Grand Ole Opry 9/16 & 9/17

The big news at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend will be Opry member Jeannie Seely celebrating her 55th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree, which returns to the air this Saturday night/Sunday morning. 

JEANNIE SEELY TO CELEBRATE 55TH GRAND OLE OPRY ANNIVERSARY AFTER-PARTY HOSTING WORLD FAMOUS ‘MIDNITE JAMBOREE’

First Midnite Jamboree Show from the Troubadour Since May of 2021 

GRAMMY®-winning artist, Jeannie Seely, has been announced as the host for the return of the world-famous Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree on Saturday, September 17 at the Troubadour in Nashville, TN. The event will also be an after-party celebration for fans, friends and industry members to honor Jeannie for her milestone as a 55-year member of the Grand Ole Opry. This event has become a tradition for Seely who has hosted the Midnite Jamboree after milestone Opry celebrations including her 40th, 45th and 50th anniversaries. 

Listeners can tune in and hear the Midnite Jamboree on WSM AM 650 and online at midnight with Jeff Hoag brought to you by Springer Mountain Farms.

Special guests slated to perform include Mark Wills, Sunny Sweeney, Dallas Wayne, Diane Berry & Joe Wade Smith, Moore & Moore, along with Jeannie Seely and the promise of some special guests.

Jeannie Seely has performed on the Midnite Jamboree for several decades; from the time it was broadcast downtown from the Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Broadway and her association with Ernest Tubb holds a special place in her heart. Tubb recorded “Sometimes I Do” written by Seely, she was part of the weekly The Ernest Tubb Show syndicated on television and she fondly remembers and to this day follows the valuable advice he offered her.

“So very glad the Midnite Jamboree is coming back!! I’m so thrilled to not only serve as host for this historic return, but also to be celebrating my Opry Anniversary here again.  My mind goes back to the first time Ernest Tubb introduced me on the Jamboree and back announced that ‘the future of country music is in the hands of this young lady,” reflects Jeannie Seely. “Hopefully he is smiling down and proud that we are carrying on his tradition. For my part, I’m hoping it shows my appreciation for the helping hand he so generously extended to me.” 

"It is hard to put into words just how excited I truly am to have The Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree back at the Troubadour starting this Saturday Night!” Exclaimed Troubadour owner - Rodney Collins. “With the great Jeannie Seely hosting and celebrating her 55th year as a Grand Ole Opry member, history is being made this Saturday! We hope you will come and be a part of our special night."

"We are very excited to bring the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree back to the Country music community. With the historical significance and the pedigree of the show, we could not be happier to have Jeannie Seely help us get this in motion," stated Ernest Dale Tubb III Gives me the feeling that ET is applauding from above!"

Stay in touch with Jeannie Seely on her website and all of her social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree:

The Midnite Jamboree was a radio program aired from May 3, 1947 through May 7, 2022 on WSM in Nashville, Tennessee. It was launched by country musician Ernest Tubb. The program was recorded from Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville, Tennessee each Saturday. Through a brokered programming arrangement with Ernest Tubb Record Shop, the Jamboree aired following the Grand Ole Opry; as the program's name implied, it aired at midnight Central Time. In its later years, the Midnite Jamboree was billed as "the second longest running radio show in history." On March 11, 2022, the owners of Ernest Tubb Record Shop announced that it would be going out of business in the spring, ending the program. A special broadcast was recorded on the program's 75th anniversary on May 3, 2021, and broadcast on WSM the following Saturday; that would be the final new episode, as the store closed that week.

About Jeannie Seely:

Jeannie Seely's deep, moving vocals earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul,” a title that’s still used today. An esteemed singer, songwriter, producer, actress, author and on-air personality, Seely added another title, “Doctor,” to her resume when she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts from Lincoln Memorial University in 2019. The third female country artist to win a GRAMMY® is also among a select group of country artists who have scored No. 1 hits as a solo artist, duet partner and songwriter. On September 16, 1967, Seely fulfilled her lifelong dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry®, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. 55 years later, Seely makes clear that it's still a thrill and an honor each time she performs on the world-famous stage. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album, The Seely Style, which featured “Don’t Touch Me,” to her self-produced album, Written in Song, consisting entirely of songs she’s written and recorded for more than 10 Country Music Hall of Fame® members, Seely's recordings have spanned seven decades. Seely first appeared on the Billboard charts in 1966, continued to score entries for 13 consecutive years on various Billboard charts, and as recently as 2022, has had a presence on the MusicRow charts. Seely also garnered a No. 1 on the Record World Country Singles chart in 1971 as well as a No. 1 on the Bluegrass Today chart in 2019. In his 2003 book, Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music, music critic Robert K. Oermann wrote, “With her chin-out, tough/tender, heart-of-gold manner, Jeannie Seely remains one of Country’s most completely modern female personalities,” and that statement still holds true. With a strong social media following and over four million views on her YouTube channel, Seely continues to expand her international presence as music sales and messages from fans worldwide pour in. She appeared in Willie Nelson's movie Honeysuckle Rose and sang on the film’s RIAA® platinum-certified soundtrack, and for the past four years, Seely has hosted her own show, Sundays with Seely on SiriusXM's Willie's Roadhouse. She also served as a disc jockey on her own Armed Forces Network Show, which launched after her tour abroad for the troops. Seely continues to receive letters of appreciation from American soldiers for her support. She is also a fierce advocate for musicians' rights and takes much pride in her involvement and support for the cause. Nelson, along with Rhonda Vincent, Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Stevens and many more of her friends, joined Seely for her current project on Curb Records, An American Classic, which has seen rave reviews and three radio releases. Most recently, Seely won the Song of the Year Award at the Arkansas Country Music Awards. Keep up with all things Jeannie Seely at www.jeannieseely.com.

Thank you to B! Noticed Public Relations.

The other big news at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend is the return of Opry member Brad Paisley, who will be making his first Opry appearance of 2022 on the Friday Night Opry. 

Joining Brad on Friday night will be Opry members Mark Wills, Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett and Riders In The Sky. After only a couple of Opry members on the schedule last weekend, it is nice to see five members appearing on the Friday show. The only non-members scheduled are Caylee Hammack and Spencer Crandall, who will be making his Opry debut. 

Friday September 17
7:00: Mark Wills, Connie Smith, Spencer Crandall, Mandy Barnett
Intermission
8:15: Caylee Hammack, Riders In The Sky, Brad Paisley

Taking a look at Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, in addition to Jeannie Seely, Opry members Mark Wills, Charlie McCoy and Don Schlitz are on the schedule. It is wonderful to see the Opry's two newest members on the Saturday schedule. 

Chapel Hart has been making a lot of news lately and this trio will be making their Opry debut on Saturday evening. Also guesting will be Alex Williams, Everett and Sunny Sweeney. I know may have been listening to Willie's Roadhouse on Sirius/XM and heard Sunny now hosting the morning show, replacing Charlie Monk and Chris Jones. I think the jury is still out on her. I know it has been a little bit of a challenge for her, especially replacing the legendary Charlie Monk. But she seems to be getting more comfortable in her role and hopefully it continues. 

Saturday September 18
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mark Wills, Sunny Sweeney, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely
Intermission
8:15: Alex Williams, Evertte, Opry Square Dancers, Charlie McCoy, Chapel Hart

As I mentioned, Chapel Hart has been getting a lot of notice lately. In 2021 the trio was inducted into CMT’s Next Women of Country, the institution that has been known to help up and coming female country artists such as Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBride, & Gabby Barrett... to name a few. This Mississippi trio’s music has reached fans around the globe earning them the title of “International Group of the Year” as well as “International Song of the Year” for the single “You Can Have Him Jolene” in Scotland. They were also nominated in multiple categories by the British CMAs including “Group of the Year” and “Album of the Year” for their sophomore release “The Girls Are Back In Town”. 

The group includes sisters Danica Hart and Devynn Hart, and their cousin Trea Swindle, and thus far has released two studio albums and seven singles. Most recently, they competed in the 17th season of America's Got Talent, where they received a fabulous reception. While this will be their Opry debut, they have appeared before at the Opry Plaza. 

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday September 16, 1972:

1st show
6:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Del Wood; Diane McCall
6:45: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Jeanne Pruett; Anthony Armstrong Jones
7:00: Stu Phillips (host); Justin Tubb; Diane Jordan; Reggie Alley
7:30: Hank Locklin (host); Willis Brothers; Bill Carlisle; Crook Brothers
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stringbean; Johnny Paycheck; Cates Sisters
8:30: Osborne Brothers (host); The 4 Guys; Louie Roberts; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Willis Brothers (host); Justin Tubb; Bill Carlisle; Jeanne Pruett
10:00: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Del Wood; Anthony Armstrong Jones
10:15: Stu Phillips (host); Stringbean; Archie Campbell; Diane Jordan
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Cates Sisters
10:45: Hank Locklin (host); Johnny Paycheck; Crook Brothers
11:00: Osborne Brothers (host); Louie Roberts; Fruit Jar Drinkers
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); The 4 Guys; Don Winters

(Connie Smith was scheduled for both shows but canceled. Also, Sam and Kirk McGee were also missing from the Opry that night, while Charlie Louvin only appeared on the first show and Archie Campbell on the second. In the case of Archie, this was his first Opry show in almost six months as he traditionally worked his theater in Gatlinburg during the summer months). 

