Mid-Week Opry Shows

There are another full week of Grand Ole Opry shows on the schedule with the highlight taking place on Wednesday night as Grand Ole Opry member Connie Smith will be honored upon her 60th anniversary of becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

From the Tennessean, Sept. 5, 1965: 

The newest additions to the Grand Ole Opry's cast of stars are Connie Smith and Bob Luman. Connie, who's current hit is "I Can't Remember," became an overnight star when her first recording, "Once A Day," became the No. 1 country song in the country. A native of Elkhart, Ind., Connie grew up in Warner, Ohio. She taught herself to play the guitar while recuperating in a hospital from a lawn-moving accident. She began singing at square dances, picnics, and other gatherings, which led to appearances on radio, television, and to stardom. Connie, 24, is from a family of 14 children. She is now married and living in Hendersonville. Announcement of the new additions to the Opry cast was made by Ott Devine, manager of the Opry. 

I think everyone is aware of how Connie came to Nashville, thanks to the help of Bill Anderson, and reached No. 1 on the charts with her monster hit, "Once A Day." Connie Smith first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in July 1964 and made several guest appearances over the next year. 

Among those on the schedule for the Wednesday Night Opry, in addition to Connie, are Opry members Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, Dailey & Vincent, Riders In The Sky, John Conlee, The Isaacs, Mandy Barnett, Old Crow Medicine Show, and The Whites. 

According to the Opry's records, Connie officially became an Opry member on August 21, 1965. Here is the running lineup from that night 60 years ago: 

7:30: Billy Walker, Jean Shepard, George Hamilton IV, Stringbean
8:00: Jimmy C Newman, Jim & Jesse, Ray Pillow, Del Wood, Curly Fox, Crook Brothers
8:30: Bobby Lord, Margie Bowes, Bob Luman, Cousin Jody, Warner Mack
9:00: Ernest Tubb, Carter Family, Bobby Bare, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Jack Greene
9:30: Hank Snow, Sonny James, Ernie Ashworth, Osborne Brothers
10:00: Billy Walker, Jean Shepard, Del Wood
10:15: Jimmy C Newman, Stringbean, George Hamilton IV
10:30: Bobby Lord, Carter Family
10:45: Ernest Tubb, Curly Fox, Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow, Margie Bowes, Jim & Jesse, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Ernie Ashworth, Sam & Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins, Osborne Brothers, Bobby Bare, Cousin Jody

What is interesting is Bob Luman, who joined the Opry on the same date as Connie, was on the Opry that night, however, Connie was not. Connie's first night appears to have been a month later, on Saturday September 18. Here is the running order from that night: 

7:30: Leroy Van Dyke, Bill Carlisle, Connie Smith
8:00: Roy Drusky, Jim & Jesse, Merle Kilgore, Crook Brothers
8:30: Roy Acuff, Howdy Forrester, Archie Campbell, Onie Wheeler, Oswald, Jimmy Riddle
9:00: Ernest Tubb, Wilburn Brothers, Loretta Lynn, Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Hank Snow, Willis Brothers, Hank Locklin, Marion Worth, The Blue Boys
10:00: Leroy Van Dyke, Bill Carlisle
10:15: Roy Acuff, Roy Drusky, Harold Weakley
10:30: Jim & Jesse, Connie Smith
10:45; Ernest Tubb, Crook Brothers, Cal Smith
11:00: Hank Snow, Wilburn Brothers, Harold Morrison, Loretta Lynn, Fruit Jar Drinkers
11:30: Hank Locklin, Willis Brothers, Marion Worth, Archie Campbell, Merle Kilgor

While Connie did join the Grand Ole Opry in 1965, she did leave for a short time. A couple of explanations as to the reason why have been given over the years. One version is that she was moving more in the direction of gospel music and wanted to spend more time with her family, as her children became a focus in her life. Another version is that the one of the Opry staff band musicians complained about having to sit out most of the show due to artists bringing their own bands. The band member suggested that Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely drop their bands for Opry performances. While Jeannie did not, Connie, in protest, quit the Opry for a time. Happily, she came back and on Wednesday night, we celebrate her Opry anniversary. 

While the focus this week is on the Wednesday Night Opry, there is also a Tuesday Night Opry and Opry Country Classics on Thursday night. 

Taking a look at the Tuesday Night Opry, Rhonda Vincent is back, along with T. Graham Brown, Henry Cho and Don Schlitz.

Tuesday August 19
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Drew Baldridge, T. Graham Brown, Maggie Rose
Intermission
8:20: Silverada, Henry Cho, Ian Munsick, Don Schlitz

Finishing up the week is Opry Country Classics on Thursday night, with Dailey & Vincent as the Spotlight Artists. 

Thursday August 21
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Dailey & Vincent
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Deborah Allen, John Foster, Moe Bandy

And yes, I will be in Nashville this week and I will be at the Opry on Wednesday night along with Casey, who will be making one of her rare trips to Nashville as she is a Connie Smith fan also.