It is going to be a big weekend at the Grand Ole Opry House. During the Friday Night Opry, Jeanne Pruett will be recognized upon her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, while on Saturday night, Bill Anderson will be honored upon his 62nd anniversary as an Opry member, along with being the longest tenured member in the history of the Grand Ole Opry.
Jeanne Pruett joined the Opry's cast on July 21, 1973. She was the last singing member to join the Opry prior to the Opry's move to the new Grand Ole Opry House in March 1974 (noting that Jerry Clower joined in October 1973). Once Jeanne joined the Opry, she was a very loyal and popular member of the cast, before retiring from performing. In addition to being an Opry member, Jeanne also had her own restaurant in Opryland, where she both cooked and performed. Her cooking was so good that she wrote several cookbooks of her homemade recipes.
Her last scheduled Opry appearance was Saturday June 9, 2001. While she is retired, she has been known to make a few backstage visits, and even come out to be introduced to the audience.
While Jeanne will be recognized on Friday night, Saturday night will belong to Bill Anderson. Bill joined the Opry's cast on July 15, 1961. While others came and went, with some coming back, once Bill joined the Opry, he never left. I think it is safe to say that he has been one of the most important and distinguished members in the history of the Opry.
Taking nothing away from Jeanne and her accomplishment, I do want to mention that Bill is still very much an active member of the Opry.
Saturday night, Bill will be joined by Opry members Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Ricky Skaggs and, someone who has been at the Opry almost as long as Bill, Jeannie Seely. It promises to be a wonderful night, and for those who might be wondering, yes, I will be at the Opry this weekend.
Jeannie Seely and Vince Gill are also on the schedule for the Friday Night Opry, along with members The Whites, Mike Snider and Gene Watson. I think we were all a little spoil at having Vince at the Opry for five weeks in a row, and then missing last weekend.
Comedian Killer Beaz, Keb' Mo' will fill out the lineup on Friday night, along with Jake Worthington, who will be making his Opry debut. Callista Clark and Sam Grow fill out the schedule for Saturday.
Friday July 21
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Jake Worthington, Gene Watson
Intermission
8:15: The Whites, Killer Beaz, Keb' Mo', Vince Gill
Not sure at what point during the show on Friday will Jeanne Pruett be recognized.
Saturday July 22
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Ricky Skaggs, Callista Clark, Sam Grow, Bill Anderson
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely, Opry Square Dancers, Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill
It is really nice to see Jeannie Seely on both shows this weekend, especially Saturday night will Bill. Several days ago, she posted the following on her Facebook page, and I hope she does not mind that I share it:
So, looking forward to celebrating with you Bill…. Happy anniversary and thank you for representing the Grand Ole Opry with such class and respect. You set the bar a little higher when you came, and your loyalty has helped to keep the Opry alive and well 🎶👏👏👏🥰
I thought Jeannie said it very well.
Let's not forget that there is a Sunday Night Opry again this week and here is the lineup for that show:
Sunday July 23
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Tenille Arts, Neon Union, Mandy Barnett
Intermission
8:15: Steven Lee Olson, John Crist, The Shootouts, Ricky Skaggs
By the way, Opry Live on Circle TV Saturday night will be replaying the John Anderson tribute show.
Now from 45 years ago, Saturday July 22, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Justin Tubb (host); Willis Brothers
6:45: Charlie Walker (host); Hank Locklin, Billy Grammer
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Skeeter Davis, Charlie Louvin, Del Wood
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Jeanne Pruett, Stu Phillips, Crook Brothers
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jerry Clower, Bill Carlisle, Mary Lou Turner
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys, Roy Drusky, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Charlie Walker (host); Hank Locklin, Willis Brothers, Billy Grammer, Del Wood, Sheb Wooley
10:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Skeeter Davis, Charlie Louvin
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Jeanne Pruett, Brother Oswald
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Mary Lou Turner, Roy Acuff
10:45: Jerry Clower (host); Stu Phillips, Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Justin Tubb, Fruit Jar Drinkers, The 4 Guys, Kirk McGee
11:30: Roy Drusky (host); Lorrie Morgan, Bill Carlisle
(Porter Wagoner was scheduled to host the 7:00 and 9:30 segments but cancelled. Marion Worth was scheduled during the 8:30 and 11:30 segments but also cancelled.
