Nationally recognized independent Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay offers news and comments regarding country music's premier show.
Here is the lineup for the Tuesday Night Opry, May 31:
7:00: Connie Smith, Jackson Dean, Bill Anderson, The Isaacs
Intermission
8:15: Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Sam Williams, Gary Mule Deer, Carly Pearce
Nice to see that 5 of the 8 acts are Opry members.
I am sure everyone has heard by now that The Beach Boys will be at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. The following is the press release:
The Beach Boys and LOCASH have announced they will kick off summer for the legendary venue, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, on Friday, May 27. The two bands are set to share the historic stage after uniting on LOCASH’s current single, “Beach Boys,” which features Mike Love and Bruce Johnston. LOCASH’s latest release is less California-pop and more Southern-infused ode to the legendary ’60s act. “Beach Boys” pulls elements from the 1963 track “I Get Around” off Little Deuce Coupe with overdubbed lyrics from the original Beach Boys tune placed over the new country tribute.
The forthcoming performance will serve as The Beach Boys’ inaugural appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage. The band also shared that video clips from the show will be featured in Opry Live later this summer. The event is a part of the Grand Ole Opry’s summer kick-off, which will commence earlier in the day on May 27, with a performance by Walker Country. The gig is a part of “Opry Loves the 90s” Plaza Party, sponsored by Truist, Mid-South Ford Dealers and Dollar General, and will include additional performances by Hannah Ellis (June 7), Ray Fulcher (June 11) and more, later this summer. Tickets for The Beach Boys and LOCASH at the Grand Ole Opry are on sale now.
I know that non-country acts have performed on the Opry many times in the past. It seems to be happening more these days. There have been comments that when the Opry had 20-25 acts a night on the show, putting on a non-country act wasn't that big of a deal. But when there are only 7 acts on the show, as there is on Friday night, it takes a slot or two away from a country performer, or an Opry member. I know it is all about selling tickets. That I understand as the Opry is a business. But it seems that it continues to move away from being a country music show to a show that represents American music in general. I wish The Beach Boys success on their Opry debut, and I know that those attending will be excited to share the moment with this historic group.
Joining The Beach Boys and LOCASH on the Friday Night Opry this Memorial Day weekend will be Opry members Riders In The Sky, John Conlee and Lorrie Morgan. Lorrie is part of that final hour that will be taped for a future Opry Live broadcast.
The only other artists on the schedule are Darryl Worley, who was one of those that at one time was a very frequent Opry guest, and Steven Curtis Chapman.
Friday May 27
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Darryl Worley, John Conlee, Steven Curtis Chapman
Intermission
8:15: Lorrie Morgan, LOCASH, The Beach Boys
Looking at the Saturday lineup, it appears to be a more traditional show that will feature Grand Ole Opry members Bill Anderson, Mike Snider, Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely. It will be a special night for Jeannie as she will be celebrating her 56th year on the Opry, as she made her Opry debut on Saturday May 28, 1966.
Don Schlitz will be making another Opry appearance as he has basically become a semi-regular on the show. Also appearing on Saturday will be Conner Smith, who will be making his Opry debut, Matthew West, Tiera Kennedy and Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz.
Saturday May 28
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Conner Smith, Bill Anderson, Matthew West
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider, Tiera Kennedy, Connie Smith, Don Schlitz
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From 50 years ago, Saturday May 27, 1972:
1st show
6:30: Justin Tubb (host); Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Billy Grammer (host); Penny DeHaven; Charlie Moore
7:00: George Morgan (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Stringbean; Joe and Rose Lee Maphis
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Willis Brothers; Crook Brothers
8:00: Hank Locklin (host); Grandpa Jones; Connie Smith; Del Wood
8:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Stu Phillips; The 4 Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Justin Tubb (host); Willis Brothers; Wilma Lee Cooper; Stringbean
10:00: George Morgan (host); Charlie Moore; Del Wood
10:15: Billy Grammer (host); Earl Scruggs Revue
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa Jones
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Joe and Rose Lee Maphis; Crook Brothers
11:00: Stu Phillips (host); Penny DeHaven; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Hank Locklin (host); Connie Smith; The 4 Guys
(Charlie Walker was scheduled for both shows but cancelled. Ernie Ashworth only worked the early show).
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Saturday May 28, 1966 was a special night at the Grand Ole Opry as future Opry member Jeannie Seely made her first guest appearance on the show.
Jeannie Seely’s mother said that Jeannie was just 4 years old when she learned to stretch up, tune the knob on her family’s big console radio to 650 WSM and keep it there. Jeannie, who was raised near Townville, Pennsylvania, remembers sitting in the family’s Ford, eating popcorn and drinking soda pop, listening to the Opry on Saturday nights while her parents played cards at friends’ houses By age 11, she was performing on a weekly radio show in nearby Meadville and a few years later turned up on TV in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Years of playing auditoriums, small clubs, and country music parks followed. She moved to California and worked as a secretary with Liberty and Imperial Records in Hollywood before coming to Nashville in 1965 at the urging of Opry member Dottie West.
A recording contract with Monument Records gave Jeannie her first hit in 1966 with the bluesy Hank Cochran tune “Don’t Touch Me,” which went to the top of the charts and earned her a Grammy Award. One year later, the singer who became famous as “Miss Country Soul” fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a member of the Opry cast.
Other hits followed, including “I’ll Love You More (Than You Need),” “Can I Sleep in Your Arms,” and “Lucky Ladies.” Jeannie briefly worked as duet partner of Porter Wagoner and had a successful touring and recording partnership with fellow Opry member Jack Greene, with such hits as the Top 10 single “Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You.” Jeannie is also a successful songwriter, having written Faron Young’s 1973 Top 10 hit, “Leavin’ and Sayin’ Goodbye.” She also has had songs cut by Dottie West, Connie Smith, Willie Nelson, and Ray Price.
Known for her plainspoken ways and sometimes earthy humor, Jeannie published a book of witticisms, Pieces of a Puzzled Mind, in 1989.
In 2000, Jeannie, who has made frequent stage and screen appearances, hit the road for Atlantic City to portray the character of Louise opposite her friend Terri Williams in Always … Patsy Cline. She played the role of an energetic, funny woman with a heart full of love for her friends and for country music — a part she knows quite well.
In 2003, Jeannie released Life’s Highway, a country/bluegrass project with contributions from famous friends including Steve Wariner, the Osborne Brothers, and The Whites. Other albums followed, including her latest, An American Classic, which featured The Whites, Steve Wariner, Rhonda Vincent, Bill Anderson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Payne, Lorrie Morgan, Vince Gill and Ray Stevens.
“I feel very fortunate to be part of the Opry tradition,” Jeannie says, “and I truly am indebted to all the wonderful fans who have supported me over the years.”
Here is the running order from 56 years ago, Saturday May 28, 1966:
7:30: Luzianne
Bill Anderson (host): You Don't Want My Love
Tompall and The Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
Margie Bowes: Big City
Curly Fox: Mountain Dew
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops
Del Wood: Night Train to Memphis
Jimmy Gately: Old Faithful
Tompall and The Glaser Brothers: Back in Each Other's Arms Again
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
8:00: Martha White
Billy Walker (host): Charlie's Shoes
Bobby Lord: Losers Like Me
Jean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers to You
Jim and Jesse: Don't Let Nobody Tie You Down
Billy Walker: A Million and One
Stringbean: Little Pink
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
8:30: Stephens
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): It Is Easier to Say Than Do
George Hamilton IV: Write Me a Picture
Bob Luman: I'm Walkin'
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Cousin Jody: No Help Wanted
George Hamilton IV: Steel Railroad Blues
9:00: Pet Milk
Ernest Tubb (host): Til My Getup Has Got Up & Gone
George Morgan: No Man Should Hurt as Bad as I Do
Osborne Brothers: Up This Hill & Down
Marion Worth: Together Again
Ernest Tubb: Waiting for a Train
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
George Morgan: Candy Kisses
Osborne Brothers: Memories
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): The Count Down
Willis Brothers: Ghost Riders in the Sky
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
June Carter: Wildwood Flower
Hank Snow: (?)
Ruthie McClain: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Willis Brothers: Diamonds on Your Hands
10:00: Schick
Tompall (host) and The Glaser Brothers: The Wreck of the No. 9
Stringbean: Nine Pound Hammer
Jean Shepard: A Tear Dropped By
Curly Fox: A Maiden's Prayer
10:15: Pure
George Morgan (host): You're the Only Good Thing
Margie Bowes: That Completely Destroys My Plans
Del Wood: Raggin' the Keys
George Morgan: Rocking Alone in an Ol' Rocking Chair
10:30: Harvey's
Jim and Jesse (host): Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot
Bobby Lord: A Room in the Corner of the House
Marion Worth: Go on Home
Jim and Jesse: The Old Camp Meeting Days
10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): Jealous Lovin' Heart
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Leon Rhodes: Leon's Guitar Boogie
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): One More Ride
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore
Tompall and The Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sally Goodin
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: It Is Easier to Say Than Do
Sam McGee: Railroad Blues
Hank Snow: (?)
