Grand Ole Opry 3/6 & 3/7

Before getting into the Grand Ole Opry shows for this weekend, I am sharing this from Bill Anderson's March newsletter: 

The Grand Ole Opry folks reached out to me the other day and asked when I’d like to celebrate my 65th anniversary as a member of that legendary show. I joined on July 15, 1961, and July 15th comes on a Wednesday this year. There will be an Opry show that night, but I’ve always been a Saturday-night-Opry-kind-of-guy, so when given a choice, I picked Saturday night July 18th to mark my special day.

No other Opry member has ever made it to 65-years, so this will be something special. Mary Lou Turner is planning to be in Nashville that weekend, and I have invited her to join me onstage. Our #1 hit duet record, “Sometimes,” turns 50-years old this year, so we’ll celebrate two milestones at the same time. Hopefully, a bunch of you will want to come celebrate both occasions with us.

Not only will Bill Anderson be the first Opry member in the history of the show to have made it 65 years, but he has been an active member that entire time. And unlike some other members, once Bill joined the Opry, he never left. 

I know that there are a lot of Bill Anderson fans out there who might want to be there on that special night. I know I am one of them and yes, I already have my tickets.

Now taking a look at the Grand Ole Opry schedule for this weekend, the Friday Night Opry will feature Opry members T. Graham Brown, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith and Eddie Montgomery, who will be making his first Opry appearance of 2026. Riders In The Sky will be back on Saturday night, making it a two-show weekend for the cowboys, joined by Mandy Barnett, The Isaacs, John Conlee and the legendary Gene Watson. 

One of the non-members on the schedule on Friday night is HunterGirl, a former runner-up on American Idol. She has appeared on the Opry before, but it has been a while. Also appearing will be Trey Hensley, Shane Profitt and making his Opry debut, Austin Michael. 

Saturday night, MaRynn Taylor will return for another Opry appearance, along with Wyatt Ellis and Victoria Shaw. 

Friday March 6

7:00: T. Graham Brown, Austin Michael, Connie Smith, Eddie Montgomery

Intermission

8:20: HunterGirl, Trey Hensley, Shane Profitt, Riders In The Sky

Saturday March 7

7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, MaRynn Taylor, John Conlee, Victoria Shaw

Intermission

8:20: Mandy Barnett, Wyatt Ellis, Opry Square Dancers, Gene Watson, The Isaacs

Newcomer Austin Michael was surprised by Justin Moore who delivered the announcement at his February 20 concert in Knoxville, Tennessee, calling Austi to the stage before revealing the news. 

"I wanted to also give you the news that on March 6, you're going to make your Grand Ole Opry debut," Moore told Michael from the stage. "I was not expecting that!" Michael replied. "Man, you made me cry."

His Opry debut will coincide with the release of his debut album "Lonestar." "Lonestar" is an independently released 13-song collection, featuring 11 new tracks each written or co-written by Michael. The album draws on his upbringing in Van Alstyne, TX — where he spent his adolescence hunting, fishing and roping — and traces his path from rodeo competitor to emerging country artis

Rarely in the history of the Grand Ole Opry have two members joined the cast on the same night. One of those nights was March 7, 1964, when Jim & Jesse McReynolds and Ernie Ashworth both became Opry members. 

From the Tennessean March 15, 1964: 

Three new singers have been signed up as permanent members of the cast of stars of the Grand Ole Opry. They are Ernest Ashworth and Jim and Jesse. All have been guests on the Opry but were not admitted to the envied status as permanent members until proving themselves in the country music field. 

Announcement of the signing was made last week by Ott Devine, manager of the Opry and program manager of WSM. "We welcome to our cast these fine country artists who have already made a name for themselves in the world of country music," Devine said. "We welcome them not only as artists but as friends and are proud that these three young men will be known the world over as stars of the Grand Ole Opry." 

