Grand Ole Opry 9/22 & 9/23

The big news this week were Grand Ole Opry members the Oak Ridge Boys announcing their Farewell Tour. 

From the press release and Music Row Magazine: 

The Oak Ridge Boys are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a group this October. To commemorate the occasion, the Country Music Hall of Famers will hit the road on their “American Made: Farewell Tour!” The tour will celebrate the momentous accomplishments of the Grammy-winning group’s Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban.

“We are doing a farewell tour because we owe it to our fans to say goodbye,” shares Golden. “They have always been there for us through the good times and the bad. I will always be thankful to every person who came out to a show, bought a t-shirt, played our music, and overall, loved us enough to spend their hard-earned money whenever they could. This tour is for you!”

“I want to thank God for 50 years of singing with three of my best friends and for the fans who have been there for us,” shares Sterban. “This is a celebration, and we hope to see you there.”

The group originally formed as the Oak Ridge Quartet on the ’40s, becoming popular in southern gospel during the ’50s. They changed their name to The Oak Ridge Boys in the early ’60s, with Golden joining in ’65 and Allen in ’66. They remained a gospel group until the mid-1970s, when they changed their image and concentrated on country music. Sterban joined the hit-making line-up in ’72 and Bonsall in ’73.

“I was 25 years old in 1973 when I joined The Oak Ridge Boys,” shares Bonsall. “I am 75 years old in 2023 and I am STILL an Oak Ridge Boy. It has been and still IS an amazing ride.”

Throughout their career, The Oak Ridge Boys have sold over 41 million units worldwide. In addition to their awards and accolades in country music, the Oaks have garnered five Grammy Awards, nine GMA Dove Awards and two American Music Awards. In addition to the Country Music Hall of Fame, they are members of the Grand Ole Opry, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

The Oaks have achieved 17 No. 1 hits, including “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Trying To Love Two Women,” “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free,” “American Made” and the unforgettable “Elvira.”

“For all of my career I have always been a planner, sometimes planning two or three years in advance, what we will do, where we will go, and when we record,” says Allen. “As we celebrate 50 years of being together, just as you see us, we will, also, begin our ‘American Made: Farewell Tour.’ I don’t know how long the tour will last, but we hope to return to as many parts of the country as we can. Thank you so much for these 50 years. For me, it’s 57 1/2 years. I have given you the best part of my life and you have rewarded me with a wonderful career. Thank you, our dear fans. Thanks to God for His divine guidance. Thank you to our wonderful organization. Thank you to all the supporting companies who represent us. And thank you to our families.”

In what should be good news to Opry fans, William Lee Golden noted that as members of the Grand Ole Opry since 2011, they still plan to continue to perform at the Opry even after the conclusion of the farewell tour. “It was like people like Roy Acuff, people that inspired us as kids growing up, hearing them on the Grand Ole Opry,” he says. “It would come alive in our little farmhouses out the middle of a cotton field, and the battery radios bring it all alive to you.”

The tour dates for the remainder of 2023 are posted on their website, while the 2024 dates will be posted when confirmed. 

Now taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry for this weekend with two upcoming shows. It is going to be a weak weekend for Opry members as only three are scheduled each night. The Friday Night Opry has scheduled Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider and Ricky Skaggs. Saturday night will feature Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy and Ashley McBryde. 

The non-members scheduled over the weekend are Stephanie Urbina Jones, songwriter Sean Dietrich, Sister Hazel, Chapel Hart, Riley Clemons and The Cleverlys. 

In addition, there are three acts making their Opry debuts: Rufus Wainwright, Sam Barber and RVSHVD.

Friday September 22
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Rufus Wainright, Sean Dietrich
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider, Sister Hazel, Chapel Hart, Ricky Skaggs

Saturday September 23
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Riley Clemmons, Sam Barber, Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:15: RVSHVD, Ashley McBryde, Opry Square Dancers, The Cleverlys

Rufus Wainwright, who is making his Opry debut on Friday night, has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer-songwriter has released ten studio albums to date, three DVDs, and three live albums including the Grammy-nominated Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall. He has collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Miley Cyrus, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell, Pet Shop Boys, Heart, Carly Rae Jepsen, Robbie Williams, Jessye Norman, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Sting, and producer Mark Ronson, among many others. He has written two operas, numerous songs for movies and TV, and is currently working on his first musical for the West End and a Requiem. His latest GRAMMY® and JUNO nominated album of original songs, 

Sam Barber, one of two acts making their debut on Saturday night, was raised on a farm in a small town in Southeast Missouri surrounded by a supportive family and an abundance of friends. Most of his childhood was devoted to athletics where he learned many lessons such as the importance of a team, practice, discipline, respect and hard work. Music has not always been his passion and as a child, he never participated in music class or music performances. Sam's music journey has been completely unplanned, and his success continues to astound him. When he was 16, Sam picked up his great grandfather's Gibson, out of tune with 5 strings and fell in love with the art of playing. He soon learned that he also had the God-given talent to sing along. Sam's vision is to continue to grow and become stronger as a vocalist and songwriter. He wants to deliver songs that people feel in their soul. Above all, he wants to stay true to his faith, the man he truly is, and the type of music he wants to make without boundaries or conforming. Since releasing Drowning in March Sam's social reach has soared past half a million followers and garnered over 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Sam has hit the Global viral charts and reached #1 in UK, Aus, Ire and more.

