Sometimes when coming out of a holiday weekend, you never know for sure what you will get, but I will say that the Grand Ole Opry has a couple of very solid lineups for this weekend.
The Friday Night Opry will feature Opry members Vince Gill, Jeannie Seely, Riders In The Sky and Gary Mule Deer, while on Saturday night Mandy Barnett, Don Schlitz and Dailey & Vincent are on the schedule, and making it a two-show weekend, Gary Mule Deer and Riders In The Sky.
Charles Esten and Darin & Brooke Aldridge, both of whom have both made numerous appearances are scheduled for Friday night, along with Emily Ann Roberts and Authentic Unlimited, who will be making their Opry debut.
Nolan Taylor will be making his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night, joined by Morgan Myles and Steve Earle.
Friday November 24
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Darin & Brook Aldridge, Jeannie Seely, Charles Esten
Intermission
8:15: Emily Ann Roberts, Authentic Unlimited, Gary Mule Deer, Vince Gill
Saturday November 25
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Dailey & Vincent, Nolan Taylor, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett
Intermission
8:15: Morgan Myles, Opry Square Dancers, Gary Mule Deer, Don Schlitz, Steve Earle
Authentic Unlimited is a bluegrass/gospel group that is comprised of Jerry Cole, Eli Johnston, and Stephen Burwell, all being former members of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver's last touring band before he retired. They are joined by mandolin extraordinaire, Jesse Brock and vocal powerhouse, John Meador to form a tight machine that is taking the music industry by storm. Authentic Unlimited recently won Vocal Group of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the 2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards.
Nolan Taylor comes to the Opry from small town Ohio and after spending time in West Virginia and Kentucky, performing at various open mic nights. His early influences included the Grateful Dead, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. In 2023, a video of Nolan performing “68” in the woods went viral with 2.6 million YouTube views on the Radio WV YouTube Channel.
For the past several years, the Grand Ole Opry has offered a series of Opry Country Christmas shows. We attend one last year and it was fantastic. This year's series of shows begins this Sunday. Here is the press release from the Opry:
The Grand Ole Opry kicks off the third season of Nashville’s holiday tradition, Opry Country Christmas, on Sunday, Nov. 26 at the Grand Ole Opry House. Hosted by Grammy-winning Opry member Larry Gatlin, each Opry Country Christmas show features Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett and Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy joined each week by a Spotlight Artist and a special guest. Kicking off the Opry Country Christmas season on Sunday as Spotlight Artist will be the Opry’s newest member, Jon Pardi, and special guest The War and Treaty.
Opry Country Christmas
Sunday November 26
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Jon Pardi
Special Guests: The War and Treaty
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy
Now from 45 years ago, Saturday November 25, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Jack Greene (host): Stu Phillips
6:45: Bill Monroe (host): Ernie Ashworth, Justin Tubb
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Skeeter Davis, Jimmy Dickens, Bob Luman, Vic Willis
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Charlie Louvin, Wilburn Brothers, Crook Brothers
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host): Roy Drusky, Stonewall Jackson, Wilma Lee Cooper, Lonzo and Oscar
8:30: Hank Snow (host): The 4 Guys, Bessyl Duhon, Bill Carlisle, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Kayton Roberts
2nd show
9:30: Bill Monroe (host): Jack Greene, Bob Luman, Skeeter Davis, Ernie Ashworth, James Monroe
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Stu Phillips, Justin Tubb
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Jimmy Dickens, Vic Willis
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host): Wilburn Brothers, Charlie Louvin
10:45: Stonewall Jackson (host): Wilma Lee Cooper, Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Roy Drusky, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Lonzo and Oscar, Kirk McGee
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Bill Carlisle, The 4 Guys
November 25, 1967, marked the first Porter Wagoner/Dolly Parton duet on the Opry. Dolly had made her first appearance the month before, in October. However, it took another six weeks until the two sang together.
Here is the running order from that night 56 years ago:
7:30: Standard Candy
Wilburn Brothers (host): Wasting My Time
Jean Shepard: He Plays The Bongo (I Play The Banjo)
Willis Brothers: Bob
Ernie Ashworth: Tender & True
Wilburn Brothers: Roarin' Again
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself A Name
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make It
Wilburn Brothers: Goody, Goody Gumdrop
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Bill Carlisle: The Wife
Ray Pillow: Gone With The Wine
Dolly Parton: Why Why, Why
Grandpa Jones: Bald Headed End of The Broom
Crook Brothers: Cotton-Eyed Joe
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: The Last Thing On My Mind
8:30: Stephens
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): It Started Again
Del Reeves: A Dime At A Time
Margie Bowes: Understand Your Gal/Big City
Harold Weakley: Since Never
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Del Reeves: Girl On The Billboard
Joe Edwards: Galloping On The Guitar
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Satisfied
9:00: Luzianne
Charlie Louvin (host): The Only Way Out
Lonzo and Oscar: New River Train #2
Jerry Greene: Folsom Prison Blues
The 4 Guys: Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town
Charlie Louvin: I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby/My Baby's Gone/When I Stop Dreaming
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Lonzo and Oscar: Uncle Pen
Charlie Louvin: Hangin' On
Jimmy Capps: Wildwood Flower
9:30: Kellogg's
George Morgan (host): I Couldn't See
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Bob Luman: Memphis
Marion Worth: A Woman Needs Love
George Morgan: Barbara
Stu Phillips: Juanita Jones
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
10:00: Schick
Del Reeves (host): A Dime At A Time
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Stringbean: Shake That Foot, Sally Ann
Del Reeves: Bells of Southern Bell/Chug-A-Lug
10:15: Pure
Bill Carlisle (host): No Help Wanted
Margie Bowes: Afraid
Ernie Ashworth: My Love For You
Bill Carlisle: The Wife
10:30: Buckley's
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooly
Grandpa Jones: Dear Old Sunny South By The Sea
Ray Pillow: Gone With The Wine
Porter Wagoner: Woman Hungry
Buck Trent: Stampede
10:45: Kent
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): The Birds Are Back
Bob Luman: You Can Take The Boy From The Country
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Wilma Lee Cooper: Time Keeps Standing Still
11:00: Coca Cola
Charlie Louvin (host): I Don't Love You Anymore/Less & Less
George Morgan: Barbara
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Devil's Dream
Charlie Louvin: The Only Way Out
The 4 Guys: Walking In The Sunshine
Sam McGee: John Henry
George Morgan: I Love No One But You
Charlie Louvin: Think I'll Go Somewhere I Cry Myself To Sleep
11:30: Lava
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Lonzo and Oscar: Dormant Volcano
Stu Phillips: Juanita Jones
Marion Worth: Sleeping At The Foot of The Bed
Billy Grammer: Mabel
Cousin Jody: Jody's Chimes
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigre
Marion Worth: Walk Thru This World with Me
Billy Grammer: God Will Take Care of You
I noticed that Norma Jean was not on the Opry that night.
