Grand Ole Opry 8/29 & 8/30

Starting off with a couple of items that some might find of interest: 

First, Chapel Hart, who have been on the Opry numerous times have are now on "hiatus" but in reality, it sounds like the group has broken up. From their press release: 

“Over the last few years, Chapel Hart has taken us places we never could have imagined. We have laughed, cried, grown, and stood on stages we used to dream about. More than anything, we have shared a bond that goes deeper than music, and that part will always remain,” the group said in a statement. “As we each step into new seasons in life, we have decided to press pause on Chapel Hart so we can explore other passions and dreams that have been calling to us individually. This is not a goodbye. It is a celebration of everything we have built and a step toward everything still to come.” From what has been reported, Trea Swindle and Devynn Hart are starting the duo called Magnolia Rising, while Danica Hart will also continue on, potentially as a solo artist.

The music industry is tough. Artists get sucked in and spit out every day. Chapel Hart had a lot going against them and they just never seemed to be able to follow up on their debut song “You Can Have Him Jolene." They went through a period before, in November 2023 when it appeared they were taking a break to re-evaluate their careers but gave it another shot. Having seen them and met them, I do believe they have the talent to succeed. It just might not be in country music. Hopefully, the find their niche and Magnolia Rising will be a success, as will the solo career of Danica Hart. 

The second bit of news is in regard to the Opry 100 special that aired on NBC in March. The Opry posted this earlier in the day:

  Our Rhinestone Milestone continues to unfold in every magical way possible, and we're excited to highlight the event that set the tone for our 100th celebration once again!

Tune in Monday, September 15th as Opry star Blake Shelton hosts Opry 100: A Live Celebration on NBC, streaming on Peacock.  

Having been in the Opry House that night and not seeing it live on TV, I will be anxious to watch it and seeing it aired. While I have not heard, I would assume they will do some sort of editing so that the finale of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" gets on the air and not cut off as it was on that night. 

This weekend we close out the month of August and look forward to Labor Day weekend. While it is a holiday weekend for many, the Grand Ole Opry continues on with shows on Friday and Saturday night. The good news this weekend is the return of Connie Smith to the Opry, as she is on the schedule for the Friday Night Opry. While she is returning, there is still no news as to a rescheduled date for her 60th anniversary show. I am sure that once schedules are coordinated, we will see a date posted. 

Joining Connie on the Friday Night Opry will be Opry members Vince Gill, Dailey & Vincent and Don Schlitz. The wonderfully talented Margo Price is on the schedule, as is Austin Snell and Wendy Moten. Rounding out the posted schedule is Walker Hayes, who will be making his Opry debut. 

Vince Gill and Don Schlitz are back on Saturday night, making it a two-show weekend for the pair. It will be a full night of Opry members, as along with Vince and Don, Mandy Barnett, T. Graham Brown, Mark Wills and Riders In The Sky are listed. The only non-members appearing will be Wood Box Heroes. 

(With the late addition of Wendy Moten to the schedule, I do not have the finalized lineup for Friday and Saturday as of yet. I will update as soon as it is released). 

Walker Hayes, who is making his Opry debut on Friday night, is from Mobile, Alabama. He broke into the mainstream in 2021 with his smash hit “Fancy Like” which topped every country music sale and streaming chart, spent more than six months at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart, hit the top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs, and hit No. 1 at country radio. “Fancy Like” became a bonafide phenomenon; the six-time Platinum-selling single propelled Hayes to a GRAMMY Award nomination and anchored his breakout 2022 full-length, Country Stuff The Album. 

He's continued to build a hitmaking career behind singles “AA,” “ Y’all Life,” “U Gurl,” and “Good With Me.” His latest releases include his 2023 follow-up New Money and 2024 EP Sober Thoughts. Hayes is one of the top selling and streamed artists in country music and has performed his music to amphitheaters and arenas on headlining tours. Additionally, he’s performed to national audiences on Good Morning America, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and TODAY. He’s also been profiled for CBS Sunday Morning.

Grand Ole Opry member Crystal Gayle didn't become a member of the Opry until January 2017, 48 years after she made her Grand Ole Opry debut!! That Opry debut took place on Saturday August 30, 1969, and here is the running order from that night: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jim & Jesse (host)(?)

