Grand Ole Opry 11/13 & 11/14

Before getting into the Grand Ole Opry line-ups for this weekend, a couple of pieces of news to pass along. First, word was received this afternoon that Roy Neal Acuff, the son of Roy Acuff, has passed away. Professionally known as Roy Acuff, Jr., he had a short career in country music, then worked behind the scenes, eventually leaving the music business altogether. On a second note, it was revealed last week that Jan Howard suffered a fracture in her back and was in a rehabilitation facility recovering. The post on her Facebook page led me to believe that she was doing well in her recovery. 

In better news, Bill Anderson will be returning to the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, appearing on all 3 shows. Bill had recent cataract surgery, then during his recovery he acquired a bacterial infection that resulted in him receiving 24 hour medication. He was cleared to return earlier this week. 

As far as the rest of the artists scheduled for this weekend's shows, the highlight will be on Saturday night as Ronnie Milsap returns to the Opry stage. Ronnie is currently on a farewell tour, but I have not heard any news as to whether or not this will be Ronnie's final Opry appearance, or if we can expect more from him. Joining Ronnie on Saturday night, in addition to Bill Anderson, will be Opry members Mike Snider, Connie Smith, both of whom will also be appearing on Friday night, John Conlee and Bobby Osborne. Interesting that Mike Snider will be hosting segments both nights. Among the guest artists scheduled are Jackie Lee, who is quickly becoming an Opry favorite, William Michael Morgan, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, and Sara Haze, who will be appearing with Ben Caver. All I can tell you about Ben, besides the fact that he is making his first formal Opry appearance, is that he is from Alabama and is a singer/songwriter who has been in town for just over a decade. 

Joining Bill Anderson, Mike Snider and Connie Smith on Friday night will be Opry members Jessie McReynolds and Jeannie Seely. It is nice to see another appearance scheduled by Ray Stevens, who I am sure will be promoting his new television show. Jimmy Wayne will be making another guest appearance, along with Ray Scott, The Swon Brothers and The Steeldrivers, who will be closing out the show. Making her Opry debut will be Mindi Abair. This is another of those Opry bookings that you shake your head about, as Mindi is a jazz saxophone player. How she ended up at the Opry this weekend, I do not know.  

Friday November 13
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Scott
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Swon Brothers; Ray Stevens
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Jimmy Wayne
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Mindi Abair; The Steeldrivers

Saturday November 14
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jackie Lee; Sara Haze & Ben Caver
7:30: Connie Smith (host); William Michael Morgan; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:00: John Conlee (host); Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Ronnie Milsap

2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Ronnie Milsap
10:00: Connie Smith (host); Jackie Lee; Sara Haze & Ben Caver
10:30: John Conlee (host); William Michael Morgan; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys

Next Saturday night will be Jean Shepard's 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She will join Herman and Lewis Crook as those who were at the Opry for 60+ years. She was interviewed in The Tennessean earlier this week and she said that she does intend to be at the Opry next weekend and the Opry does have something special planned for her. 

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, November 12 & 13, 2010. The shows both nights were held at the Ryman Auditorium. 

Friday November 12

7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jeannie Seely; Josh Kelley

7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; Del McCoury Band

Intermission

8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Craig Morgan

8:45: Marty Stuart (host); Riders In The Sky; Connie Smith

Saturday November 13

1st show

7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Del McCoury Band

7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Ricky Skaggs

8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Gretchen Wilson; Opry Square Dancers

8:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Craig Morgan

2nd show

9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jean Shepard; Del McCoury Band

10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Ricky Skaggs

10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jesse McReynolds; Gretchen Wilson; Opry Square Dancers

11:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Craig Morgan

And from ten years ago, November 11 & 12, 2005:

Friday November 11

7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Lane Brody; Jamey Johnson

8:00: Mike Snider (host); Hank Locklin; Mel McDaniel; Carolyn Dawn Johnson

8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jack Greene; Luke Stricklin

9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Osborne Brothers; Jean Shepard; Mandy Barnett

9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Chely Wright; Tracy Byrd

Saturday November 12

1st show

6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jack Greene; Josh Turner

7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; Shelly Fairchild

7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mel McDaniel; Jean Shepard; Alison Brown Band

8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Billy Walker; T. Graham Brown; Opry Square Dancers

8:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Andy Griggs; Terri Clark

2nd show

9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Mike Snider; The Whites; Josh Turner

10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); T. Graham Brown; Terri Clark

10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Osborne Brothers; Shelly Fairchild; Opry Square Dancers

11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jean Shepard; Andy Griggs

11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Pillow; Billy Walker; Alison Brown Band

Looking back, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from 16 years ago, Saturday November 13, 1999. This particular night featured a guest appearance by former Opry member Earl Scruggs, and a rare guest appearance by Andy Griffith, you performed with Earl. 

