Grand Ole Opry 1/30 & 1/31

Before getting into the Grand Ole Opry lineups for this weekend, some news to share, courtesy of Music Row Magazine: 

The Grand Ole Opry will once again bring legendary performers, A-list artists and new breakout stars to its stage as it honors Ronnie Milsap’s 50th Opry anniversary hat evening. (Tuesday February 24). It will also welcome the Opry NextStage class of 2026. Performers that night include Opry members Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Trace Adkins, Mark Wills and more. Milsap is confirmed to be in attendance at the celebration.

The generational evening will feature Opry members and special guests performing their favorite Milsap songs to honor the six-time Grammy winner and country music legend, who has more than 35 No. 1 hits. Earlier in the evening, the Opry is set to introduce its Opry NextStage class of 2026.

For the remainder of the year, the Opry NextStage class will receive dedicated support from Opry Entertainment Group and presenting sponsor, Tecovas, through Opry performances, NextStage shows and heightened promotion to fans across brand platforms.

Since its launch in 2019, Opry NextStage artists have achieved a combined 42 No. 1 hits, spending a total of 52 weeks atop the Country Aircheck/Mediabase airplay chart. The program has introduced fans to rising stars such as Hailey Whitters, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Nate Smith, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Ella Langley and Tenille Townes—all of whom went on to win ACM New Male or Female Artist of the Year after their NextStage inclusion. Wilson also made history as the first Opry NextStage alum to become an Opry member.

I really don't know what to say. I almost went into shock when I saw that Blake Shelton and Keith Urban, a couple of long-lost Opry members, are going to be appearing that night. It makes sense that Trace Adkins is on the schedule as Ronnie inducted Trace as an Opry member, and Mark Willis is a great fan of Ronnie's and appeared during Ronnie's last Opry appearance, when he was honored upon his 80th birthday. And yes, I do know that all of these artists do have relationships with each other. 

Ronnie Milsap is a legend in country music and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. It's wonderful that these artists, in addition to Vince Gill who was not mentioned in the press release, are coming out to the Opry that night to honor Ronnie. 

Hopefully the weather will be a little better this weekend in Nashville as there are two very good Grand Ole Opry shows on the schedule for this weekend as the Opry closes out the month of January. 

Country Music Hall of Fame members, and Opry members The Oak Ridge Boys and Ricky Skaggs are on the schedule for both nights this weekend along with The Gatlin Brothers who I am sure will join them one day in the Hall and Dailey & Vincent. Joining that group on Friday night will be members Riders In The Sky, with Abbey Cone, Tigirlily Gold and Taylor Hicks rounding out the lineup. 

Saturday night, Hall of Fame members Bill Anderson and Connie Smith are scheduled, along with the legendary Gene Watson. Home Free and Maggie Baugh round at the show. 

Friday January 30

7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Taylor Hicks, Abby Cone, The Gatlin Brothers

Intermission

8:20: Riders In The Sky, Tigirlily Gold, Ricky Skaggs, Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday January 31

7:00: Opry Square Dance Band, Dailey & Vincent, Maggie Baugh, Bill Anderson, Home Free

Intermission

8:20: Connie Smith, Opry Square Dancers, Gene Watson, Ricky Skaggs, Oak Ridge Boys

If nothing else, that last half hour on Saturday night will definitely be worth listening to. Three Hall of Fame members and one who should have been elected to the Hall years ago. 

Taking a look back 66 years ago to Saturday January 30, 1960. What makes this an interesting show is that both Billy Walker and Patsy Cline appeared. Both became Grand Ole Opry members that month, with Billy apparently joining at the beginning of the month, and Patsy becoming a member on January 9. It is interesting in doing some research with the Tennessean, neither event was reported on. 

