Grand Ole Opry 12/2 & 12/3

Another of the Grand Ole Opry members who has yet to appear in 2022 comes off the list this weekend as Emmylou Harris is scheduled for the Friday Night Opry. Emmylou will be appearing with her longtime friend and collaborator Rodney Crowell. 

With the return of Emmylou to the Opry, that just leaves the following "active" members who have yet to appear this year: Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dolly Parton and Travis Tritt. (I will mention that both Ronnie and Travis have stopped touring due to illness, however both were active for the majority of the year). I mentioned it before, but I think the real disappointments on the list are Diamond Rio, Martina and Old Crow. Those three were touring for most of the year and had ample opportunities to appear on the Opry. 

Let's set those folks aside and concentrate on the Opry members who will be on the Opry this weekend. In addition to Emmylou, the Friday Night Opry has Connie Smith, John Conlee and Mandy Barnett on the schedule, while Saturday's Grand Ole Opry lists Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely, Sharon White and Don Schlitz as scheduled to appear. 

In addition to Rodney Crowell, others who will be guesting on Friday include Logan Mize, Louis York and The War and Treaty. 

There is an interesting pairing schedule for Saturday night as Becky Buller will be appearing with Sharon White and the legendary Fairfield Four. That promises to be a good one. Additionally, Chapel Hart will be making another Opry appearance and I am sure it will be just as memorable as their previous ones. 

Rounding out Saturday night will be Suzy Bogguss, Frank Ray and making his Opry debut, Dalton Dover. 

No live Circle TV this weekend and no comedians on the schedule. 

Friday December 2
7:00: Connie Smith, Logan Mize, John Conlee, Louis York
Intermission
8:15: Mandy Barnett, The War and Treaty, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell

Saturday December 3
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Dalton Dover, Jeannie Seely, Becky Buller Band w/Sharon White and The Fairfield Four
Intermission
8:15: Frank Ray, Suzy Bogguss, Opry Square Dancers, Chapel Hart, Don Schlitz

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday December 2, 1972:

7:00: Billy Walker (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; The 4 Guys
7:30: Wilburn Brothers (host); Stringbean; Jeanne Pruett; Jimmy Capps and Hal Rugg
8:00: Tex Ritter (host); Grandpa Jones; Anne Murray; Crook Brothers
8:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jim Ed Brown; Karen Wheeler; Brother Oswald; Onie Wheeler
9:00: Del Reeves (host); Stu Phillips; Jamey Ryan; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Charlie Walker (host); Willis Brothers; Gordy Tapp; Carolee Snow; Jimmy Riddle
10:00: Wilburn Brothers (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; The 4 Guys
10:15: Tex Ritter (host); Stringbean; Jeanne Pruett
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa Jones; Anne Murray
10:45: Del Reeves (host); Stu Phillips; Crook Brothers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Willis Brothers; Cates Sisters; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Tompall (host); and The Glaser Brothers; Jamey Ryan; Charlie Walker

(Justin Tubb and Marion Worth both cancelled, while Billy Walker and Tompall and The Glaser Brothers had only one spot. It was the Grand Ole Opry debut for Anne Murray, while some will remember Jamey Ryan as being married to Charlie Dick). 

Lee Greenwood gave an interview at one time, years ago, where he stated that he had been asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He said that he declined because he was so busy doing road dates and appearing in Las Vegas that he felt it wouldn't be right for him to join the Opry. He added that even though he declined Opry membership, he was told that he had an open invitation to appear on the Opry whenever he wished. One of those nights was on December 3, 1988. 

Here is the running order from that night 34 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Del Reeves (host): Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at a Time/Looking at the World Through a Windshield
Boxcar Willie: The Wreck of the Old 97
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me

6:45: Rudy's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Mariah
Lorrie Morgan: I Wish That I Could Fall in Love Today
Jim Ed Brown: A Child is Born

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Carroll County Accident
Connie Smith: Walkin' After Midnight
Jimmy C Newman: The Cajun Way
The 4 Guys: What'll You Do About Me
Jimmy Dickens: Me & My Big Loudmouth
Porter Wagoner: Forty Miles From Poplar Bluff
Kathy Koon: Sally Goodin

7:30: Standard Candy
Ricky Skaggs (host): I'm Tired
Jerry Clower: The Coon Hunt
Lee Greenwood: Hearts Aren't Made to Break/You Can't Fall in Love When You're Crying
Ricky Skaggs: Wheel Hoss

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby/Country Sunshine
Roy Drusky: Too Old to Die Young/One Day at a Time
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Grey Eagle
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Jack Greene: Our Time
Jean Shepard: At The Time
Jim and Jesse: A Rider in the Rain
Charlie Louvin: When I Stop Dreaming
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Border
Wilma Lee Cooper: Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill
Del Reeves: Orange Blossom Special
Billy Walker: Can I Just Call You Up Now & Then
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' At the Foot of the Bed
David Houston: My Elusive Dreams
Porter Wagoner: Ole Slewfoot

10:00: Little Debbie
Boxcar Willie (host): Fireball Mail/Train of Love/Hand Me Down My Walking Cane/Wreck of the Old 97/I'm Moving On/Wabash Cannonball/Night Train to Memphis
Lee Greenwood: Dixie Road/It Turns Me Inside Out

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry

10:30: Pet Milk
Jerry Clower (host): Pessimistic Barber
Ray Pillow: Lucky Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted

10:45: B.C. Powder
Ricky Skaggs (host): Christmas Time's A Comin'
Jeannie Seely: Why Doesn't He Just Leave Me Alone
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Ragtime Annie
Ricky Skaggs: Country Boy

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me a Bluebird
Jean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers to You
Jim and Jesse: I'm Gonna Love You One More Time
Justin Tubb: Blue Eyed Elaine
Jack Greene: I'll Be Home on Christmas Day
Hank Snow: Lord, I Do Believe

11:30: Creamette
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
The 4 Guys: Turn Around, Look at Me
Charlie Louvin: 'Til the End
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby/Every Time Two Fools Collide
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya

You know, when all was said and done, I'm sorry that Lee declined the invitation to join the Opry. I think he would have made a good member. 

To finish it up for this week, the third in the series of Opry Country Christmas shows will take place on Sunday December 4. Besides the regular Christmas show artists, the Sunday show will feature Scotty McCreery and Louise Mandrell. 

