St. Patrick's Day is on Friday and in celebration of the day, the Friday Night Opry will be led off by the Nashville Irish Stepdancers, in what has traditionally been an annual appearance.
Appearing at events all across Music City, the Nashville Irish Step Dancers have performed at the Nashville Predators' half-time show, Fan Fair, Fest De Ville, Summer Lights, AM Nashville, Talk of the Town, Crook and Chase and Primetime Country. They also have had the esteemed privilege of dancing alongside Celtic country music legends such as The Chieftains, Ric Blair and the Celts, and Grand Ole Opry members Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris.
Besides this wonderful group of dancers, the Friday Night Opry will also include Opry members Crystal Gayle, Craig Morgan, Ricky Skaggs and Mandy Barnett.
Jeannie Seely returns on Saturday night, where she will be joined by members John Conlee and Lauren Alaina. Lauren continues to show why she was a good choice to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
There are four acts that will be making their Opry debuts this weekend. Rory Makem and Eileen Ivers are on the schedule for Friday night, while Clare Cunningham and JigJam are on the Saturday schedule.
Also on the Friday Night Opry will be Charles Esten, who has guested on the Opry close to 150 times and was one of those on the schedule for the recently canceled Wednesday night show. Rounding out the list for Saturday night is Morgan Evans, Opry Next Stage artist Jameson Rodgers and Steve Earle.
Friday March 17
7:00: Nashville Irish Stepdancers, Mandy Barnett, Rory Makem, Jeannie Seely, Craig Morgan
Intermission
8:15: Crystal Gayle, Eileen Ivers, Charles Esten, Ricky Skaggs
Saturday March 18
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Morgan Evans, John Conlee, Clare Cunningham, Steve Earle
Intermission
8:15: Jameson Rodgers, JigJam, Lauren Alaina
As mentioned, there are four acts who will be making their Opry debut this weekend: Rory Makem, Eileen Ivers, Clare Cunningham and JigJam.
Rory Makem is not a newcomer to the music business as he spent several decades touring and performing with The Makem Brothers, Makem and Spain Brothers and with his father, Tommy Makem. He has played sold-out venues, festivals, and theaters throughout the United States, Canada, England, Scotland and Ireland. He has also recorded with some luminaries of modern folk music; Tom Paxton, Noel Paul Stookey, Bill Staines, Eric Weissberg, Roger McGuinn, Dave Mallett, Gordon Bok, Jonathan Edwards, Rick and Ron Shaw, and Schooner Fare. Through more than 34 years of plying his craft, Rory has established himself as one of the leading forces in the song tradition of Irish music.
Eileen Evers is a 9-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion. She is a Grammy Award winner and has performed with Sting, ‘Fiddlers 3’ with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Regina Carter, Patti Smith, Al Di Meola and The Chieftains. During her 30+ year career, she has covered many roles: performer, composer, songwriter, band leader, educator, and multi-instrumentalist. Her recent CD, Beyond the Bog Road, reached #1 on the Alt-Country Roots Music Chart.
Clare Cunningham, who is also from Ireland, is an independent award-winning singer/songwriter who was named Artist of the Year at the 2022 Josie Music Awards. She is a previous winner of the Folk/Americana Artist of the Year. Her latest EP called ‘Mercy’ was released in 2022 and has been helping her listeners with suicide prevention, addiction awareness and all things encompassing mental health. She plans to release a memoir in early 2023 which will give her listeners an insight as to why her songs are so real, raw and fueled with the need to help others. She wants to be a voice of inspiration and hope. Previous to that release she put out a collection of songs in an EP called "Dear Ireland’ in 2021 which pays a beautiful ode to her culture and heritage.
JigJam is also from Ireland and have been making a career playing bluegrass, Americana and American Folk music. Described as ‘The best Irish band in bluegrass’ the group has been hailed as ‘Ireland’s answer to New Grass Revival.’ The group is made up of founding members from Jamie McKeogh (Lead singer and guitar) and Daithi Melia (5 String Banjo and Dobro). They were joined by Gavin Strappe (Mandolin and Tenor Banjo) in 2016, and this year by Calum Morrison (Double Bass) and Danny Hunter (Fiddle).
Safe to say that both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature a heavy variety of Irish music in honor of St. Patrick's Day.
