Just two short weeks after inducting Scotty McCreery as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, another member will be added on Friday night as T. Graham Brown becomes the newest member of the cast. T. Graham will become the 74th current member of the Opry.
T. Graham Brown came to Nashville in the early 1980s. His initial entry to Country Radio was the sad and soulful “Drowning In Memories.” That Top-40 single helped him to establish himself, and by the winter of 1986, he had warmed up to audiences with the bluesy hit “I Tell It Like It Used To Be.” Other hits quickly followed, with his first self-penned release “Hell And High Water,” which became his first number one song. “I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again” and “Don’t Go To Strangers” were the next releases, which all became chart-toppers. The soulful vocal stylings of T. Graham Brown were all over the airwaves, as his sophomore release Brilliant Conversationalist added more titles to his arsenal of hits, such as the seductive “The Last Resort,” and “She Couldn’t Love Me Anymore.”
At the same time his singles were climbing the charts, voice could be heard on radio, and he could be seen on television. His sense of style provided the platform for a successful series of cameos in commercials for brands such as Coca-Cola, Harrah's Casino, Burger King and Taco Bell.
It was the gripping 1998 release about his battles with alcohol, "Wine Into Water" which helped him introduce his music to Christian audiences. This iconic song has been recorded by over a hundred artists, including Loretta Lynn. In recent years, his first ever Gospel Album, Forever Changed, netted him a Grammy nomination.
In addition to his recording career, T. Graham has also branched out into television and films, along with acting in a stage play.
As T. Graham has said, "I'm having more fun out there now than I ever have had." He continues to work on new material, including a Gospel album and keeps up a heavy touring and personal appearance schedule.
We all know that T. Graham has dreamed of becoming an Opry member for decades and many of us were hoping that the day would come. It finally will happen on Friday night, making for a lot of happy fans.
Vince Gill, who extended the invitation to T. Graham, is on the schedule for Friday night and I imagine Vince will do the honors of doing the formal induction. Along with Vince, Opry members John Conlee, Don Schlitz, Jeannie Seely, Pam Tillis and Mark Wills are all on the schedule. In fact, the only non-Opry member is Phillip Lammonds, who will be making his Opry debut.
Vince Gill and Mark Wills are back on the schedule for Saturday night, where members Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett and Steve Wariner will be performing. Stephanie Urbina Jones, Opry NextStage artist Elvie Shane and Emily Nenni, who will be making her Opry debut, round out the schedule.
Friday May 3
7:00: Mark Wills, John Conlee, Jeannie Seely, T. Graham Brown
Intermission
8:15: Pam Tillis, Don Schlitz, Phillip Lammonds, Vince Gill
Saturday May 4
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mark Wills, Emily Nenni, Connie Smith, Elvie Shane
Intermission
8:15: Steve Wariner, Mandy Barnett, Opry Square Dancers, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Vince Gill
I think we can all agree that there are two very nice shows on the Opry schedule this weekend with a great group of Opry members.
As mentioned, Phillip Lammonds and Emily Nenni are making their Opry debuts.
Phillip Lammonds has carved out a reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter & a behind-the-scenes hit maker for Josh Turner, Lee Brice, Kellie Pickler, Hootie & The Blowfish & Craig Morgan among others. The rootsy-yet-refined Cowboy Things marks his long overdue album debut – and the rare moment an unsung hero steps up to the mic. Choosing 11 heartfelt, plainspoken tracks from across his career, he shows off his well-established penchant for worldly wisdom and casual country-boy flair – boiling the big picture down to bite sized chunks of unadorned truth and featuring his A-list group of friends. Along with his producer Lee Brice, Darius Rucker, Pam Tillis, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and even actor Bill Murray get involved, all helping showcase Lammonds’ unique spark in unfiltered style.
Emily Nenni has emerged as one of the freshest voices in Nashville with a sound rooted in classic honky-tonk. Over the years, she has toured with artists such as Charley Crockett, Kelsey Waldon and 49 Winchester.
