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
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
11:00: 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
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
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.
I know Byron has one of those programs from March 15, 1974 and knows all what I am about to say. And, most of you probably know the information I'm about to say too. But for the few that may not........
ReplyDeleteMary Lou Turner was not on the program but we all know was part of Bill's show at the time. They would not have a hit duet until 1975. Mary Lou is supposed to be with Bill tomorrow night and I'm wondering if she will stick around to be on the Thursday show.
Phil Campbell was Archie's son and also did comedy. They even did at least one record together. Phil was not on the program. Anyone know if he is still liveing?
The Cates Sisters were a part of Jim Ed's show and were not on the program.
The program lists Grant Turner and Hearil Hensley as announcers and Hal Durham as Opry Manager.
Sponsors in order:
Cracker Barrell
Varallo
Odom Sausage, U.S. Borax
Kroger Stores
Baltz Bros., Schlitz
Acme Boot Co., Beechnut Chewing Tobacco
CEE BEE Food Stores, Schlitz
Shoneys Big Boy
Anybody know what Varallo was?
Prices:
Coke 25c
Popcorn 25c
Peanuts 10c
Opry History Picture Book $2.00
Hamburgers 25c
Hot Dog 25c
Candy 10, 15 & 25c
Chewing Gum 10c
Coffee 10c
Cushions $1.00
I thought this note was interesting too:
WSM, Inc. has not connection whatsoever with any parking lot or souvenir shop near or around the Grand Ole Opry House.
Just fun details. Would be neat if the incorporate part or all of that printed program in the Thursday night printed program.
Jim
Phil Campbell is living yes. Varallo was a restaurant in Nashville, I as well have the program from the final Friday at the Ryman. Countryart
DeleteI would say Mary Lou will be in town all week since she's playing the Heart of Texas Road Show on Saturday.
DeleteI should have know that. We usually go to that show. However, Darrell McCall and some others are playing in Arthur, Illinois in a couple weeks, about an hour and a half from us.
DeleteJim
The Varallo sponsor was a brand of chili that was, at the time, under the same ownership as the restaurant.
ReplyDeleteVarallo’s is still open for business and is supposed to be the oldest restaurant in Tennessee.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the recognition for Bill Anderson and that he will participate in 3 of the 4 events this week. We have seen him many times over the years at the Opry and in concerts/shows, the last being December 2018 an hour drive from home. As always it was an excellent show and he did pictures/autographs after. We follow his webpage and journal. Bill is a wonderful legend for country music in all he has done and is still doing for the new artists. (from Anonymous in PA)
ReplyDeleteIf any of y'all are interested in traditional Country radio shows: Joe Rucker ( he's appeared on the Midnite Jamboree several times and hosted it too) will have a new radio show starting this Thursday ( July 17th) at 6:00 PM( central time) on www.wlijradio.com
ReplyDeleteJoe is a great singer and has worked with Hank Locklin, Jack Greene, Charlie Louvin, Margie Singleton, and is on the Heart of Texas Record label. Hope you'll be able to tune in!!
I’m super excited about tomorrow morning when they’re going to broadcast that entire show from start to finish apparently with no brakes. Ez
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that it will be like the re-airing of the opening night at the new Grand Ole Opry House. No original commercials and perhaps some edits. As an FYI, that final Friday night at the Ryman started at 7:00 and did not end until 11:26, basically a 4 1/2 show. Personally, I would be surprised if WSM devoted that much time on air.
DeleteAlso, for those who missed the first replay airing of the first night at the new Grand Ole Opry House, WSM will be airing that on Friday morning.
(Byron)