Update: Keith Urban has cancelled due to illness. He has rescheduled for Friday April 22. That really hurts the Saturday night show. They have replaced him with Waylon Payne and Everett, and as a result, there will be no live TV on Circle this week.
The Opry did post a message that they are working with those who had tickets for Saturday night with this message: If you would like to reschedule your April 9th visit for April 22nd, please contact us at http://opry.com/contact.
I know by posting names for upcoming appearances helps to sell tickets, but it also puts the Opry in a bind an artist cancels. Luckily in this case, Keith has rescheduled. (By the way, we are still waiting for the rescheduled date for Jimmy Buffett). For us veteran Opry fans, we know cancellations take place and the schedule is always subject to change and that is the risk you take when you buy a ticket to see a specific artist.
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Let's just recap the announcement that dropped late Monday afternoon. (This is a recap from Country Aircheck Today (4/5):
Investment company Atairos and NBCUniversal have purchased a 30% stake (valued at approximately $293 million) of Ryman Hospitality's Opry Entertainment Group, which owns the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, WSM-AM/Nashville, 50% of the TV channel Circle and more than 11,000 hours of archived Opry content. "We view this partnership as a significant opportunity to strengthen these beloved institutions and cement their influence on American music culture," says Ryman CEO Colin Reed. "We remain focused on creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders as we seek new ways to connect artists and fans through one-of-a-kind experiences.” With its stake in WSM-AM, the sale marks a return of sorts to radio for NBC, which as part of General Electric sold the last of its radio assets in 1988.
Time will tell what all of this means, but looking at the positive side of this, maybe some of those 11,000 hours of archived Opry content will see the light of day. It seems as if the vault has only opened a crack in the past and I am sure there are many of us who would like to see some of those older Opry shows, particularly the opening night of the new Grand Ole Opry House in March 1974, and the first PBS Opry broadcast from 1978. Bits and pieces of both of those shows have shown up on various archive sites. It would be wonderful to see the complete shows. I am sure that they want to be careful with what they release and show among that Opry content, but let's hope more continues to be released. It would be wonderful to see some of those older TNN shows that took place when many of the legends that we have lost over the years were still alive and performing well.
Also on a positive note, perhaps this will open up more Opry programming on Circle TV. I think there is a lot of potential on that channel and lots of opportunity regarding future programming. The network has made a good start and perhaps this will add to it.
In other news, Garth Brooks made headlines on Tuesday with this announcement:
Garth Brooks has announced he will open a new entertainment concept and bar in Nashville at 411 Broadway. The country superstar will take over a 3-story, 40,000+ square foot property that he purchased in December, 2021 via 411, LLC. “We feel very lucky to have the chance to be part of Lower Broad, which is arguably THE hottest spot in the country,” says Brooks. “The goal is a classic honky-tonk that welcomes all and encourages love and kindness while playing the greatest music in the world in the home of country music!” Brooks has tapped Strategic Hospitality, a Nashville-based hospitality company owned by brothers Benjamin and Max Goldberg, to help execute his vision. “Garth’s long-standing commitment to Nashville is far beyond music and has been so meaningful to our city,” adds the Goldbergs. “We couldn’t be more excited than to help him bring his concept to reality.” Brooks will join fellow country stars Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and more with spots on Lower Broadway. Details about the establishment will be announced as they become available.
There are reports that Garth spent just under $50 million to buy the property and I am sure, as with most things that Garth is involved in, it will be first class.
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Now, looking at the lineups for the shows this weekend at the Grand Ole Opry, the big news is the return of a couple of Opry members who haven't appeared on the Opry in a while. First, Mike Snider returns on the Friday Night Opry. Mike has made only one appearance since the start of Covid, and that was last year. His old-time music and comedy have been missing from the Opry and it is nice to see him back. I know I wrote the same thing last year when he returned, and at that time, I was hoping it would lead to more of Mike on the Opry. Sadly, that did not happen but maybe this time, it will be the start of seeing Mike more often on the Opry.
The second returnee to the Opry this weekend is Keith Urban, who will be celebrating his 10th year as an Opry member. Keith joined the Opry on April 21, 2012. Sadly, and I am sure much of it is due to his heavy tour schedule, Keith has been an infrequent visitor to the Opry. Keith has done a lot for country music and the Country Music Hall of Fame, especially participating in many of the "All For The Hall" shows, however, since joining the Opry, he has been a disappointment as a member. As you would expect, Keith will be featured on the Circle TV portion of the Opry on Saturday night.
There are a number of Opry members scheduled this weekend. In addition to Mike Snider, the Friday Night Opry has Mark Wills, Jeannie Seely, Riders In The Sky, Gene Watson and Dailey & Vincent on the schedule. Riders In The Sky are also on the schedule for Saturday night, and along with Keith Urban, Connie Smith is on the schedule.
