Well, we have made it. Saturday night the Grand Ole Opry will be celebrating its 50 anniversaries at the Grand Ole Opry House with a show that will feature only members of the Opry, along with some surprises and a look back at some special memories.
The posted schedule includes only members of the Grand Ole Opry. In alphabetical order the list includes Bill Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Clint Black, Crystal Gayle, Gary Mule Deer, Del McCoury Band, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, The Whites, and Mark Wills. Quite a list. 13 members in all and I would not be surprised if there are some special appearances and features along the way. (and for those wondering, yes, Casey and I will be at the Opry this weekend).
As part of the show on Saturday night, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely and Connie Smith, will be recognized as the current Opry members who appeared on the opening show 50 years ago. The other Opry members who appeared that night were Stu Phillips and Jeanne Pruett, both of whom are retired, Sam Wellington of The Four Guys, who is no longer an Opry member, and Dolly Parton. Barbara Mandrell was also an Opry member 50 years ago, but she did not appear that night, nor did current member Bobby Bare, who gave up his membership prior to that night. While not Opry members, Diane McCall appeared with Charlie Louvin, and Ronnie Robbins was on the schedule. And of course, Carol Lee Cooper is still alive.
Saturday March 16
7:00: Mark Wills, Connie Smith, Gatlin Brothers, Jeannie Seely, Del McCoury Band, Crystal Gayle
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky, Bill Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Opry Square Dancers, Don Schlitz, Gary Mule Deer, Clint Black
The Whites were on the original schedule but cancelled.
With all of the attention will focus on Saturday night, there is also a Friday Night Opry on the calendar. That show will feature Opry members Mark Wills and Gary Mule Deer. Also on the schedule is Exile, Kathy Mattea, Charles Esten, bluegrass group The Grascals, Chapel Hart and Catie Offerman. As has become custom around St. Patrick's Day, the Nashville Irish Step Dancers will also be performing.
7:00: Nashville Irish Step Dancers, Mark Wills, The Grascals, Catie Offerman, Charles Esten
Intermission
8:15: Kathy Mattea, Gary Mule Deer, Chapel Hart, Exile
Jenny Lewis was on the original schedule but cancelled and has been replaced by Catie Offerman.
While there will be no special recognition, 50 years ago was the final Friday Night Opry at the Ryman Auditorium, Surprisingly, it was a pretty typical Opry show with a nice group of Opry members, yet some of the bigger names out on the road. It would seem that in the end, most were happy to move on and not get lost in the memories of the Ryman. The night did end with Grand Ole Gospel that featured Hank Snow and Johnny Cash, neither of whom appeared on the Friday Night Opry.
Here is the lineup listed in the program for the final Friday Night Opry, March 15, 1974:
7:00: Roy Drusky (host): Del Reeves, Charlie Walker, Jan Howard
7:30: Bill Anderson (host): Bob Luman, Jim and Jesse
8:00: Archie Campbell (host): Bobby Bare, Dottie West, Justin Tubb
8:30: Roy Acuff (host): Jean Shepard, Stonewall Jackson, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper
9:00: Wilburn Brothers (host): Osborne Brothers, Jeanne Pruett, Del Wood
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host): Hank Locklin, Grandpa Jones, The Carlisles
10:00: Billy Walker (host): Charlie Louvin, Stu Phillis, The Willis Brothers
10:30: George Morgan (host): The Four Guys, Ray Pillow, Lonzo and Oscar, Ernie Ashworth
Now, here is the actual running order of that show:
7:30: Cracker Barrel
Roy Drusky (host): Alone with You
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Jan Howard: The One You Slip Around With
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Del Reeves: Girl On The Billboard
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back To Little Rock
Charlie Walker: Wanting My Woman Again
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
8:00: Varallo
Bill Anderson (host): If You Can Live with It
Bob Luman: Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Jim And Jesse: Diesel On My Tail
Mary Lou Turner: Poor Sweet Baby
Bill Anderson: A World of Make Believe
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
8:30: Odon Sausage/U. S. Borax
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Bobby Bare: Ride Me Down Easy
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Phil Campbell: Valley of The Never Do No Good
Bobby Bare & Bobby Bare Jr.: Daddy, What If
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man
8:30: Kroger
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Minnie Pearl: Careless Love
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
Roy Acuff: Back In The Country
Jean Shepard: At The Time
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland
9:00: Baltz Bros/Schlitz
Wilburn Brothers (host): It's Another World
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Jeanne Pruett: You Don't Need To Move A Mountain
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Wilburn Brothers: I'm Gonna Tie One On Tonight
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Del Wood: Down Yonder
