It will be another special weekend at the Grand Ole Opry as the Opry will remember Country Music Hall of Fame member Keith Whitley on Saturday night with two shows titled, "I Wonder Do You Think of Me; The Opry Remembers Keith Whitley.
As the Opry posted on their website, "Join Opry members Garth Brooks, Ashley McBryde, Lorrie Morgan and other very special guests in celebrating and honoring one of country music's greatest voices of all time, Keith Whitley! This one-of-a-kind show will include special guests singing some of our favorite Keith Whitley songs, touching tributes, and star-studded surprises all night long."
Keith made numerous appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, beginning in the mid-1980's, up until his death in May 1989. His voice was timeless. What many may not know was that the Opry was going to ask Keith to become an Opry member, with the invitation due to take place just three weeks after this death.
As listed above, the two shows will feature Keith's former wife, Lorrie Morgan, along with fellow Opry members Ashley McBryde, Terri Clark, Mark Wills and Garth Brooks. Also on the schedule is Keith and Lorrie's son, Jessie Keith Whitley. Rounding out the lineup will be The Grascals.
While the tribute to Keith will take place on Saturday night, there is also a show on Friday night. The Friday Night Opry will feature Opry members Connie Smith, The Isaacs and Riders In The Sky. Rounding out that lineup will be Miko Marks, Colbie Caillat, Jim Peterik from the group Survivor, and making her Opry debut, Rachael Lampa.
Rachel is a singer/songwriter who has had multiple #1’s, 7 albums, TV appearances, and years of touring with the top Christian and Mainstream artists. At what seemed like the height of her career, and at the age of 20, Rachael walked away from her record deal with both a feeling of burnout and a sense of curiosity after spending most of her teen years on a tour bus. Over the next few years, the Colorado-native-turned-Nashvillian continued to release music independently, appeared on NBC’s The Sing Off with other Nashville artists, and toured in a more “out of the spotlight” way as a background singer with Jordin Sparks and later with Hozier.
Friday October 13
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Rachel Lampa, Connie Smith, Colbie Caillat
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider, Miko Marks w/The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Jim Peterik, The Isaacs
Saturday October 14
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mark Willis, Terri Clark, The Grascals, Ashley McBryde
8:00: Lorrie Morgan, Jesse Keith Whitley, Garth Brooks
2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Mark Wills, Terri Clark, The Grascals, Ashley McBryde
10:30: Lorrie Morgan, Jesse Keith Whitley, Garth Brooks
Even with the all-star tribute to Keith Whitley on Saturday night, the show will not be shown live on Circle TV's Opry Live. Instead, they are showing the Ronnie Milsap birthday show from March that featured Little Big Town, Trace Atkins and Mandy Barnett.
I spent some time going through my records and found what I believe was Keith Whitley's first appearance on a Saturday Grand Ole Opry show. That apparently took place on Saturday October 6, 1984. Here is the running order from that night, where Keith appeared on both shows:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
The 4 Guys (host): Turn Your Radio On
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong with The Way That We're Doing It Now
The 4 Guys: I Know; I Know
6:45: Rudy's
Jim and Jesse (host): Freight Train
Jeannie Seely: He's All I Need
Jim and Jesse: Stormy Horizons/A Beautiful Life
7:00: Shoney's
Charlie Walker (host): San Antonio Rose
Jean Shepard: City Lights
Brother Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Hearted Me
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
7:30: Standard Candy
Billy Walker (host): Ashes of Love
Roy Drusky: Always
Connie Smith: Jesus Is Your Ticket To Heaven
Ray Pillow: The Days When You Were Still In Love with Me
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar In The Goard
Billy Walker: She Goes Walking Thru My Mind/Sing Me A Love Song To Baby/Charlie's Shoes
8:00: Martha White
Jack Greene (host): There's A Whole Lot About A Woman A Man Don't Know
Billy Grammer: Sittin' On Top of The World/The Waltz You Saved For Me
Wilma Lee Cooper: Hallelujah/Hallelujah
Keith Whitley: Turn Me To Love
Jack Greene: If It's Love You're Playing For
8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Lorrie Morgan: San Antonio Stroll
Bill Carlisle: Too Old To Cut The Mustard
The Whites: Forever You/Follow The Leaders
Hank Snow: These Hands
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun Fiddle
Jean Shepard: A Stranger In My Place
Jim and Jesse: Johnny B-Goode
Charlie Louvin: It's Crazy What A Loving Heart Will Do
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Cajun Country: (?)
