Before posting the lineups and commenting on this week's Grand Ole Opry shows, just a couple of comments from last week:
As I am sure everyone knows by now, Sara Evans will be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry, with her induction taking place on Saturday October 7 during the Opry's 98th birthday weekend. Just my opinion, but I think Sara is a great choice. She is another of those artists who have appeared on the Opry often during her career and has stated many times that she prayed that someday she would be a member. I think it is safe to say that she snuck through the cracks. Thankfully for Sara, her dream is coming true, and I do believe that she will be a good Opry member.
Any complaints about Carrie last weekend? I didn't think so.
Finally, last weekend we saw a couple of Opry debuts, one of those being the legendary Herb Alpert. I have heard and read nothing but positive comments regarding his appearance and how outstanding he was. Herb certainly is not one you would associate with the Opry, but he was so well received that maybe someday he will be invited back for an encore performance. Let's hope.
Now looking ahead to this weekend as the Opry closes out the last weekend of the month of August with the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry.
Headlining both nights will be Opry members Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs. Nice to have Vince back for another weekend after taking last weekend off. Joining the pair on the Friday Night Opry will be members The Whites and Jeannie Seely, while Bill Anderson, Riders In The Sky and Charlie McCoy are on the schedule for Saturday.
Zach Top, who has been impressive, is guesting on Friday night, along with Deana Carter and Ryan Stevenson. For Ryan, this will be his Opry debut, while Deana seems to be in the discussion when the subject of possible future Opry members comes up.
The only non-member on the Saturday schedule is comedian Chonda Pierce, who missed her last scheduled Opry appearance.
Update: MaRynn Taylor added for Saturday night.
Friday August 25
7:00: Ricky Skaggs, Ryan Stevenson, The Whites, Deana Carter
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely, Zach Top, Vince Gill
Saturday August 26
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, MaRynn Taylor, Charlie McCoy, Ricky Skaggs
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Opry Square Dancers, Chonda Pierce, Vince Gill
Interesting that there are only seven acts listed for Friday night and just six on Saturday. And once again, Opry Live on Circle TV will not be live this weekend. The show this week will feature Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins and Matthew West.
As mentioned, Ryan Stevenson will be making his Opry debut on Friday night. Ryan is a native of the Pacific Northwest. In 2013 he signed with Gotee Records and since then he has been nominated for both Grammy and Billboard Music Awards and has won Dove and ASCAP Christian Music Awards.
His list of recordings includes Fresh Start (2015), No Matter What (2018), and Wildest Dreams (2020). He is also known for such radio favorites as “No Matter What” (feat. Bart Millard), “Amadeo (Still My God),” and “When We Fall Apart" (feat. Vince Gill & Amy Grant), Ryan's music has achieved six #1 Billboard charting radio singles.
Now from 45 years ago, Saturday August 26, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Stonewall Jackson (host); Marion Worth
6:45: Justin Tubb (host); Del Wood; Linda Hargrove
7:00: Billy Grammer (host); Skeeter Davis; Joe Sun
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Minnie Pearl; Wilma Lee Cooper; Crook Brothers; Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Stu Phillips (host); Lorrie Morgan; David Rogers; Willis Brothers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Harold Morrison
2nd show
9:30: Justin Tubb (host); Marion Worth; Del Wood; David Rogers
10:00: Stonewall Jackson (host); Skeeter Davis
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Brother Oswald
10:30: Billy Grammer (host); Joe Sun
10:45: Willis Brothers (host); Linda Hargrove; Crook Brothers; Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); The 4 Guys; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Stu Phillips (host); Lorrie Morgan; Harold Morrison
(Minnie Pearl appeared only on the first show. You could also tell it was State and County Fair season as many of the Opry's members were out on the road, finishing up summer).
One name from that night that doesn't come up all that much was Joe Sun. Joe was known as a honky-tonk singer and his best-known recording was "Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle to You" which he recorded in 1978. While Dolly Parton's recording of the song in 1980 would reach #1 on the charts, Joe's version made it up to #14.
