I am sure everyone saw the news that Rascal Flatts is reuniting for a tour to celebrate their 25th anniversary as a group. I think most of us felt it was inevitable that they would get back together at some point, and I am happy they are. It will be interesting to see if they can squeeze in an Opry appearance or two in the next year.
While we wait for Rascal Flatts to appear, the Grand Ole Opry continues on with just two shows on Saturday night. Why no Friday Night Opry this weekend? Little Big Town is hosting the filming of Christmas At The Opry. From the Opry website: Experience NBC’s live taping of Little Big Town's Christmas at the Opry on October 4! Hosted by Little Big Town at the Grand Ole Opry House, you won't want to miss our secret all-star lineup...with big stars and big surprises. Get tickets now to get this holiday season started.
While we do not know who the big stars that will be appearing on Friday night, we do know that Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill will be appearing on Saturday night for both shows. Joining Vince will be Opry members Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, Charlie McCoy and Bill Anderson. Guesting will be Mindy Smith and making her Opry debut, Shaylen.
Saturday October 5
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, Shaylen, Charlie McCoy
8:00: Bill Anderson, Opry Square Dancers, Mindy Smith, Vince Gill
2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, Shaylen, Charlie McCoy
Intermission
10:30: Bill Anderson, Opry Square Dancers, Mindy Smith, Vince Gill
As the Opry has done in past years, there will be two Opry shows each Saturday night in October.
Shaylen, who is making her Opry debut on Saturday, was invited to appear on the Opry by Chris Young. Earning 100 million+ streams to date in just two short years since taking a leap of faith into Country music, Shaylen has quickly cemented her status as one to watch. Swiftly emerging as one of the most prominent emerging female artists in the genre, she’s been met with effusive enthusiasm from Country fans and industry alike as HOLLER. proclaims she mixes the “the chandelier rattling delivery of Kelly Clarkson with the cowgirl-next-door charm of Carly Pearce.” Following independent releases “Let Me Let You” and “Been There Before” earlier this year, Shaylen recently teamed up with her new labelmate Noah Hicks for “Second Time Around.” "To Tell You The Truth" is her latest release.
From 50 years ago, Saturday October 5, 1974:
1st show
6:30: Charlie Louvin (host): Bill Carlisle
6:45: Billy Grammer (host): Connie Smith
7:00: Osborne Brothers (host): Jimmy Dickens, Jan Howard
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Hank Locklin, Minnie Pearl, Herman Johnson, Crook Brothers, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:00: Archie Campbell (host): Grandpa Jones, Phil Campbell, Tommy Jones, Gwen Biddix
8:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Stu Phillips, Barbara Lea, Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Charlie Louvin (host): Connie Smith, Bill Carlisle, Diane McCall, Bill Carlisle, Jr.
10:00: Jack Greene (host): Jeannie Seely, Jimmy Dickens
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Jan Howard, Billy Grammer
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host): Osborne Brothers, Ramona & Mark Jones
10:45: Porter Wagoner (host): Barbara Lea, Crook Brothers, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Archie Campbell (host: Tommy Jones, Phil Campbell, Gwen Biddix, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Kirk McGee
11:30: Hank Locklin (host): Stu Phillips, Ronnie Robbins
Minnie Pearl only appeared on the early show. Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely only appeared on the late show. Some may not recognize Gwen Biddix, who appeared on both shows in segments hosted by Archie Campbell. Glen was a noted banjo player and was a part of Archie's road show. He recorded with various artists including the Toe River Valley Boys. Herman Johnson, who appeared on Roy Acuff's segment on the first show, was the winner of the Grand Master Fiddler Championship. It was the third year of the contest.
October has traditionally been the month in which the Grand Ole Opry celebrates its anniversary. What started out as the annual Disc Jockey festival has turned into the Opry's birthday weekend, with the DJ convention moving to February.
