Grand Ole Opry 8/30 & 8/31

I am not sure if everyone has seen the news or not, but former Grand Ole Opry Staff Band member Billy Linneman has passed away. I am not sure of the exact date, but it was around 2005 that Pete Fisher let Billy, along with several other Staff Band member, go. Billy played bass for a number of years and was very popular around the Opry, and well respected. Many have said that the Staff Band of the 1980s was one of the best in the history of the show. As I write this, I do not have any other details to share. 

So, while Vince Gill is not on the schedule for the Grand Ole Opry shows this weekend, Steve Wariner is. Steve is scheduled for both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, and it is nice to see Steve back at the Opry. 

Joining Steve on Friday night will be a trio of Hall of Fame members: Connie Smith, Charlie McCoy and Don Schlitz, along with Riders In The Sky. While speaking of Connie, she recently celebrated her 59th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. (Actually, the 59th anniversary from when she originally joined the Opry as she did leave the Opry for a period of time).

Non-members on the Friday night schedule are Callista Clark, Mark & Maggie O'Connor, and making their Opry debut, The Cactus Blossoms. 

As mentioned, Steve Wariner is on the schedule for both shows this weekend, and joining Steve on Saturday night will be members Jeannie Seely, T. Graham Brown and Dailey & Vincent. Guesting are Drew Baldridge, Wendy Moten and Matt Schuster. 

Friday August 30
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Callista Clark, The Cactus Blossoms, Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Mark & Maggie O'Connor, Steve Wariner, Don Schlitz

Saturday August 31
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Drew Baldridge, Grand Master Fiddle Champions, T. Graham Brown
Intermission
8:15: Matt Schuster, Steve Wariner, Opry Square Dancers, Wendy Moten, Dailey & Vincent

It is nice to see that Grand Ole Opry continuing the yearly tradition of having the Grand Master Fiddle Champions appearing on the Opry. The competition will take place earlier in the day, with a male and female winner. Both will be appearing. 

The Cactus Blossoms - Minneapolis-based brother duo Jack Torrey and Page Burkum, recently shared “Something’s Got A Hold One Me” the album opener from their upcoming new collection Every Time I Think About You, which is being released on Friday, the day of their Opry debut. A slice of pure Saturday night two-steppin’ joy, The Cactus Blossoms draw inspiration from timeless greats like Jimmie Rodgers - whose “Tuck Away My Lonesome Blues” served as a lyrical launching point in their writing process (and whose “Blue Yodel No. 1” is referenced in the first verse). But tracked with the brothers’ longtime bandmates Jeremy Hanson (drums), Jacob Hanson (guitar) and Phillip Hicks (bass) - as well as engineer/mixer Alex Hall (JD McPherson, Nick Lowe) - “Something’s Got A Hold On Me” is enrapturing in its exploration of motivations and desires in our modern world. “Something’s Got A Hold On Me” follows the release of the album’s title track “Every Time I Think About You” and “There She Goes,” which was named a Song You Need To Know by Rolling Stone after premiering on Sirius Outlaw Country. The Cactus Blossoms have a busy 2024 ahead, with an extensive headlining tour, an appearance at Nashville's Americana Fest, and more. 

From 50 years ago, Saturday August 31, 1974:

1st show
6:30: Charlie Louvin (host): Willis Brothers, Diane McCall
6:45: Wilburn Brothers (host): Lonzo & Oscar
7:00: Charlie Walker (host): Ernie Ashworth, Clay Hart, Del Wood
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Billy Grammer, Barbara Fairchild, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Barbara Lea, Jimmy C Newman
8:30: Stonewall Jackson (host): Stu Phillips: Marilyn Sellars, Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Wilburn Brothers (host): Willis Brothers, Barbara Fairchild, Lonzo & Oscar
10:00: Jimmy C Newman (host): Del Wood, Clay Hart
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Charlie Walker
10:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Barbara Lea, Mac McGaha
10:45: Billy Grammer (host): Ernie Ashworth, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Charlie Louvin (host): Marilyn Sellars, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Diane McCall, Sam McGee
11:30: Stonewall Jackson (host): Stu Phillips, Ronnie Robbins

Connie Smith was scheduled for both shows but cancelled and while Ernest Tubb was not on the Opry that night, he did host the Midnite Jamboree. He had worked a show in Kentucky earlier that evening. 

