Grand Ole Opry 4/10 & 4/11

When I look at the Grand Ole Opry lineups for this weekend, I see that The Oak Ridge Boys are on the schedule again. If it seems like they have been appearing on the Opry much more frequently since the first of the year, you are correct. These two appearances will be their 8th and 9th of the year, with more on the upcoming schedules. This compares to just six for the entire year both in 2024 and 2025. 

I think there are a couple of reasons for this: while they are still actively touring, it gives Richard Sterban an opportunity to perform with the group. While he is unable to tour with the rest of the Oaks, performing at the Opry gives Richard that opportunity, if he is able, to come out. And as Duane Allen and William Lee continue to age, I think it gives them more chances to sing without the burden of a heavy tour schedule. 

Seeing the Oaks making more appearances on the Opry follows the trend of several other veteran Opry members who earlier in their careers, during their hit making days and heavy touring schedules, did not appear on the Opry all that often. John Conlee and The Gatlin Brothers are two of those acts. While in the past couple of decades we have seen a lot of John and the Gatlins, that wasn't always the case. Whatever the reason for the increased number of Opry appearances, I think all of us are pleased to see it. 

Taking a look at the Friday Night Opry this weekend, in addition to The Oak Ridge Boys, Opry members T. Graham Brown, Craig Morgan and Connie Smith are on the schedule, while on Saturday night, in addition to the Oaks, Mandy Barnett, Bill Anderson and The Isaacs are listed. 

Guesting on Friday night are Tenille Townes, Connor Smith, Sarah Jarosz and making their Opry debut, Breabach. There is another debut on the schedule for Saturday with Stephen Sanchez making his first appearance on the Opry. Also scheduled are Karley Scott Collins, Waylon Payne, and returning to the Opry after a very successful debut, the legendary Don McLean. 

Friday April 10
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Tenille Townes, Breabach, Craig Morgan
Intermission
8:20: Connie Smith, Connor Smith, Sarah Jarosz, The Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday April 11
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mandy Barnett, Waylon Payne, Don McLean, The Oak Ridge Boys
Intermission
8:20: Bill Anderson, Opry Square Dancers, Karley Scott Collins, Stephen Sanchez, The Isaacs

Breabach consists of Megan Henderson (Fiddle/Vocals/Step Dance), James Lindsay (Double Bass/Vocals), Calum MacCrimmon (Highland Bagpipe/Whistle/Bouzouki/Vocals), Conal McDonagh (Highland Bagpipe/Uilleann pipes/Whistle/Vocals), and Ewan Robertson (Guitar/Cajon/Vocals). They are a critically acclaimed Scottish group that has won numerous awards during their 20+ year career. 

Stephen Sanchez is a singer/songwriter, guitarist and producer. His debut album was released in September 2023, with this second album set for release next month.  His breakout single “Until I Found You” went multi-platinum, vaulted into the Top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100, and generated over 2 billion streams powered by the original, piano version, and duet with gold-certified pop singer and songwriter Em Beihold.

I have been asked over time the question of how many Grand Ole Opry members have reached the milestone of 50 years as an Opry member. The question recently came up recently with Ronnie Milsap achieving that honor in February and when it was mentioned on the Opry Honors Jimmy Dickens show that Jimmy had been an Opry member for 64 years.  

While you would think that the answer is clear cut, it is not that simple. In the early years of the Opry, members came and went, and in some cases, came back. There have been times where the Opry has recognized that break in membership, while in other cases, has not. Two of the most recent examples are Jimmy Dickens and Connie Smith. 

So, let's look at it this way and then dig a little deeper. 

The Opry has honored member's milestones based on the original date that they joined the Opry whether that member stayed the entire time or left for a period of time. Based on that, here are those that made it 50 years or more, basically in order of tenure. (The dates listed are when the member first joined the Opry):

Jimmy Dickens: August 1, 1948-January 2, 2015: 66 years, 5 months
Stonewall Jackson: November 3, 1956-December 4, 2021: 65 years, 1 month
Bill Anderson: July 15, 1961-Current member: 64 years, 9 months
Herman Crook: July 24, 1926-June 10, 1988: 61 years, 11 months
Jean Shepard: November 21, 1955-September 25, 2016: 60 years, 10 months
Connie Smith: August 21, 1965-Current Member: 60 years, 8 months
Loretta Lynn: September 25, 1962-October 2, 2022: 60 years
Jesse McReynolds: March 7, 1964-June 23, 2023: 59 years
Bobby Osborne: August 8, 1964-June 27, 2023: 58 years
Stu Phillips: June 17, 1967-December 25, 2025: 58 years
Jimmy C Newman: August 4, 1956-June 21, 2014: 57 years
Jeannie Seely: September 16, 1967-August 1, 2025: 57 years
Dolly Parton: January 11, 1969-Current Member: 57 years
Ray Pillow: April 30, 1966-March 26, 2023: 56 years
Bill Monroe: October 28, 1939-September 9, 1996: 56 years
George Jones: August 11, 1956-April 26, 2013: 56 years
Charlie Louvin: February 26, 1955-January 26, 2011: 55 years
Minnie Pearl: November 30, 1940-March 4, 1996: 55 years
Roy Acuff: February 19, 1938-November 23, 1992: 54 years 
George Hamilton IV: February 6, 1960-September 17, 2014: 54 years
Wilma Lee Cooper: March 2, 1957-September 13, 2011: 54 years
Barbara Mandrell: July 8, 1972-Current Member: 53 years
Billy Grammer: February 28, 1959-August 10, 2011: 52 years
Jeanne Pruett: July 21, 1973-Current Member: 52 years
Grandpa Jones: March 16, 1946-February 13, 1998: 51 years
Jim Ed Brown: August 10, 1963-July 11, 2015: 51 years
Porter Wagoner: February 25, 1957-October 28, 2007: 50 years
Tom T. Hall: January 8, 1971-August 20, 2021: 50 years
Ronnie Milsap: February 6, 1976-Current Member: 50 years