9:30: Acme Boot/Beechnut Chewing Tobacco
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Hank Locklin: Goodbye, Dear Old Ryman
Grandpa Jones: Dooley
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Cates Sisters: Devil's Dream
Hank Locklin: Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Grandpa Jones: Heading South with Nashville On My Mind
Bill Carlisle: Too Old To Cut The Mustard
Jim Ed Brown: Sometimes Sunshine
10:00: Cee Bee Food Stores/Schlitz
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me A Love Song To Baby
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife; She's My Woman
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Charlie Louvin: Little Reasons/Will You Visit Me On Sundays/What Are Those Things
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes
10:30: Shoney's
George Morgan (host): Red Rose From The Blue Side of Town
The 4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Ray Pillow: Excuse Me
Lonzo & Oscar: A King Size Cola & A Moon Pie
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Ray Pillow: Countryfied
Ernie Ashworth: Honk Tonk Hardwood Floor
George Morgan: Candy Kisses
(That final Friday Night Opry ended at 11:30, after which Grand Ole Gospel took place. That show, hosted by Rev. Jimmy Snow featured Hank Snow, Johnny and June Carter Cash, along with the Carter Family. Minnie Pearl was a surprise addition to the show that night, and as I noted last week, this was Bobby Bare's final Opry show)
Now to opening night at the new Grand Ole Opry House, Saturday March 16, 1974: While there were commercials, basically all of the members who were there that night performed on the first show in alphabetical order, with that first show not ending until 10:15.
Roy Acuff: You Are My Sunshine
Howdy Forrester: Tennessee Wagoner (?)
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Jerry Clower: Marcelle's Talking Chain Saw
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: Wish I Didn't Have To Miss You
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Grand Ole Opry Cast: Happy Birthday Mrs. Nixon
President Richard Nixon: My Wild Irish Rose
Roy Acuff & Grand Ole Opry Cast: Stay A Little Longer
President Richard Nixon and Grand Ole Opry Cast: God Bless America
Jan Howard: My Kind of People
Fruit Jar Drinkers and The Tennessee Travelers: Sally Goodin
Jim & Jesse: Freight Train
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Hank Locklin: Danny Boy
Lonzo & Oscar: Traces of Life
Bobby Lord: Live Your Life Out Loud
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: American Trilogy
George Morgan: You Turn Me On
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Ray Pillow: Countryfied
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Hank Snow: I'm Moving On
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Ernest Tubb: Walking The Floor Over You
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Hearted Me
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
(Bill Monroe Called The Opry)
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Marion Worth: Delta Dawn
Sam McGee: San Antonio Rose
Porter Wagoner: I've Never Seen So Many Happy Faces
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: The Right Combination
Now to the second show that started at 10:45 and ended at 1:55am. That show was followed by the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree, which ended at 3:00am. While staying somewhat close to the order of the first show, there were some changes and adjustments.
Roy Acuff: Back In The Country
Howdy Forrester: Eighth of January
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Bill Anderson: A World of Make Believe
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Little Darling Pal of Mine
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Want To Go Home
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: Somewhere My Love
Jack Greene: Statue of A Fool
Jeannie Seely: Can I Sleep In Your Arms Tonight Mister
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: What In The World Has Gone Wrong with Our Love
Porter Wagoner: I've Never Seen So Many Happy Faces
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: The Right Combination
Jan Howard: Sunshine On My Shoulders
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
Grandpa Jones: Heading South with Nashville On My Mind
Connie Smith: Dallas
Bobby Lord: Mississippi
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife/She's My Woman
Jerry Clower: The Last Piece of Chicken
George Morgan: Red Rose From The Blue Side of Town
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jimmy C Newman: The Potato Song
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Ray Pillow: Countryfied
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Sam and Kirk McGee: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Hank Snow: There's A Fool Such As I
The 4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Marion Worth: Me & Bobby McGee
Marty Robbins: Devil Woman
Ronnie Robbins: Mama Tried
Marty Robbins: I'm Wanting To/Big Boss Man/Singing The Blues
(Tom T. Hall was scheduled for both shows but cancelled. Hank Locklin, Lonzo & Oscar, Jean Shepard and the Willis Brothers only appeared on the first show, while Marty Robbins only appeared on the late show).
