January Opry Highlights

As we start the month of January, I wanted to cover the historical and important events in Opry history that happened during the month.

A number of Grand Ole Opry members joined the Opry in January. They are:

*Tom T. Hall joined on January 1, 1971 (39 year member).
*Dolly Parton officially joined the Opry on January 4, 1969 (41 years).
*Clint Black, who joined the Opry on January 10, 1991 (19 years).
*Mel McDaniel became an Opry member on January 11, 1986 (24 years).
*Wilma Lee Cooper joined with her late husband Stoney on January 12, 1957 (53 years).
*Reba McEntire joined on January 14, 1986 (24 year member).
*Ralph Stanley joined the Opry on January 15, 2000 (10 year member).
*Charlie Daniels became an Opry member on January 19, 2008 (2 years).
*Hal Ketchum joined on January 22, 1994 (16 years).
*Emmylou Harris became an Opry member on January 25, 1992 (18 year member).

The following historical and important events took place in Opry history in January:

*January 1, 1953, former Opry member Hank Williams dies on his way to a show in my hometown of Canton, Ohio.
*January 1, 1960, Billy Walker became a Grand Ole Opry member.
*January 1, 1971, as noted above, Tom T. Hall joined the Opry. Although it may seem like it, there is no truth to the rumor of that being his last appearance on the Opry!!!
* January 3, 1998, Grandpa Jones made is final appearance on the Opry. After doing the 2nd show that night, he suffered a stroke coming off stage and was taken to a Nashville hospital. He would later suffer a series of more serious strokes that would ultimately lead to his death. He was 84 years old.
*January 4, 2003, the Opry commemorated the 50th anniversary of the death of Hank Williams by honoring him at a show which featured Hank Williams Jr and Hank Williams III.
*January 7, 1950, Hank Snow made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He would be an Opry member for over 49 years, and become one of the true stars of the Opry. In his later years, Hank would always host the 8:30 and 11:00 segments on the Saturday night shows.
*January 9, 1960, Patsy Cline joined the Grand Ole Opry.
*January 15 & 16, 1999, the Opry returned for the first time since 1974 to the Ryman Auditorium for all 3 of the shows that weekend. It was on the first show on that Saturday night that Ricky Skaggs asked Trisha Yearwood to become an Opry member. I was there for all 3 shows that weekend, which were sell-outs, and the atmosphere was electric. It was one of the best weekends that I ever spent at the Opry.
*January 16, 1943, Ernest Tubb joined the Grand Ole Opry. In the history of the Opry, many believe that outside of Roy Acuff, Ernest was the most influential member of the Opry. It was through his efforts that among others, Hank Snow would become an Opry member. He also helped to drive the Opry sound forward with his use of the electric guitar.
*January 19, 1953, Marty Robbins made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
*January 27, 1979, actress Sissy Spacek joined Loretta Lynn on stage at the Opry that night, in a segment hosted by Ernest Tubb. Later that evening, Loretta Lynn and Sissy Spacek joined Ernest Tubb at the Midnight Jamboree, which at the time was being broadcast from the record shop on Demonbreum Street near the Country Music Hall of Fame. As part of the on-air talk, Ernest poked fun at Spacek, asking her, "What kind of a name is Spacek, hon?" When she did not answer, then he said, "I know what it is: it's a Polack name, isn't it?" More than once in his career Ernest would stick his foot in his mouth.

There you have it, a few notes from the month of January in Opry history. Enjoy.

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up-1/1 & 1/2

First, Happy New Year to everyone. The line-ups have been posted for the shows this weekend. There is 1 show on Friday night and 1 show on Saturday night, both at the Ryman Auditorium. I was kind of suprised to see Jimmy Dickens scheduled for both shows this weekend. The last he was on was two weeks ago and he sounded aweful and he made comments about being out against doctor's orders. I thought for sure that we had seen the last of him for at least a while. I know the weather in Nashville has been cold and wet, and at age 89, maybe that is not the best weather to be out it. But, Jimmy is a real trooper.

