Grand Ole Opry 12/1 & 12/2

Friday night promises to be a special night at the Grand Ole Opry House as Connie Smith and Sam Wellington will be inducted into the Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame. 

(From the press release:)
The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame is proud to announce the induction of two legendary artists, Connie Smith and Sam Wellington of The Four Guys, into the prestigious hall of fame. The induction ceremony will take place on December 1st at the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.

Jackie Thomas, director of The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame, and Richard Lynch, country music singer/songwriter and owner of Keepin It Country Farm in Waynesville, OH, will be presenting the award to Smith and Wellington.

Connie Smith, often referred to as one of the greatest voices in country music, has had a successful career spanning over five decades. She has earned 11 GRAMMY nominations, 20 Top 10 Billboard country singles, and 31 charting albums. Smith was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Known for hits like “Once a Day” and “How Great Thou Art,” Smith continues to tour and record, often with her husband and producer, Marty Stuart.

Sam Wellington, along with his fellow band members Berl Lyons, Brent Burkett, and Richard Garratt, formed The Four Guys in the late 1960s. Within months of arriving in Nashville, the quartet was invited to perform on the Grand Ole Opry, making them the first vocal group to become lifetime members of the legendary show. The Four Guys went on to tour with Hank Williams, Jr. and the Charley Pride Show, and were nominated for Vocal Group of the Year by the Country Music Association and Music City News.

“We are thrilled to honor these incredible artists for their contributions to country music,” said Jackie Thomas, director of The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame. “Connie Smith and The Four Guys have left an indelible mark on the industry, and we are proud to add them to our list of esteemed inductees.”

Richard Lynch, himself a member of The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame, will be joining Thomas in presenting the award to Smith and Wellington. “It is an honor to be a part of this special occasion and to recognize such talented and influential artists,” said Lynch.

The induction ceremony will take place at the Grand Ole Opry on December 1st and will be a celebration of Smith and Wellington’s extraordinary careers and contributions to country music. For more information about The Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame, please visit https://www.facebook.com/OCMHF.

It promises to be a special night at the Opry and it will be wonderful to see Sam Wellington back on the Opry stage. 

Joining Connie Smith on the Friday Night Opry will be Opry members Dustin Lynch, Rhonda Vincent, Riders In The Sky and Don Schlitz. The French Family is back for another appearance, while Walker Montgomery will be making his Opry debut. Rounding out the show will be Hannah Dasher. 

Not only is Friday going to be a special night, but so is Saturday and Grand Ole Opry member, and one of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Patty Loveless will be making her return to the Opry stage. And joining Patty on Saturday night, and certainly no surprise, will be Opry member Vince Gill. 

Patty has been away from the Opry for a while as she basically retired from touring and performing. In fact, he last Opry appearance was April 21, 2018. She reappeared in 2022, performing on the CMA Awards show, in an appearance that captivated the audience. That was followed by an appearance at the Country Music Hall of Fame this past August which was in conjunction with her special display at the Hall of Fame. 

Joining Patty and Vince on Saturday night will be Opry members Jeannie Seely and John Conlee, along with non-members Sister Sadie and Frank Ray. Rounding out this night will be Ben Chapman, who is making his Opry debut. 

Friday December 1
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Hannah Dasher, French Family Band, Don Schlitz
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky, Walker Montgomery, Connie Smith, Dustin Lynch

Saturday December 2
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Ben Chapman, John Conlee, Frank Ray
Intermission
8:15: Sister Sadie, Opry Square Dancers, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill

Walker Montgomery, who is making his Opry debut on Friday night, is from Kentucky.  Son of artist John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Montgomery Gentry‘s Eddie Montgomery, The young entertainer has already achieved plenty of milestones in his own career over the last few years, such as releasing his EP Work To Do, but stepping into the circle is definitely high on his list of goals. “Country music has been my life for as long as I can remember,” he shares. “The fact that I get to play the Opry is an absolutely surreal feeling and truly an honor.”

Ben Chapman, who is making his Opry debut on Saturday night, is from Louisiana. On Friday he is releasing his new single, "Baby Don’t Cry It’s Saturday Night." He signed his first publishing deal in 2021 and in 2022 he started a residency on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Nashville’s The Basement, which featured a number of special guests including Brent Cobb, Drake White, Joshua Ray Walker, Lainey Wilson, Daniel Donato, Elizabeth Cook, Ashley Monroe, Angelina Presley, Caylee Hammack, Aaron Raitiere, Vince Herman, Brit Taylor, Tyler Halverson, Hayes Carll, and more. Also, in 2022 he released his debut project Make The Night Better, that was Inspired by the honky-tonk influence of Roger Miller and the genre-blending enterprises of The Grateful Dead.

Finally, Opry Country Christmas returns on Sunday night for another show that will feature Scotty McCreery and the Spotlight Artist with Jeannie Seely and Hailey Whitters as Special Guests.

Opry Country Christmas
Sunday December 3
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Scotty McCreery
Special Guests: Jeannie Seely, Hailey Whitters
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy
(Christmas show regulars Riders In The Sky are missing this night). 

