As the Labor Day weekend continues, here are a few Opry notes that I wanted to post:
The 91st birthday weekend is scheduled for October 7th and 8th, which makes it just five weeks away and as of this point, nothing has been announced for Saturday night. As many Opry fans know, the last few years have seen a decline in the quality of the birthday weekend shows. As far as Friday night, Joe Diffie and Lee Brice have been announced. The assumption is that the Opry will make an announcement soon which will hopefully include a few big names. But time is getting short.
Meanwhile, Crystal Gayle has been announced as the star of the annual birthday concert which takes place on Saturday afternoon. What is interesting is that Crystal is not an Opry member which makes me wonder if there was not an Opry member available to do the concert. If my memory is right, the only other non-Opry member to have done the birthday concert since it switched to the current format was T. Bubba Bechtol, but when he appeared it was on a show with Mike Snider. Crystal is actually a good choice for the show as she always does a fine job at the Opry. And Crystal is another of the artists that you wonder why she has not been made an Opry member. She would be a good one.
It has been almost two years since the Opry has had a new member, with Little Big Town joining the cast last in 2014. Since that time, several Opry members have passed away, currently leaving 62 members. The only rumor out there remains Chris Janson, who as stated many times that he would love to become a member of the Opry. Supposedly he did ask Pete Fisher if he could be a member and the response was something along the lines that while he performs on the Opry a lot now, once he really becomes big he will never be back. Interesting comment for sure. Meanwhile, most weeks at the Opry finds just 5 or 6 members performing, with the continued reliance on guest artists. Now there might be a financial advantage to Ryman Hospitalities to not have any additional members, as Opry members have a union contract that does give them health and pension benefits.
November 3, 2016 will mark 60 years from the date that Stonewall Jackson originally became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Stonewall joined the cast on November 3, 1956, then was fired on December 6, 1964 for failing to make the number of required Opry appearances. He rejoined the show on May 10, 1969. While he was gone from the Opry for five years, the Opry has always recognized Stonewall's original date. It will be interesting if the Opry does anything special for Stonewall as they did for Jean Shepard on her 60th anniversary this past November. Stonewall has not appeared on the Opry since 2014 and actually very seldom in the past few years. Of course it should be noted that Stonewall sued the Opry in a case that was eventually settled out of court. Personally, it would be a shame if the Opry did not recognize the anniversary but I think it is safe to say that Stonewall is pretty much done with the Opry. I did notice that Stonewall will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree on November 5. On the schedule there is nothing noting his Opry anniversary, but they do note that it will be Stonewall's 84th birthday.
Speaking of the Midnight Jamboree, from what I have been told, the crowds remain relatively small. Hopefully it improves. Oh, by the way, on the birthday weekend, Bobby Osborne will be hosting.
Reports on Facebook, and in a comment on the blog from our good friend Jim, Jean Shepard is hospitalized as she has been battling a variety of health issues. When Jean appeared on the Opry in November for her 60th anniversary, the impression given was that it was going to be Jean's final appearance on the Opry as she wanted to focus on her health. Before being hospitalized, she had been out and about and was at several tapings of Larry's Country Diner for RFD-TV. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jean.
Meanwhile, there is nothing new to report regarding former Opry member Holly Dunn and her battle with ovarian cancer. Out prayers go out to Holly also.
Bill Anderson's new biography is complete and for sale. He was offering autographed copies on his website and will also be doing a signing at the Opry House. I have not read the book as of yet, but I own Bill's previous books, and with his new book co-written with Peter Cooper, it promises to be another good one.
I hope everyone continues to enjoy the holiday weekend.
Nationally recognized independent Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay offers news and comments regarding country music's premier show.
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Grand Ole Opry 9/2 & 9/3
The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend, and considering that it is Labor Day weekend and a lot of the artists are out on the road doing state and county fairs, the Opry has come up with two pretty nice line-ups for the weekend.
When looking at the line-ups, especially on Saturday night, there are two names that stand out for different reasons. First, with all of the changes that have taken place over the past decade at the Opry, it is still nice that each year they have the Grand Master Fiddle Champion make an appearance. I am not sure how the contest is conducted currently, but back when Opryland was open, it was a big deal , and if I remember right, Porter Wagoner many times hosted the contest. It is good to see that tradition continuing. The second name is that of Richard Marx. While not a country artist, Richard is one of the great piano players of our time. What is interesting is that Richard was originally scheduled to be on the Wednesday Night Opry, August 3 but cancelled.