10:00: Little Debbie
Billy Walker (host): Cross The Brazos At Waco
Jeannie Seely: Tell Me Again
Billy Walker: A Million & One/Charlie's Shoes
10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Drusky (host): Mississippi
Billy Grammer: Sentimental Journey
Roy Drusky: Wings of A Dove
10:30: Martha White
Charlie Walker (host): My Window Faces The South
Connie Smith: Did We Have To Come This Far To Say Goodbye
Charlie Walker: El Rancho Grande
10:45: Beechnut
Jack Greene (host): To Make A Long Story Longer, She's Still Gone
Ray Pillow: Ancient History
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Katy Hill
Jack Greene; Statue of A Fool
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Right or Wrong
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Lorrie Morgan: Stand By Your Man
Keith Whitley: Turn Me To Love
Hank Snow: The Party of The Second Part
11:30: Quincey's
The 4 Guys (host): How Married Are You Mary Ann
The Whites: Pins & Needles/Alabama Jubilee
Bill Carlisle: Have A Drink On Me
Marshall Barnes: Tender years
The 4 Guys: I Know; I Know/May You Find Yourself In Heaven/I'm Almost Ready
While that appeared to be Keith's first Opry appearance, his last appearance took place on Saturday January 14, 1989. Keith appeared only on the first show that night, during the 7:30 portion of the Opry which was broadcast on TNN. There are many videos of Keith Whitley's performance on YouTube from that night. Also, as a side note, Dwight Yoakam was also scheduled for the TNN portion of the Opry that night but cancelled his appearance.
Here is the running order from that night:
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Bill Monroe (host): John Henry
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Bill Monroe: Then Take Courage Un' Tomorrow/Sugar Loaf Mountain
6:45: Rudy's
Grandpa Jones (host): Old Dan Tucker
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jim Ed Brown: Fools
Grandpa Jones: I Wonder Where My Darling Is Tonight
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): You Gotta Have A License
The Whites: San Antonio Rose
Jack Greene: Statue Of A Fool
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Jean Shepard: A Stranger In My Place
Porter Wagoner: I'll Go Down Swinging
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): Before I Met You
Patty Loveless: Blue Side of Town/Don't Toss Us Away
Keith Whitley: Don't Close Your Eyes/I Never Go Around Mirrors
Bill Anderson: Quits
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jan Howard: Release Me
Jim and Jesse: Rider In The Rain/Paradise
Opry Square Dance Band and The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sugar In The Goard
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Roy Acuff: I Saw The Light
8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): Bummin' Around
John Conlee: Hit The Ground Running
Jimmy Dickens: Me & My Big Loud Mouth
Riders In The Sky: This Ain't The Same Old Range
Connie Smith: The Deepening Snow
Hank Snow: One More, You're Mine Again
Finally, 1995 was a big night as the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 70th birthday. Here is the lineup from that night 28 years ago:
1st show
6:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Bill Carlisle, Holly Dunn
6:45: Billy Walker (host): Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jeanne Pruett, Stonewall Jackson, Jan Howard, Jean Shepard
7:30: John Conlee (host): Del Reeves, Country Music USA, Martina McBride
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Skeeter Davis, Hank Locklin, Jeannie Seely, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host): The 4 Guys, Charlie Louvin, The Whites, Charlie Walker
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Ray Pillow, Wilma Lee Cooper, Brother Oswald & Charlie, Holly Dunn
10:00: Jimmy C Newman (host): Skeeter Davis
10:15: Billy Walker (host): Stu Phillips
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jeanne Pruett
10:45: John Conlee (host): Jean Shepard, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host): The Whites, Jeannie Seely, Del Reeves
11:30: The 4 Guys (host): Charlie Walker, Jan Howard
Martina McBride was on the first show that night and at that point of her career, she was not yet an Opry member. The 7:30 segment, which she was the final act, was the televised TNN segment and was to have included the Opry's cast rolling out the birthday cake and singing "Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry."
