Grand Ole Opry 11/13 & 11/14

Last weekend was pretty exciting at the Grand Ole Opry with the appearance of Carrie Underwood both nights, Bernie Taupin on Saturday and an excellent CMA salute on Sunday night. 

For those who missed Sunday, one of the highlights was Mark Wills, who took the place of Ricky Skaggs, and did a tribute to Ronnie Milsap. Lorrie Morgan honored Keith Whitley, while Ketch Secor and Molly Tuttle honored Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. Dan Rogers and John Conlee appeared and did a wonderful tribute to John Anderson. And not to leave anyone out, as Deana Carter, Crystal Gayle, Jamey Johnson and Vince Gill were all excellent. There were video tributes and highlights throughout the show. 

Well done by the Opry!!

Now looking ahead to this weekend and starting with the Friday Night Opry, Grand Ole Opry members T. Graham Brown and John Conlee are scheduled. There are a number of non-members listed including Hannah Harper. She is one of the younger artists who I would like to see the Opry get into the rotation of appearances. Also scheduled are Red Camel Collective, Lee Roy Parnell, Karley Scott Collins, Shelly Fairchild and making his Opry debut, Antwane Tyler. 

Saturday night looks like an interesting night. To start with, there are 11 acts scheduled, including Opry members The Whites, Rhonda Vincent, Connie Smith and the Opry's newest member Rhett Akins. Then, we have three Opry debuts taking place: Tiny Habits, Mick Flannery and Joshua Burnside. Finally, and rounding out the lineup are Valerie June, Maura O'Connell, DEK of Hearts and The Gardiner Brothers. 

(Another one of those weeks waiting for the lineups to be finalized. Hopefully I get them before showtime.)

There is actually a theme to Saturday night's show as the Irish America 250 showcase will be taking place. The showcase will have a segment during the show that will include artists from Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United States. Organized by Irish America 250 and the Consulate General to the US Southeast in association with the Northern Ireland Bureau, North America, the show will celebrate the longstanding and historical connections between Ireland and the United States. 

Kevin Sullivan, CEO of Irish America 250, said the event would provide an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Irish artists while marking an important milestone in American history. “Irish America 250 is delighted to present this special concert and to showcase extraordinarily talented artists, some of whom are making their stage debuts at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. This celebration is a fitting conclusion to the year of Irish America 250 commemorations honoring the United States’ Semiquincentennial,” he said.

Chyanne Holmes, Deputy Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau, North America, highlighted the musical connections between Belfast and Nashville. “As sister cities, Belfast and Nashville share a rich tradition of music, storytelling and cultural exchange. We are proud to support this showcase which celebrates the lasting influence of Ulster Scots traditions on bluegrass and roots music and the artists and creative voices who continue to carry that shared cultural richness forward,” she said.

The show on Saturday night is part of an Irish weekend that will be taking place in Nashville, including events on Friday night at Belmont University. 

Mick Flannery will be joined by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside, who will also be making his Grand Ole Opry debut. The lineup will additionally feature award-winning Irish singer Maura O’Connell, Grammy-nominated American musician Valerie June and The Gardiner Brothers, the five-time world champion Irish dancers who have gained a following on social media.

The acclaimed Grand Ole Opry house band will accompany the performers, with Jason Wilber, longtime lead guitarist and musical director of the John Prine Band, serving as musical director for the evening. The concert is also being presented in collaboration with Fiona Prine of Oh Boy Records and the Hello In There Foundation.

Fiona Prine also spoke about the significance of bringing Irish music to one of America’s most recognizable musical venues. “I am honored to help facilitate this celebration of Irish America 250 by recognizing the contribution Irish music, both traditional and contemporary, has made to our significant transatlantic relationship,” she said.

Jerry Reed was never a member of the Grand Ole Opry. However, he did appear on the show. One of those appearances took place 34 years ago, on Saturday November 14, 1992. Jerry appeared on the televised portion of the show that night, then again during the 9:30 segment on the second show. 

Here is the running order from Saturday November 14, 1992: 

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
The 4 Guys (host): Head On Over To The Twist & Shout
The Whites: You Put the Blue In Me
The 4 Guys: How Married Are You Mary Ann

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Chicken; Oh, Chicken
Jim Ed Brown: I Don't Want to Have to Marry You
Jean Shepard: I Don't See How I Can Make It With You Gone
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home

7:00: Shoney's
Jack Greene (host): My Cherokee Rose
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Bill Carlisle: Same Old Tale The Crow Told Me
The McCarters: I'm Going Down to the River of Jordan/We'll All Right
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything

7:30: Standard Candy
John Conlee (host): I'm Only In It For The Love
David Houston: Secret Love
Mike Snider: Alabama Jubilee
Jerry Reed: She Got the Goldmine; I Got The Shaft/Folsom Prison Blues/Amos Moses
John Conlee: Baby, You're Something

8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): Molly & Tenbrooks/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Brother Oswald: The End of the World
Roy Drusky: The Last Farewell
Charlie Louvin & Monroe Fields: The Precious Jewell
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Bill Monroe: A Beautiful Life

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
Billy Walker: Cross The Brazos At Waco
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
Charlie Walker: A Way to Free Myself
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jack Greene (host): Gone, Gone, Gone
John Conlee: Rose Colored Glasses
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Daisy a Day
The Whites: Move It on Over
Jerry Reed: Guitar Man/East Bound & Down
Jack Greene: Ever Since My Baby Went Away

10:00: Little Debbie
The 4 Guys (host): Cotton Fields/Mariah
The McCarters: Whoa, Baby
The 4 Guys: Turn You Radio On

10:15: Sunbeam
Grandpa Jones (host): What'll I Do With The Baby-O
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Grandpa Jones: Blessed Jesus, Hold My Hand

10:30: Randy Travis
Bill Monroe (host): Southern Flavor
Mike Snider: The Fur Coat
Bill Monroe: Little Community Church

10:45: B.C. Powder
Billy Walker (host): Come A Little Bit Closer
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Golden Slippers
Billy Walker: Tennessee Waltz

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Address Unknown
Jean Shepard: Above & Beyond
Justin Tubb: Pull The Covers Over Me
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy, Liggy Lo
Charlie Louvin & Monroe Fields: When I Stop Dreaming
Hank Snow: Return To Me

11:30: Creamette
Jim Ed Brown (host): Fools
Skeeter Davis: I Wanna Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart
Roy Drusky: All For The Love Of A Girl
Johnny Russell: Ain't 'Cha Even Gonna Cry
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter/Looking Back to See

Jerry Reed, The McCarters and Monroe Fields were the only non-Opry members who appeared that night, which was pretty typical for that time.