Grand Ole Opry 9/4 & 9/5

It's been a very busy couple of weekends at the Grand Ole Opry. Two weeks ago, Carrie Underwood appeared on both Friday and Saturday night, while on Saturday Randy Travis was honored and recognized upon his 40th year as an Opry member (the actual anniversary date is not until December). 

Then last weekend, the Opry dedicated the Saturday night show to Dolly Parton, who had passed away several days prior. It was a wonderful show. For those who missed it, Dan Rogers gave a wonderful and heartfelt dedication. Dan is so good at these, and Saturday might have been his best one yet. While originally the show was to recognize Carly Pearce upon her 5th anniversary as an Opry member, the show quickly pivoted with each artist dedicating a song to Dolly. And yes, Jelly Roll appeared for the first time since his Opry induction in March. 

Just to be clear, it was reported that Jelly Roll had been invited by Carly to appear and apparently was scheduled to make an appearance with Carly prior to Dolly's passing. He appeared with Carly to sing the duet. 

I think it is safe to say that the ending, with the video clip of Dolly singing "I Will Always Love You" might have been if not the most emotional moment, then one of the most, in the history of the Opry. The stage was filled with artists, family members, and Opry personnel, who all faced the video screen to watch the video. It was very memorable. 

Now moving ahead to this weekend at the Grand Ole Opry. Labor Day weekend is always a tough weekend to schedule as many of the Opry's members, along with other country entertainers, are out doing the state and county fair circuit, along with weekend festivals and concert dates. 

The Oak Ridge Boys have almost become Opry regulars this year as they have appeared almost two dozen times thus far in 2026. You can add two more appearances this weekend as they are scheduled for both the Friday and Saturday night shows. Also scheduled for both nights is Opry member Mark Wills. Joining those two on Friday night are Mandy Barnett, Connie Smith and Charlie McCoy, while on Saturday night, John Conlee is scheduled. 

Cleve Francis is a name that many current country fans might not be familiar with, but this country music veteran is on the schedule for Friday night, along with Ashland Craft and Emerson Day, who will be making her Opry debut. 

Charles Esten, who has made close to 200 appearances on the Opry is scheduled for Saturday night, along with Stephanie Quayle, Tommy Emmanuel, Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Medium Build, who is making his Opry debut. 

(Still waiting on the running order. I will update as it becomes finalized)

I wanted to highlight Cleve Francis, who is appearing on Friday night: 

Dr. Cleveland Francis a singer, songwriter, and recording artist as well as a medical doctor with a specialty in cardiology. Born into poverty in rural Jennings, Louisiana, he rose through hard work and resolve to become the successful head of a cardiology practice and one of the few Black performers ever to record country music for a major record label as of the early 1990s. 

His fascinating story will be told in the forthcoming memoir Do My Heart Good: My Odyssey Through Country Music, Medicine, and History, to be copublished on October 6, 2026, by the Country Music Foundation Press and the University of Illinois Press. The book will detail the journey of a young man who grew to be a respected and successful medical doctor and one of the few Black artists ever to record country music for a major record label at the time. Francis recorded three albums for Liberty Records during the early 1990s, which included his charting singles “Love Light” and “You Do My Heart Good,” among others

As an artist, he has been featured in major news media, including USA Today and People and has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, and The Today Show. During the mid-1990s, he cofounded the Black Country Music Association and spurred the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to compile and issue the CD box set From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music with Warner Records Nashville.

Throughout his life, Francis has written, performed, and recorded music—a through-line that intertwines with his education and medical career. The founder and CEO of Mount Vernon Cardiology, Francis is now retired from clinical practice and lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife, Hardeep.

Such a fascinating man and I am looking forward to hearing him on the Friday Night Opry and in reading his book. 

Emerson Day, debuting on Friday night, is an up-and-coming Christian artist. In 2023, she signed her first record deal with Fair Trade Services. She made her debut in the Christian music space in January 2024, alongside Micah Tyler on “People Like Us (feat. Emerson Day),” and followed it with her first solo release in March. She solidified her name in the Christian Music Industry with her breakout single, “Get Behind Me.” The single peaked at No. 3 on the CCM radio charts, inspired a high-profile feature with Zach Williams, and earned multiple nominations at the 2025 GMA Dove Awards. The song’s rapid growth across streaming platforms and social media fueled a surge in fan engagement, ultimately leading to Emerson's inclusion in the Winter Jam 2025 lineup alongside many of the genre’s most notable artists. She recently released her current primary single, “No Smoke,” and is working toward a debut project in 2027!

