Grand Ole Opry 11/22 & 11/23

There have been a handful of active Grand Ole Opry members who have not made any Opry appearances thus far in 2024. With the year winding down, there are not many opportunities left. After this weekend, there will be one less name on that list as Opry member Keith Urban returns to the Opry stage on Saturday night. 

Even with the star power of Keith Urban, there is only one show on the schedule on Saturday. Joining Keith will be Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson, comedian Gary Mule Deer, the legendary Jeannie Seely and Opry NextStage artist Jameson Rodgers. Rounding out the lineup will be Mickey Guyton, Amanda Shires, and making his Opry debut, Caleb Caudle. 

Gary Mule Deer will be making it a two-show weekend as he is also scheduled on the Friday Night Opry, joining Opry members John Conlee, Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz, and Crystal Gayle. Also on the schedule are Home Free, Sean Dietrich, Alexandra Kay, and an artist who has not appeared on the Opry in a while, Will Hoge. 

Regarding his Grand Ole Opry debut, Caleb Caudle wrote the following on his Facebook page: 

I’ve wanted to do this for as long as I’ve been playing music. When a dream this big comes true it allows you to dream bigger and for that I am grateful. My friend John Paul White will be joining me to sing harmony and my band The Sweet Critters will be backing me up. Thank you for all the support. Love y’all. 🖤

Friday November 22
7:00: John Conlee, Alexandra Kay, Home Free, Sean Dietrich
Intermission
8:20: Will Hoge, Gary Mule Deer, Crystal Gayle, Don Schlitz

Saturday November 23
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Jameson Rodgers, Amanda Shires, Caleb Caudle w/John Paul White
Intermission
8:20: Bill Anderson, Gary Mule Deer, Mickey Guyton, Keith Urban

I am sure it has been noticed by all, but the Grand Ole Opry intermission is now 20 minutes, which started back in October. Just my opinion, but I think adding the extra five minutes gives those attending a little extra time to visit the Opry Shop, grab some more food & drink, and to visit the restrooms. 

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday November 23, 1974: 

1st show
6:30: Charlie Walker (host): Willis Brothers
6:45: The 4 Guys (host): Bill Carlisle, Ernie Ashworth
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host): Marion Worth, Lonzo & Oscar, Cates Sisters
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Billy Grammer, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Roy Drusky (host): Justin Tubb, Jim & Jesse, Bill Simpson
8:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Jeanne Pruett, Stu Phillips, Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Charlie Walker (host): Willis Brothers, The 4 Guys, Ernie Ashworth
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host): Bill Carlisle, Lonzo & Oscar
10:15: Roy Drusky (host): Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper
10:30: Roy Acuff (host): Marion Worth
10:45: Jimmy C Newman (host): Jim & Jesse, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Billy Grammer (host): Connie Eaton, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Billy Grammer, Jr.
11:30: Stu Phillips (host): Jeanne Pruett

Trace Adkins became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on August 23, 2003. Earlier that year, Jimmy Dickens surprised Trace with the invitation to join and on the night of his induction, Ronnie Milsap did the honors. However, it was on November 23, 1996, that Trace made his debut as a guest on the Opry. 

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Mike Snider (host): (?)
Skeeter Davis: Joy; Joy; Joy; Joy
Mike Snider: The Fur Coat

6:45: Jogging In A Jug
Grandpa Jones (host): Fix Me A Pallet Down On The Floor
Trace Adkins; Every Light In The House Is On
Grandpa Jones: Dark As A Dungeon

7:00: Shoney's
Ricky Skaggs (host): If I Lose
Bill Carlisle: Rusty Old Halo
Holly Dunn: Daddy's Hands
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
Jeannie Seely: As Long As I Live/My Tears Don't Show
Ricky Skaggs: Rank Strangers

7:30: Standard Candy
Marty Stuart (host): You Can't Stop Love
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Alison Krauss: But You Know I Love You
Travis Tritt: I'll Love You More Than You'll Ever Know/Where Corn Don't Grow
Marty Stuart & Travis Tritt: Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Family Reunion
Darryl Singletary: An Amen Kind Of Love
Jeanne Pruett: Back-To-Back
Vince Gill: Go Rest High On That Mountain
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sail Away Ladies
Bill Anderson: Bright Lights & Country Music

