The month of August brings a change to the mid-week Opry shows as the Wednesday Night Opry takes a break and Opry Country Classics makes a return.
So, who is ready for some Motley Crue at the Opry House? Well, if you are, the Tuesday Night Opry is where you want to be as Vince Neil will be making his Opry debut. I am not sure how this booking came about, but I am going to listen with an open mind. Now, there is a country connection (somewhat). In 2014, there was an album released titled Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Motley Crue, which included a duet with Vince Neil and Justin Moore. Other country acts on the album included Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Aaron Lewis, Clare Bowen, LeAnn Rimes, The Mavericks, Darius Rucker, Brantley Gilbert and Gretchen Wilson, among several others. The album went to #5 on the Billboard Top 200, and up to #2 on the country charts.
Joining Vince Neil on the Tuesday Night Opry will be Opry members Bill Anderson, Mandy Barnett and The Isaacs, along with The Swon Brothers, Travis Denning, Sister Sadie and Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots.
Tuesday August
7:00: Mandy Barnett, Sister Sadie, Bill Anderson, Travis Denning
Intermission
8:15: The Swon Brothers, Vince Neil, Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots, The Isaacs
Looking at Opry Country Classics, Larry Gatlin returns as the host, and the Spotlight Artist this week will be Lorrie Morgan. Also scheduled to appear are The Gatlin Brothers, The Malpass Brothers, Rhonda Vincent and Charlie McCoy.
Now that is a nice-looking show.
As for open-mindedness, it's worth remembering that Jim & Jesse did an album called "Berry Picking in the Country," a salute to Chuck Berry, and Jesse McReynolds later did a collection of numbers by the Grateful Dead, whose founder, Jerry Garcia, once said all he really wanted in life was to be a Bluegrass Boy. So maybe Vince Neil will indeed reveal a country side.
ReplyDeleteOne of my all-time favorite albums, by the way, was Mac Wiseman singing Gordon Lightfoot songs.
I have both of those albums in my collection. If I remember right Jim was strictly traditional and Jesse was the one that would change things up. Lol Jim & Jesse stayed together until Jim left this ole world.
DeleteYou are correct. I think Jim was straight down the line traditional bluegrass and country. Jesse was the innovator and experimenter. Jesse got involved with projects with other musicians and the did some non traditional tunes yet I think it was still in their bluegrass/country style. The Berry Pickin Time in the Country LP was very much in the McReynolds style. I often wonder if Jim was on board though. They were both great performers as well as great people. I know I'm talking like Jesse is gone......sure glad he was able to continue as long as he has
DeleteJim.
I appreciate that down through the years country and bluegrass artists have recorded songs, even entire albums, of non country music including some big time rock. Much, not all, has been done in a country style. A good song is a good song but not all music is pleasing or artistic in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, having the originators of other genres appear on the Opry and do their music in their style is a bit different. We've talked about this happening on occasion but that is not what we are getting now. How many weeks has it been since the Beach Boys were on? It didn't happen but since then we were going to have the queen of disco on.(maybe that is not a true title, I'm glad I don't know) Some of us say we are okay with it on occasion but we are being manipulated into accepting it as common place.
We say it over and over, the Opry has always welcomed people outside of country music or even music to appear. They were a bonus, depending on your taste, for the fans that had bought a ticket months in advance, not the selling point of the worlds most famous country music show. Now they are a major part of the show and an occurrence at what FEELS like every other week now.
I'm hanging on by a thread these days. This blog really is helping me maintain an interest in the Opry along with a handful of acts that I won't abandon that the Opry is about the only place to hear them these days.....especially after COVID changed everything.
I will say that the way they handled Barbara's 50the was well done and well rounded so most anyone could enjoy it. And I will say that I think Barbara's words were some of the most sincere and heartfelt I have heard from her. And.......whether the names were on the screen, some wonderful people were heard and seen. How great was it to hear the voice of Grant Turner boom over WSM again?
I am still very thankful that the few veterans of the 50's to the 70's that are left have not been pushed aside. Dan Rogers my be the only thing standing between them and the door for all I know.....and I am grateful for that.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
Mandy Barnett is so, so awesome. Her choice of songs and her PERFECT delivery is amazing and among the Best of the Best . What a great Opry member!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike,
DeleteI totally agree with you. I think that Mandy Barnett is getting more comfortable on the stage as a member, every time she steps onto it. The songs she sang on Saturday night's for Barbara Mandrell's 50th, were just great & she somehow sounded different. I think she is terrific, saw her all those years ago as Patsy Cline, she was just so, so good. So happy the Opry made the decision to invite her to become a member. Dan Rogers has been doing a very good job since he took over.
(Jeanene)
Mike, this may be my imagination.
ReplyDeleteBut I personally think Mandy Barnett is now singing with a lot more feeling and taking a few more chances with her wonderful voice since she was FINALLY asked to join the 'Opry. She just seems to be letting loose with her voice.
I LOVE IT.
Hi Nat,
DeleteIn my opinion, it is not your imagination, I think Mandy Barnett is getting much more comfortable every time she comes to the Opry stage. Her song choice on Saturday was just great.
(Jeanene)
So what did everyone think of our spotlight rocker of the week?
ReplyDeleteJim
Hi Jim,
DeleteWell, if nothing else he rocked the stage. Not into that type of music, I actually moved about when he was on, though I had the computer speakers up. He was loud! And what did you think?
(Jeanene)
It's really hard for me to answer that without being biased. I really think he was too hard of rock and roll to be on the Opry and was to loud and annoying to listen to. And this is not directed at you Jeanene, but I don't think the Opry stage should be "rocked"! Again, I might be a little more tolerant if this was rare and not becoming common. I listened by turning the sound up and down because I just can't tolerate that type of performance. I'm really not criticizing it, to each his own, it's just not me.
DeleteI would say it is because I'm getting old but I'm pretty much the same stiff with the same taste, feelings and tolerance I have had since a child! I know, I'm an odd duck!
Like Tommy Collins said in song "Opal, you asked me".
Jim
Jim, I can never say that these "rockers" would still not be invited to play the Opry stage ~ I caught just enough where he sounded happy and very appreciative that he was there and playing but if many of the Opry members who do not appear any more often than once every few years, the Opry may not have to go to those lengths to get entertainment. The Opry's members should be all the entertainment needed, but since they do not show up, not much can be done. They need to fill two-hour shows three times a week and often times more than that. And again, maybe it's not even that many of the Opry members don't appear. Maybe it's the decision of Opry management to have these artists from other genre's of music.
DeleteSo for me, I just moved away from the computer while he was on. Didn't pay too much attention as I never have prior to last night.
All I DO KNOW is I am listening to The Malpass Brothers sing Ray Price's "I Wish That I Could Fall In Love Today" and I am loving what I am hearing. They are outstanding, so is this song as well as is the fiddler and Tommy White's steel guitar playing.
(Jeanene)