Monday, July 21, 2025

Mid-Week Opry Shows

The Tuesday Night Opry and The Wednesday Night Opry return this week as Opry 100 rolls on. With all the Opry shows taking place, I think it is safe to say that the Opry will reach the advertised number of 230 shows this year. 

Looking at Tuesday night, Opry members Rhonda Vincent and Henry Cho are scheduled. Country Music Hall of Fame member Jimmy Fortune heads up the list of non-members. I have said it before, and I will repeat it, I think Jimmy would make a very good Opry member.

Opry Next Stage artist Tigirlily Gold, Niko Moon, Matthew West, and making his Opry debut, Hudson Westbrook, close out the schedule. 

Tuesday July 22
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Jimmy Fortune, Hudson Westbrook, Matthew West
Intermission
8:20: Niko Moon, Henry Cho, Tigirlily Gold

Hudson Westbrook is from Texas. After a 2024 debut with viral first release “Take It Slow,” he quickly strung together a series of grassroots hits while enrolled at Texas Tech University, including debut Texas radio single and chart-topper, “Two Way Drive,” and debut single to country radio, “House Again." Amassing nearly 350 million global streams in his first year as an artist and averaging over 20 million streams a week, he was named Billboard’s December 2024 Country Rookie of the Month and a 2025 Artist to Watch by Country Now, Holler, The Country Wire, and more. Westbrook started 2025 off strong as Sirius XM’s The Highways’s newest Highway Find, one of SXM’s all-genre Five for 2025, and one of Spotify’s all-genre 2025 Artists to Watch. 

The Wednesday Night Opry lineup is led by Opry members Mandy Barnett, Del McCoury and Charlie McCoy. Rhett Akins is back for his second appearance of the week, along with Christian artist Jason Crabb, Ashland Craft and Frankie Ballard. 

Wednesday July 23
7:00: Mandy Barnett, Frankie Ballard, Del McCoury Band, Jason Crabb
Intermission
8:20: Ashland Craft, Rhett Akins, Mike "The Drifter" Flanigin, Charlie McCoy

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Grand Ole Opry 7/18 & 7/19

This weekend at the Grand Ole Opry, Opry member Trisha Yearwood is on the schedule for the Saturday night. For Trisha, this will be her first "official" Opry appearance of 2025. You may remember in March she appeared on the NBC Opry 100 special. Trisha, who will also be making an appearance on the Today show, has a new album out and I am sure her Opry appearance is in part, to promote her new project. Regardless of the reason, it is nice to see her back on the Opry schedule. 

Joining Trisha on Saturday night are Opry members Riders In The Sky, and a pair of Hall of Fame members, Don Schlitz and Charlie McCoy. Singer/Songwriter Sean Dietrich is scheduled to visit, as is Zach Williams and the husband/wife duo John Carter & Ana Cristina Cash. 

While that is the list of artists for Saturday night, there is also the Friday Night Opry which will include Opry members Mark Wills, Riders In The Sky, John Conlee and Connie Smith. Bluegrass music will take center stage with another visit from The Grascals. American Idol alum Taylor Hicks is scheduled to appear, as is Abbey Cone. Last, but not least, comedian and radio host Bobby Bones is set to reappear on the Opry. Some like Bobby, others don't. It's been a while since he has been on, 


Friday July 18
7:00: Mark Wills, John Conlee, Abbey Cone, The Grascals
Intermission
8:20: Connie Smith, Bobby Bones, Taylor Hicks, Riders In The Sky

Saturday July 19
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, John Carter & Ana Cristina Cash, Charlie McCoy, Sean Dietrich
Intermission
8:20: Zach Williams, Opry Square Dancers, Don Schlitz, Trisha Yearwood

Closing out the weekend is the Sunday Night Opry. Opry members Mandy Barnett, T. Graham Brown, Riders In The Sky and Gene Watson head up the lineup. Guesting are Rhett Akins, Dillon Carmichael, Hannah Ellis and The Malpass Brothers. 

Sunday July 20
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Mandy Barnett, Dillon Carmichael, The Malpass Brothers
Intermission
8:20: Hannah Ellis, Gene Watson, Rhett Akins, Riders In The Sky

(As always, lineups are subject to change)


This week the Opry 100 spotlight shines on George Hamilton IV, who born on July 19, 1937 and was a Grand Ole Opry member for over 50 years. 

George Hamilton IV, who was from North Carolina, began performing in the late 1950s as a teen idol while attending the University of North Carolina. He recorded his first single "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" in 1956 for Colonial Records. The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. 

In 1959 he moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. He said the decision came after catching a performance of the Opry at Ryman Auditorium. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1960. His breakthrough Country song was "Before this Day Ends" (1961), followed by "Abilene" (1963) and "Fort Worth, Dallas, or Houston" (1964). By then his music began to reveal a folk influence, with "Steel Rail Blues" (1966, by Gordon Lightfoot), "Early Morning Rain" (1966, also by Gordon Lightfoot), and "Urge for Going" (1967, by Joni Mitchell). His last Top 5 single came in 1970, with "She's a Little Bit Country." 

Upon the decline of his American chart success in the early 1970s, he started touring the world, across the Soviet Union, Poland, Australia, the Middle East and East Asia, earning him the nickname "The International Ambassador of Country Music." During this time, he hosted several successful television programs in the England and Canada, and in the 1990s he played himself in the musical "Patsy" at London, England's West End theatre, based on the life of Patsy Cline. In 2004 he recorded an acoustic gospel album entitled "On a Blue Ridge Sunday" which earned him a Dove Award nomination in the Best Bluegrass Album of the Year category by the members of the Gospel Music Association. A single from the album, "Little Mountain Church House", won nominee recognition in the "Best Bluegrass Recorded Song" category the following year. In 2007 he collaborated with Live Issue, a group from Northern Ireland, to record a live album based on the life of Joseph Scriven, who wrote the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." They also toured together again in 2009 and that same year, he released a parody of his classic hit "Abilene" in the height of the soaring US gas prices called "Gasoline". He was also a regular participant in the Country's Family Reunion video series. In 2010 Lamon Records released his album "Old Fashioned Hymns" and he was joined on the 28-track collection by a number of musical guests, including Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Gail Davies, Pat Boone, Del McCoury, Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, Tommy Cash, Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea and many others. During his over 50-year musical career, he released 35 albums and over 60 singles. 

After 12 years as a Grand Ole Opry member, in June 1972, George made the decision to resign from the Opry and move with his family to Charlotte, North Carolina, as he made the decision to enter a partnership with Arthur and Ralph Smith of Charlotte. He said the agreement included a regular televised spot on the Arthur Smith syndicated television show and to make weekend appearances with the cast. Saying he traveled 100,000 miles and averaged 25 singing dates a month in 1971, the move would allow him more time with his family. 

After being away from the Opry for four years, George made the decision to return and on May 8, 1976, he rejoined the Grand Ole Opry cast. On the night of his return, George said, "It was like the very first time. It was just a beautiful feeling. It was like suddenly discovering that you are still in love. Like an old love affair that didn't turn sour." He also said he was a little hesitant about returning to the Opry but he was well accepted by the Opry cast. 

