There has been a lot of excitement at the Grand Ole Opry in October. A pair of Opry inductions, the tribute show honoring Keith Whitley (which included an appearance by Garth), and now, to finish out the month, Opry member Carrie Underwood returns for two shows on the Friday Night Opry.
For Carrie, these two appearances will make it 10 times that Carrie has appeared on the Opry in 2023, as she continues to honor her commitment when she became an Opry member. I know I have said it before, but she continues to set the standard that some of her contemporaries should be striving for.
Joining Carrie on Friday night will be Opry members Gene Watson, Riders In The Sky, John Conlee and Dailey & Vincent. Guesting will be the ever-popular Maggie Rose and Jason Eady.
Speaking of Riders In The Sky, their new CD "Throw a Saddle on a Star" debuted at #1 on the Western Charts of the revered magazine The Western Way. The album was produced by Joey, the Cow Polka King. Yes, there is still a market for western style music.
There will be a full lineup of Opry members on Saturday night as Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Don Schlitz, The Whites, Mike Snider and Lauren Alaina are all scheduled to appear.
The only non-members on that schedule are Mason Ramsey and Emily West. Emily will be appearing with Mandy Barnett.
I am sure all of you remember Mason, as at the age of 11 he became an internet star after he was discovered in 2018 when a foot-tapping video of him yodeling in a Walmart located in Harrisburg, Illinois, went viral. That video led to numerous television appearances, along with an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Fast forward to 2023 and he is now signed to Atlantic Records and Big Loud Records as the youngest major label Country artist since Billy Gillman. His debut single, "Famous," is out now.
Friday October 27
1st show
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith, John Conlee, Maggie Rose
8:00: Gene Watson, Jason Eady, Riders In The Sky, Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith, Carrie Underwood, John Conlee
10:30: Maggie Rose, Gene Watson, Jason Eady, Riders In The Sky
Saturday October 28
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Mason Ramsey, Mike Snider, Lauren Alaina
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, The Whites, Opry Square Dancers, Mandy Barnett & Emily West, Don Schlitz
Now from 45 years ago, Saturday October 28, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely
6:45: Del Reeves (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Vic Willis
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Billy Grammer; Charlie Walker
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Stonewall Jackson; Wilma Lee Cooper; Charlie Louvin; Crook Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Wilburn Brothers; Roy Drusky; Bill Carlisle
8:30: Hank Snow (host): The 4 Guys; Stu Phillips; Marion Worth; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Del Reeves; Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely
10:00: Charlie Walker (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Charlie Louvin
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Billy Grammer; Vic Willis; Brother Oswald
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Stonewall Jackson; Wilma Lee Cooper; Blake Williams
10:45: Wilburn Brothers (host); Stu Phillips; Crook Brothers; The Henson Family
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Roy Drusky; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Bill Carlisle; Kirk McGee
11:30: The 4 Guys (host); Marion Worth; Ronnie Robbins
October 29, 1989, was a very special night at the Grand Ole Opry as Bill Monroe celebrated his 50th anniversary as a member of the Opry. As you would imagine, it was a special night as Bill was one of the icons of the Opry, bringing bluegrass music to the show.