11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Singing the Blues
Willis Brothers: Bible on the Table
Bob Luman: You Can Take the Boy From the Country
Archie Campbell: The Men in My Little Girl's Life
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry
Cousin Jody: Television Set
Ruthie McClain: I Really Don't Want to Know
Marty Robbins: Count Me Out/Ribbon of Darkness/Singing the Blues
(Bill Anderson, George Hamilton IV, Billy Walker and June Carter only appeared once that night, as did Jeannie Seely)
Of interest, of all the artists that were on the Opry that night, besides Jeannie the ones still living are Bill Anderson, Jesse McReynolds, Bobby Osborne and Bobby Bare.
Over the next year, Jeannie would continue to make guest appearances on the Opry, eventually becoming an Opry member on September 16, 1967.
On a personal note, I will be heading to Clintwood, Virginia and will be attending the 50th anniversary of the Hills of Home Festival which was started by Ralph Stanley. This will be my first time attending and it has been on my list for years to get down there. This year it finally worked out.
Among those performing at this four-day event are Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Skaggs, The Grascals, Jim Lauderdale, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Po, Ramblin Boys, Chris Jones, Larry Stephenson Band, Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Larry Sparks, as well as almost two dozen other acts. It promises to be a great and fun weekend filled with bluegrass music.
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.
The Opry will salute the U.S. Military with a return of the red-carpet parade and special Salute the Troops Opry performance Tuesday, May 24. The public is invited to cheer on the honored red carpet parade guests in advance of the evening’s show. The Opry and its presenting sponsor Humana, partnering with DAV, will invite men and women of the U.S. military and DAV members, as well as spouses, children, and parents of service members to walk the red carpet into the Opry House for the evening’s show, dedicated to saluting the troops and their families for their service to the nation.
The Grand Ole Opry honors the Military every year as the calendar approaches Memorial Day. The show will be taped on Tuesday night and will air on Opry Live, on Circle TV Saturday night.
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Jake Hoot, Riders In The Sky, Cam
Intermission
8:15: Riley Green, The War and Treaty, Craig Morgan
Trace Adkins was originally on the schedule but canceled due to a "scheduling conflict." Riley Green was added to take his place.
In looking at the lineups for both Grand Ole Opry shows this weekend, there are certainly some interesting names, with three artists making their Opry debuts this weekend, along with a return appearance by an individual who make quite an impression during his Opry debut.
Looking at the Friday Night Opry, there is a wonderful and varied group of Grand Ole Opry members on the schedule: Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne, Mandy Barnett, Connie Smith, Rhonda Vincent and Lauren Alaina. Yes, six of the eight artists scheduled are Opry members and each will be bringing a different sound to the Opry. A wonderful mix of acts and musical styles.
The only two non-members are Runaway June, of which Natalie Stovall is a member, and Michael Feinstein, who recently recorded an album of country standards, and will be making his Opry debut.
Sadly, there are only three Opry members on the schedule for Saturday night as Steve Wariner, Riders In The Sky and Mike Snider will be performing. That makes three weeks in a row for Mike, so I will say that the goal of getting Mike back on the Opry has been a success.
Looking at the non-members for Saturday night, Everette will be opening the show, coming on after the square dancers. While I am fine with Everette, it makes me sad that a non-Opry act is the opener. I just feel that an Opry member should be the first artist starting the show. Leslie Jordan, who made quite an impression during his Opry debut, will be back for an encore performance. Honestly, it is going to be tough for him to top his debut. The wonderful Wendy Moten is scheduled, as is Noah Schnacky and Fancy Hagood, both of whom will be making their Opry debuts.
While I am sure it will be an interesting night at the Opry, there will be no live show on Circle TV this week as the network will be replaying Keith Urban's recent appearance.
Friday May 20
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Runaway June, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Mandy Barnett
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Michael Feinstein, Rhonda Vincent, Lauren Alaina
Saturday May 21
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Everette, Wendy Moten, Noah Schnacky, Mike Snider
Intermission
8:15: Steve Wariner, Leslie Jordan, Riders In The Sky, Fancy Hagood
As mentioned, there are three artists making their Opry debuts this week: Michael Feinstein on the Friday Night Opry and Noah Schnacky along with Fancy Hagood on Saturday's Grand Ole Opry.
Michael Feinstein’s work as an educator, archivist, interpreter, and Ambassador of the Great American Songbook have established the popular and honored musician as a pre-eminent force in contemporary music. His career is impressive and includes numerous Grammy and Emmy nominations.
In 2022, Michael released to rave reviews, Gershwin Country, an album of standards in duet with some of the biggest names in Country Music from Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss to Brad Paisley and Amy Grant. I wonder with the recent release of his country album, if there is a chance of a surprise appearance by any of the artists that he collaborated with on the album.
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Noah Schnacky has had over 190 million song streams and over 3 billion video views as a singer/songwriter & content creator. Noah’s passion for sharing his life and heart through music and video content uniquely connect him with his fans, who he better refers to as the world’s largest family. This meaningful connection with family all over the world can be partially attributed to his rapid growth on TikTok with over 7.8 million followers, making him one of Country Music’s leading sensations on the platform. In parallel, his music journey has continued to skyrocket most recently having released his first album, Thoughtfully Reckless, which includes a track, “Don’t You Wanna Know” with ACM New Artist of the Year, Jimmie Allen. Noah’s artistry features a modern Country sound immersed with lyrics that are both deeply personal and relatable. In 2018, the Music industry took notice of the newcomer’s self-released “Hello Beautiful”, which garnered over one million streams in just eight days, and the follow up “Maybe We Will” subsequently sustaining the earlier success.
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Fancy Hagood is an artist making Queer Southern Pop music out of Nashville, TN and is the host of Apple Radio show, Trailblazers Radio. His debut independent album, Southern Curiosity has accumulated over 15 million streams and counting. You can find Fancy on tour opening for Elle King and various festivals. His first single “Bored” is out now off of his highly anticipated sophomore album that’s slated to be released later this year. Beyond creating music of his own he has written songs for Christina Aguilera, Little Big Town, Anderson East and more.
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday May 20, 1972:
1st show
6:30: Stonewall Jackson (host); Leona Williams
6:45: Stu Phillips (host); Wilma Burgess; Johnny Carver
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Loretta Lynn; Earl Scruggs Revue; Jerry Smith
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Willis Brothers; Ernie Ashworth; Crook Brothers
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Buck Trent; Speck Rhodes
8:30: Wilburn Brothers (host); Justin Tubb; The 4 Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Stonewall Jackson (host); Willis Brothers; Leona Williams
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Earl Scruggs Revue
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Johnny Carver
10:30: Wilburn Brothers (host); Jay Lee Webb
10:45: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jerry Smith; Crook Brothers
11:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Justin Tubb (host); The 4 Guys; Wilma Burgess
(Stringbean cancelled on both shows, while Ernie Ashworth and Loretta Lynn only appeared on the early show).
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May 21, 1977 was a special night at the Grand Ole Opry, as the legendary Tennessee Ernie Ford and former Grand Ole Opry member Don Everly both made guest appearances on the show.
Here is the running order from that night 45 years ago, Saturday May 21, 1977:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Justin Tubb (host): Looking Back to See
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Justin Tubb: No Relief in Sight
6:45: Rudy's
Stu Phillips (host): Have a Nice Day
Willis Brothers: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Wilma Lee Cooper: No One Now
Stu Phillips: To Get to You
7:00: Shoney's
Charlie Walker (host): Lucille
Skeeter Davis: It's Love That I Feel/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walking/Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Brian Collins: Statue of a Fool
Charlie Walker: In the Garden
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Lonzo and Oscar: Green, Green Grass of Home
Don Everly: Bye, Bye Love/Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Cray Eagle
Oswald: Mountain Dew
8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): You Don't Have to Be a Baby to Cry
Billy Grammer: Kentucky Waltz/Tennessee Waltz
Melba Montgomery: One of These Days
Tennessee Ernie Ford: Glad Rags/Sixteen Tons
Ernest Tubb: Half a Mind
8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host0: Half a Mind
Marion Worth: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed/Mockingbird Hill
Ronnie Robbins: The Door is Always Open
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Hank Snow: (?)
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Wilma Lee Cooper: Philadelphia Lawyer
Justin Tubb: No Relief in Sight/Lonesome 7-7203
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Wilma Lee Cooper: When My Time Comes to Go
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
10:00: Fender
Ernest Tubb (host): Answer the Phone
Skeeter Davis: It's Love That I Feel
Stu Phillips: Have a Nice Day
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Once More
Don Everly: Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again
Roy Acuff: The Great Judgement Morning/I Saw the Light
10:30: Trailblazer
Charlie Walker (host): Lucille
Lonzo and Oscar: No Relief in Sight
Brian Collins: Statue of a Fool
Charlie Walker: San Antonio Rose
10:45: Beechnut
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Lafayette
Billy Grammer: How Great Thou Art
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): There's a Fool Such As I
Melba Montgomery: Don't Let the Good Times Fool You
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Hank Snow: I'm Still Moving' On
Melba Montgomery: No Charge
Kirk McGee: Victory Rag/Freight Train
Hank Snow: Back in Nova Scotia
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Ribbon of Darkness
Marion Worth: The Hands You're Holding Now/Just an Old Love-Turned Memory
Ronnie Robbins: The Door is Always Open/Helen
Marty Robbins: El Paso City/Among My Souvenirs/Walkin' the Floor Over You/Driftwood on the River/El Paso
First, regarding Tennessee Ernie Ford. While never an Opry member, Ernie Ford would appear on the Grand Ole Opry numerous times during his career, most always on the Martha White segment. Ernie Ford was close friends with the founders/executives at Martha White and did some promotional work for the company over the years.
