As most of you know, I was at the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday night, on a night in which Grand Ole Opry member Connie Smith was going to be honored upon her 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Connie, along with her husband Marty Stuart, who was also scheduled to appear, were unable to make it due to Covid and Connie's 60th show was postponed. While Connie and Marty did not appear, the rest of the artists who were scheduled, and were personally picked by Connie to be on last night, did. The show was wonderful. Every artist mentioned Connie, sending along their best wishes, and several of the acts performed songs that had either been hits by Connie, or songs that Connie had requested.
As I wrote, it was a wonderful show. Vince Gill was back at the Opry after completing his summer tour and it was good to have him back. He is on the schedule for several more shows in the coming weeks. And while they have been on for a couple of weeks now, The Whites sounded wonderful. It was the first time that my wife had seen Old Crow Medicine Show in person, and they did not disappoint her. Their antics brought a smile to her face. Opry members Dailey & Vincent, Riders In The Sky, John Conlee and Mandy Barnett did two songs each and were well received by those attending.
The two acts I do want to single out are The Isaacs and Sierra Ferrell. The Isaacs were just outstanding. There is no other way to put it. Sierra Ferrell was the only non-member on the show, and she was asked by Connie to appear. It was the first time I had seen her, and I was impressed. Sierra also did a duet with Chris Scruggs. It was easy to see how she won those numerous Grammy Awards. All in all, it was a wonderful evening, and Casey and I were very fortunate to have been able to be there for that mid-week show.
As far as rescheduling Connie's 60th anniversary show, no date has been set. While I am sure it will be a date that will accommodate Marty's schedule, I am not sure as to who else would be appearing on the rescheduled night. I am sure once everyone has recovered, the Opry will figure it all out.
Now moving ahead to the shows on the schedule for this weekend, Vince Gill is scheduled to appear on both the Friday and Saturday night shows. Joining Vince on the Friday Night Opry are Opry members Dailey & Vincent, Mark Wills and Riders In The Sky. Amythyst Kiah, Joshua Ray Walker and Mae Estes round out the lineup.
In addition to Vince, Riders In The Sky are on the Saturday schedule, along with John Conlee and Don Schlitz. The Lone Bellow will be making their Opry debut, and rounding out the Saturday show is Alex Velluto and Mickey Guyton.
Friday August 22
7:00: Mark Wills, Riders In The Sky, Amythyst Kiah, Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:20: Joshua Ray Walker, Mae Estes, Vince Gill
Saturday August 23
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, John Conlee, The Lone Bellow, Don Schlitz
Intermission
8:20: Opry Square Dancers, Alex Velluto, Mickey Guyton, Vince Gill
The Lone Bellow consists of Zach Williams, Kanene Pipkin and Brian Elmquist. They released their debut album in 2013, after which came their follow up, Then Came The Morning—produced by Aaron Dessner of The National—garnered an Americana Music Award nomination and led to appearances on major national platforms including Jimmy Kimmel Live, Letterman, Conan, and CBS This Morning.
Now based in Nashville, their fifth album, Love Songs for Losers, marked a pivotal moment: their first self-produced project, recorded in Roy Orbison’s former home and featuring standout tracks like “Gold,” “Honey,” and “Homesick.”
With their upcoming sixth studio album, The Lone Bellow enters a bold new era—one that celebrates artistic growth, creative collaboration, and renewed purpose. Their current single, “That Table,” was co-written by Grammy Award-winner Aaron Raitiere and acclaimed hospitality leader Will Guidara, signaling the band’s ongoing commitment to connection, storytelling, and innovation.
Sometimes a name will pop up on a past Grand Ole Opry lineup that brings back a memory of. On Saturday August 23, 1969, one of those names appeared on the Opry that night: Audrey Williams, the former wife of Hank Williams and the mother of Hank Williams, Jr.
Audrey Sheppard was born in Banks, Alabama in 1923. Previously married with a daughter, she met Hank Williams in 1943 and the were married the following year. The marriage was difficult as both Hank and Audrey dealt with numerous personal issues. While the marriage floundered, it did produce one son, Randall Williams born in 1949. While Hank nicknamed his son "Bocephus" Audrey later appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and officially renamed him Hank Williams, Jr.
