Grand Ole Opry 1/21 & 1/22

The lineups have been posted for the two Grand Ole Opry shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. Both nights are pretty solid, but if I had a choice, I would take the Friday night show. 

Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Skaggs is scheduled for both nights. He will be joined on Friday night by members Crystal Gayle, Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith and Bobby Osborne. Just a real solid group of Opry members. While we see Dailey & Vincent, Connie and Bobby often on the Opry, we don't see much of Crystal. It is a real treat to see her on the list for this weekend and hopefully we will see more of her. 

In addition to Ricky on Saturday night, Jeannie Seely and John Conlee are on the schedule. The other Opry member for Saturday is Kelsea Ballerini. Kelsea is one of the Opry's newer and younger members and another of the ones we don't see much at the Opry. You always hope the younger members will support the show and hopefully we will see more of Kelsea in the future. But as of this point, her appearances have been few. 

Comedian Gary Mule Deer is scheduled for both nights, following the 2021 trend where he was one of the most frequent acts at the Opry. In fact, of the guest artists, he had more appearances in 2021 than any other. Also scheduled Friday night is Maggie Rose and making his Opry debut, Jordan Fletcher. 

Ricky and Kelsea will be featured on the Circle televised portion of the Opry this week, and yes, the Opry is back live on Saturday, and they will be joined by Deana Carter. Only three scheduled for that last hour. Texas Hill is also on the Saturday schedule, and while it is a debut for the group, the group members have all appeared on the Opry before. 

Friday January 21
7:00: Dailey & Vincent; Jordan Fletcher; Connie Smith; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Shenandoah
Intermission
8:15: Maggie Rose; Gary Mule Deer; Crystal Gayle; Ricky Skaggs

Saturday January 22
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Texas Hill; John Conlee; Gary Mule Deer
8:00: Ricky Skaggs; Deana Carter; Kelsea Ballerini

9 acts on Friday night and 6 on Saturday

As mentioned, there are a couple of acts making their Opry debuts this weekend, as Jordan Fletcher is scheduled on Friday night, while Texas Hill is on the list for Saturday. 

Jordan Fletcher is from Jacksonville, Florida. His early influencers were acts such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. He landed his first publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music and gained traction with early releases such as 2019’s “Miles To The Moon” and the 2020 favorite “Me On.” Simultaneously, he established himself as a sought-after writer behind-the-scenes, penning Riley Green’s “Better Than Me” [feat. Randy Owen] and Chris Bandi’s “Leave It To A Song.” Recently finds him in a management agreement with Triple 8 and a record deal with Triple Tigers at the top of 2021. 

Texas Hill consists of Craig Wayne Boyd, Adam Wakefield and Casey James, each of whom has appeared on the Opry previously, but not together. Each of the individual Texas Hill members earned a national presence as contestants on TV music competitions – Boyd and Wakefield were both members of Blake Shelton’s team during different seasons of NBC’s The Voice, and James developed a following during the Simon Cowell era of FOX’s American Idol. The similarities in their TV-tested journeys provided an instant bonding. They still work their individual shows, but the trio format brought Texas Hill a comradeship and a level of support that none of them had experienced on their own. The three members of Texas Hill are spokes on a wheel, and the music finds its balance one song at a time through a natural friendship. Texas Hill’s highly anticipated debut album Heaven Down Hereis set for release January 21, 2022. 
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday January 22, 1972: 

7:00: Del Reeves (host); Billy Walker; Lonzo and Oscar; Billy Grammer
7:30: Charlie Louvin (host) w/Diane McCall; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Stringbean; Bob Luman; Dottie West
8:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Connie Smith; Grandpa Jones; Crook Brothers; Del Wood
8:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Bill Carlisle: George Morgan
9:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Skeeter Davis; Stu Phillips; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Hank Snow (host); Willis Brothers; Justin Tubb; The 4 Guys
10:00: Billy Walker (host); Billy Grammer; Dottie West; Charlie Louvin; Lonzo and Oscar
10:15: Del Reeves (host); George Hamilton IV; Bob Luman; Stringbean
10:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Grandpa Jones: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Willis Brothers; Connie Smith; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Skeeter Davis; George Morgan; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Bill Carlisle; Stu Phillips; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Justin Tubb; The 4 Guys; Marty Mitchell

(Marion Worth was scheduled but cancelled). 

An interesting note about Marty Mitchell, who appeared on Marty Robbin's segment of the Opry that night. At the time, Marty was just 14 and had been discovered by Marty Robbins. In 1974, he signed with Atlantic Records and released two singles, with limited success. He then signed with Motown Hitsville, releasing a single of "My Eyes Adored You" that reached No. 87 on the country chart. His debut album You Are The Sunshine of My Life was released in 1977, with the title track reaching No. 34. That was his last chart success after which he returned to the Phoenix where he performs with local bands. 
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It was 38 years ago, Saturday January 21, 1984 that future Grand Ole Opry member Mike Snider made his Grand Ole Opry debut. 