As far as Don Everly, along with his brother Phil, the Everly Brothers first appeared on the Opry on May 11, 1957 and became Opry members. They came to the Opry as part of a youth movement that took place as the Opry worked to add younger acts. Along with the brothers, Porter Wagoner was added to the cast, as well as several others. The Everly Brothers did not stay at the Opry long as their career took them to California and to national stardom.
In 1957, Don and Phil Everly landed a recording contract. The Everly Brothers soon hit the charts with "Bye Bye Love," which made the top of the country charts and did well on the pop and R&B charts, as well. Over the next few years, the Everly Brothers continued to enjoy great success with such catchy songs as "Bird Dog" and "Wake Up Little Susie." Their unique harmonic style also lent itself beautifully to ballads, including "All I Have to Do Is Dream," one of their most famous tunes.
Behind the scenes, however, Don and Phil did not always get along. Don struggled with substance-abuse problems for years. Tensions between the two finally erupted in 1973, when Phil made an abrupt exit from the stage at a California concert. After the brothers parted ways, Don Everly continued to pursue a solo career, which he'd begun with his 1970 self-titled album. He later released Sunset Towers (1974) and Brother Juke Box (1977).
Finally, in the early 80s, the brothers reunited and would perform together, at times, over the next several decades. In 2001, the Everly Brothers were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Don Everly passed away on August 21, 2021, at the age of 84.
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.
The Grand Ole Opry will be celebrating the 90s, with this release:
"Celebrate 90s country music – the country that brings us back. Hear the songs you know from the artists you love with special 90s features in every show. Walk with us down memory lane with our limited-time 90s tour exhibit, 90s Plaza Parties, 90s merchandise, and more. You don’t want to miss all this 90s."
The 90s theme is scheduled to carry on for the rest of the year.
Which brings us to the Tuesday Night Opry, which this week will feature Grand Ole Opry members Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett and Dailey & Vincent. Also appearing will be Niko Moon, Tyler Braden, comedian Aaron Weber and making their Opry debut, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
Tuesday May 17
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Tyler Braden, Mandy Barnett, Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Niko Moon, Aaron Weber, Dailey & Vincent
Looking at Opry Country Classics on Thursday night, Larry Gatlin returns as the host, with the Belamy Brothers as the Spotlight Artists. Also appearing will the The Gatlin Brothers, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy and Mo Pitney.
Some weekends are better than others at the Grand Ole Opry and this weekend is one of the better ones as on Saturday night, Jamey Johnson will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry and Ricky Skaggs will be celebrating his 40th anniversary as an Opry member.
Before getting to Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, let's take a look at the Friday Night Opry as the lineup for that show is also impressive. On the schedule are Grand Ole Opry members Riders In The Sky, Mark Wills, Connie Smith, and appearing for the second week in a row, Mike Snider. Could a trend be developing with Mike? We can only hope as it goes without saying that many were impressed with his performance last weekend on the Opry.
Guesting both nights this weekend is Charlie Worsham, who a lot of people have on their short list of possible future Opry members. Charlie has appeared on the Opry numerous times, with some impressive and memorable performances. Also appearing on Friday night is Jon Pardi, another of the ones mentioned in the past as a possible Opry member, along with Maggie Rose, The Malpass Brothers and comedian Gary Mule Deer, who also is scheduled for both nights.
In addition to Charlie Worsham and Gary Mule Deer, Deana Carter is back again for an Opry appearance, along with Opry members Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers, Bill Anderson and of course, Ricky Skaggs.
Friday May 13
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Mark Wills, Connie Smith, The Malpass Brothers, Charlie Worsham
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider, Maggie Rose, Gary Mule Deer, Jon Pardi
Saturday May 14
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Bill Anderson, Deana Carter, Gary Mule Deer
8:00: Jamey Johnson, Charlie Worsham, Ricky Skaggs
Opry Live on Circle TV will actually be live this week, featuring the induction of Jamey as the Opry's newest member, and the recognition of Ricky's 40th year as an Opry member. I am not sure else, but I would guess that Bill Anderson for sure will be a part of Jamey's night.
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Jamey Johnson was born on July 14, 1975, in Enterprise, Alabama, and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. From an early age, he was influenced by country acts such as Alabama and Alan Jackson. After graduating high school, he attended Jacksonville State University. Jamey quit college after two years and served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for four years. While in the Marines, he began playing country music in various bars in the Montgomery area; one of his first gigs was opening for David Allan Coe. By 2000, he had moved to Nashville, to pursue a career in country music.
When Jamey first moved to Nashville, he worked several demo sessions and soon met producer and songwriter Buddy Cannon, who helped Jamey get his first songwriting contract. By 2005, Jamey had been signed to a recording contract with BNA Records. His first single, entitled "The Dollar", was released that year, followed by his Buddy Cannon-produced debut album (also entitled The Dollar) in March 2006. "The Dollar" went on to peak at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The album's second single, "Rebelicious", failed to enter the charts and Johnson was dropped from BNA.
After the loss of his record deal, Jamey divorced his wife and took on a reclusive lifestyle, residing in a friend's house while working on his songwriting. He wrote several songs for other artists. In 2006, George Strait reached No. 1 on the Country chart with "Give It Away", a song which Johnson co-wrote with Bill Anderson and Cannon.
In 2007, Trace Adkins charted with two more songs that Johnson co-wrote: "Ladies Love Country Boys" and "I Got My Game On." Also in 2007, Joe Nichols reached Top 20 with "Another Side of You", another song co-written by Johnson.
In 2008, Jamey signed with Mercury Nashville Records. His first single for the label, "In Color", was released in March 2008. This song, which Johnson co-wrote with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto, entered the Top 40 in June 2008, and That Lonesome Song was released on CD in August of that year. "In Color" peaked at No. 9 on the Country chart in January 2009 and was followed a month later by "High Cost of Living."
In 2010, he released a follow up to his 2008 album, That Lonesome Song. The album titled The Guitar Song was released on September 14, 2010. Upon its release, The Guitar Song was met with overwhelming praise and universal acclaim from music critics. The album debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number one on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums.
In addition to producing other acts and writing new material, Jamey released his fourth studio album titled Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran on October 6, 2012. The album is a tribute to songwriter Hank Cochran. The album garnered Johnson a nomination at the 55th Grammy Awards for Best Country album. The album paired him with acts such as Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello, George Strait, Vince Gill, and Merle Haggard. Longtime collaborator and producer Buddy Cannon oversaw the project. The album was released on vinyl September 25, 2012. Since then, Jamey has been working on his songwriting and has continued to collaborate with other artists.
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I find it very hard to believe that Ricky Skaggs will turn 68 in July and has been an Opry member for 40 years. I think it is safe to say, that despite some ups and downs at the beginning of his time as an Opry member, Ricky has been very loyal to the Opry and has supported the show very well over the years.
Ricky Skaggs made his Opry debut in April 1981. Just over a year later, this traditional country singer was made an Opry member, with Ernest Tubb doing the honors on May 15. At the time, Roy Acuff told Ricky that he would be like the others who joined the Opry and never appeared. Roy said, "You'll get so big you'll do just like all the rest of them." Ricky replied, "You don't know me. You just watch me and see. I'm not made that way. I didn't join the Opry for that."
After the death of Bill Monroe, Ricky went back to his roots as a bluegrass artist and has carried on the legacy of Mr. Monroe over the past several decades. Oh yes, he does occasionally go back and visit his traditional country days, but now more than ever, he brings that classic bluegrass sound with him to the Opry.
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Now from 50 years ago, Saturday May 13, 1972:
1st show
6:30: Billy Walker (host); Bill Carlisle
6:45: Ray Pillow (host); Ernie Ashworth; Del Wood
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Louie Roberts
7:30: Roy Drusky (host); Willis Brothers; Stringbean; Crook Brothers
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard
8:30: Wilburn Brothers (host); Barbara Mandrell; The 4 Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show/
9:30: Billy Walker (host); Willis Brothers; Del Wood
10:00: Ray Pillow (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Louie Roberts
10:30: Roy Drusky (host); Stringbean; Harold Weakley
10:45: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard; Crook Brothers
11:00: Stu Phillips (host); The 4 Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Wilburn Brothers (host); Bill Carlisle; Barbara Mandrell; Gene Watson
(Ernie Ashworth only appeared on the early show while Stu Phillips appeared only on the late show. Barbara Mandrell was not an Opry member at this time, as she would join the cast in July. Finally, it was nice to see a guest appearance by Gene Watson. While this was not Gene's actual Opry debut, this was his first scheduled appearance on the show).
