Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 10/29 & 10/30

The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate its final weekend for the year at the Grand Ole Opry House before moving to the Ryman Auditorium for its annual winter run. After all the work and rebuilding of the Opry's home, it is a shame that it lasted for only one month.

This weekend, the Opry returns to just one show on Saturday night, which will feature the super group, Rascal Flatts. Friday night's show will feature the Oak Ridge Boys, along with the Opry debut of Brett Eldredge.

Here are the line-ups:

Friday October 29
7:00: Riders In The Sky(host); Connie Smith; Joe Diffie
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeannie Seely; Rodney Atkins
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson(host); Brett Eldredge; Craig Morgan
8:45: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday October 30
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; The Whites
7:30: Riders In The Sky(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Laura Bell Bundy
8:00: Mike Snider(host); Jack Greene; Josh Thompson; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson(host); Connie Smith; Rascal Flatts

Also on Saturday, a very special benefit concert and auction will be taking place for Charlie Louvin. This event will be held at the Bell Buckle Banquet Hall, in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, which is located south of Nashville. The event will run from Noon to 9 p.m., and the admission is just $10.00. This benefit will feature a silent and live auction, and will feature entertainment by Valerie Smith, Ed Bruce, Becky Buller, Wildwood Valley Boys and more. The featured entertainment will be a concert by Alison Krauss.

Hopefully, this event, which will be hosted by Charlie, will have a fine turnout and that also, more members of Nashville's entertainment community will attend. For just $10.00, and going to a good cause, you can't beat it. As most of you know, the surgery Charlie had for his pancreatic cancer was not successful and he has had a tough go. I always feel sad when I see a benefit held for anyone, especially an entertainer such as Charlie.

On a final note, Garth Brooks is back in the Nashville news. He announced today that he will take part in a flood relief concert on Friday December 17 in Nashville, at the Bridgestone Arena. This will be his first full concert in Nashville since 1998, and will also feature his wife, Trisha Yearwood. Tickets will be just $25.00 and it is possible more shows will be added. Garth left himself open to that. Obviously, this will be a big, big night in Nashville, especially with the Opry right up the street at the Ryman Auditorium. Wouldn't it be nice if Garth would walk up the hill and suprise the Opry audience that night? Let's see....the Opry starts at 7, his concert will probably start at 8......it's probably just wishfull thinking.

Happy Birthday Charlie Daniels and Brad Paisley

Happy Birthday greetings today go to 2 Grand Ole Opry stars. Brad Paisley was born 38 years ago today on October 28, 1972. Brad came to Nashville out of West Virginia, where he performed at the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. After making many, many appearances as a guest of the Opry, Brad became an official member on February 17, 2001. Sorry to say that since Brad became an Opry member, he has actually appeared less on the show than he did prior to becoming a member.

In 2001, his first year as a member, Brad appeared on the Opry a total of 28 times. In 2002, he appeared 13 times, and it was 12 times in 2003. Since then, his appearances have steadily declined. In 2004, it was 9 appearances, 7 in 2005, 5 in 2006, 4 each in 2007 and 2008, 3 in 2009, and so far in 2010, 3 times, all taking place after the Nashville flood.

When Brad became an Opry member, I really thought that he "got it", and would become one of the Opry's youngest, active members, much like Marty Stuart, Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs, and that he would help lead the Opry to a new generation of stars and fans. While he is proud of his association with the Opry, like I said, he just has not appeared on the show as much as I would have hoped.

Here is the line-up from the 1st Saturday show on February 17, 2001, when Brad became an Opry member.

6:30: Porter Wagoner(host); Connie Smith; Bill Carlisle; Don Edwards
7:00: Steve Wariner(host); BR5-49; Mel McDaniel; The Whites; Elizabeth Cook; Trisha Yearwood; Brad Paisley
8:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Ernie Ashworth; Del Reeves; Billy Walker; Opry Squaredance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: John Conlee(host); Lee Ann Womack; Vince Gill

The 7:00 hour was televised on TNN. The other suprise when looking at the line-up from that night was the fact that 2 of Brad's closest friends on the Opry, Bill Anderson and Jimmy Dickens were both missing from the show that night.

