Grand Ole Opry 5/9 & 5/10

A lot of Grand Ole Opry, and Jeannie Seely fans have been asking if I had any updates on Jeannie as she has been missing from the Opry for several months now. On Wednesday, Jeannie released the following news: 

Country music legend and Grand Ole Opry member Jeannie Seely today updated her fans and the music industry on the status of her health following multiple surgeries over the past few weeks.

"Over the past several weeks, I've received so many wonderful messages of love and concern about being missed on the Grand Ole Opry and on 'Sundays with Seely' on Willie's Roadhouse," Seely explains. "Thank you for those, and I assure you that I miss you just as much! Hopefully I can count on that support as I struggle through this recovery process from multiple back surgeries in March, as well as two emergency abdominal surgeries in April, followed by eleven days in the intensive care unit and a bout with pneumonia. Rehab is pretty tough but each day is looking brighter and last night, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. And it was neon, so I knew it was mine! The unsinkable Seely is working her way back."

Once fully recovered, Seely plans to continue performing regularly on the Opry stage, recording her weekly show —  Sundays with Seely — on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse and releasing new music.

I know that I speak for all of us that we wish Jeannie well and hope to see her back on her feet and at the Grand Ole Opry soon. She is missed. 

It looks like a fairly typical week at the Grand Ole Opry House with a couple of solid Opry shows on the schedule for this weekend. All of the Opry NextStage acts are down in Texas for their show that took place on Wednesday, while many of the Opry's biggest stars are also in Texas for the ACM Awards show. And Vince has begun his solo tour. 

Looking at who we have at the Opry House this weekend, there are four Opry members on the Friday night schedule: Rhonda Vincent, John Conlee, Eddie Montgomery and Riders In The Sky. Four different members are listed for Saturday night: Mandy Barnett, Bill Anderson, Connie Smith and Don Schlitz. 

Singer/Songwriter Kylie Morgan will be guesting on Friday, along with bluegrass group The Grascals and LOCASH. Saturday night Maddie & Tae return for an appearance, along with very frequent Opry guest Charles Esten, and making his Opry debut, Ron Pope. 

Friday May 9

7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Kylie Morgan, John Conlee, Eddie Montgomery
Intermission
8:15: The Grascals, Riders In The Sky, LOCASH

Saturday May 10

7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mandy Barnett, Ron Pope, Maddie & Tae, Bill Anderson
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Opry Square Dancers, Charles Esten, Don Schlitz

Ron Pope, who is making his Opry debut on Saturday night, is a singer/songwriter from Georgia, who now lives in Nashville. He attended Rutgers and New York University, where he pursued his interest in music. After joining a songwriting circle with fellow students, he met friends and future bandmates, Zach Berkman and Paul Hammer. In 2007, he co–wrote the internet hit "A Drop in the Ocean" with Zach Berkman. From there, they created The District with Chris Kienel, Will Frish and Mike Clifford. Following success as a college band, they toured for two years and recorded three albums: The District, The District Does Christmas, and Last Call. In December 2010, The District reunited to record "Wellfleet"

In March 2008, Pope performed on MTV's TRL as a featured up-and-coming artist. Independently, he wrote, produced, and released four full-length albums: Daylight (2008), The Bedroom Demos (2009), Goodbye, Goodnight (2009) and Hello, Love (2010).

In May 2009, Pope signed a year-long recording contract with record label Universal Republic, with whom he released two singles, "A Drop in the Ocean" and "I Believe". "A Drop in the Ocean" was later certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and streaming equivalent of over 1 million. Since leaving the label, he has produced and released his music independently via his own label, Brooklyn Basement Records.

Pope's first release since moving to Nashville was "Work" which Rolling Stone lauded as "a stew of musical ideas and stories sourced from many different points in time but firmly held together by Pope’s consistent songwriting voice."

As Opry 100 continues this week the spotlight shines on Stonewall Jackson, who on May 10, 1969, rejoined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Stonewall made his first Grand Ole Opry appearance on Saturday November 10, 1956. From the Tennessean: 

Only a ripple of applause coursed through the Ryman Auditorium crowd Saturday as veteran Texas Troubadour Ernest Tubb introduced Stonewall Jackson of Moultrie, Ga., making his first appearance on Grand Ole Opry, as a guest. After Stonewall finished his original "This Country's Free," cheering resounded through the house. He had met understanding friends. He has been signed by Opry Director W.D. (D) Kilpatrick to become an Opry regular on Dec. 1-said to be the first artist in many years to win a berth there without having a single record already released. 

Stonewall is the "genuine article," said the solemn Ole Judge, George D. Hay, after he auditioned the farm boy from Moultrie right after he came to town in a truck several weeks ago-totally unknown. He came to Nashville with 100 original songs in his head and on paper. Some authorities say his delivery is reminiscent of Hank Williams and that he seems to have that special kind of appear. 