1st show
6:30: Opryland Hotel
Jean Shepard (host): Second Fiddle
Bill Carlisle: Gone Home
BR5-49: White Picket Fences/Me and Opie Down By the Duck Pond
Jean Shepard: Secret Love
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/ Somebody Touched Me

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Osborne Brothers: Kentucky
Connie Smith: I Love Charlie Brown
Isaacs: I'm Gonna Move/Christmas Means Jesus
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/Old Camp Meeting Time

7:30: Standard Candy
Johnny Russell (host): In A Mansion Stand My Love
Kelly Willis: What I Deserve
Earl Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Andy Griffith: Whoa, Mule
The Wilkinsons: Twenty-Six Cents/Don't Look at Me Like That

8:00: Martha White
Marty Stuart (host): Doin' My Time
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Fire on the Mountain
Marty Stuart: Hillbilly Rock

8:30: Physicians Mutual
Vince Gill (host): Don't Come Cryin' to Me
Holly Dunn: We're Got the Love
The Whites: Help Me
T. Graham Brown: Hide and Seek/Turn the Water Into Wine
Vince Gill & Dawn Sears: My Kind of Woman/My Kind of Man

2nd show
9:30: Ray Stevens Show
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Wilma Lee Cooper: Shackles & Chains
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Marty Stuart & Earl Scruggs: Salty Dog Blues
Earl Scruggs: Flint Hill Special/Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Porter Wagoner: Where the Soul of Men Never Dies

10:00: Lincoln-Mercury
Jean Shepard (host): A Phone Call Away
Osborne Brothers: I'll Be Alright Tomorrow/Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: I'm Not that Good at Goodbyes

10:15: Fluffo
Marty Stuart: The Whiskey Ain't Working Anymore
Jan Howard: Heartaches by the Number
Marty Stuart: The Long Black Veil

10:30: Mississippi Queen
Vince Gill (host): Don't Come Cryin' to Me
The Wilkinsons: Jimmy's Got A Girlfriend/Twenty Six Cents
Vince Gill & Dawn Sears: My Kind of Woman; My Kind of Man

10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Holly Dunn (host): There Goes My Heart Again
Isaacs: Moses in the Burning Bush/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/Life's Railway to Heaven/Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Holly Dunn w/Sharon & Cheryl White: Daddy's Hands

11:00: Coca-Cola
The Whites (host): San Antonio Rose
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
Jim & Luke McReynolds: Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes
Kelly Willis: Cradle of Love/Heaven's Just A Sin Away

11:30: Ryman Reunion Celebration
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Connie Smith: Cincinnati, Ohio/Once A Day
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
T. Graham Brown: (?)/Tell It Like It Used to Be/(?)

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!

Grand Ole Opry 11/6 & 11/7

The Grand Ole Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville where they will be stationed for the next 3 months. For November and up to the week before Christmas, the Opry will run 2 shows on Saturday night before returning to the one show format through the end of January. Historically, the Ryman shows are pretty good, especially as you get closer to Christmas when a lot of the acts are in town and done traveling for the year. 

As far as this weekend, things get off to a very nice start as Old Crow Medicine Show will be featured on all 3 shows. They will close out the Opry each night, with the entire Saturday closing segment devoted to them. While I am not a fan of the "one act" segments, at least they have an Opry member doing it, and a very good one at that. Also appearing on all 3 shows will be Hall of Fame member Connie Smith, The Whites and Riders In The Sky. 

As far as additional Opry members this weekend, Friday night will feature Bobby Osborne, Joe Diffie, Ricky Skaggs and Trace Adkins. It is especially nice to see Joe in a hosting spot once again. The only additional Opry member scheduled for Saturday night is Jesse McReynolds, who is scheduled for both shows. 

Guests on Friday night include just 2, Lauren Alaina and Suzy Bogguss. I have to admit that Suzy is in my Top 5 as far as female vocalists. Scheduled for Saturday night are JT Hodges, The Willis Clan, Lindsay Ell, and making her Opry debut, Lindi Ortega. Lindi is from Toronto, Canada and now lives in Nashville. Her voice has been described as "a blend of Dolly Parton Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris." She calls playing the Opry "a dream come true" and in 2015 she won the CCMA Roots Artist of the Year Award for the second year in a row. Her latest album, "Faded Gloryville" was released this past summer. I wish I could tell you more, but she has not done a very good job keeping her website updated. As far as Lindsay Ell, when I was in Nashville for the birthday weekend, she sang for 24 straight hours in front of the Opry Shop on Broadway starting on Thursday evening at 11. The weather was wet and cold, but she was a trooper and hung in as she was helping to raise money for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and supporting her new music. I spent some time on Friday watching and was impressed. 