Joining the Grand Master Fiddle Champion and Richard Marx on Saturday night will be Grand Ole Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, The Whites, Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, Jesse McReynolds and Vince Gill. Additional guest artists include Ray Scott, Emily West, Mark Wills, Logan Brill and The Time Jumpers. A very solid line-up with 14 acts, of which 7 are Opry members.
The Friday Night Opry will feature Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne, Steve Wariner and Connie Smith. Guests on Friday include Smithfield, Mark Wills, The Steeldrivers, and one of my personal favorites, Suzy Bogguss. That comes out to 8 Opry members out of the 12 acts scheduled.
Friday September 2
7:00: John Conlee (host); Smithfield; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jeannie Seely; Mark Wills
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss
8:45: Steve Wariner (host); Connie Smith; The Steeldrivers
Saturday September 3
7:00: John Conlee (host); Ray Scott; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Grand Master Fiddle Champion; Emily West
Intermission
8:15: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Jesse McReynolds; Mark Wills; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Logan Brill; Richard Marx; The Time Jumpers
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, September 2 & 3, 2011:
Friday September 2
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Gloriana
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; James Otto
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Mark Wills
8:45: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Diamond Rio
Saturday September 3
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Connie Smith; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; Elizabeth Cook
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Wynn Varble; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Billy Dean
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of September 1 & 2, 2006:
Friday September 1
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Taylor Swift
8:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Brian McComas
9:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
9:30: Steve Wariner (host); Three Ring Circle; Bellamy Brothers
Saturday September 2
1st show
6:30: John Conlee (host); Lane Turner; Hillbilly All-Stars
7:00: The Whites (host); Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Steve Wariner (host); The Dale Ann Bradley Band; Alvarado Road Show
8:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Jan Howard; Craig Morgan; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Jeannie Seely; The Isaacs
2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Lane Turner; Hillbilly All-Stars
10:00: The Whites (host); Jack Greene; Legacy Five Quartet
10:30: Steve Wariner (host); Stu Phillips; Alvarado Road Show; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); The Dale Ann Bradley Band; Mandy Barnett
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); George Hamilton IV; The Isaacs
There were a few names that weekend that some Opry fans might not recognize. One is the Alvarado Road Show, which consists of brothers Cleve and A.J. Clark. The brothers are still out there performing and are also accomplished songwriters with their songs having been recorded by a number of major artists.
Another group that appeared that weekend was Three Ring Circle. This group consisted of instrumentalists Rob Ickes, Andy Leftwich and Dave Pomeroy, who played dobro, electric bass and mandolin. 2006 was the year that they released their first album with their second release taking place in 2011. The three are all accomplished, award winning musicians who have performed with a number of artists. That second CD seems to have been the last from that group.
Finally there was the Hillbilly All-Stars which consisted of well known names Chuck Mead, Robert Reynolds, Mark Collie and Paul Deakin. Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin are members of The Mavericks, and this group was short lived in collaboration with The Mavericks.
The one name that I am sure all will recognize from that weekend was a very young Taylor Swift, who appeared on the opening segment of the Friday Night Opry.
Finally, let's go back 50 years to Saturday September 3, 1966:
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Charlie Louvin (host): I Don't Love You Anymore
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
Charlie Louvin: I Want A Happy Life
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Charlie Louvin: The Proof is In the Kissing
6:45: Rudy's
Bobby Lord (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Duane Dee: I Believe
James Wilson: Yakety Axe
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
7:00:
Roy Acuff (host): Tennessee Central No. 9
Skeeter Davis: I Wanna Be Loved By You
Tex Ritter: Bummin' Around
Stoneman Family: Ol' Slewfoot
Skeeter Davis: It Only Hurts for A Little While
Oswald: Roll On, Buddy
Stoneman Family: Rawhide/Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
Tex Ritter: Take Him Fishin'
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light
7:30: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Two Glasses Joe
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Carter Family: Wildwood Flower
Minnie Pearl: I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes
Ernest Tubb: A Memory, That's All You'll Every Be to Me
Cal Smith: Silver Dew on the Blue Grass Tonight
Willis Brothers: Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Ernest Tubb: Tomorrow Never Comes
8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Don't Get Above Your Raisin'
Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
Justin Tubb: Looking Back to See
Cousin Jody: No Help Wanted
Flatt & Scruggs: For Lovin' Me
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Glaser Brothers: Let Me Down Easy
Flatt & Scruggs: Cabin on the Hill
Earl Scruggs: Cannonball Blues
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Please Come Back, Little Pal
Wilburn Brothers: I Can't Keep Away from You
Loretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman Enough
Waylon Jennings: Stop the World & Let Me Off
Roy Acuff: Sweeter Than the Flowers
Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Wilburn Brothers: Making Plans
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light
9:00: Pet Milk