That night, Martina sang a melody of country songs made famous by female country artists and as luck would have it, she ran way over and the TNN portion ended before the cake could come out. Many of the Opry's members, along with those watching on TV and looking forward to the tradition, were upset and Martina, who had the dream of becoming an Opry member someday, thought she had blown it. She was upset and apologized to everyone.
Happily, for Martina, the Opry did not hold it against her and later that year she was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, with Loretta Lynn doing the honors during the 70th anniversary television special.
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 and the salute to Keith Whitley.
I have looked forward to very very few shows as much as I look forward to tomorrow night! I don't know what our veterans here (Nat, Jim, Dashmann) etc think or thought of Keith, but there is no question about the fact that to the generation who blew up in the late 90s he was and is considered one of the greatest to ever sing.
ReplyDeleteThis is another Mike, stuck being anonymous again. E.Z., I know what you mean. I remember when I heard the news, and I was numb. To me, he was, along with Randy Travis, the real future of what country music could be. I felt so bad for Lorrie, and I know it took her a long time to get anywhere close to getting over it.
DeleteNot to mention, he would have become a member, and Martha White might still be a sponsor, because he would be doing Lester for this generation.
Just thinking how much I miss Haryl Hensley's Friday Opry Warm Up Show. I used to listen every Friday night for years. Time goes on, but thank God for the memories.
ReplyDeleteI went to The Opry on the weekend of Keith Whitley's funeral. It was planned months ahead of time for me. I will never forget the procession down Gallatin to Spring Hill Cemetery. And all along the road, everyone pulled over. Keith Whitley was the ultimate country singer. God Bless Him.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least the Opry will survive a few more years as long as there are 60's and 70's rockers still performing. If only the Opry would have let more of old country stars from that era to continue to perform in their late years. Shameful. I do alright for a while then someone like Jim Peterik comes along. I don't care of the crowd knows who it is and approves, it just irritates me. Worse, most of get out there and tell us ther life story.
ReplyDeleteJim
Knightsville, IN
Eye of the Tiger is well written!!
ReplyDeleteJim
Somebody needs to notify Ford that they are not sponsoring a country music show!
ReplyDeleteI'm done, I'll have to turn my computer off!
Jim
Jim,
ReplyDeleteI personally gained a TON of respect for announcer Mike Terry Friday night. I thought he made a GREAT remark after Jim Peterik was done with his inebriated, long-winded, self-aggrandizing and semi-incoherent ramblings prior to his performance of the 'Opry classic "Eye of the Tiger."
Mike Terry's whimsical comment that I could not believe I heard him say? "You know, Country Music, which we're going to get back to in just a moment..." was very well received by the crowd.
Hope he doesn't lose his job. I personally LOVED it!
Nat
Jim,
ReplyDeleteThe Isaacs saved the show. "It is well with my soul."
Nat,
DeleteI caught that comment by Mike and wondered if it was just an observation a little sarcasm. It was great and well timed either way. And I agree, the Issacs ended the show on a high point. There whole set was great including mom's comments.
Jim
First, it is a wonderful show tonight. They have honored Keith well.
ReplyDeleteAs many of you know, Keith was going to be asked to become an Opry member, however he passed away three weeks before they could make the invitation to him. Tonight, Garth Brooks and Lorrie Morgan announced that the Opry has now considered Keith's Opry invitation official, and his name has been added to the membership wall backstage at the Opry House.
That is wonderful and so deserving. The electricity at the Opry is at a new level!!!
DeleteThis comment is by Gary. For some reason I can’t sign in.