Medium Build, who is debuting on Saturday, is originally from Georgia, now splitting his time between Nashville, Tennessee and Anchorage, Alaska. Following his breakthrough 2024 album, Country, his much-anticipated new album, King of Having Fun, is due on September 4 via slowplay/Island Records. 

Now going back 73 years to Saturday September 5, 1953, in what during that era was a typical Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry: 

7:30: Prince Albert

Ernest Tubb: You Nearly Lose Your Mind

Minnie Pearl: Comedy

Faron Young: Baby My Heart

Square Dancers: Sugar In The Gourd

Ernest Tubb: Stand By Me

Jordanaires: I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me

Rod Brasfield: Comedy

Faron Young: Going Steady

String Bean: Ida Red

Ernest Tubb: Mu Wasted Past

8:00: Martha White
Carl Smith: Just Wait Til I Get You Alone

Bill Monroe: Rocky Road Blues

Johnny and Jack: South In New Orleans
June Carter: You Flopped When You Got Me Alone

Possum Hunters: Soldier's Joy

Kitty Wells: Honky Tonk Waltz

Carl Smith: Trade Mark

Carter Family: The Sun's Gonna Shine In My Back Door

Bill Monroe: Uncle Pen

Carl Smith: Don't Just Stand There

8:30: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff: Lonesome Joe

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Molly Neely

George Morgan: I'll Furnish The Shoulder For You To Cry On

Pap and Jug Band: Darling Nellie Grey

Webb Pierce: It's Been So Long

Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie

Roy Acuff: Wait For The Light To Shine

Oswald: Roll On Buddy Roll On

Howdy Forrester: Say Old Man

9:00: Martha White

Ernest Tubb: I'm So Alone In A Crowd
Jimmy Dickens: Galvanized Wash Tub

Hank Snow: For Now and Always

Moon Mullican: Cherokee Boogie

Anita Carter: Why Should I Cry Over You

Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy

Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag

Ernest Tubb: Driftwood On The River

Chet Atkins: Sweet Georgia Brown

Jimmy Dickens: What About You

9:30: Warren Paint

Roy Acuff: Tennessee Central No. 9

Lew Childre: El Rancho Grande

Cowboy Copas: Gone and Left Me Blues

Roy Acuff: Just To Ease My Worried Mind

Howdy Forrester: Cripple Creek

9:45: American Ace

Roy Acuff: Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain

Marty Robbins: Sing Me Something Sentimental

Jimmy Riddle: Casey Jones

Roy Acuff: Drifting Too Far From The Shore

Oswald: Blue Ridge Mountain Blues

10:00: Wallrite

George Morgan: Everything Rolled Into One

Bill and Jimmy Martin: Cabin of Love

Webb Pierce: I'm Walking The Dog

George Morgan: Crying In The Chapel

Don Slayman: Fire On The Mountain

10:15: Dr. Le Gear

Hank Snow: Golden Rocket

Faron Young: I Can't Wait

Bill Monroe: I'll See You In Church Next Sunday

Hank Snow: A Fool Such As I

Fiddle Tune: Ricketts Hornpipe

10:30: Jefferson Island Salt

Ernest Tubb: Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello

Jimmy Dickens: Bessie The Heifer

Jordanaires: My Rock

Duke Of Paducah: Comedy

June Carter: Kawliga

Lonzo and Oscar: Hole In The Botton of The Sea

Ernest Tubb: Fortune In Memory

Chet Atkins: Rainbow

Jimmy Dickens: Asleep At The Foot of The Bed

Fiddle Tune: Old Joe Clark

11:00: O-Cell-O

Howdy Forrester: Liberty

Marty Robbins: I'll Go On Alone

Roy Acuff: No One Will Ever Know

Bobby Hebbs: Mr. Spoons

Roy Acuff: Jesus Died For Me

11:15: Darimix

Carl Smith: Hey Joe

Johnny and Jack: Poison Love

String Bean: John Henry

Gully Jumpers: Old Joe Clark

Carl Smith: This Orchid Means Goodbye

11:30: Hester Battery

Hank Snow: Message From The Tradewinds

Lew Childre: Maple On The Hill

Moon Mullican: A Thousand and One Sleepless Nights

Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer

Hank Snow: Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship

11:45: Grand Ole Opry

Cowboy Copas: Filipino Baby

Sam and Kirk McGee: Goodbye and So Long To You

Fruit Jar Drinkers: Going Home To Julie

Grandpa Jones: Good Old Mountain Dew

Cowboy Copas: Love Me Now

A couple of observations: Those on the lineup that night were spread around throughout the show, with most appearing in two or three different segments. It is also how amazing the Opry cast was during that period with so many of the members eventually making it to the Hall of Fame.