Currently, there have been 230 members in the history of the Grand Ole Opry. That will change on Saturday night as Ashley McBryde will be formally inducted as the Grand Ole Opry's 231st member, and 71st member of the current cast.
Ashley McBryde was raised in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. She became involved with music at a young age, while also developing a passion for writing songs. After attending Arkansas State University, she moved to Nashville in 2006/
Between 2006 and 2011, she released a pair of self-released albums. Her 2016 extended play (EP) titled Jalopies & Expensive Guitars drew attention from country artist Eric Church. His support helped her gain a country music recording contract with Warner Music Nashville. In 2017, the label released her debut single "A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega". The song was followed by her corresponding studio release Girl Going Nowhere (2018). Both the album and the single received critical acclaim and led to recognition from several music associations. It was followed by 2019's Never Will, which was also met with critical acclaim. Its lead single "One Night Standards" reached the top 20 of the American country songs chart and topped the Canadian country survey. A four-time Grammy Award nominee, Ashley has also received one Country Music Association Award, three Academy of Country Music Awards and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy.
While not a traditional country singer, Ashley as credited Mary Chapin Carpenter, Charlie Daniels, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton and Hank Williams as among those who have influenced her music style. Her latest album, Lindeville, was released at the end of September.
In what was a surprise to many, on October 6, Opry member Garth Brooks surprised Ashley with an invitation to become the Grand Ole Opry's newest member.
While Ashley McBryde's Opry induction will be taking place on Saturday night, Friday night will also be a big night at the Opry as Opry member Carrie Underwood returns to the Opry stage once again, headlining two shows on Friday night.
Along with Carrie, Opry members Jeannie Seely, Mandy Barnett, John Conlee and The Isaacs are on the schedule, along with the very popular Sara Evans, and making their Opry debut, CAIN.
Back to Saturday night, which in addition to Ashley McBryde, will include Grand Ole Opry members Terri Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Gene Watson and Riders In The Sky. The only two non-Opry members scheduled to appear are Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys and making her Opry debut will be Grammy winning soul singer and songwriter, Joss Stone.
Friday December 9
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Sara Evans, Mandy Barnett, CAIN
8:00: John Conlee, The Isaacs, Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, CAIN
10:30: Mandy Barnett, John Conlee, The Isaacs
Saturday December 10
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Ricky Skaggs, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, Gene Watson, Riders In The Sky
8:00: Terri Clark, Joss Stone, Ashley McBryde
2nd show
9:30; Opry Square Dancers, Terri Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Joss Stone, Gene Watson
10:30: Opry Square Dancers, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, Riders In The Sky, Ashley McBryde
I have no word, nor have I heard any rumors as to who will be doing the induction of Ashley and presenting the Opry membership award. I know they like to keep that under wraps. It could be someone unannounced or it could be one of the Opry members already on the schedule. We will all be able to watch it live as Circle TV will be showing the 8:00 hour live.
As mentioned, Friday night will be the Opry debut for CAIN, which consists of siblings Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz, and Logan Cain. Raised in Alabama, and children of pastors, they started in music at an early age. Their first attempt to crack the music business in Nashville was met with little success. leading to the group taking a break. They continued to live in Nashville and joined the praise team at their local church. This led to the decision to pursue Christian music, which was their true love.
Since then, their career has taken off with over 150 million music streams and being named by Billboard, BDS, and Mediabase as the Most Played Artist on Christian radio. Their rewards and honors include the American Music Award (Favorite Inspirational Artist) and GMA Dove Award (Best New Artist) nominations along with their K-LOVE Fan Award win and other nominations. They also released their first Christmas EP Wonderful (in 2021) which offers duets with industry legends Steven Curtis Chapman and Mac Powell, the project also made American Songwriter’s “not to miss” top 15 holiday albums for the season. Most recently, CAIN has been touring with Steven Curtis Chapman, Zach Williams and Matthew West among others.
