Grand Ole Opry 9/20 & 9/21

As we get close to entering the last quarter of the year, it is a good time to check in on some of our favorite Grand Ole Opry members and see how they are doing in regard to appearances on the show. 

We look at those "active" members who have zero appearances on the Opry in 2024: 

Garth Brooks
Diamond Rio
Alan Jackson
Alison Krauss
Reba McEntire
Dolly Parton
Blake Shelton
Travis Tritt
Keith Urban

Should any of us be surprised as several of these names appear often. And of course, these are some of the Opry's biggest names. Other disappointments, with just one appearance, include Kelsea Ballerini, Clint Black, Luke Combs, Martina McBride, and Chris Young. While they are also on that list, Lady A, Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch all have upcoming appearances on the schedule. 

I am going to guess that those missing members will all be showing up next year at some point to help the Opry celebrate its 100th anniversary, and they will proclaim how honored they are to be Opry members and how much it means to them. 

Actions speak louder than words. 

While not much can be done about the members who seem not to want to appear on the show, let's recognize one of the Opry's newest members, T. Graham Brown. Since joining the cast in 2024, this weekend will mark his 20th appearance as an Opry member. If T. Graham, along with Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Ashey McBryde, Jamey Johnson and a few of the others can make time for the Opry, so could those who choose not. 

And speaking of T. Graham Brown, he is on the schedule this weekend on the Friday Night Opry. Joining him will be members The Isaacs, Connie Smith and Old Crow Medicine Show. Rounding out the Friday schedule is comedian Brian Bates, Rissi Palmer, Hannah Ellis and making his Opry debut, Donavon Frankenreither. 

Old Crow Medicine show is back on Saturday night, along with members Oak Ridge Boys, Jeannie Seely, and John Conlee. Wyatt Ellis, who has been impressive in his past Opry appearances, is back, along with Noeline Hofmann, who is making her Opry debut, and the Wonder Women of Country, which consists of Kelly Willis, Melisa Carper and Brennen Leigh.

Friday September 20
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Hannah Ellis, Donavon Frankenreiter, The Isaacs
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Brian Bates, Rissi Palmer, Old Crow Medicine Show

Saturday September 21
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jimmy Fortune, Wyatt Ellis, Jeannie Seely, Wonder Women of Country
Intermission
8:15: Noeline Hofmann, Opry Square Dancers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Oak Ridge Boys

Donavon Frankenreither is making his Opry debut on Friday night, the same day that his new album, Get Outta Your Mind is released. It is his first studio album in nine years and marks the 20th anniversary of his self-titled debut album. He is a surfer from California and has toured extensively. 

Noeline Hofmann comes to the Opry from the Badlands of Southern Alberta, Canada and was recently named one of Holler Country's 24 New Country & Americana Artists for 2024. Thus far this year she has toured with Charley Crockett and Wyatt Flores.  Her newest song "August" was recently released and her debut EP, Purple Gas, is set for release on October 4. 

Continuing our look back at 1974, the year that the Grand Ole Opry House opened, here is the running order from Saturday September 21: 

1st show
6:30: Willis Brothers (host), Norma Jean
6:45: Bill Monroe (host), Ernie Ashworth
7:00: Archie Campbell (host), Phil Campbell, Tommy Jones, Dean Twins
7:30: Roy Acuff (host), Karen Wheeler, Charlie Albertson, Crook Brothers, Smokey Mountain Cloggers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host), Paul Warren, Bill Carlisle, Joe & Rose Lee Maphis, Marty Stuart
8:30: Hank Snow (host), Marion Worth, Jim Mundy, Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Willis Brothers (host), Norma Jean, Charlie Albertson, 
10:00: Archie Campbell (host), Dean Twins, Phil Campbell, Tommy Jones
10:15: Bill Monroe (host), Karen Wheeler
10:30: Lester Flatt (host), Bill Carlisle, Joe & Rose Lee Maphis
10:45: Roy Acuff (host), Brother Oswald, Crook Brothers, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host), Jim Mundy, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Betty Jean Robinson, Sam McGee
11:30: Del Reeves (host), Marion Worth, Louie Roberts

(Ernie Ashworth only appeared on the first show and Del Reeves on the second show). 

