Grand Ole Opry 6/30 & 7/1

(From Music Row):
Robert K. Oermann

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member Bobby Osborne died today (June 27) at age 91.

The Opry confirmed his death. Opry VP/Executive Producer, Dan Rogers, shared, “Bobby Osborne was among the last of his generation of bluegrass pioneers. What a profound loss for the Opry family and bluegrass music fans around the world. Mr. Osborne’s legacy will live forever on this stage we love and wherever his style is emulated. Thank you to Bobby Osborne for more than 70 years of music and memories.”

Even into his 90s, the tenor singer and mandolin player performed regularly on the Grand Ole Opry with his band The Rocky Top X-Press.

Robert Van Osborne Jr. was born in Kentucky in 1931 and grew up in the Dayton, Ohio area. He was inspired to become a bluegrass singer after seeing a show by Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys in 1947. He began performing on WPFB in Middletown, Ohio two years later.

He spent several seasons with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, then graduated to Jimmy Martin’s band. Following a brief stint with The Stanley Brothers, Bobby Osborne joined the Marines for combat duty in Korea. He was wounded and was discharged in 1953. At this point, he joined forces with younger brother Sonny Osborne (1937-2021). They honed their skills working for Jimmy Martin, Charlie Bailey and Red Allen. The bluegrass classic “Once More” was recorded by Allen with the Osbornes in 1958.

The Osborne Brothers recorded on their own for RCA and MGM during this period. From the start, the act’s calling card was Bobby’s sky-high tenor lead singing. In fact, Monroe once said that there were only three great tenors in country music — himself, Ira Louvin and Bobby Osborne.

Brother Sonny soon garnered industry recognition for his cutting-edge approach to banjo playing and for arranging the group’s complex harmony vocals. Around 1963, Sonny made contact with Doyle Wilburn of Nashville’s hit-making Wilburn Brothers. Wilburn got the brothers a contract with Decca Records, arranged for them to join the Grand Ole Opry (1964) and signed them for publishing and booking.

This coincided with the modernization of the band. Sonny electrified his banjo, and the act added drums and electric bass to The Osborne Brothers sound. As a result, the group scored hits on the country hit parade and toured with mainstream pop and country acts.

Their charted favorites included “Roll Muddy River” (1967), “Rocky Top” (1968), “Tennessee Hound Dog” (1969), “Ruby Are You Mad” (1970), “Midnight Flyer” (1973), “Blue Heartache” (1973) and “I Can Hear Kentucky Calling Me” (1980).

“Rocky Top” was named one of the state songs of Tennessee in 1982. It is performed in Knoxville every time the University of Tennessee Vols score a football touchdown. In 1992, the Osbornes’ rendition of the Karl & Harty classic “Kentucky” led to a similar honor from the Blue Grass State.

By then, the Osbornes had ditched electrified instruments and reverted to acoustic bluegrass. They recorded for labels such as CMH, Sugar Hill and Pinecastle.

The Osbornes were also recruited to play on records by others. They have backed Conway Twitty, Carl Smith, Charley Pride, Wade Ray, Jethro Burns and Mac Wiseman. They also collaborated with jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton.

The brothers mentored such future stars as The Grascals and Dale Ann Bradley. They also performed with the 1997 bluegrass/hip-hop fusion act The GrooveGrass Boyz.

Bobby’s mandolin performance of “Ashokan Farewell” appeared on the all-star Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza album, which won the IBMA Instrumental Album and Recorded Event awards in 2000.

The Osborne Brothers are believed to be the first bluegrass act to play on a college campus (1960) and to be invited to perform at The White House (1973). They were elected to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and were presented with a National Heritage award by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1997.

Brother Sonny Osborne underwent rotator-cuff surgery, which caused him to quit playing and to retire from the road in 2004. This is when Bobby formed The Rocky Top X-Press and became a solo Opry star. He was joined in the new group by his guitarist son Bobby Osborne III.

The new band recorded for Rounder and Compass. In 2021, Osborne had a late-career bluegrass hit with a version of Merle Haggard’s “White Line Fever.”

Sonny Osborne passed away in October of 2021 at age 83.

