Grand Ole Opry 5/6 & 5/7

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.