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This week, I take a moment to remember Billy Walker, who made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance on Saturday May 13, 2006.
A native of west Texas, Billy Walker emerged from the talent-rich Dallas scene of the late '40s and early '50s. He learned to play the guitar from his father and decided he wanted to become a singer. He first appeared on radio in Clovis at the age of 15, then several years later he appeared as the "Traveling Texan" on the Big D Jamboree in Dallas. Billy recorded for Capital Records from 1949-1951, with no success. In 1951 he signed with Columbia Records and in 1954 he appeared on the charts with "Thank You For Calling." From there, he joined the Louisiana Hayride and the Ozark Jubilee, before heading to Nashville and joining the Opry.
Billy was the first to record Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away," and he passed another of Nelson's songs, "Crazy," to Patsy Cline. In 1962, Walker had his first country number one with "Charlie's Shoes." Subsequent successes included "Cross the Brazos at Waco," "A Million to One," "Sundown Mary," "She Goes Walking Through My Mind," and "Sing Me a Love Song to Baby," followed by a succession of minor chart successes for a variety of companies.
After leaving Columbia in 1965, Walker signed with producer Fred Foster's Monument Records and moved to MGM in 1970 and to RCA Records in 1974. He later recorded for several independent labels, including his own Tall Texan label. By the end of 1988, he had placed 65 records in the U.S. country charts, including duets with Barbara Fairchild on "The Answer Game" and "Let Me Be the One." His own songs included a tribute to Marty Robbins, "He Sang the Songs About El Paso."
In the late 1960s, he hosted a syndicated television show, Billy Walker’s Country Carnival. Billy also performed around the world, and several times during the 1980s sang at the International Festival of Country Music at Wembley Arena in London. In April 2006, Walker recorded the duet "All I Ever Need Is You" with Danish singer Susanne Lana for Hillside House Records. The recording, at Signal Path Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, was produced by Charlie McCoy.
On May 21, 2006, Walker died in a road accident when the van he was driving back to Nashville after a performance in Foley, Alabama, veered off Interstate 65 in Fort Deposit and overturned. His wife Bettie; bassist Charles Lilly Jr., son of Everett Lilly of The Lilly Brothers; and guitarist Daniel Patton were also killed. The Walkers, Lilly, and Patton died instantly. Walker's grandson, Joshua Brooks, survived with serious injuries. Walker was interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville.
Here is the running order from Saturday May 13, 2006, the final Opry performance for Billy Walker:
1st show
6:30: Cracker Barrel
Jimmy Dickens (host): May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
Connie Smith: Cincinnati, Ohio
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Keni Thomas: Not Me/Shreveport to LA
Jimmy Dickens: I'm Just Blue Enough to Do Most Anything
7:00: Tootsie's
Jeannie Seely (host): It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels
The Whites: Blue Letters
Jesse McReynolds: I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby
Pinmonkey: Barbed Wire & Roses/That Train Don't Run By Here No More
7:30: Martha White
Riders In The Sky (host): Ghost Herd in the Sky
Jan Howard: Smokey Mountain Jubilee
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
The Wreckers: Leave the Roses When You Go/My, Oh My
Riders In The Sky: Whoop De Doo/Happy Trails to You
8:00: Opry. Com
Jean Shepard (host): Silver Threads & Golden Needles
Billy Walker: T for Texas
Buddy Jewel: Help Pour Out the Rain/If She Were Any Other Woman
Opry Square Dance Band: Snow Flake Reel
Jean Shepard: If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again
8:30: Tennessee Pride
Bill Anderson (host): If You Can Live With It
Eddy Raven: Who Do You Know in California/I've Got Mexico
Ricky Skaggs: First Corinthians 118/Sally Jo
Bill Anderson: The Corner of My Life
2nd show
9:30: Crackel Barrel
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Connie Smith: Did We Have to Come This Far
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou
Keni Thomas: Not Me/Shreveport to LA
Jimmy Dickens: Shopping for Dresses
10:00: Opry.com
Jean Shepard (host): Head Over Heels in Love with You
The Whites: Swing Down Chariot
Eddy Raven: We Rob Trains/Joe Sure Knows How to Live
Pin Monkey: Barbed Wire & Roses/That Train Don't Run By Here No More
Jeans Shepard: Second Fiddle
10:30: Johnny Walker Tours
Jeannie Seely (host): Anytime
Bobby Osborne: West Virginia, My Home
The Wreckers: Leave the Roses When You Go/My, Oh My
Opry Square Dance Band: Here & There
11:00: Gaylord Attractions
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
Jack Greene: Highway to the Sky/This One Belongs to Me
Ricky Skaggs: Mother's Only Sleeping/Uncle Pen
Bill Anderson: Uncle Pen
11:30: Night At The Opry
Riders In The Sky (host): Woody's Roundup
Charlie Louvin: Mama's Angels
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Buddy Jewell: Help Pour Out the Rain/If She Were Any Other Woman
Riders In The Sky: Mother, The Queen of My Heart/Happy Trails to You
(Porter Wagoner was scheduled to host the 8:00 and 10:00 segments but cancelled)
Billy Walker joined the Grand Ole Opry in January 1960. He was a loyal and faithful member of the cast the entire time he was a member. Sadly, at the end of his career, his Opry appearances were reduced, as were others, after Pete Fisher became the general manager of the Grand Ole Opry. There are some who have said that if Billy had been scheduled for the Opry the following Saturday night, he wouldn't have been on the road, driving back to Nashville in the middle of the night.
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, and congratulations to Jamey Johnson on becoming the Opry's newest member.
Yes, that is correct. There is no Tuesday Night Opry this week as the Grand Ole Opry House has another show scheduled. So instead, it will be the Wednesday Night Opry this week.
7:00: Connie Smith, John Driskell Hopkins Band, Filmore, Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Tenille Towns, The Isaacs, Gary Mule Deer, Chris Young
Over the past year it seems that Chris Young has stepped up his Opry appearances, which is good to see, as well as the continued support by The Isaacs.
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Opry Country Classics will again be hosted by Larry Gatlin, and besides The Gatlin Brothers, will also feature Dailey & Vincent, Chuck Mead, Emily West and The Malpass Brothers.
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Dailey & Vincent
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, The Malpass Brothers, Chuck Mead, Emily West.
Before getting to the Opry lineups for this week, just a note. On Tuesday May 3rd, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special Midnite Jamboree show. It was also the last day that the record shop was open as it is now closed. I was told by a person in the know that there are plans for the shop to reopen. That is all I know. I just thought I would pass that along.
Now to this week's Grand Ole Opry, as the Opry rolls into the first weekend of May with another weekend of pretty solid lineups.
The Friday Night Opry will feature a nice group of Grand Ole Opry members. 54-year member Jeannie Seely will be opening the show, with Mike Snider and Del McCoury also appearing during the first half of the show, while Hall of Fame members the Oak Ridge Boys will be closing out the second half. It is really nice to see Mike Snider making another appearance, his second in a month. Hopefully, this is the start of a trend that will see Mike back on the Opry, making regular appearances. His humor and string band music has been missed.
Saturday night's Grand Ole Opry will feature Hall of Famer Bill Anderson, along with Riders In The Sky and Mark Wills. As with the Friday night show, a good group of Opry members on the schedule.
There are several familiar names on the guest list for Friday night, Tiera Kennedy is on the schedule, as is famed guitarist Tommy Emmanuel. Darin and Brooke Aldridge are also on the lineup, bringing their wonderful bluegrass sound back to the Opry. It has been said before, and I will mention it again, I do believe that Darin and Brooke are in the discussion when it comes to speculating about new Opry members. Finally, Aaron Raitiere is scheduled to make his Opry debut.
Dallas Wayne is among the artists listed on Saturday's schedule and from what I have heard, he and Bill Anderson will be performing Dallas's news song, "He Even Brought Her Flowers." This will be the first time that this song will be performed at the Opry. This week's designated comedian is Reno Collier, and also on the schedule is Elvie Shane, Leah Turner and Jameson Rodgers.
Friday May 6
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Aaron Raitiere, Mike Snider, Tiera Kennedy, Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Tommy Emmanuel, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Oak Ridge Boys
Saturday May 7
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Leah Turner, Bill Anderson, Jameson Rodgers
Intermission
8:15: Dallas Wayne, Reno Collier, Elvie Shane, Mark Wills
No Live Circle television this week.
