It will be an exciting Friday Night Opry this weekend as Suzy Bogguss will be inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry and Reba McEntire will be honored upon her 40th anniversary as an Opry member. If that is not enough, the annual Opry birthday salute to Dolly Parton will be taking place on Saturday night.
Suzy Bogguss was surprised with her invitation to join the Opry cast on the night of Kathy Mattea's induction last October, making Kathy the first Opry member to invite another artist to join the Opry on her induction night. Upon being invited by Kathy, a stunned Suzy said, “I was just so excited about all of us singing together tonight. I don’t even know what to say. Thank you, but I think I may wake up in a minute."
Suzy Bogguss is a country music veteran, beginning her solo career in the 1980s. In the 1990s, six of her songs were Top 10 hits, three albums were certified gold, and one album received a platinum certification. She won Top New Female Vocalist from the Academy of Country Music and the Horizon Award from the Country Music Association. Her first charted single was " I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" in 1987. Her first Top 10 single was "Someday Soon" in 1991. That was followed by "Outbound Plane," "Aces," "Letting Go," Drive South," "Just Like the Weather," and "Hey Cinderella". The best that I can determine, Suzy made her Grand Ole Opry debut in May 1989, so for her, Opry membership was a long time coming. And I might add, well deserved.
While Reba McEntire will be on the Friday Night Opry to celebrate her 40th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, she will also be inducting Suzy as the Opry's newest member. While January 17, 1986, was the first date that Reba appeared on the Opry as an Opry member, she was actually announced as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry during the taping of the Grand Ole Opry's 60th anniversary special that was taped on November 21 and aired on Tuesday January 14.
According to Tom Adkinson, Opryland public relations executive, "It was pretty emotional. The audience really loves her."
After the announcement Reba sobbed slightly as she sang "Somebody Should Leave" after the announcement. While the news wasn't a surprise it was still an emotional moment. In a later interview with the Tennessean, Reba said, "The Grand Ole Opry is a family unit, and they welcomed me with open arms, every one of 'em. And I'm so proud to be a family member of the Grand Ole Opry. I'm thrilled to pieces."
Reba made her Grand Ole Opry debut on September 17, 1977 on a night in which Reba received a standing ovation. Sadly, like so many others from that era, Reba has rarely appeared on the Opry, thus making Friday night a special night.
In addition to Suzy Bogguss and Reba McEntire, the Friday Night Opry lineup includes Opry members Steve Wariner, Terri Clark and Kathy Mattea
While a lot of attention will be focused on the Friday Night Opry, Saturday is a special night also as The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate Opry member Dolly Parton with its annual Opry Goes Dolly show, which will celebrate Dolly's 80th birthday. The show will highlight songs from her iconic 80s era plus other classic songs from her legendary catalogue.
Opry Goes Dolly will feature Opry members and special guest artists performing their favorite Dolly 80s hits, Dolly-themed events, photo-ops and more. Among those scheduled for the Opry Goes Dolly show are Dolly fans and friends including Opry members Vince Gill, Mark Wills, Lainey Wilson and Rhonda Vincent as well as hit songwriter Trannie Anderson making her Opry debut. Parton is not scheduled to appear in person.
The special Saturday night Opry Goes Dolly is a one-of-a-kind Opry show that falls just two days before her actual 80th birthday. The Opry Goes Dolly show will honor her with tributes throughout the show at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House. Show highlights will be featured in an upcoming episode of Opry Live on Opry social channels, Circle Country, and more than 100 syndicated stations across the country.
There are several events on the schedule for Saturday including:
● Birthday treats baked using Duncan Hines Dolly Parton’s mixes given to Jan. 17 Opry House tour guests (while supplies last)
● The Opry Shop will launch a limited “80 Years of Song” collection that will be available for pre-order beginning today at Opry.com and available for purchase on Jan. 17 at The Opry Shop.
● A larger-than-life birthday card for fans to sign at the Opry House on Jan. 17
● Dolly impersonator on Opry Plaza for photos during Jan. 17 Opry Goes Dolly show
● Signature Dolly drinks at all Opry House bars during Jan. 17 Opry Goes Dolly show
The Opry Shop will feature Dolly music and merchandise in celebration of her birthday while supplies last.
After a couple of weekends at the Ryman Auditorium, the Opry returns to the Grand Ole Opry House with one of the biggest weekends of the year. Both shows are basically sold-out, and as I mentioned on my Facebook page, I will be there this weekend.
Friday January 16
7:00: Kathy Mattea, Terri Clark, Suzy Bogguss
Intermission
Intermission
8:20: Steve Wariner, Reba McEntire
Saturday January 17
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Rhonda Vincent, Elizabeth Nichols, Mark Wills, Sierra Hull
Intermission
8:20: Trannie Anderson, Opry Square Dancers, Vince Gill, Lainey Wilson
While there are only five acts on the schedule for Friday night, I don't think anyone can complain about the quality of the lineup.
