The Tuesday Night Opry this week features four Grand Ole Opry members: Mandy Barnett, comedian Henry Cho, Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz and the Queen of Bluegrass Rhonda Vincent. Joining that group will be Opry NextStage artist Jackson Dean, Chayce Beckham, Matt Stell and making their Opry debut, Sidewalk Prophets.
Tuesday July 9
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Matt Stell, Henry Cho, Chayce Beckham
Intermission
8:15: Mandy Barnett, Sidewalk Prophets, Jackson Dean, Don Schlitz
Sidewalk Prophets is an American contemporary Christian music band from Nashville. The group won the 2010 GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year and in 2011 were nominated for Group of the Year. The group has charted several albums and numerous singles on the Christian Music Charts.
Looking at the Wednesday Night Opry, Opry member Vince Gill will be making a rare weeknight appearance on the show, joined by fellow member Jeannie Seely. Legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is on the schedule, along with Opry NextStage artists 49 Winchester and Wyatt Flores. Rounding out the lineup is Colby Cooper, and making their Opry debut, The Great Divide.
Wednesday July 10
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Colby Cooper, The Great Divide, Tommy Emmanuel
Intermission
8:15: Wyatt Flores, 49 Winchester, Vince Gill
Nearly 30 years after the band’s inception, The Great Divide is finally making their Opry debut. With their brand of music, they’ve always felt like a little bit of an outcast in Nashville as they refused to play by the unspoken rules as they recorded their music in their own space, their own way. But now as Nashville has become more inclusive and welcoming, they are getting their chance to show everyone why they belong on that stage. The band has long been a favorite on the Texas music scene and last year the band won “Country Band of the Year” and “Single of the Year” at the 2023 TCMA awards (Texas Country Music Association), and Bryce Conway won “Keyboardist of the Year.”
The original lineup consisted of lead singer Mike McClure, rhythm guitarist Scott Lester, bassist Kelley Green and drummer JJ Lester. Recently they added award-winning keyboard player Bryce Conway. The Great Divide has long been considered godfathers of the Red Dirt music scene and influenced young emerging bands like Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stoney LaRue, Jason Boland and The Stragglers. Now there is a whole new generation of music fans who are discovering their music.
Country Music Hall of Famer and member of The Oak Ridge Boys Joe Bonsall passed today (7/9) from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He was 76. Bonsall has been a member of the Oaks for 50 years, retiring from the road earlier this year (CAT 1/3). Joining the long-running quartet in 1973, Bonsall offered tenor vocals to hits including "I'll Be True To You," "Elvira," "Bobbie Sue," "American Made" and "Love Song." They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Bonsall is also the author of 11 books, including the memoir I See Myself. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. At his request, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association or Vanderbilt's ALS Research Center.
ReplyDeleteWhat a rough few months for The Oak Ridge Boys. The passing of Nora Lee Allen, Rusty Golden, and now Joe Bonsall. God be with them all.
ReplyDeleteHenry Cho was on fire last night. Crowd had to be rolling in the aisles.
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