Now from 50 years ago, Saturday May 6, 1972:
1st show
6:30: Willis Brothers (host); Peggy Little
6:45: Justin Tubb (host); Carl and Pearl Butler; Murry Kellum
7:00: Stu Phillips (host); Jeanne Pruett; Urel Albert; Country Johnny Mathis
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Bob Luman; Crook Brothers
8:00: Bobby Lord (host); Skeeter Davis; Duke of Paducah
8:30: The 4 Guys (host); Ernie Ashworth; Johnny Carver; Fruit Jar DrinkersC
2nd show
9:30: Willis Brothers (host); Peggy Little; Carl and Pearl Butler; Murry Kellum
10:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Urel Albert
10:15: Justin Tubb (host); Jeanne Pruett
10:30: Stu Phillips (host); Country Johnny Mathis
10:45: Bob Luman (host); Crook Brothers
11:00: Bobby Lord (host); Skeeter Davis; Duke of Paducah; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: The 4 Guys (host); Johnny Carver
It was a thin night for Opry members as most of the big names were out on the road. Of those appearing, Ernie Ashworth only appeared on the early show. Also of note, Carl and Pearl Butler and the Duke of Paducah were not Opry member at the time, while Jeanne Pruett would join the cast the following year.
So, who was Urel Albert? Urel was, at the time, a well-known singer, comedian and impressionist. During this particular Opry appearance, he did impressions of Roy Acuff, Hank Snow, Tex Ritter and Grandpa Jones. While never having any songs that hit big on the charts, he did make a few recordings during his career.
The other interesting name from that night was Country Johnny Mathis, and yes, there was an artist that went by that name.
Country Johnny Mathis, not to be confused with the pop singer of the same name was born September 28, 1930, in Maude, Texas, was known as both a Country Music songwriter and artist. He learned to sing and play guitar in his dad’s church and the family picked cotton to make ends meet. By the time Johnny was 15, he quit school and began playing in the honky-tonks around Texas.
‘Country’ Johnny Mathis, as he was labeled early in his career to distinguish himself from the other emerging singer of the same name, began his career as a recording artist on the StarTalent label in 1949. He would go on to record for a number of record labels during his music career including Chess, Columbia, D Records, Mercury, Decca, United Artists, Little Darlin’, Hilltop and Stonegate. As a part of the duet, Jimmy and Johnny, he scored a Top 5 Billboard Chart hit in 1953 with the song, “If You Don’t Somebody Else Will”, released on Chess Records. In 1955, on the heels of their chart success, Jimmy and Johnny were teamed with Elvis Presley for tour dates as both acts continued their weekend appearances on The Louisiana Hayride. Both Jimmy and Johnny and Elvis received Most Promising nominations in Billboard Magazine’s Most Promising Artists category for 1954.
Johnny’s highest charting single as a soloist, “Please Talk To My Heart” (Billboard Hot Country Singles Top 15), occurred while recording for United Artists in 1963. (Mathis also recorded several Rockabilly sides for D Records under the name of Les Cole & The Echoes. The most notable being “Bee-Bopping Daddy”.) Johnny was a regular performer on The Louisiana Hayride during the 50’s, he also performed on the Big D Jamboree, The Grand Ole Opry, The Wilburn Brothers Show and TNN’s Nashville Now to name a few. Johnny contributed interview segments and his song “Let Me Go Back One More Time” was featured in the 1980’s Louisiana Hayride documentary, Cradle Of The Stars, narrated by Hank Williams Jr.
As a songwriter, ‘Country’ Johnny Mathis had a notable body of songwriting work. His songs have been recorded by George Jones (over 20 cuts), Tammy Wynette, Johnny Paycheck, Charlie Pride, Johnny Horton, Ray Price, Jimmy Dean, George Hamilton IV, Freddy Fender, Melba Montgomery, Webb Pierce, The Whites, Carl Smith, Bobby Helms, Elvis Costello, Faron Young and many, many others. Mathis has been credited with writing over 500 songs, he landed dozens of songs on multiple Billboard Charting Country albums and Gold Records, multiple Billboard Charting Country singles and had a total of 11 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees record his music. His songs are still be recorded and utilized in albums and documentaries today.
Like many songwriters in the 50’s, Johnny sold his writer’s share to several of his songs. He sold the song, “Am I That Easy To Forget”, outright for $15. The song does not bare his name in the writer’s credits, and later became a Country Music standard and awarded the BMI Million Performance category achievement. This act of “selling songs” was a common practice during that time period in Country Music for songwriters.
In 1964, after almost 20 years in Country Music, Johnny had a spiritual turning point in his life. On the heels of a record deal with United Artist and a Billboard Top 20 Country single, as well as a nomination for "New Male Vocalist In Country Music” by Billboard Magazine’s Disc Jockey Awards, he left his career in Country Music and returned to his roots of faith to sing and evangelize in churches across the country. Johnny spent most of his time during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s writing and singing Gospel music and evangelizing in churches across the country.
A visit in 1980 from his old producer, Aubrey Mayhew, talked Mathis into moving to Nashville to write for Mayhew’s publishing company, Dream City Music. This stint lasted for a year but landed the Mathis family permanently in Tennessee where Johnny continued to write songs and make records until a massive stroke in 1999 which led to his passing in 2011.
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Finally, going way back this week to Saturday May 7, 1955. Here is the running order from that night 67 years ago:
7:30: Prince Albert
Ray Price (host): If You Don't Somebody Else Will
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Terry Fell: Don't Drop It
Fiddle Tune: Grey Eagle
Ray Price: In The Garden
Del Wood: Smoky Mountain Polka
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Terry Fell: Mississippi River Shuffle
Grandpa Jones: Gooseberry Pie
Ray Price: One Broken Heart
Fiddle Tune: Sally Goodin'
8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): Kansas City Blues
Louvin Brothers: Love Thy Neighbor
Flatt and Scruggs: Salty Dog Boogie
Possum Hunters: Billy in the Low Ground
Ernest Tubb: The Woman's Touch
Carters: Gold Watch and Chain
Hawkshaw Hawkins: If I Ever Get Rich, Mom
Red Sovine: Are You Mine?
Flatt and Scruggs: I'll Go Steppin' Too
Ernest Tubb: Daisey May
Fiddle Tune: Leather Britches
8:30: Federal Fertilizer Co.
Faron Young (host): Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young
Fiddle Tune: Ragtime Annie
Goldie Hill: Cry, Cry Darling
Wilburn Brothers: My Heart or My Mind
Fiddle Tune: Mississippi Sawyer
8:45: American Ace
Faron Young (host): If You Ain't Lovin' You Ain't Livin'
Bill Monroe: My Rose of Old Kentucky
Cowboy Copas: Gone and Left Me Blues
Faron Young: If That's The Fashion
Fiddle Tune: Wake Up, Susan
9:00: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Buff Creek Gal
Johnny and Jack: I Get So Lonely
Kitty Wells: Making Believe
Jug Band: Under the Double Eagle
George Morgan: Ever So Often
Roy Acuff: Lonely Tombs
Oswald: Nobody's Business
Roy Acuff: Green Back Dollar
Howdy Forrester: Grey Eagle
9:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Webb Pierce (host): In The Jailhouse Now
Jimmy Dickens: Salty Boogie
Anita Carter: Hillbilly Heaven
Justin Tubb: I Gotta Go Get My Baby
Lew Childre: Riding on the Elevated Railroad
Webb Pierce: More and More
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Mitchell Torok: Havanna Huddle
Chet Atkins: Rainbow
Jimmy Dickens: A Ribbon and A Rose
Webb Pierce: I'm Gonna Fall out of Love With You
Fiddle Tune: Arkansas Traveler
10:00: Wall-Rite
George Morgan (host): The Best Mistake I Ever Made
Bill Monroe: Wait A Little Longer, Please Jesus
Goldie Hill: I'm The Loneliest Girl in Town
Blue Grass Boys: Cheyene
George Morgan: Almost
10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Roy Acuff (host): That's What Maks A Jukebox Play
Johnny and Jack: No One Dear But You
Kitty Wells: Whose Shoulder Will You Cry On
Oswald: Good Old Mountain Dew
Gang: Glory Bound Train
10:30: Hester Battery
Ernest Tubb (host): Tomorrow Never Comes
Jimmy Dickens: When I Play the Fiddle
Benny Martin: Ice Cold Love
Ernest Tubb: Have You Ever Been Lonely
Fiddle Tune: Black Eyed Susan
10:45: D Con
Ray Price (host): I'll Be There
Hawkshaw Hawkins: How Can Anything So Pretty Be So Mean
Gully Jumpers: Bully of the Town
Ray Price: I'm Alone Because I Love You
Fiddle Tune: Sleepy Lou
11:00: W. E. Stephens
Webb Pierce (host): Even Tho
Louvin Brothers: Make Him A Soldier
Eddie Hill: Sugar Boggie
Lonzo and Oscar: Oh, What A Wind
Webb Pierce: You're Not Mine Anymore
Crook Brothers: Pretty Little Polly
Grandpa Jones: Cindy
Carters: Wildwood Flower
Don and Rita: Two Hearts
Webb Pierce: That Heart Belongs to Me
Fiddle Tune: 8th of January
11:30: Delited
Faron Young (host): Just Married
Cowboy Copas: Tragic Romance
Justin Tubb: My Heart is Not for Little Girls to Play With
Sam and Kirk: Milk Cow Blues
Faron Young: Forgive Me, Dear
Lew Childre: Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet
Wilburn Brothers: I Wanna, Wanna Wanna
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Cowboy Copas: Feelin' Love
Faron Young: Place for Girls Like You
Fiddle Tune: Fisher's Hornpipe
A couple of names appeared on the Opry that night, Terry Fell and Mitchell Torok, that a few folks might not of heard of previously, or might have forgotten.