The other Opry artist celebrating a birthday today is country music legend Charlie Daniels. Charlie was born on October 28, 1936, making him 74 years old today. Charlie is one of the greatest artists in country music history and will be a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame some day. He had a small health setback earlier this year and has bounced back well.

Charlie became an Opry member on January 19, 2008, at the age of 72. For Charlie, it was a fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Charlie appeared on the Opry many times over the years, often with Roy Acuff, when they would fiddle together. Since joining the Opry, Charlie has been an active member. In 2008, he was on the Opry 15 times and in 2009, he appeared 13 times. So far in 2010, he has been on the Opry 10 times, and that was after missing most of the early part of the year. And, Charlie takes the show seriously.

Here is the line-up from the first show on Saturday January 19, 2008, when Marty Stuart and Connie Smith had the honors of inducting Charlie Daniels as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The 7:00 hour was televised on GAC.

6:30: Jeannie Seely(host); The Whites; Jimmy C. Newman; Del McCoury Band
7:00: Marty Stuart(host); Montgomery Gentry; Connie Smith; Charlie Daniels Band
8:00: Charley Pride(host); Jan Howard; Trace Adkins; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jim Ed Brown(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mel Tillis

Happy Birthday to both Brad and Charlie!!!!

Tuesday Night Opry 10/26 & Opry Country Classics 10/28

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, October 26 from the Grand Ole Opry House.

7:00: John Conlee; Love & Theft
7:30: Connie Smith; Chris Young
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Lorrie Morgan
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Little Big Town

Not a horrible line-up for the show. By the way, Jesse McReynolds has a new CD out, "Songs of the Grateful Dead." I picked it up when I was in Nashville and it is a pretty good CD. 13 songs on it and Jesse and friends are all in good voice. He is joined by David Nelson and Stu Allen and the song selection covers such Grateful Dead favorites as "Ripple", "Franklin's Tower", "Fire On the Mountain" and "Standing On the Moon." Most were written by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia. The final number is a Robert Hunter/Jesse McReynolds written song, "Day by Day." I recommend the CD.

Opry Country Classics will take place on Thursday night at the Ryman Auditorium. This will be the final show in this series and the plan is still to bring back the show in the spring. The host this week will be Bill Cody, who did an excellent job hosting the show several weeks back. The spotlight artist will be Lorrie Morgan. Now, nothing against Lorrie as I enjoy her music, but with Leroy Van Dyke making a very rare Opry appearance, he should have been the spotlight artist for this show.

Host: Bill Cody
Spotlight Artist: Lorrie Morgan
Also Appearing: Mandy Barnett; Shawn Camp; George Hamilton IV; Chuck Mead; Leroy Van Dyke

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 10/22 & 10/23-Update #2

Steve Wariner has been added for both shows on Saturday night, which is a nice addition. Also, Jim Ed Brown has been added for the 2nd show. I still find it hard to believe that the show is booked on the run, like this.

Amazing, but Pete Fisher found a couple of people from last night's Opry Country Classics who were able to do the Opry this weekend. Still spots to fill. Will update as they are added.

The big news at the Opry this weekend is the induction of Blake Shelton as the Opry's newest member. That will take place on Saturday night. Before I offer further comment, let me post the line-ups.

Friday October 22

7:00: George Hamilton IV(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Daryle Singletary
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Restless Heart
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider(host); Stonewall Jackson; John Michael Montgomery
8:45: Riders In The Sky(host); Connie Smith; Dailey & Vincent

Saturday October 23

First Show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Emily West
7:30: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C. Newman; Steve Wariner
8:00: Jean Shepard(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Trace Adkins; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely(host); Blake Shelton

Second Show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Connie Smith; Emily West
10:00: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Jim Ed Brown; Steve Wariner
10:30: George Hamilton IV(host); Trace Adkins; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Blake Shelton

My first reaction in looking at the line-up for both Saturday night shows is "you have got to be kidding me!!" Just when you thought that some of the line-ups were getting better you get this. First, they still haven't found any other acts to go in that opening slot except for Jimmy Dickens? I checked with the Opry this morning and it is still just Jimmy. What is Pete Fisher going to do, put a help wanted sign up on the readerboard? You telling me there is no one else available at 7:00 on Saturday night to sing? Just ridiculous that they are booking a show like this and expect someone to pay $54.00 for a seat!! Now, you do have the induction of Blake Shelton, which I was made to understand that Trace Adkins was going to handle. If that is the case, and I think it is, I am suprised that Trace is not hosting the segment that Blake is on. That has usually been the case in the past. But then again, with such an overall weak line-up, and with Trace and Blake they only real "big" names on that show, maybe Pete just wanted to spread the talent around. And, I am suprised that there are not more "stars" of the Opry on for the induction of a new member.