6:45: Rudy's
Hank Locklin (host):(?)
Lonzo & Oscar: (?)

7:00: Luzianne
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Martha Carson: I'm Gonna Walk & Talk With My Lord
Jack Barlow: Birmingham Blues
Billy Grammer: Guitar Polka
Billy Grammer: Jesus Is A Soul Man
Martha Carson: Shout, Shout, Shout & Shine
Jack Barlow: Pauline
Billy Grammer: Beautiful Isle Of Somewhere

7:30: Standard Candy
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Wilma Burgess: Let Me Be The Woman In Your Life
Bobby Lewis: Love Me & Make It All Better
Crook Brothers: Old Hen Cackle
Charlie Walker: Moffitt, Oklahoma
Wilma Burgess: Break My Mind
Bobby Lewis: It's Such A Pretty World Today
Charlie Walker: Truck Driving Man

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): John Henry
Margie Bowes: That Completely Destroys My Plans
Jerry Smith: Truck Stop
Louie Roberts: The Wreck Of The Old 97
Lester Flatt: Cabin On The Hill
Margie Bowes: Understand Your Gal/Big City
Louie Roberts: Peace In The Valley/Hey Good Lookin'
Uncle Josh: Just Joshin'

8:30: Stephens
Ernest Tubb (host): Answer The Phone
Crystal Gayle: Ribbon Of Darkness
Jay Lee Webb: She's Looking Better By The Minute
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Billy Parker: I've Still Got A Long Way To Go
Jay Lee Webb: Wonderful World Of Women
Ernest Tubb: Just A Drink Away

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jim & Jesse (host): I'm Hoping That You're Hoping
Jean Shepard: Seven Lonely Days
Bobby Lewis: From Heaven To Heartache
Jerry Smith: Truck Stop
Jim & Jesse: Knoxville Girl
Jean Shepard: I'm Tied Around Your Finger
Bobby Lewis: 'Til Something Better Comes Along
Jim & Jesse: Johnny B. Goode

10:00: Fender
Martha Carson: Cryin' Holy Unto The Lord
Harold Weakley: You've Still Got A Place In My Heart
Martha Carson: Satisfied
Joe Edwards: Alabama Jubilee

10:15: Pure
Lonzo & Oscar (host): Hertz Rent-A-Chick
Wes Buchanan: Undo The Right
Jack Barlow: Birmingham Blues
Lonzo & Oscar: Making Plans

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Wilma Burgess: Let Me Be The Woman In Your Life
John Sullivan: Greyhound Blues
Lester Flatt: Foggy Mountain Breakdown

10:45: Kent
Ernest Tubb (host): In The Jailhouse Now
Crystal Gayle: Johnny One Time
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Hank Locklin: Send Me The Pillow You Dream On 

11:00: Coca Cola
Billy Grammer (host): Jesus Is A Soul Man
Peggy Little: Sweet Baby Girl
Jay Lee Webb: Big Job
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Billy Grammer: Jesus Is A Soul Man
Sam & Kirk McGee: San Antonio Rose
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On/Whispering Hope

11:30: Lava
Charlie Walker (host): Honky Tonk Season
Rita Faye: The Last Thing On My Mind
Louie Roberts: Love's On My Mind
Charlie Walker: Moffitt, Oklahoma
Louie Roberts: Peace In The Valley/Hey, Good Lookin'
Charlie Walker: San Antonio Rose
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

Apparently on the schedule, Hank Locklin was supposed to host the 10:15 segment on the 2nd show but somehow missed his spot. Also, there were so few Opry members on the schedule that night that there was no Opry host, or member, appearing on the 10:00 segment on the 2nd show. Former Grand Ole Opry member Martha Carson filled that spot. 

Crystal Gayle was just 16 when she made her Grand Ole Opry debut. As far as that debut, Loretta Lynn was originally scheduled for the Opry that night, however she was ill and unable to perform. Mooney Lynn, Loretta's husband, and who was managing Crystal at the time, persuaded the Opry to let Crystal fill Loretta's two spots. Crystal was basically an unknown at the time, but she did well and made return visits until finally being asked to join the cast. On that night, January 17, 2017, Loretta did the honors, and it was also Loretta's final Grand Ole Opry appearance. 

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.