Terry Fell was born in Dora, Alabama on May 13, 1921, and got his first guitar at the age of nine. Later, he learned mandolin and took singing lessons. When he was 13 years old, his father died; three years later, he moved alone to California.
There, he began playing in 1943 as bassist for Merl Lindsay.
He started his record career in 1945 as a member of Billy Hughes' band, Pals of The Pecos. His first record was with Hughes on the Fargo label. He began his solo career with Memo, then Courtney, 4 Star, and Gilt-Edge Records, although none of his releases became hits there.
During his first session for RCA in Hollywood (1954), he recorded a song that would become a hit. Although the A-side, "Don't Drop It", was underplayed, the B-side, "Truck Drivin Man", became a classic, especially in the trucker country-music scene. In 1955, he made a guest appearance on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee. Terry remained with RCA for the following two years; however, he never produced a single with the same success. RCA extended his contract in 1956. In 1958, he recorded some sides for Lode records. One of them, released under the name "Johnny Valentine," was a song he wrote called "Sandy" which became a No. 15 pop hit for Larry Hall in 1960.
Due to the lack of success and health problems, his career fell short. Later, for a short time, he managed country star Buck Owens and wrote a song in 1961 with Bobby Edwards titled "You're The Reason". In 1962, Fell moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was a songwriter for various publishing companies until he retired. Published in 1993 with Bear Family Records, the album Truck Drivin Man was released with his collected RCA works. Terry Gordon noted that it was discontinued in 1998, but revised/reissued again. Because of his achievements in country music, he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
Terry Fell passed away on April 4, 2007, in Madison, Tennessee.
Mitchell Torok was born in 1929 in Houston, Texas and attended Stephen F. Austin State University on a baseball and football scholarship.
Torok recorded his first session in Houston with a duet partner named Sally Lee. These masters later wound up on Imperial Records. During the next two years, he performed his own morning radio show on KSFA and KFRD, in Rosenberg and KTRE in Lufkin. Impressed by the rolling East Texas hills, Mitch recorded two singles for the FBC label in Rosenberg, the "Nacogdoches County Line" and the "Piney Woods Boogie".
One of Torok's idols, Hank Williams, died suddenly on January 1, 1953. Inspired by a need for some happy songs, he immediately penned a happy-go-lucky song titled "Mexican Joe," which he wrote in thirty minutes, initially intending the song for another one of his idols, Hank Snow. But, a new record producer and label owner from Hollywood, Fabor Robison, happened by Nacogdoches and found Torok and the song. Torok wanted one of Robison's supposed heavy West Coast artist to record his song. He reluctantly gave it to him and his Abbott record label, to be recorded by one of his own struggling artists, the then unknown Jim Reeves, in Shreveport. (Torok, feeling the chances of Reeves' record hitting were small or nonexistent, planned to use the Jim Reeves record as a "demo" to send to Hank Snow.) Reeves had been hired to be an announcer on KWKH and the Hayride Show, but not allowed to sing. Torok's song, "Mexican Joe", was recorded by Reeves and it became a number one hit and spent seven weeks riding the top of the Billboard Country Music Charts. Torok was then signed to Abbott Records. A month later wrote his own number one hit that became popular in both the Billboard Country and Jukebox charts and remained at the top for four weeks. The song was "Caribbean". It remained on the country chart for 24 weeks, also a top five hit on both the Best Sellers and Disc Jockey charts, as well as being a No. 13 hit in Australia.
He became a member of The Louisiana Hayride on KWKH Shreveport. In 1954, Torok gained a number 9 country hit with the ridiculous sounding ‘Hootchy Kootchy Henry (From Hawaii)’, and in 1956/7, he even had success in the UK pop charts with his songs ‘When Mexico Gave Up The Rhumba’ and ‘Red Light, Green Light’. This success led to him touring in the UK in 1957.
He made further recordings for Mercury, RCA, and Starday, and his last US chart entry was ‘Instant Love’, for the Reprise label in 1967. He continued to write songs, usually working in partnership with his wife (she has used both Gayle Jones and Ramona Redd as pseudonyms), and some have been recorded by top artists including Skeeter Davis, Kitty Wells, Glen Campbell and even Dean Martin. Hank Snow recorded ‘The Mysterious Lady From Martinique’ on one of his last RCA albums and ‘Redneck’ was a Top 20 hit for Vernon Oxford in 1976. Torok joined Cedarwood Music in the late 70s and worked on a recording project telling the history of Nashville from 1780 to 1980.
From what I can gather, Mitchell Torok passed away several years ago.
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.
Here is the posted line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, May 3rd:
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Jeannie Seely, Mandy Barnett, Stephanie Urbina Jones
Intermission
8:15: Steven Curtis Chapman, Henry Cho, Coffey Anderson, Riders In The Sky
A very solid show on Tuesday night with Coffey Anderson making his Opry debut.
And for Opry Country Classics, Thursday May 5th:
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Pam Tillis
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Shenandoah, T.G. Sheppard, William Michael Morgan
Even though it is the Thursday night Classics show, it is nice to see Pam Tillis back on the Opry. This will be her first appearance in 2022.
Welcome to the month of May, the month where many of us see spring at the beginning of the month and summer by the end. As usual, May is a busy month at the Grand Ole Opry and here are the important and historical events that have taken place during the month involving the Opry or its members:
May 1, 1894: One of the Opry's original members, Sam McGee was born. Sam first appeared on the WSM Barn Dance in 1926. Over the years, Sam would appear with his brother Kirk, and as part of the Dixieliners and Fruit Jar Drinkers. Sam passed away in August 1975, following a tractor accident on his farm near Nashville.
May 12, 1901: The Duke of Paducah, Benjamin Francis Ford, was born in DeSoto, Missouri. This fine comedian joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 1942 and remained a member of the Opry until 1959. Even though he gave up his Opry membership to move on to other opportunities, the Duke would continue to return for guest appearances, especially during the Opry's annual reunion shows. Benjamin Ford passed away in 1986, the same year that he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
May 30, 1909: Lewis Crook, a member of the Crook Brothers, was born. While not an original member of the group, he performed with Herman Crook and the others, primarily backing up the square dancers. After Herman passed away, Lewis continued on at the Opry as part of the newly named Opry Square Dance Band. Lewis, who was a part of the Opry for over 60 years, passed away in 1997.
May 17, 1912: Grand Ole Opry and WSM announcer Grant Turner was born. Grant joined the staff of WSM on D-Day, June 6, 1944. While the Opry has had many legendary announcers over the years, Grant is considered the Opry's best, so much so that he was called "The Dean of the Opry's Announcers." Grant remained an Opry announcer until his death on October 19, 1991, just hours after finishing his work on the Friday Night Opry. Grant, who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, was with WSM for 47 years.
May 30, 1912: Alcyone Bate Beasley was born. Alcyone was there when it all started in November 1925, performing with her father's group, Dr. Humphrey Bate and His Possum Hunters. After his death in 1936, Alcyone worked to keep the Possum Hunters together, but it was a struggle as the Opry moved to a more professional and modern sound. By the 1960s, the Possum Hunters had been merged with the Crook Brothers. In the 1970s, after over 45 years on the Opry, Alcyone went into semi-retirement, after which she became a fixture at the Opry's annual reunion shows. She passed away in October 1982.
May 9, 1914: The legendary Singing Ranger, Hank Snow was born in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Hank joined the Grand Ole Opry in January 1950 and would remain one of the Opry's biggest stars until his death in December 1999, just weeks short of his 50th anniversary as an Opry member. In 1979, Hank was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
May 1, 1926: Uncle Dave Macon joined the cast of the WSM Barn Dance. Uncle Dave was considered the first professional musician to join the cast of the Barn Dance, and he would remain with the show until his death in March 1952. Uncle Dave was a popular Opry member, who always considered himself just a plain old country boy. In 1966, he was one of the early members to be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
May 8, 1926: Obed Pickard, the first singing star of the Grand Ole Opry, made his debut on the WSM radio show. Certainly, one of the forgotten names in the history of the Opry.
May 7, 1927: Fiddler Paul Warmack made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, months before he introduces his group The Gully Jumpers to the show. The Gully Jumpers would spend the next several decades as the Opry as part of the rotation of the string bands.
May 1, 1928: Former Grand Ole Opry member, James Hugh Loden was born. Better known as Sonny James, the Southern Gentleman, he was an Opry member for a few years in the 1960s. A true country legend, Sonny is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
May 26, 1934: Fiddler Theron Hale made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, where he had performed regularly for eight years. As with so many of the Opry's early members, he didn't stay too long.
