Random Thoughts From A 70 Year Old

As I was driving back from Nashville and a weekend at the Grand Ole Opry, various thoughts went through my mind: 

I am convinced that Jelly Roll will be the next new Opry member. I assume the invite will take place during the March 19 NBC show. No, I do not have any inside knowledge, but it is just my thought. 

I also wouldn't be surprised if there was more than one invite that night. The War And Treaty, Amy Grant and Eric Church are the non-members currently listed on the schedule. Just wondering. 

Speaking of Jelly Roll, I have been reading many of the comments that are making the rounds, not only on the blog, but also on the Opry's social media pages. I get it. Jelly Roll is not for everybody, and I respect those opinions. However, he does have a story to tell, and he resonates with young people, who are the future Opry ticket buyers. Personally, I am fine with his music, but I do wish when he is on the Opry he would cut down on the personal testimony that he gives. Last Wednesday, when he was on with Brandon Lake, I was almost expecting an altar call. 

Shouldn't a Grand Ole Opry show have a majority of the acts on the schedule that are Opry members? Wednesday night, there was only one on the schedule and we have on occasion, seen more non-members than members. With 76 members, and I realize not all are active members, I would think at least four of the eight should be members. 

As with Jelly Roll, I have been reading the comments about Ringo Starr. Geez. Ringo was fantastic on Friday night. The Opry House was sold out and many fans were wearing Ringo or Beatle shirts. And wasn't it great to hear the other acts singing their versions of Beatle songs? Rhonda doing a bluegrass version of "Help" was tops. The entire group doing "With A Little Help from My Friends" was the perfect way to end the night. 

Ringo has a history with country music and rockabilly. He was in Nashville for most of the week and was at numerous country related events. Many do not realize that. 

Would you agree that Ringo might be the biggest icon to have ever performed on the Opry? President Richard Nixon might be a close second. And no, I am not including Opry members on this particular list.

Some of the comments on Facebook have been taking the Opry to task for scheduling Ringo. You would have thought that the Opry had sold their soul. Here are a few names for you: Steve Wonder, The Pointer Sisters, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, Florence Henderson, Perry Como, Michael Buble, Barry Gibb, Peter Frampton, The Beach Boys. Do I need to list more? They have all been on the Opry and the Opry survived just fine. 

Interesting that the same people on Ringo's case had really nothing to say about Bill Medley. Both Ringo and Bill are in the Rock Hall of Fame and much like the Beatles, Bill had one of the biggest hits in the history of music. Both Ringo and Bill have recently recorded country albums. And by the way, I was a little nervous when Bill did "The Dance" as I thought that might have not been the best song for him, but he quickly redeemed himself with "Time of Our Lives." 

And one more thought on Ringo. He gets it. He understands what the Opry is all about and the history of the Opry. Probably more so than some of the other acts that have guested on the show. 

The Grand Ole Opry House looks as good as ever. The updated sound system that has been installed at the Opry House is outstanding. The music is so much clearer, and the quality is excellent. Same with the lighting. 

Now if they would only fix the traffic congestion leaving the Opry House. It cost $25 to park in the Opry's pay lot, but I will tell you the difference in getting out of the area makes up for it. Easy and a much easier out. 

I wish the Opry Museum would be reopened. 

I am very happy that they made Mandy Barnett an Opry member. She can sing any classic song and make it her own. In fact, most of the new members have added to the Opry. T. Graham Brown, Don Schlitz, Rhonda Vincent. Think where the Opry would be without a few of them. 

I wonder what has happened to Carly Pearce. Before she became a member she was on a lot. Since then, not so much. She is missed. 

I miss Mike Snider. 

And speaking of members, I still wish a few of them would remember where the Opry House is located. While some seem to show up only on special occasions, there are shows literally four or five nights a week. You would think a few of them could find a way to make time. Some of these same artists are the ones who say that Opry membership is the most important achievement in their professional life. I don't expect them there every show, but couldn't we get them more than two or three times a year? 

The Opry audience has changed. I have noticed it for years. The vast majority of those attending view the Opry as a bucket list item. A show to go see when in Nashville and they are willing to pay whatever to see it. I think most do not know who some of the artists are on stage. I am not the Opry's target audience, they are. And I realize that. For the Opry to continue as it is, it has had to change. What they did during Covid worked, so expect that to continue. 

Take a look at the lineup from Saturday night: 
Square Dancers to keep the tradition alive. 
John Conlee with classic country from the 70s and 80s
Frank Ray with a mix of Tex-Mex music (and a nod to Freddy Fender)
Jeannie Seely with classic country from the 60s and 70s. 
Del McCoury with bluegrass. 
Kat Luna with new music, and a Cuban version of country.
Breland with Hip/Hop country
Bill Medley with classic adult contemporary/country music
Sara Evans with 2000s hits

No, it is not the Opry many of us grew up with, but I will tell you, it was a pretty good show. A lot of variety and by the way, John and Jeannie sounded very, very good. 

I am thankful that Dan Rogers is in charge of the Opry. It can't be easy booking 230+ shows a year. 

There were complaints about the Opry changing from being a classic country music show anymore and going away from their roots. I am sure that people were saying the same thing when Pee Wee King and Roy Acuff joined. Same when Red Foley and Hank Williams came along. How about those from the 50s. Bob Luman? Same. Then the group that joined in the 90s. It goes on and on. Change is not easy.

I wish Kathy Mattea was an Opry member. 

Do I wish there was more traditional country music on the Opry? Yes, I do. But what is the definition of country music today? It has changed and the Opry had to change with it. 

I absolutely understand those who do not attend the Opry any longer. Ticket prices are high. The amount of music is low. The classic acts that we grew up with are long gone and those that are left are not on the Opry as often. Some listen on the radio and do not like what they hear. Yet these same fans, and I know some of them, still support country music. Acts such as Gene Watson, The Malpass Brothers, Moe Bandy, T. Graham Brown, etc. Thankfully, these acts are still touring and drawing good crowds at reasonable prices. 

I think the Opry isn't selling a show. It is selling an experience. 

And despite all that rambling, I still had a great time over the weekend. The shows were excellent, the crowds were good. People had a good time spending a Friday or Saturday night at the Opry House. 

I am excited for what the rest of the year brings, and I am particularly excited about the November 28 show, the actual date of the 100th anniversary of that first show. 

I know, that is a lot of rambling. But it was an eight-hour car ride home.