As mentioned, Jeanne Pruett joined the Grand Ole Opry on July 21, 1973. Here is the running order from that night, 50 years ago:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Tex Ritter (host): Boll Weevil
The 4 Guys: Turn Around, Look At Me
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
6:45: Rudy's
Tex Ritter (host); There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder
Ernie Ashworth: My Love For You
Tex Ritter: High Noon
7:00: Rudy's
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Hank Williams, Jr: Hank/You're Cheating Heart
Sandi Burnette: Stand By Your Man
Hank Williams, Jr: Cajun Baby
Sandi Burnette: Delta Dawn
7:30: Standard Candy
Osborne Brothers (host): Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: Virginia
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
Osborne Brothers: You Win Again/Today I Started Loving You Again
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up, Jacob
Dolly Parton: Traveling Man
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: If Teardrops Were Pennies
Porter Wagoner: Katy Did
Jeanne Pruett: Love Me
Dolly Parton: Joshua
8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Arlene Harden: Special Day
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sally Goodin
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
Arlene Harden: Walk with Me, Jimmy
Billy Grammer: Peace In The Valley
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Sandi Burnette: Stand By Your Man
Bob Luman: Honky Tonk Man
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed of A Hillbilly Heaven
10:00: Fender
Osborne Brothers (host): Midnight Flyer
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Osborne Brothers: Nine Pound Hammer
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Stringbean: Hillbilly Fever
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Trailblazer
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up Jacob
Dolly Parton: Traveling Man
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: If Teardrops Were Pennies/Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man
10:45: Beechnut
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
11:00: Coca Cola
The 4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Maria
Arlene Harden: Special Day
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Arlene Harden: Will You Walk with Me Jimmy
Sam McGee: When The Wagon Was New
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Singing The Blues
Louie Roberts: How Great Thou Art/Just A Little Lovin'/Anytime/Bouquet of Roses/Cattle Call
Don Winters: Jambalaya
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/They'll Never Take Her Love From Me/Big Boss Man/Love Me/Don't Worry/I'll Step Aside/Letters Have No Arms/Long Gone Lonesome Road
(Skeeter Davis was scheduled for both shows but cancelled)
Jeanne had some recollections on becoming an Opry member:
"I can remember the first time that Ott Devine called me and invited me to come on the Opry. I think probably Chet Atkins twisted his arm. Anyway, Ott called me, and it just surprised me so much. I knew that if I didn't say yes that first time there might not be a second time. So immediately I said yes and then started scurrying around looking for a suitable attire. That goes back to '64 or '65, around in there."
After that initial appearance on the Opry, Jeanne made many more appearances and become, in her words, "the only semiregular who was not a cast member."
Jeanne continued: "Actually, as it turned out I had been a member of the Opry for almost a year before I could get inducted. Dolly Parton wanted so badly to introduce me as the new member of the Opry, but her schedule and mine conflicted, and we just couldn't seem to find a time to arrange the introduction. Anyway, I finally 'joined' on July 21, 1973. And Dolly did introduce me."
Just out of curiosity, here is the lineup from Jeanne's final night as an active performer on the Opry, Saturday June 9, 2001:
1st show
6:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); The Whites, Bill Carlisle, Gail Davies
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeanne Pruett, Osborne Brothers, David Ball
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Joni Harms, Connie Smith, Dan Seals
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Del Reeves, TG Sheppard, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jack Greene, Mandy Barnett
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith, Osborne Brothers, TG Sheppard
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeanne Pruett, The Whites, David Ball
10:30: Rides In The Sky (host); Gail Davies, Joni Harms, Hank Locklin, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Del Reeves, Matt King, Dan Seals
11:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Ray Pillow, Jack Greene, Mandy Barnett
Even from just 20 years ago, so many that are now gone.