May 25, 1936: Grand Ole Opry member Tom T Hall was born. Much like Abe Lincoln. Tom T was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Tom T originally joined the Opry on January 1, 1971. He left the Opry in 1974, after the show moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland. In 1980, he returned as an Opry member. Sadly, Tom T Hall passed away last year, shortly after passing the 50-year mark as an Opry member.
May 30, 1936: The blackface comedy duo Lasses & Honey marked their final Grand Ole Opry appearance The duo had been a part of the Opry for a couple of years.
May 31, 1938: Donald Lytle was born in Greenfield, Ohio. Early in his career, he decided upon the name Johnny Paycheck and spent the early part of his career as a band member for Ray Price, Porter Wagoner, George Jones and Faron Young. Once he became a star in his own right, Johnny became one of the first to be considered a country "outlaw." He experienced some pretty serious issues in his life and spent some time in prison. However in 1997, thanks to some help from his friend Johnny Russell, he was asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Sadly, just a few years after becoming an Opry member, his health declined and his performing career ended. Johnny passed away in February 2003.
May 6, 1939: Obed Pickard and The Pickard Family performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the final time at Nashville's Dixie Tabernacle. As with many of the Opry's earliest members, he did not stay long.
May 2, 1948: Grand Ole Opry member Larry Gatlin was born. Along with his brothers Steve and Rudy, Larry joined the cast of the Opry on Christmas Day 1976. In recent years, Larry has been performing pretty regularly at the Opry and has become the primary host of Opry Country Classics, which takes place at the Ryman Auditorium during the Spring and Fall months.
May 29, 1950: Mother Maybelle Carter and the Carter Sisters, which consisted of Anita, Helen and June, became members of the Grand Ole Opry. When the Carters joined the cast, they also brought along Chet Atkins as their guitar player. For Chet, it was a return to the show as he had originally appeared on the show in the 1940s with Red Foley. While the Carter Sisters would come and go, Mother Maybelle remained with the Opry until the late 1960s. Later in her career, and similar to the experience of other veteran Opry members such as Sam and Kirk McGee, she would complain to the Opry's management about her poorly timed spots and a general lack of respect. When she finally did decide to leave the Opry, it was to become a permanent member of Johnny Cash's road show.
May 16, 1953: Jimmy Dean made his Grand Ole Opry debut, introduced that night by Opry member Carl Smith. While never becoming an Opry member, Jimmy would make occasional Opry appearances throughout his career, including on the night that Jimmy Dickens was honored on his 50th anniversary as an Opry member.
May 23, 1953: Singing "Mexican Joe" future Grand Ole Opry member Jim Reeves made his Opry debut.
May 1, 1954: Comedian Andy Griffith made his Grand Ole Opry debut. While he was not a regular on the Opry, he would make a few appearances over the years and was always well received.
May 21, 1955: While several dates are listed, it would appear that this was the date that Opry member Webb Pierce quit the Opry. He was an Opry member for just three years, but over that time he realized pretty fast how much money he was losing by not being out on the road on Saturday nights. In addition to his Hall of Fame career, Webb was also involved in the music publishing business. Even though Webb gave up his Opry membership, he would continue to make guest appearances on the show up until he passed away.
May 11, 1957: Don and Phil, the Everly Brothers, made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. They, along with a few others, were brought in as part of a youth movement in an attempt to capture the younger crowd who were not coming to the Opry. They were with the Opry for only a year before moving on. In 2001, they were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
May 18, 1957: Just weeks after the Everly Brothers, Rusty and Doug Kershaw made their Opry debut. While the Everly Brothers left fairly soon after joining, the Kershaw boys would stay around for a few years.
May 28, 1957: The Louvin Brothers formally resign from the Grand Ole Opry to join The Wheeling Jamboree in West Virginia. When they discover they won't receive as much pay as they expected at The Jamboree, they decide several weeks later to return to the Opry.
May 20, 1958: Don Gibson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. A fantastic songwriter, Don was an Opry member until December 1964, when he was fired from the cast for not making the required number of Opry appearances. Several years later, Don rejoined the Opry after the attendance requirements were lowered. Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, Don remained an Opry member until his death in 2003 after a period of declining health.
May 4, 1959: Grand Ole Opry member Randy Travis was born in Marshville, North Carolina. Randy joined the cast of the Opry in December 1986. Due to some serious health issues, including a stroke, Randy is no longer able to perform, however he does come around and visits the Opry on occasion.
May 1, 1960: The WLS National Barn Dance, one of the Opry's early competitors, came to an end as WLS in Chicago changed formats. The Barn Dance originally started on April 19, 1924, a year prior to the start of the Opry.
May 5, 1962: Future Grand Ole Opry member Marion Worth made her first guest appearance on the Opry. Marion would join the Opry cast a year later. Marion, who passed away in 1999, was really underrated as a singer and after leaving the Opry, she spent some time performing in Las Vegas.
May 13, 1966: Colonel Sanders made a guest appearance on the Friday Night Opry, where he promised a free chicken dinner to the first 1,000 people who would write to him in care of WSM Radio. There was no further report as to how many took him up on his offer.
May 28, 1966: Jeannie Seely made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Jeannie would make several more appearances over the next year and in September 1967, would become a member of the Opry. This year will mark her 55th year as a member, and she remains one of the most loyal and popular members of the Opry's cast.
May 13, 1967: Merle Haggard made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Merle came to the Opry a few times, the last being in October 2015, when he made a surprise appearance on the show in what turned out to be one of his final performances.
May 8, 1968: Grand Ole Opry founder George D. Hay passed away at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He started the WSM Barn Dance in November 1925, several months after joining WSM as the Radio Director. After he started the show, he would frequently clash with WSM management, particularly Harry and David Stone, over the direction of the show. He wanted to keep the Opry "close to the ground" while the Stone's saw the value of the Opry to National Life and WSM and wanted the show to take a more professional approach. Over the years, Hay would suffer periods of ill health and by the time he retired from WSM, he was primarily an announcer with little creative control regarding the show. On Saturday May 11, the first Opry show following his death, Grant Turner paid tribute to him, saying, "He called himself the Solemn Old Judge. If he was solemn, it was only in the face of those who thought to change or corrupt the purity of the barn dance ballads he sought to preserve. We, the performers and friends of the Grand Ole Opry, salute the memory of one whose influence is felt on the stage of the Opry tonight-the Solemn Old Judge, George D. Hay."
May 10, 1969: Stonewall Jackson rejoined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Stonewall was another of the ones who were fired in December 1964 for failing to fulfill the Opry's attendance requirements. Stonewall originally joined the cast in November 1956. His last Opry appearance was in November 2016 when he was recognized upon his 60th anniversary as an Opry member. In his later years, Stonewall battled a series of health issues, passing away in December 2021 at the age of 89.
May 17, 1969: Tammy Wynette became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Sadly, her time as an Opry member would be short and within a few years, she would leave the Opry's cast.
May 16, 1970: In one of those special Opry moments, baseball Hall of Fame member Dizzy Dean made a guest appearance on the Opry. Dizzy was a great fan of country music and was known to belt out his version of the Wabash Cannonball while broadcasting a game. Dizzy and Roy Acuff were friends, and it was Dizzy who gave Roy the nickname of "The King of Country Music."
May 1, 1971: Tex Summey, known professionally as Cousin Jody, made his final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He originally came to the Opry in 1937 with Roy Acuff and later performed with Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys. Later in his career, he appeared with Lonzo & Oscar, in addition to his solo performances. While not always remembered, Cousin Jody was Roy Acuff's original dobro player, replaced by Brother Oswald when he left Roy's group.
May 13, 1972: Eight years after an impromptu debut as a guest of The Wilburn Brothers, Gene Watson performs "Danny Boy" and "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" during his first scheduled appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. It would take while, but Gene would eventually become a member of the Opry, joining the cast in February 2020.
May 8, 1976: After an absence of several years, George Hamilton IV rejoined the Opry's cast. George originally joined the Opry in February 1960. He left the show, however, as he moved from Nashville back to North Carolina and was doing a lot of touring. After coming back, George stayed with the Opry until his death in September 2014.
May 21, 1976: Following in the tradition of non-country artists appearing on the Opry, Carol Lawrence and Anson Williams each made an appearance on that evening's Friday Night Opry.
May 22, 1977: In honor of Victoria Day, a national holiday in Canada, the Opry held a special matinee show dedicated to the fans of the Opry from the country up North. By the way, there have been three Grand Ole Opry members that have called Canada home: Hank Snow, Stu Phillips and Terri Clark.
May 11, 1979: Lester Flatt passed away in Nashville at the age of 64. Lester had been in declining health for a number of years. Lester first came to the Opry as a member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, later joining with Earl Scruggs to form Flatt & Scruggs. After splitting with Earl, Lester continued as an Opry member, sticking to traditional bluegrass and traditionally hosting the segment hosted by Martha White.