8:30: Kraft
Jack Greene (host): Highway To The Sky
Del Reeves: There She Goes
Charlie Walker: Smoke; Smoke; Smoke
Riders In The Sky: Sioux City Sue/That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine/Back On Those Texas Plains
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Ricky Skaggs (host): Little Maggie
Brother Oswald: Prairie Queen
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Travis Tritt: I'll Love You More Than You'll Ever Know/Where Corn Don't Grow
Ricky Skaggs: Get Up John

10:00: Massey Ferguson
Grandpa Jones (host): Apple Jack
Alison Krauss: In The Palm Of Your Hand
Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time

10:15: Opry Book
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jean Shepard: Live & Let Live
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells

10:30: Purnell's
Bill Anderson (host): Before I Met You
Vince Gill: I've Been Hearing Things About You/Which Bridge To Cross, Which Bridge To Burn

10:45: Opry Cruise
Mike Snider (host): Short Little Lulu/Clinch Mountain Backstep/Mississippi Sawyer
The Whites: Blue Letters
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Acorn Hill

11:00: Coca Cola
Marty Stuart (host): Gonna Find Me A Country Girl
Darryl Singletary: A Cold Spell Moving In/ (?)
Holly Dunn: You Really Had Me Going
Trace Adkins: Every Light In The House Is On
Marty Stuart: Gonna Ride A Blue Train/Hillbilly Rock

11:30: Loreal
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Del Reeves: A Lover's Question
Jeannie Seely: As Long As I Live/My Tears Don't Show
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou/Cajun Stripper
Johnny Russell: Wabash Cannonball 

I Don't Think Anyone could complain about the lineup that night. A really strong show that included two of the Opry's long-lost members: Travis Tritt and Alison Krauss.

From November 23 through the years: 

1968: Tennessee native Dinah Shore made a surprise appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. 

1992: Roy Acuff passed away in Nashville after a period of declining health. It is probably safe to say that Roy was the biggest member in the history of the Opry and helped to define the show for decades. 

2000: Vince Gill and Dolly Parton hosted a CBS televised special celebrating the Opry's 75th anniversary. 

2002: Jim McReynolds made his final appearance on the Opry. He would pass away a month later from cancer at the age of 75. 

2020: Opry member Hal Ketchum passed away after a period of declining health. 

Here is the running order from the November 23, 1968, show that featured an appearance by Dinah Shore: 

7:30: Roy Drusky, Margie Bowes, Del Wood, Duke of Paducah
8:00: Roy Acuff, Skeeter Davis, The Homesteaders, Oswald, Howdy Forrester, Crook Brothers
8:30: Glaser Brothers, Archie Campbell, Lonzo & Oscar, Martha Carson
9:00: Del Reeves, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Stu Phillips, Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Hank Snow, Willis Brothers, Marion Worth, Harden Trio
10:00: Roy Drusky, Skeeter Davis, Del Wood
10:15: Roy Acuff, Margie Bowes, Martha Carson
10:30: Archie Campbell, Willis Brothers, Duke of Paducah
10:45: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, The Homesteaders, Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow, Stu Phillips, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Sam McGee
11:30: Del Reeves, Dinah Shore, Marion Worth, Harden Trio

(Dinah sang one song: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry)

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. Take care. 

Tuesday Night Opry 11/19

At least for the time being, there is only one mid-week Opry show on the schedule: 

Tuesday November 19
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Home Free, Charlie McCoy, Maggie Rose
Intermission
8:20: Charles Esten, T. Graham Brown, The Isaacs

A very solid lineup for the mid-week show. 

Grand Ole Opry 11/15 & 11/16

Carrie Underwood returns to the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, appearing on two shows on Saturday night. For Carrie, these will be her 9th and 10th Opry appearances of 2024, and probably her last two until 2025. I know it seems like a broken record, but Carrie once again honors her commitment to the Opry. 

More on Saturday night in a moment, but turning to the Friday Night Opry, one of the Opry's newest members, Jon Pardi, is back for an Opry appearance. Joining Jon will be members Old Crow Medicine Show, Mark Wills, Rhonda Vincent and Jeannie Seely. As most know, Jeannie cancelled last Friday due to being under the weather, so let's hope she is better and makes it this weekend. 

Old Crow Medicine Show is back for both shows on Saturday night, joining Carrie Underwood, along with Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs and Connie Smith. 

As far as non-members, Friday night features Sanctus Real and making his Opry debut, Luke Grimes, while on Saturday night, The Dead South and Abby Hamilton is listed. Like Luke Grimes, this will be Abby's Opry debut. 

Friday November 15
7:00: Mark Wills, Rhonda Vincent, Jeannie Seely, Old Crow Medicine Show
Intermission
8:20: Sanctus Real, Luke Grimes, Jon Pardi

Saturday November 16
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith, The Dead South, Abby Hamilton
8:00: The Isaacs, Old Crow Medicine Show, Carrie Underwood

2nd show
9:30: Opry Square Dancers, Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith, Carrie Underwood
10:30: The Dead South, The Isaacs, Abby Hamilton, Old Crow Medicine Show

A very nice group of Grand Ole Opry members this weekend. You will notice that Riders In The Sky are missing from the Saturday lineup. That is because they will be in Kent, Ohio for a show at the historic Kent Stage. Casey and I will be there and looking forward to an evening of music, the "cowboy way."

 
Luke Grimes, who is making his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday night, is well-known for playing Kayce Dutton on the neo-Western series Yellowstone. He's also been making a foray into country music, releasing his debut full-length album earlier this year.

“It’s hard to explain what an honor it is to be making my Opry debut,” said Grimes in a press release. “To be able to step into that circle and to feel like I am part of a community of my heroes is beyond a dream come true.”

Luke's Opry debut comes while he on his Playin’ On The Tracks Tour, which kicked off this week with stops in Philadelphia, New York, Nashville, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and more before concluding in Denver on December 14. Yellowstone returned to television this past week with Luke as one of the featured stars. 

Abby Hamilton was born and raised in Nicholasville, Kentucky. She has garnered a reputation as an engaging live performer and musician, making her television debut performing on CBS Mornings' "Saturday Sessions" series. She has also opened for artists such as Tyler Childers, Deer Tick, Shakey Graves, Wynonna Judd, Blackberry Smoke, Kelsey Waldon and American Aquarium and performed at several major festivals including Bonnaroo, AmericanaFest, Railbird, Luck Reunion and more

Regarding her Opry debut, she wrote, "Since I was a little girl, the biggest dream of my life has been to play the Grand Ole Opry. With so much excitement and reverence I’m pleased to announce I’m making my Opry debut on November 16th ♥️ life has a way of being really beautiful sometimes and really funny too 😭 talk about a full circle moment for this circle step in. Thank you, Grand Ole Opry! 

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday November 16, 1974: 

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Charlie Louvin (host): You're My Wife; She's My Woman
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Charlie Louvin: I Want To See You

6:45: Rudy's
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me A Love Song To Baby
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I'm Going Home On The Morning Train
Ernie Ashworth: Each Moment Spent With You
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain

7:00: Rudy's
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
Justin Tubb: Sunshine Lady
Barbara Lea: Ain't Love Grand
Porter Wagoner: Carolina Moonshine
Billy Grammer: God Will Take Care Of You/Whispering Hope
Justin Tubb: Loving Arms
Porter Wagoner: Wake Up, Jacob

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Old Time Sunshine Song
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Lonzo & Oscar: Traces Of Life
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Crook Brothers & The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Jimmy C Newman: Tennessee Waltz
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Wonder If You're Lonesome Too
Dottie West: Paper Mansions
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way To Say Goodbye
Willis Brothers: Buying Popcorn
Lester Flatt: Great Big Woman & A Little Biddy Bottle Of Wine
Dottie West: Sweet Memories
Stu Phillips: Let Me Love You All Over Gain
Marty Stuart, Curly Seckler & Johnny Montgomery: Ashes Of Love

