Over the past several weeks, I have been getting emails asking about the age of various Grand Ole Opry members. Since there seems to be some interest, I thought I would take a few moments and cover off on the subject.
The oldest current member of the Grand Ole Opry is Bobby Bare. Bobby, at the age of 90, is followed by Jeanne Pruett, who just celebrated her 89th. Currently, here is the list of members age 80 or over, with those still active highlighted:
Bobby Bare: 90
Jeanne Pruett: 89
Bill Anderson: 88
Del McCoury: 87
Oak Ridge Boys (William Lee Golden: 87, Duane Allen: 82, Richard Sterban: 82)
Gary Mule Deer: 86
Connie Smith: 84
Charlie McCoy: 84
Ronnie Milsap: 83
Gene Watson: 82
Dolly Parton: 80
And those over 70:
John Conlee: 79
Riders In The Sky (Ranger Doug: 79, Joey Miskulin: 77, Too Slim: 77, Woody Paul: 76)
Emmylou Harris: 78
Barbara Mandrell: 77
Larry Gatlin: 77
Crystal Gayle: 75
Ricky Van Shelton: 74
Don Schlitz: 73
The Whites (Sharon White: 72, Cheryl White 70)
T. Graham Brown: 71
Ricky Skaggs: 71
Steve Earle: 71
Steve Wariner: 71
Reba McEntire: 70
That is pretty close to a third of the Opry's cast with a few of those some of the heavy hitters when it comes to appearances. Fortunately, younger members have been added over the past several years: Carly Pearce, Lauren Alaina, Ashley McBryde, Henry Cho, Sara Evans, Jon Pardi, Scotty McCreery and Lainey Wilson. Now if we can just get those younger to make more Opry appearances and help carry some of the load, the Opry would be in great shape for the future.
Hopefully that answers some of the questions that I have been asked.
Now taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, one of those younger members, Carly Pearce will be appearing on the Friday Night Opry. She will be joined by members The Isaacs, Ricky Skaggs, The Whites and Rhonda Vincent, who will be celebrating her 5th year as a member of the cast.
Ricky Skaggs will be back on Saturday night, making it another two show weekend for him, and on Saturday he will be joined by Lorrie Morgan, John Conlee, Connie Smith and Don Schlitz.
Guesting on Friday night are Noeline Hofmann and Rissi Palmer. The fantastic Americana group The Shootouts will be making the trip from Akron, Ohio for another Opry appearance on Saturday night. Also appearing are Lorrie's son, Jesse Keith Whitley and Louis York.
Friday February 6
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, The Whites, Rissi Palmer, The Isaacs
Intermission
8:20: Noeline Hofmann, Ricky Skaggs, Carly Pearce
Saturday February 7
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Louis York, John Conlee
Intermission
8:20: The Shootouts, Opry Square Dancers, Lorrie Morgan w/Jesse Keith Whitley, Don Schlitz
It will be a double celebration this weekend as on Friday night, Rhonda Vincent will celebrate her 5th year as an Opry member and John Conlee will be celebrating his 45th anniversary on Saturday night.
As mentioned, it was 45 years ago, February 7, 1981, that John Conlee became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. John came to the Opry from Kentucky, where after growing up on a farm, became a funeral home attendant and mortician. He was also employed as a local disc jockey. His recording career started in the mid 1970s as he was signed to ABC/Dot Records and in 1976 "Backside of Thirty" became his first single. In 1978, John had his career song as "Rose Colored Glasses" was released. From then on, the hits kept coming. While his last chart record was in the 1990s, John continues to record and make new music. He also tours and is heavily involved in charity work, including "Feed The Children" and "Farm Aid." A few years back, after his son joined the armed forces, he recorded the song "They Also Serve" and performed it on a regular basis on the Opry.
Here is the running order of the Grand Ole Opry 1st show, Saturday February 7, 1981, the night John Conlee became an Opry member:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
Ernie Ashworth: Mind Your Own Business
Stonewall Jackson: Ol' Chunk of Coal
6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): Crazy Arms
Justin Tubb: What's Wrong With the Way That We're Doing It Now
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Charlie Walker: Don't Play Me No Songs About Texas
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Jimmy Dickens: Take An Old Cold Tater
John Conlee: She Can't Say That Anymore/What I Had With You/Rose Colored Glasses
Connie Smith: When God Dips His Love In My Heart
Porter Wagoner: What I've Always Wanted/On A Highway Headed South
7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Jim & Jesse: Truck Stops and Pretty Girls
Vic Willis Trio: Last Cheater's Waltz
Crook Brothers & The Tennessee Travelers: Durang's Hornpipe
Roy Acuff: That's the Man I'm Looking For
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
Skeeter Davis: The Rose
Wilburn Brothers: Making Plans
Ray Pillow: Countryfied
Lonzo & Oscar: Green Grass of Home
Bill Anderson: Mr. Peepers
8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Storms Never Last
4 Guys: Fire
Charlie Louvin: Mama's Angels
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home
Stu Phillips: I Will
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Bailey
Hank Snow & Kelly Foxton: Check
John Conlee was one of those artists that joined the Opry early in his career and really didn't appear that much. As his career has settled down, John has become one of the artists over the past decade that is among the leaders in Opry appearances each year. And at the age of 79, his voice is still strong.
There you have it for this weekend. While many will be looking forward to The Super Bowl on Sunday, many of us will be listening to the Friday and Saturday Opry shows this weekend. Both nights look good and I hope everyone enjoys the shows.
Jeannie Pruett actually just turned 91. She was born Jan. 30, 1935. Apparently she lied about her age for a long time though, so there are varying ages that show up when you Google her. I remember Nancy Jones wishing her a happy 90th bday on Facebook last year.
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