May 15, 1982: Ricky Skaggs became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 40th year as an Opry member. Ricky always dreamed of becoming an Opry member and he has always taken his Opry membership seriously. As Ricky said, "I don't ever, ever want to get to the point where I don't come and play the Opry, while I feel like I'm too good to play the Opry. Mr. Acuff said that I would do that. He said you'll get so big you'll do like all the rest of them. And I said, you don't know me. You just watch and see, I'm not made that way. I didn't join the Opry for that." After that, whenever Ricky played the Opry, he would always make it a point to find Roy and tell him that he was indeed there. And yes, there have been a few bumps in the road, but overall, Ricky has been good for the Opry.
May 26, 1984: Onie Wheeler, a member of Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys, died of a heart attack while performing on the Grand Ole Gospel radio program that followed the Friday Night Opry.
May 8, 1985: Amid reports the Grand Ole Opry is planning to trim its roster, Porter Wagoner rallies members in a meeting to assure them the Opry is behind them. Attendees include Roy Acuff, Jack Greene, Jan Howard, Connie Smith, Jeannie Seely and Billy Walker. While those were not among the names being mentioned, Porter was trying to lead the cast in fighting back on the proposed cuts.
May 18, 1985: U.S. vice president George Bush made an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. spending some time visiting with Roy Acuff.
May 3, 1986: Barbara Mandrell returned to the Opry for the first time following her near fatal car accident. While her appearances were fewer as her career progressed, Barbara has always expressed a great love of the Opry and its members.
May 4, 1991: Travis Tritt made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Less than a year later, in February 1992, Travis would become an Opry member.
May 23, 1992: Martina McBride made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Much like Travis, Martina would soon become an Opry member.
May 1, 1993: Charley Pride became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Charley first appeared as a guest on the Opry in the late 1960s. Over the following years, Charley was asked numerous times if he was interested in becoming a member of the Opry, but he always declined due to his heavy touring schedule and the fact that he seldom came to Nashville. In 1993, he finally felt that the time was right, and he joined the cast. Sadly, Charley passed away in 2020 from complications due to Covid.
May 11, 1996: Steve Wariner became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Steve first came to the Opry as a member of Dottie West's band, before branching out with his own career. This will be Steve's 26th year as a member of the Opry's cast. I have had to the opportunity to meet Steve while at the Opry and found him friendly and delightful to talk to.
May 3, 1997: The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree celebrated its 50th anniversary with a show that took place on Broadway Avenue in Nashville. It was a wonderful night and star studded as many came out that night to show their support for the Midnight Jamboree. 2022 would mark the 75th anniversary of the Midnight Jamboree.
May 17, 1997: Former Grand Ole Opry member Tammy Wynette made her final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Tammy had been a member of the Opry in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when she was married to George Jones.
May 31, 1997: Lee Ann Womack made her first guest appearance on the Opry. While never becoming an Opry member, Lee Ann would make guest appearances on the show.
May 9, 1998: Grand Ole Opry member Teddy Wilburn made his final appearance on the Opry. Teddy and his brother Doyle, along with other family members, had first appeared on the Opry in 1940 before being forced to leave the show due to child labor laws. In the 1950s, they returned to the Opry as members, with Teddy and Doyle performing as a duo until Doyle's death from cancer in 1982. Teddy continued as a solo member of the Opry, although over time he would reduce his appearances. Health issues forced Teddy to retire from performing and he passed away in November 2003.
May 15, 1998: Grand Ole Opry member Johnny Paycheck made his final appearance on the Opry. Health issues forced Johnny to retire from performing.
May 21, 1999: Little Big Town made a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. It was also the first public appearance for Little Big Town who would eventually become members of the Opry.
May 29, 1999: Future Grand Ole Opry member Brad Paisley made his Opry debut. Brad came to Nashville and the Opry via the Wheeling Jamboree. After numerous guest appearances, Brad would eventually become an Opry member.
May 5, 2001: Blake Shelton made his debut as a guest artist on the Grand Ole Opry. Over the next decade, Blake would continue to appear once in a while on the Opry, eventually joining the cast in the fall of 2010. Since then, Blake has continued to appear on the Opry once in a while.
May 21, 2006: Grand Ole Opry member Billy Walker, along with his wife Bettie and two members of his band, were killed in a traffic accident on their way back to Nashville after an appearance in Alabama. Billy had joined the Opry in 1960. Such a tragic end to a great career.
May 19, 2007: Porter Wagoner celebrated his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was joined that night by Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, Marty Stuart and Buck Trent. Marty hosted the televised segment, and it marked the final time that Porter and Dolly shared the stage together. Dolly sang a very emotional "I Will Always Love You," which she wrote dedicated to Porter and on that night, it brought tears to Porter's eyes. Porter, who was already in declining health, would pass away in October.
May 10, 2008: Carrie Underwood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 14th year as an Opry member. On the night of her induction, Garth Brooks surprised Carrie and the Opry crowd by making a special appearance to induct Carrie. I know I have said it before, but Carrie takes her Opry membership seriously and even with her busy schedule, she has always managed to get in the 10 appearances each year asked of her.
May 26, 2009: Montgomery Gentry was invited by Charlie Daniels to join the Grand Ole Opry. After accepting the offer, the duo sang their hit "One In Every Crowd."
May 30, 2009: Comedian, actor and banjo player Steve Martin made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, leading an all-star band performing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." If you have never seen or heard Steve play the banjo, he is fantastic and takes it very seriously.
May 1, 2010: The Grand Ole Opry House sustained major damage when the Cumberland River flooded during heavy rains that hit the Nashville area. The Opry House, Acuff Theater, Opry Museum and Opry Mills Mall all were closed due to the damage. The Acuff Theater was torn down, the Museum has never reopened, and it took the Mall years to get repaired. In the case of the Opry House, it took until September for the auditorium to be reopened. When it did, it was a star-studded Tuesday Night Opry with Bill Anderson hosting the opening segment. This was fitting as it was Bill that had hosted the final Saturday night segment the night prior to the flood. And even though the Opry House was closed due to the flood, the Opry did not miss one performance as the show relocated to various buildings around Nashville.
May 4, 2010: With the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House underwater, the Opry moved to War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville for the Tuesday Night Opry. The lineup included Chris Young, Marty Stuart, Suzy Bogguss and Jeannie Seely, whose home was also flooded.
May 14, 2010: In the wake of flooding at the Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville's Two Rivers Baptist Church hosted the Opry for the first time in history. The lineup that night included Charlie Daniels, Lorrie Morgan, Jeannie Seely and Steve Wariner. While the Opry would eventually settle in at the Ryman Auditorium before returning to the Opry House later that year, the show would move around to various venues in Nashville during that summer.
May 3, 2011: Alabama made a guest appearance on the Opry, 29 years after they first appeared on the Opry. They were joined on stage that night by Opry member Brad Paisley, and together they sang, "Old Alabama" and "Tennessee River." While never becoming an Opry member, Alabama would return several times to perform on the show.
May 10, 2012: Loretta Lynn brought out actress Zooey Deschanel to duet on "Coal Miner's Daughter" during the Grand Ole Opry. Zooey. For those who are not familiar with Zooey, she is a fine singer and a part of the duo She & Him.
May 15, 2012: Ricky Skaggs celebrated 30 years as a Grand Ole Opry member. He sings "Me and God" with Josh Turner and "Amen" with Edens Edge. Skaggs also performs with Alison Krauss and The Whites
May 18, 2013: Retired Grand Ole Opry member Barbara Mandrell made a surprise appearance at the Opry. She did not sing but came out on stage and waved to the audience.
May 20, 2014: The MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band made its Grand Ole Opry debut, performing "Wagon Wheel" with Ricky Skaggs during a four-song set. The military-themed Opry installment also features Lee Greenwood, John Conlee, Bill Anderson, Josh Turner and Darryl Worley.
May 30, 2015: Carly Pearce made her Grand Ole Opry debut. After becoming one of the Opry's more frequent guest artists, and seeing her career take great leaps, in 2021 Carly became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
May 4, 2018: Grand Ole Opry member Charley Pride was honored at the Opry upon his 25th anniversary as a member of the Opry.
May 11, 2018: Carrie Underwood celebrated her 10th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member, performing "Cry Pretty," "Jesus, Take The Wheel" and "Temporary Home" on the show, where she's greeted by Randy Travis.
May 4, 2019: Randy Travis appeared at the Grand Ole Opry to celebrate his 60th birthday. Ricky Skaggs, Don Schlitz, Charles Esten and Josh Turner joined Randy that night. Randy joined songwriter Don Schlitz in singing "Forever and Ever, Amen" which was written by Don.
May 8, 2021: Steve Wariner was honored upon his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The evening was highlighted by a surprise appearance by Garth Brooks. Steve and Garth had collaborated together in the past and did so again that night.
May 14, 2021: For the first time since the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020, the Grand Ole Opry was held without a capacity restriction. Among the artists performing that night were Lorrie Morgan, the Oak Ridge Boys, Riders In The Sky and Charles Esten. It was also the Opry debut of Brittney Spencer.
May 29, 2021: Former Grand Ole Opry member B.J. Thomas passed away after a short illness. B.J. was an Opry member in the early 80s. While he did give up his Opry membership shortly after joining, he did return for a few guest appearances on the show.
There you have it for May. Another busy month around the Opry.