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Late
Marion Worth: Put Your Hand In The Hand
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Hank Snow: Paper Roses
Stonewall Jackson: Washed My Hands In Muddy Water
Hank Snow: Hello Love

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): It's My Life/Happy State Of Mind/Gettle On My Mind
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Charlie Louvin: I Don't Love You Anymore/Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep/See The Big Man Cry
Ernie Ashworth: My Love For You
Bill Anderson: Every Time I Turn The Radio On
Mary Lou Turner: He Thinks I Still Care
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me On Sundays/What Are Those Things
Bill Anderson: Don't She Look Good

10:00: Fender
Billy Walker (host): Things/Oh, Lonesome Me
Dottie West: Sweet Memories
Del Wood: Keep On The Firing Line
Billy Walker: How Great Thou Art

10:15: Union 76
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Billy Grammer: Good Night Waltz
Barbara Lea: Ain't Love Grand
Porter Wagoner: The Last One To Touch Me

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Salty Dog Blues
Justin Tubb: Sunshine Lady
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I Couldn't Care Less
Lester Flatt: The Bluebirds Singing For Me
Marty Stuart: Rawhide

10:45: Beechnut
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou
Crook Brothers & The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Eighth Of January
Roy Acuff: I Saw The Light

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings Of A Dove
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Lonzo & Oscar: Charming Betsy
The 4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Sam McGee: Whispering Hope
Hank Snow: I'm Not At All Sorry For You

11:30: Elm Hill
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Marion Worth: It's Good To Be Back Home Again/Sleeping At The Foot Of The Bed
Stu Phillips: She Thinks I Still Care/Why Me Lord
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry/Washed My Hands In Muddy Water/Waterloo

(Connie Smith was scheduled for both shows but cancelled, while Bill Anderson appeared only on the late show)

\There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. 

Tuesday Night Opry 11/12 & Opry Country Classics 11/14

Here is the lineup for the Tuesday Night Opry: 

7:00: T. Graham Brown, Anna Vaus, Jason Eady, Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:20: Bill Anderson, Randall King, Leftover Salmon, Lauren Alaina

This will be the Opry debut for Leftover Salmon, who is a legendary Jamband that plays the festival circuit. While I have never seen the group in person, my wife has several times, and she has high praise for them. 

Thursday night will be the final Opry Country Classics show for 2024. Larry Gatlin returns as host. Appearing on Thursday night will be the Gatlin Brothers, Gene Watson, Rhonda Vincent, Wade Hayes and Jillian Jacqueline. 

Grand Ole Opry 11/8 & 11/9

Last Friday night Steven Curtis Chapman became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, while next Saturday night, Opry member Carrie Underwood returns once again. So, what does that make next week? I guess you could call it just a normal Friday and Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry House. 

Looking at the Friday Night Opry, Opry member Terri Clark is on the schedule, joined by members Charlie McCoy, Riders In The Sky, and Jeannie Seely, who missed the Tuesday Night Opry as she was under the weather. 

Guesting will be the legendary group Exile, along with Opry NextStage act Restless Road, Wood Box Heroes and Tanner Usrey. 

Saturday night, Opry member Ashley McBryde is back, joined by Dailey & Vincent, and back to make it a two-show weekend, Riders In The Sky. 

Taylor Austin Dye will be making her Opry debut on Saturday night, joined by Ian Munsick, Drew Parker, and appearing in honor of Veterans Day, which is Monday, Wild Blue Country. 