Here is the running order from that special night:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Around (When It's Over)
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter
6:45: Rudy's
Jack Greene (host): Walkin' On New Grass
Jeanne Pruett: I Oughta Feel Guilty
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of A Fool
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me & My Big Loud Mouth
Charlie Louvin: Stormy Horizons
Ray Pillow: Congratulations
Connie Smith: Walkin' After Midnight
New Coon Creek Girls: Night Train To Memphis
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown/Sleepin' At The Foot of The Bed
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Bill Monroe and Emmylou Harris: Kentucky Waltz/My Rose of Old Kentucky
Bill Monroe and Larry Cordle: Kentucky King
Bill Monroe and Emmy Lou Harris: Blue Boon of Kentucky
Bill Monroe: Rawhide
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Are You Teasing Me/I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Roy Drusky: New Lips/One Day At A Time
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What A Party
Opry Square Dance Band and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Dance All Night
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): A Vanishing Breed
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Dottie West: Are You Happy Baby/Together Again
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got To See You Once Again
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Jeanne Seely: Tell Me Again
Ray Pillow: Lucky Me
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: My Baby's Gone
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
10:00: Little Debbie
Jack Greene (host): Until My Dreams Come True
Jan Howard: Slow Burning Memory
Jack Greene: The Last Letter
10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Jimmy Dickens: Take An Old Cold Tater/Out Behind The Barn
Roy Acuff: I Saw The Light
10:30: Pet Milk
Billy Walker (host): Down To My Last Cigarette
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Billy Walker: Behind Closed Doors/Charlie's Shoes
10:45: B.C. Powder
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark For Me To Travel
Jean Shepard: So Used To Loving You
Opry Square Dance Band and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar In The Goard
Bill Monroe: Sugar Loaf Mountain
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Why Do You Punish Me
Justin Tubb: Walking; Talking; Crying Barely Beating Broken Heart
New Coon Creek Girls: How Many Biscuits Can You Eat
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Dottie West and Tony Toliver: Every Time Two Fools Collide
Hank Snow: The Party of The Second Part
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Every Cross Your Mind
Billy Grammer: Somebody Loves You
Roy Drusky: What About You
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Charlie Walker: Cindy
Bill Monroe was one of those Opry members who took his Opry membership seriously. Once he joined in 1939, he never left, and he never shorted the Opry as to his appearances.
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.
Nat Hill IV
ReplyDeleteNat Hill IV was so excited to see an actual 'Opry show with real life 'Opry members, he forgot how to post !!!
ReplyDeleteI have to give Carrie credit for being upstanding and honoring her commitment to the Opry and it probably says a lot about her as a person. And she gives us two shows so we do get to here more of others we like. Strictly my taste and opinion but musically, even if the words are meaningful, her voice and style is just not for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure some of the people I like make others feel the same way.
Just my two cents.
Jim
I'm in a mood tonight. Maggie Rose is really musically pleasing too. I just wouldn't pay $150 to have somebody scream at me and call it music. I'm sure there will be a 100th appearance but I really didn't think the audience was all that excited.
ReplyDeleteThen here come 80 year old Gene Watson!
Jim
is that good or bad you mentioned Gene being 80 - he is one of our favorites and every opportunity to still hear his fantastic voice at 80 great - agree about paying too much for only 2 songs though - will be seeing his full show soon - and it won't be $150
DeleteSorry, I have been posting here so long I take for granted that people know my taste and overall feelings. Gene Watson is and always has been one of the best. It just amazes me how people like Gene, Jim Ed, Connie and so may others of that generation come out at 70-80 and consistently turn in good performance and can still sing when some of these younger artist already sound terrible and they are just getting started. Some are blessed with a good voice that lasts a lifetime and others are not so blessed but someone makes them think they are and they build an image around them that overshadows the lack of good voice and singing ability.
DeleteJim
Got it - totally agree !
DeleteI am in agreement. When did Maggie become a screecher ? I don't think she was always that way. Please no screeching in country music
ReplyDelete--
My only complaint after listening to the first show last night was that it ended 10 minutes early. The first part of the show, particularly with Connie Smith and John Conlee, seemed a bit rushed, as both only did 2 songs. I am sure with two shows, they wanted to make sure Carrie had plenty of time and that the show did not run over. At the ticket prices that are currently being charged to attend an Opry show, I think those attending deserve a full advertised show.
ReplyDeleteAs to Maggie Rose, she is certainly not your traditional country singer. Some of what she does I like; others I don't. I do appreciate that she is supporting the Opry and continues to make appearances. In booking acts, they could do a lot worse than Maggie.
I can put up with a lot when the entertainer involved loves the 'Opry and is willing to SHOW UP and sing.
DeleteSo, why isn't Les Paul in the country music Hall of Fame ? Flushing, Mich Dashmann --
ReplyDeleteI assume it is because while he started out in country music, his career moved to all sorts of places? That's my best guess.
Delete"Paul taught himself how to play guitar, and while he is mainly known for jazz and popular music, he had an early career in country music."