Jett Williams makes her annual Opry appearance on Saturday night. Pretty much every year, she does the Opry show that is closest to January 1st, which is the day her father, Hank Williams, died. She will usually do a couple of songs in tribute to him. She also will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, as she always does each year.

Suzy Bogguss is also scheduled for Saturday night, as is Big Kenny and Cherryholmes. Now for the entire line-ups:

Friday January 1
7:00: Riders In The Sky(host); Jim Ed Brown; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Josh Thompson
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman
8:00: John Conlee(host); Jan Howard; Johnny Counterfit; Mountain Heart
8:30: Mike Snider(host); George Hamilton IV; Jean Shepard; Exile

Saturday January 2
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Connie Smith; Big Kenny
7:30: Jeannie Seely(host); Riders In The Sky; Jack Greene: Cherryholmes
8:00: John Conlee(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jett Williams; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Jim Ed Brown; Suzy Bogguss

There is still a slot to fill on Friday night. Also, it looks like they have themselves set up with a couple of other people who can host a segment if Jimmy Dickens cancels out.

One final note:
As many of you have mentioned, they have changed the layout at Opry.com., the Grand Ole Opry website. At first I was not sure about the site as it was redesigned, but the more I move around it and get more familiar with it, I am coming to like it. They have added artist profiles of non-Opry members, who have appeared on the show, although there are some that are missing. There is also a link to their websites, which I thought was nice. It looks like more video has been added, although I wish they would add more of the older performers or those who have passed on from earlier eras. They have kept the history sections and other information. And, they have kept and expanded the area of upcoming shows, with direct links to buy tickets for any show into the future. If you get a chance, check it out.

2009 Grand Ole Opry Appearances

With 2009 ending, and no more Grand Ole Opry shows for the year, I wanted to take a look back on how many appearances each Opry member made during the past year, and also look at which non-Opry members appeared the most times. During 2009, if I did my math right, there were 199 Opry shows. These include the Friday and Saturday shows, the Tuesday Night Opry, Opry Country Classics, and the Opry matinee that they did during CMA week. It should be no shock to anyone that the Opry member with the most appearances in 2009 was Jimmy Dickens. Even though he missed shows due illness and being in the hospital, the 89 year old Dickens performed at 145 shows this past year. Just an unbelievable number considering everything with him.

As far as everyone else, here is the complete list, in order from most appearances to the least:
145-Jimmy Dickens
121-Mike Snider
108-The Whites
98-Connie Smith
96-Bill Anderson, Jimmy C. Newman
95-Jim Ed Brown
93-Jean Shepard
81-Jeannie Seely
63-Jack Greene, Riders In The Sky
53-Jesse McReynolds
51-John Conlee
47-Bobby Osborne
43-Jan Howard
37-Ricky Skaggs
34-Marty Stuart
32-Vince Gill, Del McCoury
30-George Hamilton IV
27-Stonewall Jackson
20-Hal Ketchum
16-Mel McDaniel, Lorrie Morgan
13-Charlie Daniels, Steve Wariner
12-Charlie Louvin, Pam Tillis
11-Ray Pillow
10-Trace Adkins, Joe Diffie, Craig Morgan, Stu Phillips, Ralph Stanley, Carrie Underwood
9-Diamond Rio, Larry Gatlin, Mel Tillis, Montgomery Gentry
7-Charley Pride, Josh Turner
6-Martina McBride
5-Dierks Bentley, Terri Clark, Alison Krauss
3-Roy Clark, Patty Loveless, Loretta Lynn, Ronnie Milsap, Brad Paisley
2-Billy Grammer, Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood
1-George Jones, Reba McEntire
0-Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Wilma Lee Cooper, Tom T. Hall, Alan Jackson, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Jeanne Pruett, Ricky Van Shelton, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt

Some interesting numbers there, especially among some of the newer Opry members. One person that I found interesting was Mike Snider. In 2008, he appeared at the Opry only 20 times, yet he was up to 121 this past year. Also in 2008, Jimmy C. Newman had the most Opry appearances, at 115.