Friday November 6
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lauren Alaina; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: Joe Diffie (host); The Whites; Suzy Bogguss
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Trace Adkins
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Old Crow Medicine Show

Saturday November 7
1st show
7:00: Connie Smith (host); JT Hodges; Lindi Ortega
7:30: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Willis Clan
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lindsay Ell; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Old Crow Medicine Show

2nd show
9:30: Connie Smith (host); JT Hodges; Lindi Ortega
10:00: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Willis Clan
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lindsay Ell; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Old Crow Medicine Show

That comes out to 8 Opry members on Friday night and just 5 on Saturday night. Looking at the 2 nights this weekend, Friday is definitely the better of the two. 

A couple of health updates for everyone. Bill Anderson had cataract surgery a few weeks ago but suffered a health setback as he developed a bacterial infection. He had to cancel from the Opry last weekend and he also had to cancel inducting The Browns into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He explains more on his website and wrote about it in his monthly journal. He expects to be back at the Opry next week. And sorry to see that Tommy Overstreet passed away yesterday. While never an Opry member, he did perform on the show several times in the 1970s.

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, November 5 & 6, 2010. This was the weekend that the Opry returned to the Ryman Auditorium for its winter run, which would last through January. 

Friday November 5
7:00: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Blaine Larsen
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Mountain Heart
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Holly Williams
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); The Whites; Connie Smith

Saturday November 6
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; James Wesley
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Point Of Grace
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); George Hamilton IV; Jim Brickman; Victoria Shaw; Robin Meade; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Montgomery Gentry

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; James Wesley
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Point Of Grace
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jim Brickman; Victoria Shaw; Robin Meade; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Montgomery Gentry

Now from ten years ago, the weekend of November 4 & 5, 2005:

Friday November 4
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Charlie Walker; The Peasall Sisters
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Danielle Peck
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Catherine Britt
9:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Mel McDaniel; Rhonda Vincent
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Daryle Singletary

Saturday November 5
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Julie Roberts
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Paulette Carlson
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Osborne Brothers; Suzy Bogguss
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Riders In The Sky; Jeff Bates; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jack Greene; The Whites

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Julie Roberts
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Paulette Carlson
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Stu Phillips; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Osborne Brothers; Suzy Bogguss
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jack Greene; Jeff Bates

For this week's look back at past Grand Ole Opry shows, let's go back 24 years to Saturday November 7, 1992:

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Monroe (host): When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall
Riders In The Sky: Miss Molly
Bill Monroe: Precious Memories

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Ol' Rattler
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Grandpa & Mark Jones: Arkansas Traveler

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Del Reeves: The Race is On
Jean Shepard: Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me
4 Guys: Swing Down, Chariot/May You Find Yourself in Heaven
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed

7:30: Standard Candy
Jim Ed Brown (host): Mariah
Jan Howard: Ozark Mountain Jubilee
The Whites: Hangin' Around
Eddy Raven: I'm Gonna Get You/Thank God for Kids
Jim Ed Brown: When A Child Is Born/Looking Back to See

8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Jim & Jesse: Headin' West
Oswald: Dobro Chimes
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Breakfast With the Blues
Jeannie Seely: Another Bridge to Burn
Roy Drusky: Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Mike Snider: Dueling Banjos
Teddy Wilburn: Making Plans
Hank Snow: I've Done at Least One Thing That Was Good in My Life

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Hero's Death
The Whites: There's A Higher Power
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away
Stonewall Jackson: Smoke Along the Track
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown

10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Anderson (host): But You Know I Love You
Eddy Raven: He's Got You; I've Got Mexico
Bill Anderson: Still

10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Bill Monroe (host): My Little Georgia Rose
Mike Snider: Bells of St. Mary's
Bill Monroe: Then Take Courage Un Tomorrow

10:30: Randy Travis Enterprises
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down the Country
4 Guys: Farther Along
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Grandpa & Mark Jones: Cripple Creek

10:45: B.C. Powder
Riders In The Sky (host): When Payday Rolls Around
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Riders In The Sky: Riding Down the Canyon

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Snowbird
Jim & Jesse: It's A Lonesome Feeling
Roy Drusky: Go Bring My Children Home
Skeeter Davis: 'Taint Nice
Justin Tubb: You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Hank Snow: My First Night Alone

11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Teddy Wilburn: Arkansas
Johnny Russell: In A Mansion Stands My Love/He'll Have to Go
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

Enjoy the Opry at the Ryman this weekend!!

November Opry Highlights

As I do each month, here are the important and historical events that have taken place at the Grand Ole Opry, or involving Opry members, during the month of November: 

November 28, 1912: Early Grand Ole Opry member Robert Lunn was born in Franklin, Tennessee. George D. Hay named him the "Original Talking Blues Man." Robert first appeared on the Opry on March 31, 1934 and stayed with the Opry until retiring in 1958. What is interesting is that he was known for his "Talking Blues" but he never recorded the song until 1947. He was very popular and did many of the Opry's tent shows, appearing often with Roy Acuff. 