Jimmy Newman (host): Back Pocket Money
Bob Luman: You Can Take the Boy From the Country
Harden Trio: Tippy Toeing
Del Reeves: Down in the Boondocks
Jimmy Newman: Bring Your Heart Home
The Voyagers: You Say That You're Going
Bob Luman: Come On & Sing
Opry Band: Java
Jimmy Newman: Cry, Cry Darling
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Willis Brothers: A 6 Ft 2 by 4
Bobby Lord: That's All Right
Carter Family: Little Darling Pal of Mine
Hank Snow: You Pass Me By
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking In My Sleep
Bobby Lord: Old Enough to Die
Hank Snow: My Blue Eyed Elaine
10:00: Schick
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Why Did You Wander
Charlie Louvin: The Proof Is In the Kissing
Del Wood: Bully of the Town
Flatt & Scruggs: Detroit City
10:15: Pure
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bob Luman: Almost Persuaded
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Larry McNeely: Sailor's Hornpipe
10:30: Harvey's
Jimmy Newman (host): Back Pocket Money
Waylon Jennings: For Lovin' Me
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Jimmy Newman: A Fallen Star
10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): Driving Nails In My Coffin
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Ernest Tubb: Soldier's Last Letter
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Rumba Boogie
Bill Anderson: I Get the Fever
Cousin Jody: Television Set
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Blackberry Blossom
Hank Snow: I Just Stepped Over the Line
Sam McGee: Dew Drop Waltz
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar/I Love You Drops
11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Th Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight
Wilburn Brothers: It's Another World
Loretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman Enough
Justin Tubb: Hurry, Mr. Peters
Loretta Lynn & Wilburn Brothers: Put It Off Until Tomorrow
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Bouquet of Roses/Wedding Bells/Take These Chains from My Heart/Singing the Blues/Lovesick Blues/You Know How Talk Gets Around
There you have it. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!
When looking at the line-ups, especially on Saturday night, there are two names that stand out for different reasons. First, with all of the changes that have taken place over the past decade at the Opry, it is still nice that each year they have the Grand Master Fiddle Champion make an appearance. I am not sure how the contest is conducted currently, but back when Opryland was open, it was a big deal , and if I remember right, Porter Wagoner many times hosted the contest. It is good to see that tradition continuing. The second name is that of Richard Marx. While not a country artist, Richard is one of the great piano players of our time. What is interesting is that Richard was originally scheduled to be on the Wednesday Night Opry, August 3 but cancelled.
Joining the Grand Master Fiddle Champion and Richard Marx on Saturday night will be Grand Ole Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, The Whites, Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin, Jesse McReynolds and Vince Gill. Additional guest artists include Ray Scott, Emily West, Mark Wills, Logan Brill and The Time Jumpers. A very solid line-up with 14 acts, of which 7 are Opry members.
The Friday Night Opry will feature Opry members John Conlee, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne, Steve Wariner and Connie Smith. Guests on Friday include Smithfield, Mark Wills, The Steeldrivers, and one of my personal favorites, Suzy Bogguss. That comes out to 8 Opry members out of the 12 acts scheduled.
Friday September 2
7:00: John Conlee (host); Smithfield; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jeannie Seely; Mark Wills
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss
8:45: Steve Wariner (host); Connie Smith; The Steeldrivers
Saturday September 3
7:00: John Conlee (host); Ray Scott; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Grand Master Fiddle Champion; Emily West
Intermission
8:15: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Jesse McReynolds; Mark Wills; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Logan Brill; Richard Marx; The Time Jumpers
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, September 2 & 3, 2011:
Friday September 2
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Gloriana
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; James Otto
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jan Howard; Mark Wills
8:45: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Diamond Rio
Saturday September 3
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Connie Smith; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; Elizabeth Cook
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Wynn Varble; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Billy Dean
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of September 1 & 2, 2006:
Friday September 1
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); The Whites; Taylor Swift
8:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Brian McComas
9:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
9:30: Steve Wariner (host); Three Ring Circle; Bellamy Brothers
Saturday September 2
1st show
6:30: John Conlee (host); Lane Turner; Hillbilly All-Stars
7:00: The Whites (host); Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Steve Wariner (host); The Dale Ann Bradley Band; Alvarado Road Show
8:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Jan Howard; Craig Morgan; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Vince Gill (host); Jeannie Seely; The Isaacs
2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Lane Turner; Hillbilly All-Stars
10:00: The Whites (host); Jack Greene; Legacy Five Quartet
10:30: Steve Wariner (host); Stu Phillips; Alvarado Road Show; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); The Dale Ann Bradley Band; Mandy Barnett
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); George Hamilton IV; The Isaacs
There were a few names that weekend that some Opry fans might not recognize. One is the Alvarado Road Show, which consists of brothers Cleve and A.J. Clark. The brothers are still out there performing and are also accomplished songwriters with their songs having been recorded by a number of major artists.
