Grand Ole Opry 5/1 & 5/2

Starting off with this announcement that from this past week: 

The Grand Ole Opry Expands Opry Live and Circle Sessions to RFD-TV.

Opry Entertainment Group and RFD-TV announced a new partnership to bring two of the Grand Ole Opry’s signature series, Opry Live and Circle Sessions, to RFD-TV audiences nationwide. Opry Live airs beginning Saturday, May 9, and Circle Sessions launches Friday, May 8, on RFD-TV.

For more than a century, the Grand Ole Opry has defined country music by presenting unforgettable performances. The agreement expands the Opry’s television presence while reinforcing RFD-TV’s commitment to original programming rooted in rural American culture, music, and storytelling.

RFD-TV will begin airing Opry Live on Saturday, May 9, at 9/8 PM CT. The weekly series features live performances from the most famous stage in country music, the Grand Ole Opry. Shows feature established superstars, including Kelsea Ballerini, Garth Brooks, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Reba McEntire, Jelly Roll, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Trisha Yearwood, and more, as well as new artists such as 49 Winchester, Carter Faith, Hudson Westbrook, and Tucker Wetmore.

Each broadcast delivers highlight performances from the Opry stage, bringing the energy of the live show directly to viewers at home. John Deere is the presenting sponsor of the RFD-TV telecast of Opry Live.

 

CIRCLE SESSIONS: Intimate Access, Iconic Artists

Circle Sessions offers a more personal look at country music’s leading artists, featuring intimate discussions and behind-the-scenes moments. Filmed in and around the Opry’s circle, the series highlights the stories behind the music, featuring artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Thomas Rhett, Brothers Osborne, Chris Young, and more.

I think a lot of people will be happy that the Opry is returning to RFD-TV next week. As a reminder, these shows will not be "live" but will feature pre-recorded highlights from past Opry performances, much like Circle TV was doing. Still, it will be nice to have the Opry back on cable television. 

Now taking a look at the shows this weekend at the Grand Ole Opry, the first weekend in May gets off to another solid start with The Oak Ridge Boys back for both nights. I have mentioned it before, but it is nice to have the group making more appearances on the show as a featured act. 

Joining the Oaks on the Friday Night Opry are members T. Graham Brown, Riders In The Sky, The Isaacs and Chris Janson, while on Saturday night Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith and Charlie McCoy are scheduled. 

There are two non-members on the schedule for Friday night, Austin Snell and making her Opry debut, Jamie MacDonald. Guesting on Saturday night are Frank Ray, Tyler Braden, and two of my favorites: Sunny Sweeney and Rhett Akins. 

Last weekend there was a surprise appearance by singer/songwriter, Paul Overstreet. I had mentioned that I had hopes that the Opry would reach out to him for a scheduled appearance as the Opry definitely could benefit with having a songwriter as an Opry member, considering the recent death of Don Schlitz. Rhett Akins is another of one. He has appeared on the Opry numerous times over the years, and I feel he is another one of those in the style of Don that could fit right in at the Opry. 

Friday May 1
7:00: T. Graham Brown, Riders In The Sky, Austin Snell, The Oak Ridge Boys
Intermission
8:20: Jamie MacDonald, The Isaacs, Chris Janson

Saturday May 2
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith, Frank Ray, Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:20: Sunny Sweeney, Rhett Akins, Opry Square Dancers, Tyler Braden, The Oak Ridge Boys

As mentioned, Jamie McDonald is making her Opry debut on Friday night. She released her self-titled debut album in January of 2026, which became the biggest debut album launch for a woman in the Christian genre.

Since then, she has amassed nearly 2 million monthly Spotify listeners, 200 million global streams, she sold out her first headlining tour and has had two No. 1 hits. She's duetted with powerhouses like Lauren Daigle and TobyMac, appeared on Tommee Profitt's "Resurrection of a King" project, and performed on the Kelly Clarkson Show.

