Grand Ole Opry 7/8 & 7/9

Over the past several weeks, there have been numerous comments regarding Grand Ole Opry members and appearances as some have commented that it appears that the same core group of Opry members are on the schedule each weekend. I thought I would just do a quick mid-year check on the numbers and pass on some of the information that I have. 

Taking a look at the Opry through the month of June, Jeannie Seely and Riders In The Sky have made the most Opry appearances, each appearing 37 times. Those two are followed by John Conlee and Connie Smith (20 each), Bill Anderson (18), Bobby Osborne (16), Dailey & Vincent and Mandy Barnett (15), Rhonda Vincent and Mark Wills (13), and The Isaacs and Ricky Skaggs (11 each). I think we all see the pattern. Of those 12 artists, 5 are among the Opry's newest members, while the other 7 are veteran members. 

On the flip side, Trace Adkins, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Old Crow Medicine Show, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Pam Tillis and Travis Tritt have not appeared on the Opry at all in 2022. Yes, Brad is scheduled for an upcoming appearance in September, and Dolly isn't really touring, but the rest have been out on the road. It is really disappointing to see Trace, Pam and Old Crow on this list as in the past they have generally supported the Opry, while the Opry has used Martina in some of their marketing. Then there is the dozen who have made just one or two appearances, and that list includes Vince Gill, who used to be one of the more dependable Opry members. 

I know that some of it is scheduling, and I am absolutely sure that the Opry has reached out to each of those members, but at the end of the day, it is those members that need to make the decision as to whether or not they wish to perform on the Opry or not. 

There is still half a year to go, so there is plenty of opportunity for the missing Opry members, and those with just a handful of appearances, to appear on the Opry and show their support of the show. And with shows pretty much every night of the week, there are plenty of chances. 

(Oh, as an FYI, Gary Mule Deer has made more guest appearances than any non-member, while, if I have the right count, 44 artists have made their Opry debuts thus far in 2022). 
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So now taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry for this weekend, let's start with the Friday Night Opry, which will feature Opry members John Conlee, Mandy Barnett and Rhonda Vincent. Also, on the schedule is T. Graham Brown, one of those who has been mentioned in the past as a possible future Opry member. Darin & Brooke Aldridge are back on the schedule, as Everett, Tyler Braden, and a name that hasn't been on the Opry schedule in a while, comedian Chonda Pierce. 

John Conlee is also on the Saturday night schedule, along with members Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs, and making his first appearance of the year, Eddie Montgomery. In addition to her Friday night appearance, Chonda Pierce is also on the Saturday night schedule, joined by frequent Opry guest Maggie Rose, Lee Roy Parnell, and making his Grand Ole Opry debut, Warren Zeiders. 

Friday July 8 (Final lineups TBD)

Saturday July 9 (Final lineups TBD)

Singer/Songwriter Warren Zeiders, who is making his Opry debut this weekend, is from Hershey, Pennsylvania. His original solo acoustic version of “Ride The Lightning” became an instant hit with fans and racked up over 657 million global views on TikTok alone and has just been certified gold sales status in the US in late January 2022. The track has impacted the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts as his audience continues to grow week by week due to the consistent influx of millions of new streams. Warren Zeiders’ first live tour, The 717 Tapes Tour, sold out 15 dates within 72 hours, with more dates added. His latest single, “Wild Horse,” and debut video for the tune are available now.

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Now going back 50 years to Saturday July 8, 1972. This was a very special night at the Grand Ole Opry as it would appear that Barbara Mandrell made her first appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry cast. 

Somewhere down the line, her induction date has been listed as July 29, but what is interesting is that she did not appear on the Opry that particular night, nor any other date in July, except for the July 8th date. In fact, after July 8, she did not appear on the Opry again until October. 

Here is what Barbara said regarding the night she joined: "It was in July when Bud Wendell asked me to join the Grand Ole Opry. I was very honored. And I was introduced on the Roy Acuff segment. At the time, while I was acquainted with Mr. Acuff, I can't say we were friends. By coming to the Opry, we became dear friends and now he's so special to me." 

As Barbara's career continued to grow, whenever she appeared on the Opry, she would request to appear on Roy Acuff's segments. 

So, here is the running order from Saturday July 8, 1972, the night that it would appear Barbara Mandrell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry (and you will notice that she did indeed appear on Roy Acuff's segment):

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): Wabash Cannonball
Oak Ridge Boys: (?)
Billy Grammer: Peace In The Valley

6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): I Don't Mind Going Under
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Pete Stamper: (?)
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down

7:00: Luzianne

Tex Ritter (host): Green Grow the Lilacs

Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore

Johnny Paycheck: Love Is a Good Thing

David Houston: Danny Boy

Tex Ritter: Lorena

Bobby Bare: Me & Bobby McGee

7:30: Standard Candy

Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend

The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On

Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry

Crook Brothers: Lost Indian

Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

Barbara Mandrell: Show Me

8:00: Martha White
Del Reeves (host): Girl on the Billboard

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Doin' My Time

Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips

Ronnie Dove: Right or Wrong

Del Reeves: The Best is Yet to Come

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: White Dove

Del Reeves: Philadelphia Fillies

8:30: Stephens

Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore

Bob Luman: When You Say Love

Marion Worth: For The Good Times

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Blackberry Blossom

Justin Tubb: Lodi

Mel Street: Borrowed Angel

Hank Snow: Geisha Girl

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's

Billy Grammer (host): Lonesome Road Blues

The 4 Guys: Shenandoah

David Houston: Soft, Sweet & Warm

Soji Tabuchi: Rainbow in the Valley

Billy Grammer: What A Friend
Pete Stamper: (?)

