemore to bring back the Clinch Mountain Boys, and the band later welcomed Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitely, who were just teens at the time.
Ralph Stanley’s musical life continued prosperously, and in 1976, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Music from Lincoln Memorial University, spawning the popular title “Dr. Ralph Stanley.” He was inducted into the International Music Hall of Honor in 1992, and the Grand Ole Opry in 2000, the same year in which his work was featured in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? - for which he won a 2002 Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
After considering retirement and even scheduling a farewell tour in 2014, Ralph Stanley later announced a welcome decision to continue gracing the country with his beloved, signature style of music.
On June 23, 2016, Dr. Ralph Stanley passed away while battling complications from skin cancer. He will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of his family and fans, and his legend lives on through his music, which will inspire generations of artists to come.
Here is the running order from Saturday January 15, 2000, the night Ralph Stanley became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:
1st show
6:30: Opryland Hotel/Banquet
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Jack Greene: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Ricochet: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
7:00: Shoney's
Johnny Russell (host): Wabash Cannonball
Joe Diffie: A Night to Remember/Behind Closed Doors
Ralph Stanley: A Man of Constant Sorrow/Little Maggie
Ralph Stanley and Patty Loveless: Pretty Polly
7:30: Standard Candy
Trisha Yearwood: She's In Love With the Boys/Real Live Woman
Billy Walker: I Love You Because
Reba McEntire: I'd Rather Ride Around With You/What Do You Say/Is There Life Out There
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Osborne Brothers: Some Things We Want to Sing About
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Bill Anderson: Still
8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
John Hartford: Gentle on My Mind
Loretta Lynn: You're Looking at Country/Coal Miner's Daughter
Jimmy Dickens: I'm Just Blue Enough To Do Most Anything
2nd show
9:30: Ryman Auditorium
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
The Whites: Making Believe
Del Reeves: There She Goes
Loretta Lynn: Out of My Head & Back in My Bed/Your Squaw Is On the Warpath/Coal Miner's Daughter
Porter Wagoner: Green Green Grass of Home/She Burnt the Little Roadside Tavern Down
10:00: Lincoln Mercury
Jeannie Seely (host): Sentimental Journey
Ralph Stanley: Think of What You've Done
Ralph Stanley and Patty Loveless: Pretty Polly
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
10:15: Fluffo
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Reba McEntire: It's the Fear of Being Alone/What Do You Say/An Honest Heart
Jimmy Dickens: What Will I Do Then
10:30: Ryman Auditorium
Jimmy C Newman (host): Allons A LaFayette
Trisha Yearwood: She's An American Girl/Walk Away Joe/Living on the Wrong Side of Memphis
10:45: Joggin In A Jug
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jan Howard: He's All I Got
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius: You Don't Bring Me Flowers
11:00: Coca Cola
Bill Anderson (host): No Fair Falling in Love
Osborne Brothers: Kentucky
Joe Diffie: It Ain't The Quittin' Kind/Ships That Don't Come In
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar
11:30: Ryman Video
Charlie Walker (host): Who Will Buy the Wine
John Hartford: Love Grown Cold
Ray Pillow: Baby, That's Cold
Mike Snider: Battle Cry of Freedom/Get Your Hand off My Knee & Load the Cannon
George Hamilton IV & V: I'm Using My Bible for a Roadmap/Cabin in Gloryland
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
(Holly Dunn was scheduled for both shows but cancelled)
Nobody could complain about either Opry show that night. In addition to Ralph Stanley being inducted as the Opry's newest member, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Loretta Lynn, Trisha Yearwood and Joe Diffie were all on the schedule for that night, and each performed on both shows. For Reba, the show marked her 14th anniversary as an Opry member, while Billy Walker, who was on the first show, was celebrating his 40th year as a member of the Opry. Both shows that night took place at the Ryman Auditorium.
What was interesting for Ralph Stanley was that he had been asked to become an Opry member just the night before, on the Friday Night Opry, with Ricky Skaggs doing the invite. There was no waiting for Ralph, as the induction took place the following night with Patty Loveless doing the honors.
Here is the line-up from the Friday Night Opry, January 14:
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host): Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle; The 4 Guys; BR5-49
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jack Greene; The Whites; Ralph Stanley
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Billy Walker; Del Reeves; Jim Ed Brown
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jeanne Pruett; Mike Snider; Trisha Yearwood
9:30: Johnny Russell (host): Charlie Louvin; Jimmy C Newman; Stonewall Jackson; George Hamilton IV
Have to say that the Friday show was pretty good also.
The Stanley Brothers, Carter and Ralph, have been in the discussion a few times regarding election into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Sadly, it has never happened and chances are it will not. I do think, however, that a case could be made for their inclusion into the Hall.
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.
Johnny Carver is one of those artists that made a TON of opry guests appearances in the 1970's.
ReplyDeleteI will always say that Mark is one of the very best singers of all time and for sure in Nashville today! Also how many of us shooke our heads at Charles and thought that when Nashville was done, he'd be gone. I'll never be a huge fan musically because most people can sing like that it's just okay, if that, but he's been incredibly loyal. I am also very happy that he knows his history. I've heard him with Eddie and he can stand right there and converse on the people and songs that made the opry what it is. I wouldn't be surprised, or mad if membership comes in the next few years.
ReplyDeleteEven as recently as 2000, the Opry was having a lot more members on, especially during the winter. I've mentioned before that Grant Turner said the shows in winter were less attended but much better because so many members were in town. Looking at the five each night this weekend, that still holds, even with the other changes we've talked about.