Here is the running order from Saturday May 8, 1976, the night George Hamilton IV returned as a member of the Grand Ole Opry: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jimmy Dickens (host): May The Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

6:45: Rudy's
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Justin Tubb: Cold Brown Bottle
Wilma Lee Cooper: Coming Down from God
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop

7:00: Shoney's
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
Billy Grammer: That's Life
Lonzo & Oscar: I'm Moving On #2
Jimmy Gately: The Angel of the Bar Room
Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner: That's What Made Be Love You
Bill Anderson: Mama Sang A Song

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Don Gibson: I Can't Stop Loving You
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain/Abilene
Brother Oswald: Nobody's Business
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Chicken Reel
Porter Wagoner: Cold Hard Facts of Live/The Carroll County Accident/The Last One to Touch Me/Green Green Grass of Home/Indian Creek

8:00: Martha White
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Grandpa Jones: Little Pink
Jeannie Seely: Who Needs You
Osborne Brothers: Smokey Mountain Smoke
Hank Locklin: These Arms You Push Away
Stu Phillips: Only You Can Hush the Wind
Grandpa Jones: Dark As a Dungeon
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): Hello Love
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Wilburn Brothers: It's Another World
Jimmy C Newman: Shrimp Boats
The 4 Guys: Turn Around, Look At Me
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Hank Snow: My Mother

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jack Greene (host): I Need Somebody Bad Tonight
Willis Brothers: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Jeannie Seely: Mama Never Told Me About Cowboys
Lonzo & Oscar: Divorce #2
Webb Pierce & Carol Channing: Back Street Affair
Webb Pierce, Carol Channing, Jimmy C Newman & Hank Locklin: You Are My Sunshine
Del Wood: Alabama Jubilee
Jac Greene & Jeannie Seely: Somebody Touched Me

10:00: Fender
Bill Anderson (host): Thanks/But You Know I Love You/Wild Weekend
Jim & Jesse: Freight Train
Jimmy Dickens: Mountain Dew
Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner: Sometimes

10:15: Union 76
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Billy Grammer: That's Life
Wilma Lee Cooper: Give Me the Roses While I Live
Porter Wagoner: Way Down Deep in Love

10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): Baptism of Jesse Taylor
Don Gibson: Doin' My Time
The 4 Guys: Don't It Make You Wan to Go Home
Stu Phillips: The Great El Tigre

10:45: Beechnut
Osborne Brothers (host): Rocky Top
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Gray Eagle
Osborne Brothers: Smokey Mountain Smoke

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): The Wreck of The Old 97
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind
Jimmy C Newman: Shrimp Boats
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
George Hamilton IV: Country Music in My Soul
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow: She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye

11:30: Elm Hill
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets/Count Me Out
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Brother Oswald: The End of the World
Wilburn Brothers: Metals For Mothers

George Hamilton IV passed away on September 17, 2014, after suffering a heart attack. He was 77. During his career he released 35 albums and over 60 singles. I can tell you from personal experience that George was one of the nicest and kindest persons that I have ever met. He was genuine and down to earth and took the time to talk to anyone and everyone backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. I always found it sad that on several occasions, George was backstage at the Opry to greet fans but would not be scheduled to perform on the show on those nights. For all he did for country music, he should have been treated better. 


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











Sunday, July 13, 2025

Mid-Week Opry Shows

It will be a special week at the Grand Ole Opry as on the Tuesday Night Opry, Bill Anderson will be saluted and honored upon his 64th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. If that isn't enough, in addition to the Wednesday Night Opry, there will be a special Thursday Night Opry that will be taking place at the Ryman Auditorium, with portions of the show recreating the final Friday Night Opry that took place at the Ryman Auditorium in March 1974. 

As mentioned, Bill Anderson, who joined the Grand Ole Opry on July 15, 1961, will be recognized upon his 64th year as an Opry member. It has been mentioned numerous times that Bill is the longest tenured member in the history of the Opry. 

Joining Bill on Tuesday night will be Opry members Dailey & Vincent and Riders In The Sky. Rounding out the schedule are Laci Kaye Booth, Max McNown, Jake Worthington, Matt Stell and comedian John Crist. 

Tuesday July 15
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Laci Kaye Booth, Max McNown, Bill Anderson
Intermission
8:20: Matt Stell, John Crist, Jake Worthington, Riders In The Sky

For those who might not remember, here is the lineup from Saturday July 15, 1961, the night Bill Anderson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry: 

7:30: Ray Price, Cowboy Copas, Bill Monroe, Stringbean, Jan Howard
8:00: Flatt & Scruggs, Dick Flood, Bill Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Crook Brothers
8:30: Porter Wagoner, Bobby Lord, Archie Campbell, , Jordanaires, Margie Bowes, Bob Luman
9:00: Roy Drusky, Glaser Brothers, Stonewall Jackson, Skeeter Davis, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Cousin Jody
9:30: George Hamilton IV, Bill Monroe, Johnny Forbes, Lonzo & Oscar, Mary Bee
10:00: Flatt & Scruggs, Jan Howard, Jordanaires
10:15: Bobby Lord, Loretta Lynn, Stringbean
10:30: Roy Drusky, Margie Bowes, Stonewall Jackson
10:45: Glaser Brothers, Cousin Jody, Crook Brothers
11:00: Porter Wagoner, Bob Luman, George Hamilton IV, Lonzo & Oscar, Sam & Kirk McGee, Jordanaires, Fruit Jar Drinkers
11:30: Bill Monroe, Bill Anderson, Skeeter Davis, Dick Flood, Johnny Forbes

It was certainly quite a night 64 years ago.


Now moving ahead to the Wednesday Night Opry, Riders In The Sky are back for the second night in a row, along with members John Conlee, The Isaacs and Del McCoury Band. Carter Faith, Paul McDonald, Tyler Rich and The Wilder Blue round out the schedule. 

Wednesday July 16
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Tyler Rich, The Wilder Blue, Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:20: John Conlee, Paul McDonald, Carter Faith, The Isaacs


Finally, there is the special Thursday Night Opry from the Ryman Auditorium. Opry members Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Dailey & Vincent and Mandy Barnett are scheduled for this special night. Joining that group of Opry members will be Chuck Mead and The Band Perry. 

Thursday July 17
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Mandy Barnett, Chuck Mead, Charlie Worsham, Lorrie Morgan, The Band Perry
Intermission
8:20: Dailey & Vincent, Bill Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Chuck Mead, Lorrie Morgan 

It would appear that the final hour of the show will be the segment that will pay tribute to the final night at Ryman Auditorium 51 years ago. 

I will not spoil the song selection, but here is the running order of artists from that night, Friday March 15, 1974: 

7:00: Roy Drusky (host): Del Reeves, Jan Howard, Charlie Walker
7:30: Bill Anderson (host): Bob Luman, Jim & Jesse, Mary Lou Turner
8:00: Archie Campbell (host): Bobby Bare, Dottie West, Justin Tubb, Phil Campbell
8:30: Roy Acuff (host): Jean Shepard, Stonewall Jackson, Minnie Pearl, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper
9:00: Wilburn Brothers (host): Osborne Brothers, Jeanne Pruett, Del Wood
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host): Hank Locklin, Grandpa Jones, Bill Carlisle, Cates Sisters
10:00: Billy Walker (host): Charlie Louvin, Willis Brothers, Stu Phillips 
10:30: George Morgan (host): The 4 Guys, Ray Pillow, Lonzo & Oscar, Ernie Ashworth

Of note, the printed program from that night did not include Minnie Pearl. She was not scheduled to appear but made a surprise appearance on the final night. For years, a souvenir program from that night was available for purchase. 











Thursday, July 10, 2025

Grand Ole Opry 7/11 & 7/12 -Updated

This past Wednesday night, the Grand Ole Opry continued with its "Opry 100 Honors" series by honoring Opry member Charlie Daniels. The tribute to Charlie was the third in the series of shows that began in May, with the first show on May 13 honoring Loretta Lynn followed by last month’s show paying tribute to Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash. In my personal opinion, each of the three shows thus far have been outstanding. 