The only non-members for Friday night are Ryan Griffin, and Darin & Brooke Aldridge. I know that there are many who feel that Darin & Brooke would make good Opry members and I am sure their names have been brought up in the recent pass. They love the Opry, and it shows with their recent release "Grand Ole Circle."
Sara Evans is scheduled for Saturday night and hers is another name that some have thought of as a future Opry member. I know it seems like for the past 15-20 years, she has made a couple of appearances each year on the Opry and is a crowd pleaser. Sara will be on the Circle TV televised portion of the Opry, along with Keith and Tenille Towns.
Also on the schedule are a couple of acts making their Opry debuts: Tammy Rogers & Thomm Jutz and Nate Smith
Friday April 8
7:00: Mark Wills, Jeannie Seely, Riders In The Sky, Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider, Ryan Griffin, Gene Watson, Dailey & Vincent
Saturday April 9
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith, Tammy Rogers & Thomm Jutz, Nate Smith, Riders In The Sky
Intermission
8:15: Waylon Payne, Tenille Towns, Everett, Sara Evans
Tammy Rogers and Thomm Jutz met in 2016 but both have been involved in songwriting and performing before then. Tammy was a co-founder and fiddler in the Grammy Award-winning bluegrass band, The SteelDrivers. Thomm Jutz toured as a guitarist for Mary Gauthier, Nanci Griffith, and David Olney, before developing a reputation as one of bluegrass music’s most prolific songwriters. Since meeting five years ago, they have accumulated a catalog of more than 150 songs and have selected a dozen of the best for I Surely Will Be Singing, their new album. This will be their first Opry appearance as a duo.
Nate Smith is a California native. Learning guitar at 13, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley and Bob Seger were among those informing his powerful, fire-from-within vocals, while Michael Jackson made him crave the spotlight and Nirvana gave his sound a jagged edge. He first chased his neon dreams to Nashville in his early 20s – but it didn’t stick. The disheartened Smith returned home and thought he was “100-percent done” with his artistic journey…until a crucible of change burned away the past.
In 2018, he lost everything he owned in the devastating Camp Fire which tore through Paradise, California, now known as the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state’s history. Although his family was safe, he struggled to cope and turned back to music, hoping that it would help comfort himself and others. Help it did, inspiring a month-long road trip across the U.S. to Music City, writing music and playing dive bars along the way. Soon after his arrival to Nashville, Nate released his biggest song to date, “Wildfire,” and landed a publishing deal with Sony ATV. Since then, he’s released new music including “Sleeve” and “Under My Skin,” which has amassed over 45 million on-demand streams to date. The singer was named a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch for 2021 – an accurate prediction as he rounded out the year with a record deal and two brand new songs: “Raised Up” and the viral TikTok hit “I Don’t Wanna Go To Heaven.”
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday April 8, 1972:
1st show
6:30: Billy Grammer (host), Ernie Ashworth, The Rambos
6:45: Justin Tubb (host), Jeannie Pruett
7:00: Roy Acuff (host), Lonzo and Oscar, Jimmy C Newman, Joe Heathcock
7:30: Ernest Tubb (host), Dottie West, Cal Smith, Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host), Wilburn Brothers, Willis Brothers, The 4 Guys
8:30: Hank Snow (host), Johnny Carver, Harold Weakley, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Billy Grammer (host), Willis Brothers, Justin Tubb, The Rambos
10:00: Charlie Louvin (host), Lonzo and Oscar, Jeannie Pruett, Diane McCall
10:15: Roy Acuff (host), Clyde Moody
10:30: Lester Flatt (host), The 4 Guys
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host), Cal Smith, Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host), Dottie West, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Kirk McGee
11:30: Wilburn Brothers (host), Wilma Burgess, Johnny Carver, Johnny Helms
(Ernie Ashworth and Jimmy C Newman appeared only on the first show, while Charlie Louvin only appeared on the late show. Charlie was scheduled for the first show, but was late getting in. Also, as a reminder, Jeanne Pruett was not an Opry member at that point. Finally, a lot of non-members on the show that night).
One name from that night that might not be familiar to everyone is Joe Heathcock. Joe Heathcock was born on November 1, 1914. He was an actor, known for The Last Picture Show (1971) and Smokey and the Good Time Outlaws (1978). In 1973 he released an album "Sings Western Swing" on the Artco label. In the early to mid 70s, he also released three singles, "Happy Birthday U.S.A.." "The Miles Between Us/Two Strangers," which was a duet with Dolores Monington, and "Bob's Rose/Patiently For You." He passed away on December 1, 1980.
