Another year is in the books as the Grand Ole Opry has completed its 98th year. As usual, it was a busy one. From past experience, I know that there a lot of the readers, and Opry fans in general, who are interested in the numbers from the previous year. So, with that in mind, here is a short recap of 2023.
The year started with 71 Opry members and ended the year with 72 as three members passed away and four new members were added. This past year we lost Ray Pillow, Jesse McReynolds and Bobby Osborne, with Bobby being the only active member of that group. It should be noted that each of the three who passed away had been Opry members for over 50 years. Also, Melvin Sloan passed away. While Melvin is listed on the Opry's membership wall, he was not an active member of the Opry when he passed away as he had retired several years earlier.
New members Henry Cho, Gary Mule Deer, Sara Evans and Jon Pardi were added, with Scotty McCreery waiting for his formal induction in 2024. On a historical note, the addition of Henry Cho and Gary Mule Deer were the first new comedians added to the Opry's cast since Jerry Clower in 1973.
Among the notable dates in 2023, Bill Anderson was honored upon his 62nd anniversary as an Opry member, making Bill the longest serving member in the history of the Opry. Mid-year, Bill passed one of the Opry's very early members, Herman Crook, who previously held that honor. That same weekend, Jeanne Pruett was honored upon her 50th anniversary as an Opry member. Now retired, Jeanne was at the Opry that night to accept her honor. We also saw the return of a couple of members who haven't appeared lately on the show: Reba McEntire and Patty Loveless.
Jeannie Seely continued adding to her record-breaking number of appearances on the Opry, ending the year at 5,335. As is mentioned every time Jeannie is on the Opry, she has appeared on more Opry shows than anyone else in the history of the Opry.
Yes, it was a very busy year at the Grand Ole Opry House with over 200 Opry shows taking place, including Opry Country Classics and Opry Country Christmas. Over the course of the year, an Opry show took place every night of the week.
So, which Opry members appeared on the Opry the most often?
In 2022, there were 21 Opry members who appeared 10 or more times on the Opry. This year there were 26 who made the list:
Riders In The Sky: 87
Jeannie Seely: 78
Mandy Barnett: 52
Don Schlitz: 45
Rhonda Vincent: 40
Connie Smith: 39
Charlie McCoy: 38
John Conlee: 36
Bill Anderson: 35
Dailey & Vincent: 32
Mike Snider: 32
Gary Mule Deer: 30
Vince Gill: 30
The Gatlin Brothers: 27
Mark Wills: 23
Ricky Skaggs: 21
The Isaacs: 20
The Whites: 20
Henry Cho: 18
Jamey Johnson: 13
Gene Watson: 13
Lauren Alaina: 12
Crystal Gayle: 12
Del McCoury: 12
Lorrie Morgan: 12
Carrie Underwood: 10
While veteran Opry members such as Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, John Conlee and Bill Anderson continue to lead the way in Opry appearances, it is very encouraging to see that of the 15 new members who have joined the cast since Dan Rogers became the Executive Producer of the Opry in 2019, 10 of those members are on this list.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have the group of "active" Opry members who did not appear at all last year:
Luke Combs
Diamond Rio
Emmylou Harris
Alison Krauss
Martina McBride
Brad Paisley
Dolly Parton
Blake Shelton
Travis Tritt
For a couple of those on the list, it has been years since they appeared on the Opry. (I will add the disclaimer that Emmylou Harris is scheduled for a couple of upcoming appearances in January).
The other 29 active members not listed fell in between, ranging from Ashley McBryde and Chris Janson with 9 appearances each, down to down to Clint Black, Little Big Town, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, and Keith Urban, each of whom appeared one time.
As mentioned above, 10 of the 15 acts added to the Opry by Dan appeared more than 10 times. The other five:
Ashley McBryde: 9
Carly Pearce: 6
Lady A: 4
Jon Pardi: 4
Sara Evans: 3
Finally, there are a few Opry members who are no longer active that I do want to mention:
Bobby Bare
Alan Jackson
Barbara Mandrell
Stu Phillips
Jeanne Pruett
Rascal Flatts
Ricky Van Shelton
Randy Travis
(Some may ask why Alan Jackson is on this list. Based on setlist.fm, Alan did not do any touring in 2023)
It is important to note that currently there is no set number of Opry appearances required by the members. It is my understanding is when a new Opry member is added, there is a discussion that takes place as to what the expectations are.
Almost 400 non-members made guest appearances on the Opry in 2023, with 128 of those making their Opry debuts, with a lot of variety among those appearing. Some of those acts were very good and made several appearances, while some of the others were very forgettable and were one and done.
Among those making their Opry debuts, the list included Hall of Fame songwriter Dean Dillon, Sean Dietrich, former television idols Barry Williams and Shaun Cassidy, the legendary Herb Albert, Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands, bluegrass award winners, Jason Carter and The Kody Norris Show, East Nash Grass, and recent internet sensation Oliver Anthony.
Regarding those non-members, Charles Esten led the group with 13 appearances, followed by Maggie Rose with 12. They were the only two that appeared over 10 times. Others who appeared more than 5 times included Steven Curtis Chapman, Chapel Hart, The Malpass Brothers, Wendy Moten, Tigirlily Gold, The Cleverlys, Restless Road and Carter Faith.
Looking ahead to 2024, there are a couple of milestones to watch, including the 50th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry House in March, and the 99th birthday weekend in the fall that will mark the start of the Opry's 100th anniversary.