So, what Opry members did not appear?
Bobby Bare
Archie Campbell
Bill Carlisle
Lester Flatt
David Houston
George Jones
Bob Luman
Loretta Lynn
Barbara Mandrell
Bill Monroe
Earl Scruggs
Billy Walker
Tammy Wynette
Interesting as to those who did not make it. Of those who did not, Archie Campbell, Bill Carlisle, Bob Luman and Billy Walker had appeared on the Friday Night Opry the night before. Not to forget Bobby Bare, who decided to give up his membership rather than appearing at the new Grand Ole Opry House. In the back of my mind, it makes me wonder if those who did appear on Friday had road dates on Saturday night, and if so, why they didn't reschedule those dates.
There you have it for this weekend. I could write more about opening night of the new Grand Ole Opry House, but I think pretty much all of the material anyone would like to read has been posted on the internet, written in books or been the subject of numerous articles in country magazines and newspapers. Personally, I find it hard to believe that it has been 50 years!!
I hope everyone has a chance to listen this weekend, particularly on Saturday night. I am sure it will be wonderful and as I always end with: I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
Who do you guys think will be elected into the Hall of Fame this year on Monday?.
ReplyDeleteThere is a school of thought that Clint’s appearance on the Opry is a precursor to the Monday morning annoucement. He was reported to be a finalist in the Modern Era category.
ReplyDeleteMy eyes won’t be blue if the Veteran’s Era inductee is also on the schedule this weekend.
If I'm correct, Hank Snow never did the Friday Night Opry until he was pretty much retired from the road, and then was there each week.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was Kayton Roberts who played steel for Hank, back then Hank never did play the Friday night Opry however, in the case of the last Friday night at the Ryman Hank was there only to do the Grand Ole Gospel Show with his son Jimmy but he did not play on the actual Opry that night. Hank started playing the Friday night Opry on a regular basis in the early to mid 80's. Funny thing was he never really told my dad why he decided to start playing Friday night. He just called the band up that 1st week and said going forward I will be also doing the Friday night Opry
DeleteMr. Roberts, I worship your dad, and every Christmas make sure to share on Facebook his great version of "The Bells of St. Mary's" (at no time do his fingers leave his arms, as Mr. Snow once put it). Are you Louie, who also played the Opry?
DeleteI am Martin, Kayton's youngest son
DeleteIsn't Dave "Lonzo" Hooten also still alive?
ReplyDeleteI believe he is, and it's interesting that he gets as little attention as he does--though he may like it that way--considering that he portrayed Lonzo longer than either of his predecessors, Ken Marvin and Johnny Sullivan.
DeleteWell, he’s another living Opry member from the time of the move. I kept asking because I didn’t think I’d heard of him passing away or anything, but no one has been including him in any of the lists I’ve seen. Also, though not Opry members, Joe Edwards and Billy Linneman are still living from the Opry Staff Band at the time of the move.
DeleteRobert-Joe crossed my mind when I mentioned Carol Lee but I was afraid to start mentioning names. Not really related to members but I wonder if Tom and John Ritter were there that night with their mom?
DeleteJim
He wasn't a member, but Bud Wendell was there that night as the head of the Opry, and I wonder if they might invite back living Opry managers for the occasion. There's one I'd rather not see, but it would be interesting.
DeleteI thought of somebody else: Eddie Oliver. He was a member of the Tennessee Travelers from 1966 and continued with Melvin Sloan and then the Opry Square Dancers. He retired on his 50th anniversary. Then I thought maybe some of the Stoney Mountain Cloggers might still be around, since eventually Ben's and Margaret's children joined the group. I also wondered who the Carol Lee Singers were in 1974, since Dennis McCall and Norah Lee Allen are still among us--I don't think they were in her group originally.
Seeing that Saturday's lineup is 100% Opry members, do you know when the last time this was the case for an Opry show?
ReplyDeleteTo the son of Kayton Roberts, your dad was an amazingly talented person. I was always impressed with his talent and personality.. Even after Hank's passing, his work with Hank 3 was awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Mike, my name is Martin, I am Kayton's youngest son. Dad was so blessed to be able to do everything he did. I sure miss him
DeleteMartin, thanks for the wonderful comments about Kayton. I know many of the readers appreciated you taking the time as Kayton is well respected by so many.
Deleteso welcome Byron
DeleteThank YOU, Martin.
