Grand Ole Opry 5/17 & 5/18

It looks like it is going to be another fantastic weekend at the Grand Ole Opry House with a couple of very nice shows on the schedule, featuring a good group of Opry members. 

I don't think Vince Gill takes a weekend off. It seems that he is either touring with The Eagles, performing his own solo show, or as is the case again this weekend, he is at the Grand Ole Opry. 

Once again, Vince is scheduled for both shows this weekend. Joining Vince both nights will be Opry members Gary Mule Deer and Old Crow Medicine Show. It seemed like over the past several years we haven't seen much of Old Crow on the Opry, but so far in 2024 they have been making up for lost time. 

Also on the Friday schedule are Jeannie Seely and Connie Smith. It is somewhat rare to see both of these veterans on the same night, as usually one will appear on Friday and the other on Saturday. 

Joining that group of members will be very frequent Opry guest Charles Esten, Julia Cole and making his Opry debut, Whitey Morgan and the 78's. 

Looking at Saturday night, in addition to Vince, Old Crow and Gary Mule, the legendary Bill Anderson and country/bluegrass great Ricky Skaggs are listed. Emily Ann Roberts, Opry NextStage artist Chapel Hart and gospel singer Jason Crabb fill out the schedule. 

Friday May 17
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Julia Cole, Whitney Morgan & the 78s, Charles Esten
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Gary Mule Deer, Old Crow Medicine Show, Vince Gill

Saturday May 18
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Ricky Skaggs, Jason Crabb, Chapel Hart, Bill Anderson
Intermission
8:15: Emily Ann Roberts, Gary Mule Deer, Opry Square Dancers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Vince Gill

As I wrote, a couple of very nice shows this weekend. 

Whitey Morgan is from Flint, Michigan and during his career he has released six studio albums and a live recording from his hometown.  Additionally, he has toured relentlessly, averaging over 125 shows annually. Rolling Stone has described him as a "Waylon Jennings acolyte...modern day outlaw [with a] hard hitting blue-collar brand of music," while NPR hailed, "Staying close to the sound and subject matter of classic outlaw artists like Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and David Allan Coe, Morgan is poised to lead this hand-worn brand of country to the next generation." His latest project is being produced by Scooter Jennings. It was stated that with his Opry debut, Morgan is not only cementing his place in country music's pantheon but is also embracing a pivotal moment that signifies his evolution from a hard-touring artist to a recognized torchbearer for outlaw country's enduring legacy.

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday May 18, 1974:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Willis Brothers: Big Daddy
Stonewall Jackson: Washed My Hands In Muddy Water/Waterloo

6:45: Rudy's
Billy Walker (host): Cross The Brazos At Waco
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: American Trilogy
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Billy Walker: How Far Our Love Goes

7:00: Rudy's
Roy Acuff (host): Back In The Country
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Melba Montgomery: No Charge
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Charlie Walker: My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): I've Never Seen So Many Happy Faces
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Crook Brothers & The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sally Goodin
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: Run That By Me One More Time/Holding On To Nothing/The Last Thing On My Mind
Dolly Parton: I Will Always Love You
Porter Wagoner: The Carrol County Accident
Mac McGaha: Orange Blossom Special

8:00: Martha White
Roy Drusky (host): Early Morning Rain
Jeanne Pruett: Love Me
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Bill Carlisle: Shanghai Rooster
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigre

8:30: Stephens
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
The 4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Ray Pillow: Excuse Me
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Bill Monroe: I'm Working On A Building
The 4 Guys: Fall Away
Ray Pillow: Countryfied

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Billy Walker (host): Things/Oh, Lonesome Me
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Charlie Walker: Wanting My Woman Again
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's A Sunday
Billy Walker: How Far Our Love Goes
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Justin Tubb: Loving Arms
Billy Walker: How Great Thou Art

10:00: Fender
Charlie Louvin (host): & Diane McCall: Something To Brag About
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Bill Carlisle: Have A Drink On Me
Charlie Louvin: It Almost Felt Like Love

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Melba Montgomery: No Charge
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland

10:30: Trailblazer
Porter Wagoner (host): I've Never Seen So Many Happy Faces
Dolly Parton: I Will Always Love You
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man/If Teardrops Were Pennies

10:45: Beechnut
Bill Monroe (host): Uncle Pen
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Crook Brothers & The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Bill Monroe: Kentucky Mandolin

11:00: Coca Cola
Roy Drusky (host): Don't It Make You Want To Go Home
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Sherry Bryce: Don't Stop Now
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Fire On The Mountain
Roy Drusky: Burning Bridges
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Roy Drusky: Alone With You

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets/You Don't Need To Move A Mountain
Ray Pillow: Slipping Around/Countryfied
Marty Robbins: Devil Woman/Love Me/I'm Wanting To/Big Boss Man/They'll Never Take Her Love From Me/I Couldn't Believe It Was True/El Paso/Singing The Blues

(Bob Luman was scheduled for both shows but cancelled, while Stonewall Jackson only appeared on the early show. It was nice to see Melba Montgomery on both shows that night, appearing on Roy Acuff's segments). 

Finally, from 84 years ago, May 18, 1940: 

8:00: Possum Hunters
8:15: Zeke Clements
8:30: Jack and His Missouri Mountaineers
8:45: DeFord Bailey
9:00: Crook Brothers
9:15: Monk and Sam
9:30: Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:45: Bill Monroe
10:00: Stacey Sisters
10:15: Zeke Clements
10:30: Crook Brothers
10:45: Ford Rush
11:00: Sam and Kirk McGee
11:15: Robert Lunn
11:30: DeFord Bailey
11:45: Gully Jumpers

It is really interesting looking back at some of these very old lineups, who was on and who was not. Obviously, the Opry cast was much smaller in those days, and it really was a tightknit group. 

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. Take care and be safe.