Clay Hart, who appeared on the Opry that night, was a member of Lawrence Welk's television show from 1969-1975. He actually replaced Lynn Anderson as the shows designated country music singer. He was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his 1969 single "Spring" but lost to Johnny Cash. He also released a solo album, Clay Hart: Most Requested Country Favorites from the Ranwood Records label. Clay married Sally Flynn on December 6, 1974. Flynn had been a vocalist on the Welk show until 1972. The two later became a country singing duo that has opened for stars such as Mel Tillis, Red Skelton, and Juliet Prowse. The couple later taped wraparound segments for reruns of the Welk Show on PBS and have toured the US with their fellow Welk stars in the Forever Blowing Bubbles concert series. Clay Hart passed away in 2022. 

And yes, Marilyn Sellars, who also appeared that night, was famous for the hit "One Day At A Time". 

In October 2021, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 5,000 Saturday night show. Show #4,000 took place almost 20 years earlier on August 31, 2002. Here is the running order from that special night: 

1st show
6:30: Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' At The Foot Of The Bed
Jimmy C Newman: La Cajun Band
Mel McDaniel: Louisiana Saturday Night/Stand Up
Billy Walker: Cross The Brazos At Waco
Jimmy Dickens: I'd Rather Sleep In Peace Than Know You're Gone

7:00: Opry/Standard Candy
Vince Gill (host): You Are My Sunshine
Amy Grant: I Need Thee Every Hour/Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus
Clint Black: A Better Man/(?)
Steve Wariner: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Vince Gill: Look At Us

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up Jacob
Bill Carlisle: Worried Man Blues
Connie Smith: In The Garden
Mike Snider: Limerock/The Squirrel Hunter
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Blackberry Blossom

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jeannie Seely (host): Hey Good Lookin'
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Cindy Moore: Minnie Pearl Impersonator From Opryland
Rhonda Vincent: Kentucky Borderline/You Don't Love Your Neighbor, You Don't Love God
Jeannie Seely, Cindy Moore & Rhonda Vincent: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

2nd show
9:30: Opry
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind The Barn
Mel McDaniel: Stand Up
Vince Gill: If You Ever Have Forever On Your Mind/Look At Us
Jimmy Dickens: What Will I Do Then

10:00: Lincoln Mercury/Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Jim & Jesse: Ashes Of Love
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Clint Black: A Better Man/One More Payment & It's Mine
Porter Wagoner: The Girl In The Blue Velvet Band

10:30: Honest Abe Homes/Joggin' In A Jug
Jean Shepard (host): Head Over Heels In Love
Stu Phillips: The 10th Man
Steve Wariner: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/Life's Highway
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Snow Flake Reel
Jean Shepard: Tennessee Waltz

11:00: Coca Cola
Jeannie Seely (host): It's Such A Pretty World Today
Cindy Moore: Minnie Pearl Impersonator From Opryland
Rhonda Vincent: Hit Parade Of Love/When I Close My Eyes/You're Running Wild
Jeannie Seely: Leaving And Saying Goodbye

11:30: Opry
Mike Snider (host): Waiting On The Federal/Breakdown/Possum Up A Simmon Tree
Ray Pillow: Someone Had To Teach You
Connie Smith: Singing The Blues/You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Mike Snider: (?) /Up Around The Bend

The 4,000 Saturday night Opry show was dedicated to Grand Ole Opry member Minnie Pearl. Also, during the televised segment on the first show, Barbara Mandrell appeared. She did not perform. Cindy Moore was the Minnie Pearl impersonator who appeared in the Opryland theme park and at the Grand Ole Opry House. 

