Grand Ole Opry 4/1 & 4/2

Before reviewing the Grand Ole Opry shows for this weekend, I just wanted to offer a couple of comments regarding the two shows I saw last week on my visit to Nashville. 

Overall, I thought the Opry shows were very good, with Friday night the better of the two. I wondered how Saturday night would turn out as the line-up was not as strong, but I was pleasantly surprised as each of the acts did a fine job of entertaining the audience. Speaking of the audience, the Friday Night Opry was about 2/3 filled and the Saturday show was probably 85-90% filled. What helped this past weekend was that there was some type of choir/band competition taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Opry House and it appeared that many of those who were in the competition, and their family members, had tickets to the Opry on either of those two nights. 

Personally, to me the highlight each night was The Isaacs. Sonya, Becky, Ben and Lilly were awesome each night, with Joe joining the children for one song on Saturday. It was also nice to see that the Opry let them sing four songs each night. Another highlight was Shenandoah on Saturday, who also were given the opportunity to sing four, which pretty much covered their hits. They really engaged the audience who had them singing along. I guess back in their hit making days, they could have been considered for Opry membership as they were pretty big, but it never happened for them. Nice to see them making a few appearances lately on the Opry. 

Sadly, Connie Smith cancelled both nights and replaced by Mandy Barnett. Mandy was great, but I did miss Connie. I see that she is listed on the schedule for this weekend so hopefully she is better. Jeannie Seely opened both nights and was very good and engaging, while Gene Watson was fine. Bluegrass was represented by Russell Moore and III Tyme Out on Friday and Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press on Saturday. Bobby might have a hard time remembering the names of his children and band members, but he didn't forget the words to either of his songs, including Rocky Top. 

There were a couple making their Opry debuts, Andrew Jannakos on Friday and comedian William Lee Martin on Saturday. Andrew, from The Voice, was ok, nothing special. Same with William Lee. He was funny in spots and will probably be back. Just wasn't great.

Drew Parker, Tiera Kennedy and Kat & Alex are all newcomers to the business, and each has made less than a handful of Opry appearances. Each of those acts were good and I can see a future in country music for each. Finally, The War & Treaty. This duo is not really a country act, and I was wondering where they were going with the story about the white commander. Somehow, it just didn't fit in with the rest of the show. Don't get me wrong, the couple are very good and talented, just not an Opry act. 

As always, everyone I encountered at the Opry over the weekend were very nice and I enjoyed talking to the folks. Some great shows coming up over the next few months including the induction of Jamey Johnson as the Opry's newest member. I am already looking forward to my next trip down, whenever that will be. 

Now looking ahead to this weekend at the Grand Ole Opry. With a few of the Opry's members out at sea on the country cruise, and a few other activities taking place in town, the number of Opry members on the shows this weekend is less than what we have recently seen. In fact, there are just three members, Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett and Bobby Osborne, on the schedule for Friday night, while it is just Connie and Bill Anderson listed for Saturday. But there are a number of quality names filling out the schedule. 

Comedian Gary Mule Deer is listed for both nights. We can hold out hope that he will change up his act a bit, but with over 100 Opry appearances, it will probably be more of the same. Also appearing will be Kristian Bush and Jason Crabb. Hannah Ellis will be making her second appearance on the Opry, following up from her Opry debut last September. Hannah was fine, but she seems to be having some difficulty getting her career moving forward. Finally, Sawyer Brown will be closing out the show. Mark Miller continues to bring his level of energy to the act and always has a lot of fun with the audience. 

Tony Jackson is on the schedule for Saturday night, as is Richard Marx. Richard has been on the Opry before, and while not a country act, he has been fine. Morgan Wade will be making her Opry debut, as the Opry continues the trend of having new acts on basically every show. Guitarist Tommy Emmanual is back, along with Country Music Hall of Fame member, songwriter Don Schlitz. 

As I said, a solid lineup both nights, just lacking in Opry members. 

Friday April 1
7:00: Connie Smith, Kristian Bush, Mandy Barnett, Jason Crabb
Intermission
8:15: Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Hannah Ellis, Gary Mule Deer, Sawyer Brown

Saturday April 2
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith, Tony Jackson, Bill Anderson, Richard Marx
Intermission
8:15: Gary Mule Deer, Morgan Wade, Tommy Emmanuel, Don Schlitz

No live "Opry Live" on Circle TV this week. 

As mentioned, this will be the Opry debut for Morgan Wade. Morgan Wade came to national attention in 2021 with Reckless, her Thirty Tigers/now Sony Music Nashville debut, and lead single “Wilder Days” topping critical lists from Rolling Stone, TIME, Stereogum, New York Times, Boston Globe, FADER, Tennessean, Whiskey Riff, Billboard, and The Boot and Taste of Country who both proclaimed, “a once-in-a-decade debut.” 

