Grand Ole Opry 10/21 & 10/22

The Grand Ole Opry posted last week that tickets for the first quarter of 2023 (January thru April) are now on sale. This follows the pattern of the past several years where the Opry hasn't been putting the entire year's tickets on sale at the same time. 

A couple of items stood out: for the first time since before Covid, the Opry will be returning to the Ryman Auditorium for the month of January. I know a lot of folks, including me, always enjoyed the return of the Opry downtown during the winter months since 1999. While it is for only one month this year, I will take it. It is always special and brings back a lot of memories seeing the show at the Ryman. 

Secondly, the pricing structure for 2023 which includes an increase in ticket prices. The first couple of rows are now called VIP seats and the price is $200 per ticket (taxes and fees not included).  The next price level is $135 per ticket and that includes most of sections 3, 4 and 5. Want to sit in the front row of the balcony? $105 for those seats, which is the same as the seats in the back on the main floor. And if that is too much for you, the lowest price seats in the upper balcony and the wings are $60 per ticket. 

The Opry also offers a VIP Backstage Experience, that includes: 

- Security and golf cart escort to the artist entrance of the Opry House.

- Professional keepsake photo to remember your experience.

- A private tour of the Opry backstage area before show time, learning how each Opry show comes together.

- Spend time in the Family Room just offstage, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Opry before show time.

- Themed dressing room for use while backstage where you can lounge, enjoy your hors d’oeuvres and champagne, all before the curtain goes up.

- Artist visit in dressing room where you’ll get up close to the night’s performer(s) as they welcome you to the Opry house.

- Premium Lounge access to the Circle Room with (2) top-shelf drinks, hors d’oeuvres and more through the end of intermission.

- Watch the big red curtain rise on an Opry performance and watch the first half of the show from the stage.

All that for $500, plus the price of a regular ticket. Total cost: $733.25 and that includes the souvenir mic bottle opener magnet.!!! Want to take a significant other? Double the cost. 

I don't know where it will all end. You would think at some point, the Opry will become out of reach for most fans. It probably already is for a lot of people. I know concert and sporting events have had big price increases over the past several years, with some of the bigger tours becoming more expensive.  But the Opry has always been a family-oriented show and at those prices, it becomes very hard for a family to attend. 

 
I know it has been mentioned in past comments when the price of tickets has come up, that here are a lot of country acts that have been out on the road and charge significantly less than what the Opry is charging. Plus, you get more music from those acts and in many cases, a more enjoyable experience. But the Opry is selling the "Opry Experience," not just the show. There is the historic nature of the Opry House, the Plaza Parties, the Backstage Tours, The Circle Room and the items in the gift shop. They are targeting a different audience than they used to, which is one of the reasons we are seeing more variety in the show and less country acts. 

For us "regular and loyal" Opry fans, this just seems like another kick in the teeth for us as it becomes harder and harder to attend and support the show. 

Now, looking ahead to this weekend, there are some big names on the schedule especially on Saturday night when Opry members Darius Rucker, Lauren Alaina and Dustin Lynch are on the schedule. They will be joined by Bill Anderson, while Jeannie Seely will be on the early show and Connie Smith on the late show Adam Hood will be making his Opry debut and comedian Gary Mule Deer is back. 

The Friday Night Opry will feature members Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith and Riders In The Sky, who will be joined by Sons of the Pioneers for a nice segment of western and cowboy music. Gary Mule Deer is back as the comedian and Colton Dixon will be making his Opry debut. 

Lacy J. Dalton is on the schedule for Friday. I can't think in my memory the last time she was on the Opry. She had a string of hits in the late 70s and 80s, including “Crazy Blue Eyes,” “Takin’ It Easy,” “Hillbilly Girl with The Blues,” “Black Coffee,” and the CMA-nominated anthem “16th Avenue.” During her career, she has also collaborated with such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Bobby Bare, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, and George Jones.

Closing out the show on Friday will be Jon Pardi, who was on the Friday Night Opry just a couple of weeks ago. Looking at the schedule, with just three artists listed for the last hour, it would appear that Jon will be the one with the extended set again, as he did on his last appearance. I know there are those who believe that Jon could become an Opry member at some point, so we will all be waiting and seeing. 