Another group that appeared that weekend was Three Ring Circle. This group consisted of instrumentalists Rob Ickes, Andy Leftwich and Dave Pomeroy, who played dobro, electric bass and mandolin. 2006 was the year that they released their first album with their second release taking place in 2011. The three are all accomplished, award winning musicians who have performed with a number of artists. That second CD seems to have been the last from that group.
Finally there was the Hillbilly All-Stars which consisted of well known names Chuck Mead, Robert Reynolds, Mark Collie and Paul Deakin. Robert Reynolds and Paul Deakin are members of The Mavericks, and this group was short lived in collaboration with The Mavericks.
The one name that I am sure all will recognize from that weekend was a very young Taylor Swift, who appeared on the opening segment of the Friday Night Opry.
Finally, let's go back 50 years to Saturday September 3, 1966:
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Charlie Louvin (host): I Don't Love You Anymore
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
Charlie Louvin: I Want A Happy Life
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Charlie Louvin: The Proof is In the Kissing
6:45: Rudy's
Bobby Lord (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Duane Dee: I Believe
James Wilson: Yakety Axe
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
7:00:
Roy Acuff (host): Tennessee Central No. 9
Skeeter Davis: I Wanna Be Loved By You
Tex Ritter: Bummin' Around
Stoneman Family: Ol' Slewfoot
Skeeter Davis: It Only Hurts for A Little While
Oswald: Roll On, Buddy
Stoneman Family: Rawhide/Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
Tex Ritter: Take Him Fishin'
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light
7:30: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Two Glasses Joe
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Carter Family: Wildwood Flower
Minnie Pearl: I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes
Ernest Tubb: A Memory, That's All You'll Every Be to Me
Cal Smith: Silver Dew on the Blue Grass Tonight
Willis Brothers: Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Ernest Tubb: Tomorrow Never Comes
8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Don't Get Above Your Raisin'
Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
Justin Tubb: Looking Back to See
Cousin Jody: No Help Wanted
Flatt & Scruggs: For Lovin' Me
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Glaser Brothers: Let Me Down Easy
Flatt & Scruggs: Cabin on the Hill
Earl Scruggs: Cannonball Blues
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Please Come Back, Little Pal
Wilburn Brothers: I Can't Keep Away from You
Loretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman Enough
Waylon Jennings: Stop the World & Let Me Off
Roy Acuff: Sweeter Than the Flowers
Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Wilburn Brothers: Making Plans
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light
9:00: Pet Milk
Jimmy Newman (host): Back Pocket Money
Bob Luman: You Can Take the Boy From the Country
Harden Trio: Tippy Toeing
Del Reeves: Down in the Boondocks
Jimmy Newman: Bring Your Heart Home
The Voyagers: You Say That You're Going
Bob Luman: Come On & Sing
Opry Band: Java
Jimmy Newman: Cry, Cry Darling
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Willis Brothers: A 6 Ft 2 by 4
Bobby Lord: That's All Right
Carter Family: Little Darling Pal of Mine
Hank Snow: You Pass Me By
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking In My Sleep
Bobby Lord: Old Enough to Die
Hank Snow: My Blue Eyed Elaine
10:00: Schick
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Why Did You Wander
Charlie Louvin: The Proof Is In the Kissing
Del Wood: Bully of the Town
Flatt & Scruggs: Detroit City
10:15: Pure
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bob Luman: Almost Persuaded
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Larry McNeely: Sailor's Hornpipe
10:30: Harvey's
Jimmy Newman (host): Back Pocket Money
Waylon Jennings: For Lovin' Me
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Jimmy Newman: A Fallen Star
10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): Driving Nails In My Coffin
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Ernest Tubb: Soldier's Last Letter
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Rumba Boogie
Bill Anderson: I Get the Fever
Cousin Jody: Television Set
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Blackberry Blossom
Hank Snow: I Just Stepped Over the Line
Sam McGee: Dew Drop Waltz
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar/I Love You Drops
11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins (host): Th Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight
Wilburn Brothers: It's Another World
Loretta Lynn: You Ain't Woman Enough
Justin Tubb: Hurry, Mr. Peters
Loretta Lynn & Wilburn Brothers: Put It Off Until Tomorrow
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Bouquet of Roses/Wedding Bells/Take These Chains from My Heart/Singing the Blues/Lovesick Blues/You Know How Talk Gets Around
There you have it. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!