There you have it for this week. Congratulations to both Jeanne Pruett and Bill Anderson upon their Opry anniversaries.
As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. And as a reminder, I will be at the Opry on Saturday night.
Happy anniversaries, and I'm glad you get to be there.
ReplyDeleteI notice on the night of Jeanne's last appearance, several senior members limited to one show and a lot of guests. The Fisher disaster had begun.
Would be great if Rhonda Vincent could be there for Jeanne Pruett’s anniversary, but she will be in Arkansas.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME STUFF!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad, an actual shame that Circle doesn't realize that the significance of Saturday's tribute to Bill Anderson. It should be worthy of an hour on Circle. I don't know what they think.
ReplyDeleteWhen Circle started, it looked to me like they were going to have great country music programming. They quickly disabused me of that notion. They did the service of streaming the Opry during COVID, which I appreciated and I know others did.
ReplyDeleteMichael has it right.
ReplyDeleteCircle Network was a God-send during Covid. I commend them for that.
Not real excited about their abundance of non-country music programs and the 'Opry shows they have chosen to broadcast.
Hi Nat,
DeleteI read in the last week or so that the Dailey and Vincent show is returning to RFD-TV in September. This was on their Facebook page, they were inviting people to be in their audience.
Something happened ...
(Jeanene)
They mostly ruined it for RFD. If I am thinking right, RFD lost the rights to Hee Haw an some other shows because of Circle and all they did was put them back in the vaults.
ReplyDeleteJim
I was told by an RFD producer when I was doing some taping there about five years ago that “Hee Haw”was the highest rated program on the channel, so yes, losing the shows had to have done massive damage to RFD’s viewership. “That Nashville Music” and “Opry Encores” (a repackaging of the TNN “Opry Live” shows from the 80s and 90s) were two other shows pulled from RFD when Circle came into existence. In the case of “Opry Encores” at least, I’m pretty sure it has NEVER been shown on Circle, and just sits in the vault. RFD was paying for the rights to air these shows, so it makes one wonder why it is better to hide something in the vault for free than it is to lease the rights for revenue. Judging from the Opry that IS presented on Circle, and the type of “country music” it generally promotes, maybe it’s as simple as two versions of the Opry, and two versions of country music, are unable to coexist on the same airwaves when such a large portion of the viewership regards one type as much superior to the other.
DeleteAs I sit here listening to Whispering Bill being honored, I am VERY sad it is not being broadcast on the Circle Network. Hopefully, they will come to their senses and run it later.
ReplyDeleteVince Gill doing his thing with Bill. This is SPECIAL stuff ladies and gentlemen. "Too Country" knocked 'em out, and they can't stop hootin' and hollerin' as Vince honors him.
Why are my 75 year old eyes running so much all of a sudden.
'Opy Dan Rogers "gets it." Why doesn't Circle TV???
I’m thankful for Dan Rogers. I just wish he was in this position 25 years ago. I don’t believe the disrespect ,some of the legends received ,wouldn’t have happened under him.
DeleteThe tribute was wonderful to Bill. Very emotional and somewhat sentimental but quite appropriate. I enjoyed the interaction between him and Jamey. Bill nailed it when he said the Opry was a family. It has been for him unfortunately nit so much for others.
ReplyDeleteLast night was a feel good night at the Opry. We haven’t had many of those for quite some time.
Anxious to hear your comments, Byron.
It was a great tribute, though I wish there had been more of a tribute across the entire night. I'm glad for Ol' Whisper, and of course he got emotional--it's incredible, for him and for us, to think about who was there when he started, and now he's the grand old man of the Grand Ole Opry.
DeleteThis past weekend, I was at the Grand Ole Opry and wanted to share my observations, specifically regarding Saturday night. I thought the show was wonderful and the tribute and recognition given to Bill Anderson was outstanding.
ReplyDeleteRicky Skaggs opened and performed strictly high-powered bluegrass. He did one Stanley Brothers song and two Bill Monroe numbers, including "Uncle Pen" and "Rawhide." Just outstanding. After Ricky came Callista Clark and Sam Grow. I was able to meet Callista backstage later in the evening and she is a very nice and talented young lady who I think will do well.
Now to Bill Anderson: He closed out the first half and was on for about 20 minutes. He opened with "Po' Folks", the song he did the first night he performed on the Opry 62 years ago. Jeannie Seely and Bill did their wonderful duet, and then came the presentations. Dan Rogers made some nice comments, and then introduced Vince Gill, who along with Jeannie, presented Bill with a framed poster. Bill became very emotional, when talking briefly about his mom and dad bringing him to the Opry as a 15-year-old, and then getting to be an Opry member less than 10 years later. He finished with "Thanks." I believe he received three standing ovations, one of which lasted almost a minute. The crowd, which was pretty close to a sell-out, was very appreciative. Speaking of Vince, those who listened would agree that he was the perfect one for the presentation. And of course, Vince added his own sense of humor to his remarks. (Oh, and he wore a "Bill" tee-shirt under his jacket).
Thanks to Dan Rogers, I was invited backstage to the reception, which took place at intermission. Bill was there, along with Jamey Johnson, Buddy Cannon, and a number of other guests, where he cut the cake and mingled with those of us there. Obviously, I took a number of pictures, some of which I have shared on my Facebook page. I stayed backstage for the remainder of the show, taking time to visit with Jeannie Seely after her segment, and then getting to meet both Jamey and Vince. Everyone at the Opry that I interacted with, were wonderful and made sure Bill was being treated the way you would expect.
I was thinking if we will see anyone pass the milestone that Bill is setting. Much like Jeannie Seely with her 5,000+ Opry appearances, I wonder if there will be anyone to come along that will pass whatever the final number of years that Bill will reach? I suppose it is possible, but I do wonder. I know there were many of us who wondered if Herman Crook would ever be passed.
Overall, it was a very short, but great weekend in Nashville. And to all of those who I met at the Opry on Saturday night, my thanks for all of the kind words. I do appreciate it.
I think this may come up as anonymous, but this is Mike. Thanks for another great report. I was thinking about it--I grew up a Dodger fan, and Bill is still five years from what Vin Scully did, spending 67 years with the team! And I realized that what Bill did is possible if the member joined at an early enough age and keeps their health. Connie Smith was his age, around 24, when she became a member, but did leave for about 18 months. Jeannie Seely was 27. If Alison Krauss considered herself a member, she would be a logical possibility, since she was inducted at age 22. Lorrie Morgan has a chance--she joined at age 25.
DeleteByron, thanks for the report. Content wise it was one of the better shows in a while and I'll credit that to the songs of which a majority Bill wrote or had a hand in writing. Bill did great and so did everyone who honored him.
ReplyDeleteWe probably think first and foremost about Mr. Acuff as being Mr. Grand Ole Opry and being its biggest promoter in its history. He deserves that. Then we think of Jimmy Dickens, Porter Wagoner and maybe some others as supporting and promoting the show and carrying the torch. Very seldom do I here Bill mentioned. However, he is probably the best artist/member that is also an accurate historian and sophisticated and educated enough to explain and relate the history. I don't think that ability can be overlooked. I just wonder how many interviews he has done through the years where he has eloquently explained details of the Opry and Opry members to the public that only he could have done. Let's not overlook the number of years he traveled up until COVID spreading the Opry word, music and heritage. Not as well know as some who have appeared on the Opry but a very very important and stabilizing member.
And I still can't believe he is the age he is!
Jim
Well said, completely agree. (from Anonymous in PA)
DeleteI just put in ''Bill Anderson'' into YouTube and saw he is to be on Larry's Country Diner on Aug 11th. In addition to songs, he is to talk about Country's Family Reunion and also his exhibit at the C.M. Hall of Fame & Museum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuekzMI51ek
ReplyDelete