Friday November 8
7:00: Terri Clark, Restless Road, Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:20: Tanner Usrey, Wood Box Heroes, Exile, Riders In The Sky

Saturday November 9
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Dailey & Vincent, Taylor Austin Dye, Drew Parker, Wild Blue Country
Intermission
8:20: Riders In The Sky, Opry Square Dancers, Ian Munsick, Ashley McBryde

Taylor Austin Dye comes to the Opry from Bonneville, Kentucky and will be appearing ahead of her newest album release Sick of Me. As her career has grown, she has appeared with Tracy Bryd, Steve Earle, Eddie Montgomery, Luke Combs and Keith Urban, among others. After receiving her invite from Opry member Jamey Johnson, Taylor wrote:

"This was truly one of the only times I’ve ever been so surprised and speechless in my life. This is the GREATEST honor I have ever had, and I do not take this invitation lightly. When I visited the Opry for the first time in 2005, it automatically became my dream and my number one goal in my career to be in that circle. Thanks to Jamey, my team, and everyone at the Opry, it’s becoming a reality for this eastern Kentucky girl.  I can’t say thank you enough to every person who has laid their ear to my music and supported me along the way. I know that I am only here because of you. I can’t wait to see you all at the home of country music on November 9th, 2024."

From 50 years ago, Saturday November 9, 1974: 

1st show
6:30: Bob Luman (host): Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper
6:45: David Houston (host): Marion Worth, Charlie Walker
7:00: Roy Acuff (host): Connie Smith, Minnie Pearl, Ray Pillow
7:30: Archie Campbell (host): Jean Shepard, Bill Carlisle, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers, Tommy Jones
8:00: Lester Flatt (host): Jimmy C Newman, Jerry Clower, Stu Phillips, Marty Stuart
8:30: Stonewall Jackson (host): Jan Howard, Willis Brothers, Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: David Houston (host): Jean Shepard, Willis Brothers, Bob Luman
10:00: Charlie Walker (host): Marion Worth, Ray Pillow
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper
10:30: Lester Flatt (host): Connie Smith, Kenny Ingram
10:45: Jerry Clower (host): Jan Howard, Crook Brothers, Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Archie Campbell (host): Jimmy C Newman, Bill Carlisle, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Sam McGee, Tommy Jones
11:30: Stonewall Jackson (host): Stu Phillips, Ronnie Robbins 

(Jeanne Pruett was scheduled for both shows but cancelled due to the death of her brothers. Minnie Pearl appeared only on the first show).

Back in the 1960s, Willie Nelson was a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He didn't stay long as he gave up on Nashville and headed back to Texas, where he emerged as a superstar and one of the greatest voices in the history of country music. After Willie left the Opry, he didn't come back often, but one of those nights was 22 years ago, Saturday November 9, 2002.

Here is the running order from that night: 

1st show
6:30: Tennessee Pride
Jim Ed Brown (host): Looking Back To See
Mel McDaniel: Stand Up
Jean Shepard: Tennessee Waltz
Larry Stephenson Band: Patches/Darlin' Cory
Jim Ed Brown: Fools/Pop A Top

7:00: Gutter Guard/Standard Candy
Vince Gill: Take You Memory With You When You Go/Look At Us
Porter Wagoner & Willie Nelson: Good Hearted Woman
Anthony Smith: If That Ain't Country/John J. Blanchard
Willie Nelson: Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys/On The Road Again/Porter Wagoner Blues
Rodney Crowell & The Cherry Bombs: Ashes By Now/I Can't Live All Like This/Stars On The Water
Porter Wagoner & Willie Nelson: When The Silver Eagle Meets The Great Speckled Bird

8:00: Martha White
John Conlee (host): Common Man
Bill Carlisle: Stay A Little Longer
Jimmy C Newman: Cochon De' Lait
Jack Green: Walking On New Grass/There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Tennessee Wagoner
John Conlee: She's Mine

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Bill Anderson (host): Don't She Look Good
Jim & Jesse: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Craig Morgan: When A Man Can't Get A Woman Off His Mind
Hal Ketchum: Sweet Angel Face/Small Town Saturday Night
Bill Anderson: The Touch Of The Master's Hand

2nd show
9:30: Tootsie's
Porter Wagoner (host): Why Don't You Haul Off & Love Me
Porter Wagoner & Willie Nelson: Good Hearted Woman/On The Road Again
Anthony Smith: If That Ain't Country/John J. Blanchard