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Scotty McCreery
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Louise Mandrell

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

J

Tuesday Night Opry 11/29 & Opry Country Christmas 12/1

A very nice Tuesday Night Opry this week that will feature Grand Ole Opry members Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Dailey & Vincent and Trace Adkins. While Trace has not made as many Opry appearances as he has in the past, Jamey Johnson has certainly filled the void. Since his Opry induction, Jamey has continued to show why he as a good choice to become a member of the Opry. As he stated one night at the Opry, he was committed to supporting the show and would be appearing regularly. 

Also appearing on Tuesday night will be comedian Gary Mule Deer, who was one of the acts on the televised Opry portion last Saturday night. He will be joined by Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Erin Kinsey, and making his Opry debut, Jack Schneider. 

Tuesday November 29
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Erin Kinsey, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Jamey Johnson
Intermission
8:15: Gary Mule Deer, Jack Schnieder, Vince Gill, Trace Adkins

This past weekend my wife and I attended the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night, and Opry Country Christmas on Sunday evening. On Thursday night, the 2nd in the series of Opry Country Christmas shows will be taking place, again hosted by Larry Gatlin. Also scheduled to appear are the Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy and Riders In The Sky. Those are the artists that will be appearing on each of the eight shows on the schedule. Each show will also feature two additional acts, one of which will be the Spotlight Artist and will close the show. The Spotlight Artist on Thursday night will be Opry member Lauren Alaina, while the additional act will be Rhonda Vincent. 

Opry Country Christmas Thursday December 1
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Lauren Alaina
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy, Rhonda Vincent

For those who were unable to listen on WSM, it was a wonderful show. The Opry stage was decorated with a number of Christmas trees and there was Christmas garland across the various dividers and microphones, with the backdrop featuring Christmas colors. All of the artists were dressed in some sort of holiday attire. In addition to the regulars, Sunday featured Kathy Mattea and Steve Wariner. It was a nice mixture of holiday favorites, both old and new. 

Bill Cody was the announcer and while the set changes were taking place, Bill did offer a lot of Christmas trivia and took the time to talk to a few of the artists. It was a lot of fun, and I would recommend the show to anyone. And yes, Santa did make an appearance and he played a pretty mean guitar!!!

Grand Ole Opry 11/25 & 11/26

Thanksgiving weekend is upon us, and it will be a big night Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry, as Marty Stuart will be honored upon his 30th anniversary as member of the Grand Ole Opry, and also the 50th anniversary of his first appearance on the Opry, which took place in September 1972 as a member of Lester Flatt's Nashville Grass. 

The Grammy®-winner first made his appearance on the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 13, just one week after joining legendary Country Music Hall of Famer and Opry member Lester Flatt’s bluegrass band as a mandolin player. Twenty years later, Stuart was inducted into the Opry family on November 28, 1992.

Joining Marty Saturday night will be Grand Ole Opry members Del McCoury, Riders In The Sky, Don Schlitz and Connie Smith, along with comedian Gary Mule Deer, gospel singer Jason Crabb, and making his Opry debut, Jontavious Willis. 

Gary Mule Deer is also on the schedule for the Friday Night Opry, making it a two-show weekend for him. As far as Opry members on Friday night, Jeannie Seely, Rhonda Vincent, Jamey Johnson and Charlie McCoy are listed. In addition to Gary Mule Deer, other guest artists on the schedule include Steve Earle, Ian Munsick and making their Opry debut, Appalachian Road Show. 

Friday November 25
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Ian Munsick, Charlie McCoy, Steve Earle
Intermission
8:15: Appalachian Road Show, Gary Mule Deer, Rhonda Vincent, Jamey Johnson

Saturday November 26
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith, Jason Crabb, Don Schlitz, Riders In The Sky
8:00: Marty Stuart, Jontavious Willis, Gary Mule Deer, Del McCoury Band

(The 8:00 hour will be televised live on Circle TV, along with their various streaming services, and isn't it nice that after all of his Opry appearances, Gary Mule Deer will be getting some TV time this week). 

For Marty, this will be his first Opry appearance in 2022, which is kind of disappointing as I know all of us have expected more from Marty at the Opry. However, in his defense, Marty has been touring pretty heavily and has been working very hard on his Congress of Country Music Museum and the opening of the Ellis Theater, which is part of his project. 

I want to share this recent post from a wonderful site, savingcountrymusic.com. If you are not familiar with this site, or their posts on Facebook and Twitter, I highly recommend you check it out. 

Since first announcing his plans publicly in 2014 to create a country music destination in his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi, Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music has been a dream of the Country Music Hall of Famer. The original impetus for the project was to make a permanent home for some 20,000 country music artifacts Marty Stuart has amassed over the years.

In the 90s, thousands of pieces of country music history were being cast aside as worthless when modern country music was hitting its commercial peak. Whole wardrobes of Nudie suits were ending up in dumpsters. Mementos from some of country music’s most prominent stars were up for grabs in thrift stores and junk shops. Marty Stuart scoured Nashville and beyond to retrieve as many of these pieces as he could and has since become a resource for the Country Music Hall of Fame and other institutions for displays and memorabilia.

But that’s just the beginning. The Congress of Country Music will house and display all of Marty’s artifacts, but it will also comprise an education center and other facilities, as well as a performance space. Completely renovating the historic Ellis Theater in downtown Philadelphia as part of the project, it will be the very first part of the Congress of Country Music to come alive when Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives officially take the stage on December 8th with Connie Smith opening the show.

The performance will be part of a succession of opening performances to help christen the Ellis and help raise funds for the eventual completion of Marty Stuart’s shrine to country music. Other performers on the calendar include Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Old Crow Medicine Show, Gaither Vocal Band, North Mississippi Allstars, Hardy, and others (see calendar).

For years, all we’ve had to see of what Marty Stuart had in store with the Congress of Country Music were architectural renderings. But as the Ellis Theater gets ready to open, we’re finally getting to witness just how much love and effort Marty Stuart and many others have put into bringing the Congress of Country Music to life.

Earlier this month, Marty Stuart christened the new Ellis Theater by giving a Hard Hat performance to a lot of the construction crew responsible for the project. This allowed us a first sneak peak of the Ellis Theater, thanks to Congress of Country Music Board of Directors member Douglas Hudson, who took the photos below.

