Grand Ole Opry 6/23 & 6/24

Looking at the Grand Ole Opry lineups for this weekend, there are a few familiar names listed, a couple of artists who will be making their Opry debuts, along with several who we have not seen on the Opry in a while. 

Vince Gill is back at the Opry for the 3rd weekend in a row, scheduled to close both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. Joining Vince both nights will be very popular Opry members, Riders In The Sky, who earlier this week celebrated their 41st year as Opry members. 

Joining those two on Friday night will be Jeannie Seely and Mike Snider, while a trio of Hall of Famer's are scheduled for Saturday night: Connie Smith, Bill Anderson and Charlie McCoy. 

After a very successful Opry debut several weeks ago, The French Family Band is back for a return performance. They are scheduled for Friday night along with bluegrass artist Dan Tyminski, Everette, Fancy Hagood, and making her Opry debut, MaRynn Taylor. And yes, Fancy Hagood is back for a return performance. 

Another veteran bluegrass artist who has not been on the Opry in a while, Tim O'Brien, is on the schedule for Saturday night, along with Alex Hall, Tyler Rich, and making her Opry debut this weekend, Brennen Leigh. 

Friday June 23
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Everette, Mike Snider. MaRynn Taylor, Dan Tyminski
Intermission
8:15: Fancy Hagood, The French Family Band, Riders In The Sky, Vince Gill

Saturday June 24
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Alex Hall, Connie Smith, Brennen Leigh, Tim O'Brien
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Tyler Rich, Charlie McCoy, Vince Gill

As mentioned, MaRynn Taylor, will be making her Opry debut on Friday night. She was named one of CMT's "Next Women of Country" for 2023 and Her debut single, "Make You Mine" was released last month. 

Meanwhile, Brennen Leigh, who is making her Opry debut on Saturday night, is a songwriter, guitar player, mandolin player and singer. From media reports, she has achieved cult icon status in Europe, Scandinavia, South America as well as in the United Kingdom. Her songs have been recorded by Lee Ann Womack, Rodney Crowell, Sunny Sweeney, Charley Crockett, and many others. 

For those interested, Opry Live on Circle TV Saturday night will feature Blake Shelton, among others in previously taped appearances. 

Now from 45 years ago, the running order from Saturday June 24, 1978: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): I Saw Your Face In The Moon
Willis Brothers: Anytime/Just A Little Lovin'
Billy Grammer: (?)

6:45: Rudy's
David Houston (host): Good Things
Lorrie Morgan: Blanket On The Ground
Del Wood: The Entertainer
David Houston: The Waltz of The Angels

7:00: Shoney's
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Skeeter Davis: Silver Threads & Golden Needles/I Can't Stop Loving You
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Stonewall Jackson: The Spirits of St. Louis

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball/Tennessee Central #9/Sunshine Special
Jan Howard: Better Off Alone/Six Weeks Every Summer/Christmas Every Other Year
Crook Brothers: Katy Hill
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Roy Acuff: Jesus Will Outshine Them All

8:00: Martha White
Grandpa Jones (host): (?)
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Bessyl Duhan: (?)
Melba Montgomery: Let's All Go Down To The River/Angel of The Morning
Ray Pillow: The Dreams of A Dreamer
Grandpa Jones and George McCormick: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): Down The Trail of Aching Hearts
Stu Phillips: Leaving & Saying Goodbye/Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Harold Morrison: Head Over Heels In Love with You/Eli Funkleby's Groceries, Gas & Used Cars
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Hank Snow: Waiting For A Train

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
David Houston (host): Waltz of The Angels
Billy Grammer: Family Man
Lorrie Morgan: Blanket On The Ground
Willis Brothers: Home On The Range
Del Wood: Beer Barrel Polka
David Houston: Jambalaya

10:00: Fender
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Skeeter Davis: The End of The World
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Stonewall Jackson: The Spirits of St. Louis