With “Wilder Days” becoming a SiriusXM Highway Find, then hitting No. 1 on their fast-tracking country station, Wade’s song – one of TIME’s 10 Best of 2021 in any genre – opened a portal for Americana, alternative and rock fans to an artist straddling the craggy terrain across genres, but also life. Signed to Sony Music Nashville by a label head who’d grown up in bands with Kim Richey, Byron House and Bill Lloyd, the power of defying genres in the name of harder truths inspired Randy Goodman to want to bring Morgan Wade to the biggest audience possible without compromising what made her so special.
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday April 1, 1972: 

1st show
6:30: Stonewall Jackson (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall, Justin Tubb
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Willis Brothers, Del Wood
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard, Bill Carlisle, Harold Weakley
7:30: Tex Ritter (host); Skeeter Davis, Bob Luman, Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Charlie Walker, Archie Campbell, Stringbean
8:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Lonzo and Oscar, Stu Phillips, Fruit Jar Drinkers, The 4 Guys, Cates Sisters

2nd show
9:30: Bill Monroe (host); Willis Brothers, Bob Luman, Del Wood
10:00: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Stonewall Jackson, Stringbean
10:15: Charlie Louvin (host) and Diane McCall; Jean Shepard, Justin Tubb
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Skeeter Davis, Charlie Walker
10:45: Roy Acuff (host); Bill Carlisle, Crook Brothers
11:00: Tex Ritter (host); Jim Ed Brown, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Sam McGee
11:30: The 4 Guys (host); Lonzo and Oscar, Stu Phillips

(Billy Walker, Jimmy C Newman, Grandpa Jones and Connie Smith were all scheduled but cancelled, while Archie Campbell was only scheduled for the first show). 

I know I have posted lineups from the reunion shows (old-timer's night) that the Grand Ole Opry began putting on in 1974, prior to the Opry moving to the new Grand Ole Opry House. This week, I am posting two shows, one that took place on April 1, 1978 and the second one from 10 years later, April 2, 1988. I think it is interesting to see the difference in the two shows, just 10 years apart. 

Saturday April 1, 1978: 

1st show
6:00: Vietti
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Wilma Lee Cooper: Come Walk with Me
Lonzo and Oscar: Crawdad Song
Charlie Louvin: Warm, Warm Woman
Zeke Clements: Live & Learn/Somebody's Been Beating My Time/Why Should I Cry Over You/Just A Little Lovin'/Hope on the Water
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

6:39: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Sid Harkreader: Mockingbird Breakdown
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

6:45: Rudy's
Jack Greene (host): Your Love Takes Care of Me
Jeannie Seely: Since I Meet 'Cha, Boy
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely: Sing for the Good Times

7:00: Shoney's
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong With the Way That We're Doing it Now
Pee Wee King: Deck of Cards/Tennessee Waltz
Billy Grammer: Bonaparte's Retreat

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball/Tennessee Central #9/Sunshine Special
Minnie Pearl: Careless Love
Alcyone Beasley: My Wild Irish Rose
Jack Shook: Along the Santa Fe Trail
Alcyone Beasley and Jack Shook: When the Desert Sun Goes Down
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Eighth of January
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Big Wind
Del Reeves: When My Angel Turns Into a Devil
Guy Willis and C.W. Mitchell (Boots & Saddle
Annie Lou and Danny (Dill): Slippin' Around
The 4 Guys: You've Got Me Runnin'
Porter Wagoner: Katy Did/Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot

8:30: Stephen's
Hank Snow (host): In The Misty Moonlight
Billy Walker: San Antonio Rose/You Gave Me a Mountain
Paul Howard: Stay a Little Longer
Wilburn Brothers: Trouble's Back in Town
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Del Reeves (host): Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at a Time
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda
Wilma Lee Cooper: Bucket to the South
Lonzo and Oscar: No Relief in Sight
Charlie Louvin: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again
Ernie Ashworth: You Can't Pick a Rose in December
Del Reeves: When My Angel Turns Into a Devil

10:00: Fender
Jack Greene (host): Your Love Takes Good Care of Me
Jeannie Seely: Who Needs You
Del Wood: There's a Big Wheel
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Pee Wee King: Tennessee Waltz/Beer Barrel Polka
Roy Acuff: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

10:30: Trailblazer
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Saturday Night
Billy Grammer: I Still Love You As I Did Yesterday
Stonewall Jackson: Angry Words
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand/On a Highway Headed South