Monday, August 29, 2016
September Opry Highlights
It is hard to believe that summer is just about over and it's time for football. For those of us in Ohio, that means The Ohio State Buckeyes are #1 in our eyes, while we continue to hope for the best from the Cleveland Browns. For the rest of you around the country, I am sure all of you have your own local college and professional teams that you root for. While the seasons change, it is business as usual at the Opry and as always, here are the important and historical events that have taken place regarding Opry members or the Opry itself during the month of September.
September 15, 1903: The "King of Country Music," Roy Acuff was born in Maynardsville, Tennessee. Roy came to the Opry in 1938, and except for a brief period of time, he would remain with the Opry until his death in November 1992. I think it is safe to say that Roy has been the most influential member in the history of the Opry and many people point to his death as the start of many of the changes that have taken place at the Opry.
September 13, 1911: The "Father of Bluegrass Music," Bill Monroe was born in Rosine, Kentucky. Bill came to the Opry in October 1939 and would remain an Opry member until his death in 1996.
September 17, 1913: Hank Williams was born. Really nothing else needs to be said. While his time at the Opry was short, it was very eventful.
September 26, 1925: One of the most popular members in the history of the Grand Ole Opry, Marty Robbins was born near Glendale, Arizona. Marty came to the Opry in 1953, and shortly after his first appearance, he became an Opry member. Marty, who made the 11:30 segment into his own personal concert, stayed with the Opry until his death in December 1982.
September 26, 1926: Jerry Clower was born near Liberty, Mississippi. This former fertilizer salesman joined the Opry in 1973 and was the last member of the cast to join the show prior to its permanent move to the Grand Ole Opry House. Jerry, who was a great comedian and Christian entertainer, passed away in 1998.
September 1, 1931: Lecil Travis Martin, better known as "Boxcar Willie," was born in Sterratt, Texas. Boxcar made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1980 at the age of 49. He became an Opry member the following year. Boxcar remained a popular member of the Opry until his death in 1999.
September 12, 1931: The "Possum" George Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas. George originally joined the Opry in 1956, and while he would come and go, he was still an Opry member when he passed away in 2013. Although his Opry appearances were few and far between, George was always proud of his Opry membership and it is noted in one of the displays at the George Jones Museum in Nashville.
September 8, 1932: Probably the greatest female singer in the history of country music, Patsy Cline was born in Winchester, Virginia. Patsy joined the Opry in January 1960 simply by asking, as being an Opry member was one of her dreams. Patsy passed away in March 1963 at the age of 30.
September 11, 1938: The Delmore Brothers made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry. One of the early members of the Opry, this brother duo influenced many others who followed. They left due to differences with Opry founder George D. Hay.
September 5, 1945: Wally Fowler became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Wally was the founder of the Oak Ridge Quartet, who eventually became known as the Oak Ridge Boys. After Wally joined the Opry, he was frequently featured on the Prince Albert show and would generally sing a gospel number. Later in life, Wally ran into some financial problems that forced him to sell the rights to the Oak Ridge Quartet name. Wally passed away in 1994.
September 18, 1947: The Grand Ole Opry brought a country music show for the first time to Carnegie Hall in New York city. Opry members Ernest Tubb and Minnie Pearl headlined what would be a two night run. Here is how Ernest remembered those nights, "The radio and newspaper people ignored us the first night we were there, but we turned away six thousand people and the next night, every reporter was there." Billboard magazine reported that "such screaming and wild applause after each number hasn't been heard in town since Frank Sinatra brought out the bobbysoxers at the Paramount." The shows were such a success that the Opry, and country music, would return.