Some have asked if these shows will be shown. Highlights of the show paying tribute to Loretta Lynn will air on Opry Live next Saturday night, July 19. Highlights from the show honoring Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash will air on August 9. No date has been announced yet pertaining to the Charlie Daniels tribute. 

As a reminder, Opry Live can be seen each Saturday night at 8 p.m. CT on the Opry Facebook and YouTube channels and streaming free on Circle Country. 

The next "Opry100 Honors" show will take place on August 12 and will honor Grand Ole Opry legend Porter Wagoner. Scheduled to appear on that show are Opry members Marty Stuart, The Isaacs, Mandy Barnett and Old Crow Medicine Show's Ketch Secor, along with Rhett Akins and Gordon Mote. 

Following the tribute to Porter, "Opry 100 Honors" will honor Bill Monroe on September 16. Opry members Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury Band, Carly Pearce and Riders In The Sky are scheduled to appear, with more to be added. 

Finally, Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff will be honored on October 18. Scheduled for that night are Opry members Vince Gill, Bill Anderson, Old Crow Medicine Show and Steve Wariner, along with Chonda Pierce. 

Again, I can't say enough as to how well done the first three shows have been and I am looking forward to the next group of shows, with I am sure, more to follow. 


Now taking a look at the schedule at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, one of the Opry's newest members, Jon Pardi is on the schedule, joined by members Don Schlitz and T. Graham Brown. Rounding out the schedule are Priscilla Block, the wonderful and very talented Linda Davis, bluegrass group Sister Sadie and comedian Mike James. 

Moving over to Saturday night, Opry members Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy and Connie Smith headline the night. John Berry is back for another Opry appearance, as is Charles Esten. The very talented Sierra Hull will be appearing, as will Jake Kohn and making her Opry debut, Noah Cyrus. 

Noah Cyrus, who is the youngest daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, previously had released her debut album "The Hardest Part." During her Opry debut on Saturday night, she will be promoting her latest album, "I Want My Loved Ones to Go With Me," which is scheduled for release the following day. 



To finish out the weekend is the Sunday Night Opry, which is being promoted as Jamey Johnson's Birthday Show. Joining Jamey on his special night will be fellow Opry member, and good friend, Bill Anderson. Also appearing will be Megan Moroney, Ernest, Randy Houser, Ryan and Rory, and making his Opry debut Stars Go Dim.

Originally formed as a mainstream pop band, today Stars Go Dim is the moniker for Christian Pop artist and songwriter Chris Cleveland. After years at the helm of an acclaimed independent secular band and more than a decade leading worship at Tulsa’s Asbury United Methodist Church—one of America’s largest congregations—Cleveland found success in the Christian format with his self-titled debut album. The singer has garnered number ones and Top 5 hits at Pop and Christian radio, including the massive No. 1 radio smash in the U.S. with “You Are Loved.” The Dove Award and K-LOVE Fan Award-nominated act has over 240 million streams and its songs have been placed in commercials and ads, including “You Are Loved” being used in an ADT Home Security national commercial. 


Friday July 11
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Linda Davis, Jon Pardi
Intermission
8:20: Priscilla Block, Mike James, Sister Sadie, Don Schlitz

Saturday July 12
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mandy Barnett, Jake Kohn, Noah Cyrus, John Berry
Intermission
8:20: Connie Smith, Opry Square Dancers, Sierra Hull, Charles Esten, Charlie McCoy

Sunday July 13
7:00: Ryan & Rory, Bill Anderson, Stars Go Dim, ERNEST
Intermission
8:20: The Down Home Boys, Randy Houser, Megan Moroney, Jamey Johnson


The mid-1980s were generally a pretty quiet time at the Grand Ole Opry. A decade earlier the Opry had settled into the new Grand Ole Opry House and the Opryland amusement park was running at full capacity. 

During this period, the Opry was running two shows on Friday and Saturday night, in addition to weekday matinees on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday night tickets cost $10 ($9 upper balcony), while the matinee tickets were $8 and $7. 

Opryland was open each day with an admission of $14.95. There was also a separate Opryland attraction presented in the Acuff Theater. That show took place at 2:30 and 6:00 p.m. daily except for Tuesday. Those tickets for $4.95.

Other attractions included Nashville Now, which took place Monday-Friday at the Gaslight Studio inside of Opryland. Those tickets were first come, first served and were distributed each day when the park opened. And you had shows at Twitty City which featured Conway's children, Music Village U.S.A., and weekend shows at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. 

Nashville earned the title of "Music City U.S.A. 

Taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday and Saturday July 11 &12, 1986, it was a pretty typical weekend as far as who was on the Opry's schedule. 

Here is the posted lineup for the two Friday night shows, July 11: 

1st show
6:30: Del Reeves (host), Skeeter Davis, Roy Drusky, The 4 Guys, David Houston
7:00: Ray Pillow (host), Jean Shepard, Charlie Louvin, The Carlisles, Lorrie Morgan
7:30: Roy Acuff (host), Jeanne Pruett, Stonewall Jackson, Justin Tubb, Wilma Lee Cooper
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host), Mel McDaniel, Connie Smith
8:30: Hank Snow (host), The Whites, Charlie Walker 

2nd show
9:30: Bill Anderson (host), Jean Shepard, The Carlisles, Mel McDaniel
10:00: Roy Acuff (host), The 4 Guys, Del Wood, David Houston
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host), Del Reeves, Jeannie Seely, Ray Pillow
11:00: Hank Snow (host), Jeanne Pruett, Stonewall Jackson, The Whites
11:30: Charlie Walker (host), Connie Smith, Johnny Russell 

Now the running order from Saturday night, July 12, 1986: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Muddy Water
Wilma Lee Cooper: Matthew 24
Stonewall Jackson: Ol' Chunk Of Coal

6:45: Rudy's
The 4 Guys (host): Wings Of A Dove
Jeannie Seely: Once You're Gone
The 4 Guys: Some Memories Just Won't Die

7:00: Shoney's
Bill Anderson (host): Son Of The South
Charlie Walker: One Step Away From Coming Home
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Judy Rodman: Until I Met You/I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
Bill Anderson: A World Of Make Believe

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Charlie Louvin: In A Millon Years Or So/When I Stop Dreaming
Ray Pillow: Bubbles In My Beer
Connie Smith: Louisiana Man/Once A Day
Crook Brothers & The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Lafayette

8:00: Martha White
Jim Ed Brown (host): Everyday People
Skeeter Davis: The End Of The World/Rock-A-Bye Boogie
The Whites: Hometown Gossip/Down In Louisiana
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter

8:30: Music Valley Drive
Hank Snow (host): Golden Rocket
Jean Shepard: I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Roy Drusky: Have I Stayed Away Too Long
Lorrie Morgan: Dear Me
Del Reeves: Yellow Roses Say Goodbye
Hank Snow: Almost Lost My Mind

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Bill Anderson (host): Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms/Rocky Top/Mountain Dew
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah
Jeanne Pruett: Back-To-Back
Charlie Louvin & Jennifer O'Brien: Making Believe
Judy Rodman: She Thinks She Will Marry But She Never Will
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar

10:00: Little Debbie
Charlie Walker (host): The Mean Woman With The Green Eyes
Jeannie Seely: He's All I Need
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon

10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train To Memphis
Stonewall Jackson: Standing Invitation
Roy Acuff: That's The Man I'm Looking For

10:30: Pet Milk
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Connie Smith: Then & Only Then
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

10:45: Heil-Quaker
Bill Monroe (host): Mary Jane, Won't You Be Mine
Skeeter Davis: I've Got The Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart
Crook Brothers & The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Gray Eagle
Bill Monroe: I Want To Go With You

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Snowbird
Jean Shepard: If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time
Ray Pillow: Ancient History
The Whites: What Love Is/Blue Letters
Hank Snow: Little Buddy

11:30: Quincy's
Del Reeves (host): The Race Is On
Roy Drusky: Why Baby, Why
Lorrie Morgan: Lonely But Only For You
Bill Carlisle: Have A Drink On Me
Del Reeves: Good Hearted Woman

All that entertainment for $10 and less. Amazing. 