If Bill Anderson is the longest serving member in the history of the Opry, why isn't he at the top of this list? Because those members that I highlighted had left the Opry for a period of time after they joined. 

Jimmy Dickens joined the Opry in November 1948. He left in 1957 and returned in 1975, a gap of just over 17 years. Yet in 1998 Jimmy Dickens celebrated his 50th year as an Opry member and for years the Opry introduced Jimmy as an "Opry member since 1948." I know several Opry members, especially Jean Shepard, took issue with that and as she always pointed out, once she joined, she never left. Later, Jimmy's introduction was slightly changed, and it was noted that he "first joined the Opry in 1948." In all, Jimmy was actually an Opry member for just under 49 years. How they came up with the 64-year number on the honors show is beyond me. 

Connie Smith is the most recent example. Connie joined the Opry in 1965. Yet at the end of the year in 1967 she left, returning in April 1971. While Jimmy left to tour with a competing tobacco company, there are several versions as to why Connie left, ranging from the pressures of her career, taking time off to be with her family, or her refusal appear on the Opry without her own band members. Regardless, she did return. Last year Connie "celebrated" her 60th year as an Opry member, yet to be technical, she has been a member for just over 57 years. 

In the case of Jimmy and Connie, they were long-time Opry members who fully supported the show while they were members and this is not meant to take anything away from their accomplishments. It just shows that at times; the Opry has been inconsistent as to their record keeping. 

Discounting Connie Smith, and as noted above, here are those Opry members 60 years or more: Bill Anderson, Herman Crook, Jean Shepard, Stonewall Jackson and Loretta Lynn. 

Just to clarify, Stonewall did have a break in his Opry membership. He joined the Opry in November 1956. He was fired from the Opry as part of the Purge of 64, however he rejoined the cast in May 1969 and remained a member until his death in December 2021. Even with his break in service, he still reached 60 years. 

Even Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones and George Hamilton IV had breaks in their membership. Several others have retired from performing well before reaching their 50th year as members.

In years prior, Opry members who left the Opry, either for health reasons, being no longer active, or just deciding they no longer wanted to be Opry members, were removed from the cast. Today, that no longer happens and their tenure continues. 

How about Tom T. Hall, who in January 2021 was recognized as a 50-year Opry member. However, he left in the middle of 1974 and returned in March 1980. That left him just under 45 years. 

Then there is the saga of George Jones. George joined the Opry in August 1956. He passed away in April 2013, which would have brought him in at 56+ years of membership. However, taking a closer look, you will see that shortly after joining, George left. He rejoined in January 1969, but that didn't last either. For the final time, he came back in March 1975 and this time he stayed just short of 39 years well short of the 50-year mark. 

There have been a few Opry members who have come close. Hank Snow was weeks away from his 50th Opry anniversary before he passed away. Bill Carlisle and Jan Howard each made it 49 years, while Hank Locklin hit 48.

And of course, in December, Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers will join the 50-year club. 

In my memory, I don't recall the Opry recognizing Herman Crook and The Crook Brothers when they reached the 50- and 60-year milestones. They might have said something, but I just don't recall. I do remember Roy Acuff's 50th, which was the televised segment on TNN. Roy was the first to have his Opry anniversary honored in that manner. 

Whatever way the Opry wants to define length of membership is fine as long as they are being consistent. I have no problem with recognizing Opry anniversaries based on the date a member first joined the Opry. However, those whose membership has been without interruption should also be noted. So while Jimmy Dickens might be at the top of this list, it is Bill Anderson who, rightfully so, is recognized as the longest tenured member in the history of the Opry. Much like Herman Crook and Jean Shepard, once Bill joined the Opry he never left. And, he has never retired. 

In Connie's case, if she is introduced as a 60-year member of the Opry, that is ok with me also. And like Bill, she is still an active member of the cast, which to me accounts for something. 

And as far as Bill, he will be celebrating his 65th anniversary as an Opry member on Saturday July 18 and yes, he is the longest tenured member in the history of the Opry. And I think I can safely say, it is a record that will probably never be broken.