Friday October 21

7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Lacy J. Dalton, Riders In The Sky, Sons of the Pioneers, Colton Dixon
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Gary Mule Deer, Jon Pardi

Saturday October 22

1st show

7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Adam Hood, Bill Anderson, Gary Mule Deer
8:00: Darius Rucker, Lauren Alaina, Dustin Lynch

2nd show

9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith, Bill Anderson, Gary Mule Deer, Darius Rucker
10:30: Dustin Lynch, Opry Square Dancers, Adam Hood, Lauren Alaina

Saturday October 21, 1972, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 47th anniversary. Here is the running order from that night 50 years ago: 

1st show
6:00: Vietti

Bill Anderson (host: Wild Weekend

Jan Howard: I Don't Know No New York City Song

Roy Drusky: The Last Time I Called Somebody Darling

Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man

Del Wood: Snowbird

Bill Anderson and Jan Howard: Dis-Satisfied

Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203

Bill Anderson: Don't She Look Good

6:45: Mrs. Grissoms

Bill Monroe (host): My Old Kentucky & You

Jim Ed Brown: Unbelievable Love

Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sundays

Ernie Ashworth: Love, I Finally Found It

6:45: Rudy's

Porter Wagoner (host): What Ain't To Be Just Might Happen

Dolly Parton: Coat of Many Colors

Osborne Brothers: Fireball Mail

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: Together Always

7:00: Rudy's

Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball

Loretta Lynn: One's on the Way/Here I Am Again

George Morgan: Making Heartaches

Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres

Stu Phillips: I Hear Your Name

Roy Acuff: Cabin in Gloryland

7:30: Standard Candy
Ernest Tubb (host): Driftwood on the River

Tex Ritter: Coming After Jenny

Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas

Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby

Wayne Hammond: To Get to You

Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe

Tex Ritter: Fall Away

8:00: Martha White

Lester Flatt (host) and Bill Monroe: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms

Tom T. Hall: More About John Henry

Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On

David Houston: Jambalaya

Roland White and Marty Stuart: Ashes of Love

Tom T. Hall: The Year That Clayton Delany Died

Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame

David Houston and Barbara Mandrell: The Perfect Match

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On

Marion Worth: I Fall to Pieces

Barbara Mandrell: Treat Him Right

The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham

Hank Snow: There's A Fool Such As I

2nd show

9:30: Kellogg's

Porter Wagoner (host): What Ain't To Be Just Might Happen

Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Dolly Parton: Coat of Many Colors

Jim Ed Brown: Morning

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: Burning the Midnight Oil/The Right Combination/Together Always

Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203

Del Wood: Gloryland March

10:00: Fender

Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good

Jan Howard: I Don't Know No New York City Song

Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: Baby, What's Wrong with Us

Osborne Brothers: You Win Again/Today I Started Loving You Again

10:15: Union 76

Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball

Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt: Will You Be Loving Another Man

Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner's Daughter

Ernie Ashworth: Mind Your Own Business

Freddie Hart: Easy Lovin'

10:30: Trailblazer

Lester Flatt (host): Backing to Birmingham

Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby

Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas

George Morgan: Making Heartaches

10:45: Beechnut

Ernest Tubb (host0: Say Something Nice to Sara

Wayne Hammond: Red, Red Wine

Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag

Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas

11:00: Coca Cola

Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere

Tom T. Hall: Me & Jesus

Barbara Mandrell: Tonight My Baby's Coming Home

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill

Stu Phillips: I Hear Your Name

Sam McGee: Under the Double Eagle

Hank Snow: I Don't Hurt Anymore

11:30: Elm Hill

Tex Ritter (host): High Noon

Marion Worth: Go on Home

The 4 Guys: Sweet Yesterday

Tex Ritter: Coming After Jenny

For those who are new to the Opry, this was what birthday shows were like back in the day. It was pretty much standard policy that Opry members were expected to appear on this special occasion unless they had a pretty valid reason for not appearing. 

(Thanks to just a 12-minute final segment, the second show ended just before 12:30. Roy Drusky, Hank Locklin, David Houston and Charlie Walker only did the first show. Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely were scheduled for both shows but canceled). 

October 22, 1983, marked the end of an era at the Grand Ole Opry as one of the Opry's originals, Kirk McGee, made his final appearance on the Opry. It was also the final time that the Fruit Jar Drinkers were listed on the Opry schedule.