The other number that I find disturbing is that 31 Opry members, almost half of the Opry roster, made 9 or less Opry appearances this past year.

Among non-Opry members, these are the ones who had the most Opry appearances in 2008:
14-Restless Heart
13-Cherryholmes, Mandy Barnett, Emily West
12-Jimmy Wayne
11-Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals
10-Darryl Worley, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Gene Watson
9-Jamie O'Neal, Mark Wills, Rhonda Vincent
8-Chris Young, Point Of Grace
7-Buddy Jewell, Keith Anderson
6-Holly Williams, Aaron Tippin

When you look at those members who are in the top 10 in Opry appearances, 2 are over the age of 80 (Jimmy Dickens and Jimmy C. Newman), and several more are well past 70 (Bill Anderson, Jim Ed Brown, Jack Greene, Jean Shepard). As as been noted in the past, the younger Opry members have got to step up and make regular Opry appearances to keep the show vibrant and moving forward. Of the members with no appearances in 2009, Wilma Lee Cooper is ill, and Barbara Mandrell, Jeanne Pruett and Ricky Van Shelton are retired. As far as the rest, Clint Black last appeared in 2007 with 2 appearances, but before that the last time he was at the Opry was in 2003. Garth Brooks has made 3 appearances since 2000, Tom T. Hall has not been to the Opry in a decade, Dolly Parton has made 4 appearances since 2002 and Randy Travis has appeared just 3 times since 2001. While Reba McEntire made 1 appearance this past year, before that the last time she was on the Opry was in 2000.

Just the opinion of this writer, but if you are not going to be a part of the show, then leave and make room for others. There is just no excuse for joining and to have the prestige of being an Opry member and then not showing up to support the show. Or even worst, to show up for a special event or when the Opry is going to be televised and you are going to be on the tv portion is just wrong. Let's hope that Pete Fisher continues to make wise choices this coming year on new Opry members and to pick those who will be there and support the show. As has been noted in the comments, Opry prices continue to go up, the show is shorter and the line-ups have been pretty weak at times. With over 65 members on the Opry's roster, and only 12-15 artists on each show now, you would think it would be pretty easy to have a quality line-up each week. The fans who are paying the high prices for tickets expect that and I agree.

As always I look forward to comments and opinions.

Christmas Greetings and Wishes

I just wanted to take a moment and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and I hope that it is a blessed day for all of you. I also hope that Santa brings you everything you asked for. As far as the Grand Ole Opry, I have some greetings to send to them also, and also my own Christmas "wish list" for the Opry:

To Pete Fisher, I hope for a new Opry television contract, and for RFD-TV, I hope you are the ones to get it. For Jimmy Dickens, a year of better health and still making regular Opry appearances. For Bill Anderson, my hope is that your new book is a bestseller and that your new CD is the same.

For Jim Ed Brown, Charlie Daniels, George Hamilton IV and Jean Shepard, a call from the Country Music Hall of Fame welcoming you as a new member. For Wilma Lee Cooper and Mel McDaniel, a return to good health. And continued good health to the "older" Opry members, such as Billy Grammer,Jack Greene and Jimmy C. Newman.

To veteran Opry members Charlie Louvin, Ray Pillow and Stu Phillips, my Christmas wish is for more Opry apperances from you. To Mike Snider and Riders In The Sky, thanks for keeping humor on the Opry stage. And to Vince Gill, Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs, thanks for supporting the Opry over the years and the hope is that you will continue to do that. And for Rhonda Vincent and Gene Watson, a call from Pete asking you to become an Opry member.

To Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Tom T. Hall, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Rebe McEntire, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis and Travis Tritt, a GPS system for your car that is locked into 2804 Opryland Drive. To Loretta Lynn and George Jones, a wish that you realize how important the Opry was to your career and a return to the Opry stage.

To Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds, Ralph Stanley and Del McCoury, a wish that you keep carrying on the bluegrass tradition at the Opry. And to Alison Krauss, please join them. To Jeannie Pruett, Barbara Mandrell and Ricky Van Shelton, continue to enjoy your retirement from the music business.

To Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley and Josh Turner, keep country music alive. And to Carrie Underwood, Montgomery Gentry and Dierks Bentley, keep remembering where the Opry House is. Your support of the show is vital.

To Mandy Barnett, Elizabeth Cook and Rebecca Lynn Howard, thanks for answering the phone when Pete calls to fill out the line-up. Also, my wish is that each of you has a million selling record this year.

To Connie Smith and Patty Loveless, my wish is that the two sweetest voices on the Opry continue to keep those voices. And to Mel Tillis, Charlie Pride, Charlie Daniels, Jeannie Seely and Jan Howard my wish is that you give the Opry another year of good performances.

To Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Larry Gatlin, Diamond Rio, Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tilis, thanks for supporting the show, but, please give us more performances.

And to all the Opry fans, please continue to support the show. Some weeks it is not easy, but if we are not in the audience or listening on the radio, there would be no Opry.

Merry Christmas to all:

Byron
aka: Fayfare

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 12/25 & 12/26

Here is this weekend's line-up for the Grand Ole Opry. There is one show on Friday night December 25 and one show on Saturday December 26. Both nights are at the Ryman Auditorium. As was speculated previously, the line-ups for both nights, while decent, are pretty light. Also, as speculated, no Jimmie Dickens this weekend and he might be gone for a while as he recovers from his latest illness.

Friday December 25-Christmas
7:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Blaine Larsen
7:30: George Hamilton IV(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Elizabeth Cook
8:00: Riders In The Sky(host); Jack Greene; Dailey & Vincent
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Charlie Louvin; T. Graham Brown

Saturday December 26
7:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:30: George Hamilton IV(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Eddy Raven
8:00: Riders In The Sky(host); Jan Howard; Dailey & Vincent: Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Jack Greene; Restless Heart

Hank Snow

It was on December 20, 1999 that Grand Ole Opry member, and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hank Snow passed away at the age of 85. In January of 2000, Hank would have celebrated 50 years as an Opry member. He had been in declining health for a number of years, and his last Opry appearance was in August of 1996 when he returned to the Opry stage after being gone for almost nine months due to illness.

His autobiography, "The Hank Snow Story", is one of the best country music books ever written. Hank is pretty honest in his book about some of the major events in his life. The book is high on my list.

In country music history, Hank will go down as one of the all time greats. Johnny Cash considered Hank one of his favorite singers, and in fact, he had a picture of Hank hanging in his office at home, which I believe was the only picture of an entertainer that he had up.

On my own personal list of country music performers, Hank is on my top 5 list. I have always enjoyed his singing style and his guitar work. His guitar playing was precise and I never heard of him making a mistake. I know that one of my favorite items about Hank being on the Opry was that after he sang his song to start his segment, he always went over to the podium and introduced his guests from there, never going back to center stage until it was time for him to perform his next number. I think his last televised Opry appearance was on the birthday show when they honored the living Opry members who were members of the Hall of Fame. I forget what year it was, but I think it was in the mid-1990's and I remember Jeannie Seely doing the honors for him.

On the Opry in his later years, he always hosted the 8:30 and 11:00 segments. He had his favorites, and I know if Dottie West was on the Opry, she always did his segments.

It was within a few short years that the Opry lost Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe and Hank Snow. All were icons of the show and all were Hall of Famers.

I just wanted to take a moment to remember Hank Snow on the 10 year anniversary of his death.

Jimmy Dickens

I am listening to the Opry tonight and Jimmy Dickens is on and he said he was "here against doctor's orders". He did not sing and he sounded awful rough. The band just played a brief instrumental when he came out on stage. Mike Terry did introduce him by telling the audience that it was his 89th birthday today. As he was telling his usual jokes, the voice sounded pretty hoarse and he just sounded tired. He did joke about playing his guitar. He also just said that his doctor told him not to sing and to rest his voice, but that he wanted to be at the Opry for his birthday.

He concluded his segment by doing his recitation of "17", which he has been doing lately on the Opry. They then rolled out a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday to Jimmy.