September 11, 1948: It would appear that this was the last night that Eddy Arnold performed as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. At the time, Eddy was the Opry's biggest star and he left to headline his own CBS network radio show. Eddy would later do an interview with Ralph Emery in which he talked about leaving the Opry. "I thought I had done as much as I could do there. I had two network radio programs outside the Opry." On his final night as a member, Eddy finished his set and stood on the stage looking over the Ryman Auditorium. He tanked Harry Stone, WSM, and the Opry fans and then turned to walk away from the microphone. Harold Bradley, who backed Eddy on guitar that night, would say, "We went around the curtain and he and Minnie Pearl hugged and both of them cried like babies because he was leaving." Eddy also created some controversy because he was the first "star" to leave the Opry and not return. Irving Waugh of WSM said, "We hated to see Eddy leave. But, as I recall, it didn't make that much difference to the Opry. At that stage, people were lined up all the way around the block to get in. New people, including Hank Williams were coming all the time." By the way, after Eddy left the Opry, he never came back.
September 24, 1948: WSM began the Friday Night Frolics, later to be known as the Friday Night Opry. The show took place from Studio C at WSM, where it would remain until moving to the Ryman Auditorium in 1964. The show was created originally as a way to keep Eddy Arnold on WSM radio.
September 25, 1948: George Morgan became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was brought to the show specifically to replace Eddy Arnold.
September 13, 1952: Webb Pierce made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He would join the cast a year later, being brought to the Opry to help fill the void after Hank Williams was fired. Webb remained an Opry member until February 19, 1957, when he left the Opry after a dispute with management over booking fees and commissions that were being charged for road shows.
September 26, 1953: Skeeter Davis made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Skeeter would become an Opry member in 1959.
September 10, 1955: Justin Tubb became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. At the time he joined, Justin was the Opry's youngest member. The son of Opry legend Ernest Tubb, Justin would remain with the Opry until his death in 1998 at the age of 62.
September 24, 1956: WSM radio fired Opry manager Jim Denny. Jim had started with WSM and the Opry back in the early days of the show and was involved behind the scenes in various capacities including being in charge of the Opry's concession business, where he saw for the first time how much money the Opry was making and how much more potential there was. Over time, he became not only the Opry's manager but also a very powerful force at WSM, too powerful for some. He was fired from the Opry because he would not give up his ownership of Cedarwood Publishing Company.
September 25, 1956: Dee Kilpatrick was named the Grand Ole Opry's "general director." He was also named manager of the WSM Artists' Service Bureau, which was the Opry's in-house booking agency. Dee, a former record company executive said at the time, "They asked me what I thought was wrong. We'll, back when I was working with Mercury Records, I was at the Opry almost every Saturday night I was in town, and I could look at the audience and see what was wrong. The Opry didn't appeal to the younger audiences that you have to have if you're going to keep growing. All I could see were older people and little teeny kids. There weren't any teenagers." Kilpatrick would begin to add younger acts to the Opry's cast, including the Everly Brothers and Porter Wagoner. What I find interesting in Dee's quote is that when you read what he said in 1956 about the Opry's aging audience, it is much the same as what Pete Fisher has been saying since 1999.
September 29, 1956: Rose Maddox joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Rose did not stay at the Opry for very long as many of the Opry's members, especially Roy Acuff, did not care for her.
September 6, 1958: Grand Ole Opry member Rod Brasfield made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
September 13, 1958: Ben Smathers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers became members of the Grand Ole Opry. For most of their years on the Opry, the Stoney Mountain Cloggers would rotate every other weekend as the featured square dancers. Ben Smathers passed away in 1990, and the Cloggers would remained a part of the Opry until 1993.
September 30, 1958: Opry member Marty Stuart was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Before beginning his solo career, Marty was a part of Lester Flatt's Nashville Grass and Johnny Cash's touring band. Marty joined the Opry in November 1992.
September 25, 1962: Loretta Lynn became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 54th year as an Opry member.
September 27, 1963: The National Life and Accident Insurance Company purchased the Ryman Auditorium from the city of Nashville for a reported $200,000. WSM, which operated the building, immediately changed the name of the building to the Grand Ole Opry House, even though everyone still called it the Ryman. By becoming the owners, National Life was able to make some much needed repairs to the building to bring it up to code.
September 11, 1964: The Friday Night Frolics moved from WSM Studio C to the Ryman Auditorium and was renamed the Friday Night Opry.
September 18, 1965: According to some of the Opry's historical records, this is the date listed for when Connie Smith became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Other dates listed in the past have included June, and more recently August. While the date might be in question, what I do know is that this is the date that Connie first appeared as an Opry member. Either way, Connie has been an Opry member for 51 years.
September 16, 1967: Jeannie Seely became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 49th year as an Opry member. Jeannie was one of the first females to host her own Opry segment. Most weekends you will find Jeannie at the Opry and hosting.