Now from 50 years ago, Saturday December 9, 1972:
7:00: Stonewall Jackson (host); Jean Shepard; Bill Carlisle; Del Wood
7:30: Tex Ritter (host); Connie Smith; Stoney Cooper; Harold Weakley
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Roy Clark; Crook Brothers
8:30: Bill Monroe (host); Charlie Louvin; Stu Phillips; Diane McCall
9:00: George Morgan (host); Jim and Jesse; Charlie Rich; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Willis Brothers; The 4 Guys
10:00: Stonewall Jackson (host); Jean Shepard; Stoney Cooper; Bill Carlisle
10:15: Tex Ritter (host); Connie Smith; Del Wood
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Roy Clark
10:45: Bill Monroe (host); George Morgan; Crook Brothers; Stu Phillips
11:00: Charlie Louvin (host); Jim and Jesse; Willis Brothers; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The 4 Guys; Charlie Rich
(Justin Tubb was scheduled for the 11:30 segment but canceled, while Stoney Cooper appeared without Wilma Lee, who was out of town).
When Jamey Johnson was invited earlier this year to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Bill Anderson mentioned that Jamey had been guesting on the Opry for 17 years. That was correct as Jamey first appeared on the Opry on September 10, 2005. Because that first appearance was so successful, Jamey was invited back for future appearances, one of which took place on December 10, 2005.
Here is the running order from that show 17 years ago:
1st show
6:30: Cracker Barrel
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' At the Foot of the Bed
Connie Smith: The Keys In the Mailbox/Amazing Grace
Ray Scott: You're Gone Either Way/My Kind of Music
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn
7:00: Tootsie's
Mike Snider (host): Daley's Reel/Forked Deer
Jan Howard: White Christmas
Jack Greene: Statue of a Fool
Alicia Nugent: God's Own Floor/Listening to the Rain
Mike Snider: Fire on the Mountain
7:30: Standard Candy
Jean Shepard (host): Snowbird
Stu Phillips: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Mountain Heart: I Remember You/Ride This Train
Jean Shepard: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Why Don't You Haul Off & Love Me
Jesse McReynolds: Road to Columbus
Mel McDaniel: Stand Up
Jamey Johnson: The Dollar
Opry Square Dance Band: Rachel
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus
8:30: Tennessee Pride
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks Christmas
Jeannie Seely and Danny Davis: What's Going On in Your World
T. Graham Brown: Wine Into Water/Happy Ever After
Bill Anderson: Him & Me
2nd show
9:30: Cracker Barrel
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Mike Snider: Bull at the Wagon/Black Mountain Rag
Ray Scott: You're Fine Either Way/My Kind of Music
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way
10:00: Martha White
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Connie Smith: Singing the Blues/Burning A Hole in My Mind
Mountain Heart: A Road I've Not Been Down/Little Liza Jane
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter
10:30: Skaggs Family Christmas
Jean Shepard (host): Slippin' Away
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda/Cajun Stripper
Alicia Nugent: O' Beautiful Star of Bethlehem/Breaking New Ground
Opry Square Dance Band: Whiskey Before Breakfast
Jean Shepard: Waltz of the Angels
11:00: Skaggs Family Christmas
Bill Anderson (host): Walk Out Backwards
Mel McDaniel: Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On/Stand Up
Jamey Johnson: The Dollar/It Was Me
Bill Anderson: My Christmas List Grows Shorter Every Year
11:30: Johnny Walker Tours
Jeannie Seely (host): Winter Wonderland
Jesse McReynolds: Sittin' on Top of the World/Sally Goodin
T. Graham Brown: Wine Into Water/Use The Blues to Make You Feel Better
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
The month of December always brings some Christmas music to the Opry and that night was no exception. As to Jamey Johnson, he would come back often to the Opry and made it well known that he would like to become a member someday. It took a while, but it did finally happen.
There you have it for this week. Congratulations again to Ashley McBryde upon her induction as the Opry's newest member and we all look forward to seeing and hearing her often on the Opry. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
Byron, I am on FB with Terri Clark, she announced on her FB page that she will be helping induct her good friend, Ashley McBryde.
ReplyDeleteI have looked on her website to see if she is still touring. Her tour schedule starts up again on January 13th, 2023. I know they are pretty good friends, it's possible that Carly Pearce could be surprise walk-on to help with the Induction. Time will tell.
