Grand Ole Opry 11/17 & 11/18

Some weekends are better than others at the Grand Ole Opry and this weekend is one of those. The Friday Night Opry has a very solid lineup as the show will feature only Opry members. Saturday night is dedicated to Del McCoury to celebrate his 20th anniversary as an Opry member, in a show that is being called "Grand Del Opry."

There are nine Opry members scheduled for Friday night: The Isaacs, John Conlee, Don Schlitz, Mike Snider, The Whites, Connie Smith, Mark Wills, Riders In The Sky and the legendary Gene Watson. 

As mentioned, Saturday night belongs to Del McCoury. Joining Del will be Opry members Ricky Skaggs, Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely. Del had a hand in the non-members who will be performing, and Del has recorded and appeared with each of them: Tyler Childers, Sam Bush, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and of course, the Travelin' McCourys. 

I have to be honest: I am really looking forward to hearing Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the Opry. I saw the group years ago and have been impressed with them since. The New Orleans based band had its founding in the early 60s. The band has won numerous awards including being awarded the National Medal of Arts, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence. While the members of the band have changed over the years, the legacy and sound continue. And yes, they have performed and collaborated with Del. 

Friday November 17
7:00: Mark Wills, Gene Watson, Mike Snider, Connie Smith, Riders In The Sky
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee, The Whites, Don Schlitz, The Isaacs

Saturday November 18
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Del McCoury Band, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs
Intermission
8:15: The Travelin' McCourys w/Tyler Childers, Sam Bush, Preservation Hall Jazz Band

We have actually seen a few shows in recent months with only members of the Grand Ole Opry. That is one of the results when you have a group of members who want to be there. 

For those who will be watching Opry Live on Circle TV this week, Jon Pardi's Opry induction will be aired. 

And for those who will be in Nashville this weekend, David Frizzell will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree. 

November 18, 1978 was a special night at the Grand Ole Opry as Opry member Del Wood was recognized upon her 25th anniversary as a member of the Opry. Here is the running order from that night 45 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
Ernie Ashworth: The D.J. Cried
Stonewall Jackson: My Favorite Sin

6:45: Rudy's
Jack Greene (host): Walking On New Grass
Jerry Clower: Claude Ledbetter Fishing with Dynamite
Jeannie Seely: Who Needs You
Jack Greene: Lord, I Need Somebody Bad Tonight

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole Slewfoot
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Billy Grammer: Kentucky
Charlie Walker: T For Texas
David Houston: Best Friends Make The Worst Enemies
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong with The Way That We're Doing It Now
Porter Wagoner: I'm Gonna Feed You Now/Big Wind's A'Comin/On A Highway Headed South

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball/Tennessee Central No. 9/Sunshine Special
Jean Shepard: Saturday Night Sin
Charlie Louvin: Without Love, A Fancy Place To Cry
Vic Willis and Curtis Young: Cool Water
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Durang's Hornpipe
Roy Acuff: That's The Man I'm Looking For

8:00: Martha White
Grandpa Jones (host): Eight More Miles To Louisville
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Bessyl Duhon: Happy Cajun
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Shall Not Be Moved
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Grandpa Jones: Kitty Klyde

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): In The Misty Moonlight
The 4 Guys: Let Your Love Flow
Jimmy Dickens: Take An Old Cold Tater
Bill Carlisle: Jack of All Trades
Lonzo and Oscar: Family Bible
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Hank Snow: Storms Never Last

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Thibodeaux & His Cajun Band
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Stonewall Jackson: My Favorite Sin
Charlie Walker: Lucille
Ernie Ashworth: You Can't Pick A Rose In December
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo

10:00: Fender
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole Slewfoot
Skeeter Davis: He Will Be There
Vic Willis: Shenendoah
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters/Big Wind's A'Comin'

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting In The Air
Minnie Pearl: You Are My Sunshine
Billy Grammer: Georgiana Moon
Roy Acuff: Don't Make Me Go To Bed & I'll Be Good

10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): Little Ol' Gal A' Waiting
Jean Shepard: Saturday Night Sin
David Houston: Best Friends Make The Worst Enemies
Del Wood: Cattle Call
Grandpa Jones and George McCormick: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms

10:45: Beechnut
Charlie Louvin (host): Store Up Love
Justin Tubb: Cold Brown Bottle
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Arkansas Traveler
Charlie Louvin: Warm, Warm Woman

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Merry Go-Round of Love
The 4 Guys: We Make Beautiful Music Together/My Special Angel
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Lonzo and Oscar: You're Not Musically Inclined
Kirk McGee: Milk Cow Blues
Hank Snow: As Love Goes

11:30: Acme
Jerry Clower (host): A Chandelier For The Church
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith/Cheated, Too
Bill Carlisle: Worried Man Blues
Marshall Barnes: Tender Years
Jerry Clower: Comedy

(Lester Flatt was schedule to host the 9:00 segment on the first show and 10:30 on the late show but cancelled both appearances. Jimmy Dickens was scheduled for the 11:30 segment on the late show but cancelled. Minnie Pearl only appeared on the late show). 

Del Wood was a wonderful member of the Opry. She joined in 1953 and would remain an Opry member until her death in 1989. She also was a strong voice for traditional country music at the Opry and was known to make comments regarding some of the acts that appeared who were, in her mind, not country enough. 

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting. It looks like it is going to be a wonderful weekend at the Grand Ole Opry and I hope everyone gets a chance to listen and enjoy.