The Ellis Theater was first opened in 1926 as a silent movie venue by Henry Bell Hutchison. The newly renovated space boasts 500 seats with the balcony and VIP boxes, a starlight ceiling, and a circle in the stage right where the headliners stand, similar to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

The Ellis Theater is just Phase 1 of the Congress of Country Music. Phase 2 will be a new community center and meeting space that will look very similar to a church, with a huge arching-stained glass window and similar treatments inspired by the Mother Church of Country Music, aka the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Phase 3 will be the education building and the archive for all of Marty Stuart’s memorabilia to be displayed, and where lessons, lectures, presentations, and other events will be held.

The Congress of Country Music has been endorsed by the Grammy Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and the Library of Congress, and is expected to draw 28,000 and 49,000 visitors annually to Philadelphia. Private donations are also playing a big part in the financing of the project. In May, Marty Stuart announced the appointment of Dr. Dan Barnard as the Congress of Country Music’s Executive Director. When completed, the project will include some 50,000 square feet in total space.

(I know it was a bit long but I thought well worth the read and thanks again to Saving Country Music. Kyle (aka Trigger) does a fantastic job. 

All in all, it promises to be a very good weekend at the Opry, and my lovely wife (who has not been to the Opry since 2014) and I will be in Nashville this weekend and attending not only on Saturday night, but also the Opry Christmas Show on Sunday. This will be the first of a series of Christmas shows that will take place up until Christmas. Each show will be hosted by Larry Gatlin and will feature the Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett, Riders In The Sky and Charlie McCoy. Additionally, there will be a couple of special guests, with Kathy Mattea and Steve Wariner appearing this Sunday night. I'll be very interested, and will share, Miss Nellie's observations and thoughts on the Opry, from the perspective of someone who hasn't seen the show live in a few years. 

And now, from 50 years ago, Saturday November 25, 1972: 

1st show
6:30: Tex Ritter (host); Bill Carlisle
6:45: Stu Phillips (host); Stringbean; Leona Williams
7:00: Roy Drusky (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Grandpa and Ramona Jones; Del Wood
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Willis Brothers; Karen Wheeler
8:00: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Bobby Lord
8:30: Ernest Tubb (host); The 4 Guys; Marion Worth; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Wayne Hammond; Louie Roberts

2nd show
9:30: Tex Ritter (host); Willis Brothers; Stringbean; Bill Carlisle
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Del Wood; Leona Williams
10:15: Bobby Lord (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Grandpa and Ramona Jones; Karen Wheeler
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); The 4 Guys; Crook Brothers
11:00: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Tompall (host); and The Glaser Brothers; Marion Worth; Louie Roberts

(Roy Drusky appeared only on the first show and Tompall, Chuck and Jim Glaser only on the second show). 

In the history of the Grand Ole Opry, only two female members have been Opry members for 60 years. One was Loretta Lynn, and the other was Jean Shepard. 

While Jean joined the Opry on November 21, 1955, her first appearance as an Opry member took place several days later on November 26, 1955. 

Here is the posted lineup and running order from that night 67 years ago: 

7:30: Federal Fertilizer. Co. 
Marty Robbins: Maybelline
Fiddle Tune: Old Joe Clark
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Don and Rita: Lonely Heart
Fiddle Tune: Grey Eagle

7:45: American Ace
George Morgan: Ever So Often
Goldie Hill: Ain't Gonna Wash My Face
Eddie Hill: Smack Dab in the Middle
George Morgan: Jesus, Saviour Pilot Me
Fiddle Tune: Devil's Dream

8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs: Theme Song
Jim Reeves: Looking For a Sucker
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Standing at the End of the World
Flatt and Scruggs: Flint Hill Special
Jean Shepard: Satisfied Mind
Moon Mullican: Mean Mama
Possum Hunters: Bile Them Cabbage Down
Jim Reeves: I've Lived a Lot in My Lifetime
Maybelle Carter: Wildwood Flower
Flatt and Scruggs: Bubbling in My Soul
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Car-Hoppin' Mama
Fiddle Tune: Blackeyed Susan

8:30: Prince Albert
Ferlin Husky: I'll Baby Sit with You
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Louvin Brothers: I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby
Fiddle Tune: Soldier's Joy
Ferlin Husky: Sayeth The Lord
Del Wood: Smoky Mountain Polka
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Louvin Brothers: In The Middle of Nowhere
Chet Atkins: Avalon
Ferlin Husky: Walking and Humming
Fiddle Tune: Katy Hill

9:00: Royal Crown Cola
Hank Snow: Music Making Mama
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Tennessee Wagoner
Lonzo and Oscar: The Cow Jumped the Moon
Bill Monroe: I Used to Be
Carlisles: Knothole
Marty Robbins: Pretty Mama
Hank Snow: I Can See the Love in Your Heart
Lonzo and Oscar: Snow Deer
Carlisles: Lil Liza Jane
Fiddle Tune: Back Up and Push

9:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Jordanaires: Theme Song
Ray Price: I Don't Want You on My Conscience
Slim Whitman: Tell Me
Anita Carter: Mask on My Heart
Cousin Jody: Dear John
Crook Brothers: Girl I Left Behind
Louvin Brothers: Just Rehearsing
Grandpa Jones: Night Train to Memphis
Chet Atkins: Five Foot Two
Jordanaires: Shaking Bridges
Ray Price: Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes

10:00: Wall-Rite
George Morgan: Almost
Bill Monroe: Close By
Moon Mullican: Cherokee Boogie
George Morgan: The Best Mistake I Every Made
Fiddle Tune: Buffalo Gal

10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Marty Robbins: That's Alright
Carlisles: I Was on My Way to the Show
Goldie Hill: Why Don't You Leave Me Alone
Marty Robbins: Don't Let Me Hang Around
Fiddle Tune: Devil's Dream

10:30: Hester Battery
Jim Reeves: Looking For a Sucker
R.D. Heardon: To Be Announced
Jean Shepard: Beautiful Lies
Jim Reeves: I'm Hurting Inside
Fiddle Tune: Mississippi Sawyer

10:45: D Con
Hank Snow: Just Keep on Moving
Jimmy Snow: Go Back You Fool
Gully Jumpers: Bully of the Town
Hank Snow: Within This Broken Heart
Fiddle Tune: Bill Cheatam

11:00: W. E. Stephens
Lonzo and Oscar: Theme Song
Ferlin Husky: I Feel Better All Over
Hawkshaw Hawkins: The Love You Steal
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Lonzo and Oscar: Who Put That Brick Wall in My Way
Slim Whitman: Indian Love Call
Grandpa Jones: Call Old Rattler
Maybelle Carter: Gold Watch and Chain
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Ferlin Husky: Cuz You're So Sweet
Fiddle Tune: Old Joe Clark

11:30: Delited
Ray Price: Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes
Louvin Brothers: When I Stop Dreaming
Eddie Hill: Someday You'll Call My Name
Sam and Kirk: While I'm Away
Cousin Jody: Oh, Wonderful World
Ray Price: Release Me
Dot and Smokey: Contact
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Louvin Brothers: Just Rehearsing
Ray Price: I'll Be There
Fiddle Tune: Sleepy Lou

Once Jean Shepard joined the Grand Ole Opry she never left. After being recognized upon her 60th year as an Opry member in 2015, Jean retired from performing. Jean passed away almost one year later, on September 25, 2016.

