Grand Ole Opry 1/5 & 1/6

I am sure many of you have already seen this announcement from the Oak Ridge Boys, but I thought it would be good to share an abbreviated version for those who may not be aware: 

Oak Ridge Boys tenor singer Joe Bonsall has bowed out of the group's American Made: Farewell Tour and retired from the road after 50 years with the band due to a worsening neuromuscular disorder he's been battling for more than four years. He says, "I am now at a point where walking is impossible, so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult ... The Oak Ridge Boys will finish the Farewell Tour without me, but rest assured, I am good with all of it." The band introduced new tenor Ben James at a Dec. 30 concert in Mississippi. James previously toured with bluegrass artists Doyle Lawson and Dailey & Vincent.

I know all of us pass along our prayers and thoughts, along with our best wishes to Joe as he continues to battle this serious disease. I will certainly be strange to see the Oak Ridge Boys continue their Farewell Tour without Joe. He will be missed. 

Now moving ahead and welcome to 2024!!! I hope everyone had a very nice holiday season and made it safely to the new year. At the Grand Ole Opry, 2023 was a very busy year and I would expect the same in 2024, with more shows and possibly more new members. 

One of those possible new members that we have discussed for years is the legendary T. Graham Brown, and he will be the opening act on this week's Friday Night Opry. While I don't think it will happen on Friday night, I could possibly see T. Graham becoming an Opry member by the end of the year. He wants it and he certainly deserves it. 

Joining T. Graham on Friday will be Opry members Connie Smith, Don Schlitz, Mandy Barnett and Steve Wariner, while on Saturday night Opry members Jeannie Seely, John Conlee and Charlie McCoy are on the schedule. 

There is one Opry debut this weekend as Kidd G will be appearing on Friday night. Other non-members listed, in addition to T. Graham are Tony Trischka and, one of my personal favorites, Sunny Sweeney. In addition to hosting on Willie's Roadhouse, Sunny has been doing some touring. 

The non-members listed for Saturday night include Opry NextStage artist Restless Road, Avery Anna, John Berry and The Cleverlys. 

Friday January 5
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Sunny Sweeney, Kidd G, Don Schlitz
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Tony Trischka, Mandy Barnett, Steve Wariner

Saturday January 6
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, John Berry, Avery Anna, Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee, Opry Square Dancers, Restless Road, The Cleverlys

Kidd. G., who is making his Opry debut on Friday night, is considered one of the breakout artists in Nashville. Only 20, he has recently released his much-anticipated new EP, If We Were A Love Song, available via Rebel Music / The Valory Music Co. / Geffen Records. A breathtaking collection of recent singles and new tracks that heralds a new era for the performer, the new project is sure to be a highlight his Opry debut on Friday night. The new EP caps an onslaught of new music for him which has captured the imagination of fans everywhere. They were highlighted on the Georgia native’s tour, which was extended into November due to overwhelming demand. More than 30 new dates were added including stops in major markets such as Nashville, Montreal, and Toronto. Kidd G’s ascent to country music stardom has been anything but ordinary. He arrived on the Billboard country charts just a few months after his 17th birthday — which The New York Times called “a study in fluidity.” Kidd G has already gained over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and racked up over 598M total global streams across all releases.

During 2024, I am going to focus on the Grand Ole Opry lineups from 1974, 50 years ago. The first quarter of the year found the members preparing to say good-bye to the Ryman, while the remaining months of the year found the members adjusting to the new Opry House. 

In addition to the move to the new Opry House, 1974 also found the Opry hosting the first, of what would become an annual event: a reunion show of former Opry members. This was also known as "Old-Timer's Night." The first one took place in February, allowing some of the former members to come back one final time before the move. And of course, the Opry celebrated its 49th anniversary in the fall. 

So, looking back 50 years to Saturday January 5, 1974. It was a significant night at the Grand Ole Opry as the Opry dedicated the show to Tex Ritter, who had passed away on January 2 after suffering a heart attack. Here is the dedication that was printed in the program that night: 

The Grand Ole Opry and country music fans around the world are saddened by the sudden death of Tex Ritter, America's most beloved cowboy. Across the nation devotees of country-western music, from U.S. Senators to the man on the street, expressed grief for one of our great cowboy heroes, the victim of a massive heart attack on Wednesday January 2. 