DeleteMy daughter absolutely loved Kayton when our family visited the 'Opry.
ReplyDeleteIt was some sort of song where Kayton just went wild. Pretty sure it was "the Rhumba Boogie." Kayton is a legend in my mind. Hank was better in person than on his records thanks to Kayton I think.
Although Tommy Vaden helped bring the Hank Snow sound full circle and back to the full sound that made Hank famous in the early 50's when he came out of retirement, without Kayton it still wouldn't have been right. Obviously we have the best source joining us here to correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to recall that Kayton approached Hank in the late 60's and told him he needed to change is steel guitar sound he currently had because it just didn't sound like the Hank Snow sound. Kayton suggested he was just the one to bring his sound back to what it used to be and he did. It was always a joy to listen to them on the radio and even better the few times we got to see Kayton on that little stool playing so easily and beautiful at the Opry. I think the last time we saw him at the Opry was with Billy Walker when he had out his CD Just For The Hank Of It saluting Hank Snow and Hank Williams.
ReplyDeleteNat, I can't argue the point of Hank being better live than on his records but some of those records in the 50's were top notch and even more so when you consider how basic they were with just a steel, fiddle, Hank's guitar, and a rhythm guitar and/or bass. Some powerful music with so little to make it with. If you can find the recordings Kayton made for Stoneway Records you'll find a lot pleasure listening to them.
Jim
Knightsville, IN
This is Martin, Kayton's youngest son. Hank actually knew dad could play that style of steel thanks to Chubby Wise who was also a native Floridian and Hank's fiddle man at the time. Chubby was introduced to dad at a get together in 1966 at a mutual friend's home in North Florida. Chubby was impressed dad could play slap rhythm guitar and steel guitar like Joe Talbert Hank's original steel man on his records. Chubby said he was going to talk to Hank about dad when he got back to Nashville as the rhythm job was vacant. doing the rhythm was pretty much a way to get dad in the door as Hank did need a slap rhythm player immediately but Hank also knew that Jimmy Crawford his current steel man was going to leave within the next year so Hank moved dad to steel as soon as Mr. Crawford left and the rest was history. Dad owed allot to Chubby Wise
DeleteHi Martin, thanks for commenting here and thanks for the additional information and how your dad came to join Hank. All of us here love the Opry and most of us have listened to it all of our lives regardless of age. Most of us are just fans and looking from the outside with no real inside information so we really appreciate your taking the time to share with us. Hope you will keep reading our comments. Byron has given us a wonderful place to come and visit and he does have personal insight to the Opry and it's history. We are surely blessed. Thanks again.
DeleteJim
My pleasure Jim -I always enjoy reading the blog
DeleteThoughts from Saturday Night’s 50th Opry House Anniversary:
ReplyDeleteMost poignant moment I saw was when Bill Anderson & Connie Smith were holding hands as they came out for the last song. Seely was on the other side of Connie and may have been holding her other hand. Hard to believe this trio is basically the last of their generation left and time is catching up with them. They’re almost as old as Acuff when he passed and Bill is really hobbling. Seely was a hoot wearing a reproduction of the outfit she wore in 1974. They had a picture of her up from 74 but she still had to explain it to the audience.
Mike Terry gets on my nerves. He is no Grant Turner or Hairl Hensley. He introduced Acuff’s 95 year old daughter as his granddaughter and said he had to kill time while they were getting ready for the last song. The show would have more excitement with a return to defined segments, an Opry member host and the curtain going up and down. They didn’t close the curtain as intermission which left Riders coming out center stage waiting for the second half to start.
Times have changed and so have the audience. When Mike mentioned Springer Mountain Farms Chicken and Bushes Baked Beans as sponsors, the audience laughed as if it were a joke.
Does Gary Mule Deer have any new material? Yes, Minnie & LJD told the same jokes but varied them up. I’ve never heard Mule Deer do anything different in his routine. He went on WAY too long and Mandy only got one solo song. I’m no prude but jokes with piss and ass in them are poor taste on the Opry
T Graham & Jamie Dailey were the only surprise members. Was hoping maybe Jeanne Pruett, Stu Phillips (is he well?) and Sam Wellington would have done a walk one. Would it have killed Dolly? Thought that would be a long shot bc there’s too much $$ to be made without her being advertised. Would like to have seen Mike Snider. And where were Garth & Trisha?
With T, Daily & Vincent , Mandy, Mark Wills & Rhonda the Opry is in good shape with a core group of regular who get it even if the audience doesn’t.