One more item before signing off: T. Graham Brown will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree this weekend. Taping is at 10:00 at the Troubadour Theater. 

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 as they celebrate Marty Stuart. 

Tuesday Night Opry 11/22

Here you go, the lineup for the Tuesday Night Opry November 22: 

7:00: Riders In The Sky, Coffey Anderson, George Birge, David Phelps
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Gary Mule Deer, Terry Bradshaw, Rachel Bradshaw, Jamey Johnson

It will be the Opry debut for George Birge. Other than that, a pretty nice Tuesday Night Opry. 

Grand Ole Opry 11/18 & 11/19

Tis the weekend before Thanksgiving and while everyone will be finishing up their Turkey buying before the holiday, the Grand Ole Opry will be putting on a pair of shows, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. 

Grand Ole Opry member Mark Wills is scheduled for both nights. He will be joined on Friday night by Opry members John Conlee, Connie Smith, and closing out the show, the Oak Ridge Boys. 

Saturday night, in addition to Mark, has Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne, Don Schlitz and Lauren Alaina listed on the lineup. 

One of the bigger duos in country music, Brothers Osborne head up the non-member list on Friday, joined by Emily Ann Roberts, and making his Opry debut, Jason Eady. Saturday night as Tony Trischka on the schedule, along with Alexandra Kay, who will be making her Opry debut. 

For those who might be familiar with Tony Trischka, he is one of the finest banjo players alive, and in fact, has been called the "Father of Modern Bluegrass." His last album, Shall We Hope, was released in January 2021. Ahead of its release, a video of the album’s “Christmas Cheer (This Weary Year)” landed on a Rolling Stone best-of list and was described by Jon Parales (New York Times) as having “virtuosic picking… with a coda of elegant string-band counterpoint." Now over the age of 70 and continuing a career that began in the early 70s, Tony is still relevant in today's musical environment. He's been on the Opry before, and it is great to see him back. 

Friday November 18
7:00: Mark Wills, Emily Ann Roberts, John Conlee, Brothers Osborne
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Jason Eady, Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday November 19
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Mark Wills, Alexandra Kay, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top x-Press
Intermission
8:15: Tony Trischka, Opry Square Dancers, Don Schlitz, Lauren Alaina

Just seven acts each night, with no live TV this week on Circle as they will be showing two hours of performances from the 50th anniversary show of Bass Pro Shops that took place at the Opry earlier this month. 

So, as mentioned, there are a pair of artists making their Opry debut this weekend, Jason Eady and Alexandra Kay. 

Jason Eady grew up in Jackson, Mississippi and has been influenced by bluegrass, Don Williams and Willie Nelson. He is married to, and frequently collaborates with, Texas singer-songwriter Courtney Patton. Jason collaborated with Kevin Welch on his last three albums, AM Country Heaven from 2012, Daylight and Dark from 2014, and his self-titled album from 2017. AM Country Heaven debuted at number 40 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 9 on the Top Heatseekers chart. 

Highway Prayer: A Tribute to Adam Carroll, released on Austin-based Eight 30 Records in late 2016, featured Eady's take on Carroll's "Errol's Song." Additionally, Eight 30 Records' Floater: A Tribute to the Tributes to Gary Floater featured Eady's version of "Stand Back Boys I'm Fixing to Care.

Alexandra Kay grew up in Missouri and began writing songs at the age of 15. She started working in the entertainment business at a young age by booking commercials and voice-over work. While performing in multiple musical theater productions, Alexandra decided to try her luck as a contestant on American Idol in 2011.

Alexandra Kay started working in hip hop and R&B in early 2012. Using the platform Nelly created, Alexandra sewed herself into the St. Louis music scene. Working with notable STL artists such as Nelly and Huey Alexandra created enough buzz to sign an independent record deal with Nettwork Entertainment in 2013. Her first single “No More” was a radio hit spending three weeks at #1 on the New Music Weekly Top 40 pop chart, also scoring at the top of Hot AC and Hot 100 charts.

Starting her country music career independently at 22, Alexandra began recording cover videos of many 90’s country music favorites and posting them on her Facebook fan page, going viral dozens of times. quickly drew a dedicated fan base on Facebook, which has grown to over 1.4 million followers to date.

Alexandra Kay has recently captivated a new audience of country music lovers with 272,000 followers on Instagram. On TikTok Alexandra Kay’s following has grown to over 3.2 million followers and generated over 44.3 million likes. Alexandra Kay has gained over 45 million collective streams on Spotify and Apple Music through independent releases:

Now, from 50 years ago, Saturday November 18, 1972: 

1st show
6:30: Billy Walker (host); Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Billy Grammer (host); Justin Tubb; Norma Gallant
7:00: Stonewall Jackson (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Stringbean; Ray Pillow
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Bobby Bare; Willis Brothers; Crook Brothers
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Archie Campbell; Jimmy C Newman
8:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Charlie Walker; The 4 Guys; Marion Worth; Diane McCall; Stu Phillips; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Bill Anderson (host); Willis Brothers; Jan Howard; Ernie Ashworth; Charley Pride
10:00: Stonewall Jackson (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Stringbean
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Billy Grammer; Justin Tubb and Norma Gallant
10:30: Bobby Bare (host); Charlie Walker
10:45: Archie Campbell (host); Ray Pillow; Crook Brothers
11:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Charlie Louvin; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Diane McCall; Sam McGee
11:30: Stu Phillips (host); Marion Worth; The 4 Guys

(Billy Walker appeared only on the first show)

Del Wood joined the Grand Ole Opry on 13, 1953. On Friday November 18, 1988 she celebrated her 35th anniversary as a member of the Opry. 

