The topic has come up on more than one occasion regarding when certain Grand Ole Opry members, who have not appeared on the Opry in a while, last appeared on the show. Here is a list of the last "scheduled" appearances of those Opry members who have not appeared on the Opry in the last several years:
Bobby Bare: September 18, 2018
Luke Combs: February 8, 2022*
Diamond Rio: July 2, 2019
Alan Jackson: January 17, 2020
Alison Krauss: March 2, 2019
Barbara Mandrell: June 14, 1997
Dolly Parton: October 12, 2019
Stu Phillips: June 3, 2017
Jeanne Pruett: June 9, 2001
Rascal Flatts: December 3, 2019
Blake Shelton: September 10, 2022
Ricky Van Shelton: July 2, 2004
Randy Travis: July 13, 2012
Travis Tritt: February 27, 2021
Now, to be fair, there are names on the list that are now retired and the date listed was their final scheduled Opry performance appearance. Several of those have made unscheduled, or cameo appearances on the Opry, but either did not perform or were at the Opry for a recognition event, such as Barbara Mandrell, Randy Travis and Jeanne Pruett. I also highlighted the "active members." There is also another group, that I did not include, that appeared in 2023 but not as of yet in 2024. Let's see how the year plays out in those cases. I did highlight Luke Combs as he is on an upcoming Opry schedule.
Just some numbers I thought I would throw out there.
Now moving ahead to this week's Grand Ole Opry, once again the name at the top of the list is Opry member Vince Gill, who is scheduled for both Friday and Saturday night. On Friday night he will be joined by Don Schlitz, John Conlee, Rhonda Vincent and Connie Smith. American Aquarium, Emmy Russell and Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys are the non-members on the schedule.
Joining Vince on Saturday night will be Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs and Charlie McCoy. Steven Curtis Chapman heads up the list of non-members, along with The Hillbenders and Mae Estes.
Friday July 26
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, John Conlee, Emmy Russell
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, American Aquarium, Don Schlitz, Vince Gill
Saturday July 27
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Mae Estes, Charlie McCoy, The Hillbenders
Intermission
8:15: Steven Curtis Chapman, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill
Now from 50 years ago, Saturday July 27, 1974:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Ghost Riders In The Sky
Jan Howard: Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep
Willis Brothers: Bob
6:45: Rudy's
Wilburn Brothers (host): There Must Be More To Love Than This
Jean Shepard: At The Time
Ray Pillow: Living In Tall Cotton
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas
7:00: Rudy's
The 4 Guys (host): She's All I Got
Connie Eaton: Welcome To My World
Lonzo & Oscar: Charming Betsy
The 4 Guys: Fall Away
Connie Eaton: Why Don't You Love Me
Lonzo & Oscar: Mountain Dew
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Back In The Country
Connie Smith: I Never Knew What That Song Meant Before
Charlie Walker: Odds & Ends; Bits & Pieces
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Roy Acuff: Wabash Cannonball
Connie Smith: Farther Along
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland
8:00: Martha White
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Marion Worth: You're The Reason I'm Living
Louie Roberts: Where Did My True Love Go
Billy Grammer: Westphalia Waltz
Marion Worth: Kentucky Rose
Louie Roberts: Make The World Go Away
Billy Grammer: My Window Faces The South
8:30: Stephens
Roy Drusky (host): Early Morning Rain
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Harold Weakley: Where No One Stands Alone
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Roy Drusky: Jody & The Kid
Jeanne Pruett: Hold To My Unchanging Love/Love Me/You Don't Need To Move A Mountain
Roy Drusky Band: Last Date
Roy Drusky: A Satisfied Mind
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Charlie Walker (host): Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Jan Howard: You Don't Know Me
Charlie Walker: Odds & Ends; Bits & Pieces
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Jan Howard: Love Is Like A Spinning Wheel
Charlie Walker: I Saw The Light
10:00: Fender
Wilburn Brothers (host): Knoxville Girl
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away/I'll Do Anything
Wilburn Brothers: There Must Be More To Love Than This
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Old Time Sunshine Song
Connie Eaton: Let Me Be There/Take My Hand Precious Lord
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird/Somebody Touched Me