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Looking back in the archives, it was on Saturday April 9, 1994 that Glen Campbell made a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Glen wasn't based in Nashville and didn't appear on the Opry often, but he did make a few guest appearances over the course of his career.
Here is the running order from 28 years ago, April 9, 1994:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Jim Ed Brown (host): Don't Bother to Knock
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Bill Monroe (host): Why Did You Wander
Skeeter Davis: If I Didn't Have You
Bill Monroe: Footprints in the Snow
7:00: Shoney's
Grandpa Jones (host): Pop's Corn Liquor Still
Wilma Lee Cooper: Loving You
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You/Too Many Memories
Jean Shepard: Mansion on the Hill
Roy Drusky: Homesick
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home
7:30: Standard Candy
Jack Greene (host): I Can't Swim This Cheatin' River
Connie Smith: Ain't No Lovin'
Johnny Russell: Making Plans
Glen Campbell: Rhinestone Cowboy/By The Time I Get to Phoenix
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of a Fool
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Speck Rhodes: Runnin' Bare
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): My Memories of You
Jeannie Seely: Tell Me Again
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
The Whites: Move it On Over
Mike Snider: Eating Chicken Necks & Wings
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock/Evil on Your Mind
Glen Campbell: Rhinestone Cowboy/By The Time I Get to Phoenix
Porter Wagoner: A Satisfied Mind
The Wagonmasters: Over the Line
10:00: Drs. Cream
Bill Monroe (host): Uncle Pen
The 4 Guys: Head on Over to the Twist & Shout
Bill Monroe: A Beautiful Life
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me I'm Falling
Grandpa Jones: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans
10:30: Gruhn Guitar
Jim Ed Brown (host): Lyin' In Love with You
Jean Shepard and Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Jim Ed Brown: Fools
10:45: Opry Book
Jack Greene (host): I'll Be There
Charlie Louvin: If You Can Dream that Far
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Jack Greene: Ever Since My Baby Went Away
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Nashville Bluegrass Band: The Boys Are Back in Town/(?)
Jeannie Seely: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Hank Snow: That Lucky Old Sun
11:30: General Jackson
Mike Snider (host): Born to Shop
Jeanne Pruett: Back to Back
The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side
Connie Smith: You & Your Sweet Love/If It Ain't Love, Leave It Alone
Mike Snider: Old Joe Clark/Black Mountain Rag
(As was becoming the norm during the 90s, a number of Opry members only appeared on one show that night. Bill Carlisle, Wilma Lee Cooper, Skeeter Davis, Ray Pillow, Roy Drusky and Johnny Russell only sang on the first show while Charlie Walker, Jan Howard and The 4 Guys were on the second).
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.
Mike Snider will be doing a show , at the Heritage Days in Centerville, TN, on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteI noticed Roy Drusky was on the 7:00 segment. That was rare, cause after he joined the SDA church , this time of year he only did the 2nd show.
ReplyDeleteJust went to the 'Opry website to check out ticket prices.
ReplyDeleteFriday night prices were high, but Saturday is essentially sold out and the few tickets available are in the hundreds of dollars.
Any idea what the deal is?
Nat, the new ticketing system for the Opry will show both original tickets and resale tickets. You can turn off the resale option and see only the seats that have yet to be sold.
DeleteI think I’m one of the “early adopters” of this blog and have followed it with interest for many years. With as much as I know (or like to think I know) about the Opry, I’m always finding some tidbit of information that is new to me or of that reminds me of something that I had forgotten about. Today’s blog was one of those that sent the wheels of my brain turning so I’d like to chime in with some thoughts and memories. Settle in. This may take a while!
ReplyDeleteOn the topic of the stake purchase, I’m going have to take a cautious wait and see attitude. Sometimes an influx of outside cash is good for an organization. The influx of cash from Ed Gaylord’s purchase of the Opryland complex led to a lot of improvements in the hotel (and the expansion of that brand) and the restoration of the Ryman Auditorium, and the growth of the Nashville Network from the mid-80s to the mid-90s. In fact, the company’s growth during that period was explosive…and makes the way it fell apart all the more stunning. But, on one hand, corporate mergers and partnerships can be a good thing and I would hope it would open some good things come from this.
On the other hand, there’s an awful lot of “corporate speak” in the press release that makes me a little nervous. I’m afraid that in the interest of “creating long-term sustainability for our shareholders” the Opry’s history and long-term survival could rely on someone in a Manhattan skyscraper and will suffer in favor of the almighty “bottom line”. So much of Nashville has already been plowed under by out-of-town investors and others with little sense of or regard for the city’s history. The last time I was in town, I had to drive down Music Row and was really depressed how much of the area’s “character” has been replaced by boxy, nondescript condo and office buildings.