(David Houston, Justin Tubb, Mel McDaniel, Del Wood and Johnny Russell only appeared on Friday night, while Wilma Lee Cooper only appeared on the early show on Saturday and Bill Monroe and Jeanne Pruett were only on the late show. 

This was during the period in which many called the Grand Ole Opry a "Living Museum" as most of the acts appearing were veteran artists who had been around for a while. Really, the only exceptions on Saturday night were The Whites, Lorrie Morgan and Judy Rodman, the only non-member solo artist who was on the schedule that night. 


There you have it for this weekend. Hopefully I get the final lineups before the show on Friday night. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. 










Monday, July 7, 2025

Mid-Week Opry Shows

As with last week, there are two mid-week Opry shows on the schedule with the highlight being another Opry 100 Honors show, with this show honoring Charlie Daniels. 

From the Opry: 

Join us as we applaud the electrifying Charlie Daniels, whose signature fusion of Southern rock, bluegrass, and blues forever shaped the sound of country music. His iconic hit “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” not only showcased his extraordinary talent as a fiddle player but also as a songwriter—capturing the spirit of country storytelling.

A portion of ticket sales benefit the Opry Trust Fund, supporting the country music community in its times of greatest need. 

As you would expect, the lineup for the Tuesday night show is impressive. Grand Ole Opry members Trace Adkins, Jamey Johnson, Eddie Montgomery, Rhonda Vincent and Chris Young will be appearing. The only two non-members scheduled are The Travelin' McCourys and Gretchen Wilson. 


Now taking a look at the Wednesday Night Opry, Opry members T. Graham Brown, John Conlee, Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs and Don Schlitz are scheduled. Last month, John Foster made his Grand Ole Opry debut and was very impressive. There were hundreds of comments asking when he would be back on the Opry. Well, on Wednesday night, he is back. Also guesting is Ashley Cook and making his Opry debut, Jonnie W. 

Jonnie W.’s comedy has been featured on Amazon Prime and plays daily on SiriusXM Radio. His two Dry Bar Comedy specials are viral hits, garnering millions of views. Jonnie has also been featured on the Grand Ole Opry’s Circle Network (StandUp Nashville) and recently joined fellow funnyman Nate Bargatze on tour, opening for several of Nate’s sold-out arena shows. He lives near Nashville, TN, with his wife, Curry.


With the July 4th holiday weekend, the final lineups were not posted. 

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Grand Ole Opry 7/4 & 7/5

Starting off this week with this nice piece of news from the Grand Ole Opry:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (July 1, 2025) – The Grand Ole Opry today announced a one-night return to its most famous former home, Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, including an unprecedented re-creation of a past Opry show. The July 17 show will feature a collection of performances destined to return fans to the historic night of March 15, 1974, the final night of the Opry’s original Ryman run. Throughout that portion of the show, moments from the 1974 broadcast will be closely recreated for the Ryman and radio audiences. To purchase tickets to this one-night only recreation of the March 15, 1974, Opry show click HERE.

“I am certain this is going to be another unforgettable part of our 100th year,” said Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “For generations of Opry fans and artists, the Opry’s 1943 – 1974 run at the Ryman was a truly magical part of the Opry’s 100-year history. While we can’t actually turn back time, we’re going to do our best with performances and even commercial reads to transport fans to that historic evening when the Opry said farewell to the Mother Church of Country Music. I grew up listening to my parents talk about having witnessed Opry shows at the Ryman during that era, and for an hour or so on July 17, we’ll all have an experience similar to theirs.” 

The Opry’s longest-serving member ever, Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson, was among those who performed on March 15, 1974, and is scheduled to return to reprise his set from that historic evening. “The last Grand Ole Opry show at the Ryman would have been special under any circumstances,” Anderson recalls, “but it was made extra special for me by the fact that my mom and dad had driven up from Georgia to be in the audience. Twenty years earlier, in 1954, they had brought me to Nashville and to the Ryman to see the Opry for the very first time. None of us could have ever imagined the summer before my senior year in high school that only a few years later I would be performing on that very stage, let alone go on to become the longest serving Opry member in history. That night in 1974 I stood alongside many of my heroes from those earlier days, smiling down at my parents, and saying so long to the only Opry home I had ever known...definitely a moment I will remember for the rest of my life. When the Opry asked me if I'd be part of helping to re-create that last night at the Ryman in 1974...and sing the songs I sang back then...I readily agreed. ‘Just don't ask me to wear the same clothes I wore that night,’”  I quipped. “’Even if I could find them, I'd never be able to get in them!’” 

Among those joining Anderson during the throwback will be Lorrie Morgan, whose father George Morgan was the final artist to perform on the March 15, 1974 Opry show, as well as Mandy Barnett and Chuck Mead. Among those appearing earlier in the night will be CMA award-winning group The Band Perry. 

In celebration, WSM Radio will re-air the historic shows from both the final Ryman show residency and the opening of the Grand Ole Opry House. Fans can relive these legendary moments in their entirety for the first time since they aired live on WSM-AM more than 50 years ago. WSM-AM will air the final Ryman Auditorium show on Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. CT and will air the first Grand Ole Opry House show on Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m. CT.

As the Grand Ole Opry continues to celebrate Opry 100, this will truly be a very special night, and in addition, it will be special to once again hear on WSM a reply of that final night at the Ryman Auditorium. 



Now moving on as we are now at the mid-point of 2025, which is also the mid-point of the Grand Ole Opry's 100th Anniversary. I thought it would be a good opportunity to see how things stand, especially regarding appearances, or non-appearances by Grand Ole Opry members. 

Not including the NBC Special, which was not aired on WSM and not an "official" Opry show, these are the active members who thus far have not appeared on the Opry this year: Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Emmylou Harris, Travis Tritt, Alison Krauss, Diamond Rio, Trisha Yearwood, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Chris Young and Luke Combs. (I won't even list the ones who have only appeared once or twice). Some very familiar names are on the list and in fact, the usual names that we see each year are listed. I would have thought with this being a special year, we would have seen a few of these acts. Now, I will say that Trisha, Darius and Chris have upcoming appearances on the schedule, but I would hope that for the others, we will see more of them than just on a network TV special. Hopefully in the fall, specifically during the birthday month in October and the 100th celebration in November, we will see a few of those on the list appear. 

Thankfully we have a number of members who have been appearing on a regular basis. Folks such as Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, Vince Gill, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dailey & Vincent, Mark Wills, Gene Watson, Rhonda Vincent, The Isaacs, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy, Ashley McBryde, Gary Mule Deer, T. Graham Brown, and especially Don Schlitz, who leads all members in appearances. As usual, the trend is for the older/veteran acts continuing to be the anchors for the shows. 

Let me wade into the comments regarding the number of members vs. non-members appearing on each Opry show. 