November 6, 1925: Uncle Dave Macon, Sid Harkreader and Dr. Humphrey Bate perform a show at the Ryman Auditorium. The concert was aired on WSM radio and is considered the first country music concert to have been broadcast on WSM from the Ryman. 

November 9, 1925: George D. Hay began working at WSM radio in Nashville. His title was "Radio Director." Later that month, he would put Uncle Jimmy Thompson in front of a WSM microphone and start the WSM Barn Dance, which would later be known as the Grand Ole Opry. 

November 28, 1925: This is considered the start date of the WSM Barn Dance, later to become known as the Grand Ole Opry. The broadcast, which began at 8:00 p.m., originated from the fifth-floor studio at the National Life and Accident Insurance Company's headquarters in downtown Nashville. George D. Hay was the announcer and the one performer that night was Uncle Jimmy Thompson. He began the broadcast with "Tennessee Waggoner."

November 2, 1926: Former Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Walker was born in Texas. This former disc jockey joined the Opry in 1967 and would remain an Opry member until his death in 2008. "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" was Charlie's signature song. 

November 1, 1937: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson was born. Bill became an Opry member in 1961 and remains an Opry member to this day. Not only has this Country Music Hall of Fame member have numerous country music hits to his credit, but he is also considered one of the great country music writers on all time. 

November 2, 1948: Roy Acuff, the Republican candidate for Governor of Tennessee was defeated. Roy would not seek office again but he would remain a big supporter of Republican candidates. During his 1948 campaign, he would usually appear with his Smoky Mountain Boys and mix music with politics. Even though he lost the election, he received more votes for Governor then any other Republican candidate up to that time. 

November 6, 1948: Jimmy Dickens joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Jimmy was an Opry member until 1957, when he left the show. He returned in 1975 and would remain one of the Opry's most popular members until his death earlier this year. 

November 13, 1949: The Grand Ole Opry sponsored its first overseas tour as a group of Opry performers traveled to England, Germany and the Azores as part of a USO sponsored tour. Among the Opry stars who made the trip were Roy Acuff, Rod Brasfield, Jimmy Dickens, Red Foley, Minnie Pearl and Hank Williams. 

November 13, 1953: Ragtime piano player Del Wood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Del was popular, thanks to her #1 record, "Down Yonder." Del would remain an Opry member until her death in October 1989.

November 14, 1953: Bill Carlisle joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Over the years, he would be listed as a solo artist, as Bill Carlisle and the Carlisles and as just the Carlisles. Either way, he was with the Opry for a long time, until he passed away on March 17, 2003, the year after he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and just short of 50 years as an Opry member. 

November 20, 1954: Western singer and music star Gene Autry made his first ever appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. 

November 21, 1955: Jean Shepard became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and this year, she will be celebrating her 60th year as an Opry member. She has been a member of the Opry longer then any other female artist. Not only will she be celebrating her Opry anniversary on that date, but it will also be Jean's 82nd birthday and her wedding anniversary. Jean has not made an Opry appearance in 2015 and hopefully she will be well enough to be on the Opry and honored for her 60 years as an Opry member. 

November 3, 1956: Stonewall Jackson joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 59th anniversary since he originally joined the cast. It should be noted that he did leave the Opry in 1964 for failing to meet the required number of yearly appearances, and he rejoined the cast in May 1969. Stonewall was an unknown when he first joined the Opry but over the years, he has been very successful. Stonewall made news when he sued Pete Fisher and Gaylord Entertainment for age discrimination, a lawsuit that was eventually settled out of court. 

November 10, 1956: The Wilburn Brothers, Teddy and Doyle, became official members of the Grand Ole Opry. Teddy and Doyle, along with other family members, originally came to the Opry in the 1940s, however due to child labor laws they were sent packing. Thankfully, and with the help of Roy Acuff, they returned. 

November 9, 1960: Hank Locklin accepted an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank had made his first Opry appearance on November 28, 1953. Once he joined the Opry, he remained a member until his death in March 2009. Hank's first appearance as an Opry member was on November 12. 

November 3, 1961: The Country Music Association announced the first group of inductees to be elected to the new Country Music Hall of Fame. That first class included Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose and Hank Williams, with Roy Acuff joining that group the following year to become the first living inductee of the Hall. 

November 25, 1961: Grand Ole Opry announcer, and WSM air personality, Eddie Stubbs was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Before joining WSM, Eddie was a fiddle player with the Johnson Mountain Boys, and later was a part of Kitty Well's band. On occasion, Eddie will still play the fiddle for the square dancers on the Opry, along with appearances on the Marty Stuart show. 

November 29, 1961: A group of Opry members played a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall in New York. That group of Opry members included Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Bill Monroe, Patsy Cline and Grandpa Jones. 