Within a week after he reached town, Stonewall appeared on WSM's Friday Night Frolics-often a stepping-stone to the Opry. He leaves Wednesday with a troupe on a tour arranged by John Kelly and will be back for the Dec. 1 regular spot. In the party are Ernest Tubb, Lonzo and Oscar, the Wilburn Brothers, Judy Lynn, Stonewall and Pat Kelly. 

Stonewall remained an Opry member until December 6, 1964, when he was fired as part of the "Purge of 64" along with a group of Opry members who failed to make the required number of Opry appearances each year. After being gone for a few years, and making guest appearances, Stonewall rejoined in 1969.After he returned, he performed regularly performed on the Opry throughout his career. In 2006 he sued the longtime program for age discrimination, which was settled out of court in 2008. Stonewall passed away in December 2021, one of the few Opry members to have achieved 60 years of Opry membership. 

Stonewall had a wonderful career and there are some, including myself, who have felt that he deserves consideration for the Hall of Fame. His hits included "Life To Go," "Waterloo," "I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water," "Why I'm Walkin', "Me & You & A Dog Named Boo." 

Here is the running order from the second show on Saturday May 10, 1969, the night Stonewall returned as an Opry member. 

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Locklin (host): Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Willis Brothers: Alcohol & #2 Diesel Don't Mix
Billy Grammer: I Get The Blues When It Rains
The 4 Guys: Love Of The Common People
Hank Locklin: Country Hall Of Fame
Willis Brothers: Bob
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On

10:00: Fender
Archie Campbell (host): Scarlett Ribbons
Cal Smith: I Love You A Thousand Ways
Leroy Van Dyke: Walk On By/Auctioneer
Archie Campbell: Trouble In Amen Corner

10:15: Pure
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Stonewall Jackson: Angry Words
Del Wood: Down At Papa Joes
Roy Acuff: You Win Again

10:30: Buckley's
Bill Monroe (host): When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
Jean Shepard: I'm Tied Around Your Finger
Charlie Louvin: Let's Put Our World Back Together

10:45: True
Ernest Tubb (host): You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry
Susan Raye: Oh, Lonesome Me
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Ernest Tubb: Warm Red Wine

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Charlie Walker: Honky Tonk Season
Wilma Burgess: Only Mama That'll Walk The Line
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Alabama Gal
Hank Snow: Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
Charlie Walker: Jambalaya
Wilma Burgess: Don't Touch Me
Sam McGee: Railroad Blues
Hank Snow: In The Misty Moonlight

11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Ribbon Of Darkness
Margie Bowes: When It's Over
Was Buchanan: Working My Way Through A Heartache
Cousin Jody: On Top Of Old Smokey
Margie Bowes: Once A Day
Wes Buchanan: Windows Have Pains
Marty Robbins: Devil Woman/I Walk Alone/Don't Worry/El Paso

I also wanted to highlight a current Opry member this week. That member is Carrie Underwood who joined the cast of the Opry 17 years ago, on May 10, 2008. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (May 10, 2008) Reigning Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry tonight, inducted by fellow Oklahoman, Opry member Garth Brooks, before a sold-out Opry House audience.

Presenting Underwood with the Opry Member Award, Brooks said, "nothing will last as long or be more important than this award right here tonight. Congratulations".

Giving the award a kiss, Underwood beamed, "This is going to have a very special place in my awards case." Her voice breaking, she continued, "I want to thank everybody at the Opry for having me as part of your family because it is such a great family to be a part of. it really means everything to me. I am so blessed."

Underwood made her Grand Ole Opry debut on June 10, 2005, just two weeks after winning American Idol. Her love for the Opry started as a child as she grew up watching and listening to the show, dreaming of one day performing there and even becoming a member herself.

"Since her debut nearly three years ago, Carrie has not only created many memorable Opry moments with her numerous appearances and extraordinary talents, but she has also shown us that she shares a heartfelt connection and a commitment to country music and its rich legacy," Opry Vice President and General Manger Pete Fisher said in March following Underwood’s Opry invitation, "We could not be happier to welcome Carrie into the Opry family tonight, he said this evening. We look forward to many Opry performances in the future and to all of the bright moments that her future holds."

Here is the running order from that night 17 years ago: 

Saturday May 10, 2008: 

1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host): The Whites, Del McCoury Band
7:00: Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Aaron Tippin
8:00: Marty Stuart (host): Connie Smith, Mel Tillis, Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host): Jimmy C Newman, Jean Shepard, Vince Gill

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown, Dierks Bentley
10:00: Marty Stuart (host): George Hamilton IV, Connie Smith, Aaron Tippin
10:30: Vince Gill (host): Del McCoury Band, Carrie Underwood, Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host): Jean Shepard, Mel Tillis

There you have it for this week. As always thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.