10:00: Lincoln Mercury/Shoney's
Vince Gill (host): Take Your Memory With You When You Go
Jan Howard: Ozark Mountain Jubilee
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Mel McDaniel: Louisiana Saturday Night/Stand Up
Vince Gill: If You Ever Have Forever In Your Mind

10:30: Online.com/Wildhorse Saloon
Jean Shepard (host) & Jan Howard: Love's Gonna Live Here
Charlie Walker: There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere
Larry Stephenson Band: The Sound That Set My Soul On Fire/The Many Hills Of Time
Opry Square Dance Band & The Melvin Sloan Dancers: Snow Flake Reel
Jean Shepard & Jan Howard: Let's All Go Down To The River/I Saw The Light/Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Flay Away/Somebody Touched Me

11:00: Coca Cola
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
Stu Phillips: The 10th Man
Craig Morgan: When A Man Can't Get A Woman Off His Mind/Almost Home
Bill Anderson: God Bless America Again

11:30: Tootsie's
John Conlee (host): Rockin' With You
Ray Pillow: I Wonder Who's Missing Her Now
Jack Green: Highway To The Sky/This One Belongs To Me
John Conlee: She's Mine

Certainly, a heck of an Opry show that night. 

For those who might not remember, Anthony Smith was singer, songwriter and record producer. As a Nashville recording artist, Smith's debut album, If That Ain't Country, on Mercury Records Nashville, Produced three Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. As a songwriter Smith has had over 250 songs recorded by other Nashville recording artist Such as George Strait, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Faith Hill and more.

Also, on November 9th through the years: 

1895: George D. Hay was born in Attica, Indiana. He came to Nashville and WSM in 1925. In November of that year, he began the WSM Barn Dance, later to be called the Grand Ole Opry. Over time, his influence at the Opry and WSM would fade, and he would leave Nashville, passing away in Virginia Beach in 1968.

1925: Going back to George D. Hay, this was the date he started at WSM radio with the title of Radio Director. 

1960: Hank Locklin accepted an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He had first appeared on the Opry in 1953. Hank's first appearance as a member took place several days later, on November 12, and he would remain an Opry member until his death in March 2009. 

2010: Charlie Louvin made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Charlie had been an Opry member for over 50 years and was one of the few who once they joined, never left. 

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. 

Tuesday Night Opry 11/5 & Opry Country Classics 11/7

For those who either need a break from following the election returns, or have no interest, the Tuesday Night Opry offers a wonderful show that will take you mind off of the election. 

Tuesday November 5
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Jeannie Seely, Mae Estes, Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:15: Annie Bosko, Henry Cho, Connor Smith, T. Graham Brown 

Nice to see that the majority of the acts on the schedule are Opry members, along with Connor Smith, who is one of the Opry's NextStage artists. 

With no Wednesday Night Opry on the schedule for the rest of the year, we now turn our attention to Opry Country Classics on Thursday night hosted by Larry Gatlin. Among those appearing are the Gatlin Brothers, Lorrie Morgan, Don Schlitz and the Opry's newest member, Steven Curtis Chapman. The only non-member scheduled for the classics show is Walker Montgomery. 

As with the Tuesday night, Thursday night looks very good. 

Grand Ole Opry 11/1 & 11/2

Friday will be a big night at the Grand Ole Opry House as Contemporary Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman will be inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

Over the past week, there has been some comments regarding the number of Opry appearances by various Opry members. With the induction of a new Opry member, I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit some of those numbers, specifically those recently. 

