Grand Ole Opry 11/14 & 11/15

Let me start off by saying how great it was to have James Taylor appearing on the Opry last Tuesday night. That last hour with Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and James was just utterly amazing. (I should also add that Randy Travis was backstage last night and was introduced to the audience). From what I gathered listening, James sang five songs: Copperline, Carolina In My Mind, You've Got a Friend, Shower the People and Fire and Rain. I have been reading the comments on the Opry's Facebook page and while most were positive, you had those that had to chime in about what a disgrace it was to have James on the Opry. Sorry, but I am not one of those. For those who were there, it was a memorable night and from what I heard, he fit right in. Thanks to Dan Rogers for making this night happen. 

Now taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry for this weekend, Opry member Kelsea Ballerini is on the schedule, for one of her rare Opry appearances. Also appearing are Riders In The Sky, John Conlee and The Whites. Comedian and radio personality Bobby Bones is listed along with Ashley Cooke and making their Opry debut, LANY. 

Taking a look at Saturday night, Carly Pearce returns, along with members T. Graham Brown, Bill Anderson, Connie Smith, Don Schlitz and Sara Evans. Rounding out Saturday's lineup are The Band Loula and making his Opry debut, Michael Marcagi. 

Friday November 14
7:00: Riders In The Sky, John Conlee, The Whites, Ashley Cooke
Intermission
8:20: LANY, Bobby Bones, Kelsea Ballerini

Saturday November 15
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, T. Graham Brown, Michael Marcagi, Bill Anderson, Carly Pearce
Intermission
8:20: Connie Smith, Opry Square Dancers, The Band Loula, Don Schlitz, Sara Evans

A very nice group of Opry members this weekend and hopefully Dan will remind Kelsea, Carly and Sara that there is a 100th anniversary show in a couple of weeks and maybe they might want to appear!

LANY, who is making their Opry debut on Friday night, is a pop-rock band that was formed by Belmont University alums in Nashville. The duo is comprised of frontman Paul Klein and drummer Jake Goss. They have been around since 2014 and just released their sixth album "Soft." While the group is based in Los Angeles, they do return to Nashville frequently. 

Regarding their Opry debut, Paul Klein said that he knows that opportunities for non-country acts to play the Opry's stage are few and prestigious. Some of the stars to have the honor include Olivia Newton-John, John Legend, Quinn XCII, and most recently, Sabrina Carpenter.

"I lived here almost 10 years; that's a rite of passage, playing the Opry," Goss said. "(That's) where the best musicians in all of history have played. We're so excited to join the party."

Michael Marcagi, who is making he debut on Saturday night, is a singer/songwriter from the Cincinnati area. He released his solo debut single, "The Other Side", in December 2023. The following month, he announced he had signed to Warner Records and released a second single, "Scared to Start". Aided by popularity on TikTok, "Scared to Start" marked his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Both singles were included on his debut EP, American Romance, released in February 2024.

I don't know about anyone else, but I really enjoy taking a look back at some of the Grand Ole Opry lineups during what many called the Golden Age of the Opry. It was back during the time when if you were an Opry member, who were expected to appear. The lineup below is from 63 years ago, Saturday November 15, 1952, and if I counted right, there were 18 future Hall of Fame members on the show that night, and a couple more who should be. And this was a typical Opry night. 

Taking a look back to Saturday November 15, 1952. Here is the posted lineup from 63 years ago: 

7:30: Warren Paint
Roy Acuff: Low and Lonely
Lew Childre: Hang Out the Front Door Key
Roy Acuff: Eye From on High
Howdy Forrester: Blackberry Blossom

7:45: American Ace
Roy Acuff: They Can Only Fill One Grave
Webb Pierce: That Heart Belongs to Me
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
Oswald: Surely In A Train
Fiddle: Bill Bailey

8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb: Fortunes In Memories
Hank Snow: The Girl Who Invented Kissin'
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin'
Carter Family: Willow, Will You Weep for Me
Bill Monroe: Footprints in the Snow
Moon Mullican: Mean Mama Blues
Ernest Tubb: Driftwood on the River
June Carter: Comedy-Walkin' To Missouri
Chet Atkins: Guitar Polka
Hank Snow: Such A Fool as I
Bill Monroe: Tall Timber

8:30: Prince Albert Show
Red Foley: Birmingham Blues
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Martha Carson: Crying Holy to the Lord
Square Dancers: Mississippi Sawyer
Red Foley: My God Is Real
Old Hickory Singers: Kentucky Babe
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Martha Carson: Swing Down A Chariot
String Bean: Old Joe Clark
Red Foley: Somebody's Crying
Square Dancers: Devil's Dream

9:00: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff: Don't Make Me Go To Bed
Fruit Jar Drinkers: McCloud's Reel
George Morgan: Yesterday's Roses
Duke Of Paducah: Comedy
Jug Band: Uncle Noah's Ark
Grandpa Jones: Are You Drom Dixie
Roy Acuff: Thank God
Homer Harris: To Be Selected
Oswald: Roll On Buddy
Howdy Forrester: Sally Goodin'

9:30: Fortune Feed
Carl Smith: Our Honeymoon
Jimmy Dickens: You Don't Love Me
Ray Price: I Can't Escape From You
Anita Carter: Foggy Mountain Top
Lonza and Oscar: Let's Live A Little #2
Possum Hunters: Bill Cheatham
Carl Smith: Sing Her A Love Song
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
Faron Young: Going Steady
Carl Smith: This Side of Heaven
Hal Smith: Sally Goodin'

10:00: Wall Rite
George Morgan: I Love Everything About You
Bill Monroe: When The Cactus Are In Bloom
Johnny and Jack: Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes
Tommy Sosebee: I'd Trade All My Tomorrows
Don Slayman: Turkey in the Straw

10:15: Dr. Le Gear
George Morgan: Honky Tonk Street
Cowboy Copas: Some Fine Morning
Bill Monroe: Boat of Love
Webb Pierce: I'll Aways Take Care of You
Charlie Cline: Arkansas Traveler

10:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb: Somebody's Stolen My Honey
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
Gully Jumpers: Soldier's Joy
Faron Young: My Open Arms
June Carter: Beautiful Morning Glory
Ernest Tubb: I'm With A Crowd But So Alone
Ray Price: Please Be Mine
Chet Atkins: Mary Lou
Jimmy Dickens: Hot Diggity Dog
Ernest Tubb: Daisey May

11:00: Soltice
Roy Acuff: The Streamlined Cannon Ball
Lonzo and Oscar: Goodbye Little Darlin'
Roy and The Gang: Gethscme
Howdy Forrester: Cripple Creek

11:15: O-Cello
Carl Smith: There's Nothin' As Sweet As My Baby
Johnny and Jack: The Only One I Ever Loved I Lost
String Bean: Roll On Buddy, Roll On
Carl Smith: I Overlooked an Orchid
Fiddle: Rickett's Hornpipe

11:30: Darimix
Hank Snow: I Went to Your Wedding
Lew Childre: Sister Lucy
Moon Mullican: Pipeliner Blues
Crook Brothers: New Five Cents
Hank Snow: Boogie Woogie Flying Cloud

11:45: Hester Battery Co. 
Cowboy Copas: Boomerang
Sam and Kirk: Sugar Moon
Grandpa Jones: Frog Hair
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sweet Jenny Lee
Cowboy Copas: Copy Cat

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.