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting. I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
I’m not a football fan, but did catch Dallas Cowboys halftime show with Dolly. It was great seeing Jennifer O’ Brien too. She has been with Dolly’s background group for many years. She also use to be on the Opry with Charlie Louvin and filled in with The Carol Lee Singers.Curry
ReplyDeleteCurry, as I recall, Jennifer also was part of the Opry singers after Carol Lee's retirement? Am I off on that? Anyway, glad to see her performing. Dolly is a force of nature.
DeleteIt's interesting that in 1978, Bessyl Duhon is listed on the 8:30 segment but not his boss, who hosted the 11:30 segment. I thought back to when Jimmy C. Newman died, and the week after, Cajun Country did the Opry. Obviously, the Opry did that with the Smoky Mountain Boys, and I think maybe with the Bluegrass Boys, but those are the only other such examples I can think of.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Bessyl can be part of fun Opry trivia. Which sidemen worked the longest for Opry acts? I THINK he is third behind Oswald and Jimmie Riddle with Mr. Acuff.
I can't wait to her Nolan Taylor. With that list of inspiring groups and artists he should be really country. Hope I get surprised.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info on Jennifer O'Brien. Charlie always had good people with him but Jennifer was one of the best. Yes, she remained one of the fill ins with the Opry Singers after Carol Lee retired. I have photos of her with them when it was still Dennis, Nora and Rod.
Interesting on that 67 show that none of the heavies were on that night, Acuff, Snow, Tubb or Monroe!
Jim
They also had Bill Carlisle Jr and the group on after Bill Carlisle's death. They sang "Gone Home".
ReplyDeleteThanks, fellow Mike!
DeleteWe only turned on the Dallas game to catch the Dolly half-time show - she just doesn't stop surprising us - love her !!
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine introduced me to WIWS radio. It’s an internet radio station based out of Beckley, WV . I think most of y’all will enjoy their format. wiwsradio.com
ReplyDeleteThey play all the legends of Country Music and the greats of the Opry. You’ll hear the Hank Locklin,Willis Brothers, Bill Phillips, George Morgan, etc. along with George Jones, Johnny Cash, etc Curry
Can you tell me how many opry sponsors lasted 25 years or more?
ReplyDeleteI know I will probably miss a couple, but here you go:
DeleteMartha White
Coca Cola
W.E. Stephens
Pet Milk
Shoney's (switched between Friday and Saturday night)
Standard Candy
Dollar General
Mrs. Grissoms and Rudy's are pretty close. I would have to double check the dates on Luzianne.
Like Opry members, many of the early sponsors came and went.
Those are the ones off the top of my head without checking the dates (which I do have in my files).
Hey Byron this is Johnny.I used to be here on the opry blog 12 years ago [March-October 2011] asking abut the early Opry stars from the 1920s-1950s I know Martha White ben on the Opry since 1946.As for the other sponsors I have to look up I'm backkkkk
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back Johnny
Delete(Byron)
Well, I have to eat a little crow here. Nolan Taylor wasn't as bad as I expected, not that I want to hear more. But he was far better than the opening of the second hour. Wow, I'm just speechless on that one. How some of these people are chosen to perform on the Opry puzzles me.
ReplyDeleteJim
Hi Byron.I was wondering aboutwhen the hall of fame is going to have a mass induction like you had in 2001 It's a good way to get rid of that backlog.So why not start in 2024
ReplyDeleteI have been told by those in the know that there are no plans and no interest in having a mass induction. So, based on that, I would say that there will be no mass induction anytime soon.
DeleteCan you give a copy of all country greats that were elected to the hall of fame in a tie vote since 1966
ReplyDeleteSure have been a lot of great sidemen like Carl Jackson, BuckTrent, Sam Bush, Johnny Sibert , Buddy Emmons, Buddy Spicher, Tommy Jackson, well you get my drift and hundreds of others who will never be honored in the Hall of Fame, but were in lots of cases, people who contributed more to the country sound than some of the inductees ----
ReplyDeleteDid Patsy Montana play on the Opry shortly before her death may 1998
ReplyDelete