Now, for the 2nd Saturday show. Is that all we get? At first glance, it would appear that they are booking it like a Tuesday Night Opry show. Is it going to be a traditional Grand Ole Opry show or a Tuesday Night Opry special? Again, no answers from the Opry. If Pete had just scheduled some of the artists from the first show for the second show, it would at least look like an Opry show. Jan Howard, Jimmy C. Newman and Bobby Osborne all could have done the 2nd show. Stonewall Jackson is probably available and there are the legends that could have been scheduled to fill it out. Would any of them sold more tickets? Probably not, but at least it would have been a full line-up. And to fill out the first show, you could have probably added Connie Smith and George Hamilton IV, who are just scheduled for the 2nd show. Again, I just feel that for someone spending $54.00, why this? You might as well had only one show.

I will say that Friday looks ok. It is a full line-up with some variety.

Finally, as most of you know, the Opry has a toll free number that you can call to get tickets and other information, including the Opry's line-up. I called that number late last night and the Opry line-up that they are giving on the recording is the Opry line-up from the birthday weekend!! They have not updated their recording in 3 weeks!! Come-on folks. It is not that hard. I know some of those at the Opry read this, so please get your act together and quit running this place like a store front operation and instead, like a million dollar operation like it is!!! As we have complained before, at the ticket prices that are being charged, the fans coming expect a first class operation and quality line-ups with some star power. And just not occasionally, but every week. You have 67 members and a multitude of guests that you can book. Please do it!!!

Opry Country Classics--October 22

We'll, there are only 2 more shows in this series of Opry Country Classics. This week's show will take place at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday night.

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Aaron Tippin
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Jeannie Seely; T.G. Sheppard; Daryle Singletary; Emily West

Grandpa Jones

Today I take a moment to remember one of the Opry's all time greats, Louis Marshall Jones, otherwise know to one and all as Grandpa Jones, who was born on October 20, 1913. As we remember him on what whould have been Grandpa's 97th birthday, I thought I would print the tribute to him that was in the Opry's program for the weekend of February 20-21, 1998.

"It's a sad day, indeed, whenever the grandfather of a family dies. But when that man is Grandpa Jones, then his Grand Ole Opry family and his friends and fans from around the world suffer the loss of an American treasure, the likes of which we'll never see again.

Grandpa Jones died this past Thursday, February 19, at a health care center in Hermitage, Tennessee, from complications of a massive stroke he suffered on January 3, following his final Grand Ole Opry performance.

Louis Marshall Jones was born in Niagra, Ky., October 20, 1913, the youngest of 10 children. At age 10 he remembers sneaking in and "foolin" with a guitar left in their house by a farm worker. Later, one of his brothers came home with a 75-cent guitar. It was the one Marshall would use when he and a friend began playing local dances and parties. In 1928, the family moved to Akron, Ohio, and two years later Marshall got his first big break in the music business, winning first place over 450 contestants in a week-long amateur talent contest. The next day he got a radio job on WJW in Akron and used his $50 prize money to buy a better guitar. Teamed up with harmonica player Joe Troyan, Marshall moved to a Cleveland radio station which led to a stint in the house band for the popular "Lum and Abner" radio show. Later Jones and Troyan, billed as Zeke and Harve, moved to WBZ in Boston. There they joined Bradley Kincaid's troupe. And that's where Grandpa Jones was "born."