Del Wood was known for her rollicking piano style, which was best demonstrated on her million selling instrumental, "Down Yonder." 

Polly Adelaide Hendricks was born in 1920 on her family's farm in Nashville. Prior to beginning her career in music, she worked in the stage Public Health Department. According to Del, "L. Wolfe Gilbert's old-time ragtime tune liberated me from the typewriter keys to the 88s after "Down Yonder" shot up the charts. Actually, it was a bigger hit on the pop charts than it was in country. I was originally booked by MCA with acts like Tony Bennett, Guy Mitchell and The Four Aces. You name 'em, I worked with 'em."

Del first appeared on the Opry in February 1952 and took the stage name of Del Wood to make it easier for radio programmers. Her stage name was created by combining part of her middle name with part of her married name (Hazelwood). 

Del recorded a number of albums and played a number of different songs on the Opry, but "Down Yonder" was her only #1 record. 

Del passed away in October 1989.

Here was the Friday Night Opry line-up from Friday November 18, 1988: 

7:30: Grandpa Jones, Del Reeves, Lorrie Morgan, Justin Tubb, Jan Howard
8:00: Porter Wagoner, Stonewall Jackson, Jeanne Pruett, Wilma Lee Cooper
8:30: Roy Acuff, Jean Shepard, Ray Pillow
9:00: Hank Snow, Charlie Louvin, Connie Smith, Del Wood
9:30: Jack Greene, The 4 Guys, Skeeter Davis, Carlisles, Osborne Brothers
10:00: Jimmy C Newman, Vic Willis Trio, Ernie Ashworth, Teddy Wilburn
10:30: Jimmy Dickens, Charlie Walker, Jeannie Seely, Johnny Russell
11:05: Grand Ole Gospel w/Jimmy Snow

(Those Friday night shows were the best. As you can see, there were 29 acts that night, and 3 hours and 30 minutes of music). 

While Del only appeared on the Friday Night Opry, here is the running order from Saturday November 19, 1988:

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' At the Foot of the Bed
The 4 Guys: Fox on the Run
Jimmy Dickens: I'm Just Blue Enough to Do Most Anything

6:45: Rudy's
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Skeeter Davis: The Rose
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Grandpa Jones: Cold Winds A' Blowin'

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up, Jacob
Jeannie Seely: Why Doesn't He Just Leave Me Alone
Osborne Brothers: Georgia Mules & Country Boys/Rank Strangers
Stonewall Jackson: Side Steppin' the Blues
Jan Howard: Heartaches By The Number
Porter Wagoner: A Satisfied Mind
Glenda Faye Kniphfer: Black Mountain Rag

7:30: Standard Candy
Charlie Walker (host): Who Will Buy the Wine
Jerry Fricke: Please Help Me I'm Falling/She's Single Again
Forrester Sisters: Sincerely/(?)
Ricky Van Shelton: I'll Leave This World Loving You/From A Jack to A King
Charlie Walker: Take Me Back to Tulsa

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of a Fool
Charlie Louvin: Loving Arms
Jennifer O'Brien: He Taught Me How to Yodel
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sugar in the Goard
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): Down the Trail of Aching Hearts
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Jean Shepard: At The Time
Jimmy C Newman: Thibodeaux & His Cajun Band
Roy Drusky: Time Has Made a Change in Me
Hank Snow: Crying Time

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Janie Fricke: Please Help Me I'm Falling/She's Single Again
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
Forrester Sisters: Sincerely
Porter Wagoner: Forty Miles From Poplar Bluff

10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Mountain Dew
Osborne Brothers: Your Love is Like a Flower
Connie Smith: The Keys in the Mailbox
Grandpa Jones: Gathering Flowers From the Hillside

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob Arkansas
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Daisy A Day/He Will Set Your Fields on Fire

10:30: Pet Milk
Jimmy Dickens (host): John Henry
Jimmy C Newman: (?)
Jimmy Dickens: I Leaned Over Backwards for You

10:45: B. C. Powder
Jack Greene (host): Wanting You but Never Having You
Jeanne Pruett: Back To Back
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Jack Greene: All The Time/There Goes My Everything

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Forever+1; Forever +2
Lorrie Morgan: Crazy
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Roy Drusky: Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy
Tommy Hunter: Ragged but Right
Hank Snow: The Governor's Hand

11:30: Creamette
Jim Ed Brown: Southern Loving
The 4 Guys: Tennessee
Charlie Louvin: Buried Alive
Jean Shepard: Too Many Rivers
Johnny Russell: No One Will Ever Know
Jim Ed Brown: Scarlet Ribbons

(Of note, Minnie Pearl only did the first show, while Ricky Van Shelton was scheduled for the late show but canceled his spot. There were several other Opry members who only appeared on one of the shows that night). 

A final word on Del Wood: She was one of the Opry's members who did not care for the "new breed" of Opry members that were joining the Opry toward the end of her career. She felt that they were not dedicated to the Opry and not appearing as often as they should. She was also one of those who were not happy about her spots being cut. She was pretty vocal in her feelings. To finish up that thought, and relative to the recent passing of Jerry Lee Lewis, when Jerry Lee first appeared on the Opry, he specifically mentioned that the only Opry member who was nice to him was Del Wood. I am sure that sharing the love of the piano, there was a mutual respect between the two. 

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. 

Tuesday Night Opry 11/15

Here is the lineup for the upcoming Tuesday Night Opry: 

Tuesday November 15
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Josh Ward, The Whites, Don Schlitz
Intermission
8:15: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Red Steagall, Wade Bowen, Kelsea Ballerini

Nice to see that the lineup includes a majority of Opry members: Rhonda Vincent, The Whites, Don Schlitz, The Gatlins and Kelsea Ballerini. Also, good to see Kelsea back at the Opry and especially nice so see The Whites back again after making their 2022 debut a couple of weeks ago. 

The name that stands out is the legendary western singer Red Steagall. 

Here is the rundown that the Opry posted on their website: 

Red Steagall's recording, songwriting and broadcasting career has spanned the globe for the last 50 years.

Recognitions for his art have been numerous. In 1991, Steagall was selected by the Texas State Legislature as the official Cowboy Poet of Texas. In 2006, that same legislature selected Red as the Poet Laureate.  He was inducted in the Hall of Great Westerners at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 2003 and has received a total of 14 Wrangler Awards from the museum to date. The following year he was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Steagall continued this series of honors in 2007 when he was selected for induction into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. He also received the Golden Spur Award from the National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech in 2018.