Born James Joseph Paulsen, he grew up in Rochester, Minnesota and came to Nashville in the early 1970's. He recorded for several different labels and had minor success on the charts. In the 1980s and 90s, he appeared on the WSMV television program "Chili Shack" and also at the Bluebird Cafe. He later moved to Florida where he passed away in 2019 at the age of 76.
Earlier this year, Grand Ole Opry member Ray Pillow passed away. Ray was an Opry member for over 55 years. It all started for Ray on Saturday August 26, 1961, when he made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
Here is the running order from that night 62 years ago:
7:30: Pet Milk
Roy Acuff (host): Don't Know Why
Bobby Lord: Fascination
Wilburn Brothers: Blue, Blue Day
Melba Montgomery: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Carl Butler: Honky Tonkitis
Brother Oswald: She's My Curly Headed Baby
Johnny Rose: (?)
Wilburn Brothers: There'll Never Be Anyone Else but You
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Homestead on the Farm
Jimmy Newman: Big Mamou
Maybelle Carter: Wildwood Flower
Del Wood: Blue Eagle
Flatt & Scruggs: Go Home
Bobby Hodge: Carolina Bound
June Carter: Comedy
Crook Brothers: Soldier's Joy
Ray Pillow: (?)
Flatt & Scruggs: Shuckin' the Corn
8:30: Faultless
Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry
Glaser Brothers: (?)
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Stringbean: Herding Cattle
Marty Robbins: Like All the Other Times
Skeeter Davis: Blueberry Hill
Walter Forbes: Cumberland Mountain Deer Chase
George Hamilton IV: Three Steps to the Phone
Marty Robbins: You Told Me So
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ray Price (host): Heart Over Mind
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Don Gibson: Sea of Heartbreak
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Ray Price: The 24th Hour
Cousin Jody: Comedy
Margie Bowes: Don't Turn on the Light
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Don Gibson: I Think Its Best
Ray Price: Soft Rain
9:30: Stephens
Cowboy Copas (host): Alabam'
Roy Drusky: I Went Out of My Way
Bill Monroe: A Beautiful Life
Lonzo and Oscar: (?)
Billy Walker: (?)
Loretta Lynn: The Darkest Day
Alex Houston: Introducing Elmer
Bill Monroe: Uncle Pen
Cowboy Copas: Sunny Tennessee
Tommy Varden: Old Joe Clark
10:00: Standard Oil
Roy Acuff (host): Till No Longer You Care
Walter Forbes: Sally Ann
Bobby Hodge: You're Always Welcomed To Cry On My Shoulder
Roy Acuff: Won't It Be Wonderful There
Howdy Forrester and Jimmy Riddle: Jesse Polka
10:15: Rock City
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Polka On A Banjo
Maybelle and Helen Carter: Gold Watch & Chain
Stringbean: Keep My Skillet Good & Greasy
Carl Butler: I Know When I Cry
Flatt & Scruggs: Where Will I Shelter My Sheep
10:30: Rose Dog Food
Marty Robbins (host): Jimmy Martinez
Skeeter Davis: Optimism
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Marty Robbins: The Hands You're Holding Now
10:45: De Con
Don Gibson (host): Sea of Heartbreak
Wilburn Brothers: Sparkling Brown Eyes
Bobby Lord: A Rose & A Thorn
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
Don Gibson: What About Me
11:00: Coca Cola
Ray Price (host): You Done Me Wrong
Jimmy Newman: Big Mamou
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Lonzo and Oscar: (?)
Glaser Brothers: (?)
Ray Price: Heartaches By The Numbers
Old Hickory Singers: In The Little Green Valley
Sam and Kirk McGee: Riding Old Pain; Leading Old Bald
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Ray Price: Crazy Arms
11:30: National Life
Cowboy Copas (host): Settin' Flat on Ready
Bill Monroe: Wayfaring Stranger
Roy Drusky: I've Got Some
Margie Bowes: Are You Teasing Me
George Hamilton IV: Before This Day Ends
Billy Walker: (?)
Cousin Jody: Comedy
Bill Monroe: Linda Lou
Cowboy Copas: Flat Top
(As was somewhat traditional back in those days, Ray Pillow received only one spot on the show. Same for Archie Campbell, Minnie Pearl, Loretta Lynn and the Old Hickory Singers).
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.
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