10:45: Beechnut
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong with the Way That We're Doing it Now
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers (w/Sid Harkreader): Gray Eagle

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
The 4 Guys: When Will I Be Loved/The Wurlitzer Prize
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Guy Willis: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Kirk McGee: Victory Rag/Freight Train
Hank Snow: Paper Roses

11:30: Elm Hill
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me a Love Song to Baby
Stu Phillips: Leet Me Love You All Over Again/Crystal Chandeliers
Wilburn Brothers: It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine/The Light House
Billy Walker: A Legend in My Mind

(Overall, this was one of the better reunion shows. As you would expect with the old-timers, most appeared during the first show and it was nice to see the veterans spread out throughout the show, with Roy Acuff's segment being the focal point. And as you would expect, Pee Wee King did double duty that night. 

Of the Opry's members, Jim and Jesse and Marion Worth cancelled; Minnie Pearl appeared only on the first show while Ernie Ashworth, Del Wood and Stu Phillips only appeared on the late show). 

Now jumping ahead to April 2, 1988: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Grandpa Jones (host): Cindy
Zeke Clements: Nobody Loves Me
Clyde Moody: I Know What it Means to Be Lonesome
Alisa Jones: Marmaduke's Hornpipe

6:45: Rudy's
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters/Y'all Come

7:00: Shoney's
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Pee Wee King: Deck of Cards
Jean Shepard: Why Don't You Haul Off & Love Me/Second Fiddle
George Jones: The Race is On/Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes/I Put a Golden Band on the Right Left Hand
Roy Acuff: Somebody Touched Me

7:30: Standard Candy
Ricky Skaggs (host): I've Got a New Heartache
Kitty Wells: Thank You for the Roses
Johnny Wright: Ashes of Love
Mel McDaniel: Stand Up/Stand on It
Ricky Skaggs: Why I'm Walkin'

8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): Uncle Pen
Skeeter Davis: I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know
Jack Greene: Walkin' on New Grass
Ferlin Husky: Country Music is Here to Stay/Gone
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Bill Monroe: My Florida Sunshine

8:30: Music Valley
Hank Snow (host): Bumin' Around
Osborne Brothers: Old Flames
Del Reeves: Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at a Time/Looking at the World Through a Windshield
Billy Walker: It was Love & Not the Nails
Curly Fox: Milk Cow Blues
Hank Snow: Easter Parade

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Border
The 4 Guys: I'm Bound for Higher Ground
Roy Drusky: Have I Stayed Away Too Long
Jeannie Seely: One Bad Old Memory
Mel McDaniel: Stand Up
Porter Wagoner: Carroll County Accident
Glenda Faye: Bill Cheatham

10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Banjo Sam
Kitty Wells: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
Johnny Wright: Stop the World and Let Me Off
Alisa Jones: Golden Slippers

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
George Jones: The Corvette Song
George Jones and Shelby Lynn: Amazing Grace/I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Dan Kelly: Sally Goodin

10:30: Pet Milk
Bill Monroe (host): Love, Come Home
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Bill Monroe: It's Me Again Lord

10:45: B.C. Powder
Del Reeves (host): Be Glad
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
Del Reeves: The Only Girl I Can't Forget

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Fraulein
Ray Pillow: Days When You Were Still in Love With Me
Charlie Louvin: When I Stop Dreaming
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
David Houston: In the Garden
Hank Snow: A Tribute to Mother

11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Right or Wrong
Jan Howard: When I Dream
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Osborne Brothers: If I Should Wander Back Tonight/Shackles & Chains
Charlie Walker: Take Me Back to Tulsa

(Zeke Clements, Pee Wee King and Curly Fox were the only repeats from the show 10 years prior as many of the old-timers had passed away. It was nice to see Kitty doing both shows. 

As far as Opry members, George Jones made one of his infrequent Opry appearances that night, appearing on Roy Acuff's segment on both shows. Appearing only on the first show were Connie Smith, Ricky Skaggs, Skeeter Davis, Jack Greene and Billy Walker, while those appearing on only the second show included Roy Drusky, Jeannie Seely, Bill Carlisle, Ray Pillow, Charlie Louvin, Justin Tubb, David Houston, Charlie Walker, Jan Howard and The 4 Guys. 

Also, notice the change in sponsors in those 10 years as long-time sponsors W.E. Stephens, Trailblazer, Fender, Elm Hill, Beechnut and Kellogg's had left the show). 

Time never stands still and that is certainly true at the Opry.

And with that, thanks for reading and commenting and as always, I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.