Grand Ole Opry 9/13 & 9/14 (Update #2)

Starting off with this post from Opry member Bill Anderson: 

It is with much sadness and a heavy heart that I tell you Les Singer, a member of my Po’ Folks Band for more than 40-years, longer than anyone in history, has passed away following a lengthy illness. He was 69.

Lester Earl (he was named for bluegrass greats Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs) came to work with me in 1981, and was our lead guitar and banjo player until declining health forced him to retire in 2021. He had stopped touring with us a few years before but continued to perform at the Grand Ole Opry for as long as his health permitted. 

Over the years, he also played on many of my recordings as well as serving as the rhythm guitar player for the entire life of the Country’s Family Reunion television series.

He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Singer, four daughters…Jana, Carrie, Haley, and Marissa….7 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Onstage, Les was a great musician and the consummate professional. Offstage, he and I enjoyed a relationship that went far beyond employer-employee. He was “Lester” and I was “Bubba.” We were both huge sports fans, but seldom found ourselves rooting for the same teams. He loved the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team while I cheered for the Atlanta Braves. He was a died-in-the-wool Chicago Bears fan in football and laughed because I pulled for our hometown Tennessee Titans. In college ball, it was his Fightin’ Illini from the University of Illinois versus my Bulldogs from Georgia. I sometimes accused him of simply being against whatever team I was for.

We both had a deep love and appreciation for classic country music and bluegrass. One of my favorite moments was the day on Family Reunion when Les had to play banjo on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” in front of Earl Scruggs, who was seated in our circle. He sweated bullets before and during his performance, but he pulled it off like the true champion he was. Even Earl told him so.

There’s a jillion more memories I wish I had the time and space to share.

Lester, you made a difference in a lot of lives…and a very large difference in mine. Hopefully, we’ll do it again someday up in Hillbilly Heaven. Get that E-string tuned down and ready to pick “Golden Guitar.” Nobody ever played it quite like you.

Rest in peace, my friend.

I love ya’….

Bubba

Moving on, it was a big weekend last week at the Grand Ole Opry as Carrie Underwood dazzled the audience with four shows, singing a number of her songs. It is always great when Carrie is back at the Opry, and while the two Opry shows for this weekend don't feature a superstar such as Carrie Underwood, there are still two nice shows on the schedule. 

The Friday Night Opry has members Mark Wills, Dailey & Vincent and the Del McCoury Band on the schedule. Dailey & Vincent are back on Saturday night along with Mandy Barnett and Connie Smith. 

Rhett Akins, Ryan Larkins and Shane Profitt will be on the Opry stage Friday night, along with Silverada, who, while not making their Opry debut, will be performing on the Opry for the first time under that name. The group, formally known as Mike and the Moonpies, figured that their music has changed so much over the years, that it was time for a new name to go with the change. 

Very frequent Opry guest Charles Esten is back for another appearance on Saturday night, along with another artist who is very familiar with the Opry House stage, Mickey Guyton. Rounding out the lineup will be two acts who will be making their Opry debuts, Bryce Leatherwood and Compton & Newberry. 

Friday September 13
7:00: Mark Wills, Del McCoury Band, Shane Profitt, Rhett Akins
Intermission
8:15: Katie Pruitt, Ryan Larkins, Silverada, Dailey & Vincent

Saturday September 14
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Dailey & Vincent, Mandy Barnett, Bryce Leatherwood, Charles Esten
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Opry Square Dancers, Sunny Sweeney, Compton & Newberry, Eric Paslay

(Look for one more to be added on Saturday night after the square dancers on the second half).

Update: Mickey Guyton is off the Saturday schedule and Eric Paslay has been added. 

Update: Sunny Sweeney has been added to the Saturday schedule. 

With these additions, there could be a couple of changes in the running order but as of Friday afternoon, that is how it is still listed. 

Mike Compton and Joe Newberry collaborate with a vision that is both modern and ageless, digging deep into early country music, blues, and other heartbeat sounds of traditional music. Their performances at home and abroad, from venues large and small, showcase soul-stirring instrumentals, numbers from the great American songbag, as well as newly composed songs and tunes that are already taking their rightful place in the new tradition. 

“Bluegrass Today” says of Compton and Newberry, “Real music performed by artists with a deep appreciation for the folk traditions that came before them... They pull off what's almost impossible these days: honest, genuine music that will get your soul dancing.”  Compton and Newberry are shining a much-deserved contemporary light on the roots, as they tend to the branches, too. As “Mandolin Cafe” put it, “Two musicians, two instruments and two voices capture the essence of how great music can be.”