And from 45 years ago, Saturday March 18, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Del Reeves (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
6:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Stonewall Jackson, Charlie Louvin
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; Wilburn Brothers; David Houston; Stu Phillips; Philomena Begley and Bryan Coll
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard; Justin Tubb; Willis Brothers; Crook Brothers
8:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); The 4 Guys; Billy Grammer; Del Wood; Bill Carlisle
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Roy Drusky; Hank Locklin; Marion Worth; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Del Reeves; Charlie Louvin; Stonewall Jackson; Skeeter Davis
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Wilburn Brothers
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Jean Shepard; Stu Phillips; Brother Oswald
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Justin Tubb; Willis Brothers
10:45: David Houston (host); The 4 Guys; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Billy Grammer; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Del Wood; Kirk McGee
11:30: Roy Drusky (host); Hank Locklin; Marion Worth; Bill Carlisle
A pair of Irish singers, Philomena Begley and Bryan Coll made guest appearances on the first show.
Philomena Begley, who is from Northern Ireland, appeared on the Opry at the personal invitation of Porter Wagoner. She began her career as a singer with the Old Cross Céilí Band. The group soon became known as the Old Cross Bandshow and released three records in Ireland in 1968 and 1969, but none made an impression in the chart. In September 1970, the band changed its name to The Country Flavour. Her first record following this became her first chart hit when "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow" reached number seven in the Irish chart. In 1974, she formed the Ramblin' Men.
She regularly toured with Ray Lynam from 1975 and they recorded many duets together, probably their most popular being "My Elusive Dreams." In 1975, she had a hit with her version of Billie Jo Spears' hit song "Blanket on the Ground" which took her to number five in the Irish chart. Spears also released the song in the United Kingdom and in Ireland at the same time, but in Ireland, Begley's version received the highest sales, as Spears' version only went to number 11. Begley occasionally performed with Spears and later recorded a tribute song to her after the American star's death in 2011.
By 1977, she was undertaking a major tour of the United States, and in 1978, she was invited to sing at the Grand Ole Opry by Porter Wagoner. Since then, she has returned annually to Nashville, been a guest of honor at the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City and has sung at both the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall.
At the age of 80, Philamena resides in Northern Ireland.
Byran Coll had singing career Brian Coll had a singing career that spanned more than half a century and played with bands such as The Polka Dots and The Plattermen. He formed The Buckaroos in 1968, and they toured both at home and abroad, In 1969 they played New York's Carnegie Hall on a bill that included American country superstars Johnny Cash and Buck Owens.
Coll’s singing style was often compared to American country star Slim Whitman, and in 1970 he shared a stage with Whitman when he played the National Stadium in Dublin.
Bryan Coll passed away in 2020 after suffering a fatal heart attack.
In 2005, Carrie Underwood was the winner of American Idol. Shortly after, Carrie made her first Grand Ole Opry appearance on June 10, 2005, introduced by Bill Anderson. After that initial appearance, Carrie would continue to guest on the Opry before eventually becoming on May 10, 2008.
One of those guest appearances took place on March 18, 2006, and here is the running order from that date 17 years ago:
1st show
6:30: Cracker Barrel
Jeannie Seely (host): Here Comes My Baby
Jimmy C Newman: La Cajun Band/A Fallen Star
Connie Smith: Once A Day/Walking After Midnight
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
7:00: Tootsie's/Opry.com
Carrie Underwood: Jesus, Take The Wheel
Lorrie Morgan: It's A Woman Thing/I Didn't Know My Own Strength
Danielle Peck: Why Haven't I Heard From You/Finding A Good Man
Lee Ann Womack: I'm Not Lisa/20 Years & 2 Husbands Ago
Carrie Underwood: Stand By Your Man/Don't Forget Your Memory/Right Now
Lorrie Morgan: Crazy
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
John Conlee: They Also Served
Jesse McReynolds: Everybody's Reaching Out For Someone
Rebecca Lynn Howard: Coal Miner's Daughter/Everybody's Got To Love Somebody
Hoot Hester and Charlie Collins: Sally Goodin
Porter Wagoner: A Satisfied Mind
8:30: Tennessee Pride
Ricky Skaggs (host): Black Eyed Susie
Riders In The Sky: Woody's Roundup/Jesse, The Yodeling Cowgirl/You've Got A Friend In Me/Teardrops In My Heart
The Whites: Come Walk with Me/If It Ain't Love
Ricky Skaggs: Keep On The Sunny Side
2nd show
9:30: Crackel Barrel
Lorrie Morgan (host): It's A Woman Thing
Mel McDaniel: Help Me Make It Through The Night/Stand Up
Connie Smith: Back In Baby's Arms/Love's Not Everything
Lorrie Morgan: Crazy
10:00: Opry Visa
Porter Wagoner (host): My Long Journey Home
John Conlee: Rose Colored Glasses
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top
Danielle Peck: Why I Haven't Heard From You/Finding A Good Man
Porter Wagoner: House of Gold
10:30: Johnnie Walker Tours
Jeannie Seely (host): Here Comes My Baby
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Vince Gill: If You Ever Have Forever On Your Mind/Look At Us
Hoot Hester and Charlie Collins: Bill Cheatham
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
11:00: Gaylord Attractions
Ricky Skaggs (host): How Mountain Girls Can Love
The Whites: Come Walk with Me/If It Ain't Love
Carrie Underwood: Stand By Your Man/Don't Forget Your Memory/Jesus, Take The Wheel
Ricky Skaggs: Keep On The Sunny Side
11:30: Night At The Opry
Riders In The Sky (host): How The Yodel Was Born
Jesse McReynolds: Drifting & Dreaming of You/Sitting On Top of The World
Rebecca Lynn Howard: Coal Miner's Daughter/Everybody's Gotta Love Somebody
Riders In The Sky: The Arms of My Love/Happy Trails To You
Finishing up, once again congratulations go to the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, Gary Mule Deer. It was a wonderful presentation last Friday evening as Vince Gill did his usual fine job inducting Gary. I think we all look forward to more appearances by Gary, along with Henry Cho, at the Opry.
