As the Grand Ole Opry returns to the newly renovated Grand Ole Opry House this weekend, here was the press article that came out last week:
The Grand Ole Opry will unveil a new stage on Saturday, Feb. 4, marking the venue’s first major set change since its 75th Anniversary over two decades ago.
The staging is part of more than four million dollars in upgrades to the set, audio/visual technology and auditorium. The show is in residence at its famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium, through the rest of January while renovation work is conducted at the Opry House.
Fans will be able to see the new stage in person and during Feb. 4’s Opry Live at 8 p.m. CT on Circle Network, and on Circle’s social channels, featuring Opry members The Oak Ridge Boys as well as Jon Pardi and The War and Treaty. The show will also be available on WSM Radio and SiriusXM, Willie’s Roadhouse.
“We can’t wait to unveil a new look to artists and fans,” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “These are giant leaps for the Opry as we plan to welcome more fans than ever before this year and look toward our milestone 100th year just two years away.”
Artists scheduled to appear on the Opry stage in the coming weeks include Lauren Alaina, Bill Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Elle King, Lady A, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery, Wendy Moten, Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Jeannie Seely, and Lainey Wilson, among others.
It will be interesting to see how it is all going to look. The last time that the Grand Ole Opry House stage and backdrop was changed was June 2003 and here is the article that appeared at that time:
Don't worry, folks. They didn't burn the barn.
The Grand Ole Opry unveiled its new stage backdrop Saturday night (June 10) as the official opening of its event-rich 75th anniversary celebration. And to the relief of traditionalists, the set didn't resemble the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Like preceding Opry stage sets, the new one features the outline of a pristine gambrel-roofed barn. Where the loft door would be in a real barn, there is a huge screen on which to project closeups of stage activity, as well as logos of the show's sponsors.
Designed by Emmy-winning Rene Lagler, the set's other additions include a white board "fence" that separates the Opry staff band from the performers and tall pointed screens at both sides of the stage to shield the audience from the masses of performers and fans who swarm around the edges of the back curtain.
The designer retained the rows of church benches that sit behind the band and face the audience. There is no mid-point opening in the new backdrop as there was in the one it replaced. Emblazoned across the barn are the words: "650 WSM Grand Ole Opry www.opry.com." (Since its founding in 1925, the Opry has been broadcast on radio station WSM, located at 650 on the AM dial.)
"It's certain to be a historic evening," Opry manager Pete Fisher promised before presenting the new set to the crowd of reporters and ticketholders. In describing the Opry's "family" qualities, Fisher spoke of such special "moments" as when Trisha Yearwood walked onstage unexpectedly to sing a duet with Garth Brooks and of the SHeDAISY sisters talking excitedly to their grandfather on their cell phone just seconds before they went on stage for their Opry debut.
But, Fisher continued, "Tonight is also about evolution, celebration and dedication. We're evolving. More and more new talent is discovering the Opry is a place they'd like to be . . . The new Opry set honors the past and serves as a symbol to our commitment to the future of the Opry."
Reciting the anniversary activities that lie ahead, Fisher called the Opry celebration "the world's biggest birthday party" and said that "Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill and Steve Wariner have already RSVPed." He said the celebration will proceed "well into 2001."
Fisher then traced the history of the Opry's stage sets, from depictions of log-cabin interiors to various scenes of rural imagery to the "familiar red barn [which] arrived on the scene in the 1960s." An updated "big red barn" set was installed in 1978, he noted, and remained the backdrop through the May 27 performance of this year. It will go on display at the new Country Music Hall of Fame when it opens next May.
When the curtain rose on the new set, the stage was packed with Opry members and guest artists. Among them was 88-year-old Bashful Brother Oswald (Beecher "Pete" Kirby), waving from his wheelchair. The former Smoky Mountain Boy came to the Opry in 1939 and performed in Roy Acuff's band until Acuff's death in 1992. He was made an Opry member in his own right in 1995 but has been prevented by illness from performing in recent years.