Charlie Albertson, who appeared that night, was a politician from North Carolina. He was a member of the North Carolina Senate, representing the 5th and 10th districts from 1993 until his retirement in 2010. His district included constituents in Duplin, Harnett and Sampson counties. Albertson also served as the Democratic Caucus Secretary from 2005 until 2010. He previously served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1989 through 1992. He has earned the nickname "The Singing Senator."

He was also a singer-songwriter and musician that toured in 26 countries. Primarily a country and gospel singer, he worked with Jimmy Capps and claims Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells, and Hank Thompson as influences. He performed at many Democratic Party rallies and once wrote the theme song/jingle for the "Goodness Grows in North Carolina" program that the state promoted. In 2010, outraged over the citations in his district of members of Willie Nelson's band (which led to Nelson cancelling a concert there), he wrote and recorded a song called "Leave the Man Alone" criticizing law enforcement for the incident. It received airplay on several country stations. At the age of 92, he is still alive. 

Betty Jean Robinson was a noted country and gospel singer. In addition, she wrote songs and was voted Billboard Magazine's songwriter of the year. Robinson was signed to Metromedia Records and later to Decca Records where she wrote many hit songs including, "All I Need is You" and "Hello Love." recorded by Hank Snow. She also did several duets with country music star Carl Belew.

Finishing up this week, here is the running order from just over a decade later, September 21, 1985: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
The 4 Guys (host): Sweet Ruby Red
Brother Oswald: Late Last Night When My Willie Came Home
The 4 Guys: How Married Are You Mary Ann

6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): Right Or Wrong
Jean Shepard: Love's Gonna Live Here
Charlie Walker: T For Texas
Joe Edward: Ida Red

7:00: Shoney's
Del Reeves (host): Be Glad
Wilma Lee Cooper: West Virginia Polka
Teddy Wilburn: Lovesick Blues
Jeanne Pruett: Swing Down Chariot/Satin Sheets
Del Reeves: Good Hearted Woman/Good Time Charlie's

7:30: Standard Candy
Jack Greene (host): Satisfaction
Justin Tubb: Sing Blue Eyed Elaine Again
Connie Smith: I'll Come Runnin'
Charlie Louvin & Jennifer O'Brien: He Can Be Found
Crook Brothers & The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sail Away Ladies
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

8:00: Martha White
Jimmy Dickens (host): I'm Little But I'm Loud
Billy Walker: Coffee Brown Eyes
Skeeter Davis: Silver Threads & Golden Needles
Del Wood: The Entertainer
Ernie Ashworth: The Beginning Of The End For Me
Lorrie Morgan: Unchained Melody
Jimmy Dickens: We Could

8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): Down The Trail Of Aching Hearts
Jan Howard: Why Lady Why
Roy Drusky: As Long As I Live
Jeannie Seely: When Your Heart's Been Stepped On
Bill Carlisle: Have A Drink On Me
Hank Snow: Nevertheless

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Del Reeves (host): Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Daisy A Day
Teddy Wilburn: Crazy Arms
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Del & Kari Reeves: We're The Greatest Lovers In The World

10:00: Little Debbie
The 4 Guys (host): Made In The U.S.A.
Jean Shepard: I Thought Of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah

10:15: Sunbeam
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' At The Foot Of The Bed
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way

10:30: Martha White
Billy Walker (host): Word Games
Connie Smith: Hangin' Around
Billy Walker: Coffee Brown Eyes/Charlie's Shoes

10:45: Beechnut
Roy Drusky (host): Mississippi
Skeeter Davis: I Ain't Never
Crook Brothers & The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham
Roy Dusky: Have I Stayed Away Too Long

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Forever &1; Forever & 2
Justin Tubb: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Charlie Louvin & Steve Helton: Make Him A Soldier
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me Of Me

11:30: Quincy's
Charlie Walker (host): My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You
Jan Howard: I Don't Know A Thing About Love
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Lorrie Morgan: I Don't Know Why Ou Don't Want Me/There's No Love In Tennessee
Charlie Walker: Fraulin
Joe Edwards: Ida Red

Well, there you have it for this week. Next week there are no mid-week Opry shows as the Opry House prepares for the People Choice Country Awards on Thursday night, hosted by Shania Twain. Appearing on the show will be Opry members Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Little Big Town, and Carly Pearce, among other country music stars. Isn't it interesting that these Opry members can find a way to the Opry House for an awards show, but not for an actual Opry show? 

Take care and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend.