Vince Gill has been busy the past couple of weeks with The Eagles, however he has a free weekend coming up. So, with that free weekend, where do you expect Vince to be? At the Grand Ole Opry House, of course, and he will be at the Opry both Friday and Saturday night this weekend, headlining both nights.
Joining Vince on the Friday Night Opry will be Opry members Connie Smith, Mike Snider and The Isaacs, while on Saturday night, Vince will be joined by Jeannie Seely and Don Schlitz.
It's always fun to hear the western sound on the Opry with Riders In The Sky. However, instead of the Riders on Friday night, Sons of The Pioneers will be performing. Also on the schedule are Sophia Scott and Artimus Pyle Band, both of whom will be making their Opry debuts.
Terri Gibbs and Mary Gauthier headline the non-members on Saturday night, along with Tigirlily Gold and Kylie Morgan.
Sophia Scott comes to Nashville from Colorado. Infused with elements of Southern Rock, Pop, R&B, and Soul — the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist has amassed over 92 MILLION career streams and drawn nearly ONE MILLION monthly listeners to date. Beginning her career in Los Angeles, she found early success with singles like 2018’s “White Fence” and 2019’s “Drink Too Much Wine” (both featured on coveted playlists like Spotify’s New Music Friday), but ultimately relocated to Nashville and immersed herself in sharpening her craft. A breakthrough year for Scott, 2021 brought such triumphs as opening for the Jonas Brothers, landing on an artists-to-watch list from People and inking her record deal with EMPIRE Nashville.
Friday October 20
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Sophia Scott, Connie Smith, Artimus Pyle Band
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider, Sons of The Pioneers, The Isaacs, Vince Gill
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Sophia Scott, Connie Smith, Artimus Pyle Band
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider, Sons of The Pioneers, The Isaacs, Vince Gill
Saturday October 21
1st show
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Kylie Morgan, Terri Gibbs, Don Schlitz
8:00: Mary Gauthier, Opry Square Dancers, Tigirlily Gold, Vince Gill
8:00: Mary Gauthier, Opry Square Dancers, Tigirlily Gold, Vince Gill
2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Kylie Morgan, Terri Gibbs, Don Schlitz
10:30: Mary Gauthier, Opry Square Dancers, Tigirlily Gold, Vince Gill
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Kylie Morgan, Terri Gibbs, Don Schlitz
10:30: Mary Gauthier, Opry Square Dancers, Tigirlily Gold, Vince Gill
Hopefully things get back to normal at the Opry and on their website and they will resume posting the weekly lineups. Until then, you can depend on me to work my connections and post.
Looking back at past Grand Ole Opry shows, more than a few took place on this date over the years. The first one to look at is the Opry's 47th birthday celebration which took place on Saturday October 21, 1967. This was also the last show that the Browns appeared as members of the Opry.
1st show
6:00: Vietti
Bill Anderson (host): Bright Lights & Country Music
Osborne Brothers: Roll Muddy River
Ernie Ashworth: Tender & True
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Stu Phillips: Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Bill Anderson: I Get The Fever
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Jimmy Gately: Orange Blossom Special/She Wants To Be Like You
6:00: Vietti
Bill Anderson (host): Bright Lights & Country Music
Osborne Brothers: Roll Muddy River
Ernie Ashworth: Tender & True
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Stu Phillips: Little Old Wine Drinker Me
Bill Anderson: I Get The Fever
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Jimmy Gately: Orange Blossom Special/She Wants To Be Like You
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Bill Monroe (host): Uncle Pen
Bill Monroe (host): Uncle Pen
Willis Brothers: Bob
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Bill Monroe: Molly & Tenbrooks
6:45: Rudy's
Billy Walker (host): I Taught Her Everything She Knows
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself A Name
Jim and Jesse: Ballad of Thunder Road
Billy Walker: Cattle Call
7:00: Luzianne
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole Slewfoot
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Bob Luman: Memphis
Minnie Pearl: Maple On The Hill
The 4 Guys: Walking In The Sunshine
Del Reeves: One Dime At A Time
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Life
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob, Arkansas
Charlie Louvin: How Great Thou Art
Wilburn Brothers: Just To Be Where You Are
Loretta Lynn: What Kind of A Girl
Grandpa Jones: Old Dan Tucker
Bobby Lord: Shadows On The Wall
Bill Carlisle: Dr. R.D.