The assembled cast sang "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" before turning the stage over to Steve Wariner for the first official segment of the evening's show. His guests for historic occasion were Jim Ed Brown, BR5-49 and Chely Wright.
"We are not the owners of the Grand Ole Opry," said Gaylord Entertainment chief Terry London before the curtain went up on the new set. "We are caretakers of a treasure."
While many fans complained about the new backdrop, it actually turned out pretty well. However, over the past several decades, the backdrop has changed from the mostly red barn to a barn that features a changing array of colors. Additionally, the stage lighting has been upgraded.
With all that, let's look at who will be appearing on the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
As I had commented on last week, during the month of January 23 current, or future, Grand Ole Opry members had made appearances. This weekend, a few more are added to the list as Crystal Gayle and Dustin Lynch are on the schedule for the Friday Night Opry, while the Oak Ridge Boys are scheduled for Saturday's Grand Ole Opry.
Joining Crystal Gayle and Dustin Lynch on Friday night will be members Riders In The Sky, John Conlee and Ricky Skaggs. Ricky will be back on Saturday night to make it a two-show weekend for him. Besides Ricky and the Oaks, Don Schlitz and Mark Wills are also scheduled.
Non-members on the Friday schedule are Jackson Dean, Neon Union and Carter Faith, all of whom have appeared on the Opry previously, while Kat & Alex are scheduled for Saturday night.
Circle TV will be live on Saturday night for the unveiling of the new Opry stage. The Oak Ridge Boys will be closing out the segment, and that hour will also include Jon Pardi and The War and Treaty. Yes, a couple of interesting names on the Circle segment.
Friday February 3
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Jackson Dean, John Conlee, Crystal Gayle
Intermission
8:15: Neon Union, Dustin Lynch, Carter Faith, Ricky Skaggs
Saturday February 4
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Ricky Skaggs, Kat & Alex, Don Schlitz, Mark Wills
8:00: Jon Pardi, The War and Treaty, Oak Ridge Boys
Besides the unveiling of the new Opry backdrop on Saturday, it will be interesting to see if anything else takes place on Saturday night.
I wanted to mention one more item. As many of you are aware, Natalie Stovall is one of the hosts for the Circle portion of the Opry. What you may not know is that she has been treated for a very serious medical condition. I share this from her Facebook page last week:
It’s been quite the ride. I went in for a myomectomy on Jan 9 to remove 3 large grapefruit-sized fibroids + any that were close by and “easy” to remove. Once they got in there, they took out 20 fibroids total. Even left a few in there because my surgeon was trying to make the fewest cuts on my uterus as possible. I lost a lot of blood during surgery but even though I’m young and healthy my body just wouldn’t bounce back. I ended up getting a blood transfusion but by that time I already had a bowel obstruction that was wreaking havoc on my insides. After days of hoping for the best, I ended up having to have an NG tube for 4-5 days. (For those that know, I’m so sorry you know…) I went 13 days without eating. And a total of 15 in the hospital at Vanderbilt where I can’t even begin to brag on my caretakers enough. And my family. Oh, my family and friends. They were all rock solid and got me through. I feel so incredibly thankful to be at home and starting to heal. It was so scary and painful but at the same time I just think about how fortunate I am that it wasn’t something more long term or serious. I’ve never been this weak before - I get out of breath just talking. And eating Ensure’s and eggs is so painful. But each time gets better. Thank you all for your prayers. I am going to be focused on recovery so I can get back to all the things and people I love. But I think it’s so important to share these stories with one another. I didn’t even know what a fibroid was until I was diagnosed with a whole bushel of em in my belly. 🤍🤍🤍
Natalie was released from the hospital earlier this week and I am sure that all of us pass along our best wishes for her and for a complete and full recovery.