And while it’s a completely different kind of business deal, you have to be concerned about a situation like what is taking place with the Ernest Tube Record Shop. In the beginning, the new ownership was saying all of the right things and it looked that company might be on a more solid footing. Of course, that didn’t last long and it seems that there were a lot of things going on behind the scenes that looks like it will result in one of Nashville’s most historic buildings becoming another cookie cutter bar. I hope that’s not the case but it certainly looks to be barreling full speed in the at direction.
Which brings me to topic number 2…Garth’s bar. If there’s one thing that Nashville doesn’t have enough of it would be three-story bars with a celebrity’s name over the door. (That’s sarcasm.) From the late 70s to the early 80s, I spent an awful lot of time on Lower Broadway and I’m not especially impressed by what the area has become. Look at the dates on most of those buildings. They’ve been there since the late 19th century. Obviously, progress involves change but there are ways of preserving history while still doing business in the modern world. You see it all the time and while in some cases it’s the only viable option, simply gutting a building doesn’t need to be the first plan of attack for a lot of the downtown structures. Of course, I no longer live in Nashville, don’t spend any money there and am not in the demographic for the current downtown market so what I think is of little to no consequence.
ReplyDeleteI first saw this story on Instagram and scrolled through some of the comments, most of which were negative and talked a lot about how “trashy” downtown has become in recent years. I think people forget that at one time, Lower Broad was not a place you really wanted to go after the sun went down. Occasionally, I would head down there with a group of friends to wander around but it was always a little scary and we were 18 year old kids living dangerously! :) But, if you look at it, you might find that not a whole lot has changed about the business in that part of town over the years. There are a lot more people down there and it’s a higher class of drunks riding around on pedal taverns instead of sacking out in the doorways and alleys but, on the whole, it’s largely the same thing but the drinks are a lot more expensive.
I do have a lot of pleasant memories of downtown Nashville. My first stint at working for the Opry was in the early 80s. I usually had Mondays and Tuesdays off and didn’t have a lot to do, especially during the winter months, so I would often head downtown to haunt the record shops and visit with the ladies that ran the Ryman back then. There wasn’t a lot going on back then. The tour busses would stop in around 10:30 and 2:30 every day but after they left very few people came though the doors. There was a lady named Clarice who sold picture books and copies of the program from the final Opry show at the Ryman. She was recently widowed and I know was rather lonely but was an absolute sweetheart and I looked on her like another grandmother. She took to me and I loved sitting and visiting with her for hours on end. She was a huge Marty Robbins fan and was devastated by his passing. Betty Sue ran the souvenir stand at the back of the auditorium and she was an absolute hoot. She could dish it out as well as take it and I loved her to death. The last time I saw her was around 2009. She was still working selling tickets at the Ryman box office and made sure that I got a free backstage tour that day.
ReplyDeleteSome people might also remember Mr. J.D. Bell who was the longtime backstage guard at the Opry. He was suffering from cancer at the time but he would still come to the Ryman every day and sit in his chair and keep an eye on the place. I always took some time to visit with him and he had some great stories. It was an absolute thrill the first time he told me to call him on Friday night and he’d put me on “the list” for Saturday. I really feel fortunate that I was around at a time when so many of the Opry’s legends were still around and the show backstage was usually better than the one going on out front. The Bill Carlisle-Marshall Barnes vaudeville show that took place in the back hallway was always a lot of fun to witness. 30 or more acts, with their bands, wives, managers and assorted hangers on made for some heavy backstage traffic and I was happy to experience it. I still get chills thinking about watching the curtain go up on Roy Acuff’s segments of the show. Every light in the house would come on, there was an explosion of flash bulbs and the roar that would go up from the audience was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before or since. I know a lot of you experienced it from the audience but from the other side of the curtain it was really indescribable and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to experience it.
But, back to downtown for a minute. I would usually stop in at the E.T. Record Shop but the real place for a country music fan to find treasures was a few doors down at the Lawrence Brothers Record Shop. There were very few customers coming in so Mr. Lawrence was happy to sit and chat with whoever would come through the door. The shop wasn’t fancy. Row after row of bins with albums and 8-track tapes. It was dusty and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned since WW2 ended. But I found things there that are still in my collection that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. At one time, I was on a mission to have at least one album by every Opry star. You might find a single record from Billy Grammar or Ernie Ashworth if you looked long enough. Lawrence Brothers was the only shop I’ve ever seen that actually had bins of Marion Worth and Ray Pillow albums from the sixties on sale. After Mr. Lawrence died, the shop remained for a while but was eventually turned into a bar but that long forgotten business still has a special place in my heart.