November 28, 1964: Willie Nelson joined the Grand Ole Opry. Willie did not stay for long as he constantly complained about the low pay and having to be there every Saturday night. To make matters worse, on his first night there he was introduced by the wrong name. After a few years on the Opry, he left the show and Nashville and returned to Texas where he changed his image and became one of the biggest stars in the history of country music. 

November 20, 1968: While not specifically Grand Ole Opry history, the first televised Country Music Association Awards show aired on NBC-TV. The show was televised from the Ryman Auditorium with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans as the hosts. 

November 12, 1971: Construction was officially started on the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland. While there were many who worried if the downtown crowds would continue to come to the Opry once it moved out of town, that would turn out not to be an issue. When the building opened in March 1974, it was the first theater specifically built for the Opry. 

November 10, 1973: David Akeman, known professionally as Stringbean, made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance. Lather that night, when he and his wife Estelle returned home from the Opry, they were ambushed and murdered by town men who were waiting at their home to rob them. The bodies were found the following morning by their neighbor and good friend, Grandpa Jones, who had come to pick up Stringbean for a fishing trip. Grandpa was so shaken by the murders that he left Nashville for a number of years, living and performing at a theater in Arkansas. Roy Acuff and other Opry members called for the death penalty for the killers, who were quickly caught. They were sentenced to long prison terms. One of the killers died in prison while the other was recently granted parole. 

November 24, 1975: One of the Opry's early members, Asher Sizemore died at the age of 69. Asher appeared on the Opry with his son, known as "Little Jimmie." While there is a little confusion when they started on the Opry, it would appear that their first Opry show was on September 24, 1932. The were on the Opry for most of the 1930s, and left the Opry for good in 1942. Years after they left the Opry, Asher and Little Jimmie continued to perform on various radio stations, primarily in the Midwest. 

November 1, 1978: Tanya Tucker made a guest appearance on the Opry. While performing, she sang what many considered "rock" music and some in the audience, who did not agree with her musical selection, booed her. 

November 5, 1983: Glen Campbell makes his first appearance as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry. He performed a melody of hits made famous by Marty Robbins. Interesting that it took this long into his career before he performed on the Opry. 

November 21, 1985: Reba McEntire made her first appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Reba had actually joined early when she was asked to join during a taping of the Opry's 60th anniversary show. Since the show was taped for later broadcast, news of her Opry membership was kept under wrap. 

November 3, 1990: Minnie Pearl was honored for 50 years of membership on the Grand Ole Opry. She joined the cast in 1940 and was considered one of the Opry's most loved members. 

November 15, 1992: The Grand Ole Opry was inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Communication's Radio Hall of Fame. 

November 23, 1992: Grand Ole Opry star and Country Music Hall of Fame member, Roy Acuff passed away in Nashville, one month after his final appearance on the Opry. His influence at the Opry and with country music in general, cannot be understated. Thanks in large part to Acuff-Rose Publishing, Nashville established itself as the home base of country music and it gave country music songwriters and singers a place to publish and claim ownership of their material without having to go to New York. Roy was an Opry member for over 50 years. There are many who feel that his death was the first nail in the coffin that has led to the changes we have seen at the Opry over the past several decades. 

November 28, 1992: Marty Stuart became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 23rd year as an Opry member. Marty, along with Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill, has done much to carry on the tradition of the Opry. 

November 27, 1993: Joe Diffie became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Joe's 22nd year as an Opry member. 

November 30, 1993: Grand Ole Opry member David Houston passed away at the age of 57. David, who came to Nashville from the Louisiana Hayride, had one of the biggest hits in the history of country music with "Almost Persuaded." David had joined the Opry in 1972. 

November 30, 1995: Martina McBride became a member of the Grand Ole Opry during a CBS television special that celebrated the Opry's 70th anniversary. This will be her 20th year as an Opry member. Loretta Lynn, who Martina has said was a big influence to her while she was learning the business, did the formal induction. Regarding Martina, I love this story that I have repeated several times. Martina actually appeared on the Opry on the night of the 70th anniversary, that was televised by TNN. She was the last performer on the televised segment prior to the cake being brought out and the singing of "Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry" by the cast. She sang two ballads that ran long, causing the cake and singing to be delayed until the next segment, which was not televised. There were many unhappy viewers at home who missed this Opry tradition, and many unhappy Opry members, who missed the chance to be onstage during the televised portion. Martina was very upset afterwards, believing that her mistake on the timing of her songs, cost her a chance at becoming an Opry member, which was one of her dreams. She apologized to everyone she could find that night and the following month, her dream came true. 

November 23, 1996: Trace Adkins made his first appearance as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry. 7 years later, in August 2003, he would become an Opry member. Trace has told the story that on the night of his first appearance, Grandpa Jones, who was hosting the segment, forgot his name. 