In addition to his concert career, he is the host of Cowboy Corner, a nationally syndicated radio show broadcast in 150 markets, now in its 29th year of operation. Steagall also hosts his own television show, Somewhere West of Wall Street, on RFD TV and has been doing so for the past 14 years. Four of the Wrangler awards he received from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum were for this show. 

A nice mid-week show 

Grand Ole Opry 11/11 & 11/12

A couple of interesting shows at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend featuring a nice group of Grand Ole Opry members. 

The Friday Night Opry has Jeannie Seely, Riders In The Sky and Dailey & Vincent on the schedule, while Saturday's Grand Ole Opry has Connie Smith, Bill Anderson, John Conlee, Ricky Skaggs and Craig Morgan scheduled to appear. 

Circle TV will be televising the final hour on Saturday night, featuring Ricky Skaggs, Craig Morgan and Lainey Wilson. 

Lainey Wilson is one of the artists who has really made a name for herself in country music in the past year. In addition to being one of the Opry's Next Stage Artists, Lainey was also the ACM New Female of the Year for 2022, and that was after being named Billboard's Top New Country Artist of 2021. To top it off, Lainey is the top nominated artist for this year's CMA Awards (broadcast on Wednesday night), with six nominations including Album of the Year. Her other nominations include Female Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. She is only the fourth artist to earn six nods in their first year being nominated in CMA Awards history. Glen Campbell, Brad Paisley and Kacey Musgraves are the other singers. And to think, this is the first year she has been nominated for any CMA award. 

Looking at the other non-members on the schedule, there are a couple of Opry debuts this weekend as Tyler Hubbard will make his debut on Friday night, and, hard to believe, John Ford Coley will debut on Saturday night. 

Bluegrass group Po' Ramblin' Boys, who I saw make their Opry debut last year, will appear on Friday night, along with Carter Faith, The McCrary Sisters and Mickey Guyton. 

Friday November 11
7:00: Jeannie Seely, The Po' Ramblin' Boys, Carter Faith, Riders In The Sky, The McCrary Sisters
Intermission
8:15: Lindsay Ell, Tyler Hubbard, Mickey Guyton, Dailey & Vincent

Saturday November 12
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith, Bill Anderson, John Ford Coley, John Conlee
8:00: Lainey Wilson, Ricky Skaggs, Craig Morgan

I was really surprised when I saw that this will be the Grand Ole Opry debut for John Ford Coley, who is probably best known for his partnership as England Dan & John Ford Coley. 

At age 74, John Edward Colley was born in Dallas, Texas and he said that he grew up listening to not only rock and roll music, but also the Grand Ole Opry. His classmate in school was Dan Seals, and while they were part of another band, they began their own acoustic act as Colley and Wayland, later renaming themselves England Dan & John Ford Coley. Signed to A&M Records, their big break came in 1972 with the international hit "Simone." The record, however, did not do well in the United States and after three unsuccessful albums, were released by the label. 

Two years later, they acquired another record deal from Atlantic Records subsidiary Big Tree Records and released the song "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight". Overall, they had four top-ten hits and two top-twenty hits. They were nominated for a Grammy Award, received triple-platinum and gold records and released eight albums; additionally, other recordings were released abroad. In 1980, the duo disbanded. 

John Ford formed another group that released an album on A&M Records: Leslie, Kelly and John Ford Coley (featuring sisters Leslie and Kelly Bulkin). He acted in teen films in the 1980s, acquired a small ranch in the 1990s, and wrote songs for film and television. He returned to touring in 1996 and has played with groups and artists including Ambrosia and Terry Sylvester (formerly of The Hollies), Three Dog Night, Lou Gramm (of Foreigner), Christopher Cross, Poco, Stephen Bishop, Al Stewart, Edgar Winter and others.

In 1996, he made a trip south for Tin Pan South and began making trips to Nashville to be part of the music community. He moved his family and horses across country to Tennessee in 1999. 

From 50 years ago, Saturday November 11, 1972: 

1st show
6:30: Osborne Brothers (host); Del Wood; Jeanne Pruett
6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jimmy C Newman; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper
7:00: Roy Drusky (host); Charlie Louvin; Ivory Joe Hunter; Jerry Whitehurst
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Willis Brothers; Bailes Brothers; Crook Brothers
8:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Stonewall Jackson; Skeeter Davis; Grandpa Jones
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Justin Tubb; Stu Phillips; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Roger Miller

2nd show
9:30: Billy Walker (host); Willis Brothers; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Jimmy C Newman
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Osborne Brothers; Cates Sisters
10:15: Charlie Louvin (host) and Diane McCall; Del Wood; Jeanne Pruett; Bobby Osborne
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Skeeter Davis; Bailes Brothers
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Stonewall Jackson; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Grandpa Jones; Justin Tubb; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Stu Phillips (host); Louie Roberts; Reggie Alley

(Marion Worth was scheduled for both shows but canceled. Roy Drusky only appeared on the first show while Billy Walker was on just the late show, while Roger Miller and Ivory Joe Hunter guested on the first show). 

Here is the actual running order from that night: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Osborne Brothers (host): Midnight Rider
Del Wood: Up A Lazy River
Jeanne Prutt: Lily of the Valley
Osborne Brothers: Love's Gonna Live Here

6:45: Rudy's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Mariah
Jimmy C Newman: Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I Shall Not Be Moved
Jim Ed Brown: Unbelievable Love

7:00: Rudy's
Roy Drusky (host): Alone with You
Charlie Louvin: She Just Wants to Be Needed
Ivory Joe Hunter: Since I Met You Baby/Empty Arms/Worried Mind
Roy Drusky: The Last Time I Called Somebody Darling
Charlie Louvin: (?)
Jerry Whitehurst: Cajun Hop
Roy Drusky: Red, Red Wine

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Willis Brothers: A 6ft 2 by 4
Bailes Brothers: Remember Me/Jesus, Hold My Hand
Crook Brothers: Turkey Knob
Willis Brothers: Blue River
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): Baby, It's So Hard to Be Good
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Skeeter Davis: Hillbilly Song
Grandpa Jones: Darby's Ram
Ernest Tubb: Mr. Jukebox
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walking
Skeeter Davis: Rocky Top
Grandpa Jones: It's Raining Here This Morning
Ernest Tubb: Walkin' The Floor Over You