It was usually about 3:00 or so when I finally wandered up to 4th Avenue and the front doors of the Ryman. After checking in with Mr. Bell I would head for the stage to visit with Clarice. I was a part-time Opry tour guide on weekends so if anyone came in I would often give them the spiel about the building but mostly the place was deserted, especially during the winter months. I was given free reign to explore the building and found a lot of very cool artifacts just sort of abandoned in different places. For instance, for many years, the “Grand Ole Opry House” sign that on the 4th Avenue facade sat up against a wall behind the old barn backdrop. I’ve often wondered what happened to it. I’ve seen some of the other signage from the building on display at other museums but I fear some of the other pieces ended up in a dumpster somewhere and that’s a shame. One area I always wanted to explore but never could was the balcony. No one, and I mean no one, was allowed upstairs. And that’s probably good given the building’s condition at the time. It was always said that the only thing holding the building together was the chewing gum that was still under the pews and the balcony was strictly off-limits. If you watch the scenes from “Coal Miner’s Daughter” when Patsy Cline makes her return to the Opry the camera sweeps across the auditorium but is careful not to show the balcony. Even though that’s where most of the seats were at the time, no one could go up there.
ReplyDeleteSo, I would stick around until 5:00. You didn’t have to look at your watch to tell that it was 5 because there would be a loud boom and a lot of dust would fall from the rafters. The boom was dynamite that was blasting rock from the enormous pit right across the street. It was the construction site for what was the old Nashville Convention Center. It’s still very hard to believe that at one time that block was nothing but a big hole in the ground but, like most things, that whole area is largely unrecognizable from what it was even a few years ago.
Which brings me to the lineup from 1994. This was during my third stint with the Opry. I had returned to Nashville to finish my college degree at Lipscomb University and had a summer and weekend job working in the Opry ticket office. I have an original copy of the lineup posted here in my files and it was a pretty interesting time to be in Nashville. TNN was hitting on all four cylinders, the Opryland Hotel was in the midst of a major expansion, the Ryman had recently reopened, the park was making improvements and the Opry was presenting up to 6 shows a week (2 on Friday, 2 on Saturday and matinees on Tuesday and Thursday). The Wildhorse Saloon was a big thing, the General Jackson was sailing up and down the river 3 times a day and it seemed like Gaylord Entertainment was exploding. Somewhere in one of my boxes is the commemorative booklet that was given out to employees in 1994 when the company had a major event for all of its operations and brought in staff from all over the country for a big celebration. Most people forget that in addition to all of the attractions I mentioned the company also had the CMT cable network, multiple record labels and publishing companies, websites, a stake in the Fiesta Texas theme park in San Antonio, multiple television and radio stations, operated the Springhouse golf club, ran an expanded bus tour operation and was also running river taxis up and down the Cumberland River. I was working in a brand new ticketing and call center at the front of the park which was a major improvement from the old ticket offices that were housed in portable house trailers at the far end of the parking lot. Debbie Ballantine was the head of that operation having recently been one of the top managers at the park and a lot of money was put into that department.
ReplyDeleteMany of the ladies in the ticket office had been selling tickets when the Opry was at the Ryman, had been around for years and were absolutely delightful. There was a lot going on at the time because in addition to all of the shows and vacation packages the company was selling it was the year that the Nashville On Stage concert series started. It was an answer to all of the celebrities opening theaters in Branson and ended up being a bit of an overreach. George Jones and Tammy Wynette were appearing at the Theatre by the Lake, Alabama, Tanya Tucker and the Oak Ridge Boys were featured at the Chevy Geo Theatre and there were different “B-List” acts at the Acuff Theatre. Sales for the two big theaters were good but the series in the Acuff was a disaster. The following year, a Hee Haw review with Grandpa Jones, George Lindsey and Gunilla Hutton went in there and it was one of the most entertaining shows I have ever seen but still didn’t draw the numbers that the company had hoped for.
It seemed like the company was poised for explosive growth in the mid-90s and after I got my degree I took a full-time job with the company but things were beginning to happen that made me a little nervous. The tv and radio stations were the first to go followed by the .com operations. The water taxis went the way of the dinosaur after it was discovered that they were causing massive erosion along the banks of the Cumberland River. The company began selling off bits and pieces of what were touted as the future of the company. After about 6 months, I left to try my hand at running my own small business and I think I made the right move, even though my business eventually failed. In just two short years, nearly every piece of the company was either sold, scaled back, or in the case of the Opryland park, shut down entirely. The massive operation that was Gaylord Entertainment in the mid-90s seemed to collapse almost overnight. I never thought the mall was a good idea and when it finally opened I was not impressed at all although I did like the mini Gibson guitar factory and performance space that closed after a couple of years. Otherwise, it just appeared to be another mall to me and not a place that would ever draw 17 million visitors a year to Nashville like they said when it was announced that Opryland was closing. The last time I was at the mall, which was probably 15 years ago, it was starting to look a little sketchy.