As I mentioned, the best that I can determine, Suzy Bogguss made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday May 12, 1989. Here is the posted lineup from that night:
1st show
6:30: Billy Walker (host): Roy Drusky, Jeanne Pruett, The 4 Guys
7:00: Jack Greene (host): The Whites, Ernie Ashworth, Suzy Bogguss
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Connie Smith, Stonewall Jackson
8:00: Jimmy C Newman (host): Ray Pillow, Wilma Lee Cooper, Johnny Russell
8:30: Hank Snow (host): Carlisles, Jan Howard, Charlie Walker
2nd show
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host): Jeannie Seely, Stu Phillips, Suzy Bogguss
10:00: Roy Acuff (host): The Whites, Connie Smith
10:30: Jack Greene (host): Ray Pillow, Stonewall Jackson, Jeanne Pruett, Billy Walker
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Carlisles, Justin Tubb, Wilma Lee Cooper, Ernie Ashworth
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Jan Howard, Charlie Walker, Johnny Russell
And in the case of Reba McEntire, here is the posted lineup from 40 years ago, Friday January 17, 1986, the night that the Opry officially recognizes as the date in which Reba became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:
7:30: Bill Monroe (host): Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown, Wilma Lee Cooper, George Hamilton IV
8:00: Jack Greene (host): Reba McEntire, Jim & Jesse
8:30: Roy Acuff (host): The 4 Guys
9:00: Hank Snow (host): Jeanne Pruett, Osborne Brothers, Stonewall Jackson
9:30: Grandpa Jones (host): The Carlisles, Jean Shepard, Boxcar Willie, Ray Pillow
10:00: Bill Anderson (host): Lorrie Morgan, Charlie Louvin, Connie Smith, Charlie Walker
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jan Howard, Riders In The Sky, Billy Walker, Justin Tubb
8:30: Roy Acuff (host): The 4 Guys
9:00: Hank Snow (host): Jeanne Pruett, Osborne Brothers, Stonewall Jackson
9:30: Grandpa Jones (host): The Carlisles, Jean Shepard, Boxcar Willie, Ray Pillow
10:00: Bill Anderson (host): Lorrie Morgan, Charlie Louvin, Connie Smith, Charlie Walker
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jan Howard, Riders In The Sky, Billy Walker, Justin Tubb
(The Friday Night Opry shows were the best value for the money back during that period as it was a 3 1/2 show)
There you have it for this weekend.
I don’t think that anybody should complain about the lineup for either night. I’m excited. Ez
ReplyDeleteI wanna hear the truck driving song Friday night
DeleteI thought my days of going to the Opry was over,but this Saturday night will be my second time since November. I'm 40 and pretty much the artists I love have gone on before us and I don't like the current format of the show, but my daughter is 13 and she wanted to go to the Opry. So I picked the actual 100th anniversary show for her first Opry show. That night was like a Opry show that I grew up with ( 20 plus artists instead of 8)
ReplyDeleteShe also likes Lainey Wilson and last week I saw where she was going to be on the 17th show and here I am going again.lol I like Lainey too and I'm glad that Rhonda Vincent is going to be on this Saturday night!!
The main reason I can't go like I did is because of ticket prices,but you can't put a price on making memories with your kids. I started going to this show with my parents, my granny, my wife, and now with my daughter. 4 generations and not every show out there can say that about their fan base.
My son is 15 ,so I guess I'll probably pick another show this year,so that he can have that memory of going to an Opry show with his dad.
Well done Curry. Afraid to guess what the 100th anniversary show tickets cost you!
DeleteFor those who did not listen last night, or were not there, it was a wonderful wonderful show. Trisha Yearwood was a surprise guest, who welcomed Suzy as a new Opry member and introduced Reba who presented the membership award to Suzy who was very emotional with a lot of tears all around. All five of the female artist were on stage together several times. And yes, Trisha did sing. Lots of standing ovation throughout the show and a lot of appreciation by each of the artist.
ReplyDeleteit was nice to have Reba back on the Opry as it has been a while since she has been on a regular Opry show. I think she appreciated all that the Opry did for her last night and I think it was wonderful that both Reba and Suzy were willing to share the spotlight with each other.
(Byron)
It sounded wonderful, but it was impossible for me to keep up with who was singing when. I wish they would let us watch it somehow so I could make more sense out of it.
ReplyDeleteThey all sounded really good. I have read that Reba uses auto-tune when singing live, but I don't think the 'Opry does that and she sounded great.
Jeanene,
DeleteTruly appreciate your analysis of the show, and hope you're right about the possibility of seeing it sometime in the future. It was AMAZING.
I checked, and here is what AI said:
Yes, Reba McEntire has used Auto-Tune, particularly for live performances, as a "safety net" to ensure consistent quality for fans, a practice she's been open about, though some fans notice it smooths out her signature vocal texture on newer recordings. While it's common in country music, her use on projects like the Revived, Remixed, Revisited album drew criticism for sounding overly robotic at times...
Personally, I don't think she needs it one bit, and I HATE IT.
Some of the recent acts I have heard on the 'Opry can't sing a note on key if their life depends on it, and it's clearly because their recordings are Auto-Tuned.
Eddie Stubbs was very harsh in his criticism of computers being used to help tone deaf singers sell records.
I agree with Eddie.
Hi Nat, totally agree how amazing the Friday Night Opry was. Magical and enough electricity on stage and in the audience to light an entire house! ha!
DeleteOkay, well, if Reba has used it, it was more than likely to ensure the audience of good sound, maybe the places she has done this are really big and the acoustics are not that great, so I get that.
Yes, I think some singers use auto-tune, but there are some voices that I would think don't.
I'm with Eddie Stubbs all.the.way. and while I like David Reed (and he really does play some great country music, and he's on until 11:30 after the Friday Night Opry shows in the last couple of weeks. Yay!!) I still miss Eddie Stubbs.
(Jeanene)
Last night was good and with surprises. Good to see Trisha Yearwood.
ReplyDeleteNittannee
Thankfully Garth didn’t show up and spoil their big night
ReplyDeleteGarth would have done whatever he did with class.
DeleteTotally agree Anonymous ... Garth would have taken over just walking on stage, and I don't mean that in a bad or negative way. He'll always be the most popular guy in the room, he was smart to stay away so as not to distract from the festivities going on stage.
Delete(Jeanene)
Garth does well. I can't remember who the 'Opry singer was, but Garth showed up simply to play his guitar while they sang. I seem to recall it was a protege of Tricia's.
Delete