ReplyDeleteEZ: Which Charles did you mean? Bob
ReplyDeleteEsten
DeleteThank You EZ. Bob
DeleteThose 5 hour shows back in the 70s sure made a 500 mile drive from Michigan worthwhile --- Dashmann, Flushing, Michigan
ReplyDeleteOne of the legitimate complaints about the Opry now (as opposed to saying, say, why isn't it all still string bands?) is that with a two-hour show with maybe eight guests, if one cancels, you may have wasted your trip if that's the main act you wanted to see. When you came down even for one 2 1/2 hour show that had 20 acts, it was less noticeable even if a big name didn't show up.
DeleteI was in attendance at the second show on January 15, 2000, the night of Ralph Stanley's induction. I have many good memories from that night that I will always treasure. The Opry, if by name alone, will always be important to me, but seeing those people, that night, in the Ryman, was especially meaningful for me as a 16-year old.
ReplyDeleteAs great as it was being in attendance on Ralph Stanley's induction night, seeing the John Hartford String Band on 11:30 show made a particularly lasting impact on me. Seeing blue grass music played THAT way, on THAT stage, was something I thought you would have had to have been alive a half-century earlier to witness firsthand. I uploaded a recording of their performance that night to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq0jau6nV8Y , accompanied by some of the photographs taken that night from my personal collection.
Robert,
DeleteThanks for the video.
As Eddie Stubbs used to say, "That's real country music. Are there any questions?"
I remember my first 'Opry at about the same age. Life changing event for me.
It has been another tough weekend for country music. Yesterday the news came that legendary songwriter Dallas Frasier had passed away, along with producer Jerry Crutchfield.
ReplyDeleteNow comes the news that Country Music Hall of Fame member and former Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM personality Ralph Emery has died at the age of 88.
ReplyDeleteRalph Emery Country Music Hall of Famer and National Radio Hall of Famer Ralph Emery passed away today (1/15) at the age of 88.
Emery was born March 10, 1933 in McEwen, TN and began his career in small-market stations within the state before going on to become one of only six current country-related members of the NRHoF.
According to his biographical information at the Country Music Hall of Fame, “In one industry poll, Emery was voted Country radio’s greatest personality of the century, [and] he has been called ‘the Dick Clark of country music’ and ‘the Johnny Carson of cable television.’”
Emery launched his career in 1951 with a 15-minute newscast at WTPR/Paris, TN before moving on to WNAH/Nashville and WAGG/Franklin. He joined WSM-AM/Nashville in 1957 as host of Opry Star Spotlight. During his 25-year tenure with WSM, Emery found his niche combining an open-door policy with relaxed and informal studio atmosphere. In 1961, Emery became an announcer for the Grand Ole Opry, and in 1972, he began producing and hosting The Ralph Emery Show – a syndicated program of music and conversation – which ran in various forms until 1995. Emery became a fixture on television, including a decade-long stint as host of the TNN series Nashville Now, which brought musicians together to talk and play. From 2007-2015, Emery returned to host RFD-TV's Ralph Emery Live.
“Ralph Emery’s impact in expanding country music’s audience is incalculable,” says CMHoF CEO Kyle Young. “On radio and on television, he allowed fans to get to know the people behind the songs. Ralph was more a grand conversationalist than a calculated interviewer, and it was his conversations that revealed the humor and humanity of Tom T. Hall, Barbara Mandrell, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins and many more. Above all, he believed in music and in the people who make it.” Emery was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 1989, Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2010.
It occurs to me that Ralph was the senior living Opry announcer--he started around 1962. And did he have power: He could make or break records and careers.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many Country Music artists got started because of Ralph's assistance. Bob
DeleteNashville Now was a fixture in our home when I was a child. I call myself a tnn baby as it was my favorite channel. Ralph, Mr. Roy, Cousin Mini, they were constantly on my tv for the first 6 or 7 years of my life. He was just amazing! I'd love to see rfd do a bunch of Nashville Now episodes. Oh Byron, does rfd still replay old tnn opry shows?
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not believe RFD shows the old TNN Opry shows.
DeleteRFD used to--I have saved a few of them. I THOUGHT Circle was going to start showing them?
DeleteMy favorite Ralph Emery "interview" was when Harold Reid called into the show as Lester "Roadhog" Moran. It was live radio at it's finest. Ended up on the "Roadhog" Moran album.
ReplyDeleteRadio is more spontaneous and enjoyable when calls like that take place.
Eddie Stubbs' chats with Merle Haggard, Jean Shepard, and others were great.
Coffee Country and Cody still do live interviews, which add a lot to the show.
RIP Ralph Emery.
For those keeping track, comedian Dusty Slay canceled last night and was replaced by the newest member of the Opry, Mandy Barnett.
ReplyDeleteMandy is going to be a GREAT member. She already is.
DeleteTrue 'dat Michael !
DeleteI'm wondering if wsm will do a tribute to Ralph? They totally should. Byron, was he an opry announcer during Nashville Now? When did he stop doing the opry? Growing up I think I thought the opry was only that 30 minute telecast on saturday evenings. I remember in about 1996ish or 98 I picked up wsm once during the Friday night show I believe. It's amazing how far we have come that I can speak to an object in my house and bring in an am radio station from Nashville day or night in perfect quality.
ReplyDeleteRalph Emery was an Opry announcer in the early 60s. He was long gone from the Opry by the time Nashville Now started. He was actually only at the Opry for a fairly short time; however, he was at WSM much longer.
DeleteCharlie Mattos did a tribute to Ralph Emery yesterday. Than WSM replayed it after the Grand Ole Opry last night. Bob
Delete