It really hits home when two legendary Grand Ole Opry members pass away the same week. From a personal standpoint, I enjoyed them both, especially when Bobby Osborne ripped into "Rocky Top." The Opry audience loved it and often gave Bobby a standing ovation. Both will be missed and hopefully there will be others to come along and pick up where Jesse and Bobby have left off. 

Now, taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry shows for this weekend, highlighted once again by Opry member Vince Gill, who will be appearing both nights. For those keeping track at home, this will be the 4th weekend in a row that Vince has appeared on the Opry, closing out the show on each occasion. 

Joining Vince both nights will be Riders In The Sky, who have just released their 42nd album, Throw a Saddle on a Star, which contains 14 tracks including a bonus Roy Rogers track and new, original Western songs. As the Riders have said, "We love this album and we bet you will too." 

Besides Vince and The Riders, Opry members Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider and Crystal Gayle are on the schedule for Friday night, while a couple of Hall of Fame members: Connie Smith and Ricky Skaggs are listed for Saturday. 

Madeline Edwards, Kaitlin Butts and LOCASH will be guesting on Friday, while comedian Dusty Slay, frequent Opry guest Steven Curtis Chapman, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and making their Opry debut, The HillBenders, are set to appear on Saturday. 

Friday June 30
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Madeline Edwards, Riders In The Sky
Intermission
8:15: Kaitlin Butts, Crystal Gayle, LOCASH, Vince Gill

Saturday July 1
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, The HillBenders, Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Intermission
8:15: Steven Curtis Chapman, Opry Square Dancers, Dusty Slay, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill

No live Opry Live on Circle TV this week. This week's Opry Live will feature Tanya Tucker, Brett Young and Sam Hunt, which was recorded a few weeks ago. 

As mentioned, The Hillbenders will be making their Opry debut on Saturday night. Here is how they are described on the Opry's website: 

“Bluegrass meets Rock 'n' Roll” for this acoustic sextet shaped in Springfield, MO, the heart of The Ozarks. Much like your favorite t-shirt, The HillBenders just feel good. Romping through the musical thicket with over 15 years of touring underfoot, the original 5 members remain steadfast while recently adding revered drummer John Anderson to their live and studio efforts. With a feather filled cap of accolades The HillBenders continue to spread joy musically with their high-energy performances, diverse song catalog, and a slice of humor; making way for what appears to be more of a brotherhood than a business - and each audience they play for becomes a part of that family.

In addition to the Friday and Saturday night Opry shows, for the month of July there will also be a Sunday Night Opry. Here is the lineup for the show this week: 

Sunday July 2
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Ella Langley, Wendy Moten
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, RaeLynn, Eric Paslay, Rhonda Vincent

Now from 45 years ago, Saturday July 1, 1978:

1st show
6:30: George Hamilton IV (host), Billy Grammer
6:45: Stonewall Jackson (host), Wilma Lee Cooper, Jimmy Dickens
7:00: Bill Monroe (host), Jimmy C Newman, Skeeter Davis, Stu Phillips
7:30: Roy Acuff (host), Ray Pillow, Willis Brothers, Marion Worth, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host), Jack Greene, Jeannie Seely, Wilburn Brothers, Roy Drusky, Bill Carlisle
8:30: Hank Snow (host), The 4 Guys, Jeanne Pruett, Charlie Louvin, Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Roy Drusky (host), George Hamilton IV, Billy Grammer, Wilma Lee Cooper, Willis Brothers, Stu Phillips
10:00: Bill Monroe (host), James Monroe, Skeeter Davis, Jimmy Dickens
10:15: Roy Acuff (host), Marion Worth, Stonewall Jackson
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host), Jimmy C Newman, Ray Pillow
10:45: Jack Greene (host), Jeannie Seely, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Hank Snow (host), The 4 Guys, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Wilburn Brothers, Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host), Jeanne Pruett, Charlie Louvin, Bill Carlisle

It was always a special night when former Grand Ole Opry member, and country superstar, Johnny Cash made an appearance on the Opry. After he was fired from the Opry in the mid-60s, after smashing out the stage lights, he made amends and would make occasional appearances later in his career. 