Like most, I think Grand Ole Opry members should be appearing at the Grand Ole Opry. With up to six shows a given week, there is plenty of opportunity to appear. While I realize that very few shows feature a lineup of only Opry members, it is a bit discouraging to see shows with only a couple appearing. As I mentioned, we should be thankful for the members who do appear. That said, I do appreciate the opportunity to see and hear non-members making guest appearances. I am even fine with a 50/50 mix. And I do enjoy the variety on the various shows. Looking ahead at future schedules, I see a nice group of Opry members listed, as well as some non-members that I am looking forward to hearing. Regardless of who is on the schedule, let's all enjoy what is being presented during the Opry's 100th year. 


Speaking of who is appearing on the Grand Ole Opry, taking a look at this weekend, there are four members on the schedule for the Friday Night Opry: T. Graham Brown, Gary Mule Deer, Riders In The Sky and Rhonda Vincent. Gary Mule Deer returns on Saturday night, along with Bill Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Don Schlitz and Steve Wariner. Five more members will be appearing on the Sunday Night Opry: Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy, Connie Smith, Pam Tillis and Rhonda Vincent. If my math is correct, 12 different Opry members will be appearing on the weekend shows. 

As far as non-members, singer/songwriter Tom Douglas will be guesting on Friday night, along with Brittney Spencer, Matt Schuster and Dee White. Saturday night, the very talented Malpass Brothers will be appearing, as will Kylie Frey, and making his Opry debut, JD Shelburne. Finally on Sunday night, those wonderful Cleverlys are back for another appearance, along with Madeline Edwards, and making their Opry debut, Straight No Chaser. 


(For whatever reason, the official running order for the shows this weekend has not been posted as of yet)


JD Shelburne
, who is making his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night is a native of Kentucky. During his career, he has shared bills with ZZ Top, Marty Stuart, Craig Morgan, and Steve Wariner among many others, appeared on stage and on record with The Oak Ridge Boys, and performed at over a hundred fairs and festivals across the eastern U.S. He has taken songs to the iTunes Country Top Ten, debuted as the #1 trending artist on CMT.com, and been featured in People, American Songwriter, Country Weekly magazine and more. He has had eight straight videos land on CMT, including two #1’s on the 12-Pack Countdown, “Church Pew Barstool” and “Cars & Trucks.” He has performed at NASCAR, MLB, NBA, and NCAA events, and been featured on CBS, NBC, GAC, FOX, RFD-TV and TNN.

A proud Kentuckian, JD has appeared on the cover of the Kentucky Tourism Visitors Guide and at the Kentucky Derby and earned a four-year display at the Kentucky Hall of Fame & Museum. JD is about to release his seventh album. Raised on the Good Stuff, and now, with his appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, he is fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Straight No Chaser, who is debuting on Sunday night, has emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments including 2 RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over 1 billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold worldwide. Straight No Chaser is the real deal, the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music that is moving people in a fundamental sense... and with a sense of humor.



Over the years, artists who were, or had been, members of the Grand Ole Opry, would at some point, be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. I think it showed the star power of the Opry and the talent that the show was able to recruit. 

At last count, and if I counted correctly, just over 75 former or current Grand Ole Opry members have been elected to the Hall of Fame. 

I went back 67 years ago, to Saturday July 5, 1958 and highlighted those who would eventually be elected to the Hall of Fame, and this was a pretty typical night at the Opry. Roy Acuff, Faron Young, Porter Wagoner, Flatt & Scruggs, Don Gibson, Bill Carlisle, Ray Price, Jordanaires, Chet Atkins and Rod Brasfield were scheduled. With the exception of Rod Brasfield, each made multiple appearances on the show that particular night. 

Here is the running order from 67 years ago, Saturday July 5, 1958: 

7:30: Nabisco
Roy Acuff: Little Moses
Wilburn Brothers: My Baby Ain't My Baby No More
June Webb: Love
Roy Acuff: Precious Memories
Howdy Forrester: Liberty

7:45 Sessions Peanut Butter
Faron Young: Alone With You
Porter Wagoner: Turn It Over In Your Mind

Cousin Jody: Television Set
Faron Young: Place For Girls Like You
Fiddle Tune: Ole Joe Clark

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs: Theme
Flatt & Scruggs: We'll Meet Again Sweetheart
Don Gibson: Old Lonesome Me
Carlisles: Lil Liza Jane

Justin Tubb: If You'll Be My Love
Flatt & Scruggs: A Hundred Years From Now
Possum Hunters: Tom and Jerry
Hilo Brown: Stone Wall
Don Gibson: I Can't Stop Loving You
Flatt & Scruggs: Rainbow

Fiddle Tune: Turkey In The Straw

8:30: Prince Albert
Ray Price: It's All Your Fault
Jordanaires: Search Me Lord

Jimmy Newman: I Thought I'd Never Fall In Love
Tommy Jackson: Sally Goodin
Ray Price: Call The Lord And He'll Be There
Chet Atkins: Black Mountain Rag

Jimmy Newman: I Want To Tell All The World
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Ray Price: City Lights
Tommy Jackson: Polk County Breakdown

9:00: Jefferson Island
Ernest Tubb: Mississippi Gal
Bill Monroe: Brand New Shoes

Benny Martin: Nine Pound Hammer
Wilburn Brothers: Let Me Be The First To Know
Ernest Tubb: Seaman's Blues
Fruit Jars: Fire In The Mountain
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Bill Monroe: Sally Joe
Wilburn Brothers: Hey Mr. Bluebird
Ernest Tubb: My Hillbilly Baby

9:30: Stephens
Hank Snow: I Wish I Was The Moon
Cowboy Copas: Won't You Ride
Don Gibson: Blue Blue Day
Lonzo & Oscar: Throw Out The Lifeline Sally
Hank Snow: A Fool Such As I
Crook Brothers: Lost Indian
Ladells: Honey, Be My Little Honeybee
Cowboy Copas: The Man Upstairs
Don Gibson: Heartbreak Avenue
Hank Snow: Golden Rocket

10:00: Standard Brands
Roy Acuff: New River Train
June Webb: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Porter Wagoner: Pay Day
Justin Tubb: I'm A Big Boy Now
Howdy Forrester: Patty On The Turnpike
Roy Acuff: Once More
Jimmy Newman: Cry, Cry Darling
Oswald: John Henry
Roy Acuff: Wreck On The Highway
Jimmy Riddle: Dill Pickle Rag

10:30: Delited
Ernest Tubb: This Troubled Mind Of Mine
Stonewall Jackson: Getting Older
Carlisles: Oh Boy
Ernest Tubb: Answer The Phone

Fiddle Tune: Sugar In The Gourd

10:45: De Con
Faron Young: Every Time I'm Kissing You
Flatt & Scruggs: Big Black Train

Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Faron Young: Alone With You
Fiddle Tune: Leather Britches

11:00: Coca Cola
Jordanaires: Theme
Hank Snow: The Gold Rush Is Over

Wilburn Brothers: I'm Setting You Free
Don Gibson: Oh, Lonesome Me
Lonzo & Oscar: Flap Your Wings Pretty Jay Bird
Hank Snow: Just A Faded Petal
Del Wood: Ragging The Keys
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Gully Jumpers: Tall Timber Dance
Hank Snow: Rumba Boogie

11:30: Jamison Bedding
Ray Price: Invitation To The Blues
Bill Monroe: Sitting On Top Of The World

Cousin Jody: Horses Carry Tales
Ray Price: Curtain In The Night
Fiddle Tune: Katy Hill

11:45: Midnight
Cowboy Copas: Down In Nashville Tennessee
Sam & Kirk: Roll On Buddy, Roll On
Benny Martin: Ice Cold Love
Fruit Jars: Take Me Back To Tulsa
Cowboy Copas: Gone And Left Me Blues

You could make the argument that several others who were on the schedule that night should be in the Hall of Fame. Certainly, a case can be made for the Wilburn Brothers, Cowboy Copas, along with Jimmy C Newman and Stonewall Jackson. 


