Grand Ole Opry 2/2 & 2/3

I wanted to start out by sharing this wonderful news regarding Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 30, 2024) – Grammy-award-winning Country legend Jeannie Seely will be honored with the esteemed Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award at the SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards in recognition of her numerous career achievements and significant contributions to the music industry. Seely joins an elite group of Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, including Jo Walker-Meador (2004), Brenda Lee (2006), and Frances Preston (2010). The annual awards ceremony will be presented by Springer Mountain Farms and is set for August 27, 2024, at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

"The Source Awards have been very special to me since I first heard of them, and it has been a privilege to serve as a co-host all these years. I’ve always been interested in the business behind the music, and therefore have tremendous respect for the women in this organization. To be a recipient of this highest honor with my mentors is beyond my dreams!" exclaimed Jeannie Seely.

"SOURCE is incredibly thankful for Jeannie's dedication to and support of this organization through the years," said SOURCE President Kari Barnhart. "Jeannie's dedication to her music, work as a radio host, long-time membership of the Grand Ole Opry, and willingness to mentor and guide emerging female artists speaks to who she is. She deserves to be celebrated and honored with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award."

Co-host of the prestigious SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards since 2006, Seely has spearheaded significant efforts to support and enhance women’s music industry roles throughout her decades.

Invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry early in her career, Jeannie today holds the distinction of having more Opry performances than any other artist. Only the third female in country music history to receive a Grammy award and the first female to regularly host Opry segments, Seely’s many awards and accolades demonstrate her impact in the music industry. Those awards include the CMA’s Joe Talbot Award, a Music City Walk of Fame star, and BMI hit-songwriter awards. She is also a producer, author, actress, and host – including her own weekly show on SiriusXM.

In addition, Seely has been a longtime advocate for artists’ benefits and rights, serving on the Board of Directors for SAG-AFTRA and the Opry Trust Fund. The only female to receive an honorary Nashville Musicians Union lifetime membership, Seely also received Lincoln Memorial University’s most prestigious recognition – an honorary Doctor of Arts degree.

Stay in touch with Jeannie Seely on her website and all of her social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Stream and download music on Apple Music/iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube Music and listen to her on Sundays With Seely on SiriusXM each Sunday at 11 am CST.

 

About Source Hall of Fame Awards:

In 2003, the annual SOURCE Awards were established by founder Kay Smith to honor and pay respect to the Women Behind The Music who helped shape and build upon Nashville’s entertainment industry. 

The SOURCE Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2004. With permission, the award was named in honor of Jo Walker-Meador. The candidates for this award, in addition to meeting the criteria for a SOURCE Award, must have not only contributed to the Nashville entertainment industry but have made significant contributions outside of Nashville and Internationally, which brings or brought attention to the Nashville entertainment industry.

Founded in 1991 by Shelia Shipley Biddy, Judy Harris, and Pat Rolfe, SOURCE is the longest-running organization for females in the music industry in Nashville and is dedicated to fostering relationships and opportunities for its members through continuous education, networking, and community service initiatives. 

SOURCE is a nonprofit organization supporting an exclusive community of accomplished women professionals who work in all facets of Nashville’s entertainment industry. For more information, please visit SOURCENashville.org.