On an early morning in 1935, Kincaid chided his guitar player to "Come on an' get up here to the microphone; you're just like an old grandpa." That introduction, along with the musician's elderly voice prompted listeners to write in asking "How old is that old man?" Marshall was only 22 years old at the time, but a pair of 50-year-old high top boots, bright suspenders, a false bushy mustache, fake white eyebrows and wrinkles drawn on his face with a grease pencil helped turn him into "Grandpa" Jones.

More jobs with radio stations in West Virginia, Connecticut and Cincinnati and a stint in the Army in Germany kept Grandpa Jones busy in the 1940s. After the war in 1946, he moved to Nashville and worked with Pee Wee King. This led to appearances on the Grand Ole Opry where he became a member in March 1947. By this time Grandpa had traded his guitar for a banjo which he played using the drop-thumb technique. His distinctive banjo pickin' style and his down-home country humor made him a natural for the television show "Hee Haw" when it made its debut in 1969.

"What's for supper, Grandpa?" soon became as familiar to country music fans as Grandpa's recordings of "Old Rattler," "Good Ole Mountain Dew" and his version of the Lonzo and Oscar hit, "I'm My Own Grandpa." Grandpa also proved marvelously adept in Hee Haw's comedy skits and was a vital cog in the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet during the show's record-setting 25-year run. It was during this period, in 1978, that Grandpa was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

During his long career Grandpa recorded numerous albums on a variety of labels and toured extensively. His wife, Ramona, who plays fiddle and other instruments, often joined him on tour. His book, "Everybody's Grandpa-Fifty Years Behind the Mike, was published in 1984.

Grandpa's death brings to a close one of the most important chapters in the life of the Grand Ole Opry. He was an active, supportive member of the Opry for more than half a century and brought a unique and distinctive kind of music to us and to the world. The Grand Ole Opry will simply never be the same without Grandpa, and there is no way to replace him. Although his death was not totally unexpected, there is still personal sadness and grief to realize that this wonderful gentleman who was loved so much, and in turn, loved the Opry so much, will no longer be with us. But while we will miss his presence, Grandpa's distinctive old time music and spirit will forever be a part of this show and a part of all the lives he touched. Our memories of Grandpa Jones will always be happy ones, and we are indeed thankful for all the years we were able to enjoy his love and friendship. He truly was "Everybody's Grandpa!""

I was in Nashville for the Opry's shows that weekend and there was a note of sadness in the air. The tribute that I just posted was read before Saturday night's show, and on stage there was a stool with Grandpa's banjo next to it, and his hat on it, with a lone spotlight shining on it. A half hour of the Opry was televised on TNN that night, and sorry to say on the televised portion, there was no tribute to Grandpa, at least on the Opry stage. However, in the segment following, which featured Porter Wagoner as the host, the cast came out on stage, along with Ramona and Grandpa's children, and led by Vince Gill and Bill Carlisle, the cast sang the great Grandpa Jones song, "Falling Leaves." I can remember all of the performers holding pieces of paper with the words of the song. It was a fitting tribute to this great entertainer.

I find it sad that within the words that were printed in the program that night, we these that were in the last paragraph: "But while we will miss his presence, Grandpa's distinctive old time music, humor and spirit will forever be a part of this show." Can we really say that today? Nobody plays Grandpa's style of music any longer. We still have Mike Snider on the banjo, but that is it. Mike might be the last in the string of banjo players and comedians to be a part of the Opry. But, Grandpa's style of music no longer fits in with today's Opry.

As a rememberance to Grandpa Jones, here is the line-up from the first show on Saturday night, February 21, 1998, when the Opry dedicated the show to the memory of Grandpa Jones. The tribute on stage took place during the 8:00 segment.

6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Anderson(host)
Skeeter Davis

6:45: Jogging In A Jug
Jimmy Dickens(host)
Bill Carlisle

7:00: Shoney's
Johnny Russell(host)
Charlie Louvin
Jimmy C. Newman
Stonewall Jackson
Jeanne Pruett

7:30: Standard Candy (televised)
Lorrie Morgan(host)
Leroy Van Dyke
Jim & Jesse
Jeannie Seely
Vince Gill

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner(host)
Oswald & Charlie
Jack Greene
The Whites
Opry Squaredance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers

8:30: Clifty Farms Country Meats
Ricky Skaggs(host)
Jim Ed Brown
Riders In The Sky
Mike Snider
The 4 Guys

Blake Shelton--New Opry Member Induction This Saturday/ Potential New Members?