In regard to her upcoming Opry debut, she said described the moment as “so grateful, so humbled and beyond excited for this beautiful moment,” adding, “I’m playing my Grand Ole Opry Debut! Someone pinch me…this doesn’t even feel real”

There was a period of time in the 1980s and 90s when each week the Nashville Tennessean would spotlight a different Opry member each week. For the weekend of May 1 & 2, 1992, that member was Ricky Skaggs. 

"Same Ol' Love" was more than just another hit record to Grand Ole Opry star Ricky Skaggs. It recently became the 20th top 10 hit in the singer's decade-long career as a country king. Only a handful of performers have staying power in the music business, and Skaggs knows it. 

"Career longevity is something I've always worked for," he says. "We've tried to keep the music fresh, but at the same time stay true to the traditions and values that are important to me. I'm real thankful the fans have stayed interested in what we're doing." 

The landmark song has a poignancy for Skaggs because it was co-written by Chris Austin. Prior to penning "Same Ol' Love" with Greg Barnhill, Austin was a member of Skaggs' band. 

They met backstage at the Opry. Impressed by Austin's multi-instrumental ability, Skaggs hired him and they toured together for three years. Austin joined Reba McEntire's band in early 1991 and died in the plane crash along with her other bandmembers last year. Ironically, Skaggs recorded "Same Ol' Love" on March 15, 1991, the day before the tragedy. He is donating all proceeds from the single's sales to Austin's family. 

The new Ricky Skaggs single appears this week. It is called "From the Word Love." Like its predecessor, it is taken from the CD My Father's Son. Skaggs' "I'm Restless" collaboration with Mark O'Connor, Steve Wariner and Vince Gill won a Grammy award earlier this year, the fourth in the Kentucky-bred star's career to date. 

Ricky Skaggs sings on the 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. portions of the Friday Night Opry. 

Friday May 1
Early Show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens, Roy Drusky, Skeeter Davis, Ray Pillow, Jan Howard
7:00: Porter Wagoner, Jack Greene, Jeanne Pruett, Charlie Walker, Charlie Louvin
7:30: Roy Acuff, The 4 Guys, Jean Shepard
8:00: Ricky Skaggs, Jim Ed Brown, Mike Snider, The Chieftans
8:30: Hank Snow, Connie Smith, Jimmy C Newman, Riders In The Sky

Late Show
9:30: Porter Wagoner, Billy Walker, Wilma Lee Cooper, Del Reeves, Teddy Wilburn
10:00: Roy Acuff, Jimmy Dickens, Stu Phillips, The Carlisles, Stonewall Jackson
10:30: Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, The Whites, Jeannie Seely
11:00: Hank Snow, The 4 Guys, Jean Shepard, Riders In The Sky, Justin Tubb
11:30: Jack Greene, Jim Ed Brown, Jimmy C Newman, Mike Snider
12:05: Rev. Jimmy Snow

Saturday May 2
Matinee
3:00: Porter Wagoner, Jim and Jesse
3:30: Jimmy C Newman, Jeannie Seely
4:00: Jim Ed Brown, The 4 Guys
4:30: Roy Acuff

Early Show
6:30: Porter Wagoner, Ray Pillow
6:45: Jim Ed Brown, Jeannie Seely, Jimmy C Newman
7:00: Jack Greene, Jean Shepard, Mike Snider, The Whites, Del Reeves
7:30: Billy Walker, Jan Howard, The Carlisles, Molly and the Heymakers
8:00: Roy Acuff, Connie Smith, The 4 Guys, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow, Jim and Jesse, Roy Drusky, Jeanne Pruett, Skeeter Davis

Late Show
9:30: Porter Wagoner, Wilma Lee Cooper, Mike Snider, Vic Willis Trio, Michael White
10:00: Jack Greene, The Whites
10:15: Roy Acuff, Jean Shepard
10:30: Jimmy C Newman, Connie Smith
10:45: Jim Ed Brown, Molly and the Heymakers, Opry Square Dance Band, Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hanks Snow, Jeanne Pruett, The Carlisles, Justin Tubb, Del Reeves
11:30: The 4 Guys, Skeeter Davis, Jim and Jesse

I dare one person to complain about the lineups on any of those shows that weekend!! You just don't see Opry shows like these any longer.