The big news at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend will be the 50th anniversary of Barbara Mandrell as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. There are two shows on the schedule for Saturday night to honor Barbara, with Opry member Carrie Underwood leading the lineup. While not on the schedule, Barbara Mandrell will be in attendance for both shows and I am sure, will be introduced on stage at some point.
In addition to Carrie Underwood, Grand Ole Opry members Connie Smith, Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett are also on the schedule to honor Barbara, while CeCe Winans, Janelle Arthur, Linda Davis and Suzy Bogguss will also be performing.
I'm not going to dwell on Barbara's 50th all that much as there are a lot of opinions out there regarding whether or not she should be honored, based on the fact that she has been retired for several decades and her last Opry appearance was 25 years ago. But regardless, 50 years is still something special and Barbara has always held the Opry in high standards and has expressed her love of the Opry on numerous occasions. With that said, congratulations to Barbara Mandrell.
While Barbara will be honored on Saturday night, there is also the Friday Night Opry this weekend. Grand Ole Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider and Charlie McCoy are on the schedule, along with guest artists John Berry, comedian Killer Beaz, bluegrass star Dan Tyminski and making his Opry debut, Edwin McCain.
Friday July 29
7:00:
Intermission
8:15:
(As this is posted, the final lineup has not been completed).
Saturday July 30
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Janelle Arthur, Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett
8:00: Linda Davis, Suzy Bogguss, CeCe Winans, Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett, Carrie Underwood
10:30: CeCe Winans, Jeannie Seely, Linda Davis, Janelle Arthur, Suzy Bogguss
Interesting that the Saturday show consists of all female artists. This might be the first time we have seen this at the Opry, and as it looks right now, the Friday show could be an all-male lineup. And while there has been no live Opry show on Circle the past several weeks, the final hour on Saturday will be televised and streamed live.
As mentioned, Edwin McCain is making his Opry debut this weekend. Edwin was born in Charleston and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. At the age of 48, this singer/songwriter is most famous for "I'll Be," and "I Could Not Ask For More." He is also known as the co-founder of Euphoria.
Now from 50 years ago, Saturday July 29, 1972:
1st show
6:30: Billy Walker (host), Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host), Del Wood
7:00: Bill Anderson (host), Jan Howard, Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall, Jimmy Gately
7:30: Roy Acuff (host), Bobby Lord, Billy Grammer, Crook Brothers
8:00: Del Reeves (host), Charlie Walker, Stu Phillips, The 4 Guys
8:30: Hank Snow (host), Wilburn Brothers, Marion Worth, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Billy Walker (host), Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall, Del Wood
10:00: Bill Anderson (host), Jan Howard
10:15: Jim Ed Brown (host), Stu Phillips
10:30: Roy Acuff (host), Billy Grammer
10:45: Del Reeves (host). Bobby Lord, Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host), Charlie Walker, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Sam McGee
11:30: Wilburn Brothers (host), Marion Worth, The 4 Guys
(Ernie Ashworth was only scheduled on the 1st show)
Tompall & The Glaser Brothers were Grand Ole Opry members from 1960 until they broke up and gave up their membership, last appearing on the Opry as members on July 14, 1973. In the early 1980's the brothers (Tompall, Jim and Chuck) were back together and had chart success with "Lovin' Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)." The song went to #2 on the Country Charts, while the album by the same name made it into the Top 40. It was their first Top 10 single since "Rings" in 1971 and would be the last Top 10 single of their career.
After they left the Opry in 1973, the assumption was that they never returned until the night 1990 when they returned at the invitation of Hank Snow, to honor Hank upon his 40th anniversary as an Opry member. However, in doing some research, I have found that they actually returned to the Opry on July 30, 1983, during the brief period that they were back together, recording and touring.