Now from 45 years ago, Saturday February 4, 1978:
1st show
6:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Skeeter Davis; Stu Phillips; Guy Willis and C.W. Mitchell
6:30: Billy Walker (host); Justin Tubb
6:45: Roy Drusky (host); Billy Grammer
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Stonewall Jackson, Ernie Ashworth; George Hamilton IV
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Bill Carlisle; Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:00: Del Reeves (host); Loretta Lynn; Wilburn Brothers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys; Jeanne Pruett; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Skeeter Davis; Porter Wagoner; Stonewall Jackson; Guy Willis and C.W. Mitchell; Ernie Ashworth
10:00: Billy Walker (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Justin Tubb
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Loretta Lynn
10:30: Roy Drusky (host); Billy Grammer
10:45: George Hamilton IV (host); Stu Phillips; Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeanne Pruett; The 4 Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Del Reeves (host); Wilburn Brothers; Bill Carlisle
(Marion Worth and Lester Flatt were scheduled for both shows and cancelled. Another interesting note: Porter Wagoner was scheduled to host the 9:30 segment to start the second show, however, he did not show up on time (who knows where he was?), so Jimmy C Newman hosted the first part of that segment, then Porter took over when he finally appeared).
For this week, I thought I would go back a few years, to Saturday February 4, 1961. There as one show that Saturday night, with a very solid lineup of Opry stars. Here is the running order from that night 62 years ago:
7:30: Pet Milk
Don Gibson (host): Far, Far Away
Cowboy Copas: Alabam'
George Hamilton IV: Walk on the Wild Side of Life
Grandpa Jones: A Herd of Turtles
Don Gibson: The World is Waiting for the Sunrise
Margie Bowes: Day After Day
Carl Belew: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Don't Shake Hands with the Devil
Don Gibson: Sweet Dreams
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Polka on the Banjo
Hawkshaw Hawkins: If It Ain't on the Menu
Willis Brothers: Y'all Come
Jean Shepard: You Sent Me an Orchid
Flatt and Scruggs: Canaan's Land
Del Wood: Raggin the Keys
Bobby Sykes: (?)
Crook Brothers: Lost Indian
Hawkshaw Hawkins: My Story
Flatt and Scruggs: Ground Speed
8:30: National Life
Johnny and Jack (host): Ashes of Love
Bobby Lord: When the Snow Falls
Kitty Wells: The Other Cheek
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Johnny and Jack: Country Music's Gone to Town
The Jordanaires: (?)
Bill Phillips: Empty Hours
Bobby Lord: Without Your Love
Johnny and Jack: Stop the World
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): When the World Has Turned You Down
Ferlin Husky: Wings of a Dove
Stonewall Jackson: Greener Pastures
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Ernest Tubb: Little Old Band of Gold
Cousin Jody: (?)
Skeeter Davis: The Last Date
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Ferlin Husky: Dragging' the River
Ernest Tubb: Mississippi Gal
9:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): (?)
Bill Monroe: Molly & Tenbrooks
Jan Howard: I've Got My Pride
Lonzo and Oscar: Take Them Cold Feet Out of My Back
Hank Snow: (?)
Tompall and The Glaser Brothers: Same Old Memories
Dick Flood: (?)
Bill Monroe: Sally Joe
Hank Snow: (?)
Chubby Wise: Back Up and Push
10:00: Black Draught
Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry
Grandpa Jones: It Takes a Lot of Living
Margie Bowes: We Could
Marty Robbins: I Told My Heart
10:15: Frosty Morn
Flatt and Scruggs (host): Salty Dog Blues
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Cowboy Copas: Settin' Flat on Ready
Flatt and Scruggs: Great Historical Bum
10:30: Jim Walter Homes
Ernest Tubb (host): Girl From Abilene
George Hamilton IV: I've Got a Secret
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Ernest Tubb: Accidently on Purpose
10:45: De Con
Don Gibson (host): What About Me
Johnny and Jack: Move it On Over
Kitty Wells: I Can't Tell My Heart That
Crook Brothers: Billy in the Low Ground
Don Gibson: Oh, Lonesome Me
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): (?)