On October 4th and 5th, 1991, the Opry celebrated its 66th birthday and here are the lineups from that weekend:
Friday October 4
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host): Skeeter Davis, Jim Ed Brown, Charlie Louvin, George Hamilton IV
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Jimmy C Newman, Wilma Lee Cooper, Bill Carlisle, Del Reeves
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Grandpa Jones, Connie Smith, Jim & Jesse
8:00: Bill Anderson (host): The 4 Guys, Jeannie Seely
8:30: Hank Snow (host): The Whites, Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Hank Locklin, Ray Pillow, Jimmy C Newman, Diamond Rio
10:00: Roy Acuff (host): Grandpa Jones, Jim Ed Brown, Skeeter Davis
10:30: Bill Monroe (host): The 4 Guys, George Hamilton IV, Charlie Louvin, Connie Smith
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Justin Tubb, Del Reeves, Mike Snider, David Houston
11:30: Bill Anderson (host): The Whites, Jim & Jesse, Johnny Russell
Saturday October 5
1st show
6:30: Melvin Sloan Dancers, Bill Monroe (host): Skeeter Davis
6:45: Charlie Walker (host): George Hamilton IV, Hank Locklin
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Wilma Lee Cooper, Bill Carlisle, Roy Drusky, Osborne Brothers
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Jim Ed Brown, Connie Smith, Vince Gill
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host): Jim & Jesse, The Whites, Bill Anderson, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host): The 4 Guys, Del Reeves, Mike Snider, Jeannie Seely
2nd show
9:30: Melvin Sloan Dancers, Porter Wagoner (host): Osborne Brothers, Ray Pillow, Vince Gill
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host): Skeeter Davis, Roy Drusky
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Connie Smith
10:30: Del Reeves (host): David Houston
10:45: Bill Monroe (host): Charlie Walker, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Bill Carlisle, Jim Ed Brown, The 4 Guys, Jim & Jesse
11:30: Bill Anderson (host: The Whites, Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider
A few other notable events that took place through the years on October 5th:
1925: WSM Radio went on the air. Edwin Craig started off the first broadcast with a few simple words:
"This is WSM. We Shield Millions. The National Life and Accident Company."
1968: Tommy Cash and Martha Carson made guest appearances on the Opry.
2013: The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 88th birthday. Among those on the schedule that night were Opry members Jeannie Seely, Jimmy C Newman, Jean Shepard, Connie Smith, John Conlee, Jan Howard and Steve Wariner. Non-members included Sarah Darling, Tate Stevens, Sam Palladio, Mandy Barnett and Casey James.
2019: The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 94th birthday. On the schedule that night were Opry members Terri Clark, John Conlee, Mike Snider, The Gatlin Brothers, Jesse McReynolds, Jeannie Seely, Riders In The Sky and Trace Adkins. Non-members included Filmore and Kathy Mattea.
There you have it for the first weekend in October. Next weekend, the Grand Ole Opry will be celebrating its 99th birthday, and in essence, beginning year 100. As I do every year, I will be in Nashville beginning on Tuesday, continuing through the rest of the week, taking in all of the Opry shows scheduled, and then some.
Until then, thanks for reading and commenting. I hope everyone takes care and enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.
While it didn't happen often, back in the day artists, including Grand Ole Opry members, would often appear unannounced on the Opry. I can remember specifically members such as Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Minnie Pearl and Jimmy Dickens, among many others. It doesn't seem to happen much anymore, but when it does, it is special. Last night was one of those special nights as Grand Ole Opry member Brad Paisley made a surprise appearance on both shows last night.
ReplyDeleteFor those who listened, you know the story that Bill Anderson told. For those who did not, Bill said that on his way to the Opry last night, his car broke down. A "stranger" came by and offered him a last-minute ride to the Opry. The "stranger" was driving a red pickup truck and when they got to the Opry, the "stranger" asked if Bill could get him on and allow him to sing. Bill said he would check with Dan Rogers and Dan gave the ok. Bill introduced the "stranger" as Burt Priestly. Of course, that "stranger" Bill introduced was Brad Paisley. A wonderful story. I am not sure how truthful the story was, and really who cares, but Brad did give Bill a ride to the Opry last night and the red pickup truck Brad drove did belong to Jimmy Dickens and it was, according to Brad, the first time he had driven it to the Opry since Jimmy died.
As for the rest of the show, it was a wonderful night. Vince Gill was under the weather and to be honest, he sounded like it. But Vince made a point of saying that a bad cold couldn't keep him away.
The first show ran 20 minutes over and they had a break of 40 minutes between shows, which I think they did to make sure that those who had tickets to the second show were able to get in, knowing that Brad would be the first one out.
Saturday nights can still be special at the Grand Ole Opry and last night was one of those nights.
Quick question. Last night they talked to Tyler Bryan who has been senior stage manager since 1984.....if I have may facts correct. Do I have the right name, Tim Thompson, wasn't he the stage manager in the 90's and into the 2000's. Are those two different positions.
ReplyDeleteJim
Tyler is the current senior stage manager, having worked his way up to that position starting as a stage hand on the Opry 40 years ago.
ReplyDeleteDid Brad take somebody's place or was he just squeezed in?
ReplyDeleteHopefully he now understands what he could and should bring to the 'Opry on a more regular basis. But we'll take Brad when we can get him!
Nat, he did not take anyone's place. That was why the shows ran long.
DeleteMay he return often and prove me wrong about my doubts about his commitment to the Opry.
ReplyDelete