November 8, 1997: Johnny Paycheck became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. For Johnny, this came pretty late in his life. Johnny Russell did a lot behind the scenes to help Johnny become a member, convincing Opry management that Johnny had really cleaned up his act. Sad to say, but Johnny became ill several years after joining and was only a part of the Opry for a few years. 

November 7, 1998: Opry member Jimmy Dickens is honored for 50 years of Opry membership. He originally had joined the Opry in 1948. Joining Jimmy that night were Waylon Jennings, Bill Anderson, Carl Smith and Bobby Bare. 

November 23, 2000: Dolly Parton and Vince Gill hosted a CBS television special celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Opry. 

November 8, 2002: The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast for the first time on Sirius satellite radio. For the first time, many could hear an entire Opry show, although without commercials, for the first time with no static.  

November 23, 2002: Jim & Jesse McReynolds perform for the final time on the Grand Ole Opry. The brothers had joined the Opry in 1964. Jim McReynolds would pass away five weeks later, on December 31. 

November 30, 2002: Tim McGraw made his first guest appearance on the Opry. While Tim would never become an Opry member, he did made a couple more appearances.

November 17, 2003: Grand Ole Opry member Don Gibson passed away in Nashville. Don was one of the greatest songwriters in the history of country music and was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, He originally joined the Opry on May 20, 1958, but was fired in 1964 for failing to meet the Opry's mandatory number of appearances. He rejoined the Opry a few years later, but even after that, his Opry appearances were very few. His last Opry show was on March 16, 1996.

November 15, 2005: The Grand Ole Opry returned to Carneige Hall in New York for a 3rd time to promote the Opry's 80th anniversary. The show included performances by Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs and Trisha Yearwood. The show was filmed for a television special and was later produced on a CD and DVD. 

November 19, 2007: During Charlie Daniel's 11th annual Christmas For Kids benefit at the Ryman Auditorium, Opry member Martina McBride surprises Charlie on stage with an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 

November 8, 2008: Actor Kevin Costner and his country & western band Modern West, performed on the Opry for the first time. 

November 14, 2009: The Grand Ole Opry streamed part of its show on MySpace. The segment featured Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Jack Owen and Rodney Atkins. This was the first time that the Opry attempted a broadcast like this, and despite numerous technical issues, the Opry considered the show a success. 

November 9, 2010: Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Louvin made his final Ryman Auditorium Grand Ole Opry appearance. 

Grand Ole Opry 10/30 & 10/31

Two weeks ago, the Grand Ole Opry had what was probably the worst line-up of the year. It was a very poorly scheduled Saturday night. Two weeks later, the Opry has one of the best line-ups of the year scheduled as both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry look very, very good. The majority of the artists both nights are Opry members, and the members that are scheduled are some of the Opry's better members. 

Appearing both nights this weekend are Opry members Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Hall of Fame members Bill Anderson and Mel Tillis, and two future Hall of Fame members in Ricky Skaggs and Charlie Daniels. They will be joined on Friday night by members Connie Smith, also a Hall of Fame member, Jeannie Seely, Jesse McReynolds, and by an Opry member who we all wish was at the Opry more often, Brad Paisley. Then on Saturday night, in addition to those already mentioned, you have John Conlee, The Whites, Bobby Osborne, and Hall of Fame member Vince Gill.

As far as guest artists, Chris Janson is scheduled for Friday night. He will also be signing copies of his new CD, and he has a new single out that is moving rapidly up the charts. And yes, I think it is about time that he becomes an Opry member. Everything I have read indicates to me that he appreciates the Opry, understands the history and tradition of the Opry, and I believe he will appear after joining. It's about time. 

Joining Chris on Friday night will be The Willis Clan and John Rich (of Big & Rich), with Bradley Gaskin. Bradley was discovered by John Rich in a talent contest a few years ago and has been working hard to get Bradley going on his career, so far with mixed results. As far as Saturday night, Morgan Evans and Restless Heart are the only non-members scheduled. 

Friday October 30
7:00: Connie Smith (host); The Willis Clan; Jeannie Seely; Jesse McReynolds
7:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); John Rich with Bradley Gaskin; Mel Tillis
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Chris Janson; Charlie Daniels Band
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Brad Paisley

Saturday October 31
7:00: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Morgan Evans; John Conlee
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Restless Heart
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mel Tillis; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Charlie Daniels

Over the years, there have been a few weekends that are generally stronger then others. For whatever reason, the December Ryman shows fall into that group, along with the 1st weekend back at the Opry House in February and the final October weekend prior to the move to the Ryman. The pattern continues this year with a great weekend scheduled. And, I am sure a few of the 90th anniversary awards will be given out this weekend. 

And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of October 29 & 30, 2010:

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; 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

Intermission

8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Josh Thompson; Opry Square Dancers

8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Rascal Flatts

And from ten years ago, October 28 & 29, 2005:

Friday October 28

7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Billy Walker; Alecia Nugent

8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Charlie Louvin; Jack Greene; Emerson Drive

8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); John Conlee; Blue Highway

9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Restless Heart

9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Osborne Brothers; Mandy Barnett

Saturday October 29

1st show

6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; John Anderson

7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Brad Paisley; Wynonna; Cherryholmes

8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; John Conlee; Opry Square Dancers

8:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Rhonda Vincent

2nd show

9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; John Anderson

10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Jack Greene; Rhonda Vincent

10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Wynonna; Opry Square Dancers

11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; The Whites

11:30: John Conlee (host); Cherryholmes

Now for this week's look back into Grand Ole Opry history, I have the line-up from Saturday October 30, 1943. Here is the show from 72 years ago, or just 18 years after the Opry started:

8:00: Purina
Bill Monroe: Train 45
Uncle Dave Macon and Doris: Jenny Put the Kettle On
Bill Monroe: Never No More Blues
Daniel Quartette: The Sweetest Song I Know
Wilbur: Sweet Evalina
Curly Williams and Georgia Peach Pickers: Home In San Antone
Ernest Tubb: Blue Eyed Elaine
Carl Story: Bile Them Cabbage Down
Uncle Dave Macon and Doris: Chewing Gum
Bill and Clyde: In The Pines
Chubby Wise: Fishers Hornpipe
Bill Monroe: John Henry

8:30: Crazy Water Crystals
Paul Howard and Arkansas Cotton Pickers: With Tears In My Eyes
Marie and Clyde Dillaha: I Can't Go On
Crook Brothers: 8th of January
Eddy Arnold: The Hand Is Writing On The Wall
Jack Shook and The Missouri Mountaineers: Be Honest With Me
Possum Hunters: Ragged Bill
Ford Rush: Silver Threads Among The Gold
Sam, Kirk, and the Boys from Tennessee: If I Had My Life To Live Over
Lonny and Tommy Thompson: You're My Darling You're My Sunshine
Smith Sisters: No Letter Today
Uncle Rufus: My Mother In Law
Gully Jumpers: Chinese Breakdown

9:00: Royal Crown
Golden West Cowboys: Better Quit It Now
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Rolling Down The Line
Ernest Tubb: Last Night I Dreamed
Curly Williams and the Georgia Peach Pickers: When the Sun Goes Down
Robert Lunn: Military Talking Blues
Little Becky Barfield: Don't Forget
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Old Hen Cackled
Ernest Tubb: My Time Will Come Some Day
Curly Williams and The Georgia Peach Pickers: Columbus Stockade Blues
Tex Summey: Hawaiian Sunset
Golden West Cowboys: I Can't Forget Loving You

9:30: Prince Albert
Roy Acuff and His Smokey Mountain Boys: Green Back Dollar
Roy Acuff and His Smokey Mountain Boys: Live and Let Live
Minnie Pearl: In the Shade of the Pines
Mack McGarr: D Chord
Hoe Down: Arkansas Traveler
Jug Band: Pistol Packing Mama
Old Hickory Singers: Birmingham Jail
Whitey Ford: The Duke of Paducah
Jimmy Riddle: Fox Chase

10:00: Wallrite
Bill Monroe: Turkey In The Straw
Sally Ann: Nobody's Darling On Earth
Blue Grass Quartet: Lord Lead Me On
Clyde Moody: The Face I See At Evening
Chubby Wise: Here and There

10:15: Weatherman
Daniel Quartet: Waiting for the Boys to Come Home
Uncle Dave Macon and Doris: Going Down This Road Feeling Bad
Possum Hunters: Take Your Foot Out of the Mud
Eddy Arnold: I'm Coming Home Darling
Marie and Clyde Dillaha: Someday You'll Be Sorry
Uncle Dave Macon and Doris: Take Me Back to My Old Carolina Home
Daniel Quartet: We Are Climbing
Possum Hunters: Durang Hornpipe

10:30: Cherokee Mills
Roy Acuff: Beautiful Brown Eyes
Roy Acuff: Mother the Queen of My Heart
Rachel and Oswald: Gathering Flowers from the Hillside
Jimmy Riddle: San Antonio Rose
Jug Band: Hi-Di-Ho-Baby

10:45: Lazyu
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Uncle Rufus: The Cat Came Back
Sam, Kirk, Art and Goldie: While I'm Away
Robert Lunn, Floyd and Goldie: Riding Down the Canyon
Lonny and Tommy Thompson: Song of the Bandit
Gully Jumpers: Grey Eagle
Sam and Kirk: It's Too Late to Say You Are Wrong
Crook Brothers: John Henry