DeleteBest Opry shows in a long time tonight ! I had forgotten what wonderful songs Keith Whitley had brought us in such a short time , It was ALL COUNTRY tonight - no screechers to be heard, and a genuine tribute to Keith. And Garth Brooks was the frosting on the cake ! This is what the Opry should be every week. Dashmann, Flushing, Michigan ! And the WSM signal is strong tonight for the most part -
ReplyDeleteThe following is what the Opry posted on their social media pages:
ReplyDeleteTonight was truly special.
The voice of Keith Whitley was silenced on May 9, 1989, just three weeks before he was to have become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Opry star Garth Brooks presented Lorrie Morgan, Jesse Keith Whitley, and Morgan with a special plaque to commemorate Keith Whitley’s impact on the Opry.
This plaque, a replica of those which recognize official Opry members in the Opry House Member Gallery, is presented in recognition that while Keith Whitley’s life may have ended before his dream of Opry membership was realized, his incredible influence endures on the Opry and country music worldwide. ♥️
It is my understanding that he was going to be invited to be a member in 3 weeks, but the statement from the Opry makes it sound like he was becoming an actual member in 3 weeks, which maybe he was. I don’t remember anyone saying anything about this until very recently. Wonder how anyone at this point, 34 years later, would even know they were planning to ask him in 3 more weeks? Management and people that would most likely know are all gone now, and I doubt members like Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, and others who were around a lot back then would be privy to that type of information. Just curious, was always a big fan of Keith Whitley and the Opry, and I always thought he would have been a good Opry member if he had lived. It was a huge blow to country music the day he died.
ReplyDeleteI understand your question and what you are saying, but I do remember that when Keith died, it was reported then that he was going to be invited to join the Opry on his next scheduled appearance, which was to have taken place three weeks after he passed away. So, it has been pretty much common knowledge over the years. As to the timing of the tribute show last night, that I am not sure why they decided to do it. I could speculate, but that would only be guessing on my part.
DeleteI would also add that back in that era, the time between the invite and the actual induction was pretty short, not like today where it is sometimes scheduled months later. Heck, many were asked and inducted on the same night. That could have been the case with Keith.
I never answered E.Z.'s question earlier. I think the Opry, Country Music and all of us would have been well served and pleased, to this day, had Keith lived and been a member of the Opry. I really don't think he would have strayed. I think he would have been steady and true to his roots just like Ricky. Speaking of Ricky, how did they do this without him or at least a video comment. That seemed a little strange to me.
ReplyDeleteI'll even give a hat tip to Garth. Even though I've never been in tune with a lot of his music, it was magical last night with the audience and maybe more than ever, his comments about Keith and the Opry were well stated and seemed to be most sincere. Now for me and all the grumbling I do, that's saying a lot.
And I agree, the Opry should be like this often instead of rarely. We don't need those old Rockers on a regular basis to keep the place alive.
I apologize for all the typo's in my comments Friday night. Boy I was frustrated.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
I gues controversery is going on regarding the Whitley honorary membership. I've seen a few online articles already.
ReplyDeleteI see nothing wrong with what the Opry did. The Opry had made up their minds to make Keith Whitley a member and he passed away before it could happen. Their minds were made up. They probably should have done this ceremony shortly after he passed rather than waiting nearly 35 years. But at his death he was only a ‘star’. Today he has became a legend and Hall of Famer. This may be the reasoning of the timing.
As far as Hank Williams, Sr., well that is a different situation. He had his day in the sun. He was a member. And we all know how it ended. Hank does have a plaque on the membership wall. Along with Kitty Wells, Johnnie Wright, Faron Young, Ferlin Husky, Chet Atkins, Rose Maddox, DeFord Bailey, Holly Dunn, Leroy Van Dyke, Martha Carson, Ray Price and other legends and stars who the Opry fired over the years and never reinstated.
I totally see two different situations here.
Just my opinion, but I think firing DeFord Bailey was unforgivable, and I'm glad that the 'Opry seems to have finally understood that.
Delete