About Jeannie Seely

Jeannie Seely's deep, moving vocals earned her the nickname “Miss Country Soul,” a title still used today. An esteemed singer, songwriter, producer, actress, author and on-air personality, Seely added another title, “Doctor,” to her resume when she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts from Lincoln Memorial University in 2019. The third female country artist to win a GRAMMY® and the oldest female Grammy-winning artist who is still living. She is among a select group of country artists who have scored No. 1 hits as a solo artist, duet partner and songwriter. On September 16, 1967, Seely fulfilled her lifelong dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry®, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. Nearly 56 years later, Seely makes clear that it's still a thrill and an honor each time she performs on the world-famous stage, which she has performed over 5300 times. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album, The Seely Style, which featured “Don’t Touch Me,” to her self-produced album, Written in Song, consisting entirely of songs she’s written and recorded for more than 10 Country Music Hall of Fame® members, Seely's recordings have spanned seven decades. Seely first appeared on the Billboard charts in 1966, continued to score entries for 13 consecutive years on various Billboard charts, and as recently as 2022, has had a presence on the MusicRow charts. Seely also garnered a No. 1 on the Record World Country Singles chart in 1971 and a No. 1 on the Bluegrass Today chart in 2019. In his 2003 book, Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music, music critic Robert K. Oermann wrote, “With her chin-out, tough/tender, heart-of-gold manner, Jeannie Seely remains one of Country’s most completely modern female personalities,” and that statement still holds true. With a strong social media following and over four million views on her YouTube channel, Seely continues expanding her international presence as music sales and fans' messages pour in. She appeared in Willie Nelson's movie Honeysuckle Rose and sang on the film’s RIAA® platinum-certified soundtrack, and for the past four years, Seely has hosted her own show, Sundays with Seely, on SiriusXM's Willie's Roadhouse. She also served as a disc jockey on her own Armed Forces Network Show, which launched after her tour abroad for the troops. She continues to receive letters of appreciation from American soldiers for her support. She is also a fierce advocate for musicians' rights and takes much pride in her involvement and support for the cause. Nelson, along with Rhonda Vincent, Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Stevens and many more of her friends, joined Seely for her most recent recording project on Curb Records, An American Classic, which has seen rave reviews and three radio releases. Most recently, Seely won the Song of the Year Award at the Arkansas Country Music Awards and was honored with the Mississippi Career Achievement Award at the Mississippi Music Awards and 2023 recipient of the CMA’s Joe Talbot Award. 

Congratulations to Jeannie, who has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry more than any other member in the history of the show. She continues to be an inspiration and mentor to many of the younger female artists in country music and continues to promote the Grand Ole Opry in various ways. She is truly an outstanding representative of the Opry. 

Now looking ahead to the weekend, starting with the Friday Night Opry. Dailey & Vincent are back, joined by members Don Schlitz, Mark Wills, Gene Watson and Jeannie Seely. Wyatt Ellis is back for a return performance, along with Mackenzie Porter, and comedian Dusty Slay. Since Henry Cho and Gary Mule Deer joined the cast, the number of appearances by non-member comedians has really decreased. Dusty hasn't been on the Opry in a while, and he is actually one of the better ones. 

Looking ahead to Saturday night, I am very happy to see Bill Anderson back on the schedule. Bill has been absence from the Opry for several months after having surgery. But he seems fine and is eager to be back on the Opry stage. 

Mark Willis will be making it a two-show weekend, as he returns on Saturday, along with members Connie Smith, John Conlee, Del McCoury and Riders In The Sky. That's a nice group of members for you. 

Maddie & Tae will make it two Saturdays in a row guesting, with The McCrary Sisters joining them. 

Friday February 2
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Jeannie Seely, MacKenzie Porter, Gene Watson
Intermission
8:15: Wyatt Ellis, Dusty Slay, Mark Willis, Don Schlitz

Saturday February 3
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mark Wills, Connie Smith, John Conlee, Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, The McCrary Sisters, Opry Square Dancers, Maddie & Tae, Riders In The Sky



From 50 years ago, Saturday February 2, 1974

6:30: Stonewall Jackson (host): Billy Walker, Justin Tubb

6:45: Bill Monroe (host): Willis Brothers, Del Wood

7:00: Jack Greene (host): Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, Ernie Ashworth

7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Charlie Louvin, Osborne Brothers, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers

8:00: Lester Flatt (host): Bill Carlisle, Jeannie C Riley, Lonzo and Oscar, Marty Stuart

8:30: Hank Snow (host): Marion Worth, Jim and Jesse, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Bob Luman

2nd show

9:30: Billy Walker (host): Willis Brothers, Osborne Brother, Lonzo and Oscar, Del Wood

10:00: Charlie Louvin (host): Diane McCall, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper

10:15: Bill Monroe (host): Stonewall Jackson

10:30: Lester Flatt (host): Bob Luman, Bill Carlisle

10:45: Roy Acuff (host): Jim and Jesse, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers

11:00: Hank Snow (host): Jack Greene, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Marion Worth, Sam McGee

11:30: Del Reeves (host): Justin Tubb, Jeannie C. Riley

(Ernie Ashworth was scheduled for both shows but cancelled on the late show, while Del Reeves was only scheduled for the final segment). 