A native of Huntsville, Ala., Ashworth has been carrying a guitar since he learned to walk. But it wasn't until 1951 that he decided to make music his profession and headed for Nashville. For the next few years, he spent most of his time writing songs for other artists but in 1963 he signed a contract with Hickory Records. His big songs have been "Everybody But Me," "I Take the Chance," and "Talk Back Trembling Lips." In 1963 he was voted most promising male vocalist in the country and western field. 

Jim and Jesse McReynolds come from Coeburn, Va. They perform in the Blue Grass style and have been featured stars on WNOX in Knoxville, CBS Saturday night, Country Style, and WWVA World's Original Jamboree in Wheeling, W. Va. Since 1959, their television shows have been seen weekly in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Jim and Jesse signed a recording contract with Columbia Records in 1961 and have to their credit such outstanding Blue Grass numbers as "Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes, " Pickin' and a Grinnin," and several others. Jim and Jesse now call Prattville, Ala., their home, and along with the members of their Virginia Boys Band, will commute to the Opry each Saturday night. 

To remember both Ernie Ashworth and Jim & Jesse, here is the lineup of the Grand Ole Opry from that night 62 years ago, March 7, 1964:

7:30: Luzianne
Jimmy C Newman (host): Wilburn Brothers, Marion Worth, Stringbean, Del Wood, Merle Kilgore

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Skeeter Davis, Glaser Brothers, Ernest Ashworth, Ray Pillow, Crook Brothers

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): June Stearn, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Hank Williams, Jr. Oswald, Howdy Forrester

9:00: Pet Milk
Ernest Tubb (host): Jean Shepard, Billy Walker, Jim & Jesse, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Cousin Jody

9:30: Kellogg's

Leroy Van Dyke (host): Carter Family, The Browns, Willis Brothers, Dottie West

10:00: Schick
Wilburn Brothers (host): Jimmy C Newman, Stringbean

10:15: SSS Tonic
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Marion Worth, Del Wood

10:30: Harvey's

Roy Acuff (host): Skeeter Davis, Ernest Ashworth

10:45 Ford

Ernest Tubb (host): Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Crook Brothers

11:00: Coca Cola
Leroy Van Dyke (host): Jean Shepard, Billy Walker, Glaser Brothers, Hank Williams, Jr., Sam McGee, Fruit Jar Drinkers 

11:30: Gretsch Guitars
Marty Robbins (host): The Browns, Willis Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Cousin Jody, Don Winters

Ernie Ashworth came to Nashville from Huntsville, Alabama where he performed on radio station WBHP. By the age of 20, he had found success in Nashville as a songwriter and was signed by Acuff-Rose, where he wrote songs for Jimmy Dickens, Carl Smith, Johnny Horton, Wilma Lee Cooper and even, Paul Anka. Ernie received his first recording contract in 1955 but he was unable to come up with a hit and returned to Alabama. In 1960, Wesley Rose called him back to record once again and this time "Each Moment" was a success, reaching the Top 10. That was followed by "You Can't Pick a Rose in December." Three years later, Ernie had his career hit, "Talk Back Trembling Lips." The song went to #1 and was on the charts for 36 weeks. It was not only a country hit, but it also crossed over onto the pop charts. That song led to his invitation to join the Opry. While Ernie would enjoy a few more successful records, he never again saw the success that he had with his first #1. Later, Ernie would own radio stations in Ardmore and Gallatin, Tennessee and in 1992 he was elected to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Ernie passed away on March 2, 2009, at the age of 80.

Jim & Jesse McReynolds came to Nashville from Coeburn, Virginia. Coming from a family with a musical background, they signed with Capital Records in 1952. Their first Top 20 country hit came in 1967, three years after they joined the Opry, with "Diesel on My Tail." From then until the 1980s, they regularly made the country charts with a string of hits, most with a bluegrass flavor. In 1993 the duo were elected to the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. Jim McReynolds passed away on December 31, 2002, and since then Jesse has continued as an active recording artist and as an Opry member. In 2014, Jesse celebrated 50 years as an Opry member. Jesse McReynolds passed away on June 23, 2023. 

Enjoy the shows this weekend.