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and, as always, I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
I guess that night in 2006, Earl White actually missed a night! He didn't miss many in his 40+ years of fiddling for the square dancers.
ReplyDeleteCarrie Underwood and Lauren Alaina have set a great standard, and it would be nice to see others live up to it.
Notice this is another Saturday night when the second portion is down to three acts. We'll have to see if the folks on the first portion are limited to two songs. If I'm remembering right, last week was a little of both, acts getting two and some getting three. Regardless, creeping toward the last hour being one or maybe two acts. Maybe in is a coincidence that we appear to be trending that way. At this point it's kind of useless to talk about what I have thought is the in evitable. More important is the content of the performances and what you get for your buck. I think the format most of us have been used to with half hour and fifteen minute segments with hosts is just a cherished memory. Time marches on as the Tracy Lawrence song says.
ReplyDeleteJim
I would love to see the portions return with hosts that Vito Pellettieri set up way back when. That format seems to allow for more interaction between the entertainers, which was one of the things that I always thought made the Opry special. Probably difficult to go with that type of format now since at least 4 Opry members would need to appear on each show in order to have enough hosts.
DeleteThe fact that there are so many new and debut artist on the Opry these days might make that interaction many of us long for more difficult. Many of the acts wouldn't know what to say to the act the follow or that followed them. It has been replaced with select acts being interviewed at the side of the stage by Mike or Charlie and if you are a debut act you are most likely to get that attention. That interaction between the members was a lot of what made them almost seem like family to all of us. It was kind of a mini Country Family Reunion on stage each night long before Larry Black came up with the idea.....which I am very thankful he did. If you listened all the time, that interaction also gave you something to discuss when you saw the artist out on the road and it let them know you were tuning in and following them as a true fan. So happy to have come of age while all of this was true and we could see and visit with these folks, most of whom we have lost now.
DeleteSo far, we are good, Mandy is getting three songs....good deal.
Jim
Well I'm hoggin' th blog tonight. As the George IV song said "I'm A Little Bit Country", well I'm that but I'm a little bit crazy too. This is Friday and not Saturday so we'll have to see how the first show tomorrow night goes concerning the 2 or 3 songs per artist.
DeleteThis was a good show tonight . Maybe every night should be Irish night, we'll hear better and more traditional music that way. Really enjoyed Rory Makem and would enjoy seeing him come again. Eileen Ivers was enjoyable too.
Enjoyed Ricky's opinions too! Sirius took over XM and the better station, XM, got pretty much got wiped out.
Jim
Bill Anderson was a big part of the creation of Country Family Reunion - those were fantastic shows, one of my favorites was the Songwriters.
DeleteYes, I don't think they could have pulled them off with anyone else. Maybe Eddie Stubbs but it wouldn't have been the same because he wasn't there when it happened. He was born the same year Bill joined the Opry. Bill's a fan and a student of the music and his writing and journalism background shine when he interviews or is interviewed about the music and history. Bill may not be a household name even to many country fans but he sure has done a lot beyond writing songs and singing to keep our kind of country alive and out there for us fans. Roy Acuff and Hank Snow will always be my top two favorites but Bill is number 3.
DeleteJim
Just one more reason to be thankful for Bill Anderson and all he has brought to the Country Music community through the years. It would have definitely looked a lot different without him.
DeleteWonder if the Opry would consider booking Daniel O'Donnell next year. Or, they could ask him later this year. I think he is appearing in Branson for an extended period. He might do some traditional country along with some Irish songs!