Ferlin Husky: Black Sheep
Skeeter Davis: Darling, I Want to See You Too
Lonzo and Oscar: I'm My Own Grandpa
Hank Snow: (?)
Bobby Lord: My Baby's Not My Baby Anymore
Willis Brothers: Little Footprints in the Snow
Sam and Kirk McGee: Raining Teardrops
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Hank Snow: (?)
11:30 National Life
Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): I'll Get Even
Bill Monroe: Time Changes Everything
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin'
Tompall and The Glaser Brothers: Sweet Love Goodby
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Much Too Well
Jean Shepard: I Love You Because
Cousin Jody: (?)
Bill Monroe: Rocky Road Blues
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Standing at the End of the World
(Archie Campbell, Marty Robbins and The Jordanaires only appeared on one spot that night)
On a final note, Bobby Osborne will be hosting the Midnite Jamboree this weekend. Taping begins 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.
Would love to know what became of the original red barn. A shame they didn’t make room for it in the new Hall of Fame. Would have made a great exhibit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Byron for the update on Natalie. Had no earthly idea about any medical problem for her. Hopefully, she's on the mend and will be fine. I suspect she will.
ReplyDeleteI have often felt Natalie would be very good on non circle shows as just the wsm announcer. Better than Kelly for sure!
ReplyDeleteGlad Natalie is doing better. And how strange to see an Opry lineup where Marty Robbins hosts a segment but not at 11:30!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Bill Phillips on that lineup from 62 years ago. Curry
ReplyDeleteKelly is a great announcer.
ReplyDeleteLet's just say my tolerance level is much higher for Kelly than some others who have been or are announcers.
DeleteJim
Pleasantly happy with the new Barn. Strikes the right tone between the past and the future. Does anyone know if the pews from the Ryman are still on the stage? I didn’t see anyone sitting back there. I sure hope they are. Also, they keep working to hide the wings. The artists used to congregate on the side of the stage, and I’m afraid that energy is gone with the backstage energy since there are so few acts on each Opry show. I was lucky enough to go backstage and stay for two shows two or three times when each show had 20-22 acts. It was so much fun because many Opry members were roaming the halls and standing in the wings, and weren’t hiding in their dressing rooms. Met quite a few Opry members that way, and they were always interested in having a conversation. I wasn’t happy about a picture posted by the Opry that showed there were only FOUR Opry members on the stage when the curtain went up to sing Will the Circle Be Unbroken. When the new barn was unveiled in 2000, the entire cast – a full stage – was on the stage to sing. Same in 2011 when the Opry House reopened after the flood. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe that the 2011 show was the final appearance by Wilma Lee Cooper (in her wheelchair), Mel McDaniel holding on to Charlie Daniels. I think Charlie Louvin was holding on to Steve Wariner as they walked out on the stage and it wasn't long after that Charlie passed away (Oldtimeopry)
ReplyDeleteKudos to Opry Dan on the new barn. If you’re listening, please give us another hour of the Opry if you’re only going to put three acts on the Circle TV portion. And I don’t think it was right that Jon Pardi (a non-member, which I expected was going to be asked to join tonight) to close the Opry and say good night to the audience. (oldtimeopry)
I'm a traditionalist, I admit. I had heard a lot of rumors so I was very anxious to see what it all was going to look like, and I can safely say that I was pleased with what I saw and looking forward to getting back down to the Opry to see it in person.
ReplyDeleteThe barn is still there, now with what I am calling a retro look with a lot of different color schemes. If I had one complaint, it was that the constant color changing took away from watching and listening to the artists as my eyes were focused on the barn. I'm hoping that they were showing it off and that they will back it down a bit moving forward. While they did not use it on the televised portion last night, the video screen is still there. Also, the circle from the Ryman is now highlighted with a ring of lighting.
The auditorium seating was also redone, and I have been told there is a bit more padding on the seats. From a friend who was there last night, the sound system has also been updated and it was noticeable listening on the radio.