ReplyDeleteWatching the company shrink from what it was to what it is today has been interesting, if not somewhat sad, to watch and I think the whole story would make a fascinating book. Craig Havighurst covered some of it in his book on the history of WSM, “Air Castle of the South”, but it’s limited to one chapter. A lot of the major players had interesting backstories and a lot of them are still with us. If someone does write a book at some point I would be first in line to buy it.
Well, that’s a heck of a big word salad. At my age, there are days when I forget exactly why I put the car keys in the refrigerator but my memories of Nashville forty years down the road are crystal clear. Thanks for indulging my ramblings. I don’t post much but I look forward to new blog posts every week and enjoy reading everyone’s stories, opinions, insights and comments. Thanks to Byron for keeping it going and thanks to all my fellow old school Opry fans for the lively back and forth!
Barry, I love reading your stories. It's always good to see your posts.
DeleteJ in OK
I hereby nominate Barry for the best post EVER on this blog.
ReplyDeleteSorry Byron. :)
"There are a lot more people down there and it’s a higher class of drunks riding around on pedal taverns instead of sacking out in the doorways and alleys but, on the whole, it’s largely the same thing but the drinks are a lot more expensive."
Great history, enjoyed every word. Thanks Barry.
Barry, as always, I appreciate when you chime in and respond. You always offer wonderful memories and insight.
ReplyDeleteMy initial thoughts when I read the news regarding Opry Entertainment was negative, thinking the worse. But now I am more a part of the wait-and-see crowd. You bring up a very good point regarding Gaylord Entertainment, specifically Edward Gaylord, and the moves they made when they first purchased WSM, Opryland, Grand Ole Opry, etc., back in the early 80s. Sadly, after Mr. Gaylord passed away and the company went public with their stock, Gaylord Entertainment went in a different direction. Let's see what happens in the next few years.
I hate downtown Nashville and lower Broadway. When I am in Nashville, I go downtown every trip. Specifically, I visit the Hall of Fame, The Musicians Hall of Fame, Ryman, Ernest Tubb Record Shop, and enjoy sitting on the riverfront. To me, the party crowd has gotten out of hand, but that is the reputation of Nashville now. Most of those that I know who visit Nashville go for the party and drinking scene on Broadway. The Opry is an afterthought. Understand, I don't mind the bars or the music. There are a lot of talented people down there. But the crowds and noise level seem at of hand. (Just the thoughts of a senior citizen).
For those who missed the news, Johnny Counterfeit has passed away. While not a regular guest on the Opry, he did make some appearances over the years.
ReplyDeleteI hope NBC can figure out something for Circle.
ReplyDeleteCircle has quickly degenerated into primarily reruns of old TV shows, old movies, and paid advertising. Best programs on the whole network are Coffee, Country, and Cody on weekday mornings and an occasional live Opry show.
Beyond that, pickins' are pretty slim.
Sorry to see the news about Johnny Counterfeit.
ReplyDeleteOn that 1984 lineup, Johnny Russell wasn't a member yet--he was inducted the next year.
Barry, that is an amazing reminiscence. Thank you.
One of the clips that has struck me as hard to find on the internet is the beginning of the 1974 opening night, which is chilling and thrilling--The Solemn Old Judge introducing young Acuff, who goes into "Wabash Cannonball," and then the screen goes up to reveal him picking it right up. They tried to reenact it a bit when the building reopened after the flood.
Wow, Barry, thanks, brings back memories of our many trips to Nashville between 1982 and 2015.
ReplyDeleteJohnny Counterfeit (Ronald DeMoor) obituary is on Sellers Funeral Home (Lebanon TN) webpage.
ReplyDeleteNAT, looks like it was Keith Urban tickets for Saturday that was the big deal for sold out
ReplyDeleteWow. And he cancelled. Bad deal, but I'll bet you're right.
DeleteBarry,
ReplyDeleteIt is always great when you post. Don't ever worry about how long they are for they are enjoyable and very insightful. I have listened to the Opry since I was very young in the early 70's but really began listening every weekend about 1980 and taping a lot about that time. So, you are filling in behind the scenes during my favorite time of personal experience listening and visiting the Opry. And, your reference to a higher class of drunks on Broadway made me immediately think of the Ray Price song "Better Class of Losers"!