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Stu Phillips: I Hear Your Name
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Lost Indian
Roger Miller: Dang Me/You Don't Want My Love/King of the Road
Hank Snow: The Governor's Hand

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Billy Walker (host): Charlie's Shoes/Heartaches By The Numbers
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling but Mine
Jimmy C Newman: Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues
Billy Walker: Sing Me a Love Song to Baby
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Me & Jesus
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain

10:00: Fender
Jim Ed Brown (host): Morning
Osborne Brothers: Fireball Mail
Cates Sisters: What's a Little Love
Jim Ed Brown: Looking Back to See

10:15: Union 76
Charlie Louvin (host) and Diane McCall: Baby, What's Wrong with Us
Del Wood: Cajun Stripper
Jeanne Pruett: Love Me
Charlie Louvin and Bobby Osborne: Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Skeeter Davis: Hillbilly Song
Bailes Brothers: How Do You Talk to a Baby
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:45: Beech-nut
Ernest Tubb (host): A Million Miles from Here
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Ernest Tubb: Say Something Nice to Sara

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Miller's Cave
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Blackberry Blossom
Grandpa Jones: Eight More Miles to Louisville
Sam McGee: Victor's Rag
Hank Snow: So, Goes My Heart

11:30: Elm Hill
Stu Phillips (host): Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Louie Roberts: Just A Little Lovin'/Anytime/Bouquet of Roses
Reggie Alley: Bill Bailey
Louie Roberts: Hey, Good Looking/The Richest Man in the World
Stu Phillips: Welcome to My World

Ivory Joe Hunter was an interesting name from that night. He was known as a rhythm-and-blues singer, pianist, as well as being a noted songwriter. His nickname was The Baron of the Boogie. His big hit was "Since I Met You Baby," from 1956, a song that he did sing on the Opry that night. What is interesting about Ivory Joe is that besides his R&B success, later in his career, as his star power began to decline, he was also known for his country success. 

Starting in the late 1960s, he began making appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and recorded an album titled "I've Always Been Country. Sonny James issued a version of "Since I Met You Baby", which topped the country charts in 1969, paving the way for Hunter's album The Return of Ivory Joe Hunter and his appearance at the Monterey Jazz Festival. The album was recorded in Memphis with a band that included Isaac Hayes, Gene "Bowlegs" Miller and Charles Chalmers. Jerry Lee Lewis recorded a cover version of the song in 1969.

Ivory Joe Hunter passed away from lung cancer in 1974 at the age of 60. 

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. 

Tuesday Night Opry 11/8

Here is the lineup for the Tuesday Night Opry: 

7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Bryan White, Jeannie Seely, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Intermission
8:15: Mike Ryan, Henry Cho, Maggie Rose, Lee Brice

A pretty good Tuesday lineup featuring Opry members Rhonda Vincent and Jeannie Seely. Jeannie stayed home over the weekend with a bit of a sore throat, so not sure at this point if she will make the Tuesday show or not. 

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has been on tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which was released in November 1972 and is one of the landmark albums in the history of country music. The original album featured Earl Scruggs, Mother Maybelle Carter, Roy Acuff, Jimmy Martin, Brother Oswald, Merle Travis and a host of others. 

While not all of the original members of the band have been touring/performing together, they will all be a part of a couple of shows at the Country Music Hall of Fame in early December, along with a number of special guests. 

This will be the Opry debut for Mike Ryan, who is a singer/songwriter out of Texas. And nice to see Bryan White back at the Opry. 

Grand Ole Opry 11/4 & 11/5

I wanted to share this news. I know some have already heard, but in case......

Jerry Whitehurst, longtime pianist for “Hee Haw,” Ralph Emery’s “Nashville Now,” and the Grand Ole Opry staff band, died at the age of eighty-four on October 30. 

A native Nashvillian, Whitehurst got his first break playing piano part-time in the Grand Ole Opry backing band in 1961 in his early twenties, when he was working by day for a trucking firm. While continuing to play weekends at the Opry, he became a staff pianist for WSM radio and TV, including for WSM’s “Bobby Lord Show” on syndicated TV. 

Whitehurst’s resume quickly mushroomed from there. His musical skill and easy-going demeanor landed him one long-running job after another in Nashville: the “Hee Haw” house band, starting with the show’s CBS-TV debut in 1969; Ralph Emery’s local WSM early-morning TV show in Nashville, which led to becoming the musical director as well as pianist for Emery’s “Nashville Now” talk show on The Nashville Network (though Whitehurst continued doing Emery’s WSM show). 

Whitehurst was so in demand that by the late 1980s he was doing about 500 TV episodes per year, according to an article in “The Tennessean.” The “Nashville Now” staff band he led won the Academy of Country Music’s Non-Touring Band of the Year award five years in a row, from 1985 to 1989.

Somehow over the years, Whitehurst also found time to play on occasional Nashville recording sessions for Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Johnny Paycheck, Connie Smith, Marty Robbins, and others. But playing for a live audience at the Opry and on “Nashville Now” was always his preference, even over celebrity “Hee Haw” tapings. “I had much rather do live performances,” he told the “Nashville Banner.” “That’s why I enjoy our daily TV shows so much. There’s a feeling a musician gets from a live audience that you don’t find while taping a show.”

I will always remember Jerry playing the "Cannonball" for Roy. 

Now to this week, as it looks like a fairly quiet weekend at the Grand Ole Opry as they end the October string of two Saturday night shows, at least until Ashley McBryde's induction on December 10. While I wouldn't call the lineups for this weekend spectacular, I will say that they are pretty solid. 

Starting with the Friday Night Opry, Opry members Riders In The Sky, Don Schlitz and Connie Smith are listed on the schedule. Representing bluegrass music will be The Grascals. At one time, the group was making fairly regular Opry appearances, and there was some talk that they could have been considered future members, but over the past couple of years, their appearances have been few and far between. 

Also scheduled for Friday night is Madeline Edwards, Zach Top, Stephanie Quayle and making his Opry debut, Bailey Zimmerman. 

Looking at Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, Opry members Jeannie Seely and John Conlee are on the schedule, along with a return appearance by Riders In The Sky, as the "cowboys" are making it a two-show weekend. 

