Grand Ole Opry 5/24 & 5/25

I am sure everyone has heard the news that Lainey Wilson has been invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Opry member Reba McEntire surprised Lainey with the invite during Lainey's appearance on The Voice. Personally, I think she is a great choice to be an Opry member. She has been impressive on her guest appearances on the show and she is probably the hottest thing in country music, and on country radio right now. And, she has paid her dues. 

It also got me thinking on how Grand Ole Opry invites have changed. Years ago, back in the day, a new member would be announced during an appearance on the Opry. No fanfare, just an announcement. In fact, a few of those inductions took place during an artist's first appearance on the Opry, or within a few weeks. Later, after an artist had made a number of appearances, an Opry invitation would be given during an Opry appearance, with the actual induction taking place on a later date. This seemed to have been the pattern after the Opry began to be televised on TNN, with both the invite and induction taking place during the televised segments. 

Now we have seen a number of Opry invites taking place at locations other than on the Opry, usually at some type of special event, with the actual induction taking place, in some cases, months later. I have no issue with those surprise off-site invitations as the Opry has been generating a lot of positive news with these invites. Last night was a perfect example as The Voice is one of the top-rated shows on television. 

Since 2020, 18 (including Lainey Wilson) new members have been added to the Opry's cast, with 9 of those taking place not at an Opry show: 

*Lainey Wilson was invited during an appearance on The Voice, one of NBC's top-rated shows.
*T. Graham Brown was invited by Vince Gill during a taping of T. Graham's Sirius radio show. 
*Sara Evans was invited by Bill Anderson during one of Sara's concerts at the Ryman Auditorium. 
*Jon Pardi was invited by Alan Jackson at Stagecoach. 
*Gary Mule Deer and Henry Cho were invited by Marty Stuart backstage prior to an Opry show. 
*Ashley McBryde was invited by Garth Brooks during an appearance on the CBS Morning Show. 
*Carly Pearce was invited by Dolly Parton during a promotional taping for Dollywood. 
*Lady A was invited by Darius Rucker during the taping of the Opry's 90th birthday special. 

As I mentioned, 18 new members have been added just since 2020 with over half the decade still to go. In comparison, 16 members were added in the 10 years prior to that, 2010-2019, and 13 were added from 2000-2009. In total, 47 of the Opry's 75 current members have joined the cast since 2000.

As to the new members, overall, they have been good choices. Dan Rogers has added a lot of variety to the cast, from veterans to newcomers, traditional to contemporary, bluegrass to gospel, comedians to Americana. What a mix!! As the Opry continues its push to its 100th anniversary, I fully expect more members to be added. It will be exciting to see who is next. 

Now looking to this weekend, the Grand Ole Opry will be celebrating Memorial Day weekend and once again we are blessed to have Vince Gill back at the Opry. Vince is on the schedule for both shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. While we have gotten used to having Vince on the Opry these past several weeks, this weekend will be his final Opry shows for at least a few weeks as The Eagles will be touring overseas until the middle of June. 

Joining Vince on the Friday Night Opry will be members Mandy Barnett, Dailey & Vincent and the legendary Gene Watson. In addition to Vince, Saturday's show will include John Conlee, Rhonda Vincent and Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz. 

A couple of Opry NextStage artists are on the bill for Friday: Breland and Restless Road. Comedian Aaron Weber and veteran John Berry fill out the lineup. Songwriter/Christian singer Matthew West will appear on Saturday, along with Steve Earle and Dale Watson. 

Friday May 24
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Restless Road, Mandy Barnett, John Berry
Intermission
8:15: Gene Watson, Aaron Weber, Breland, Vince Gill

Saturday May 25
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Rhonda Vincent, John Conlee, Dale Watson, Matthew West
Intermission
8:15: Steve Earle, Opry Square Dancers, Don Schlitz, Vince Gill

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday May 25, 1974. It was a night in which Tanya Tucker and Mickey Gilley each made a guest appearance on the show: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Bob
Ernie Ashworth: Love, I Finally Found It
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips

6:45: Rudy's
Bobby Lord (host): Live Your Life Out Loud
Jan Howard: Love Is Like A Spinning Wheel
Bobby Lord: Your Song

7:00: Rudy's
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Connie Smith: Dallas
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Del Wood: Leaning On The Everlasting Arm
Billy Grammer: I'm Letting You Go
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Billy Grammer: Under The Double Eagle

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Minnie Pearl: Red River Valley
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Chicken Reel
Roy Acuff: Sunshine Song
Bill Carlisle: I've Waited Too Long
Roy Acuff: I Saw The Light

8:00: Martha White
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Little Darling Pal Of Mine
Mickey Gilley: A Room Full Of Roses
Jim Ed Brown: It's That Time Of Night
Stu Phillips: Love You All Over Again
Stoney Cooper: Black Mountain Rag

8:30: Stephens
Billy Walker (host): Things/Oh, Lonesome Me
Louie Roberts: Where Did My True Love Go
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking In My Sleep
Tanya Tucker: Delta Dawn
Billy Walker: How Far Our Love Goes
Louie Roberts: Don't Worry/Tonight Carmen
Tanya Tucker: The Man That Turned My Mama On
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bobby Lord (host): Rainbow Girl
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Connie Eaton: Stand By Your Man
Bobby Lord: Fall Away
Ernie Ashworth: Mind Your Own Business
Bobby Lord: Hawkeye

10:00: Fender
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Poor Ellen Smith
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Tommy Jones: The Entertainer
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Give Me The Roses

10:15: Union 76
Billy Grammer (host): Lovesick Blues
Justin Tubb: Loving Arms
Billy Grammer, Jr.: Orange Blossom Special

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Back In The Country
Connie Smith: Burning Bridges
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back To The Mountains

10:45: Beechnut
Stu Phillips (host): Crystal Chandeliers
Mickey Gilley: A Room Full Of Roses
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Liberty
Stu Phillips: Love You All Over Again

11:00: Coca Cola
Jim Ed Brown (host): Stay A Little Longer
Bill Carlisle: Have A Drink On Me
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Jim Ed Brown: It's That Time Of The Night
Sam McGee: Freight Train/Victor Rag

11:30: Elm Hill
Bily Walker (host): Cross The Brazos At Waco
Louie Roberts: Just A Little Lovin'/Anytime/Bouquet Of Roses/Cattle Call
Tanya Tucker: Would You Lay With Me/The Man That Turned My Mama On
Billy Walker: How Far Our Love Goes/Charlie's Shoes

(Ray Pillow was scheduled for both shows but cancelled, while Jan Howard and Minnie Pearl only appeared on the first show). 

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 stay safe.