Ray Pillow; (?)
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland
8:00: Martha White
George Hamilton IV (host): Break My Mind
Jean Shepard: Happy Tracks
George Morgan: You're The Only Good Thing
The Browns: Looking Back To See/(?)/(?)/I Heard The Bluebird Sing/The Old Lamplighter/Scarlet Ribbons/The Three Bells/Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Dottie West: Like A Fool
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top
George Hamilton IV: Truck Driving Man
8:30: Stephens
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Tex Ritter: Just Beyond The Moon
Archie Campbell: The Cockfight
Tompall & The Glaser Brothers: Gone On The Other Hand
Skeeter Davis: The End of The World
Billy Grammer: Mable
Margie Bowes: Bo Weevil
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Bill Monroe: You'll Find Her Name Written There
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops
Marion Worth: A Woman Needs Love
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Grandpa Jones: Kitty Klyde
Del Wood: Waiting For The Robert E. Lee
Norma Jean: Jackson Ain't A Very Big Place
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Hank Snow: There's A Fool Such As I
10:00: Schick
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Wilburn Brothers: Trouble's Back In Town
Loretta Lynn: What Kind of A Girl
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself A Name
Jim and Jesse: Diesel On My Tail
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:15: Pure
Ernest Tubb (host) and Loretta Lynn; Sweet Thang
Bobby Lord: Look What You're Doing To You
Charlie Louvin and Bobby Osborne: When I Stop Dreaming
Stu Phillips: Juanita Jones
10:30: Buckley's
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Skeeter Davis: What Does It Take
George Hamilton IV: Urge For Going
Jim Ed Brown: Bottle; Bottle
Hank Snow: (?)
10:45: Newport
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host0: The Birds Are Back
George Morgan: Misty Blue
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Margie Bowes: Overnight
Osborne Brothers: Rolly Muddy River
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
11:00: Coca Cola
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Tex Ritter: A Working Man's Prayer
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make It Happen
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Devil's Dream
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Sam McGee: (?)
The 4 Guys: Ruby
Del Reeves: Chug A Lug/(?)/(?)
Porter Wagoner: Julie
11:30: Lava
Roy Drusky (host): White Lightening Express
Roy Drusky (host): White Lightening Express
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Tompall & The Glaser Brothers: Through The Eyes of Love
Marion Worth: Tennessee Waltz
Ernie Ashworth: My Love For You
Ray Pillow: Take Your Hands Off My Heart
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Roy Drusky: Anymore/Strangers/Second Hand Rose
I don't think anyone can complain about the lineup that night. Back in those days, it was almost mandatory that Opry members appear during the annual birthday show, which took place during the annual Disc Jockey convention in Nashville. And for those keeping track, the late show did not end until just after 1:00 am.
Bonnie and Maxine made the decision to retire from full-time performing to concentrate on raising their families. Jim Ed remained an Opry member until his death, and his sisters would appear with him on occasion at the Opry.
Now, compare that show to the Opry's 81st birthday that took place on October 21, 2006:
1st show
6:30: Jean Shepard; Jimmy C Newman; The Whites
7:00: Trisha Yearwood; Travis Tritt; Opry Staff Band; LeAnn Rimes; Charley Pride; Jimmy Dickens
8:00: Mike Snider; Stu Phillips; Jim Ed Brown; Opry Square Dancers; Helen Cornelius; Larry Ford
8:30: Hal Ketchum; Jack Greene; Del McCoury Band
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens; The Whites; Trisha Yearwood
10:00: Mike Snider; Jimmy C Newman; Travis Tritt
10:30: Jean Shepard; Jan Howard; LeAnn Rimes; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Hal Ketchum; Charlie Louvin; Bobby Osborne
11:30: Jim Ed Brown; Helen Cornelius; Jack Greene; Del McCoury Band
What a difference!! Certainly, a lot less Opry members.
That covers it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
I feel like I have been stabbed over and over listening to tonight's debut artist.
ReplyDeleteGlad Connie's on. She miss all the notes she wants to!