Now from 50 years ago, Saturday May 4, 1974:
1st show
6:30: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Bill Carlisle
6:45: Bobby Lord (host): Willis Brothers
7:00: Billy Grammer (host): Connie Eaton, Joe & Rose Lee Maphis
7:30: Stu Phillips (host): Connie Smith, Hugh X Lewis, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Charlie Louvin (host): Lonzo & Oscar, Louie Roberts, Diane McCall, Tommy Jones
8:30: Billy Walker (host): Justin Tub, Arlene Harden, David Rogers, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Bobby Lord (host): Skeeter Willis, Connie Smith, Louie Roberts, Tommy Jones
10:00: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Bill Carlisle, Connie Eaton
10:15: Billy Grammer (host): Joe & Rose Lee Maphis
10:30: Justin Tubb (host): Lonzo & Oscar
10:45: Stu Phillips (host): Brother Oswald, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Charlie Louvin (host): Diane McCall, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Sam McGee, David Rogers
11:30: Billy Walker (host): Arlene Harden, Hugh X Lewis
Finally, May 4, 1991, future Grand Ole Opry member Travis Tritt made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Here is the running order from that night 33 years ago:
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Jimmy Dickens (host): I'm Little But I'm Loud
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Dreamed About Mama Last Night
Jimmy Dickens: Shopping For Dresses
6:45: Country Music Hall Of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Skeeter Davis: The End Of The World
Bill Carlisle: Worried Man Blues
Grandpa Jones: Dear Old Sunny South By The Sea
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Saturday Night
Jean Shepard: The Waltz Of The Angels
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Del Reeves: The Race Is On
Jim & Jesse: Thanks For The Trip To Paradise
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name
7:30: Standard Candy
Jack Greene: Your Love Takes Good Care Of Me
Ray Pillow: 'Til The Best Comes Along
Shelly West: Carless Heart
Travis Tritt: Call Someone Who Cares/Help Me Hold On/Country Club
Jack Greene: You Are My Treasure
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: Then & Only Then/How Great Thou Art
Jimmy C Newman: La Cajun Band/Cajun Stripper
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Gray Eagle
Roy Acuff: Once More
8:30: Pops Rite
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
The 4 Guys: Turn Around, Look At Me
Jim Ed Brown: Just For Old Times Sake
Charlie Louvin: Mama's Angels
The Whites: Happy Birthday Buck/Move It On Over
Bill Anderson: A World Of Make Believe
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all Come
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Jeannie Seely: That May Be All I Need To Know
Roy Drusky: Mississippi
Jan Howard: Evil On Your Mind
Porter Wagoner: Satisfied
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Mountain Dew
Jean Shepard: I'll Hold You In My Heart
Stonewall Jackson: Life To Go
Grandpa Jones: Fallen Leaves
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train To Memphis
Jim & Jesse: It's A Lonesome Feeling/Border Ride
10:30: Pet Milk
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Del Reeves: The Love Bug
Bill Anderson: City Lights
10:45: BC Powder
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Liberty
Jimmy Dickens: What Will I Do Then
11:00: Coca Cola
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
Justin Tubb: Sing Blue Eyed Elaine Again
Charlie Walker: A Way To Free Myself
The Whites: Down In Louisiana/Swing Down Chariot
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
11:30: Creamette
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Charlie Louvin: Will You Still Visit Me On Sundays
Bill Carlisle: Have A Drink On Me
The 4 Guys: Look Out For Me, O Muddy Water/Way Down In Kokomo
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Hank Snow as scheduled to appear on both shows but cancelled, and as noticed, Travis Tritt only appeared on the first show.
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting. I hope, as always, that everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend and congratulations again to T. Graham Brown on his long overdue induction as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Take care and be safe.
It will be nice to have the name Brown back on the roster.
ReplyDeleteWhen did T. Graham Brown make his Opry debut? I'm guessing 35+ years ago, which may not be the longest time between debut and induction, but will certainly be up there.
ReplyDeleteYou could make a good case for T. as the longest time, but my favorite is still that Oswald Kirby debuted with the Smoky Mountain Boys on January 7, 1939, worked with Mr. Acuff to the day he died, then continued playing the Opry with Charlie Collins, and became an Opry member on January 21, 1995. THAT is a long wait!
DeleteGene Watson would probably be up there also. I’d imagine he made his first appearance either in the late 60’s or early 70’s.
DeleteGene Watson first appeared on the Opry in an unannounced appearance with The Wilburn Brothers in 1964. Gene's first scheduled Opry appearance was on May 13, 1972.
ReplyDeleteAs far as T. Graham Brown, I am digging through old Opry lineups and the first mention I see of T. Graham on the Opry is March 31, 1990. But I have to be thinking that he had been on the Opry before that date. I am thinking that he was on the Opry sometime in the early 80s, if not on Saturday night, then on Friday night. On T., I will keep digging.
Crowd going NUTS for T. Graham Brown after the great introduction by Vince Gill.
ReplyDeleteT: "Thank God almighty or I wouldn't be standing here. Sheila Brown, I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for her." Touching stuff. Opry at its finest.