Hard to take Clint Black saying how much he Opry means to him when I probably can’t count more than 10 appearances from him in the last 30 years. Why someone thought it was a good idea to send the cast out to close with his “This Old House” was almost a train wreck.
Don’t know if I thought it was neat for Acuff to sing along w Bill on video or a bit creepy.
Square Dancers and fiddle tune never disappoint.
Not a Goo Goo or Opry Dog to be found anywhere in the House. I’m showing my age.
Retro program book based on the 1974 program was cool.
Missed seeing the Whites.
Kudos to Dan Rogers. Can’t believe there were 14 acts on one show which lasted until almost 10p. Opening with the Wabash Cannonball made me tear up.
I'm with you on Mike Terry. He tells us who he is way too many times in each show. From what I hear he is more an expert on rock and pop than country and I'm not sure how he got that job. Either way you look at it, his comment about Tik Tok was in bad taste as well. And yes, his mistake on Thelma Acuff was sad as well. Took me a bit to catch what didn't sound right about that until her name kept coming to me as Mr. Acuff's daughter.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the audience as well. They've turned the corner on the people they are attracting now and few in the audience understand what they are attending. Further, they might enjoy Bill Anderson when he does something moving....that they've never heard, but that's not what they are there for. It has become obvious to me that only a few diehards like Bryon and some of us who are Opry fans and not just country fans are still attending. And I doubt if that ever includes me again. They've made it that way by design but it is also a sign of the times we live it. The only constant is change but that doesn't always mean it is for the better....in my opinion.
I guess I'm not sure what I think about the audio of Roy Acuff either. It brought tears to my eyes just like it did when they were on stage together. And I wondered if they had video on screen of him singing it. I just wonder who suggested it? I'm wondering if it was Bill Anderson. I will say that it was good to hear his name mentioned so much last night. I know he has his detractors but I think his presence at the Opry over those 54 years shaped how the show went during that time. It took a few years, just a few, but change came fairly quick once he was gone. Maybe that is why it is still going but I would not say it has been the better for it as far as quality and trueness where the country genre is concerned. But the whole industry has changed and as a DJ friend told my brother 25 plus years ago, it would and has almost become one music anymore at least in the mainstream.
I'm not a prude either....I don't think....but I am frustrated at how common it is becoming to cuss on the Opry these days. I even cringe when Jeannie Seely or Mike Snider and others do it. It always bothered me even when Porter used to say "Hell he's 80 years old." It is becoming common place in the songs as well. Yes, long ago there was the rare occasion hell or damn was used in a song like Boy Named Sue but today it too common. I still say morals and values should be pretty much constant.
I did enjoy that the show did not seem rushed and was allowed to run over something like 45 minutes. That rarely happens even when a big star like Carrie Underwood is there. Refreshing to have the show just play out. And I do think Dan Rogers and crew did an good job nodding to the past and giving good context to the significance of the night. I would imagine some in the audience were disappointed with what they had to set through given the way the show is promoted these days. It certainly was not the typical Opry show for 2024.
Jim
Jim, they did have video of Mr. Acuff singing it. I didn't get to hear much of the show, but I thought it was sweet that they did that. When Bill has done it in recent years, I think John Conlee has done that role, and he does have that "older" voice (Conlee had it when he was younger, another reason I love him). It struck me as a fitting tribute, and that goes along with the story Bill told of Mr. Acuff's last Saturday night Opry, when he did the song with him thinking, this was the last time. No one is perfect, and Mr. Acuff obviously wasn't, but I remember reading how in his later years he wanted Johnny Cash to rejoin the Opry, and Cash just couldn't work it into his schedule. I think he realized he was the last artist around there with any behind-the-scenes power (he, Minnie, and ET helped get a manager fired at one point), and he figured Cash would have that.
DeleteI think we could have had more members there. Mike Snider was injured in a motorcycle accident last fall and I don't think he's been back to the Opry since, so, not him, perhaps, but others.
I'm not a prude, either, and frankly even Minnie and Rod used to get a little cute in their routines
Rod: Can I walk you home, Minnie?
Minnie: Sure, Rod.
Rod: That's great. I've never walked home an experienced girl before.
Minnie: Why, Rodney, I'm not experienced.
Rod: You ain't home yet, either.
OK, not dirty or with cuss words. I wish they hadn't done it, but there we are.
