Grand Ole Opry Saturday December 21

Due to For King & Country performing at the Grand Ole Opry House this week, the only Grand Ole Opry performance will be Saturday night. 

Saturday's show will feature Grand Ole Opry members Connie Smith, T. Graham Brown, Don Schlitz and Mark Wills. Also on the schedule are a couple of artists whose names have been mentioned from time-to-time as possible future members of the Grand Ole Opry: The Bellamy Brothers and Steve Earle. 

Rounding out the lineup is Sister Sadie and making his Grand Ole Opry debut, Kashus Culpepper. 

Saturday December 21
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mark Wills, T. Graham Brown, Sister Sadie, Bellamy Brothers
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Opry Square Dancers, Kashus Culpepper, Don Schlitz, Steve Earle

Sunday and Monday will mark the final 2024 shows for Opry Country Christmas. Personally, I think the series of shows this year have been very, very good. More of the same is expected with the final two. Just to recap: 

Sunday December 22
Host: Larry Gatlin
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Mark Wills, Steven Curtis Chapman, John Berry

Monday December 23
Host: Larry Gatlin
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Mandy Barnett, Riders In The Sky, Charlie McCoy, Dailey & Vincent, Sunny Sweeney

As we continue to look back at the first year of the new Grand Ole Opry House, here is the running order from 50 years ago, Saturday December 21, 1974:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Bill Monroe (host): Get Up, John
Stoney & Carolee Cooper: Nobody Darling But Mine
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah
Bill Monroe: A Good Woman's Love

6:45: Rudy's
Del Reeves (host): Girl On The Billboard
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Del Reeves: She Thinks I Still Care

7:00: Rudy's
Roy Drusky (host): Dixie Lily
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Jan Howard: Gentle On My Mind
Roy Drusky: One Day At A Time
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Late
Jan Howard: White Christmas
Opry Staff Band: Remington Ride
Roy Drusky: Fraulein

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Poor Sweet Baby
Billy Grammer: Whispering Hope
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Liberty
Brother Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Jimmy C Newman: Potato Song
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away
Roy Acuff: I Saw The Light

8:00: Martha White
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
George Morgan: In The Misty Moonlight
Justin Tubb: Sunshine Lady
Del Wood: Keep On The Firing Line
Phil Campbell: Help Me Make It Through The Night
George Morgan: Release Me

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): You're Easy To Love
Jeanne Pruett: Welcome To The Sunshine
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Hank Snow: Dear Santa Claus

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Monroe (host): Christmas Time's A, Coming
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Jean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers To You
Del Reeves: Help Me Make It Through The Night
Bill Monroe: I Am A Pilgrim
Stoney & Carolee Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): Old Time Sunshine Song
Jan Howard: You Win Again
Billy Grammer: Sentimental Journey
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland

10:15: Union 76
Roy Drusky (host): Don't It Make You Want To Go Home
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Jimmy C Newman Blue Lonely Winter
Roy Drusky: The Bitter They Are The Harder They Fall

10:30: Trailblazer
Stonewall Jackson (host): Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Late

10:45: Beechnut
George Morgan (host): You Turn Me On
Phil Campbell: A Thing Called Love
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: (?)
George Morgan: Silent Night

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Hello Love
Stu Phillips: She Thinks I Still Care
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Old Hen Cackle
Hank Snow: Silent Night
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Hank Snow: A Letter To Santa Claus

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Singing The Blues
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets/Welcome To The Sunshine
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man/Loving Arms
Ronnie Robbins: If You Love Me, Let Me Know
Marty Robbins: Love Me/I'm Wanting To/El Paso/Devil Woman

(Ray Pillow and Marion Worth were scheduled for both shows but cancelled)

It is interesting that considering it was the weekend before Christmas, that there was not a whole lot of Christmas or holiday music on the Opry that night. Also, many of the big names were missing, getting in those final tour dates before the end of the year. 

Finally, on December 21, 2001, future Grand Ole Opry member Josh Turner made his Opry debut. Here is the lineup from that Friday night: 

7:30: Riders In The Sky (host): Jimmy C Newman, Jim & Jesse, BR549
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host): Bill Carlisle, Jan Howard, Mel McDaniel
8:30: Mike Snider (host): Billy Walker, Charlie Louvin, Gene Watson
9:00: Bill Anderson (host): Josh Turner, Charlie Walker, Marty Stuart
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host): Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris

A very solid lineup. 

As I conclude this week, along with Miss Casey, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of my readers. Without you, there would be no reason for me to do what I do. As I wrote at Thanksgiving, I appreciate each and every one of you. Be safe and enjoy this holiday season.