As I mentioned, it will be a special night at the Opry on Saturday night as Jeannie Seely is recognized upon her 55th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and also for making more than 5,000 appearances on the show. 

Here is the running order from Saturday September 16, 1967, the night Jeannie Seely became a member of the Grand Ole Opry: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Ernie Ashworth (host): A Week in the Country
Paul Moore: Cold, Cold Heart
Jimmy "Spider" Wilson: Wildwood Flower
Ernie Ashworth: My Love for You

6:45: Rudy's
George Hamilton IV (host): Break My Mind
Jerri Lynn: Ain't Had No Lovin'
Jerry Whitehurst: Hey, Good Looking
George Hamilton IV: The Urge for Going

7:00: Luzianne
Bill Anderson (host): Get White the Getting's Good
The 4 Guys: Swing Down Chariot
Jimmy Gately: She Wants to Be Like You
Tammy Wynette: Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad
Bill Anderson: No One's Gonna Hurt You Anymore
Duke of Paducah: Four-Leaf Clover
The 4 Guys: Walking in the Sunshine
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops

7:30: Standard Candy
Billy Grammer (host): Mabel, You Have Been a Friend to Me
Willis Brothers: A 6 ft 2 by 4
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself a Name
Margie Bowes: Man Around the House
Billy Grammer: The Real Thing
Harold Weakley: Since Never
Billy Grammer: Pennsylvania Polka
Willis Brothers: Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On

8:00: Martha White
Wilburn Brothers (host): It's Another World
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday
Dottie West: Like A Fool
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Wilburn Brothers: You're Standing in the Way
Pete Sayers: Little Darling Pal of Mine
Justin Tubb and Dottie West: Love is No Excuse
Dottie West: Paper Mansions

8:30: Stephens
Roy Drusky (host): Rainbows & Roses
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
Hugh X. Lewis: You're So Cold I'm Turning Blue
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Roy Drusky: White Lightening Express
Opry Staff Band: Speeding West
Grandpa Jones: Everything I Had Going for Me is Gone
Jeannie Seely: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Roy Drusky: Anymore

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Tex Ritter (host): Boll Weevil
Willis Brothers: Big Daddy's Alabamy Bound
Dottie West: Funny, Familiar Forgotten Feelings
Hank Williams, Jr: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight/Wedding Bells/Mansion on the Hill/Half as Much/Lovesick Blues
Tex Ritter: Working Man's Prayer
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham

10:00: Schick
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself a Name
Margie Bowes: Makin' Believe
Billy Grammer: Mabel, You Have Been a Friend to Me

10:15: Pure
Roy Drusky (host): Peel Me A Nanner
Grandpa Jones: Dear Old Sunny South By the Sea
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind
Roy Drusky: New Lips

10:30: Buckley's
Ernie Ashworth (host): My Love For You
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Ernie Ashworth: Sad Face
Willis Brothers: Bob/God Walks These Hills with Me

10:45: Newport
Wilburn Brothers (host): Goody, Goody Gumdrop
Justin Tubb: Take A Letter Miss Gray
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl

11:00: Coca Cola
Tex Ritter (host): Green Grow the Lilacs
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah
Jeannie Seely: I Fall to Pieces
Hank Williams, Jr: Long Gone Lonesome Blues/I Can't Take It No Longer/I'm In No Condition to Try to Love Again/I'm Nobody's Child
Tex Ritter: Just Beyond the Moon
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Gray Eagle
Jeannie Seely: Darling, Are You Ever Coming Home
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven

11:30: Lava
Bob Luman (host): Let's Think About Living
Osborne Brothers: Roll Muddy River
Jerry Greene: Turn the World Around the Other Way
Tammy Wynette: I Don't Wanna Play House
Bob Luman: You Can Take the Boy From the Country
Harold Weakley: Since Never
Osborne Brothers: Making Plans
Bob Luman: Memphis

There you have it for this week. Congratulations to Jeannie Seely upon her 55th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.