Grand Ole Opry 7/31 & 8/1

Earlier this week, it was posted that Grand Ole Opry members Little Big Town will be returning to the Opry for not just one, but for two consecutive nights. They are scheduled to appear on the Wednesday Night Opry on September 2 and Opry Country Classics on Thursday September 3. They are appearing in support of their new album, "It's a Dying Art." 

I only mention this because Little Big Town was one of the acts that I highlighted recently for their lack of Opry appearances. As I noted at that time, their last appearance was almost two years ago on August 20, 2024. Prior to that, they last appeared in March 2023. They did not participate in any Opry shows during the Opry's 100th anniversary year. 

Regardless of the reasons, I am happy that they have found their way back to the Opry and look forward to seeing them the first week of September. 

While Little Big Town will not be appearing on the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, there are other Opry members who will be. On the Friday Night Opry, Rhonda Vincent, Charlie McCoy and John Conlee are on the schedule. Also listed is Opry NextStage artist Alexandra Kay, Lee Roy Parnell, Brandley Gilbert, and Lindsay Lou, who is making her Opry debut. Rounding out the lineup is Wil and Landon Reid, who perform under the name Wilson Fairchild. If the last name sounds familiar, it is. They are the sons of Harold and Don Reid of The Statler Brothers. 

Taking a look at Saturday night, Opry member Lorrie Morgan returns, joined by Gene Watson, Mandy Barnett and The Whites. Ruby Leigh, who appeared just several weeks ago, is back, as is Byrce Leatherwood and another act making their Opry debut, The National Parks. 

Friday July 31
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, John Conlee, Lindsay Lou, Lee Roy Parnell
Intermission
8:20: Wilson Fairchild, Alexandra Kay, Charlie McCoy, Brantley Gilbert

Saturday August 1
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mandy Barnett, The Whites, The National Parks, Gene Watson
Intermission
8:20: Ruby Leigh, Opry Square Dancers, Bryce Leatherwood, Lorrie Morgan

Lindsay Lou is known by many as the Queen of festivals. She is from Michigan, which is where she started out, touring with acts such as The Flatbellys and the Sweet Water Warblers. Since making Nashville her home, she's toured with her folk/rock Queen of Time Band and the acoustic/harmony driven Honey Moon Trio. 

 The National Parks consists of husband-and-wife duo Brady and Meg Parks, and are inspired by love, life, and the great outdoors. Much of that world begins in a small shed studio in their backyard outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, where the two write and record side by side, shaping songs that feel both intimate and expansive. Their music blends indie folk and cinematic pop, carried by soaring melodies, layered harmonies, and Meg’s violin. Centered on storytelling, their music is shaped as much by the outdoors as it is by the life they are building together. Since forming in 2013, The National Parks have built a loyal global audience through six full-length albums. Their songs have connected with listeners drawn to music that feels both adventurous and deeply personal.

The Grand Ole Opry member spotlighted in the Tennessean this weekend in 1992 was Holly Dunn: 

Grand Ole Opry star Holly Dunn has launched a whole new image with her video for As Long As You Belong to Me. The clip features the Texas-bred singer/songwriter juxtaposed with an industrial league, shirtless hunk. The whole effect is rather sexy, especially for someone whose previous image was pretty prim. 

Dunn is a preacher's daughter from San Antonio who came to Nashville as a songwriter in 1979, shepherded by her composer/producer brother Chris Waters. Her tunesmithing talents for stars such as Louise Mandrell, Sylvia, Marie Osmond, Terri Gibbs and others paved the way to an MTM Records contract in 1985. 

The sentimental Daddy's Hands, written as a Father's Day present, became Dunn's first top 10 hit in 1986. She followed it with 1987's Only When I Love, Someone Like Me, and the Michael Martin Murphy duet A Face in the Crowd. Strangers Again, That's What Your Love Does to Me, You Really Had Me Going, Two Too Many and Someday are among her other hit records. 

Dunn made headlines with her teasing 1991 single Maybe I Mean Yes. When women listeners objected to the song, she asked that it be withdrawn rather than capitalizing on the controversy. Her new album is getting it Dunn. 

She performs on the 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. portions of the Friday night Opry shows. 

Here are the posted lineups from that weekend, July 31 & August 1, 1992: 

Friday July 31
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host): Jim Ed Brown, Skeeter Davis, Roy Drusky, David Houston
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host): Ray Pillow, Del Reeves, Connie Smith, Charlie Walker
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): 4 Guys, Bill Anderson, Justin Tubb
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host): Jan Howard, Mike Snider, Jeanne Pruett
8:30: Hank Snow (host): Jack Greene, Jeannie Seely

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Billy Walker, Connie Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Wilma Lee Cooper
10:00: Roy Acuff (host): David Houston, Jim Ed Brown, Grandpa Jones
10:30: Bill Monroe (host): Del Reeves, Carlisles, 4 Guys
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Jimmy Dickens, Jeanne Pruett, Charlie Walker
11:30: Bill Anderson (host): Jeannie Seely, Jack Greene, Mike Snider
12:05: Rev. Jimmy Snow

Saturday August 1
1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Jim Ed Brown
6:45: Bill Monroe (host): Jimmy Dickens 
7:00: Jack Greene (host): Skeeter Davis, Stonewall Jackson, 4 Guys
7:30: Billy Walker (host): David Houston, Ernie Ashworth, Holly Dunn
8:00: Roy Acuff (host): Mike Snider, Jeanne Pruett, Opry Square Dance Band, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host): Charlie Louvin, Del Reeves, Jan Howard, Roy Drusky

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Charlie Walker, Wilma Lee Cooper, Ray Pillow, Holly Dunn
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jeannie Seely
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Mike Snider
10:30: Billy Monroe (host): Jack Greene
10:45: Del Reeves (host): 4 Guys, Opry Square Dance Band, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host): Jeanne Pruett, Carlisles, David Houston, Charlie Louvin
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host): Roy Drusky, Jan Howard, Johnny Russell

Obviously, a misprint in the Tennessean as Holly was on Saturday night, not Friday. 

The manner in which Holly Dunn was fired from the Opry was sad. She should have been allowed to be a retired Opry member as were others who had stopped appearing.