September 19, 1968: Former Grand Ole Opry member Red Foley passed away in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Red came to the Opry in 1946 and stayed about a decade, hosting the Prince Albert portion of the show. After he left Nashville, he went to Springfield, Missouri as host of the Ozark Jubilee, and later did additional television work.
September 13, 1969: Earl Scruggs made his first appearance as a solo member of the Grand Ole Opry, this coming after his split with Lester Flatt. He performed "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" with his sons Gary and Randy.
September 17, 1977: Reba McEntire made her first guest appearance on the Opry. Several years later, she would become an official member.
September 15, 1979: Stevie Wonder made a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, singing "Behind Closed Doors" in a duet with Skeeter Davis.
September 6, 1984: Ernest Tubb passed away in a Nashville hospital after a long illness. He had been in declining health for a number of years and had last appeared on the Opry in 1982. He joined the Opry in 1943 and in 1965 he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
September 9, 1989: Grand Ole Opry member Del Wood made her final appearance on the Opry. She passed away a month later at the age of 69 after suffering a stroke.
September 4, 1991: Opry member Dottie West passed away in a Nashville hospital as a result of injuries suffered in an earlier car accident. Dottie had been an Opry member since 1964.
September 4, 1992: Former Grand Ole Opry member Carl Butler died in Franklin, Tennessee. Carl first appeared on the Opry in 1948 and along with his wife Pearl, joined the cast in 1962. Not only was Carl a great singer, but he was also known as a fine songwriter. Carl and Pearl Butler did not stay as Opry members for very long and after leaving the Opry, they continued to tour. After Pearl's death, Carl would occasionally perform on the Opry. Dolly Parton has said many times how instrumental the couple had been early in her career.
September 11, 1993: The Stoney Mountain Cloggers made their final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. After Ben Smather's death in 1990, his widow Margaret continued as the group's leader before deciding to retire.
September 6, 1996: Grand Ole Opry legend Hank Snow made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Hank was in declining health and made a low key decision to retire. Hank passed away in 1999, just two weeks short of his 50th anniversary as an Opry member.
September 9, 1996: Bill Monroe passed away. Bill had been in declining health since suffering a stroke earlier in the year. Bill had been an Opry member since 1939 and had brought the sound of bluegrass to the Opry stage.
September 20, 1997: During a guest appearance on the Opry, Johnny Paycheck was asked by Opry general manager Bob Whittaker if he would like to become the Opry's newest member. Of course, Johnny said yes and was inducted later that year.
September 28, 2002: For the first time in 10 years, Tanya Tucker makes an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. She was joined by the Jordanaires.
September 13, 2003: The United States Postal Service unveiled a stamp featuring Roy Acuff. The ceremony took place at the Grand Ole Opry House.
September 20, 2004: Grand Ole Opry member Skeeter Davis passed away in Nashville at the age of 72. Skeeter had battled cancer and other health related issues for a number of years. She was always known for her bright outfits and her big smile, that brought a lot of joy to those watching her perform.
September 23, 2004: Just days after the death of Skeeter Davis, another Opry member passed away as Roy Drusky died. Roy joined the Opry in the late 1950s and was known for his smooth voice and great ballad songs.
September 29, 2007: During a guest appearance on the Opry, Josh Turner was asked by Roy Clark if he would like to become the Opry's newest member. It was also on this night that Grand Ole Opry legend Porter Wagoner made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance.
September 28, 2010: The Grand Ole Opry House reopened after being renovated following the Nashville flood that stuck in May. Since the flood, the Opry had moved around to several different venues, with the majority of the shows taking place at the Ryman Auditorium. The last hour of the show was televised on GAC, and the segment opened with the cast coming out and singing "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." Brad Paisley and Jimmy Dickens led the way. Also on that night, Blake Shelton was asked by Trace Adkins if he would like to become the Opry's newest member.
September 13, 2011: Grand Ole Opry legend Wilma Lee Cooper passed away. Wilma and her husband Stoney joined the Opry in 1957, coming to Nashville from the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. After Stoney's death, Wilma Lee continued on as a solo member of the Opry. In February 2001 she suffered a stroke while performing on the show which ended her career. She did return to the Opry stage in 2007 for her 50th anniversary as an Opry member, and then again in September 2010 at the reopening of the Opry House.
September 13, 2011: George Jones made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance. It was a show that celebrated George's 80th birthday and included Alan Jackson, Joe Diffie, Lee Ann Womack and the Oak Ridge Boys.