Byrce Leatherwood is a 24-year-old singer/songwriter who aims to carry the torch of country music and continue the legacy of legends prior. Bryce was born and raised in Woodstock, GA, and his passion for music began at an early age. Working on his grandfather’s farm every summer, Bryce was exposed to the classic country hits of George Jones, Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty. Soon thereafter, Bryce began picking up guitars and playing the traditional country music that still inspires him today. Bryce’s music career began to blossom in Statesboro, GA, where he attended Georgia Southern University. During his time in Statesboro, Bryce played college venues and continued to hone his stage presence and his country music repertoire. In late 2021 while still enrolled in college, Bryce formed his band and began playing all around the Southeast. Bryce’s goal was to take the stage and play the best of country music to all ages and audiences. After graduating college, Bryce set his mind on a new task. In 2022, he competed on the NBC hit television show The Voice and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December of 2022. Following his success on “The Voice,” Bryce signed with Republic Records / Universal Music Group Nashville and is currently hard at work on new music.

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday September 14, 1974: 

1st show
6:30: Willis Brothers (host): Ernie Ashworth, Del Wood
6:45: The 4 Guys (host): Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper
7:00: Charlie Louvin (host): Jim & Jesse, Jim Mundy, Diane McCall, Jerry Whitehurst
7:30: Bobby Lord (host): Barbara Fairchild, Crook Brothers, Tommy Jones
8:00: Billy Grammer (host): Connie Smith, Jerry Wallace
8:30: Stonewall Jackson (host): Stu Phillips, Brian Shaw, Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Willis Brothers, Barbara Fairchild, Carolee Cooper
10:00: Bobby Lord (host): Ernie Ashworth, Del Wood
10:15: Stonewall Jackson (host): Connie Smith, Jim & Jesse
10:30: Charlie Louvin (host): Ethel Delaney, Diane McCall
10:45: Billy Grammer (host): Jim Mundy, Crook Brothers
11:00: Stu Phillips (host): Jerry Wallace, Patti Page, Fruit Jar Drinkers
11:30: The 4 Guys (host): Brian Shaw, Louie Robert

Finally, the running order from Saturday September 14, 1985: 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
The 4 Guys (host): Turn Your Radio On
Jeannie Seely: The Pain Once You're Gone
The 4 Guys: I Remember

6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): San Antonio Rose
Brother Oswald: Lonesome Road Blues
Charlie Walker: Crazy Arms

7:00: Shoney's
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Connie Smith: I'll Come Runnin'
Lonzo & Oscar: Take Me Home Country Roads
Hoyt Axton: Boney Fingers
Bill Anderson: From Rock N' Roll To The Rock Of Ages/I Love You Drops

7:30: Standard Candy
Ray Pillow (host): You're One Memory That I Would Like To Make Again
Skeeter Davis: The End Of The World
David Houston: My Elusive Dreams
Wilma Lee Cooper: Anywhere Just Inside Your Arms
Crook Brothers & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sugar In The Goard
Ray Pillow: Dim Lights; Thick Smoke

8:00: Martha White
Jim Ed Brown (host): Don't Bother To Knock
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Jean Shepard: A Tear Dropped By
Roy Drusky: The Last Farewell
Osborne Brothers: Shackles & Chains
Jim Ed Brown: Gone At Last

8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): Right Or Wrong
Stonewall Jackson: Heaven Tonight
Charlie Louvin & Steve Helton: Satan's Jewel Crown
Bill Carlisle: Gone Home
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Hank Snow: Among My Souvenirs

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Bill Anderson (host): Pity Party
The 4 Guys: I Think About Your Lovin' All The Time
Lorrie Morgan & Randy Parton: Meet Me In Montana
David Houston: Livin' In A House Full Of Love
Diana Trask: One Day At A Time
Bill Anderson: 8 X 10

10:00: Little Debbie
Billy Walker (host): Charlie's Shoes
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Billy Walker: Coffee Brown Eyes

10:15: Sunbeam
Jimmy C Newman (host): My Toot-Toot
Lonzo & Oscar: Delta Dirt
Cajun Country: Scattin' Cajun

10:30: Martha White
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Wilma Lee Cooper: When God Comes To Gather His Jewels
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Jim Ed Brown: I Take The Chance

10:45: Beechnut
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Skeeter Davis: I Ain't Never
Crook Brothers & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Lost Indian
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Wreck Of The Old 97
Justin Tubb: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Jean Shepard: Love's Gonna Live Here
Roy Drusky: I'll Hold You In My Heart
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Hank Snow: I'm Not At All Sorry For You

11:30: Quincy's
Charlie Walker (host): Right Or Wrong
Bill Carlisle: Same Ol' Tale That The Crow Told Me
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me On Sundays
Johnny Russell: You Just Better Not Do That
Charlie Walker: Ida Red

Jeannie Seely and Ray Pillow appeared only on the first show, while Lorrie Morgan, Justin Tubb and Johnny Russell only appeared on the second show. On the second show after Bill Anderson's opening number, Bill introduced Roy Acuff to the audience, who did not perform as he was recovering from a heart issue. 

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