First off, congratulations again to Steven Curtis Chapman who will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Another fine choice by Dan Rogers and his team. Steven will be the 19th new member added to the Grand Ole Opry's cast since Gene Watson was added in February 2020, and the 4th new member thus far in 2024. Steven will also be the 76th member of the current cast, which if memory serves me correctly, is the largest cast of members in the history of the Opry. As I write this, no date has been set for the formal induction, but I am sure it will be scheduled soon.
I also want to mention the honor that Opry member Jeannie Seely received this week. The town on Townville, Pennsylvania revealed new highway signs that will be placed at each end of the town that read Home of Jeannie Seely, Grammy Awarded Grand Ole Opry Legend. Congratulations to Jeannie also upon the release of her new single "Suffertime." People magazine recently ran a wonderful article on the making of the song, which was originally recorded by Dottie West. A 40-minute documentary and video were also part of the release of the song. Steve Wariner and Charlie McCoy were also part of the session and why was this particular song selected? As was written in the article,
"Seely wanted to record a classic country song with a blues treatment and decided on a piece she wrote that her friend Dottie West recorded. She's always loved "Suffertime" but had forgotten about it.
During a 2023 Grand Ole Opry appearance, the audience immediately reacted when she started singing the song — so she decided to record it for fun. Her creative director, Ron Harman, suggested returning to RCA Studio B, where Seely initially recorded the song and had her first recording session in 1964. With that in mind, she and her team opted to add a video component."
Congratulations to Jeannie, who at the age of 84 is the oldest active female in country music today. And I might add, a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Moving ahead to the Grand Ole Opry shows for this weekend, there are full schedules for both Friday and Saturday night. After missing last Friday night, Opry member Connie Smith is back on the schedule, joined by members T. Graham Brown, Gene Watson, Riders In The Sky, Dailey & Vincent and The Isaacs. Guesting are Sunny Sweeney and making her Opry debut, Ruby Leigh.
The Isaacs will be back on Saturday night, along with Bill Anderson, Don Schlitz, John Conlee, and returning after missing last Saturday night, Jeannie Seely. Tigirlily Gold is back for another Opry appearance, along with comedian Mike James and Ryan Larkins, who will be making his Opry debut.
Friday August 2
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Sunny Sweeney, Gene Watson, Riders In The Sky
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Ruby Leigh, T. Graham Brown, The Isaacs
Saturday August 3
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Tigirlily Gold, John Conlee, Don Schlitz
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Mike James, Opry Square Dancers, Ryan Larkins, The Isaacs
It is going to be a big week week for Ruby Leigh, the Season 24 first runner up on The Voice. Not only will she be making her debut on the Opry, but she will also be releasing her new co-written single “Love’s Like A Rose” on July 29th. Ruby Leigh started her career at nine years old when, to her parent’s surprise, she first realized she could sing. After listening to some of her dad’s old records, she immediately fell in love with all the greats of country music including Loretta, Hank Sr., Jimmy Rodgers, Patsy, Dolly, and the list goes on and on. The more she learned about her musical heroes, she soon realized that there were a few things that she dreamed of doing one day. On the top of that list was playing The Grand Ole Opry! On Friday night, that dream will come true.
Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Ryan Larkins caught the music city bug as a pre-teen, starting his songwriting journey at 12-years-old. He began to forge his distinctive baritone sound singing and playing guitar weekly at his home church. Those early performances eventually got him noticed by the Nashville music industry community and soon led to a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing. Ryan’s sonic roots in traditional country music coupled with his love for gospel, pop and even R&B has crafted an original, incomparable sound sought after by some of the most talented names in the industry. He’s since written with musical legends like Tony Lane, Tom Douglas, Lee Miller, Craig Wiseman, Tim Nichols, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip and Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson. Bill earned his first Grammy nomination for “Someday It’ll All Make Sense,” a duet with Dolly Parton, that Larkins co-wrote. A gifted songwriter, Ryan has also landed cuts by award-winning artists like Tim McGraw and Cody Johnson, landing his first #1 song with “The Painter,” which also earned him his debut ACM nomination for Song of the Year. After launching his first Nashville Country release, Meet Ryan Larkins, on Jay DeMarcus’ Red Street Records, Ryan has garnered fans around the country opening for acts like Willie Nelson, Ian Munsick and Priscilla Block as the direct support on her 2024 headlining Hey Jack Tour.
