The lineups have been posted for this weekend's Grand Ole Opry shows. As we have seen over the past couple of weekends, once again there are some names that are on the schedule that stand out, particularly the Saturday booking of Oliver Anthony, who certainly has made for an interesting story since his emergence earlier this year.
More on Oliver in a moment, but first looking at the Friday Night Opry, Opry members Jeannie Seely, John Conlee and Don Schlitz are on the schedule, while on Saturday night members Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, Jamey Johnson and Lauren Alaina are the headliners. Again, only three Opry members on Friday night and four on Saturday evening.
One name that I am very happy to see on the Friday schedule is Suzy Bogguss. She is certainly one of my favorites. and it is always a pleasure to see her on the schedule. Also on the schedule is LOCASH, King Calaway, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, and Michael Tait, who will be making his Opry debut.
Saturday night, in addition to Oliver Anthony making his Opry debut, Tyler Braden and Sierra Ferrell round out the lineup.
Friday December 15
7:00: Jeannie Seely, King Calaway, John Conlee, Michael Tait
Intermission
8:15: Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Suzy Bogguss, Don Schlitz, LOCASH
Saturday December 16
Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Tyler Braden, Connie Smith, Lauren Alaina
Intermission
8:15: Sierra Ferrell, Opry Square Dancers, Oliver Anthony, Jamey Johnson
Michael Tait is a renowned figure in the world of Christian music. From his pioneering days with DC Talk to his long career with the Newsboys, he has left an indelible mark on Christian music. From Grammy Awards to Dove Awards, his influence is undeniable, and his commitment to spreading a message of hope and spirituality remains unwavering.
Growing up, in Washington D.C., the Tait Family Christmas Soundtrack was that of the timeless crooner, Nat King Cole. His rendition of "The Christmas Song" became the soundtrack to family gatherings, evoking a sense of warmth and nostalgia that remains etched in his heart. Today, Tait for the first time finds himself recording many of these timeless tunes and is currently on tour with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant.
Oliver Anthony, who is making is Opry debut on Saturday night, made music history this year by becoming the first artist in history to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard charts without previously having a song on the charts. He is also the first living male songwriter to chart 13 songs simultaneously in Billboard’s Top 50 Digital Song Sales.
A musical poet of the people, Anthony became an overnight national sensation with the release of “Rich Men North of Richmond,” which has been dubbed the nation’s “blue-collar anthem.” But it resonates powerfully with Americans from all walks of life around the world. The song has been streamed more than 77 million times on YouTube and more than 115 million across streaming platforms. Five of his other songs have made iTunes’ Top 10, with “I’ve Got to Get Sober” reaching No. 3. “Ain’t Got a Dollar” claimed the No. 1 spot on Spotify’s Viral 50 list and No. 2 on iTunes.
He dropped out of school at age 17 and later earned a G.E.D. before working industrial jobs in Virginia and North Carolina. He was unable to work for about six months in 2013 after an accident at a North Carolina paper mill fractured his skull. More recently, he worked in outside sales in manufacturing before his music career exploded. Anthony, 31, lives off the grid in a camper in Farmville, Va., with his wife and two children (with another one on the way in November). He’s been public about overcoming addiction and depression.
There are only two more Opry Country Christmas shows left on the schedule and one of those will be taking place on Sunday night. In addition to the regulars, Steven Curtis Chapman and Louise Mandrell are on the schedule. This will be a matinee show starting at 2:00.
Opry Country Christmas
Sunday December 17
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Steven Curtis Chapman
Special Guest: Louise Mandrell
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy
The last Opry Country Christmas show for 2023 will be taking place the following night. That final show will feature Opry member Chris Janson and John Berry.
Opry Country Christmas
Monday December 18
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Chris Janson
Special Guest: Jeannie Seely
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy
I hope all would agree that these shows have been wonderful.