I was looking at the comments on the various social media sites this morning and it seemed that the majority were running on the negative side. I understand as a lot of folks don't like change. It was pretty much the same reaction that took place when the stage was changed the last time. And like the last time, I am sure people will get used to it. It was time for an upgrade.
To answer oldtimeopry's question, yes, the pew seating is still on the stage, but reduced in size. And I agree with his comments regarding Jon Pardi. We do need to see more than three acts on the televised portion.
So far what we saw last night was not bad and less dramatic change than I anticipated. Being the skeptic I am, it is the potential the new LED background has that concerns me. They were not going to try and shock us last night and the acts that were on were not as far from Country as what we have seen appear. So there is still potential for some dramatic use of the new set. I'll bet the barn outline can be turned off when they want to. I'll wait and see.
ReplyDeleteAs for the changing of the lights so frequently, I'd agree that last night was show and tell so maybe it won't be that way later. Here's my white hair showing again but I have always felt that the lights and smoke were distractions to make up for lack of entertaining or singing ability. I can see changing lights and leaving them a certain color or brilliance for certain songs to set a tone but constant change and flash is distracting and exactly what it is meant for. Just my opinion.
And I still do not think we are down to the minimum number of acts they really want to have each weekend. And I have a feeling Dan Rogers is a lot more of a buffer to change than we might think. Just an opinion, obviously not based on any facts I have.
We might as well face that the camaraderie and backstage atmosphere is mostly gone from the Opry because of the change in the show itself. New people every week that what few veterans left don't know, only eight people or acts appearing if we are lucky, few people showing up consecutive weekends, it just doesn't lend itself to atmosphere that used to be. We have been watching some of the earliest Family Reunion shows which I can't get through without some tears. On one, they were doing several gospel and inspirational songs in a row. Billy Walker looked around the room and said "I'm thankful to be among friends". He went on to say that they all had been friends for years and worked together shared the stage, cars, buses and motel rooms and were all like family. The nature of the business has eliminated most of that. The Opry can never go back to that when the participants do not share the same experiences of our beloved veterans. It's just a sign of the times and what we all experience as we get older. Doesn't mean I have to like it but it's just a fact. As the Tracy Lawrence song says, "time marches on".
Jim
I'll begin by stipulating that I wish they still used the huge sponsor curtains that dropped down in the back. Having gotten that off my chest, I thought it looked really nice (especially the halo effect on the Ryman circle). I oppose change for the sake of change. But the question is: Does this improve the experience of going to the Opry? I think it does.
ReplyDeleteI also think Dan Rogers greatly respects the Opry's traditions, and tries to maintain as many as possible. But let's face facts. The Opry has changed, but the world has changed. I have the feeling that some of the acts and listeners in 1934 complained when Vito Pelletieri reorganized some things, too.
Good luck to Bill Anderson tonight for his Grammy nomination - interesting category for him "Best American Roots Performance" in his duo with Dolly Parton. I don't plan to watch the show but it would be really nice if they made that one on the show, not in an early award ceremony.
ReplyDeleteBill and Dolly did not win - presentations made before the big show so they were not even on camera
ReplyDeleteWe can contemplate what direction the Opry is pursuing all we want but it sounds like they are telling us in their press releases and comment to the press what they are doing. Good or bad, like it or not, the recurring theme is that "this isn't your parents, grandparents or great grandparents Opry anymore". Further, "we've had over 150 first time appearances in the last year". Reading between the lines, we are with the times and interested in everything and anything.
ReplyDeleteI'm not being sarcastic. That seems to be the message. We better learn to accept it and be thankful we still have what we have....sincerely!
Jim
I was able to catch a few minutes of the televised portion and really that was enough for me. All of the flashing lights reminded me of what I would see at a carnival. As others have mentioned change is inevitable but somehow I suspect judge Hay was looking down and sadly shaking his head at this spectacle.
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