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stu Phillips (host): Catfish John
Ernie Ashworth: Each Moment Spent With You
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): Odds & Ends; Bits & Pieces
Connie Smith: I Never Knew What That Song Meant Before/Amazing Grace
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
7:00: Rudy's
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Leona Willams: Break My Mind
Louie Roberts: Make The World Go Away
Billy Grammer: I Was Sorta Wondering
Brother Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Leona Williams: Dallas
Billy Grammer: What A Friend
7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy C Newman (host): Jambalaya
Karen Wheeler: Born To Love & Satisfy
Del Wood: Keep On The Firing Line
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Sally Goodin
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star
Karen Wheeler: What Can I Do To Make You Happy
Del Wood: Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Jimmy C Newman: Dropping Out Of Sight
8:00: Martha White
George Morgan (host): You Turn Me On
Connie Eaton: Let Me Be There
Dick Feller: Making The Best Of A Bad Situation
George Morgan: Red Rose From The Blue Side Of Town
Connie Eaton: I Can't Stop Loving You
Dick Feller: Biff; The Friendly Purple Bear
George Morgan: Almost/I Can't Help It
8:30: Stephens
Bobby Lord (host): Wake Me Up Early In The Morning
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
David Rogers: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Bobby Lord: Fall Away
Jeanne Pruett: Love Me
David Rogers: Hey There Girl
Bobby Lord: Hawkeye
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Charlie Walker (host): My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You
Connie Smith: Just One Time
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Charlie Walker: Odds & Ends; Bits & Pieces
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Charlie Walker: It Is No Secret
10:00: Fender
Jimmy C Newman (host): Diggy Liggy Lo
Leona Williams: Dallas
Brother Oswald: John Hardy
Jimmy C Newman: Potato Song
10:15: Union 76
Billy Grammer (host): Wabash Cannonball
Karen Wheeler: Born To Love & Satisfy/What Can I Do To Make You Happy
Billy Grammer: Whispering Hope
10:30: Trailblazer
Stu Phillips (host): If You Love Me, Let Me Know
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Louie Roberts: Make The World Go Away
Stu Phillips: Why Me Lord
10:45: Beechnut
George Morgan (host): Mr. Ting A Ling
Dick Feller: Making The Best Of A Bad Situation
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Liberty
George Morgan: Who, At My Door, Is Standing
11:00: Coca Cola
Bobby Lord (host): Mississippi
Connie Eaton: Let Me Be There
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking In My Sleep
Bobby Lord: You & Me Against The World
Connie Eaton: I Can't Stop Loving You
Sam McGee: Victor Rag/Freight Train
Bobby Lord: Live Your Life Out Loud
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Singing The Blues
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets/Count Me Out
David Rogers: Rollin' In MY Sweet Baby's Arms/Hey There Girl
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Love Me/Big Boss Man/My Woman, My Woman, My Wife/Long Gone Lonesome Blues
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.
Some of you know that I sing, Jay DeMarcus, who is still a member is my dream record producer. He’s one of the most talented people in the history of Nashville so this kid has got to be really good. Speaking of Rascal Flatts, if anyone heard the Sunday night tribute show to Forrest Gump, Charlie did not introduce Gary as a member even though he actually still is. I thought that was interesting.
ReplyDeleteI noticed and good question, Anonymous ... the same thing happened a few weeks ago when Charles Kelley appeared by himself; he also was not introduced as Opry member Charles Kelley. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe they consider them members from a trio only vs individually? While that does not make any sense to me, maybe that's how the Opry looks at it. I look at it, if you've been inducted into the Opry, you're a member duo, trio, group or individually.
DeleteAll I do know, is that Ruby Leigh was just great last night. Watched her on The Voice last year, she was outstanding and I still say she should have won that competition but the voters thought differently. She sang Patsy Montana's "I Want to be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" on the show, she sure can yodel. Now that she's been on the Opry, hopefully she'll be on her way to bigger things.
Enjoy the Opry show tonight.
(Jeanene)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1NgwVE5RQw
ReplyDeleteYou will NOT be disappointed
Did Jeannie Seely appear Saturday night. I joined while John Conlee was on and couldn't stay close enough to figure if she did or not.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Jim
Hi Jim ... she did not appear. Bill Cody announced that she was under the weather, so John Conlee stepped into her spot from the spot he was in.
DeleteI so enjoyed hearing Bill Cody Saturday night; it was a nice surprise and was refreshing to hear him even though I really do like Mike Terry on Saturday nights.
(Jeanene)
Thanks Jeanene.
DeleteGood morning and you're welcome.
Delete(Jeanene)