I think it is very rare that a large corporation absorbs a smaller one that has a deep history and is able or willing to maintain that history. It is an economic not a preservation investment most of the time. I was not that crazy about Gaylord taking control of the Opry but at that time it was almost like a hand shake between Ed Gaylord and Roy Acuff. If it was good enough for Mr. Acuff then I figured it was alright. The last thing I felt he would ever do is sell the Opry down the river. Then the Gaylord company changed after Ed passed and things started to change.......just like the Opry itself after Mr. Acuff passed.
The involvement of NBC/Comcast with the Opry is not promising to me from a cultural or history perspective of the Opry. I do have to wonder if this has not been in the works for a while. Maybe not specifically with NBC but with a company like it. The continual parade of non country acts on the Opry, the catch word today is diversity, leads me to believe that. What multinational corporation would be interested in a 100 year old institution based on rural American art, further, with deep roots in southern American culture in todays world? There is only one thing left that will surprise me on the weekly lineups and that is a full fledged Rap act. It seems almost every other genre of music in the world is becoming a recurring presence on the Opry stage. There is plenty of non country sounding county acts to fill the show every week that we shouldn't have to have all of these admitted not country acts on. But, in todays pressured marketing world you have to show you are in tune with societal changes or you will be banished or boycotted. As we have talked before, the Opry has always had non country acts on but they didn't make up say 25% of almost every show. So, I too will take a wait and see pattern. So far, I think the Opry has done a pretty good job of mostly staying out of politics but with NBC involved, I'm not sure that will remain the case.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I'm hoping for the best, but I share many of your concerns, Jim.
DeleteJ in OK
The marketing plan is working because each week on the Opry you may hear big applause for someone like Bill Anderson or Bobby Osborne but you will hear just as large or larger applause for the non country acts or old rockers. The Opry crowd is changing to a more diverse crowd who most likely knows the non country and old rock act but doesn't know Bill Anderson. I have to say it is a credit to Bill Anderson that he performs something with so much depth and meaning that it is hard for the crowd to ignore even if they have never heard of him. But the business plan seems to be working even if the Opry is not always full. The more shift away from just country the better that may get but that is not better for the Opry's traditional brand or music.
ReplyDeleteSometimes growth and expansion is not that good for integrity long term. The car dealer where I have had my vehicles serviced for over 30 years expanded about 10 years ago selling all brands of the company including trucks. They had to expand their service department and it has not been the same since.
This is an extreme statement but I've made it before and it is kind of half hearted but! I wish they would retire the Opry name or brand and leave it to a dignified death and place in history. Now 20 years past, if they even remember Hank Snow, follow his lead and quit with dignity. I know, change is inevitable but change beyond recognition is unforgivable.
I hope by now you all know that I love the Opry and it has been a very big part of my life. I say the things I do, although negative at times, with love and passion for the Opry and the people who have made it great and kept it alive nearly 100 years.
I guess I'm getting a little like Barry in that I read here all the time but post less these days. Part of that is because I am becoming more depressed with what I hear each week and hate to bring everyone down with my sad commentary.
Thanks for indulging me.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
As for Keith Urbans cancellation and the Opry offering refunds or tickets for other shows, to me it proves the Opry is becoming more of a concert venue. Did they offer refunds back in the 80's when the star of the show was on medical leave for months? At that time people planed months if not years ahead for a trip to the Opry and Nashville. They still came anyway because the show was still whole enough to stand on it's own. They may have been a bit disappointed but if they knew anything about that star would have said the show must go on.
ReplyDeleteI admit it is the correct thing to do in the environment the Opry is now operating in but it spotlights how the show is changing rather quickly. I don't see how you can try to continue running the Opry as the "Opry" if you have to refund tickets when the star attraction of the weekend has to cancel. That is not the Grand Ole Opry show, that is concert night at the Opry House.
Again, why I try not to post so much these days. With no disrespect to people and families who deal with cancer, and I've been there, this is like watching someone suffer with a cancer or illness that is life changing. It can be for the better but often it is not and we know how it can end.
Wish I could remember the Jerry Cower story that ends with the line "now we've heard a discouraging word".
Jim
Ho hum!
Jim
I must admit that the Friday night Opry was pretty enjoyable tonight. Good to hear Mike Snider back.
ReplyDeleteSadly I still feel the same about my earlier comments. However, don't think I'm not grateful for still being able to hear Riders, Gene, Jeanie and others.
Jim
As Little Jimmie Dickens used to say: "I've been givin' this a lot of thought."
ReplyDeleteI mentioned the ridiculously high prices for Saturday's show, obviously brought about by Keith Urban's being scheduled to appear.
Here's my question. The 'Opry says they will "reschedule." What about the folks who paid $500 for an after-market ticket THROUGH the 'Opry website. Will they get the same seat when Keith Urban finally appears? Remind me never to pay big money for a big star. Give me the 'Opry regulars!