While largely forgotten now, after her divorce from Hank Williams, and following his death, Audrey was constantly in the news, the majority of times for the wrong reasons. She was involved in numerous lawsuits, attempting to manage her son, and trying to embark on what was an unsuccessful singing career of her own.
She never remarried after her divorce from Hank as she would lose the royalties that were awarded to her after the divorce. Even with those royalties and the continued court battle with Hank's second wife, Billy Jean Williams, Audrey had financial difficulties, to the point of having a garage/yard sale at her home.
Her body was found at her home on November 4, 1975, where it was reported after toxically tests that she died from natural causes. She was only 52 and had been in declining health. She had Despite rumors and years of drug and alcohol abuse; none were found in her system.
Here is the running order from that night 56 years ago, Saturday August 23, 1969:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jim Ed Brown (host): (?)
The 4 Guys: (?)
6:45: Rudy's
Glaser Brothers (host): (?)
Del Wood: (?)
7:00: Luzianne
Bill Anderson (host): But You Know I Love You
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Jan Howard: We Had All Of The Good Things Going
Jack Barlow: Birmingham Blues
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops
Stringbean: Battle Of New Orleans
Jack Barlow: My Elusive Dreams
Jan Howard: Any Old Way You Do
Bill Anderson: The Games People Play
7:30: Standard Candy
George Hamilton IV (host): Truck Driving Man
Bill Carlisle: Poke Salad Annie
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Black Mountain Rag
George Hamilton IV: Canadian Pacific
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind/Early Morning Rain
Audrey Williams: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry/I Saw The Light
8:00: Martha White
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Loretta Lynn: To Make A Man Feel Like A Man
Johnny Carver: That's Your Hang Up Baby
Bill Price: We Could
Billy Grammer: Black Mountain Rag/Flop-Eared Mule/Wildwood Flower
Loretta Lynn & Larry Ethridge: Who's Gonna Take Your Garbage Out
Jimmy Payne: Tonight's The Night Miss Sally Testifies
Billy Grammer: Peace On Earth Begins Today
8:30: Stephens
Jack Greene (host): Your Love Takes Care Of Me
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
John Wesley Ryles: Kay
Fruit Jar Drinkers Walking In My Sleep
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: The Chain Of Love
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Big Daddy
Johnny Carver: Proud Mary
Lorene Mann: Tell It All
Jack Barlow: Birmingham Blues
Jim Ed Brown: Distant Drums/He'll Have To Go/Four Walls
Johnny Carver: That's Your Hang Up Baby
Lorene Mann: All I Have To Offer You Is Me
10:00: Fender
The 4 Guys (host): The Games People Play
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Jeanne Pruett: Today I Started Loving You Again
The 4 Guys: Over On The Other Side
10:15: Pure
George Hamilton IV (host): Early Morning Rain
Stringbean & George Lindsey: Lonesome Road Blues
Penny DeHaven: Baby, Why You Been Gone So Long
George Hamilton IV: Break My Mind
10:30: Trailblazer
Glaser Brothers (host): Wicked California
Loretta Lynn: Woman Of The World
Glaser Brothers: Release Me/Than I Turned & Walked Away Slowly/Many Tears Ago Today/There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight/Bouquet Of Roses
10:45: Kent
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Bill Carlisle: Polk Salad Annie
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Gray Eagle
Billy Grammer: Peace On Earth Begins Today
11:00: Coca Cola
Jack Greene (host): Wanting You, But Never Having You
Jeannie Seely: Just Enough To Start Me Dreaming Again
Bill Price: Swinging Doors
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Alabama Gal
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: Love Is No Excuse
Sam McGee: Wheels
Jack Greene: You Gave Me A Mountain
11:30: Lava
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Del Reeves: Be Glad
John Wesley Ryles: Eva Magdalena
Roy Drusky: Strangers
Del Reeves: Green, Green Grass Of Home
John Wesley Ryles: Anne
Roy Drusky: When Two Worlds Collide
Lot and lots of non-members on the Opry that night.
I know there are a lot of stories out there regarding Audrey Williams. She is also mentioned in several books. In her case, it is hard to separate the facts as to what is true and what has been fabricated. Even 50 years after her death, her name will still pop up on occasion, especially in regard to her marriage to Hank.
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.
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