Going back a few years earlier, here is the running order from Saturday February 3, 1962: 

7:30: Pet Milk

Roy Acuff (host): I Couldn't Believe It Was True

Wilburn Brothers: Blue, Blue Day

Brother Oswald: John Hardy

Roy Acuff: The Last Letter

Howdy Forrester: Twinkle Little Star

June Carter: Comedy

Wilburn Brothers: No Legal Right

Roy Acuff: Farther Along

8:00: Martha White

Flatt & Scruggs (host): Polka On A Banjo

Cowboy Copas: Filipino Baby

Willis Brothers: Everlovin Dixieland

Hilo Brown: The Prisoner Song

Flatt & Scruggs: Cabin On The Hill

Billy Grammer: (?)

Crook Brothers: Lafayette

Cowboy Copas: Alabam

Flatt & Scruggs: Shuckin The Corn

8:30: Faultless

Jim Reeves (host): In A Mansion Stands My Love

Roy Drusky: There's Always One
Archie Campbell: Comedy

Bill Monroe: Cottonfields

Jim Reeves: Four Walls

Old Hickory Singers: Sweet Mama Tree Top Tall

Bobby Lord: (?)

Blue Boys: Beautiful Dreamer

Jim Reeves: Danny Boy

9:00: Jefferson Island Salt

Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry

Porter Wagoner: Sugarfoot Rag

Bill Anderson: Down Came The Rain

Margie Bowes: I'm Alone Because I Love You

Marty Robbins: It's Your World

Carl Butler: (?)

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sally Johnson

Porter Wagoner: Misery Loves Company

Marty Robbins: I Can't Quit

9:30: Stephens

Hank Snow (host): The Restless One

Jimmy Newman: Alligator Man

Jimmy Elledge: Funny How Time Slips Away

Lonzo and Oscar: Peeling Potatoes In The Army

Hank Snow: Your Little Band of Gold

Wilma Lee Cooper: (?)

Glaser Brothers: (?)

Jimmy Newman: (?)

Hank Snow: The Only Rose

10:00: Real Lemon

Roy Acuff (host): Little Moses

Wilburn Brothers: Which One Is To Blame

Margie Bowes: Are You Teasing Me

Roy Acuff: The Glory Bound Train

Howdy Forrester and Jimmy Riddle: Jesse Polka

10:15: Corn Products

Flatt & Scruggs (host): I Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow

Roy Drusky: Making Time

Billy Grammer: (?)

Flatt & Scruggs (host): If I Should Wander Back Tonight

Paul Warren: Katy Hill

10:30: Sustaining

Cowboy Copas (host): Gone & Left Me Blues

Willis Brothers: Tumbling Tumble Weeds

Bobby Lord: (?)

Archie Campbell: Comedy

Cowboy Copas: Don't Shake Hands with The Devil

10:45: De Con

Jim Reeves (host): How Can I Write On Paper, What I Feel In My Heart

Wilma Lee Cooper: (?)

Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin

Jim Reeves: Losing Your Love

Blue Boys: Red River Rock

11:00: Coca Cola

Hank Snow (host): Big Wheels

Bill Monroe: I Saw The Light

Bill Anderson: Columbus Stockade Blues

Lonzo and Oscar: Waltz Me Around Again, Willie

Hank Snow: Let's Pretend

Sam and Kirk McGee: Coming From The Ball

Old Hickory Singers: Bill Bailey
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Old Joe Clark

Bill Monroe: Sally Joe

Hank Snow: Chasing A Rainbow

11:30: Black Draft

Porter Wagoner (host): Uncle Pen

Jimmy Elledge: (?)

Glaser Brothers: (?)

Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters

11:45: Al-Kem

Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry

Jimmy Newman: Save A Little Corner

Carl Butler: (?)

Marty Robbins: It's Your World

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