There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone is enjoying the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry. 

And a Happy July 4th to all!! Stay Safe. 




Wednesday, July 2, 2025

July Opry Highlights

If you go by the calendar, July marks the beginning of the second half of the year, which means we are now halfway through Opry 100. Still some milestone shows left to go. As with each month, here are the July Opry highlights: 

July 15, 1913: Lloyd Estel was born in Adams County, Ohio. Better known as Cowboy Copas, he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1946. He would remain an Opry member until his death in 1963 in the tragic plane crash that took the lives of Hawkshaw Hawkins, Patsy Cline and Randy Hughes. Some may not realize, but in the early 60s, Cowboy Copas was the bigger star of the three. 

July 27, 1925: Former Grand Ole Opry member Annie Lou Dill was born. Along with her husband Danny, they were known as "The Sweethearts of Country Music." Annie Lou and Danny were members of the Opry from the late 1940s through the mid 1950s. They remained a popular duo into the 1960s. However, Annie Lou and Danny divorced, at which point the act became history. Annie passed away in January 1982.

July 24, 1926: The Crook Brothers, led by Herman Crook, made their first appearance on the WSM Barn Dance. Considered one of the Opry's original members, the Crook Brothers would remain a part of the Opry until the death of Herman in June 1988. That adds up to just short of 62 years at the Opry, which puts Herman in a very select group of Opry members. 

July 7, 1927: The late Charlie Louvin was born in Section, Alabama. Charles Loudermilk was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years. Along with his brother Ira, Charlie was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Charlie passed away on January 26, 2011.

July 9, 1929: Grand Ole Opry member Jesse McReynolds was born in Coeburn, Virginia. One of the true legends in bluegrass music, Jim and Jesse joined the Opry in 1964. Following the death of Jim McReynolds on December 31, 2002, Jesse continued as a solo member of the Opry, last performing on the show in March 2020. After 59 years of Opry membership, Jesse McReynolds passed away in June 2023. 

July 7, 1930: Doyle Wilburn was born in Hardy, Arkansas. Along with his brother Teddy, the Wilburn Brothers were long time members of the Opry.

July 14, 1932: The great Del Reeves was born in Sparta, North Carolina. Del joined the Grand Ole Opry in October 1966 and was an Opry member until his death in 2007. Del had one of the great personalities in country music and did a variety of impressions, including those of Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash and Hank Snow. While primarily a country artist, Del did have a couple of chart records on the pop charts. 

July 4, 1934: Over 8,000 people showed up for an all-day Opry sponsored show in West Tennessee. The show featured Opry stars Uncle Dave Macon, Fiddlin' Arthur Smith, the Gully Jumpers and the Crook Brothers. As a result of the success of this show, Opry founder George D. Hay started the Artists Service Bureau, which would become the official booking agency for Opry members. In the future, this organization would cause some issues at the Opry, and eventually would lead to several Opry members, including Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright, leaving the Opry.

July 4, 1937: Ray Pillow was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. Ray came to the Opry in 1966 and was an Opry member for over 55 yeas. After several years in retirement, Ray passed away in March 2023.

July 19, 1937: The late George Hamilton IV was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. George was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 54 years before passing away in September 2014. George loved the Opry and meeting the fans and is really missed. I can tell you from personal experience that George was one of the nicest people I have ever met. 

July 1, 1939: The Grand Ole Opry moved to the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville. They would stay at the War Memorial for just a few years as the type of crowd that came to Opry shows was not the ones that the operators of the building wanted to see. The Opry moved to War Memorial from the Dixie Tabernacle, which held more people but was in deplorable condition. Because of the lower capacity, which was listed as 2,200, the Opry decided to charge an admission fee of 25 cents, which did not stop the crowds from coming to the show. War Memorial Auditorium still stands in Nashville and is used. In 2010, when the Grand Ole Opry House was flooded, several Opry shows were relocated there.

July 6, 1940: Jeannie Seely, known as "Miss Country Soul," was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania. Jeannie first came to the Opry in 1966 as a guest and joined the Opry's cast in September 1967. Since then, Jeannie has appeared on the Opry over 5,000 times, more than any other Opry member in the history of the show. Sadly, Jeannie has been missing from the Opry due to some very serious health issues. The hope is that she will be back soon. 

July 15, 1944: Country Music Hall of Fame member Rod Brasfield became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Rod was hired to replace comedian Whitey Ford, the Duke of Paducah, on the Prince Albert portion of the show, which was broadcast on the NBC radio network. Rod was hired after Whitey got into a contract dispute with R.J. Reynolds and their advertising agency, which sponsored the segment. Rod was very successful, often teaming with fellow comedian Minnie Pearl. Rod was not only a great comedian but was also an excellent actor. He was featured in the movie, "A Face In the Crowd" which starred Andy Griffith. Rod remained a member of the Opry until passing away in September 1958.

July 24, 1948: Roy Acuff announced that he was running for Governor of Tennessee. He decided to run after the current Governor made some poor comments regarding country music. As a Republican in Tennessee in 1948, Roy really didn't stand much of a chance, and he lost the election by a wide margin. It was said that his campaign rallies drew large crowds that enjoyed the music and special guests but would leave once the political speeches started.

July 1, 1950: Future Grand Ole Opry member Carl Smith made his Opry debut. 

July 21, 1951: Left Frizzell made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Lefty would later become an Opry member, but he was gone pretty quickly. Lefty would later say that it just didn't work out and that the Opry wasn't the dream that he thought it would be.

July 5, 1952: Ralph Sloan and The Tennessee Travelers became members of the Grand Ole Opry. The group was formed in 1949 and they were originally called the Cedar Hill Square Dancers. Ralph passed away in 1980 after which his brother Melvin Sloan took over the group, changing the name to the Melvin Sloan Dancers. Melvin has since retired himself and the group is now simply called the Opry Square Dancers.

July 9, 1952: Grand Ole Opry members Carl Smith and June Carter were married. The marriage only lasted a few years as Carl expected June to give up her career to become a full-time wife and mother. While the marriage was short, it did produce a daughter, Rebecca Carlene Smith, better known as Carlene Carter. After the marriage ended, June would go on to remarry two more times, with her final marriage being to Johnny Cash, while Carl would have a very successful marriage with Goldie Hill, who did retire from performing after being married to Carl.

July 18, 1954: Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Skaggs was born in Cordell, Kentucky. Ricky joined the Opry cast in May 1982. For many of us, it is hard to believe that Ricky will be 71/ 

July 2, 1955: According to various reports, Patsy Cline made her first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Continuing to guest on the Opry, Patsy would eventually become an Opry member in 1960, after asking if she could join. One note from that night: on the Opry program, her name was listed as Patsy "Kline." 

July 7, 1956: Johnny Cash made his first guest appearance on the Opry. For Johnny, it was a dream come true and a couple of weeks later Johnny would be officially named an Opry member. 

July 28, 1956: Just three weeks after making his Grand Ole Opry debut, Johnny Cash became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Johnny would remain an Opry member until 1958, when he left Nashville and moved to California. Even though he gave it up, Johnny was always welcomed as a guest artist whenever he was in Nashville, and he would especially appear if June Carter was around. It was during one such performance in 1965, while under the influence of drugs, that Johnny kicked out the Opry stage lights and was told not to come back. He stayed away for a few years, but by the late 1960s, he was back. Toward the end of his life, Roy Acuff reportedly asked Johnny to once again become an Opry member, but Johnny declined.