A couple of regular and popular guest artists are on the schedule as Charlie Worsham and Darin & Brooke Aldridge are set to appear. Kaitlin Butts will be making her Opry debut, while Neon Union and Jessica Willis Fisher fill out the lineup. 

Friday November 4
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Zach Top, Stephanie Quayle, The Grascals
Intermission
8:15: Madeline Edwards, Connie Smith, Bailey Zimmerman, Don Schlitz

Saturday November 5
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Neon Union, Jessica Willis Fisher, Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee, Opry Square Dancers, Kaitlin Butts, Charlie Worsham, Riders In The Sky

As mentioned, Bailey Zimmerman and Kaitlin Butts are making their Opry debuts this weekend. 

Bailey Zimmerman records for Warner Music Nashville / Elektra Music Group. His song “Fall In Love” is currently racing up the Billboard Hot 100 chart after climbing all the way to #1 on Apple Music’s Top Country Songs chart. The song has had more than 380 million global streams to date and an average of more than 10 million global streams a week. His most recent release, “Rock and A Hard Place,” debuted atop multiple charts as the highest non-Morgan Wallen country song premiere of the year upon release. The emphatic power debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Country Streaming Songs and Country Digital Song Sales charts, #2 on their Hot Country Songs chart and #24 on their all-genre Hot 100 chart. 

Kaitlin Butts is a singer/songwriter from Oklahoma. Her new album, What Else Can She Do find the emerging songwriter delivering a collection of delicate, strong, and gallant characters and transformative storytellers. What Else Can She Do is a visceral display of just how raw and mighty words and actions can be–and how sometimes, knowing when to walk away can be just as compelling. Following up her delightful debut Same Hell, Different Devil and a diverse run of singles–the cosmic dancer “Marfa Lights,” haunting murder ballad “White River,” and the sweet tranquility of “How Lucky Am I,”–What Else Can She Do finds the Oklahoma songwriter in full blossom. Released in April, What Else Can She Do rose to top 10 Albums on the Americana Albums Chart and continues to receive widespread critical acclaim:

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday November 4, 1972: 

1st show
6:30: Tex Ritter (host), Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host), Del Wood, George McCormick
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host), Dolly Parton, Osborne Brothers
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host), Justin Tubb, Willis Brothers, Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host), The Nashville Grass, Lonzo and Oscar, Stu Phillips, Marty Stuart
8:30: Hank Snow (host), Tompall and The Glaser Brothers, The 4 Guys, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Marion Worth

2nd show
9:30: Tex Ritter (host); Willis Brothers, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper
10:00: Osborne Brothers (host), Ernie Ashworth, Del Wood
10:15: Roy Acuff (host), Brother Oswald, Onie Wheeler, Jimmy Riddle
10:30: Lester Flatt (host), Justin Tubb, Marty Stuart and Roland White, Paul Warren
10:45: Jimmy C Newman (host), Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host), The 4 Guys, Stu Phillips, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Sam McGee
11:30: Tompall (host) and The Glaser Brothers, Marion Worth, Lonzo and Oscar

(Billy Walker and Charlie Walker were scheduled for both shows but canceled. Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton were scheduled for the second show, however they canceled. Porter and Dolly did appear on the first show. In an odd twist, Roy Acuff was scheduled for the first show, however he was late getting back to Nashville after an appearance in North Carolina. He appeared briefly during the 8:00 segment and said a few words from the stage. He did appear on the second show). 

Glen Campbell was never a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and actually made very few appearances on the show. It is somewhat surprising that Glen didn't make his first appearance on the Opry until November 5, 1983, when he was well into his career. But then again, when you think about it, probably not as Glen was based in Southern California and rarely made the trip to Nashville. 

Here is the running order from Saturday November 5, 1983, the night Glen Campbell made his Grand Ole Opry debut: 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Billy Walker (host): Detour
Jeanne Pruett: We Came So Close
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away

6:45: Rudy's
Stonewall Jackson (host): Muddy Water
Skeeter Davis: I Want You Bad
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry/Waterloo

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Jim and Jesse: Are You Tired of Me, My Darling
Teddy Wilburn: If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong, Do It Right
Roy Drusky: Wings of a Dove
Citico Creek: Midnight Flyer
Porter Wagoner: That Was Then; This Is Now

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Jean Shepard: For the Good Times
Charlie Louvin and Danny Henson: Nobody's Darling but Mine
Lonzo and Oscar: Way Down Deep in My Soul
Charlie Walker: My Window Faces the South
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
Bill Monroe: Travelin' This Lonesome Road

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jan Howard: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Jimmy C Newman: La Cajun Band
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Connie Smith: I'm Only in It for the Love/Sing, Sing, Sing

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Right or Wrong
The 4 Guys: Sweet Ruby Red
Mel Tillis: In The Middle of the Night/I'll Take as Much As I Can Get
Glen Campbell: Gentle on My Mind/A Letter to Home
Hank Snow: My Happiness

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
The 4 Guys: My Special Angel
Jeannie Seely: When Will I See You Again
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Citico Creek: Bye, Bye Love/Midnight Flyer
Porter Wagoner: The Cowboy's Hat

10:00: Little Debbie
Roy Drusky (host): Mississippi
Jean Shepard: If Teardrops Were Silver
Vic Willis Trio: Always on My Mind
Roy Drusky: Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy

10:15: Sunbeam
Bill Monroe (host): In Despair
Wilma Lee Cooper: Sunny Side of the Mountain
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
Bill Monroe: Old Dangerfield

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Stu Phillips: Blue Canadian Rockies
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What a Party
Mark O'Connor: (?)/Chicken Reel

10:45: Beech-Nut
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Gray Eagle
Cajun Country: Dixi-Cajun

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Hello Love
Charlie Louvin: Now It's Food Stamps & Calvin Klein Jeans
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Jim and Jesse: Blue Ridge Mountain Blues/Never On Sunday
Hank Snow: Among My Souvenirs

11:30: Hardee's
Jack Greene (host): Midnight Tennessee Woman
Jan Howard: Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Mel Tillis: Take Me Back to Tulsa
Mel Tillis and Glen Campbell: Slow Night
Glen and Shorty Campbell: I Can't Stand This Loneliness
Glen Campbell: El Paso/A White Sport Coat/Devil Woman/I'll Go On Alone/You Gave Me a Mountain
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

As you can see, Glen did a tribute to Marty Robbins during the 11:30 segment that Marty had made his own over the years. 

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