David Houston: Jambalaya

10:00: Fender

Charlie Walker (host): Little Old Wine Drinker Me

Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted

Johnny Paycheck: She's All I Got

Charlie Walker: I Don't Mind Going Under

10:15: Union 76

Tex Ritter (host): High Noon

Bobby Bare: Come Sundown

Tex Ritter: Fall Away

10:30: Trailblazer

Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball

Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man

Roy Acuff: Where Do I Go

10:45: Beechnut

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Coming Down From God

Ronnie Dove: Okie From Muskogee

Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You

11:00: Coca Cola

Hank Snow (host): Golden Rocket

Barbara Mandrell: Tonight My Baby's Coming Home

Stu Phillips: Crystal Chandeliers

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin Hen

Barbara Mandrell: Satisfied

Stu Phillips: A Castle; A Cabin

Sam McGee: Wheels

Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Once Again

11:30: Elm Hill

Del Reeves (host): Down in the Boondocks

Bob Luman: When You Say Love/Guitar Man/Heartbreak Hotel

Marion Worth: Faded Love

Mel Street: Borrowed Angel

Del Reeves: Balls of Fire/A Dime at a Time/Looking at the World Through a Windshield/Whole Lotta Shaking Going On 

Regardless of the exact date, this will be Barbara's 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Opry will honor her on Saturday July 30. Now retired, she last appeared on the Opry on June 14, 1997. So, while this is Barbara's 50th, she really hasn't been around the Opry for several decades. 

For those who are interested, here is the running order from Barbara's last Opry appearance, 25 years ago: 

1st show

6:30: GHS Strings
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith

Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo/Cajun Stripper

6:45: Jogging In a Jug
Grandpa Jones (host): Banjo Sam

Bill Carlisle: I've Waited Too Long

Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time

7:00: Shoney's

Bill Anderson (host): Get A Little Dirt on Your Hands

Jeanne Pruett: A Poor Man's Woman

The 4 Guys: Amazing Grace

Jeannie Seely: Speaking of the Devil

The Whites: Hangin' Around

Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops

7:30: Standard Candy

Jimmy Dickens (host): Country Boy

Speer Family: After a While/I Want to Be Ready to Meet Him

Barbara Mandrell: I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool/Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho

Speer Family: The Dearest Friend I Ever Had

Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy, Neighbor, Howdy
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World

Stonewall Jackson: Side Stepping the Blue

Del Reeves: Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at a Time/Looking at the World Through A Windshield

Opry Square Dance Band w/Eddie Stubbs and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Wake Up Susan

Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home

8:30: Clifty Farm

Mike Snider (host): (?)

Roy Drusky: Alone with You

Jean Shepard: Farewell Party

Charley Pride: Crystal Chandeliers/Kiss an Angel Good Morning

Mike Snider: Born to Shop

2nd show

9:30: Dollar General 

Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all Come

Speer Family: I Remember the Day/Surely, I Will/What A Day That Will Be/I'' Meet You in the Morning

Barbara Mandrell: Sleeping Single in a Double Bed/Night Life

Porter Wagoner: Freight Train Boogie

10:00: Massey Ferguson

Charley Pride (host): Crystal Chandeliers/Kiss an Angel Good Morning/Heartaches By the Number/Kawliga

10:15: White By MTD

Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack

Jean Shepard: Together Again

Grandpa Jones: Some Little Bug is Gonna Find You Someday

10:30: Purnell's

Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn

The 4 Guys: How Married Are You Mary Ann

Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

10:45: Quality Certified Manufactured Homes

Mike Snider (host): Lonesome Road Blues

Opry Square Dance Band w/Eddie Stubbs and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Pretty Polly Ann

Mike Snider: Foggy Mountain Breakdown

11:00: Coca Cola

Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name

Connie Smith: Once A Day

Stu Phillips: Heart Over Mind

Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down

Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets

Bill Anderson and Liana Manus: That's What Made Me Love You

11:30: Opry Book/Ryman

Johnny Russell (host): Good Hearted Woman

Charlie Nagatani: Eddie's Song

Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me

Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You

Johnny Paycheck: I've Loved a Lot More Than I've Hurt/The Old Violin

Johnny Russell: Act Naturally

(Johnny Paycheck was not on the schedule for that night and was a surprise addition. Also, Charley Pride was scheduled for the entire 15-minute segment on the late show). 

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.