11:00: Roy Acuff Song Book
Roy Acuff: I'll Reap My Harvest In Heaven
Roy Acuff: Pins and Needles
Rachel and Oswald: Girl I Love Don't Pay Me No Mine
Velma Williams: Too Late
Jimmy Riddle: Wang-Wang Blues

11:15: Ernest Tubb Songbook
Ernest Tubb: When the World Has Turned You Down
Ernest Tubb: I'm Tired of You
Leon Short: Won't You Come Back to Me
Ernest Tubb: I'm Wondering How

11:30: Saf-Kill
Golden West Cowboys: Just That Kind
Little Becky Barfield: I'll Betcha' My Heart I Love You
Tex Summey: San Antonio Rose
Pete Pyle: That Cheap Look In Your Eyes
Jal Smith: Black Mountain Stomp
Trio: Old Dusty Saddle

11:45: Coyne Electric
Curly Williams and The Georgia Peach Pickers: I'll Get Along Somehow
Smith Sisters: Columbus Stockade Blues
Paul Howard and The Arkansas Cotton Pickers: I'm Sending You Red Roses
Fruit Jar Drinkers: 8th of January
Curly Williams and The Georgia Peach Pickers: So Long to the Red River Valley

As you can see from this line-up, the show was still heavily packaged with some of the early string bands, many of whom were very familiar Opry members, including Curly Williams and his Georgia Peach Pickers, Possum Hunters, Gully Jumpers, Paul Howard and The Arkansas Cotton Pickers, Crook Brothers and Fruit Jar Drinkers. And of course, everyone knows who Roy Acuff, Eddy Arnold, Uncle Dave Macon, Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys and Ernest Tubb are. But there are a few acts who were on that night that some folks might have forgotten as early Opry members:

The John Daniel Quartet was one of the best known and most influential gospel music artists of the period. John Daniel, the leader, was born in Boaz, Alabama in 1903. He came from a musical family and in the 1930s he formed his group, which included his brothers John and Troy, along with friends Carl Rains and E.C. Littlejohn. They signed with the A.J. Showalter Company, which was one of the leading songbook publishing companies. By 1937, they had joined the Vaughan organization and their popularity took off. By the end of the 1930s, they had appeared in 38 states and Canada. In 1936, Wally Fowler joined the group and he would remain until 1943, when he left to form the Oak Ridge Quartet, later known as the Oak Ridge Boys. In 1942, the quartet signed a radio contract with WSM to do a morning program and this eventually led to them becoming members of the Grand Ole Opry. The John Daniel Quartet continued into the 1950s, when their popularity began to be surpassed by the new gospel quartets coming on the scene, which included the Blackwood Brothers and the Statesmen. John Daniel passed away in 1961.

Clarence "Mac" McGarr was considered an excellent mandolin player and fiddler who would become the fiddler for the Opry stage band. He was at one time a part of The Missouri Mountaineers and later did some work with Ernest Tubb. He was a part of the Opry through most of the 1940s and would become the leader of the Opry stage band and fill in for other acts as needed. 

Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers were considered the Opry's most popular band in the late 1930s. They originally came to the Opry in February 1935. Jack Shook was born in 1910 and passed away in September 1987. Very little is known about the Missouri Mountaineers as they group was made up of primarily WSM staff musicians and rarely toured. In later years, after the group ended, Jack Shook continued to work at WSM and would often appear as part of the early morning staff band that worked WSM's TV shows. He also became one of Nashville's first studio session men, playing rhythm guitar for folks such as Hank Williams and Chet Atkins. 

The Smith Sisters largely came and went unnoticed. I could not even find a biography of them other then to confirm that they were actually Opry members in the early 1940s. 

Pete Pyle was born on April 18, 1920 and passed away in March 1995. He came to the Opry as a solo performer in the late 1930s and then in 1941 he became a member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys. He served in the Army in World War II and upon returning to the Opry, he first became a member of Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys, then forming his own group, the Mississippi Valley Boys. By 1953, he was back with Bill Monroe, eventually becoming the leader of the house band at his Brown County Jamboree in Bean Blossom. 

Little Becky Barfield was never an Opry member, although she did perform with Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys. She was the featured vocalist, following in the footsteps of Eddy Arnold and had just joined Pee Wee's group in 1943, at the age of 15. She passed away in California in 1958 at the young age of 31. 

Tex Summey was not actually a solo Opry member in 1943, joining the cast later as Cousin Jody. 

Finally, there was Carl Story. He never became an Opry member however in 1942 he was the fiddler for Bill Monroe, replacing Howdy Forrester who had been drafted into the Army. Carl stayed with Bill for about a year, until he himself was drafted. Carl had a long and successful career in bluegrass music, and he was called "The Father of Bluegrass Gospel Music." Carl passed away in 1995 at the age of 78.

That covers a few of the names people might have forgotten. 

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!!