Grand Ole Opry 5/26 & 5/27

Recently, there have been some comments and remarks regarding the health of Connie Smith. This was recently posted on her fan page and thought I would share this, from a recent interview that was given by her husband, Marty Stuart: 

Question: How is she feeling now: 

Answer: She's Ok. Her singing is fine, but I still see a part of that energy that she's waiting on to come back. I mean, she goes to the gym three times a week, she eats right, takes the right supplements. She works really hard at being healthy. But it hit her for a lick. Now we have a record for her almost ready to go. Connie's not afraid to wait 20 years between records. I found that out when I first met her. But when she's in the mood.... one day she said, "I'd like to sing some songs that some friends of mine sang that I've always just wanted to sing. We're almost done with it. She started singing all those old country classics, and a lot of people have never heard those songs before. 

As I wrote, many of us have been concerned about Connie over the past couple of years. Based on what Marty said, she seems to be still recovering and working on her health and is continuing to improve. 

Speaking of Connie Smith, she is back on the schedule for the Friday Night Opry, which will make it three weeks in a row for her. Joining Connie will be Opry members Riders In The Sky, Mike Snider, The Isaacs and Lauren Alaina. I can't say enough good things about Lauren. As one of the Opry's newest members, she has kept up her commitment to the Opry and remains a popular attraction on the show. 

Maggie Rose, who seems to be on the Opry more often than most of the members, and Darryl Worley head up the list of non-members on the schedule, joined by Matthew West. 

Riders In The Sky are back on Saturday night, joined by members Bill Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Don Schlitz, The Whites and Ricky Skaggs. 

Steve Earle is back on Saturday for another Opry appearance, along with Coffey Anderson. 

Friday May 26
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Maggie Rose, Mike Snider, Matthew West
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Darryl Worley, The Isaacs, Lauren Alaina

Saturday May 27
TBA

While the Saturday night lineup is not finalized (as I post this), both nights look very good. Certainly, looking forward to seeing a solid group of Opry members both nights. 

No live Circle TV on Saturday night. Circle will be showing the last hour from the past Tuesday Night Opry, as a special Memorial Day program featuring the Oak Ridge Boys, The War and Treaty and LOCASH. The program was hosted by Bobby Bones. 



Now from 45 years ago, Saturday May 27, 1978:

1st show
6:30: Stu Phillips (host); Willis Brothers
6:45: Justin Tubb (host); Harold Morrison; David Wills
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Ray Pillow; Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Minnie Pearl; Oswald; Crook Brothers; The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:00: Wilburn Brothers (host); The 4 Guys; Stonewall Jackson; Ronnie Robbins
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Roy Drusky; Del Wood; Janie Fricke; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle; Willis Brothers
10:00: Ray Pillow (host); Stu Phillips: David Wills
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Minnie Pearl
10:30: Wilburn Brothers (host); Stonewall Jackson; Harold Morrison
10:45: The 4 Guys (host); Justin Tubb; Crook Brothers; The Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Janie Fricke; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Roy Drusky (host); Del Wood; Ronnie Robbins

Finally, going back 63 years to Saturday May 27, 1950: 

7:30: American Ace Coffee
Roy Acuff: Blue Eyes Cryin In The Rain
Benny Martin: Eighth of January
Hank Williams: Honky Tonkin
Jimmy Riddle: Bill Bailey
Roy and Pete: Just Inside The Pearly Gates
Uncle Dave Macon: 11 Cent Cotton-40 Cent Meat
Jug Band: Old McDonald Had A Farm
Roy Acuff: Were You There
Joe Zinkan: Lime House Blues
Rachel and Oswald: Foggy Mountain Top
Benny Martin: Chaser

8:00: Purina
Cowboy Copas: Open Door Open Arms
Bill Monroe: New Mule Skinner Blues
Lew Childre: Horsie Keep Your Tail Up
Dixie Liners: Walking In My Sleep
Carl Smith: Guilty Conscience
Possum Hunters: Katy Hill
Blue Grass: I'll Meet You In Church Next Sunday
Cowboy Copas: Blues In My Moon Light
Chaser: __-Throw Me The-__

8:30: Prince Albert
Red Foley: Birmingham Bounce
Rod Brasfield: Jokes
Jimmy Dickens: Hill Billy Fever
Square Dance: Bill Cheatham
Jordanaires: Old Jobe-Spiritual
Red Foley: When God Dips Love In My Heart
Old Hickory: Waitin For The Robert E Lee
Minnie Pearl: Jokes
Jimmy Dickens: To Be Announced
String Beans: Pretty Polly
Red Foley: Forgive Me
Square Dance: Stoney Point

9:00: Royal Crown
Jimmy Riddle: Wabash Blues
Roy Acuff: Low and Lonely
Helen (?): To Be Announced
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Big Joe
Hank Williams: You're Gonna Change
Jug Band: (?)
Roy Acuff: Precious Memories
Bob Eaton: Why Should I Cry
Rachel and Oswald: Weary Lonesome Blues
Benny: Katy Hill

9:30: Martha White Flour
Ernest Tubb: Mississippi Gal
Jimmy Dickens: Walk Chicken Walk
Dal Potter: Bonaparte's Retreat
Jordanaires: __On A ____
Lonzo and Oscar: (?)
Ernest Tubb: My Filipino Rose
Crook Brothers: Alabama Gal
Jimmy Dickens: Loving Lies
Ernest Tubb: This Troubled Mind of Mine
Chaser: Sally Goodin

10:00: Wallrite
Bill Monroe: The Old Fiddler
Carl Smith: My Lonely Heart's Running Wild
Uncle Dave Macon: You Can't Do Wrong and Get By
Bill Monroe: Get Down On Your Knees And Pray
Bill Monroe: Blue Grass Ramble

10:15: Warren Paint & Color Co.
Hank Williams: Honky Tonkin
Lew Childre: Everybody's Fishing
Hank Williams: I Just Don't Like This Kind of Living
String Beans: Going Down The Road
Hank Williams: The House Without Love

10:30: Darimix
Roy Acuff: You Are My Love
Helen (?): To Be Announced
Roy Acuff: Poem
Gang: I's Alright Now
Benny Martin: Two O'clock

10:45: Dr. Le Gear
Cowboy Copas: The Gypsy Told Me
Dixie Liners: Don't Want Nobody but Jesus
Cowboy Copas: Heart Broken
Lazy Jim Day: Singing The News
Chaser: Leather Britches

11:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb: Biting My Finger Nails
Jordanaires: Good News
Jimmy Dickens: If It Ain't One Thing It's Another
Gully Jumpers: Going Back To Dixie
Ernest Tubb: Letters Have No Arms
Jordanaires: Joshua Fit The Battle
Jimmy Dickens: Lonesome Wind Blues
Bill Byrd: Guitar Rog
Ernest Tubb: Tomorrow Never Comes
Chaser: Arkansas Traveler

11:30
Carl Smith: Washing My Dreams____
Lonzo and Oscar: Girls Don't Nag Your Husband
Crook Brothers: Old Hen Cackled
Carl Smith: To Be Announced
Crook Brothers: Girl I Left Behind Me

11:45
Bill Monroe: My Little Georgia Rose
Bob Eaton: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Free A Little Bird
Bill Monroe: Alabama Waltz
Bill Monroe: Blue Grass Special

I think we can all agree that we would pay any price to have seen that show!!

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.