July 19, 1958: Carl Butler became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He originally joined as a solo act and after a period of time, he left the show. However, in 1962 he rejoined the cast of the Opry, this time with his wife Pearl. Much like the first time, his time at the Opry was fairly short. 

July 15, 1961: Bill Anderson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 63rd year as an Opry member.  Bill made his first Opry appearance in 1958 and would guest several times before being asked by Opry manager Ott Devine to become a member. Currently the longest active member of the Opry's cast, and over the age of 80, Bill is still active and making regular Opry appearances. He is always well received and sounds as good as ever. An argument can be made that this Hall of Fame member is one of the greatest all-around talents in the history of country music, as he has been successful as a solo artist, duet artist, songwriter, author, game show host and television personality. Upon his 64th anniversary as a member of the Opry, Bill will become the first member in the history of the Opry to reach that milestone and is now the longest tenured member in the history of the Opry. 

July 18, 1964: Connie Smith made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Connie joined the cast the following year and this will be her 60th year as an Opry member. Not only does Connie sound as good as every but she also has a new album that was released last year. 

July 31, 1964: Jim Reeves, along with Dean Manual, died in a plane crash just outside of Nashville. Jim was just 39. While he was not an Opry member at the time of his death, giving it up a few years earlier, Jim was very successful while an Opry member. However, as the focus of his career changed, he felt that the Opry was no longer for him.

July 31, 1964: The Osborne Brothers are told during the "Friday Night Frolics" they will join the Grand Ole Opry the following weekend. The night is also the final time the "Frolics," a Friday night version of the Opry, are held at Nashville's National Life Building.

July 10, 1965: Roy Acuff was seriously injured in a car accident near Sparta, Tennessee. Roy suffered two pelvic fractures, a broken collarbone and several broken ribs. Also injured in the crash were Shot Jackson and June Stearns. Roy would be out of action for about a month, returning to the Opry in August.

July 31, 1965: Waylon Jennings made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. While never becoming an Opry member, Waylon would make an occasional appearance on the show. 

July 1, 1967: Dave Hooten replaced Johnny "Lonzo" Sullivan as part of Lonzo and Oscar. Johnny had recently passed away and it was agreed before his death that Roland "Oscar" Sullivan would continue with the act. David was generally considered a good replacement for Johnny.

July 8, 1967: Mother Maybelle and The Carter Sisters (June, Anita and Helen), made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry. The group originally joined the Opry in May 1950 and left in order to tour full time with Johnny Cash. As with many other veteran Opry members, Maybelle Carter complained many times to management in regard to the slots they were scheduled on the show. Later, the June Carter and the Carter Sisters would make a couple of guest appearances on the Opry with Johnny Cash. 

July 14, 1967: While performing on the Friday Night Opry, burglars stole $5,000 worth of goods from Hank Snow's office. Taken are watches, cufflinks, diamond earrings, belt buckles and insurance papers, but no money.

July 25, 1970: Tom T. Hall made his Grand Ole Opry debut. He was introduced that night by Opry member Jimmy C Newman. Tom T. would continue to make Opry appearances over the next months and would become an Opry member in January 1971. 

July 24, 1971: Country and Western music legend Patsy Montana made her first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

July 31, 1971: A bomb scare at the Grand Ole Opry delayed the show almost 40 minutes. The call came in around 10:00 and after a quick search, the show resumed. 

July 8, 1972: Barbara Mandrell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. While some accounts, including the Grand Ole Opry, list her induction date as July 29, this was actually the night that Barbara was announced as a member. Celebrating her 53rd year as an Opry member, Barbara is now retired from performing. When she made the decision to retire, he asked Opry management if she would remain a member of the Opry, of which they agreed. Without knowing it at the time, Barbara started a trend where retired members would retain their Opry membership, reversing a policy where members had to give up their Opry membership if they were no longer active.

July 15, 1972: Tanya Tucker made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. While never becoming an Opry member, Tanya would make occasional appearances on the show. 

July 14, 1973: Tompall, Chuck, and Jim, the Glaser Brothers, made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry. The brothers, who often had creative differences, decided to go their separate ways. They would reunite several years later but then broke up for good. But, at the personal invitation of Hank Snow, the brothers appeared on the Opry one final time, in January 1990 at a show honoring Hank for 40 years of Opry membership. The brothers were awesome that night and you can see the video of the performance on YouTube. That night was the final night that they would appear together.

July 21, 1973: Just over a year after Barbara Mandrell joined the Opry cast, Jeanne Pruett became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Like Barbara, Jeanne is now retired. This will be her 52nd year as an Opry member. Jeanne was the last singing member of the cast to join the show before it left the Ryman Auditorium (of course, Jerry Clower joined after Jeanne, but he was known as a comedian). On the night of her induction, Dolly Parton handled the honors. Now retired, Jeanne, who was recently inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, has written an autobiography and has been known to visit the Opry now and then and even come out on stage and wave to the audience. 

July 5, 1974: Dolly Parton appeared on the Opry for the first time with her own band. Previously, Dolly had been the duet partner of Porter Wagoner and when she appeared on the Opry, she had used Porter's Wagonmasters. 

July 7, 1975: Grand Ole Opry member George Morgan passed away in a Nashville hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was just 51. George joined the Opry in 1948 as the replacement for Eddy Arnold. He left the Opry in 1956 to star on a television show but returned in 1959. George's daughter Lorrie followed in his footsteps as an Opry member.

July 24, 1976: Bobby Lord made his final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Bobby came to the Opry in 1960 from the Ozark Jubilee. After leaving the Opry, Bobby went into semi-retirement, living in Florida and working in real estate. He later hosted a sportsman show on TNN. Although he gave up his Opry membership, Bobby would continue to make occasional Opry appearances when he was up in the Nashville area. Bobby, who also had his own television show, passed away in 2008.

July 24, 1976: On the same day as Bobby Lord's final appearance as an Opry member, a fire broke out backstage at the Opry House that morning. The fire was discovered at 6:00 a.m. on the lighting dimmer board and was quickly put out. Damage was estimated at nearly a quarter million dollars.

July 31, 1976: Former Grand Ole Opry member Don Williams made his first Saturday night appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Sadly, Don didn't stay at the Opry very long and reportedly, there were no hard feelings when he decided to move on. 

July 5, 1980: John Conlee made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. You can say it went over pretty well and John would become an Opry member. 

July 2, 1982: Former Grand Ole Opry member DeFord Bailey died in Nashville at the age of 82. DeFord was one of the first members of the WSM Barn Dance but was fired in 1941 by Opry founder George D. Hay. Various reasons were given for the firing, but it would appear that race was the major reason. While he did come back to make guest appearances in the 1940s, DeFord was very bitter about being fired by the Opry and went to great lengths to avoid the opportunity to make guest appearances. However, he did appear a couple of times and in February 1974 he returned for the annual reunion show. He was well received and would make a few more reunion shows before passing away. DeFord is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

July 1, 1983: Gaylord Broadcasting Company purchased the Grand Ole Opry, WSM radio and the entire Opryland complex from American General Corporation. Even though it was called Gaylord Broadcasting, it was actually Edward Gaylord and his wife Thelma who were the actual owners. At the time, Gaylord owned "Hee Haw" and other major media outlets. The price was rumored to have been between $250 and $350 million. The Opry was for sale at the time because of the purchase of National Life and Accident Company and the new owners, American General, had no interest in owning the Opry or Opryland. It was Roy Acuff who convinced Edward Gaylord that the Opryland properties were perfect for him to buy and add to his company. Over time, Gaylord Broadcasting would become Gaylord Entertainment and is now known as Ryman Hospitality.