Kirk, and his brother Sam, first appeared on the WSM Barn Dance in 1926. They performed individually and together, and with various groups including the Fruit Jar Drinkers. Sam passed away in 1975, after which Kirk carried. In total, Kirk was a part of the Opry for 57 years. Over the years, Kirk and Sam would be scheduled in the 11:00 segment on the late show and they would often comment that they disliked being on that late as many of the farmers who listened and enjoyed their music had to get to bed early and missed their performances. 

Kirk died of a heart attack on October 24, 1983, just days after his final show. The following Saturday night, Hal Durham took the stage at the start of the second show and said the following: 

Ladies and Gentlemen; One of the Grand Ole Opry voices you won't be hearing tonight is that of Kirk McGee, who died this week of a heart attack. Mr. McGee, who was 83, had been a member of this musical family almost all of its 58-year history. Together with is late brother Sam, he helped preserve the great traditions of country music. Following Sam's death several years ago, Kirk carried on very capably as a solo act and as a member of the Fruit Jar Drinkers. Tonight, our thoughts are with Kirk's family and the sorrow we feel at his passing is tempered by the gratitude we feel for the many years we were able to share with him. As the Grand Ole Opry continues now, we want to dedicate our show to the memory of Kirk McGee. 

Here is the running order from 39 years ago, Saturday October 22, 1983:

1st show

6:30: Bonanza

Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya

Vic Willis Trio: Shenandoah

Cajun Country: Happy Cajun

6:45: Rudy's

Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry

Osborne Brothers: Little Cabin on the Hill

Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

7:00: Shoney's

Grandpa Jones (host): Nashville on My Mind

Billy Grammer: The Old Spinning Wheel

Jan Howard: One Every Hour As Often As Needed for Pain

Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips

Ray Pillow: You're One Memory That I'd Like to Make Again/Julie Loved Boston More Than Me

Grandpa Jones: Gone Home

7:30: Standard Candy

Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop-A-Top

Jeannie Seely: When Will I See You Again

Teddy Wilburn: Because He Lives

The Other Brothers: Just Sittin' & Pickin'

Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sally Goodin

Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

8:00: Martha White

Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball

Roy Drusky: Blues in My Heart

Jeanne Pruett: We Came So Close

Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle

Del Wood: Gloryland March/Down Yonder

Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:30: Acme

Hank Snow (host): Ninety Miles an Hour (Down A Dead-End Street

Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down

Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Saturday Night Hop

The 4 Guys: You Make It Right

Hank Snow: Begger To a King

2nd show

9:30: Kellogg's

Grandpa Jones (host): Kitty Klide

The 4 Guys: Shenandoah

Jimmy C Newman: Colinda

Vic Willis Trio: Let It Be Me

Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin'

Jan Howard: Tainted Love

Grandpa Jones: My Mother's Manion is Higher Than Mine

10:00: Little Debbie

Charlie Walker (host): My Window Faces South

Billy Grammer: Homestead on the Farm

The Other Brothers: Whatever Happened to the Cowboys

Charlie Walker: San Antonio Rose

10:15: Sunbeam

Osborne Brothers (host): Wreck of the Old 97

Ray Pillow: Too Many Bridges Need Burning

Osborne Brothers: Old Flames

10:30: Martha White

Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend

Del Wood: Roll Out the Barrel/Cajun Stripper

Onie Wheeler and Charlie Collins: Mother Prays Loud in Her Sleep

10:45: Beech-Nut

Jim Ed Brown (host): Fools

Jeannie Seely: When Your Heart's Been Stepped On

Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Green Back Dollar

Jim Ed Brown: Four Walls

11:00: Coca Cola

Hank Snow (host): In The Misty Moonlight

Jeanne Pruett: I Oughta Feel Guilty

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sugar Tree Stomp

Justin Tubb: Pull the Covers Over Me

Kirk McGee: I Was Sorta Wondering

Hank Snow: So Goes My Heart

11:30: Hardee's

Roy Drusky (host): Mississippi

Bill Carlisle: Business Man

Bill Carlisle Jr. and Sheila Carlisle: Just to Satisfy You

Johnny Russell: Kaw-Liga

Roy Drusky: Wings of a Dove

There you have it for this week and thanks for remembering Kirk McGee. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.