Grand Ole Opry 7/5 & 7/6

Shows, shows and more shows at the Grand Ole Opry as like last weekend, Opry shows will be taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. 

Taking a look at the Friday Night Opry, it will be a night featuring a number of Opry members. Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill, Bill Anderson and Connie Smith head up the schedule. They will be joined by Rhonda Vincent, The Isaacs and comedian Gary Mule Deer. The only non-member on the Friday schedule is Chase McDaniel, who will be making his Opry debut. 

It will be a busy weekend for Vince, The Isaacs and Gary Mule Deer as all three will be back on Saturday night, joined by John Conlee and Jeannie Seely. The Shootouts will be making another Opry appearance, along with Peytan Porter and Billy Ray Cyrus, who will be joined by Eddie Sanders and Scott Vestal. 

Friday July 5
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Connie Smith, Chase McDaniel
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Gary Mule Deer, The Isaacs, Vince Gill

Saturday July 6
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Peytan Porter, The Shootouts, Billy Ray Cyrus with Eddie Sanders & Scott Vestal
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee, Gary Mule Deer, Opry Square Dancers, The Isaacs, Vince Gill

For those wondering why Billy Ray Cyrus is not performing with his wife Firerose, as he has in his previous Opry appearances, it is because Firerose is now the ex-wife of Billy Ray. On June 13, the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer filed an emergency motion requesting a temporary restraining order to stop his ex from using his personal and business credit cards and accounts, claiming she spent roughly $100,000 of his income on “unauthorized” purchases following their split. Of course, Firerose denies the charges. I think it is safe to say that the divorce is not going to be smooth. 

As mentioned, Chase McDaniel will be making his Opry debut on Friday night. Here is what he wrote on his Facebook page back when he announced the news: 

I’ve had to hold this in for way too long…On July 5th, IM PLAYING THE GRAND OLE OPRY!!! 

In my family, there is not a bigger honor than stepping inside the circle. I was 5 or 6 years old at my great papaw’s house when I watched a video on TV of George Jones singing “The Race is On”. I asked him where that was, and he said something along the lines of “that’s the biggest stage in country music.” Over the years, he saw how fascinated I was watching those videos with him, and would often tell me that if I wanted to sing there, well then he believed I could do it. 

I didn’t know that we were poor, I didn’t know that we didn’t have any connections in the industry, and to be honest I had no idea how hard it would be to get here. I had a papaw that loved country music, I had another one that sang bass and taught me how to sing. I grew up craving their connection. My circumstances were just right to have a very particular dream. And my circumstances were almost never right when it came to the pursuit of that dream. 

I’ve had to create my own luck over and over again and tomorrow I fully expect to wake up and have to do it again. There’s no giving up in this business, and there’s no giving up in life. Today I’m grateful for the opportunity to do something that once gave that little boy something to fight for, and I’m grateful for the influences that helped me dream. 

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Give the voice in your head telling you what you can’t do the middle finger. No matter what you’ve come from, or what you’re going through, there is hope for something better if you stick around and go after it. 

This is for everyone who found me and keeps giving me a chance, be thinking of me so I don’t get nervous and mess the whole thing up haha. 

FOLKS!! LET’S PLAY THE GRAND OLE OPRY!!!!!!

50 years ago, Friday July 5, 1974, Grand Ole Opry member Dolly Parton made her first Opry appearance since her break from Porter Wagoner, performing with her own band. She also appeared the following night, Saturday July 6, and here is the running order from that night: 

1st show

6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
The 4 Guys (host): Down By The Lazy River

Lonzo & Oscar: Lonesome Road Blues

The 4 Guys: Let Me Be There

6:45: Rudy's

Charlie Louvin (host): Little Reasons/Will You Visit Me On Sundays/What Are Those Things

Johnny Russell: Catfish John/Red Necks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer

Charlie Louvin: It Almost Felt Like Love Again Today

7:00: Rudy's

Billy Grammer (host): Don't Drop It

Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel

Kenny Price: Walking On New Grass

Billy Grammer: Somewhere My Love

Del Wood: Leaning On The Everlasting Arms

Kenny Price: Sheriff Of Boone County/Que Pasa

Billy Grammer: Just A Closer Walk With Thee

7:30: Standard Candy

Roy Acuff (host): Back In The Country

Dolly Parton: Jolene

Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown

Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Sally Goodin

Roy Acuff: Wabash Cannonball

Dolly Parton: I Will Always Love You

Justin Tubb: Loving Arms

Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland

8:00: Martha White

Hank Locklin (host): Please Help Me, I'm Falling

Grandpa Jones: Kitty Klide

Leroy Van Dyke: She Called Me Baby

Connie Eaton: If You Lowe Me, Let Me Know

Hank Locklin: I Can't Stop Loving You

Grandpa Jones: T For Texas

Leroy Van Dyke: Walk On By

Hank Locklin: Send Me The Pillow You Dream On

8:30: Stephens

Billy Walker (host): Smokey Places

Marion Worth: You're The Reason I'm Living

Johnny Carver: Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham

Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain

Marion Worth: Kentucky Rose

Johnny Carver: Country Lullaby

2nd show

9:30: Kellogg's

Charlie Louvin (host): I Gave My Love A Cherry

Lonzo & Oscar: Traces Of Life

Del Wood: Keep On The Firing Line

Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer

Charlie Louvin: It Almost Felt Like Love Again Today

Lonzo & Oscar: Ole Slewfoot

Del Wood: The Entertainer

10:00: Fender
Hank Locklin (host): Wild Side Of Life/Release Me/Fraulein

Kenny Price: Biloxi/Peace In The Valley

Hank Locklin: Jealous Heart

10:15: Union 76

Roy Acuff (host): Old Time Sunshine Song

Billy Grammer: Wildwood Flower/Black Mountain Rag

Roy Acuff: Will The Circle Be Unbroken

10:30: Trailblazer

Grandpa Jones (host): Are You From Dixie

Dolly Parton: Jolene/I Will Always Love You

Grandpa Jones: Old Dan Tucker

10:45: Beechnut

Justin Tubb (host): Rambling Man

Connie Eaton: American Trilogy

Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Black Mountain Rag

Justin Tubb: City Of New Orleans

11:00: Coca Cola

Billy Walker (host): Cross The Brazos At Waco

Leroy Van Dyke: Oklahoma Hills

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge

Leroy Van Dyke: Auctioneer

Kirk McGee: Keep A Light In Your Window Tonight

Deana Walker: Snowbird

Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes

11:30: Elm Hill

The 4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Maria

Marion Worth: Kentucky Rose

George Lindsay: Goober's Super Service

Johnny Carver: Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree

The 4 Guys: Top Of The World/Turn Your Radio On

Interesting that Porter Wagoner was not on the schedule that night. However, Roy Drusky was, but cancelled on both shows. Another surprise that night was a guest appearance by former Opry member Leroy Van Dyke (who in his mind was still an Opry member). 

Finally, Johnny Russell was on the schedule that night. It was exactly 11 years later, on July 6, 1985, that Johnny became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

As mentioned, there will also be another Sunday Night Opry this weekend. Gary Mule Deer will make it a three-show weekend, as he is on the schedule for Sunday, along with members Don Schlitz and Dailey & Vincent. Joining that group will be the legendary Chuck Wagon Gang, Julia Cole, Ray Fulcher, Bryan White and making their Opry debut, The Amanda Cook Band. 

Sunday July 7
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Ray Fulcher, Bryan White, Chuck Wagon Gang
Intermission
8:15: Julia Cole, Gary Mule Deer, The Amanda Cook Band, Don Schlitz

Amanda Cook, a Florida singer now living in southwestern Virginia, says that they are all well beyond psyched as they prepare for the Opry debut. 

“We’re absolutely thrilled about our upcoming Opry Debut—it’s truly a dream realized for all of us. The invitation is an immense honor, and stepping into that legendary circle, where so many of our musical idols have stood, fills us with excitement beyond words. My daddy is so proud it makes me just want to cry. “

With several albums available on Mountain Fever Records, Amanda and her band have been popular at festivals and on radio this past few years. Her long-time banjo player, Caroline Van Lierop, also moved up to the Blue Ridge, with two Amanda Cook Band veterans from the deep south, Joshua Faul on bass and George Mason on fiddle, traveling up to tour as needed. Brady Wallen on guitar and Troy Boone on mandolin complete the 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 stay safe.