I have seen Mike Terry bashing on here before and kept my mouth shut but I was there Saturday night too and Mike Terry did a great job. No he is not Grant or Hairl or but they ain't coming back thru the door anytime soon. He is by far the best they have right now and has been for years particularly after Eddie's retirement. Thank Goodness he was the announcer Saturday night and not Cody or his team from the morning show. The Tik Tok reference? that is a silly criticism if that is the best you got. As to the Acuff daughter reference I'm sure that came in a note from somewhere backstage to him and he was merely repeating what he was told. Yeah, I wish the segmented format was still being used but those days are over too and now with this new format the announcer carries a big load and has a lot more to handle and mistakes do happen.
DeleteI thoroughly enjoyed the show. All 'Opry.
ReplyDelete“I’m not a prude.” - pretty much all prudes
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm really not prudish! Or so I'm told. But I do think there are times and places for things. What might be appropriate or, for that matter, good on the Opry might not work elsewhere, and vice versa.
DeleteAnonymousMarch 19, 2024 at 2:12 PM
ReplyDeleteI have seen Mike Terry bashing on here before and kept my mouth shut but I was there Saturday night too and Mike Terry did a great job. No he is not Grant or Hairl but they ain't coming back thru the door anytime soon. He is by far the best they have right now and has been for years particularly after Eddie's retirement. Thank Goodness he was the announcer Saturday night and not Cody or his team from the morning show. The Tik Tok reference? that is a silly criticism if that is the best you got. As to the Acuff daughter reference I'm sure that came in a note from somewhere backstage to him and he was merely repeating what he was told. Yeah, I wish the segmented format was still being used but those days are over too and now with this new format the announcer carries a big load and has a lot more to handle and mistakes do happen.
I'll second the Mike Terry defense and throw out a couple of thoughts, for what little they're worth.
DeleteFirst, the Opry he started announcing and the Opry he now announces are different. We no longer have the segment hosts. That changes his duties.
Second, I suspect the announcers are expected to whip up a bit more enthusiasm from the audience. That was always true--you would see them all "wave in" applause. But ... well, this goes to my next thought, and a comparison.
I am a Dodger fan. Vin Scully was my idol. For several years, they televised every game, in addition to radio, with THREE announcers, including Scully. Now they do the same thing and have, seriously TEN announcers. Part of it is for a good reason--some people need a night off from work now and then. Part of it is because I don't think they have that much respect in the front office for how much the announcer may matter--they think that sort of thing died with Vin, and it didn't.
Well, look at the Opry. For years, three or maybe four announcers. After cutbacks, they were down to Eddie Stubbs and Mike Terry (as they were at one point in the 1970s with Grant Turner and Hairl Hensley). Now we have Terry, but also Cody and two or three members of his crew rotating in and out. The announcers, like the ads and backdrops, were part of the show. I thought of Mike Snider's line that we're the only radio show in the world that charges you to hear it and makes you listen to commercials. But that was part of the entertainment, at least for me, and that's one area where I think we CAN go back, and should.
Thanks for the second on Mike Terry!! Mike Terry is a solid even-keeled announcer who I don't feel makes it about himself at all. I have met him but I don't know him personally so have no connection to him otherwise. But he was exactly what was needed Saturday night for this important historical 50th anniversary of OH show. He has been at WSM for over 20 years and I just feel he deserves a bit more respect. Sorry if it came across too strong, it is just I was there Saturday and I thought it was a wonderful show, well produced and Mike did great with all he had to do which was even more than a normal show with all the videos and pieces he had to introduce Saturday, there was a lot going on, much more than a typical show.
DeleteI think the problem is that back then the Opry was a family. Little Jimmy and Bill Carlisle were known for getting to the Opry house several hours before the show started. If you were able to go backstage prior to Fisher’s reign , you could see the family connection.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion,The family connection being gone is what hurts the Opry the most. Of course;Jeannie, Bill, Connie, The Whites , Rhonda, Dailey& Vincent, Mandy, etc you can tell they still have that connection. To me back then the staff band, announcers, Opry stars, & a lot of the fans knew one another and you could feel the connection. As a whole that’s gone, but it’s also like that in society. Families don’t get together like we use to.
I agree with Jim for the most part most people in the audience don’t have a clue where they’re at. It’s just part of the package deal with the convention they’re in town for. But I still think there’s some young people there each week who are seeking out more music on Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, and from those videos they show, some are seeking out more information on Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Hank Snow, etc. Curry