ReplyDeleteJim
I doubt Daniel would come for only a song or two - his shows in Branson are 3-hours !! He did a full concert special at the Ryman a few years ago - we have the CD and DVD.
ReplyDeleteI can't argue that point but he seems very loyal to traditions and traditional country music and I remember him saying he was a huge fan of Norma Jean's. Just seems like he would enjoy doing the Opry.
ReplyDeleteJim
Too much chatting. Too many videos. Not enough live music. I'm turning the 'Opry off. Not sure I've ever done that before!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard for me to criticize the chat when that used to be some of the charm of the Opry for me 10-20 plus years ago. But somehow back then it seemed meaningful. So much of it today seems to be like Rudolph in that classic animated Christmas show when he was showing off in front of Clarice. "Look at me, I'm cute".
DeleteI repeat myself I know but I also recall how it seemed during the Fisher reign the veterans were herded on and off stage and not allowed to say much so the new acts could come on and do their thing.....and talk! And I notice it is back in style to be asked and to tell what dates you have coming up. Again, in the last days of some of our veteran friends before social media became the rage, they stopped folks from telling where they were going to be appearing. Another Fisher thing as I recall. In fairness, maybe all those things came down from higher than Fisher.
I know, spilt milk, move on.
Jim
Nice surprise tonight. For those who missed it, Garth came out at the end tonight.
ReplyDeleteWell, they teased the audience a bit last night at the end of the show with a bit of dramatics from announcer Mike Terry, but the end result was Garth Brooks made a surprise appearance on the Opry last night. He did a couple of songs, brought out Trisha Yearwood for a duet, and she finished it up with her big one "She's In Love with The Boy." While it doesn't happen nearly as often as it did in the past, the Opry can still surprise us once in a while and last night was a nice one.
ReplyDeleteOne more note: I enjoyed the Irish singers this weekend, Clare Cunningham was outstanding last night, and the band JigJam certainly brought a lot of energy. It was a nice was to tie in with the Irish Fest that was taking place at the Opry Plaza this weekend.
Why wouldn't they list Garth on the schedule as the others? Certainly tickets were already purchased and if there were any seats left they would have been sold. We listened to the last segment on our way home from Rhonda Vincent concert (which was fantastic), just didn't care for the Opry show so we opted to switch to the Bluegrass channel and, oh darn, missed Garth (sarcasm implied).
ReplyDeleteOf course I wish Garth and Trisha would do this more often (and I can name about 20 other members of whom I could say the same). And of course they should be on the schedule and promoted.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm reminded of something, for what it's worth. I was a fan of "NYPD Blue." During the final season, they had Jimmy Smits, whose character had died, make a guest appearance as an apparition appearing to Dennis Franz's character. ABC, which aired the show, heavily promoted that show, and some of the show's fans made the point that they were the ones loyal to the show, and it should have been kept as a parting gift to them. I see both sides.
I couldn't help but think as I listened to Trisha.....repeating the same lines over and over......about Connie Smith and how well her voice and singing has held up over 50 years later. I was pleased that Mike recognized when mentioning that Trisha's song debuted at #1 that the last time a female did that was Connie in '64.
ReplyDeleteIt was also fantastic to hear Roy Acuff's voice in the house and over an Opry broadcast as well as they remembered the move to the new house. For once in a long time I think, the audience could put a face and a sound with his name. Whether you agreed with all of his views of what the Opry should be, has any member in Opry history had a larger and longer lasting impact than Roy Acuff?
Jim
No Opry member ever has or ever will have as much impact as Roy Acuff. I don’t think it’s any stretch to say the impact Roy Acuff had on the Opry and on the entire music industry in Nashville is the reason there IS a Grand Ole Opry, rather than it dying off like all the other radio barn dances.
DeleteRobert-I agree. I can't say I hear every time they do this week in history but I can't recall ever hearing them mention Roy Acuff. When he joined, when he went in the Hall of Fame, when he passed, recorded a certain song. Maybe I'm wrong. As I write this I do seem to recall maybe a mention of the first time he recoded the Cannonball in 1947. Regardless, his name does not come up often enough.
DeleteI wonder if they are still playing the history video before the Opry starts. I was the in July 2021 and I don't remember what happened then.
Jim
Jim, they played the video up until the new stage and barn backdrop was initiated in February. My understanding is that they now have a countdown clock on the screen. I will be at the Opry this weekend and I can confirm it. I also think that is one of the reasons why the Opry announcers at the start of the show have been mentioning George D. Hay and Uncle Jimmy Thompson in relation to when the Opry started.
DeleteAlso, the video did not play when the Opry was at the Ryman in January.
Delete