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Low & Lonely
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Roy Acuff: That's The Man I'm Looking For/Cabin In Gloryland

10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): Baptism of Jesse Taylor
Jan Howard: Better Off Alone/Six Weeks Every Summer; Christmas Every Other Year
Grandpa Jones: I'll Meet You In The Morning

10:45: Beechnut
Ray Pillow (host): She's Doing It To Me Again
Yvonne Jones: Rocky Top
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Ray Pillow: Gone At Last

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Tangled Mind
Jimmy C Newman: Thibodeaux & His Cajun Band
Bessyl Duhan: Bayou Pom Pom
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Hank Snow: Indian Love Call
Kirk McGee: This Is The End of Forever
Hank Snow: I've Done At Least One Thing That Was Good In My Life

11:30: Acme
Stu Phillips (host): Crystal Chandeliers
Melba Montgomery: One of These Days/Angel In The Morning
Harold Morrison: I Wish You Knew/Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Stu Phillips: Learning To Lean

(While no longer an Opry member, the Duke of Paducah made occasional Opry appearances through out the 70s)

Jim Nabors was never a member of the Grand Ole Opry, while Don Williams once was. Both made Opry appearances 23 years ago, on Saturday June 24, 2000: Here is the running order from that night: 

6:30: WSMonline.com/Tex-Mex
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Dale Watson: Run When You Want To Run/Small Town
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand/Old Camp Meeting

7:00: Shoney's
Johnny Russell (host): Act Naturally
Jim Nabors: What A Friend We Have In Jesus/Advertisement For His Love
Billy Gilman: 'Til I Can Make It On My Own/One Voice Was Heard

7:30: Standard Candy
Ricky Skaggs (host): Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Don Williams: I'll Be Faithful To You
Pam Tillis: Mi Vida Loca/All The Good Ones Are Gone

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): No Fair Falling In Love
Skeeter Davis: I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know
Mike Snider: Battle Cry of Freedom/Get You Hand Off My Knee
Rogers Legacy: Thank God For Roy & Dale
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Snowflake Reel
Bill Anderson: Still

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Holly Dunn: Devil Stand Back
Jim Ed Brown: Scarlet Ribbons
Joni Harms: Two Steppin' Texas Blues/Catalog Dreams
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

2nd show
9:30: WSMonline.com
Porter Wagoner (host): My Long Journey Home
Jim Nabors: What A Friend We Have In Jesus/Advertisement For His Love
Pam Tillis: How Strange/Heart Over Mind
Porter Wagoner: She Burned The Little Roadside Tavern Down

10:00: Lincoln Mercury/Opryland Hotel
Jimmy Dickens (host): Mountain Dew
Billy Walker: Come A Little Bit Closer
Ricky Skaggs: Little Maggie
Billy Gilman: 'Til I Can Make It On My Own/One Voice
Jimmy Dickens: We Could

10:30: Folex Spot Remover/Joggin' In A Jug
Bill Anderson (host): Get A Little Dirt On Your Hands
Holly Dunn: I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Matt King: A Women's Tears
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Bill Anderson: The Touch of The Master's Hand

11:00: Coca Cola
The Whites (host): Blue Letters
Rogers Legacy: My Horse Went That 'a Way/Thank God For Roy & Dale
Don Williams: Louisiana Saturday Night/One True Friend/It Must Be Love
The Whites: Keep On The Sunny Side

11:30: Grand Ole Opry Cruise
Charlie Walker: Indian Maiden
Joni Harms: Long Hard Ride
Mike Snider: (?)/(?)
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter/Pop A Top
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

Don Williams didn't come around often after he gave up his membership, but when he did it was always a treat. 

(Bill Carlisle was scheduled for the first show but cancelled. Johnny Russell, Del Reeves and Skeeter Davis only appeared on the first show, while Charlie Walker and Jimmy C Newman only did the late show). 

There you have it. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. Take care and be safe.