As the Grand Ole Opry rolls into March, there are changes taking place regarding the mid-week Opry shows. Beginning this week, in addition to the Tuesday Night Opry, the Wednesday Night Opry is back on the schedule. The following week will see no Tuesday night show, however Opry Country Classics will be back on the schedule on Thursday night, for its spring run of shows.
Looking at the schedules for this week, there are only three Opry members appearing on Tuesday night (Dailey & Vincent, Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett) and just one Opry member scheduled on Wednesday night (Riders In The Sky).
The interesting name(s) on the Tuesday night schedule is Rusty Truck w/special guest Sheryl Crow. For Rusty, this will be his Opry debut. As far as Sheryl is concerned, I went back through my records, and I do not see her previously being on the Opry. I would have thought, being based in Nashville, and the length of her career with collaborations with various country artists, that she would have been on the Opry before.
Now for the clarification, from the announcement a couple of weeks ago, posted on the Opry's website:
Get ready for another special “Opry Moment” as special guest Sheryl Crow joins Rusty Truck on stage to perform their new single "Find My Way" during his Opry debut.
The single is part of Rusty Truck's new album which also features Jakob Dylan, and for those wondering, Rusty Truck is an alt-country group and they have been around for quite a while.
Tuesday February 28
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Jeannie Seely, Willie Jones, The Cleverlys
Intermission
8:15: Mandy Barnett, Callista Clark, The Fairfield Four, Rusty Truck w/Sheryl Crow
Looking at the schedule for Wednesday night, T. Graham Brown is scheduled for another Opry appearance, as his list grows longer and longer. I still think it is a matter of time until T. Graham gets the invitation to join the Opry.
Also on the schedule are The Malpass Brothers and Jason Carter, who will be making his solo Opry debut.
For thirty years, Jason has been the fiddle player for the Del McCoury Band—the most awarded group in bluegrass history. He’s won three Grammy awards, including 2018’s “Best Bluegrass Album” with the Travelin’ McCourys, of which he is a founding member. And he’s taken home five IBMAs for “Fiddle Player of the Year,” a staggering number that isn’t quite so crazy once you realize just how many bluegrass greats have turned to him for collaboration.
As a fiddler, Carter has been featured on albums by Steve Earle, Ricky Skaggs, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Asleep at the Wheel, and many more, all in addition to his tireless touring and recording with Del as well as the Travelin’ McCourys. On Carter’s forthcoming solo album, Lowdown Hoedown, listeners may recognize instrumental contributions from such legends as Jerry Douglas or Sam Bush alongside vocals from young trailblazers like Sarah Jarosz or Billy Strings. And of course, you will hear Jason singing solo.
Wednesday March 1
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Restless Road, Tiera Kennedy, The Malpass Brothers
Intermission
8:15: Jason Carter, Amythyst Kiah, Easton Corbin, T. Graham Brown
Does ONE member even qualify as a "Grand Old 'Opry" show?
ReplyDeleteSome folks got cheated, in my mind at least.
Could solve the problem by inducting The Malpass Brothers and T. Graham Brown!
The news broke this morning that Melvin Sloan passed away over night after a period of declining health. Melvin, of course, was the leader of the Melvin Sloan Dancers.
ReplyDeleteRalph Sloan and The Tennessee Travelers joined the Grand Ole Opry in July 1952. They were one of several square dance groups on the Opry, which included the Cedar Hill Dancers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers. Ralph Sloan passed away in March 1980, upon which Melvin Sloan became the leader of the group. After the retirement of The Stoney Mountain Cloggers in the early 1990s, the Melvin Sloan Dancers were the only surviving square dance group.
Melvin Sloan retired in 2002, which also marked the 50th anniversary of a member of the Sloan family leading the square dancers. After his retirement, the dancers became strictly known as the Opry Square Dancers.
From a personal standpoint, Melvin was a wonderful person. Always friendly and funny. After his retirement, he would be at the Opry a few times, not as a performer but as a visitor. It was a pleasure to have met him.
Melvin released a cd around 1999/2000. It’s pretty great album if you can find one. It has Jimmy C. Newman, Mandy Barnett, Bill Anderson & Karen Wheeler on it. Darin Vincent & Paul Brewster are doing background vocals. Melvin was a great guy. Curry
DeleteI could never understand how a guy that old could make his knees turn in all directions like they had multiple hinges built into them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great dancer and entertainer.
And my mother used to look at Ralph and say, how did he gain weight getting all that exercise! :)
ReplyDelete