Few names have sparked the imagination or permeated the entertainment industry as has that of Tex Ritter. His 40-year career spanned every major entertainment medium. Born in Murvaul, Panola County, Texas, Tex learned the rawhide arts of ranching, riding, and roping from practical experience. Influenced by his father's knowledge of the cowboy and the old-time community singings, Tex Ritter was destined to sing the story of the American cowboy. In fact, Tex had become the embodiment of the American West. Few personalities in the history of the American stage attained the heights that Tex enjoyed. 

Tex Ritter was a true legend in his own time. He was a big man with enormous love for his God, his country, his friends, and especially his lovely wife Dorothy Faye and sons, Thomas and Johnathan. 

As we begin a new year saddened by the loss of such an extraordinary human being, let us reflect on the great things that Tex stood for, and the exemplary life he led. And let us hope that now Tex Ritter as reached that "Hillbilly Heaven: of which he sang about so often. 

Here is the running order from 50 years ago, Saturday January 5, 1974: 

1st show
6:00: Vietti
Roy Drusky (host): A Satisfied Mind
Osborne Brothers: Fastest Grass Alive
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Lonzo and Oscar: King Size Cola & A Moon Pie
Roy Drusky: Anymore
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home

6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Jim and Jesse: Please Be My Love
Mary Lou Turner: Poor Sweet Lady
Bill Anderson: The World of Make Believe

6:45: Rudy's
Bill Monroe (host): Bluegrass Breakdown
George Morgan: Red Rose From The Blue Side of Town
Billy Grammer: Under The Double Eagle
Bill Boxx: Dark Hollow

7:00: Rudy's
Porter Wagoner (host): What Ain't To Be Just Might Happen
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife; She's My Woman
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: The Right Combination
Dolly Parton: Coat of Many Colors
Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: American Trilogy
Porter Wagoner: Be A Little Quieter

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): The Wabash Cannonball
Minnie Pearl: Careless Love
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin'
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Ida Red
Brother Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back to The Mountains

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Jack Greene: It's Time To Cross That Bridge
Jeannie Seely: Lucky Ladies
Lester Flatt: Homestead On The Farm
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Roy Pillow: Countryfied
Marty Stuart: Rawhide

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): There's A Fool Such As I
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Jim Ed Brown: Sometimes Sunshine
Jimmy C Newman: Potato Song
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Jeannie C Riley: Harper Valley PTA
Hank Snow: A Legend In My Time

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Monroe (host): Rawhide
Willis Brothers: Bob
Osborne Brothers: Fastest Grass Alive
Billy Grammer: How Great Thou Art
Jim and Jesse: Ashes of Love
Lonzo and Oscar: Truck Driving Man
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Kenny Baker: Sally Goodin

10:00: Fender
Porter Wagoner (host): The Sun Don't Shine On The Same Dog Everyday
Dolly Parton: Jolene
George Morgan: You Turn Me On
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: If Teardrops Were Pennies

10:15: Union76
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me On Sundays
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Country Boy
Grandpa and Ramona Jones: Come & Dine
Ray Pillow: Countryfied
Lester Flatt: Orange Blossom Special

10:45: Beechnut
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
Mary Lou Turner: Paper Roses
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Crook Brothers and The Tennessee Travelers: Chicken Reel
Bill Anderson: The World of Make Believe

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Jim Ed Brown: Scarlet Ribbons/The Three Bells
Jimmy C Newman: Potato Song
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Hank Snow: Snow In Hawaii

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Couldn't Believe It Was True
The 4 Guys: Let Me Be There/Catfish John
Jeannie C Riley: Why Me Lord
Ronnie Robbins: If We Make It Through December
Marty Robbins: Love Me/Don't Worry/Singing The Blues

I don't think anyone would have complained about that show to start off the new year!

(Jean Shepard and Charlie Walker were both scheduled but cancelled. Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely were scheduled for both shows but cancelled on the late show, while Roy Drusky and Billy Walker were only scheduled for the early show. Marty Robbins, of course, was only scheduled for the closing segment). 

Losing "America's Favorite Singing Cowboy," as he was introduced when appearing on the Grand Ole Opry, was a tough way to start the new year. While Tex as an Opry member for less than 10 years, he was extremely popular, both with fans and fellow Opry members. 

As always, thanks for reading and commenting. I always appreciate those who read and comment on the blog. Welcome to 2024 and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.