This Saturday night October October 23, Blake Shelton will become the Grand Ole Opry's newest member. With Blake, the Grand Ole Opry will have 67 members. It is always a risky prediction as to what kind of member Blake will be, but if recent history holds true, he will fulfill the current membership requirements at the Opry. Currently, the Opry asks its new members to commit to 10 appearances per year. While I would have prefered someone else, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt to see how he will do.

It's funny who Pete Fisher and the Opry will invite as members. Blake is a good example. He started out in country music as one of the new young artists and had a string of hits. Then his career fell back and after a period of time, it has resurged, thanks in part to some clever marketing and promotion by his record company. For the majority of his career, he rarely played the Opry. Then in the past year, he has started to appear on the Opry, has lunch with Steve Buchanan, and then tweets about how great the Opry is and how he would love to be a member. And guess what? He gets invited to be a member.

Now that Blake will be the newest member, the question starts on who could be the next Opry member.

Let's start off with a bit of history and review those who have become an Opry member since Pete Fisher became the Opry's General Manager in June 1999:

1/15/2000: Ralph Stanley
8/26/2000: Pam Tillis
2/17/2001: Brad Paisley
8/23/2003: Trace Adkins
10/23/2003: Del McCoury
6/12/2004: Terri Clark
10/1/2005: Dierks Bentley
6/09/2007: Mel Tillis
10/27/2007: Josh Turner
1/19/2008: Charlie Daniels
5/10/2008: Carrie Underwood
10/25/2008: Craig Morgan
6/23/2009: Montgomery Gentry
10/22/2010: Blake Shelton

It's hard to believe that 14 of the Opry's 67 members have joined since Pete Fisher has been in charge. Also, you can see that members have been added on a fairly regular basis, although it will have been a year and four months between Montgomery Gentry and Blake Shelton. And, if you look at the members that Pete has added, it is pretty varied:

10 have been male acts
3 have been female
1 is a duet

2 are bluegrass
2 were veteran male singers
1 was a veteran female artist
The rest were at the top of their careers

Who could be the next Opry member? If you look at some of the Opry's recent guest artists, sometimes there is a clue there. Among those who have been on the show on a semi-regular basis over the past couple of years are Gene Watson, Crystal Gayle, Oak Ridge Boys, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Mandy Barnett, Lee Greenwood, Rhonda Vincent and Dailey & Vincent.

Out of that group, more than a few would make great Opry members. There is a lot of sentiment for Gene Watson, but I am afraid that with his career mostly behind him that he will continue to be a regular guest artist. I have heard that Lee Greenwood and the Oak Ridge Boys have been asked to join over the years, and have declined. Rhonda Vincent has been highly speculated and I honestly do not know why she has not been asked. I have been told that if she were to be approached, that she would love to join. But, perhaps it is her association with Martha White that is holding her back.

Finally we come to Dailey & Vincent, which would be my guess on who would be asked next to join the Opry. First, they are a bluegrass act and it has been since Del McCoury joined the Opry in 2003 that a bluegrass act has joined. And, if you look at the current line-up of bluegrass on the Opry roster, there is cause for alarm. Ralph Stanley and Jesse McReynolds are both over 80. Bobby Osborne is getting close. Alison Krauss is missing in action. In a few years, Del McCoury and Ricky Skaggs could potentially be the only bluegrass acts at the Opry, with the occasional bluegrass number by Marty Stuart or Vince Gill.

Secondly, Dailey & Vincent are the hotest thing in bluegrass right now, and have been since they got together three years ago. The have been the IBMA Entertainers of the Year for 3 years running. Their sound is innovative. And, I believe with Darrin Vincent's past association with Ricky Skaggs, that could work in their favor.

Finally, they play the Opry and I believe that they understand the history of bluegrass at the Opry. And, I believe that they respect the Opry's history and tradition.

Nobody knows for sure where the next Opry member will come from, or when. I have no inside information on this one, it is purely my guess and opinion. But, I like Dailey & Vincent would receive lots of consideration to join the Opry.