Grand Ole Opry 3/1 & 3/2

The month of March is upon us and it is going to be a busy month at the Grand Ole Opry. There are some very nice shows coming up this month, highlighted by Trisha Yearwood's 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and the 50th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry House. 

Before getting into the lineups for this week, the Grand Ole Opry announced the Opry NextStage Class of 2024. Opry NextStage is the program dedicated to supporting emerging artists and introducing them to country music fans. Handpicked by the Opry and sponsored by Tecovas, the Class of 2024 includes Anne Wilson, Charles Wesley Godwin, Chase Matthew, 49 Winchester, Ella Langley, Flatland Calvary, Josh Ross, Madeline Edwards and Wyatt Flores. Each of these acts have already made Opry appearances and we can expect to see each member of this class often in the coming year. 

Looking at the lineups for the shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry will feature members Del McCoury, Rhonda Vincent, Don Schlitz and Connie Smith. Opry NextStage artists Elvie Shane and Tenille Towns are listed, and rounding out the schedule is a return appearance by Taylor Hicks, and The Malpass Brothers. For those who might not be aware, The Malpass Brothers have been filming a television series in Texas. 

Saturday night has members Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett on the schedule. Also appearing and making their first Opry appearances of 2024 are Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. It is certainly nice to have both back, especially Ricky who has been busy out on the road. Frank Ray is guesting, as is Huntergirl, who will be making her Opry debut, comedian Karen Mills and Steve Earle

Speaking of The Whites. It will be a very special night for the family group as they will be celebrating their 40th year as members of the Grand Ole Opry. They joined the cast on March 2, 1984 and since joining the Opry, have been very loyal and dedicated members. 

Friday March 1
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Tenille Towns, Taylor Hicks, The Malpass Brothers

Intermission

8:15: Connie Smith, Elvie Shane, Del McCoury Band, Don Schlitz

Saturday March 2

7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Frank Ray, The Whites, Steve Earle

Intermission

8:15: Mandy Barnett, Karen Mills, Opry Square Dancers, Huntergirl, Ricky Skaggs

As mentioned, Huntergirl is making her Opry debut on Saturday and she wrote on her Instagram page: A dream I’ve had since I was a little girl is coming true next year, March 2nd. I will be making my debut at the @opry!! 🩷This year has been full of so many blessings, and I’m so grateful to y’all for coming on this journey with me. Thank you for listening to my songs, coming to the shows, and following me this year. I love you all so much, and I wouldn’t be getting to live my dream if it wasn’t for your love and support. I hope to see you guys there when I step on the Grand Ole Opry stage. It will be a moment I’ll never forget.

I know many of us who saw her on American Idol and like me, were impressed, have been wondering when she would be appearing on the Opry. Finally, this Saturday night. 

Only two more Saturday night shows left at the Ryman Auditorium before the move to the new Grand Ole Opry House. Here is the lineup from the first show on Saturday March 2, 1974: 

6:30: Charlie Walker (host): Justin Tubb, Del Wood

6:45: Charlie Louvin (host): Diane McCall, Willis Brothers, Ernie Ashworth

7:00: Roy Acuff (host): Jean Shepard, Billy Grammer, Bill Carlisle

7:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Dolly Parton, Stonewall Jackson, Crook Brothers

8:00: Lester Flatt (host): Hank Locklin, Jimmy C Newman, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper

8:30: Hank Snow (host): Connie Smith, The 4 Guys, Stu Phillips, Fruit Jar Drinkers

Finally, March 2, 1963, was the final night that Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. Here is the running order from that final night: 

7:30: Kellogg's

George Morgan (host): Little Dutch Girl 

Carter Family: 14 Carat Nothing

Jimmy Newman: Bayou Talk

Willis Brothers: Eat A Little More

George Morgan: Untie The Know

Harold Morrison: Pretty Little Pink

June Carter: Comedy

Jimmy Newman: A Fallen Star

George Morgan: Down Memory Lane

8:00: Martha White

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Come Walk With Me

Billy Walker: I've Got A New Heartache

Wilburn Brothers: Rolly Muddy River

Stringbean: Pretty Little Widow

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: There's A Higher Power

Del Wood: Are You From Dixie

Margie Bowes: Think It Over

Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag

Wilburn Brothers: Trouble's Back In Town

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Philadelphia Lawyer

8:30: Stephens

Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): Darkness On The Face of The Earth

Lonzo and Oscar: There's A Hole In The Bottom of The Sea

Bobby Lord: Out Behind The Barn

Archie Campbell: Comedy

Hawkshaw Hawkins: I Don't Apologize

Glaser Brothers: Lover's Farewell

Curly Fox: (?)

Hawkshaw Hawkins: Silver Threads & Golden Needles

9:00: Jefferson Island Salt

Cowbody Copas (host): You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry

Bill Monroe: (?)

Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose

Minnie Pearl: Comedy

Cowbody Copas: Alabam'

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham

Bill Carlisle: Shutter & Boards

Billl Monroe: (?)

Cowbody Copas: The Man Upstairs

9:30: Pet Milk

Roy Acuff (host): Plastic Heart

Jordanaires: (?)

Marion Worth: Shake Me; I Rattle

Cousin Jody: Lady Cop

Roy Acuff: The Wreck On The Highway

Brother Oswald: Roll on, Buddy, Roll On

Justin Tubb: (?)

Jimmy Riddle: Fox Chase

Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

10:00: Gates Rubber

George Morgan (host): Roly Poly

Curly Fox: (?)

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Satisfied

Del Wood: Bill Bailey

George Morgan: Who's Jealous Now

10:15: Luzianne

Wilburn Brothers (host): Day After Day

Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone

Margie Bowes: Within Your Crowd

Harold Morrison: The Cat Came Back

Wilburn Brothers: Not That I Care

10:30: Harvey's

Jimmy Newman (host): (?)

Carter Family: (?)

Billy Walker: Thank You For Calling

Jimmy Newman: (?)

10:45: Ford

Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): Big Old Heartache

Willis Brothers: I Still Do

Stringbean: There'll Be Moonshine In Them Old Kentucky Hills

Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin

Hawkshaw Hawkins: Lonesome 7-7203

11:00: Coca Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal

Jordanaires: (?)

Marion Worth: Tennessee Teardrops

Lonzo and Oscar: I'm My Own Grandpa

Roy Acuff and Brother Oswald: Stuck Up Blues

Sam and Kirk McGee: While I'm Away

Justin Tubb: (?)

Brother Oswald: John Hardy

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge

Roy Acuff: Shake My Mother's Hand For Me

11:30: SSS Tonic

Cowboy Copas (host): Down In Nashville, Tennessee

Bill Monroe: (?)

Roy Drusky: It Worries Me

Cousin Jody: Mockingbird

Archie Campbell: A Fool's Side of Town

Glaser Brothers: Odds & Ends

Bobby Lord: So Doggone Lonesome

Bill Monroe: (?)

Cowboy Copas: Flat Top

As an FYI, Patsy Cline had made her final Opry appearance the week before. 

The three of them, along with Randy Hughes, would pass away on March 5 in that terrible airplane crash returning to Nashville from Kansas City. 

To finish it up for this week, there will be no Tuesday Night Opry. However, Opry Country Classics does return with Larry Gatlin once again hosting. 

Opry Country Classics
Thursday March 7
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Lorrie Morgan
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Jeannie Seely, Brennen Leigh, Waylon Payne

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.