Those folks paying the high $$ to see Keith Urban probably don't realize they are not getting his concert, just his segment on the Opry.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder about that as well. $500 is a lot to pay to hear three or four songs.
DeleteThe April 22 show is now sold-out. I also had someone tell me that they were unable to exchange the dates for everyone who asked as the April 22 show already had a number of seats sold. And you were not guaranteed the same seat. As to those who bought on secondary sites, it would be treated the same as if you bought a ticket on a secondary site for a regular concert. It is up to that site on how they wish to handle it, but since the Opry show was not canceled, just Keith's appearance, I would think they are out of luck.
Deletewow
Deletegood luck with getting their $$, we had to miss a concert due to a blizzard - purchased insurance just in case - still trying to get them to understand we couldn't get there to get our ticket purchase reimbursed
DeleteBarry! That was amazing! I hope you post more often and tell us more stories!
ReplyDeleteSo just a thought regarding nbc! First let's remember that nbc actually has a relationship with the opry going back to 1939 as all the Prince Albert shows were on nbc radio. Granted that was 80 years ago but still!
Also in our regular lives both Byron and I are huge wrestling fans! WWE has put all their library going back decades on nbc's new streaming platform which has become very easily accessible and free to comcast subscribers. Wouldn't it be cool, if all the old tnn stuff, all the old radio material, every recording the opry has ends up on Peacock? Then I don't think anyone would complain very much! Though the radio shows from the late 30s through the 60s are generally very easy to find already so I'm not sure they would have very much in the way of value just because if you would like to download them in perfect sound quality it's easy to get them. Byron I do wonder how the opry feels about all the prince albert stuff being very very easy to get online?
Also I have mixed feelings about the big star thing. Most of my generation has no idea who most of the opry regulars are. Maybe Bill if they pay attention and they do know him when they hear some of the later songs. Point is, Riders, Mrs. Smith etc as awesome as they are I don't think would be able to sell out the opry house. And they need to move tickets and have things to promote to survive. So, the big giant names are so very important in 2022. Even when I was 4 or 5 I would've loved to come to the opry to see Mr. Acuff, but that was because tnn made him into the biggest legend of all time in the eyes of those who watched it. Now days even in such a short time, it's very very different.
ReplyDeleteE.Z.: Always enjoy your input. Often keeps us gray hairs grounded.
DeleteYou mentioned that the Opry was on NBC radio and point out that it was 80 years ago. With so many decades past and NBC being the conglomerate that it is today and part of Comcast, I think there is a big difference in the company. I just hope that if they try to make changes that it will be gradual. Companies like that have a way of marketing that can make you accept things by a very slow transition that you don't even know is happening and pretty soon they have you hooked. It's not just big business that does that to us either!
I also agree that most of the folks who bought tickets to see Keith Urban (and other current big names when they show) probably never heard of Bill, Connie, Jeannie and the other veterans. But I would think that there is a a good deal of younger acts that debut all the time that fall in that category as well. If you stop and think about the 80's or early 90's when folks like Ricky Skaggs, Ricky Van Shelton, Patty Loveless, Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill and others joined, the likes of Bill Carlisle, Skeeter Davis, Roy Drusky, Justin Tubb and many others were filling out the show. Many the folks coming to see the the new acts had never heard of those older ones I mentioned. But that has been the Opry, several generations on each show with a constant revolving door as acts were hired and others passed or retired. That is the quandary now, do they want the Opry to be the Opry in the traditional sense or just a concert. The concept of the Opry as a variety show may be past it's day and the public beyond accepting such a show. In this day of instant gratification and I want what I want and I don't care what you want, the Opry may very well be headed in the right direction. But....it may end up not really being the Opry if the dust ever settles.
Sometimes I question if adding folks like Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent are to keep the more traditional music alive on the Opry or more to keep a pool of acts to draw from stable. I guess that may not be a valid question since membership is far from being required to set foot in the circle. I think we all agree that this is not an easy task to keep the Opry alive, maintain a history and satisfy a society/public that is quickly evolving. I/we can't stop change so I'll count my blessings for now that I can still hear Bill, Connie, Jeannie and a few others from the Opry stage and over WSM.
Jim
I pretty much agree with the concerns expressed here about the business merger. Rarely do these things ever turn positive but I guess we will just have to wait and pray.
ReplyDeleteOn a positive note, it was good to hear Mike back with his old jokes (I will never complain again). It was also great to hear Joey "The Cow Polka King) back with the Riders. I was getting worried about him. If you ever get a chance to attend a Riders show you will not be disappointed!