Among the milestones specific to Opry members, Dolly Parton will mark her 55th year as an Opry member in January. Among the others of significance, will be The Whites and Lorrie Morgan, each of whom will mark 40 years as Opry members, and Trisha Yearwood who will celebrate her 25th.
In addition to Dolly's 55th, the following milestones will be marked in 2024:
Bill Anderson: 63
Connie Smith: 59
Stu Phillips: 57
Jeannie Seely: 57
Barbara Mandrell: 52
Jeanne Pruett: 51
As I have done over the past several years, in my personal opinion, I believe that the Opry continues to be in good hands under the leadership of Dan Rogers and his team. It is not easy putting on all of these shows each week and sometimes it is difficult to fill lineups. I appreciate the dedication that Dan has, and the decision he has made specifically in regard to the addition of new members.
As the Opry continues toward its 100th year in 2025, I am really excited about what will be happening over the next several years. It should be one heck of a ride.
Finally, my thanks to everyone, and I mean everyone, who I have met or communicated with as the journey continues. We may disagree at times, but all of us have one thing in common: we love the Opry and its history. Most importantly, we care:
Now on to 2024:
Byron
aka: Fayfare
(If anyone is looking for more specific information, please let me know and I will accommodate best I can).
ReplyDeleteGreat review/summary. It is incredible that Rhonda Vincent managed 40 Opry appearances in addition to her touring schedule (have you seen it, the gal doesn't stop moving). (from anonymous in PA)
PA you beat me to it. Out of the top 10 Rhonda is most impressive. She has to make a real effort to be there. I think most of us knew she would be dependable and dedicated. Another one of those who had to wait way too long be be asked.
ReplyDeleteNow for the negative side of me, there are a couple on the no show list that suits me just fine. I'll be nice and not name anyone.
Byron you don't have to look but I'm wondering if most of those debut acts are on the Friday and Saturday shows. Doesn't seem like many are during the weeknight shows. Everyone knows what bothers me most about the non member acts that appear.
One question that maybe was stated back when he was on. Had Pat Boone appeared before? If he had not then that would have been a weeknight debut.
Jim
27 appearances for The Gatlin Brothers. I can remember a period of time, when I was growing up, during the late 90s and early 2000s that they were hardly ever on.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t see T. Graham Brown ,on the nonmember list, for 10 plus appearances. I figured he would have made over 10 appearances . I’m not a big fan of Charles Esten, but I think he should be invited to be a member, since he does appear a lot. He’s kind of like Mandy & Rhonda, they appeared for years before be invited.
I agree with you 100% on Dan Rogers . I wish the Opry had him that position years ago. Curry
Byron the high point of the year for me was going to my first and probably last opry show, then back to Nashville for Milsap's retirement and getting to spend time with you both times! Thank you for all the amazing work you do, and for being such a wonderful friend!
ReplyDeleteI'll echo all of these comments, and add one: I THINK Alan Jackson lives in Nashville. I've heard rumblings of health issues. I hope they aren't too bad. But if he wants to get some songs off his chest, the Opry is just down the road. Those who have retired or are ill, of course. But those who can't find their way there? Rhonda ought to send them some maps.
ReplyDeleteI am especially upset about Brad Paisley because he talked such a good game. I guess that "we'll take it from here, Tater," was what comes out of the back end of a bull.
Little brad took it and left with it, never to be seen again.
DeleteAlan Jackson does have a condition that affects his ability to perform. https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/09/29/what-we-know-alan-jackson-his-health-condition-cmt-disease/5913373001/
DeleteI'm hopeful he'll still have a desire to perform that will bring him back to the Opry. If I were a gambling man, I'd bet he's the rare artist whose last tour will really be a last tour. We'll be lucky if we get sporadic appearances from him.
I can't think of an artist who I really liked who's come to disappoint me more than Brad Paisley. I thought Dierks Bentley would be a better member than he's been of late, too. I'm curious as to what's behind Diamond Rio's absence, too.
J in OK
Maybe Blake Shelton and Luke Combs should get some sort of credit for having properties under the RHP umbrella, Blake with Ole Red's and Luke with the upcoming Wildhorse Transition. (takes tongue out of my cheek).
ReplyDeleteI'm especially disappointed with Martina McBride. she literally lives less than 30 minutes from the Opry House and isn't touring a lot anymore. I don't know if Carly Pierce stills lives near Jeannie Seely or not, but if she does, I'm sure there are many Tuesday or Wednesdays where she could be more available.
For those interested, here are the last time the missing Opry members appeared:
ReplyDeleteLuke Combs: 2022
Diamond Rio: 2019
Emmylou Harris: 2021
Alison Krauss: 2019
Martina McBride: 2019
Brad Paisley: 2022
Dolly Parton: 2019
Blake Shelton: 2022
Travis Tritt: 2021
Absolutely agree on Martina.
Martina's voice is all but shot so I don't think she'll be doing much live singing at all in the future unless she's able to get some of her ability back. I don't follow her but I did catch an interview where she said poor technique and or care of her voice has cost her. Something about if she knew then what she knows now she would have prepared her voice differently/better.
DeleteI looked up Marty Stuart, who is doing a lot of touring but will be back in Nashville during the week plenty of times. Brad Paisley has a European tour but otherwise has lots of time on his hands. Maybe he WON'T take it from here, Tater?
ReplyDeleteNot that it makes much difference to these entertainers, but I presume they are paid some type of "scale" fee for performing on the Opry and that it is the same for each person including the band.
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily
DeleteWhat about Marty Stuart and Eddie Montgmery?????
ReplyDeleteByron, you didn't mention Trisha Yearwood. I came here looking for her stats due to her upcoming anniversary.
ReplyDelete