On Thursday evening at the Grand Ole Opry House, the People's Choice Country Awards show took place. Among those scheduled to appear include (with Opry members highlighted), Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Parker McCollum, Lady A, Little Big Town, Carly Pearce, Dan + Shay, Nate Bargatze, The War And Treaty, Machine Gun Kelly, Brad Paisley, Ashley Cooke, Bailey Zimmerman, Dasha, Orville Peck, Scotty McCreery, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and Matt Rife. A pretty impressive list with more to be added. While not all of those listed, I would consider true country, most are, and the majority are either Opry members or are acts that have appeared on the Opry before.
Why do I write that list? Because in looking at the Grand Ole Opry lineups for this weekend, not a single name on that list, including the member of the Opry listed, are on the Opry schedule for this weekend. You would think, and it would have been nice, if at least one of those acts had decided to stay the extra day or two and appear on the show that "Made Country Music Famous."
So, taking a look at who is appearing this weekend, The Friday Night Opry will feature Opry members Mandy Barnett, John Conlee and Connie Smith, while on Saturday night Bill Anderson, Charlie McCoy and Jeannie Seely are listed.
Guesting on Friday night are Clay Walker, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Shenandoah and making a return appearance, The Kody Norris Show. Saturday night features the Larry Stevenson Band, Frank Ray, Dylan Schneider, Emmy Russell and making his Opry debut, David J.
Friday September 27
7:00: John Conlee, Mandy Barnett, The Kody Norris Show, Stephanie Urbina Jones
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Peyton Porter, Shenandoah, Clay Walker
Saturday September 28
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, David J., Larry Stephenson Band, Frank Ray
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Emmy Russell, Opry Square Dancers, Dylan Schnieder, Charlie McCoy
Only 3 Opry members each night.
Continuing on, here is the Grand Ole Opry lineup from 50 years ago, Saturday September 28, 1974:
1st show
6:30: Willis Brothers (host); Jan Howard
6:45: Wilburn Brothers (host); Jean Shepard, Ray Pillow
7:00: The 4 Guys (host); Connie Eaton, Lonzo & Oscar
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Smith, Charlie Walker, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Billy Grammer (host); Marion Worth, Louie Roberts
8:30: Roy Drusky (host); Jeanne Pruett, Harold Weakley, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Charlie Walker (host); Willis Brothers, Jan Howard
10:00: Wilburn Brothers (host); Jean Shepard
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Connie Eaton
10:30: Ray Pillow (host); Lonzo & Oscar, Louie Roberts
10:45: Billy Grammer (host); Connie Smith, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Roy Drusky (host); The 4 Guys, Marion Worth, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Jeanne Pruett, Charlie Louvin, Diane McCall
(Dolly Parton was scheduled for both shows and was replaced by Connie Eaton. Justin Tubb was also scheduled for both and canceled, while Charlie Louvin was only scheduled for the late show).
On September 28, 2010, the Grand Ole Opry House reopened after being closed due to the devastating flood that took place in Nashville, and through the Grand Ole Opry complex. It was a star-studded evening, led off by Bill Anderson, who was also the last member to perform on the Opry the night before the flood. On the televised portion that night, Jimmy Dickens and Brad Paisley led the cast in the singing of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." As part of the telecast that night, Trace Adkins invited Blake Shelton to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. The induction would take place later in the year.
Blake Shelton made his Opry debut on May 5, 2001, and here is the running order from that night 23 years ago.