Here is the running order from Saturday July 30, 1983, the night in which Tompall & The Glaser Brothers returned to the Grand Ole Opry:
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Ray Pillow (host): Too Many Memories
Wilma Lee Cooper: God Gave Noah the Rainbow Sign
Ray Pillow: All You Have to Do Is to Come Back Home
6:45: Rudy's
Billy Walker (host): Detour
Skeeter Davis: I Ain't Never
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
7:00: Shoney's
Jack Greene (host): There's a Whole Lot About a Woman That a Man Don't Know
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours/Back-to-Back
Billy Grammer: I Was Born in Renfro Valley
Teddy Wilburn: If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong, Do It Right
Jack Greene: Midnight Tennessee Woman/There Goes My Everything
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Justin Tubb: Pull the Covers Over Me
Charlie Louvin: No Relief in Sight
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Lafayette
Bill Anderson: From Rock N' Roll to The Rock of Ages
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Vic Willis Trio: Faded Love/Colorado
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Connie Smith: Once A Day/Sing, Sing, Sing
8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): I'm Movin' On
The 4 Guys: Made in The USA
David Houston: E.T. Means Ernest Tubb to Me
Tompall & The Glaser Brothers: Lovin' Her Was Easier Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bile Them Cabbage Down
Hank Snow: Oahu Rose
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): Son of the South
The 4 Guys: New Looks from An Old Love Again
Skeeter Davis: How Could I Make You Love Me
Ray Pillow: Julie Loves Boston More Than Me
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Daisey a Day
Bill Anderson: Thank You Darling for Loving Me
10:00: Little Debbie
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Jeanne Pruett: A Poor Man's Woman
Billy Walker: Behind Closed Doors
10:15: Sunbeam
Jack Greene (host): Happy Tracks
Billy Grammer: When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver
Jack Greene: The Rock I'm Leaning On
10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Charlie Louvin: Love At Home
Teddy Wilburn: Ain't Your Memory Got No Pride at All
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
10:45: Beechnut
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Connie Smith: Because I Love You. That's Why
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Gray Eagle
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Forever and One Day
David Houston: My Elusive Dreams
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow: Bluebird Island
11:30: Hardee's
George Hamilton IV (host): Break My Mind
Vic Willis Trio: American Trilogy
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Tompall & The Glaser Brothers: Release Me/Then I Turned & Walked Slowly Away/Many Tears Ago/You Win Again/Bouquet of Roses
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
As you would have expected, the appeared-on Hank Snow's portion on the early show, while they appeared on the closing segment on the second show and did a melody of songs that they were famous for.
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and congratulations again to Barbara Mandrell, as she will be honored this weekend in celebration of her 50th anniversary aa a member of the Grand Ole Opry. I will be in Nashville this weekend and will be attending both shows on Saturday night as well as the Friday Night Opry. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
I hope one of the shows will be live-streamed. And I am wondering if the all women show is what Barbara Mandrell personally requested, because she loves their music, maybe these women have talked of their love of Barbara's music. As for me, I LOVE it and I did really like all of her music back in the day. Watched her TV show, which was excellent and I saw her once on the Opry stage way back in the 90's, I want to say 1994.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels to Music City, enjoy your entire stay, the shows and safe travels back home.
(Jeanene)
Carrie Underwood continues to be my hero !
ReplyDeleteShe has truly been a loyal member. She also happens to be a fine singer and entertainer, which doesn't hurt, either!
DeleteBarbara Mandrell hasn't ignored the Opry while being a member, and hasn't performed anywhere else (well, maybe she sings in her living room!). Under how the Opry operates with retired members, she's at her 50th anniversary and we should celebrate, as we should for Jeanne Pruett next year.
ReplyDeleteDo you have the lineup from Barbara Mandrell’s induction night?
ReplyDeleteI posted the lineup from Barbara's induction night when I posted the lineup a few weeks ago for the weekend of July 8 & 9. Barbara's actual induction date was July 8, 1972. Not sure how the July 29th date came about in the Opry's records.
Delete(Byron)
I listened on WSM online and watched on Circle TV the Barbara Mandrell Tribute last night. It was absolutely amazing.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear Byron's report.
Kudos to the 'Opry, all the ladies who performed (especially CeCe Winans and Carrie Underwood), and Barbara herself !
I personally was moved when Carrie closed the show (on WSM only since Circle TV was done) with her song of faith "Something in the Water." Linda Davis, CeCe and Carrie made me feel like I'd been to Church !
It was nice to see Barbara come out and speak, too.
ReplyDeleteSome random thoughts from my visit to the Opry this past weekend (in no particular order):
ReplyDeleteI went into the weekend not knowing what to expect. We knew that the Opry was going to honor Barbara, but many of the details were kept quiet. We also knew Barbara was not going to sing, but beyond that, who knew what would happen.
Both shows were sold out, with standing room tickets sold for the first show, and the crowds, especially on the first show, were enthusiastic. When they brought Barbara and her family out right before the start of the show, the entire audience stood and broke out into applause. After she and her family sat in their assigned seats, they were left alone as those sitting around showed their proper respect. On the last commercial break, they brought her up on stage for the planned recognition. During the entire show, when Barbara was in the audience, she stood and applauded for every act. She was not in the audience for the second show but did come out on stage for a repeat with Carrie Underwood.
Speaking of Carrie Underwood, is there any other contemporary Opry member who does more for the Opry than Carrie? She is constantly busy and in demand, yet she finds time to be on the Opry (and she is already scheduled for two more shows in August). Carrie also respects the Opry, just by her appearance. You don't see her coming out in jeans and a t-shirt. For those who saw the pictures, she was beautiful. Carrie was the perfect member to honor Barbara.