I went back beginning with 2021, the year after Covid during which the Opry was on a very limited Saturday night schedule and added up the number of appearances by Opry members. In the case of the members who were added after 2021, I included their guest appearances that they made prior to their induction beginning in 2021. Here is the list of those with over 100 appearances (updated to October 23):

Jeannie Seely: 307
Riders In The Sky: 283
Connie Smith: 170
Mandy Barnett: 145
Don Schlitz: 142
John Conlee: 135
Rhonda Vincent: 131
Bill Anderson: 123
Gary Mule Deer: 120
Dailey & Vincent: 117
Gatlin Brothers: 106
Charlie McCoy: 104

Other notables: Mark Wills: 82, Vince Gill: 74, Ricky Skaggs: 69, The Isaacs: 68, Henry Cho: 66, Mike Snider: 51, T. Graham Brown: 48, Lauren Alaina: 47, Del McCoury: 40, Jamey Johnson: 37, Lorrie Morgan: 36, Gene Watson: 36, Carrie Underwood: 30, Chris Janson: 30, Crystal Gayle: 28, Steve Wariner: 25, Ashley McBryde: 23, Old Crow Medicine Show: 22, The Whites: 20. 

Everyone else was below 20. And for those wondering, Steven Curtis Chapman made 26. 

A couple of notations regarding this list: 
>Mike Snider has not appeared on the Opry in a year following his motorcycle accident and the death of his wife. 
>The Whites have made only one Opry appearance in 2024
>The vast majority of appearances by Vince Gill have taken place over the last couple of years as before that he had been touring heavily with The Eagles. 

Now moving ahead to this weekend:
When looking at the career of Steven Curtis Chapman there is not much to add, other than the basic statistics. With a staggering 50 No. 1 singles in his catalog he is the most awarded artist in Christian music history winning 59 GMA Dove Awards five GRAMMY Awards an American Music Award and selling more than 17 million albums with ten RIAA-Certified Gold or Platinum albums. And he has continued to add to that total. He has been making guest appearances on the Opry for decades and has truly earned his Opry membership. 

On the night Ricky Skaggs asked Steven to become an Opry member, Steven said “I am so honored and just so grateful. What an amazing family to be a part of. I feel like this is my family.”

Joining Steven on the Friday Night Opry will be Opry members Ricky Skaggs, Lady A and Carly Pearce. Guesting will be Colony House and Russell Dickerson. 

Looking at Saturday night, which is back to a one-show night, Opry members Bill Anderson, Riders In The Sky, and one of the Opry's newest members, Sara Evans is back for an appearance. Guesting are Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally, Larry Fleet and Sean McConnell. 

Friday November 1
7:00: Ricky Skaggs, Colony House, Steven Curtis Chapman
Intermission
8:15: Russell Dickerson, Carly Pearce, Lady A 

Saturday November 2
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Sean McConnell, Connie Smith, Larry Fleet
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Opry Square Dancers, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, Sara Evans

From 50 years ago, Saturday November 2, 1974:

1st show
6:30: Willis Brothers (host): Ray Pillow, Del Wood
6:45: Billy Grammer (host): Lonzo & Oscar, Ernie Ashworth
7:00: Archie Campbell (host): Connie Smith, Justin Tubb, Tommy Jones
7:30: Roy Drusky (host): Bill Carlisle, Stu Phillips, Crook Brothers, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:00: Roy Acuff (host): Jeanne Pruett, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper
8:30: Charlie Walker (host): Jimmy C Newman, Harold Weakley, Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Roy Drusky (host): Willis Brothers, Del Wood, Lonzo & Oscar
10:00: Ray Pillow (host): Connie Smith, Ernie Ashworth
10:15: Roy Acuff (host): Billy Grammer, Justin Tubb
10:30: Archie Campbell (host): Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Bill Carlisle, Phil Campbell
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host): Demetrius Trapp, Crook Brothers, Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Charlie Walker (host): Stu Phillips, Fruit Jar Drinkers, Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host): Jeanne Pruett, Ronnie Robbins

As has been previous written on this blog, the vast majority of the Grand Ole Opry's annual birthday celebrations have taken place during the month of October. However, that was not the case in 1963 as the Opry's 38th birthday celebration took place that year took place on Saturday November 2nd. Here is the running order from that night, 61 years ago: 

6:30: Rudy's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Big Mamou
Kitty Wells: Heartaches For A Keepsake
Johnny Wright: Oh, Baby Mine (I Get So Lonely)
Stringbean: There Will Be Moonshine In Them Old Kentucky Hills
Bobby Lord: Out Behind The Barn
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Kitty Wells: I Gave My Wedding Dress Away
Jimmy C Newman: D.J. For A Day