Both the Friday Night Opry & the Saturday Night Grand Ole Opry have really terrific line-ups. The Isaac's, Chuck Mead & Gene Watson in addition to Ashley's Induction, of whom I am a big fan of. Great voice, terrific music & I am very happy the Opry has extended an invitation to her. I follow Ashley on her FB page, she has some rabid fans out there, they are arriving in droves to the Opry for her Induction. I am sure the Grand Ole Opry House is sold out for both shows. All for a "Girl Goin' Nowhere" ... I am very happy for Ashley because she is going everywhere as an Opry member come Saturday night.
(Jeanene)
Thanks Jeanene. Terri is certainly a good choice.
DeleteAnother Opry Induction in the books. It was a very nice Induction night for Ashley last night. She has such a beautiful voice. I thought Terri Clark did a wonderful job with all she said to Ashley before handing Ashley her Opry membership award and while it wasn't Carly Pearce who was a surprise walk on, it was by the guy who brought her to the forefront, here in Chicago, Eric Church, good for him that he would do that for her. Whether he is on Opry radar for membership, time will tell on that, I really like him too, always have.
DeleteThank you to Opry management for having the Opry ladies perform hosting and Induction duties more and more. Now that's a family, when everyone equally partakes.
Time will also tell if Ashley is as serious an Opry member as she says she is. I think she is, I hope she doesn't prove me wrong ... I hate being wrong! hahaha! :-)
Welcome to the Opry family, Ashley!
Have a good Sunday everyone.
(Jeanene)
Do you think she'll be a good member Byron? I know there are folks here who don't like Carrie's music! But, you gotta give it up for her! She is one of the biggest, most successful artists not in country music, bbut in all of music period! And she always ALWAYS makes time for the opry!
ReplyDeleteE.Z., Ashley really hasn't appeared on the Opry all that often, which is why I thought she was somewhat of a surprise pick. So far in 2022, she has only appeared on the Opry once, and even in prior years her guest appearances were relatively few. I don't think you will see her on the Opry as much as Mandy, Charlie, Don, or even Jamey Johnson, but hopefully we will see her on the show more than just a few times.
DeleteAshley will be a good member. Just about all female members do a much better job of appearing on the 'Opry than most of the men.
ReplyDeleteI have NOT done a study on that, but I would bet I'm right.
"Upon further review"
ReplyDeleteI must confess the several of the last few men receiving membership (Charlie, Don, and Jamey) have done a very good job.
Still betting Ashley will show up fairly regularly.
If Ashley has only been to the Opry once in 2022 and only a few previous times, how was she ever selected to be an aspiring member ? What actually constitutes the criteria - all the outside the Opry work? So many others who are making the the efforts to be at the Opry and so many others more deserving.
ReplyDeleteOh my.
ReplyDeleteForgot to post that there is an Opry Country Christmas show tonight (Sunday). In addition to the core group of regulars, the two special guests tonight are Kathy Mattea and Chris Janson.
ReplyDeleteI have seen several pictures of Carrie's 2 boys side stage Friday night. Younger generation learning about the Opry
ReplyDeleteWhat about Kathy Mattea, Suzy Bogguss and Mo Pitney as Opry members ???? Dashmann, Flushing , Mich
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that back in the late 80s when Kathy was hitting the charts on a regular basis, there was discussion between her and the Opry about becoming a member and she took a pass. I am sure that is a decision she regrets, if true. I do think she would make a great member, as would Suzy Bogguss and Sara Evans. As to Mo Pitney, he seems to have fallen off the list of those being asked to make guest appearances on the Opry and I have no explanation as to the reasons why.
DeleteDashmann, add The Malpass Brothers to that list - they are keeping the real traditional sound and have changed their attire to very retro (early years styles) - just saw them again and they did an outstanding show
ReplyDeleteMalpass Bros are wonderful !
DeleteI love the Malpass Brothers but have yet to see them in person. And I think they would make great Opry members.
ReplyDeleteI suspect to the Opry folks they are okay to appear once in a while but they are way too traditional, twangy, retro and authentic to be on there often and be members. They also talk about Don Helms, the Louvin Brothers and Marty Robbins who most people in the crowd don't know.
I would be so thrilled if I am wrong.
Jim
I’ve seen the Malpass Brothers several times and even when Chris did stuff with Don Helms. Already got tickets to see them in February at Rory Feek’s Homestead Hall in Columbia, TN. Curry
ReplyDelete