Grand Ole Opry 6/16 & 6/17

Starting out on a somber note this week, Joy McReynolds, the wife of Grand Ole Opry legend Jesse McReynolds has posted on Facebook that Jesse is not doing well. He has been recently hospitalized, then was in a nursing facility. The last post that I saw was that he is now resting at home and was doing a little bit better. Joy has asked that we pray for Jesse and keep him, and his family, in our thoughts and prayers. 

Now taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry lineups for this weekend, I am very happy to see that for the second weekend in a row, Vince Gill is on the schedule and will be closing out the show both nights. 

Joining Vince on the Friday Night Opry are members Jeannie Seely, Charlie McCoy, The Whites and Jamey Johnson. Singer/Songwriter, and Christian music star Anne Wilson will be one of the non-members appearing.

Also on the schedule for Friday night is Taylor Hicks, who will be making his Opry debut. Taylor was the Season Five winner of American Idol. After winning American Idol, he had a No. 1 Billboard single and an RIAA®-certified platinum debut. He was also a part of a Grammy winning record with Jimmy Fallon. Since then, he has done some acting, appearing in Serenbe Playhouse's 2019 production of "Shenandoah," touring as Teen Angel in the popular Broadway musical “Grease” and appearing on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting the INSP series “State Plate,” which won the Cynopsis TV Award for Best Reality Series (Travel).

As mentioned, Vince is also on the schedule for Saturday night, along with members Connie Smith, Don Schlitz and Bobby Osborne. Zach Top, Ray Fulcher and Rory Feek are among the guest artists on the schedule, along with another appearance by The Cleverlys. After seeing this group on one of my Opry visits, and hearing them on their recent Opry appearances, I can't tell you how much I really enjoy them. They are talented, funny, and play a unique blend of bluegrass music. I am happy that the Opry has invited them back for another appearance. 

Friday June 16
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Charlie McCoy, Anne Wilson
Intermission
8:15: The Whites, Taylor Hicks, Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill

Saturday June 17
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith, Zach Top, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press. Don Schlitz
Intermission
8:15: Rory Feek, Opry Square Dancers, Ray Fulcher, The Cleverlys, Vince Gill

I little bit interesting that there are only three acts listed for the opening segment on Friday night. As far as Opry Live on Circle TV this week, Chis Janson, Jelly Roll and Elle King are on the previously taped show. 

Now from 45 years ago, Saturday June 17, 1978:

1st show
6:30: Wilburn Brothers (host); Stonewall Jackson
6:45: Charlie Louvin (host); Bill Carlisle; Lorrie Morgan
7:00: Del Reeves (host); Justin Tubb; Eddie Low; Boys From Indiana
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Willis Brothers; Brother Oswald; Crook Brothers; Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Roy Drusky (host); Stu Phillips; Jim Stafford; Lulu Roman
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Billy Walker; Marion Worth; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Stonewall Jackson (host); Charlie Louvin; Bill Carlisle
10:00: Roy Drusky (host); Eddie Low
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Willis Brothers
10:30: Wilburn Brothers (host); Justin Tubb; Boys From Indiana
10:45: Billy Walker (host); Lorrie Morgan; Crook Brothers; Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jim Stafford; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Marion Worth; Stu Phillips

(Del Reeves only appeared on the first show, while Marty Robbins did his usual late show)

Some interesting names on the Opry that night as many of the Opry's members were out of town. 

Lulu Roman was probably most famous at the time for appearing on Hee Haw, but she was also a wonderful singer. She recorded some great ballad songs over the years. 

The Boys from Indiana are a well-known bluegrass group out of that state. The formed in 1973 and became well known for their original music. Over the years they have released a number of albums. 

Eddie Low is considered the greatest country music singer to ever come from New Zealand. He starred in the 1966 musical comedy film Don't Let It Get You. In 1970 he was signed to Joe Brown Records and released singles for the label, "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers" and "Help Me Make It Through the Night". Eddie was born blind and educated at the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind. Eddie’s career of almost 60 years has taken him around the world and onto stages with some of music’s greats including Johnny Cash, Charlie Pride, Buck Owens, Tom T Hall, Freddie Fender, Kenny Rogers and many more. He has toured as Roy Orbison and is likened to Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck. Eddie is one of the foremost imitators of Elvis Presley. While Eddie never gained any great fame in the United States, he has won numerous awards in his native New Zealand. 

Also appearing that night was Jim Stafford, who had a number of hits at the time, and a young Lorrie Morgan. 


Roger Miller never became a member of the Grand Ole Opry; however, he did appear on the Opry a number of times. One of those nights was on Saturday June 17, 1989. Here is the running order from that show 34 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
The 4 Guys (host): I'm All Tied Up
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
The 4 Guys: Look Out For Me, Oh, Muddy Water

6:45: Rudy's
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down The Country
Jan Howard: I Don't Know A Thing About Love
Grandpa Jones: T For Texas

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Colinda
Jean Sheppard: Slippin' Away
Ray Pillow: Congratulations
Charlie Louvin: You'll Forget/The Precious Jewel
Jimmy C Newman: Don't Say; Don't Say
Bessyl Duhon: Orange Blossom Special

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Clark (host): Alabama Jubilee
The Whites: It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know/Keep On The Sunny Side
Roger Miller: Half A Mind/You Don't Want My Love/Faded Love
Roy Clark: Sally Was A Good Old Girl/I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes/Wild Side of Life/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonky-Angels/Y'all Come

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets/Temporarily Yours
Roy Drusky: It's My Way of Loving You/One Day At A Time
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Patti On The Turnpike
Roy Acuff: That's The Man I'm Looking For

8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): Paper Roses
Charlie Walker: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Vic Willis Trio: Sioux City Sue
Hank Snow: Tammy

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Grandpa Jones (host): Banjo Sam
Wilma Lee Cooper: No One Now
Charlie Louvin: Buried Alive
Jan Howard: Gentle On My Mind
Roger Miller: Half A Mind/Invitation To The Blues
Grandpa Jones: I'll Meet You In The Morning

10:00: Little Debbie
The 4 Guys (host): Tennessee
Jeannie Seely: One Step Away
The 4 Guys: Baby, You Look Good To Me Tonight

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Roy Clark: Oh, Lonesome Me/Thank God & Greyhound You're Gone/(?)

10:30: Pet Milk
Jimmy C Newman (host): Hippie-Ti-Yo
Skeeter Davis: The End Of The World
Jimmy C Newman: Thibodeaux & His Cajun Band

10:45: B.C. Powder
Roy Drusky (host): Anymore
Jean Shepard: Washed My Face In The Morning Dew
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Lady of The Lake
Roy Drusky: Mansion Over The Hilltop

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Bummin' Around
Stonewall Jackson: 'Ol Chuck of Coal
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
The Whites: Makin' Believe/If It Ain't Love
Hank Snow: Once More, You're Mine Again/Wheels

11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Every Cross Your Mind
Vic Willis Trio: Be Glad/Dill Pickle Rag
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Marshall Barnes: Tender Years
Charlie Walker: That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine

(Ray Pillow appeared only on the early show, while Wilma Lee Cooper and Skeeter Davis only appeared on the late show). 

There you have it for another week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.