Now looking back 45 years ago, Saturday December 2, 1978, which was the final Saturday night that Opry member Bob Luman appeared on: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
David Houston: Best Friends Make The Worst Enemies
Charlie Walker: Lucille

6:45: Rudy's
Bill Monroe (host): A Used-To-Be
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Vic Willis and Curtis Young: Cimarron
Bill Monroe: The Old Cross Road Is Waiting

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole Slewfoot
Wilma Lee Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Wilburn Brothers: Mama's Shoe Box
Charlie Louvin: Hey, Daddy
Porter Wagoner: I'm Gonna Feed You Now/Big Wind's A'Comin

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball/Tennessee Central No.9/Sunshine Special
Jan Howard: I'll Remember The Good
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers; Gray Eagle
Herman Crook: Amazing Grace
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland

8:00: Martha White
Grandpa Jones (host): Are You From Dixie
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong with The Way That We're Doing It Now
Bob Luman: Let Me Make The Bright Lights Shine For You/The Pay Phone
Jim and Jesse: Ashes of Love
Bill Carlisle: Business Man
Grandpa and Ramona Jones: Mount Laurel

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Ray Pillow: Texas
Stonewall Jackson: My Favorite Sin
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Hank Snow: Ramblin' Rose

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Monroe (host): My Sweet Blue-Eyed Darling
Charlie Walker: T For Texas
David Houston: Best Friends Make The Worst Enemies
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Vic Willis: Shenandoah
Stu Phillips: Come Sundown
Bill Monroe: Cryin' Holy Unto The Lord

10:00: Fender
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Saturday Night
Wilburn Brothers: What A Way To Go
Charlie Louvin: When I Was Your Man
Porter Wagoner: Ole Slewfoot

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Know, Arkansas
Billy Grammer: Faded Love
Jan Howard: It's A Heartache
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Roy Acuff: Jesus Will Outshine Them All

10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): Old Dan Tucker
Roy Drusky: Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong with The Way That We're Doing It Now
Grandpa Jones: Falling Leaves

10:45: Beechnut
Bob Luman (host): Good Hearted Woman
Del Wood: Keep On The Firing Line
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: (?)
Bob Luman: A Satisfied Mine

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host0: Rhumba Boogie
Ray Pillow: Dreams of A Dreamer/Another Day; Another Dollar
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Jim and Jesse: The Voice of My Darling
Kirk McGee: Chitliling Cooking Time In Cheatham County
Hank Snow: Hobo Bill's Last Ride

11:30: Acme
Stonewall Jackson (host): A Wound Time Can't Erase
The 4 Guys: Let You Love Flow/Catfish John
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane/I Was On My Way To The Show
Stonewall Jackson: My Favorite Sin/Waterloo

(Marion Worth was scheduled for both shows but cancelled. It was also the night of Herman Crook's 90th birthday. He sang "Amazing Grace," which many believe was the first time that he ever sang on the Opry). 

While this was Bob Luman's final Saturday night on the Opry, he did appear on the following two Friday Night Opry shows, December 8 and December 15. 

Bob was born in Blackjack, Texas, and grew up in Nacogdoches loving both sports and music. As a teen, Luman was a high-school baseball star, and was so good that he caught the eye of several major-league baseball scouts. Through his teens, Luman was primarily interested in singing country music like his idol Lefty Frizzell, but then he saw Elvis perform at a country music show. This inspired him to try his hand at the rockabilly sound and found his own band, which soon began performing at school activities and for area clubs. Soon after graduating he won a talent contest, leading to his debut on The Louisiana Hayride. He was well received and became a regular in the mid-'50s. He was handsome, young, and talented to boot, so it was only natural that Luman begin appearing on television. In 1957, he had a small role in a Hollywood film, Carnival Rock. He also appeared in Las Vegas along with Tex Ritter and Johnny Cash. Still, his singles did nothing on the charts.

In 1959, the Pittsburgh Pirates offered him a contract. Fed up with his lack of success, he decided to go for it and announced this during a concert one night. The Everly Brothers happened to be in the audience and after the show, they talked him into giving country music one more attempt. They suggested he record the Boudleaux Bryant song "Let's Think About Living," and sure enough, it was a Top Ten hit on both the country and pop charts. His follow-up, "The Great Snowman," was also a hit and he began organizing a promotional tour. However, he was drafted and spent the next two years in the military. He was discharged in 1964 and began recording for Hickory Records.

His debut single on Hickory, "The File," made it to the Top 25. The following year, he became a member of The Grand Ole Opry. Bob eventually signed with Epic Records and soon had a string of major hits on his hands, beginning with the Top 20 "Ain't Got Time to Be Happy." Over the next ten years, he released many more singles that made it into the Top 25 or better, including the Top Five hit "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers" in 1972. During these years, he also toured extensively and frequently. The first country performer to perform in Puerto Rico, he also appeared on national and international television shows and remained a regular on The Opry, where his lively performances raised the eyebrows of the old-timers who thought his music veered dangerously close to rock & roll at times. Luman had a major heart attack in 1975, and it took him nearly five months to recover. (Afterwards, he joked about his enormous medical bills during his Opry performances.) His final chart appearance came in 1977 with the Top 15 hit "The Pay Phone." The following year he contracted pneumonia and died at the age of 41.

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting. I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.