This Saturday night will be special at the Ryman Auditorium as the Grand Ole Opry will be honoring Opry member Dolly Parton.
The reason? I'll let the press release from the Opry explain it all:
In honor of Dolly Parton’s 77th birthday (we can’t believe it either!), we’re taking a trip back to 1977 – the year Dolly’s album Here You Come Again hit the airwaves and crossed over from country to pop charts. Celebrate the living legend’s birthday with:
77 hours of Dolly giveaways on social media
Duncan Hines Dolly Parton’s birthday cupcakes for Opry House and Ryman tour guests on Dolly’s Jan. 19 birthday*
A larger-than-life 77th birthday card for fans to sign at the Ryman from Jan.19 - 21
A Dolly impersonator on the Ryman Plaza during Opry at the Ryman on Jan. 21
“We love an Opry party and everyone around the world loves Dolly!” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “Though Dolly herself can’t be with us this year due to her feature film schedule, I think we can all agree Dolly deserves to be celebrated this year and ever year. We’re going to have some fun Dolly additions to the great schedule of shows lined up for our January run downtown at the Ryman.”
I like Dolly Parton a lot. She is a great entertainer, and more importantly, a great ambassador who cares about people and is always trying to do the right thing. But as an Opry member, Dolly has not been the best. In fact, the last time Dolly appeared on the Opry was for her 50th anniversary as an Opry member, which took place in October 2019.
While I love the idea of doing a tribute show to celebrate her birthday, it would mean a lot more if Dolly actually was there and a part of it. I understand she is busy, with a lot going on in her life, and I am sure the Opry worked with her to try to come to some type of arrangement. I know, even with it being noted that Dolly is not going to be there on Saturday due to other commitments, there will be a number of disappointed fans who would be expecting her.
The lineup on Saturday to honor Dolly is impressive. Grand Ole Opry members Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, Rhonda Vincent, Chris Young and John Conlee are on the schedule. Guesting will be Chapel Hart, Fairfield Four and Caitlyn Smith.
My understanding is that each of the artists are going to honor Dolly by singing one of her hits. While Dolly will not be there in person, hopefully there will be some type of video tribute or greeting to make the evening complete.
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers. John Conlee, Caitlyn Smith, Fairfield Four, Opry Square Dancers, Chris Young
8:00: Rhonda Vincent, Chapel Hart, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart
2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, John Conlee, Caitlyn Smith, Fairfield Four, Opry Square Dancers, Chris Young
10:30: Rhonda Vincent, Chapel Hart, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart
(Grand Ole Opry members highlighted)
This week and next, there will be no Friday Night Opry. When the decision was made to move the Opry to the Ryman Auditorium for the month of January, there were already shows book that they did not want to cancel. So, if you go to the Ryman this Friday you will see Lake Street Drive, with Monica Martin opening, while next week Kenny Wayne Shepherd will be sharing the stage with Samantha Fish. And actually, that will be a pretty good show.
On a final note, in regard to Saturday night, there will be no live telecast on Circle TV. A previously aired show will be shown again.
Now from 45 years ago, Saturday January 21, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Jimmy C Newman (host), Charlie Walker, Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Billy Walker (host), Wilburn Brothers, Del Wood
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host), Skeeter Davis, Billy Grammer, Willis Brothers, Wilma Lee Cooper
7:30: Roy Acuff (host), Stonewall Jackson, Del Reeves, Bob Luman, Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host). Grandpa and Ramona Jones, Ray Pillow, Bill Carlisle, Stu Phillips
8:30: Hank Snow (host), Jeanne Pruett, Roy Drusky, Charlie Louvin, Lonzo and Oscar, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host), Jimmy C Newman, Billy Walker, Wilburn Brothers, Skeeter Davis, Willis Brothers
10:00: Charlie Walker (host), Stu Phillips, Wilma Lee Cooper
10:15: Roy Acuff (host), Billy Grammer, Ernie Ashworth
10:30: Lester Flatt (host), Stonewall Jackson, Del Wood
10:45: Grandpa Jones (host), Del Reeves, Bob Luman, Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host), Jeanne Pruett, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Ray Pillow, Kirk McGee
11:30: Charlie Louvin (host), Roy Drusky, Lonzo and Oscar, Bill Carlisle
(After the first two shows of 1978 starting at 6:00, it was back to a 6:30 start on this third weekend of the year)
I was at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday January 21, 1995. It was an exciting night as Brother Oswald was inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Brother Oswald, of course, was a member of Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys. After the death of Roy in 1992, Oswald continued to make appearances on the Opry, usually with Charlie Collins. I was told that it was due to the efforts of Porter Wagoner and Marty Stuart that culminated in Oswald being offered Opry membership. As the story went, Porter, along with Opry management, talked to various members of the Opry and no one objected to Oswald being invited to join the cast.