To finish it up for this week, it was on Saturday January 7, 1950 that the legendary Hank Snow, The Singing Ranger, first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, becoming an Opry member on the night of his Opry debut. Yes, they did things a little different back then. It was through the efforts of another legendary Opry member, Ernest Tubb, that brought Hank to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry. Over time, Hank settled into hosting the 8:30 and 11:00 segments each Saturday night. 

Sadly, it all came to an end on Saturday August 31, 1996, when Hank made his final appearance on a Saturday night Grand Ole Opry show. Health issues forced Hank into retirement and no longer would the legendary Singing Ranger grace the Opry stage. 

I have posted the running order from that final Saturday night before, but in honor of Hank, here is the lineup once again, from 28 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Mike Snider (host): Tennessee Rhapsody/Cotton Eyed Joe
Bill Carlisle: Rusty Old Halo
Mike Snider: Shuckin' The Corn/Foggy Mountain Chimes

6:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Grandpa Jones (host): Ol' Blue
Jan Howard: My Heart Skips A Beat
Grandpa Jones: Gooseberry Pie

7:00: Shoney's
Johnny Russell (host): Good Hearted Woman
Charlie Louvin: The Precious Jewel
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down To The River/I Saw The Light/Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells/Looking Back To See
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally

7:30: Standard Candy
Jeannie Seely (host): Burning That Old Memory
Cumberland Boys: Nothing But Love
Ray Pillow: She's Doing It To Me Again
Margaret Whiting: I Can't Help It
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Del Reeves: Got A Little Bit Of Heaven On Earth
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Porter Wagoner: The Cowboy's Hat
Porter Wagoner & Christie Lynn: Forty Miles From Poplar Bluff

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): In The Misty Moonlight
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
Stu Phillips: Colorado
The Whites: Pins & Needles
Connie Smith: Then & Only Then
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me Of Me

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Tell Her Lies & Feed Her Candy
Brother Oswald: The Girl I Love Don't Pay Me No Mind
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou/Texa-Cajun
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name/Freight Train Boogie

10:00: Massy Ferguson
Grandpa Jones (host): Fifteen Cents Is All I Got
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time

10:15: Opryland
Jean Shepard (host): I Thought Of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
Roy Drusky: Waltz Of The Angels/One Day At A Time
Jean Shepard: A Phone Call Away

10:30: Purnell's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Cumberland Boys: Today I Might Be Going Home
Jim Ed Brown & Kristi Russell: Lyin' In Love With You

10:45: Fairfield
Mike Snider (host): Lonesome Road Blues
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Ragtime Annie
Mike Snider: Battle Cry Of Freedom/Get You Hand Off My Knee & Load The Cannon

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Del Reeves: I Would Like To See You Again
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Charlie Walker: Who'll Buy The Wine
The Whites: He Took Your Place
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind

11:30: Loreal
Johnny Russell (host): Red Necks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer
Stu Phillips: Blue Canadian Rockies
Jeannie Seely: Bubbles In My Beer
Ray Pillow: Someone Had To Teach You
Colleen Walters: Walkin' After Midnight

Hank Snow was missing from the Opry in 1996. Early in the year, he was on the schedule but cancelled due to a respiratory illness. As the year went on, his absence was more noticeable and raised concerns. Finally, on Friday August 9, Hank appeared on the Opry. However, he did not appear the following Saturday night. His next appearance was on this particular Saturday, August 31, which would be his final Saturday night. The following Friday, September 6, Hank appeared on the Friday Night Opry, which would be his final Opry show. He was scheduled for Saturday night but cancelled. The following Saturday night, September 14, he was listed on the Opry schedule for the final time but failed to appear. 

You can say what you want about the stars of the Grand Ole Opry today, but the glory days of Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb, Bill Monroe, Porter Wagoner, Grandpa Jones and yes, Hank Snow, are gone and will forever live in our memories. 

That will cover it for this weekend. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.