July 30, 1983: Former Grand Ole Opry members The Glaser Brothers returned for a guest appearance on the Opry. The brothers were having some chart success at the time with "Lovin' Her Was Easier" and had briefly reunited.

July 1, 1984: Grand Ole Opry member Roy Acuff is diagnosed with angina and would take a break from performing. He would not return to the Opry in an active role until December. 

July 6, 1985: Johnny Russell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Johnny would remain a very popular and loyal member of the Opry until passing away on July 3, 2001, after a period of declining health. One of the most talented performers in country music, Johnny was a singer, songwriter and comedian. After joining the Opry, Johnny would normally appear on the 11:30 segment, telling funny stories and singing serious songs. I was privileged one day to have met Johnny at Opryland and to spend a little bit of time with him.

July 29, 1989: Future Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill made his Opry debut. He had turned down his first opportunity to appear on the show due to a previous family commitment. Happily, they invited him back and he has since gone on to become one of the Opry's best members. 

July 8, 1990: The Grand Ole Opry put on a special performance in Houston, Texas for President George Bush and a number of foreign dignitaries who were attending a summit meeting. Among the artists performing were Charley Pride, The Gatlin Brothers, Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Loretta Lynn and Bill Monroe. Grant Turner joined the group as the announcer. 

July 25, 1990: Grand Ole Opry staff band member Harold Weakley passed away. While primarily the drummer on the staff band, Harold also announced the Goo Goo candy segments and would occasionally step in front of the microphone and sing a song or two. 

July 3, 1993: Alison Krauss became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 32nd year as an Opry member with Garth Brooks doing the honors. At the time she joined, she was the Opry's youngest member. Alison has won more Grammy Awards than any other female country music, or bluegrass singer. Sadly, we don't see or hear much of Alison on the Opry but when she does appear it is a pleasure. I would say that as an Opry member, she has been a disappointment. 

July 10, 1999: June Carter Cash made a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, in what would be her final appearance on the Opry stage. June was an Opry member in the 1950s and was known for singing with her family and for her comic skills.

July 7, 2001: Following the recent death of Opry member Johnny Russell, the Opry honored Johnny with a segment titled "A Salute to Johnny Russell." 

July 6, 2002: Melvin Sloan, leader of the Melvin Sloan Dancers, retired. Melvin began dancing on the Opry following the death of his brother Ralph Sloan in 1980. After Melvin's retirement, the Opry took over management of the square dancers and they are now called the Opry Square Dancers. Melvin passed away earlier this year. 

July 2, 2004: Grand Ole Opry member Ricky Van Shelton made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance. Now retired, Ricky joined the Opry in June 1988. Sadly, he was another one from that era that did not appear on the Opry very often. Last I heard, Ricky was doing well in retirement. From a personal standpoint, Ricky is one of those that I miss seeing. 

July 5, 2008: Ending a long-standing tradition, the start time of Saturday's early Grand Ole Opry show was changed from 6:30 to 7:00, resulting in a two-hour show. This followed the change of the late Saturday show being cut to two hours the previous January. There was no reason given for the change, and no, there was no price reduction on account of the shorter show.

July 15, 2008: Future Grand Ole Opry member Darius Rucker made his first guest appearance on the Opry, singing "Don't Think I Don't Think About It."

July 8, 2011: Jimmy Dickens made a surprise appearance on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry to ask the Oak Ridge Boys if they would like to become the Opry's newest members. Of course, the Oak Ridge Boys said yes, and later this year they will celebrate their 14th year as Opry members. The Oak Ridge Boys had been asked previously if they were interested in becoming Opry members, however they had declined due to their heavy touring schedule. While they are still actively touring, the group has found the time to appear on the Opry and fulfill their membership obligations.

July 16, 2011: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson was honored upon his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Alison Krauss joined the celebration that evening.

July 13, 2012: Grand Ole Opry member Randy Travis made his final scheduled performing appearance on the Opry. Randy would later suffer a serious stroke that would end his performing career. While that was Randy's final singing performance, he and his wife Mary have visited backstage at the Opry a number of times. 

July 16, 2012: Former Grand Ole Opry member Kitty Wells passed away. Kitty was a member of the Opry for years before being fired from the cast as part of the "Purge of 64." While never rejoining the Opry, she would make more than a few appearances since that termination. 

July 3, 2013: Alison Krauss celebrated 20 years of Opry membership. As part of the show that night, she does a duet with Jamey Johnson on "Make the World Go Away."

July 14, 2016: Sonny Osborne performed on the Grand Ole Opry, reuniting The Osborne Brothers for the first time in more than a decade. They join Mac Wiseman and Jesse McReynolds to cover Flatt & Scruggs' "'Tis Sweet To Be Remembered."

July 1, 2017: Montgomery Gentry performed "Where I Come From" on the Grand Ole Opry. It would be the final Opry appearance for Troy Gentry, who would pass away in September as the result of a helicopter crash. Since his passing, Eddie Montgomery has continued on as an Opry member.

July 20, 2018: Frequent Grand Ole Opry guest Charles Esten made his 100th appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Primarily an actor, who gained fame staring on "Nashville," he is one of the few cast members to have continued to appear on the Opry after the cancelation of the show. 

July 19, 2019: Luke Combs was formally inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. While somewhat of a surprise, so far it has worked out pretty well as Luke has made a number of appearances. Inducting Luke that night were Vince Gill and Joe Diffie. Also lining up on stage for the ceremony were Craig Morgan, Dustin Lynch, Chris Janson, Mark Wills and Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band. Combs' first song as a member: the title track from the album "This One's For You."

July 22, 2019: Sally Williams, general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, announced her resignation from Ryman Hospitality. While she was at the company for over 20 years, she had only been in charge of the Opry since 2017, following the resignation of Pete Fisher. Sally left to go to Live Nation and in her current role she is also involved in the management of Old Crow Medicine Show. 

July 6, 2020: Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Daniels passed away, a huge lost for country music. Not only was Charlie a great performer but he was also a fine humanitarian who was involved in a number of charitable causes. 

July 21, 2020: WSM personality and Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs announced his retirement. Eddie, who normally announced the Friday Night Opry and the 2nd show on Saturday night, was the 3rd longest Opry announcer in the history of the show. Since his retirement, Eddie has very rarely been seen or heard from. 

July 17, 2021: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson was honored upon his 60th anniversary as a member of the Opry's cast. Bill is one of the very few to have reached that milestone. Vince Gill, among others, celebrated the evening with Bill. 

July 13, 2022: Charlie McCoy was formally inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It was a long overdue honor for Charlie, who has appeared on the Opry many times. 

July 30, 2022: Grand Ole Opry member Barbara Mandrell was honored with two shows in recognition of her 50th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Among those appearing that evening to honor Barbara, who was in attendance and took the stage to thank those attending, were Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans, Connie Smith, Jeannie Seely, Mandy Barnett, Linda Davis, Suzy Bogguss and Janelle Arthur. 

July 21, 2023: Grand Ole Opry member Jeanne Pruett was honored upon her 50th anniversary as member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

July 22, 2023: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson was honored upon his 62nd anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was recognized as the longest-tenured member in the history of the show, passing Herman Crook. 

July 27, 2024: Steven Curtis Chapman was invited by Opry member Ricky Skaggs to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. His induction would take place later in the year. 

There you have it for this month. Another busy one at the Opry.