RVSHVD (pronounced RA-SHAD), is from Willachoochee, Georgia and started making music ten years ago. He initially thought hip hop and R&B were going to be his musical path until he jumped genres after hearing “Sweet Thing” by Keith Urban. Then he found Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and kept digging till he reached the legends of George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Brooks & Dunn; all who he credits as ultimate musical influences. With the help of a signature vocal tone, his home studio, and a viral TikTok video, RVSHVD became nationally recognized for his country version of Roddy Ricch’s “Ballin.” The song went viral on Spotify, TikTok, Apple and YouTube amassing over 25M streams while uplifting his catalog of songs to over 100M streams. He consistently releases viral videos across social media platforms, including a preview of his most recent single “Shoebox Money” that has taken off like wildfire racking up 15M plays and 450K+ shares on Instagram.

 

 Now, from 45 years ago, Saturday September 23, 1978: 

1st show
6:30: Jack Greene (host), Jeannie Seely
6:45: Bill Monroe (host), Wilma Lee Cooper, Del Wood
7:00: Ray Pillow (host), Skeeter Davis, Justin Tubb
7:30: Roy Acuff (host), Jim and Jesse, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers, Brother Oswald
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host), Stonewall Jackson, Roy Drusky, Vic Willis, Bill Carlisle
8:30: Hank Snow (host), Jimmy C Newman, Billy Grammer, Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Bill Monroe (host), Jack Greene, Jeannie Seely, Justin Tubb
10:00: Bill Monroe (host), Skeeter Davis, Del Wood
10:15: Roy Acuff (host), Vic Willis, Wilma Lee Cooper, Brother Oswald
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host), Stonewall Jackson
10:45: Roy Drusky (host), Jim and Jesse, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Hank Snow (host), Billy Grammer, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Bill Carlisle, Kirk McGee
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host), Steve Wariner, Ray Kirkland, Bessyl Duhon

(Porter Wagoner was scheduled on both shows but cancelled, which resulted in Bill Monroe hosting two segments on the late show. Ray Pillow was only scheduled for the first show). 

Moving ahead to the next decade, here is the running order from Saturday September 23, 1989: 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
George Hamilton IV (host): Break My Mind
Skeeter Davis: I Ain't Never
George Hamilton IV: Life's Railway to Heaven

6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): Roly Poly
Jim and Jesse: Thanks For the Trip to Paradise
Charlie Walker: Take Me Back to Tulsa

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up Jacob
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Jean Shepard: Slowly
Billy Grammer: I Dreamed of An Old Love Affair/Gotta Travel On
Jeannie Seely: One Step Away From Coming Home
Porter Wagoner: Tennessee Saturday Night

7:30: Standard Candy
Del Reeves (host): Girl On The Billboard
Jeanne Pruett: I Oughta Feel Guilty
Roy Drusky: Have I Stayed Away Too Long
Charlie Louvin: The Precious Jewel/Every Time You Leave
Del Reeves: Bad News

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You/Once A Day
The 4 Guys: When You Got A Good Woman, It Shows/How Married Are You Mary Ann
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Gray Eagle

8:30: Music Valley Drive
Jim Ed Brown (host): Lyin' In Love with You
Vic Willis Trip: Beer Barrell Polka
Jan Howard: The One You Slip Around With
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Ray Pillow: I'll Break Out Again Tonight
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Ray Pillow: Days When You Were Still In Love with Me
Jim and Jesse: When I Dream About The Southland/The Night Runner
Porter Wagoner: I've Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand/You've Gotta Have A License

10:00: Little Debbie
Osborne Brothers (host): My Cabin In Caroline
Jean Shepard: I Just Had You On My Mind
Osborne Brothers: Beneath Still Waters

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting In The Air
Roy Acuff and Billy Grammer: Happy Birthday Donna (Grammer)
Billy Grammer: I Was Born In Renfro Valley/The Waltz You Saved For Me
Dan Kelly: Sally Goodin

10:30: Pet Milk
George Hamilton IV (host): Abilene
Charlie Louvin: My Baby's Gone
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young

10:45: B.C. Powder
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Around When It's Over
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

11:00: Coca Cola
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday
Connie Smith: Walkin' After Midnight
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What A Party
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells/Send Me The Pillow You Dream On

11:30: Creamette
The 4 Guys (host): I'm All Tied Up
Roy Drusky More & More
Jan Howard: Heartaches By The Numbers
Vic Willis Trio: Sioux City Sue
The 4 Guys: Wings of A Dove/My Special Angel/I've Had The Time of My Life

(Skeeter Davis and Jeanne Pruett only were scheduled on the first show and Justin Tubb only appeared on the second show).

Looking ahead to next week, there will be no mid-week Opry shows as the Grand Ole Opry House will be playing host to the People's Choice Country Awards on Thursday night. The show, which will be on NBC and hosted by Opry members Little Big Town as a guest list that includes Opry members Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce and Kelsea Ballerini. Other acts scheduled to appear are Wynonna, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown and Toby Keith. 

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.