10:30: Trailblazer
Ray Pillow (host): Excuse Me
Lonzo & Oscar: From Your Shoulders To Mine
Louie Roberts: Ka-Lou
Ray Pillow: Tall Cotton
10:45: Beechnut
Billy Grammer (host): Don't Drop It
Connie Smith: Back In Baby's Arms
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Chicken Reel
Billy Grammer: Peace In The Valley
11:00: Coca Cola
Roy Drusky (host): Anymore
The 4 Guys: Down By The Lazy River
Marion Worth: Kentucky Rain
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatam
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings Of A Dove
Sam McGee: Worry, Worry Blues
Roy Drusky: One Day At A Time
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
Jeanne Pruett: Count Me Out/Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: It Almost Felt Like Love Again Today
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: Something To Brag About
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Love Me/Devil Woman/Long Gone Lonesome Blues/I'm Wanting To/Letters Have No Arms/They'll Never Take Her Love From Me/El Paso
(Justin Tubb was scheduled for both shows but cancelled, while Charlie Louvin was only scheduled for the late show. Also, Dolly Parton was scheduled for both shows and she cancelled. Connie Eaton was brought in as a replacement and appeared on both shows where Dolly had been scheduled).
To wrap up the weekend, on Sunday night the Opry will celebrate 30 Years of Forrest Gump:
Three decades ago, the world met Forrest Gump, the simple-minded yet loveable star football athlete, Vietnam War veteran, and shrimp boat captain played by Academy Award winner Tom Hanks. On Sunday, July 28, the Grand Ole Opry will celebrate the iconic film's thirtieth anniversary with special performances from the soundtrack, guest appearances and more.
The event will include performances from Opry members Scotty McCreery, The Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett and Jamey Johnson. Also scheduled to perform is Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. Sinise played Gump's commanding officer and first mate in the film. Also present will be film producer Wendy Finerman and actor Mykelti Williamson, who played Bubba.
Guests who arrive early can partake in a special Forrest Gump Plaza Party with exclusive photos ops of scenes from the film, giveaways, merch and more. Here's what else to know about the event.
There you have it for this weekend. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. Take care and stay safe.
That second half on Saturday night is just gold! I’ve said it for a long time, but Stephen should be a member. For people who do not know he is the most successful artist in the history of Christian music. He has sold more records than most members, and he shows up more than a lot of them do. Vince really is just the greatest at this point. And I love the fact that he is appearing more and more and more. Didn’t you say Byron I believe that last year was the most he has ever appeared in a year and he’s never really been all that absent.
ReplyDeleteWell E.Z. ... you just got your wish ... Ricky Skaggs just invited Steven Curtis Chapman to be the next member of the Grand Ole Opry! How exciting and how excited he was! No induction date yet. You talk about something coming out of left field, this invitation just did. So happy for Steven. Thank you Grand Ole Opry!! :-)
Delete(Jeanene)
Jeanene, you once again beat me to it. A somewhat of a surprise choice, but then again, not really. So, of the 10 names that I listed in January that I would like to see as new Opry members, he is the 3rd to come off that list.
DeleteYour list of choices and how many you have crossed off of it has been very impressive for sure, Byron, it's only the end of July, they could invite three more new singers or acts and I hope they are all on your list!
DeleteI think it's great that the Opry is incorporating more Gospel music on their stage ... now if they would just concentrate on getting Cajun music back on their stage that would be a wonderful thing!
(Jeanene)
It’s interesting how this all has kind of developed because 25 years ago nobody would’ve considered Stephen to be even a gospel singer. For people who don’t know there is a giant difference between gospel music, and contemporary Christian music which Steven is one of the founding fathers of. As he’s gotten older and as contemporary Christian music has changed, though, he is basically now what George Jones was to traditional country music. This membership makes a lot of sense in that regard. And in terms of name value, his name still means so very much in the Christian music world and people will buy tickets just because his name is on the schedule.
Delete