What can I say about CeCe Winans? Two standing ovations. What a powerful voice. If anyone was offended by hearing gospel music on the Opry, I'm sorry. I wasn't. You could tell Barbara was overwhelmed by her performance.
With the exception of Jeannie Seely and Connie Smith, each of the artists did at least one Barbara Mandrell song, with Carrie doing two. And while Jeannie and Connie did not sing a Barbara song, both acknowledged Barbara, either on stage or off.
It was interesting that it was an all-female lineup on Saturday night, which I do believe was a first, and it made total sense. Could you imagine any male artist singing a Barbara Mandrell song?
Not sure if it came off on Circle TV or not, but there were a lot of vintage photos and video of Barbara from all parts of her career at the Opry, that were shown on the screens during various songs. While Carrie was singing "Years," pictures of Barbara with Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff were shown, several time in fact.
As Nat noted, Carrie finished the first show with an extra song after Circle went off the air. I know Barbara spoke longer than her three minutes (and nobody was complaining), and I think that put the show a little behind. The second show started late as getting 4400 people out and 4400 more people in is a little more tricker these days as everyone goes through the security line. I think by the time the second show started, 90% of those who had tickets were in their seats.
Suzy Bogguss is someone who I wish was an Opry member. We have mentioned that a few of the artists from her generation fell through the cracks and probably should have been offered Opry membership at the time. I think Suzy is one of those. Perhaps someday, membership will come her way. Until then, she has my thanks for supporting and appearing on the Opry.
Some thought there might be a surprise guest or two. No, there were not any and actually that was fine. The show flowed well and those who did perform were outstanding. Oh, and if you are looking for a singer with a lot of energy, look no further than Linda Davis!!
(Part 1)
(Part 2)
ReplyDeleteNo, Barbara did not sing. She did get up on stage and said a few heartfelt words. We wondered if she would even do that, and she did. I hope she won't mind me saying that at 73, she looked good. She still has that spunk we saw from her during her career. And while she did not sing, I do think she was tempted to come out from the wings when Carrie was singing "I Was Country, When Country Wasn't Cool." From my vantage point, I could see her and from her physical movements, you could tell she was tempted. But she made the right decision. I don't know how she would sound today but leaving her fans with a great memory of her was the best move to make.
I know I was on the fence as to going down or not, but in the end, I am glad that I did. It was a wonderful night and thanks to my Opry friends who were there to enjoy it with me. Everyone I saw leaving the Opry House had smiles on their faces. As Barbara said on stage, thanks to Dan Rogers for planning this night and the time he put into it. It was well worth the effort and our thanks go to Barbara Mandrell for allowing us to share her 50th anniversary as a member of the Opry.
I was fortunate enough to attend the Opry when young Barbara and her sisters playing their instruments appeared on Roy Acuff's portion of the Opry. He seemed dumbstruck and amazed with their talent and energy at such a tender age. It may have been their first performance on Mr. Acuff's portion. THAT was a special experience for me. Dashmann, Flushing, Michigan ----
ReplyDeleteByron, hasn't there been an all-female lineup on at least one of the "Opry Goes Pink" shows that are held each October? My wife was at the show, a friend of hers, who's a huge Barbara Mandrell fan had bought tickets, but the person she was going with had to back out, so she called my wife to go with her. I watched the Circle portion last night and was amazed at how well it flowed and the song selections from each of the ladies. This wasn't just an all female lineup, it was a lineup that consisted of all ladies. CeCe Winans sings so powerfully, but also effortlessly, she could sing the phonebook and it would be wonderful!
ReplyDeletePatrick, I did a very quick check and if I have it correctly, 2008 was the first year for "Opry Goes Pink." I went through the lineups, and I didn't see any year with just all females. Unless I am missing something, (and I know someone will correct me), the closest I saw was 2020 with Little Big Town and 2015 with Montgomery Gentry. With the exception of those two acts, 2020 and 2015 had all females performing. Off hand, I couldn't locate the date of the 2008 show in my files. I know it is there somewhere and I just need to dig a little deeper. Again, this was a very quick check, and you might be right as I dig a little deeper.
DeleteI know that on at least one night and maybe a couple, the Opry TV portion on TNN was all female. But that was just the TV portion.
Delete2020 was probably the year I was thinking of, the two guys in LBT ruined an all-female lineup for that night! I'm guessing they felt a little out of place backstage.
ReplyDeleteByron, I listened on WSM and watched on CircleTV. Circle flooded the shows with advertisements, and I don't think WSM had any. When a lady would get done singing, Nan Kelly would interview the singer, as I'm sure you saw. During the interview, Circle had a whole bunch of boring ads. Timing wasn't easy to get WSM and Circle back in sync, but they pretty well got it done.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to give credit to both Circle and the 'Opry. I thought it was an AMAZING show, especially on WSM.