7:00: Delited
Porter Wagoner (host): I've Enjoyed As Much Of This As I Can Stand
Roy Drusky: Peel Me A Nanner
Carl Butler: Don't Let Me Cross Over
Melba Montgomery: What's Bad For You Is Good For Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Billy Walker: The Morning Paper
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Porter Wagoner: In The Shadow Of The Wine

7:30: Kellogg's
George Morgan (host): Alright, I'll Sign The Papers
Marion Worth: (?)
Hank Locklin: Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Willis Brothers: Private Lee
Bill Anderson: Still
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Tex Ritter: Boll Weevil
Square Dancers: Soap Suds Over The Fence
George Morgan: One Dozen Roses

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): New York Town
Ferlin Husky: Gone
Loretta Lynn: Before I'm Over You
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Flatt & Scruggs: Mama Don't Allow It
Billy Grammer: (?)
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Flatt & Scruggs: Flint Hill Special

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bill Monroe: John Henry
Ray Price: San Antonio Rose
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Sonny James: Going Through The Motions
Lonzo & Oscar: There's A Hole In The Bottom Of The Sea
Skeeter Davis: The End Of The World
Oswald: Roll On Buddy, Roll On
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Johnny Cash: (?)
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
June Carter & The Carter Family: (?)
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Margie Bowes: Our Things
Ernest Tubb: The Way You're Living

9:30: Pet Milk
Hank Snow (host): Ninety Miles An Hour
The Browns: The 3 Bells
Faron Young: Yellow Bandana
Jean Shepard: (?)
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters
Leroy Van Dyke: Happy To Be Unhappy
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
Stonewall Jackson: B.J. The D.J.
Hank Snow: Blue Roses

10:00: Gates Rubber
Billy Grammer (host): (?)
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
Curly Fox: T Model & A Train
Billy Walker: Heart Be Careful
Billy Grammer: (?)

10:15: Luzianne
Roy Acuff (host): The Great Speckled Bird
Del Wood: Columbus Stockade Blues
Jimmy C Newman: D.J. For A Day
Roy Acuff: Wreck On The Highway
Howdy & Jimmy: Apple Blossom

10:30: Harvey's
Ferlin Husky (host): Wings Of A Dove
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Tex Ritter: (?)
Simon Crum: (?)

10:45: Ford
Faron Young (host) (?)
George Morgan: You're The Only Good Thing
Bill Anderson: 8 By 10
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Faron Young: (?)

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Skeeter Davis: Something Precious
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
The Browns: Oh, No
Lonzo & Oscar: Hand Holding
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Gloryland March
Sam & Kirk McGee: Let's Meet By The Old Oaken Bucket
Fruit Jar Drinkers:  Love Somebody
Hank Snow: There's A Fool Such As I

11:30: SSS Tonic
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon Of Kentucky
Hank Locklin: Flying South
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Stonewall Jackson: Wild, Wild Wind
Margie Bowes: Judge Not
Sonny James: The Minute You're Gone
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry

That was one long show that night and based on the number of artists on the schedule, the backstage area of the Ryman Auditorium was very, very crowded. A heck of a busy night. 

If my memory is right, the only artists still living that appeared on that night are Melba Montgomery, Bill Anderson and Leroy Van Dyke. 

Also, from November 2nd through the years: 

1926: Charlie Walker was born. He joined the Opry in 1967 and would remain a member until his death in 2008. 

1948: Roy Acuff was defeated in his bid to become Governor of Tennessee. 

1968: George Jones made an appearance on the Opry. 

2007: Lady A made their debut on the Grand Ole Opry. In 2021 they would become Opry members. 

2021: Mandy Barnett became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. At the time of her induction, Mandy had made more guest appearances than any other non-Opry member. 

There you have it for this weekend. Thanks to all for reading and commenting and congratulations once again to Steven Curtis Chapman upon his induction as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.