On of those nights was on Friday July 1, 1988. Here is the line-up from that night: 

1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson, The 4 Guys, Jeannie Seely, Roy Drusky, Skeeter Davis
7:00: Porter Wagoner, Jeanne Pruett, Stonewall Jackson, Jimmy C Newman, Connie Smith, Del Reeves
7:30: Roy Acuff, Jean Shepard, Jim and Jesse, Randy Travis
8:00: Jimmy Dickens, Jack Greene, The Whites, Osborne Brothers
8:30: Hank Snow, Lorrie Morgan, Billy Walker, Hank Locklin, Bill Carlisle

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner, Jan Howard, Ray Pillow, Jimmy C Newman, Connie Smith
10:00: Bill Anderson, The 4 Guys, Charlie Walker, Wilma Lee Cooper, Justin Tubb
10:30: Roy Acuff, Jim and Jesse, Johnny Cash
11:00: Hank Snow, Jean Shepard, Jimmy Dickens, The Whites
11:30: Jack Greene, Hank Locklin, Osborne Brothers, Johnny Russell

Another former Grand Ole Opry member, Chet Atkins, appeared on the Opry seven years later, on Saturday July 1, 1995. Like Johnny, Chet would come back and make a few appearances on the show after he left. 

Here is the running order from that night 28 years ago, that also featured an appearance by Opry member George Jones. 

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Anderson (host): Family Reunion
Skeeter Davis: Lovesick Blues
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Cindy
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Grandpa Jones: (?)

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
George Hamilton IV: The Farmer's Song
Jean Shepard: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Brother Oswald: Remember Me
Jimmy C Newman: Dead Skunk In The Middle of The Road/Diggy Liggy Lo

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor, Howdy
Chet Atkins: Yakety Sax/There'll Be Some Changes Made
George Jones: A Picture of Me Without You/I Don't Need No Rocking Chair/Walk Thru This World with Me/He Stopped Loving Her Today/The Race Is On/The Window Up Above

8:00: Martha White
The Whites (host): Pins & Needles
Jan Howard: Lonely Street
Stu Phillips: Blue Canadian Rockies
Lonesome River Band: I'm Sitting On Top of The World
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
The Whites: Alabama Jubilee/Keep On The Sunny Side

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
The 4 Guys: River of Dreams
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
Mike Snider: Soldier's Joy/Angeline The Baker/Old Molly Hare
Hank Snow: I Keep Dreaming of You All The Time

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): 'Ol Slewfoot
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Unclouded Day
George Hamilton IV & V: Abilene
Charlie Louvin: Mama's Angels
Ray Pillow: Too Many Memories
Porter Wagoner and Collen Walters: The Last Thing On My Mind

10:00: Goody's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Big Mamou
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun Honey/Cajun Fiddle

10:15: Tennessee Pride
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down The Country
Jean Shepard: Jealous Heart
Grandpa Jones: Little Old Log Cabin By The Stream

10:30: Gruhn Guitars
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Hank Locklin: Send Me The Pillow You Dream On/Danny Boy
Charlie Walker: There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere

10:45: Fairfield
Mike Snider (host): Black Jack
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel
Mike Snider and Randy Howard: El Comanchero

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Jack To A King
Connie Smith: The Key's In The Mailbox/Satisfied
Stu Phillips: Let Me Love You All Over Again
Charles Whitstein: Cash On The Barrel Head
Hank Snow: It's Over Over Nothing at All

11:30: Loreal Hair Care
The 4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Mariah
Jeannie Seely: Bubbles In My Beer
Lonesome River Band: A Cold Virginia Night When Johnny Left Me
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
The 4 Guys: Way Down Deep/ This Is My Country/The Army Goes Rolling Along/The United States Marines/Anchors Away/Off To The Wild Blue Yonder/America The Beautiful

With July 4th upcoming, The 4 Guys to finished out the show that night with a salute to the American Armed Forces

Bill Anderson was scheduled to appear on both shows that night, but only appeared during the early show. He was scheduled to host the 10:30 segment, however Charlie Walker hosted. Charlie was scheduled to appear during the 10:45 segment and was not replaced. 

Chet Atkins and George Jones only appeared during the 7:30 segment on the early show, which was the segment televised by TNN. Sadly, that was often the case when a non-member appeared, or one of the Opry's bigger names who seldom appeared. 

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.