7:30: Pet Milk

Cowboy Copas (host): Gone And Left Me Blue

Carl Butler: Grief In My Heart

Margie Bowes: I Loved You So Much I Left You Go

Cousin Jody: Unpucker

Cowboy Copas: Black Cloud Rising

Del Wood: Swinging By The Riverside

Rusty and Doug: The Love I Want

Carl Butler: You Just Don't Steel From A Poor Man

Cousin Jody: Cripple Creek

Cowboy Copas: The World If Real

8:00: Martha White

Don Gibson (host): I'm Movin' On

Wilburn Brothers: Which One Is To Blame

Hawkshaw Hawkins: Standing At The End Of The Road

Jean Shepard: I'd Rather Be The One

Don Gibson: Big Hearted Me

Crook Brothers: Katy Hill

Jordanaires: Wonderful Time Up There

Wilburn Brothers: Somebody's Back In Town

Hawkshaw Hawkins: Don't Apologize

Don Gibson: Don't Tell Me Your Troubles

8:30: Prince Albert

Roy Acuff (host): Roll On Buddy

Archie Campbell: Comedy

Billy Walker: Forever

Tommy Jackson: Snowflake Reel

June Webb: What A Price To Pay

Jimmy Riddle: Indian Love Call

June Carter: Comedy

Billy Walker: Changed My Mind

Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues

Roy Acuff: Don't You Know

9:00: Jefferson Island Salt

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Big Midnight Special

Willis Brothers: (?)

Justin Tubb: You Nearly Lose Your Mind

Carlisles: It's The Same Old Tale That The Crow Told

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Rachel's Guitar

Jordanaires: I Ain't Never

Willis Brothers: (?)

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbin Ridge

Carlisles: Uncle Bud

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Diamond Joe

9:30: Stephens

Hank Snow (host): The Last Ride

Roy Drusky: Another

Carl Bellew: Am I That Forgetful

Lonzo and Oscar: Bareface Bird Brain

Hank Snow: A Fool Such As I

Patsy Cline: Eyes Of A Child

Bill Anderson: It's Not The End Of Everything

Chubby Wise: Sally Goodin

Roy Drusky: Same Corner

Hank Snow: Rumba Boogie

10:00: Jamison Bedding

Roy Acuff (host): New River Train

Wilburn Brothers: A Woman's Intuition

Cowboy Copas: Black Cloud Rising

June Webb: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Roy Acuff: Somebody Touched Me

Del Wood: Are You From Dixie

Oswald: Southern Moon

Crook Brothers: Grey Eagle

Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl

Roy Acuff: When I Lay My Burden Down

10:30: Pops-Rite Popcorn

Don Gibson (host): Don't Tell Me Your Troubles

Carl Butler: Cry You Fool Cry

Margie Bowes: Make A Wish

Don Gibson: Heartbreak Avenue

Fiddle Tune: Leather Britches

10:45: De Con

Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): Coo See Coo

Jean Shepard: I Used To Love You

Cousin Jody: Money

Hawkshaw Hawkins: I'm Guilty Of Dreaming

Fiddle: Forked Deer

11:00: Coca-Cola

Hank Snow (host): Big Wheel

Willis Brothers: (?)

Justin Tubb: I Know You Do

Lonzo and Oscar: Hole In The Bottom Of The Sea

Hank Snow: I Heard My Heart Break Last Night

Billy Walker: Forever

Sam and Kirk McGee: I Saw Your Face In The Moon

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Black Berry Blossom

Willis Brothers: (?)

Hank Snow: Caribbean

11:30: Phillips & Buttorff

Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): There's A Big Wheel

Carlisles: Lil Liza Jane

Bill Anderson: Dead Or Alive
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Walking My Lord Up Calvary Hill

Fiddle Tune: Mississippi Sawyer

11:45: Roy Drusky (host): Another

Patsy Cline: Oh Lonesome Me

Rusty and Doug: Mr. Love
Roy Drusky: Wait And See
Fiddle Tune: Soldier's Joy

Just so much talent on that show. 

There you have it for this week. As always thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone has a great weekend.