1st show
6:30: Bill Herd Chevrolet/Apple Barn
Jean Shepard (host): A Phone Call Away
Billy Walker: Word Games
Bill Carlisle: Gone Home
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Mike Snider: Bulman's Reel
Jean Shepard: Tennessee Waltz
7:00: Pigeon Forge
Porter Wagoner (host): My Long Journey Home
Connie Smith: Ribbon Of Darkness/You Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Blake Shelton: That's What I Call Home/Austin
Porter Wagoner & Christie Lynn: Justo Someone I Used To Know
Porter Wagoner: Dooley
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): Walk Out Backwards
Tracy Byrd: A Good Way To Get On My Bad Side/Keeper Of The Stars
Steve Wariner: Two Teardrops/If I Didn't Love You
Bill Anderson & Steve Wariner: Tips Of My Fingers
8:00: Martha White
John Conlee (host): Rockin' With You
Nashville Bluegrass Band: Bull Weevil Song/The Women Make A Fool Out Of Me
Del Reeves: I Would Like To See You Again
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Cherokee Shuffle
John Conlee: That Was Before My Time
8:30: Physicians Mutual
Jimmy Dickens (host): Me & My Big Loud Mouth
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
Jeannie Seely: I Can't Stop Loving You
Kingsmen Quartet: He May Be On The Next Cloud Passing By/Joy
Jimmy Dickens: I'd Rather Sleep In Peace Than Know You're Gone
2nd show
9:30: online.com
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Saturday Night
Jean Shepard: A Phone Call Away/Together Again
Tracy Byrd: A Good Way To Get On My Bad Side/Keeper Of The Stars/I'm From The Country
Porter Wagoner & Christie Lynn: Milwaukee, Here I Come
10:00: Lincoln Mercury/Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind The Barn
The Whites: Pins & Needles
Connie Smith: Hearts Like Ours
Steve Wariner: Crazy Arms/Holes In The Floor Of Heaven
Jimmy Dickens: We Could
10:30: Document Management & Storage/Joggin' In A Jug
Jeannie Seely (host): You Don't Need Me But You Will
Billy Walker: Cross The Brazos At Waco
John Conlee: Common Man/In My Eyes
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Jeannie Seely: Make The World Go Away
11:00: Coca Cola
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
Mike Snider: Soldier's Joy/Angeline The Baker/Old Molly Hare
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walkin
Blake Shelton: That's What I Call Home/Austin
Bill Anderson: Quits
11:30: Opry Fest
George Hamilton IV (host): Abilene
Ray Pillow: Please Don't Leave Me Anymore/Bubbles In My Beer
Nashville Bluegrass Band: Blue Cadillac
Kingsmen Quartet: Whisper A Prayer/He'll Get You To The Other Side
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
Remember the words of Jean Shepard: You can't spell Blake Shelton without the letters B.S.
Much like last week, there will be no mid-week Opry shows next week as the Grand Ole Opry House gets prepared for Little Big Town's Christmas at the Grand Ole Opry, which takes place on Friday night.
Until then, thanks for reading and commenting and as always, I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
I said a while back we should all get used to 'Opry shows featuring only 3 'Opry members. It appears to be the new normal, especially for weekend shows.
ReplyDeleteIt pains me greatly to say this. I used to make sure to listen to the 'Opry whenever possible. Listening to the 'Opry is not as important to me now.
Nat, I'm with you, and this occurred to me: are all three who are on each night busy the other night? I doubt it. So why not all six both nights? It makes no sense.
DeleteI wouldn’t get hung up on whether acts are official members or not. For example this week we have Shenandoah which is a very popular band with lots of great songs. Larry Stephenson is a legend in Bluegrass. Emmy Russell is Loretta’s granddaughter and is making a name for herself.
ReplyDeleteThe non country acts deserve whatever criticism comes for their inclusion but let’s not overlook the many talented acts that guest and deserve support. Putting it another way, would a show 5/10 years ago with Gene Watson or Mandy Barnett be put down because they were not members at the time? Good music is good music and even though I love the history and heritage of the Opry I also know that for it to survive it needs a certain amount of freshness to keep audiences coming back.
A little off-topic, we finally had a chance to visit The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol VA and were very impressed with the exhibits portraying the significant history of country music. The beginnings to modern day contributions were well documented. I highly recommend the museum. (from Anonymous in PA).
ReplyDeleteI would not feel the way I do if so many of the non-members bring so little to the show in the way of traditional country music, are not very talented, and are not good entertainers to boot. I have heard some who make me wonder if they were auditioned.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate the first-timers who I feel sincerely appreciate their chance to appear on the 'Opry and can sing. I really enjoyed Tami Neilson recently.
I enjoy Shenandoah, and will no doubt enjoy Larry Stephenson and probably will enjoy Emmy Russel, who I have not heard yet.
There is hope, I guess!
Freshness would go over big with me if the 'Opry would invite some traditional acts like the Malpass Brothers to join.