From 45 years ago, Saturday December 16, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Jack Greene (host), Jeannie Seely
6:45: Jim Ed Brown (host), Billy Grammer, Ernie Ashworth, Helen Cornelius
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host), Roy Drusky, Jim and Jesse, Marion Worth, Vic Willis and Curtis Young, Justin Tubb
7:30: Roy Acuff (host), Osborne Brothers, Minnie Pearl, Stonewall Jackson, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Bill Monroe (host), James Monroe, Grandpa Jones, Lonzo, Wilma Lee Cooper, Charlie Walker
8:30: Hank Snow (host), Jeanne Pruett, The 4 Guys, Bill Carlisle, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host), Billy Grammer, Marion Worth, Jim and Jesse, Ernie Ashworth, Helen Cornelius
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host), Jack Greene, Jeannie Seely\
10:15: Roy Acuff (host), Vic Willis w/Curtis Young and C.W. Mitchell, Charlie Walker
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host), Stonewall Jackson, Osborne Brothers
10:45: Bill Monroe (host), Wilma Lee Cooper, Justin Tubb, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Hank Snow (host), The 4 Guys, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Lonzo, Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host), Jeanne Pruett, Stu Phillips, Bill Carlisle
(Ray Pillow was scheduled for both shows but cancelled. Roy Drusky and Minnie Pearl only appeared on the first show and Stu Phillips missed the early show but was on the late show. Finally, Lonzo appeared as a solo act as Oscar was in Florida).
Saturday December 16, 2000, was a special night at the Grand Ole Opry as Opry members Jimmy Dickens and Jeannie Seely came out dressed as Mr. & Mrs. Claus and invited Brad Paisley to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Here is the running order from that night, 23 years ago:
1st show
6:30: online.com
Jeannie Seely (host): Winter Wonderland
The Whites: The Light At The Stable
Bill Carlisle: Stay A Little Longer
Dale Watson: Santa In My Semi/(?)
Jeannie Seely: Shake Me; I Rattle
7:00: Shoney's
John Conlee (host): Pretty Paper
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou
Charlie Louvin: The Friendly Beasts
Billy Walker: Jesus Walks In/Charlie's Shoes
John Conlee: I'm Only In It For The Love/Rose Colored Glasses
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks Christmas
Jessica Andrews: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Ralph Stanley: Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
Brad Paisley: We Danced/Baby In A Manger
8:00: Martha White
Riders In The Sky (host): Ride Along
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Holly Dunn: Daddy's Hands
Opry Square Dance Band: Sally Goodin
Riders In The Sky: Woody's Roundup/Happy Trails To You
8:30: Physician's Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' At The Foot of The Bed
Wilma Lee Cooper: Coming Down from God
Mike Snider: 'T was The Night Before Christmas
Mandy Barnett: Hurt
Joe Diffie: Leroy, The Red Necked Reindeer/Wrap Me In Your Love
Jimmy Dickens: There's No Place Like Home On Christmas
2nd show
9:30: online.com
Jeannie Seely (host): Winter Wonderland
The Whites: The Light At The Stable
Dale Watson: First Times & Last Times
Joe Diffie: Leroy, The Red Necked Reindeer/Behind Closed Doors
10:00: Lincoln Mercury/Opry At The Ryman
Jimmy Dickens: Mountain Dew
Wilma Lee Cooper: Amazing Grace
Mike Snider: If My Nose Was Runnin' Money
Jessica Andrews: Christmas Once Again/Who Am I
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way
10:30: Folex/Joggin' In A Jug
John Conlee (host): Friday Night Blues
Osborne Brothers: Head Over Heels In Love with You
Holly Dunn: Devil Stand Back
Opry Square Dance Band: Sugar In The Goard
John Conlee: As Long As I'm Rockin with You
11:00: Coca Cola
Bill Anderson (host): Christmas In Your Arms
Ralph Stanley: Mary, Merry Christmas/Rawhide
Brad Paisley: He Didn't Have To Be/The Old Rugged Cross
Bill Anderson: Still
11:30: Opry 75th Anniversary
Riders In The Sky (host): Christmas Time's A' Comin'
Ray Pillow: I Wonder Who's Missing You Now
Charlie Walker: White Christmas
Mandy Barnett: Words
Riders In The Sky: I'll Be Home for Christmas/Happy Trails To You
(Jeanne Pruett, Skeeter Davis and Del Reeves were all scheduled but cancelled. Bill Carlisle, Jimmy C Newman, Charlie Louvin and Billy Walker were all scheduled for just the first show, while Ray Pillow and Charlie Walker were only scheduled for the late show).
Brad Paisley was inducted as an Opry member on February 17, 2001. As with many from that era, Brad made a lot of appearances before he became a member, then not so many after he joined. Which is sad as many of us remember the comments that Brad made following the death of Jimmy Dickens.
That covers it for this week. Thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
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ReplyDeleteA Opry announcer who knew a little Opry history before their time could have told the audience that Ernest Tubb did Blue Christmas on the Opry in 1949 before Elvis recorded it. That would have been a nice tie in with Michael Tait's performance. Maybe some would consider that disrespectful to Tait and Elvis but I don't think so. Tait did a nice job on his set.
ReplyDeleteJim
I confess that I don't like the rotating voices. They should go with three announcers who are officially announcers. Mike Terry has the right to be one of them, and Jeff Hoag needs to be one of them.
DeleteI wish they would add Jeff Hoag as well. He has a GREAT knowledge of Country Music.
DeleteListening to some Christmas music and just played some things from Del Reeves Christmas LP. A few years back on Christmas eve I wrote about some of the many great Christmas recordings our country and Opry friends have recorded. You don't hear much of it anymore unless Eddie Stubbs played it or maybe Jeff is now on WSM. I encourage you to seek out some of this even if you are not in to listening to Christmas music too much. I still think that Del's Christmas LP was the best album he ever did. It's hardcore country. Hank Snow had a great Christmas LP as did Ernest Tubb. Ferlin Husky and Charley Pride had great albums as well. Marty had a great one and Jeanne Pruitt wrote or helped write a lot of the material. Bill Anderson's album was wonderful but I think the only original piece on it was "My Christmas List Gets Shorter Every Year' and that's enough. So glad Eddie got him to do that two or three years on the Opry. I knew I would get in trouble if I started naming names! If we are lucky today we might hear something from Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash or maybe Loretta Lynn but you won't hear hardly any of the second team artists. Anyone remember what was one of Bob Luman's last chart records? "A Christmas Tribute" to Elvis and Bing.
ReplyDeleteJust encouraging those who may be reading hear since I last talked about this subject to check out some of these great recordings.
Jim
Just bought Loretta Lynn's album Heartwarming Gospel. "The Third Man" that literally makes this grown man cry.
ReplyDeleteCountry artists can reach emotions that few others can.
I think "My Christmas list gets shorter each year" was unfortunately very true for a portion of Bill Anderson's life.
Nat, did you ever hear Hank Snow do "The Third Man"? He used to do it on the Opry in the 80's and 90's. I think Loretta, Teddy Wilburn and another writer wrote it.
ReplyDeleteJim
They did, and I jumped a little because both Chet Atkins and Sonny James recorded instrumentals of "The Third Man Theme" from the movie with Orson Welles!
DeleteI didn't know the history of the song. It's amazing song, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIn the Loretta Lynn album I purchased, The Third Man's writers were listed as "Frances Heighton/Don Helms/Teddy Wilburn."
Good job on Teddy Wilburn Jim!
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nashville-tn/frances-heighton-5853549
ReplyDeleteTed probably refined the song if nothing else. I remember Eddie Stubbs saying he was a later day song doctor like Fred Rose. I've heard Bill Anderson say the same.
ReplyDeleteJim