Here is the running order from that night 28 years ago:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Grandpa Jones (host): Are You From Dixie
Mike Snider: Foggy Mountain Chimes
Grandpa Jones: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Bill Monroe (host): Have a Feast Here Tonight
George Riddle and Bill Carlisle, Jr.: White Lightening
Bill Monroe: A Voice From on High
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): I'm Little but I'm Loud
The Whites: He Took Your Place
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Jeanne Pruett: Back-to-Back
Jim Ed Brown: Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I Saw the Light/I'll Fly Away/Gone at Last
Jimmy Dickens: Take Me As I Am (or Let Me Go)
7:30: Standard Candy
Marty Stuart (host): Don't Be Cruel
Porter Wagoner: Wabash Cannonball/The Precious Jewel/Fireball Mail/Night Train to Memphis/The Great Speckled Bird
Connie Smith: Sing, Sing, Sing
Brother Oswald: Hawaiian March/Mountain Dew/I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
Jimmy Dickens and Opry Cast: Wabash Cannonball
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Jimmy C Newman: Allons Ah Lafayette
Boxcar Willie: 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
Charlie Louvin: Nearer My God to Thee
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Bill Anderson: The Touch of the Master's Hand
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Silver Rails
The 4 Guys: Big River
Billy Walker: Adam's Side
Doug Stone: Love Grows Best in Little Houses
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Hank Snow: The Prisoner's Song
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all Come
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Osborne Brothers: I'll Be Alright Tomorrow
Stu Phillips: That's a Chance I'll Have to Take
The Whites: Hangin' Around
Porter Wagoner: Dim Lights; Thick Smoke
10:00: Goody's
Grandpa Jones (host): Banjo Sam
Roy Drusky: Always/One Day at a Time
Grandpa Jones: Dear Old Sunny South by the Sea
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Bill Monroe (host): Stay Away From Me; You're Causing Me Trouble
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
Bill Monroe: Tombstone Junction/Cryin' Holy Unto the Lord
10:30: Gruhn Guitars
Marty Stuart (host): Tempted
Boxcar Willie: 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
Marty Stuart: Blue Train/Hillbilly Rock
10:45: Fairfield Communities
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Del Reeves: The Race is On
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Ragtime Annie
Jimmy Dickens: She Always Got What She Wanted
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Geisha Girl
Connie Smith: You & Your Sweet Love
Charlie Walker: Who Will Buy the Wine
Doug Stone: A Different Light/A Jukebox with a Country Song
Hank Snow: A Message From the Trade Winds
11:30: Cates Pickles
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
The 4 Guys: I Know; I Know
Jack Greene: A Highway to the Sky
Johnny Russell: Baptism of Jesse Taylor
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards
Thinking back to that night, there are a couple of things that stand out. First, if I remember right, there was no prior announcement that Oswald was going to become a member that night. Secondly, I remember Marty Stuart, Porter Wagoner, Jimmy Dickens and Boxcar Willie all out on stage for the announcement, with Boxcar standing off to the side urging the crowd to stand up and applaud.
Oswald would remain an Opry member until he passed away on October 17, 2002, after a period of declining health.
That covers it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry on Saturday night and the tribute to Dolly Parton.
While she won't be there, the reason for this celebration is clear. She is probably the single most loved and well known performer in country music. So, this means a bunch of tickets sold.
ReplyDeleteI think you summed up the Dolly situation well. I'm glad they're honoring her birthday, but I wish other members got similar recognition.
ReplyDeleteJ in OK
Agreed on Dolly. She's even said she would have fired herself as a member if she were in charge. But she's beloved, and she should be.
ReplyDeleteAbout ol' Bashful. That was a special night, indeed. It may have been the first time the Opry inducted someone who I will call, for lack of a better term, far along in years? Since then more have been added and been great--and Os was while he still could perform. I also recall that Eddie Stubbs used to play the fiddle for Os and Charlie now and then.
I wanted to mention that not only is today (Thursday) Dolly Parton's 77th birthday, but it is also the 90th birthday for Grand Ole Opry member Stu Phillips. Stu, who is now retired, has been an Opry member for just over 55 years. I always thought in his prime, that he had a fine voice and sang some wonderful ballads. Happy Birthday to Stu and hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteWell Barbara Mandrell actually showed up for her tribute night, you never know, Dolly may surprise everyone and be there for hers !!!!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I was anonymous when I posted about Bashful Brother Oswald. I've probably said it here, but I have a special feeling about him. Almost 18 years ago, a pair of cats, a brother and sister, became part of our family, and the boy seemed kind of shy and kind of a big lug. Since cats name themselves, I realized he reminded me of Durward Kirby, the big, goofy sidekick to Garry Moore on old TV, and a bashful brother also with the last name of Kirby. Mr. Acuff once said of Os that he got less bashful over the years. So did his namesake!
ReplyDeleteAnd happy birthday to Stu Phillips, who I also thought was about as smooth a ballad singer as it was possible to find in this or any other solar system. A personal favorite was "Juanita Jones," which actually was the name of Chet Atkins's assistant!
Putting aside Dolly Parton, I thought last night's Opry shows were excellent. A great mix of music and talent. Not as much Dolly music as I was led to believe, just enough to keep everyone happy. I did think that Charlie Mattos, who was the announcer last night, did a very good job highlighting Dolly's career.
ReplyDeleteAnytime you have Connie Smith and Marty Stuart closing out an Opry show, you know it was a good one.
AND the dancers, it turns out, dressing up in wigs and square dancing to one of her songs. I am not criticizing that in the least when I say, I would have paid to see what would have happened if the manager had gone up to Herman Crook and said, "Can you guys do a Dolly Parton song for the square dancers tonight?"
ReplyDelete