Mike Snider began playing old-time banjo at age 16 after hearing a Flatt & Scruggs album. In short order he became the Tennessee State Bluegrass Banjo Champion, then won the Mid-South Banjo Playing Contest. At age 23 he found himself the National Bluegrass Banjo Champion. 

Mike’s popularity grew with appearances on The Nashville Network’s Nashville Now alongside Ralph Emery, and as a cast member of the syndicated comedy variety show Hee Haw, which he joined in 1987. In 1990, six years after his Opry debut, the legendary Minnie Pearl inducted Mike as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Mike finds himself heir apparent of the country comedy mantle once worn by Minnie and her partners Rod Brasfield, Jerry Clower and others.

A showman to the core, Mike’s pronounced (and genuine) Tennessee drawl incites laughter the moment he opens his mouth. He regales the audience with tales featuring his wife Sweetie and an endless supply of jokes about country life.

In addition to his comedy, Mike and company play serious music. The band consists of topnotch musicians: fiddlers Matt Combs and Shad Cobb, bass fiddler Todd Cook and guitarist and banjo player Tony Wray. Together, these men play the kind of tight, seamless and timeless old-time mountain music that lays the groundwork for today’s bluegrass.

Mike and Sweetie — whose name is actually Sabrina — live in Mike’s hometown of Gleason, Tennessee, with their children Katie Lynn and Blake.

Here is the running order from Saturday January 21, 1984: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissom's
Jim Ed Brown (host); Pop A Top
Jan Howard: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

6:45: Rudy's
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Jeannie Seely: When Your Heart's Been Stepped On
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water

7:00: Shoney's
Jack Greene (host): Try a Little Kindness
Jean Shepard: City Lights
Roy Drusky: Wings of a Dove
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Wilma Lee Cooper: On the Evening Train
Jack Greene: I'd Do as Much for You/Midnight Tennessee Woman

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Footprints in the Snow
Jeanne Pruett: It's Too Late
Charlie Louvin: Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself to Sleep/Have I Told You Lately that I Love You
Billy Walker: He Sang the Songs About El Paso
Crook Brothers and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sail Away Ladies
Bill Monroe: I'm Working on a Building

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jim and Jesse: Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
Mike Snider: Shuckin' the Corn/Bells of St. Mary
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Forever +1; Forever +2
The 4 Guys: Sweet Ruby Red
Boxcar Willie: Fireball Mail/Train of Love/Hand Me Down My Walking Cane/Wreck of the Old 97/I'm Moving On/Wabash Cannonball/Night Train to Memphis
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
Lonzo and Oscar: Midnight Flyer
Hank Snow: Paper Roses

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jack Greene (host): Happy Tracks
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Ray Pillow: Please Don't Leave Me Anymore
Jack Greene: I'm Going Through Hell for an Angel

10:00: Little Debbie
Roy Drusky (host): Peel Me a Nanner
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Roy Drusky: Somewhere My Love

10:15: Sunbeam
Bill Monroe (host): Molly & Tenbrooks
Stonewall Jackson: Ol' Chunk of Coal
Bill Monroe: Cryin' Holy Unto the Lord

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Teddy Wilburn: Way Down Deep in My Heart
Roy Acuff: Farther Along

10:45: Beechnut
Billy Walker (host): When a Man Loves a Woman
Jeanne Pruett: I Ought to Feel Guilty
Crook Brothers and Melvin Sloan Dancers: Chicken Reel
Billy Walker: Cattle Call

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Right or Wrong
Wilma Lee Cooper: Where is America Going
Jim and Jesse: Are You Tired of Me, My Darling
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Charlie Louvin: Love at Home
Hank Snow: Little Buddy

11:30: Hardee's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Boxcar Willie: Fireball Mail/Train of Love/Hand Me Down My Walking Cane/Wreck of the Old 97/I'm Moving On/Wabash Cannonball/Night Train to Memphis
Boxcar Willie: Cold, Cold Heart/Half as Much/I Can't Help It/Your Cheatin' Heart/They'll Never Take Her Love from Me/Lovesick Blues
Lonzo and Oscar: No One to Hear If He Cries/Lady down on Love
Cajun Country: Texa-Cajun

Mike Snider has had an interesting history with the Opry. While he has been a very loyal member, there have been a couple of times where he has disappeared from the show, then returned with no explanation. Since Covid, Mike has only appeared on the Opry once and has given no indication as to when he will be back. His music and comedy are missed as he is the only member who brings part of the Opry's original sound to the show. 

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend.