Looking at the Grand Ole Opry schedule for this weekend, there is a lot to cover and review as both nights offer outstanding Opry shows.
This weekend, there will be two shows each night as Grand Ole Opry member Carrie Underwood returns to the Opry. We can't say it enough how fortunate we are to have Carrie as not only an Opry member, but a member who supports the show. She continues to set the example for her contemporaries, some of whom have forgotten where the Grand Ole Opry House is (600 Opry Mills Drive in case anyone asks). Carrie, as is her custom, will close out the first show, and then close out the first half of the second show.
In addition to Carrie both nights, Riders In The Sky are also scheduled. Joining those two acts on the Friday Night Opry will be members Connie Smith, comedian Henry Cho, and Dustin Lynch. Five solid Opry members.
Saturday night will see Jeannie Seely and Charlie McCoy joining Carrie and the Riders.
In looking at the non-members scheduled, there are two names that should spark a lot of interest as neither is really associated with country music, but I can actually see them fitting in at the Opry. Herb Alpert will be guesting on Friday night, while Barry Williams will be appearing on Saturday.
Herb has done it all. He is known as a creator and innovator, musician and producer, artist, and philanthropist. During his career, which is still going strong at the age of 88 (yes, 88!!), he has recorded 28 albums that have reached the Billboard charts, five of which hit #1, along with 14 platinum and 15 gold albums. He is the only musician to have hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 as both a vocalist ("This Guy's in Love with You", 1968) and an instrumentalist ("Rise", 1979). And he was also the co-founder of A&M Records. In total, he has sold 72 million records. His new album, Wish Upon A Star, will be released on September 15 and will feature the great Jerry Reed song, "East Bound And Down."
We all know Barry Williams as Greg Brady on The Brady Bunch, in addition to appearing on dozens of other television shows. But he also has a musical background as he hosted a successful 6 year run of the 70s MUSIC CELEBRATION! in Branson, Mo. He has recorded several albums along with writing and co-producing several USO Christmas shows. I do wonder if he will also appear as Johnny Bravo!!
There will be a third artist making her Opry debut this weekend as Jenna Paulette is scheduled for Friday night. Jenna was a member of CMT's Next Women of Country Class in 2022. Jenna arrived in Nashville in 2015 and has written or co-written a number of songs. Her most recent single is "Anywhere the Wind Blows."
Herb Alpert and Jenna Paulette are on the Friday schedule, while Barry Williams, joined by Chrissy Metz, Jamie O'Neal and Sister Sadie are scheduled for Saturday night.
Friday August 18
1st show
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Jenna Paulette, Connie Smith, Herb Alpert
8:00: Henry Cho, Dustin Lynch, Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, Carrie Underwood
10:30: Herb Alpert, Henry Cho, Jenna Paulette, Dustin Lynch
Saturday August 19
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Sister Sadie, Jamie O'Neal, Charlie McCoy
8:00: Chrissy Metz, Barry Williams, Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Sister Sadie, Carrie Underwood
10:30: Charlie McCoy, Barry Williams, Chrissy Metz, Opry Square Dancers, Jamie O'Neal, Riders In The Sky
(Sorry to say that there is no Vince this weekend)
Once again, Opry Live on Circle TV will not be live this week, showing a pre-recorded show featuring future Opry member Jon Pardi (induction date October 24), The War and Treaty, and "more."
From 45 years ago, Saturday August 19, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Billy Grammer (host); Del Wood
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper, Willis Brothers
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); George Hamilton IV, George Jones, Lonzo and Oscar
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Stonewall Jackson, Stu Phillips, Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host) w/Marty Stuart; Roy Drusky, Marion Worth, Don King, Bill Carlisle, Pete Corum
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys, Janie Fricke, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Bill Monroe (host); George Jones, Wilma Lee Cooper, Lonzo and Oscar, Del Wood
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host), Billy Grammer, Willis Brothers
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); George Hamilton IV, Stu Phillips, Brother Oswald
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Stonewall Jackson, Bill Carlisle, Blake Williams
10:45: Roy Drusky (host); Janie Fricke, Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Don King, Fruit Jar Drinkers, The 4 Guys, Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Marion Worth, Ronnie Robbins
As you will notice, George Jones was on the Opry that night. For George, that was his first Saturday night Opry appearance since December 7, 1974.
In honor of George taking the time out of his busy schedule to be at the Opry, here is the running order from that night:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): Lonesome Road Blues
Del Wood: Down at Papa Joe's
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
6:45: Rudy's
Bill Monroe (host): My Florida Sunshine
Wilma Lee Cooper: He Will Set Your Fields on Fire
Willis Brothers: Boots & Saddle
Bill Monroe: Careless Love
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole Slewfoot
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
George Jones: Bartender's Blues/The Race is On
Lonzo and Oscar: Fox on the Run
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Life/Carroll County Accident/Green Green Grass of Home/On A Highway Headed South
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball/Tennessee Central No 9/Sunshine Special
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry/Muddy Water
Stu Phillips: Thank God She's Mine
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
Roy Acuff: End of Memory Lane/Gone Away
8:00: Martha White
Lester Flaa (host) w/Marty Stuart: Great Big Woman & A Little Bitty Bottle of Wind
Roy Drusky: Hang Your Head in Shame/Second Hand Rose
Marion Worth: For The Good Times
Don King: Don't Make No Promises You Can't Keep
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Pete Corum: My Little Georgia Rose
8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
The 4 Guys: When Will I Be Loved/You Made it Right.
Janie Fricke: Please Help Me, I'm Falling/Baby, It's You
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Hank Snow: Ramblin' Rose
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Monroe (host): White House Blues
George Jones: I'll Just Take It Out In Love/White Lightening
Wilma Lee Cooper: He Will Set Your Fields on Fire
Lonzo and Oscar: I'm My Own Grandpa
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Bill Monroe: My Louisiana Love
10:00: Fender
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole Slewfoot
Billy Grammer: Rose of Old Pawnee
Willis Brothers: Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy
Porter Wagoner: Big Winds 'A Comin'
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting In The Air
George Hamilton IV: Feel Like A Million
Stu Phillips: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Salty Dog Blues
Stonewall Jackson: A Wound Time Can't Erase
Bill Carlisle: Same Ol' Tale That The Crow Told Me
Blake Williams: Shuckin' The Corn
10:45: Beechnut
Roy Drusky (host): Peel Me A Nanner
Janie Fricke: Please Help Me, I'm Falling
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Roy Drusky: Just A Closer Walk with Thee
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Hello, Love
Don King: Don't Make No Promises You Can't Keep
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
The 4 Guys: Love, Love, Love/Turn Around Look At Me
Kirk McGee: While I'm Away
Hank Snow: Nevertheless, I'm In Love with You
11:30: Acme
Marty Robbins (host): Singing The Blues
Marion Worth: Just A Little Lovin'/For The Good Times
Ronnie Robbins: Good Hearted Woman/The 1st Lie I Told Her
Marty Robbins: A White Sport Coat/Love Me/Don't Worry/My Woman; My Woman; My Wife/El Paso
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry, and Carrie Underwood, this weekend. Both nights promise to be outstanding.
On that '78 show I see Roy Acuff doing Gone Away. That was one of those songs the whole band and the Carol Lee Singers all helped on. Fond memories because I was just starting to tune in nearly every weekend. He was still doing that a lot up into the early 80's.
ReplyDeleteAlso see Kirk McGee doing while I'm away which was one of maybe three or four tunes he was doing shortly before he passed. While I'm away was my favorite. It is the only song I have a recording of him doing and I missed the very beginning but it is still great to listen to.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
For those who missed the news, last night during a show at the Ryman Auditorium, Bill Anderson invited Sara Evans to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
ReplyDeleteI like it, and I hope another bluegrass act (having lost Jesse and Bobby this summer) and a Cajun act (NINE years since we lost Jimmy C.) will follow.
DeleteIt's been a while since Opryland closed and most of us mourned the loss. The saddest part for me was that those Opry members of the 50-70's thought, were even given the impression I believe, that they would have a place to retire to. Then when they really need it, it was gone.
ReplyDeleteBut Opryland didn't really go away or die. It has been reincarnated within the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry has become the home of America's' music just like Opryland used to be billed. Who would have thought 40, even 20 years ago we would have Herb Alpert on the Opry. Before you think I'm having negative thoughts about Herb appearing, I'm not. It was refreshing given the parade of cookie cutter acts that are the new country that graces the stage every weekend. It's just evident that the Opry has become so much more than a country music show. It's funny that people within the business in Nashville frowned on all the acts that moved to Branson in the 80's and 90's. Branson became home to all types of music while Nashville stayed country at the time. Problem was, Nashville didn't want the traditional artist that moved to Branson, a place they were appreciated, yet they moaned betrayal when so many left. Now the Opry looks a little like a cross section of Branson all rolled up in one show. Thankfully, for the time being, what is left of the traditional veteran artist keep the older music a part of the show. It's only a matter of time before that is gone.
Again, as we have discussed, the appearance of non country acts is not new, it just used to be rare where it has become common and an important part of the Opry now.
Another thought. Patsy Cline had a mellow, maybe even slightly masculine voice, yet she made beautiful music. What is the deal with some of these new ladies that have a similar voice today, not like Patsy's but similar, and when they sing, they sound angry. I could think of some other ways to identify it but I'll leave it at that. U just can't get into it.
None of this is complaining. I'm long past that. Just some observations form someone who is becoming an old gray hair like Pete Fisher wanted to get rid of.
I enjoyed Connie's choice of songs tonight and I'm glad she has been appearing.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
U just can't get into it. Ok! I just can't get into it.
ReplyDeleteJim
For me, the Opry was like a variety show and had the energy of a live radio show. Now it is like slots, with an odd set and no host. It is the visual looks that bothers me. The band and singers are housed in booths, and with swirly light show on the set. In modernising it, it looks like an 80s game show/pop concert lights. I'm wondering whether they don't want to pay for the variety show feel? The flat production atmosphere is separate from the era the artists are from or one's own taste in music.
ReplyDeleteThis was a general comment about televised shows in the Opry House in the recent past.
Delete2 good shows tonight for what is left of the ole Opry and Country music. But 60 years later , if I was still that 18 year old tuning into WSM for the first time, the absence of lyin' and drinkin' and cheatin' and heartbreak songs presented in an intelligible, folksy and melodic manner would no longer attract me to country music. Today's Country music is mostly just bad rock and roll as someone else said. Flushing Mich
ReplyDeleteDashmann --