Jim
I'm sorry folks but I'm tired of what seems like every show having someone from an old Rock band on. It's been a long time since I have said this but when we hit 100 they need to rename the show. Let's stop talking about country music like that is what this show is. It is all music and if you asking me, which you are not, the show is riding on it's history as a country show until it can evolve into something unrecognizable. I admit that some nights it has a high spot but it is getting rare. I just bet that Artimus Pyle has dreamed all his life about being on the Opry. Sorry I don't have a more open mind. By the way it's the Opry singers not the Opra singers. They have just about evolved the show because they are obviously drawing a different crowd today that just a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteAnd having the Sons of the Pioneers on the same show doesn't make up for it.
Things change but this is ridiculous.
I'll crawl back in my hole because I'm sure I'm in the minority these days. I'll never forget Fred in Bismarck who used to say "at least I have my records".
Jim
Jim, I agree with you 100%. The Opry isn’t what I grew to love.
ReplyDeleteI will say that a lot of these old rockers do have a respect for our legendary stars of Country Music. I remember when Charlie Louvin was living. Most on here know how the management treated him & others. Cake and Cheap Trick( both rock groups) had Charlie go on tour with them.
Through the years the Bonnaroo Festival ( that is mainly rockers) has had Charlie, Bobby Osborne, Ralph Stanley,etc They have had a Opry shows at Bonaroo too.
I do get where you’re coming from. A couple times a year would be ok, but it has become a normal thing to have Rock groups on. The audience these days are people in town for conventions. The plus side that I look at it ,is that maybe some that are there to see a rock group will discover Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, etc. Curry
Curry-Yes, now that you mention it, I remember Charlie doing Bonaroo and always felt like Charlie would go anywhere he could introduce new people to the Louvin sound. That was a good thing and it seemed like he was accepted. And I agree, the audience they are playing to now doesn't know the history of the Opry like many of us but they seem to like people like the Riders, Mike, Bill Jeannie, Connie and others even if they have never heard of them. But they are very familiar with about any non country act the Opry puts in front of them. And yes, I could tolerate this more if it was rare but it has become part of the fabric of the show and I just don't agree with that.
DeleteJim
Country Rhodes (Jim), definitely agree with your commentaries, you don't need to crawl in a hole.
ReplyDeleteJim, don't go in a hole. I usually agree with you, and this is one of those times.
ReplyDeleteI have nothing against the occasional appearance by a rock band, but what used to be really sporadic now seems like it's every other show. Most of the up and coming acts from mainstream country are basically representing other genres, as far as that goes.
Sadly, I think we're at the point where the Opry is more a brand than it is a country show or institution.
J in OK
I agree that it is about the brand more than being a country show. It's just business and from time to time they do try to go back and recognize something from the past, I'll give em that. But, like the Johnny Cast tribute a few weeks back, they still have to utilize someone who had a lesser influence or presence on the Opry to draw the crowd. It just bothers me that so many artist dedicated their entire life to make the Opry that brand they are living off of and they get little remembrance. Think Roy Acuff standing in front of a chain store in Nashville shaking hands and inviting people to the Opry and Opry land. Then to see it desiccated with all these people from other genres who come out and give lip service to the circle and mention Cash, Nelson, Parton, Haggard and the like who rarely appeared on the Opry but they don't know that. Kind of like watching our flag burned! In fairness, that does not apply to everyone. I know that some who appear do understand and appreciate the Opry, they just chose a different career path. Like anything, a few bad apples does not ruin the whole basket.
DeleteSorry to be so down but I think this is how a family would feel watching their farm or business be foreclosed on and see it go in the hands of someone who just doesn't understand the heart, soul, sweat and tears that went in to making it what it was.
One last thought. And it is sincere and not sarcasm. Vince might as well bring the Eagles on and let them play. At least they had a good steel guitar sound and if I remember correct, in the early 70's, some of their records sounded more country than what was on country radio. Why shouldn't they get their turn. Now am I forgetting and they have already been on?
Jim
Jim, sorry to hear you got stabbed Friday night! I hope your wounds heal quickly. I look forward to reading your complaints each week and would hate for you to miss due to injury. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThanks. We'll just have to see what the Opry throws at us next week. I don't get to hear the weeknight shows very often. I just can't get used to them being on and they are usually about over when I think about it.
ReplyDeleteJim, I think as a rule the weekday shows tend to be more to our liking than the weekend shows.
ReplyDeleteNat, I would agree. I just can't seem to remember to turn the radio on at 8pm. Then it is a while before I get around to digging them up in the archives.
ReplyDeleteJim