September 27, 2011: Rascal Flatts was invited to become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry. They were officially inducted during the Opry's birthday bash in October.
September 27, 2011: Johnny Wright passed away in Nashville. He was the husband of Kitty Wells, and a former member of the Grand Ole Opry.
September 17, 2014: Grand Ole Opry member George Hamilton IV passed away. George was an Opry member for over 50 years, originally joining the cast in February 1960. He left the show for a brief period of time, moving back to his home state of North Carolina. His last Opry appearance had been earlier in the month, on September 6.
September 25, 2015: While making a visit to Nashville, Randy Travis made a surprise visit to the Grand Ole Opry.
September 15, 1903: The "King of Country Music," Roy Acuff was born in Maynardsville, Tennessee. Roy came to the Opry in 1938, and except for a brief period of time, he would remain with the Opry until his death in November 1992. I think it is safe to say that Roy has been the most influential member in the history of the Opry and many people point to his death as the start of many of the changes that have taken place at the Opry.
September 13, 1911: The "Father of Bluegrass Music," Bill Monroe was born in Rosine, Kentucky. Bill came to the Opry in October 1939 and would remain an Opry member until his death in 1996.
September 17, 1913: Hank Williams was born. Really nothing else needs to be said. While his time at the Opry was short, it was very eventful.
September 26, 1925: One of the most popular members in the history of the Grand Ole Opry, Marty Robbins was born near Glendale, Arizona. Marty came to the Opry in 1953, and shortly after his first appearance, he became an Opry member. Marty, who made the 11:30 segment into his own personal concert, stayed with the Opry until his death in December 1982.
September 26, 1926: Jerry Clower was born near Liberty, Mississippi. This former fertilizer salesman joined the Opry in 1973 and was the last member of the cast to join the show prior to its permanent move to the Grand Ole Opry House. Jerry, who was a great comedian and Christian entertainer, passed away in 1998.
September 1, 1931: Lecil Travis Martin, better known as "Boxcar Willie," was born in Sterratt, Texas. Boxcar made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1980 at the age of 49. He became an Opry member the following year. Boxcar remained a popular member of the Opry until his death in 1999.
September 12, 1931: The "Possum" George Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas. George originally joined the Opry in 1956, and while he would come and go, he was still an Opry member when he passed away in 2013. Although his Opry appearances were few and far between, George was always proud of his Opry membership and it is noted in one of the displays at the George Jones Museum in Nashville.
September 8, 1932: Probably the greatest female singer in the history of country music, Patsy Cline was born in Winchester, Virginia. Patsy joined the Opry in January 1960 simply by asking, as being an Opry member was one of her dreams. Patsy passed away in March 1963 at the age of 30.
September 11, 1938: The Delmore Brothers made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry. One of the early members of the Opry, this brother duo influenced many others who followed. They left due to differences with Opry founder George D. Hay.
September 5, 1945: Wally Fowler became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Wally was the founder of the Oak Ridge Quartet, who eventually became known as the Oak Ridge Boys. After Wally joined the Opry, he was frequently featured on the Prince Albert show and would generally sing a gospel number. Later in life, Wally ran into some financial problems that forced him to sell the rights to the Oak Ridge Quartet name. Wally passed away in 1994.
September 18, 1947: The Grand Ole Opry brought a country music show for the first time to Carnegie Hall in New York city. Opry members Ernest Tubb and Minnie Pearl headlined what would be a two night run. Here is how Ernest remembered those nights, "The radio and newspaper people ignored us the first night we were there, but we turned away six thousand people and the next night, every reporter was there." Billboard magazine reported that "such screaming and wild applause after each number hasn't been heard in town since Frank Sinatra brought out the bobbysoxers at the Paramount." The shows were such a success that the Opry, and country music, would return.
September 11, 1948: It would appear that this was the last night that Eddy Arnold performed as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. At the time, Eddy was the Opry's biggest star and he left to headline his own CBS network radio show. Eddy would later do an interview with Ralph Emery in which he talked about leaving the Opry. "I thought I had done as much as I could do there. I had two network radio programs outside the Opry." On his final night as a member, Eddy finished his set and stood on the stage looking over the Ryman Auditorium. He tanked Harry Stone, WSM, and the Opry fans and then turned to walk away from the microphone. Harold Bradley, who backed Eddy on guitar that night, would say, "We went around the curtain and he and Minnie Pearl hugged and both of them cried like babies because he was leaving." Eddy also created some controversy because he was the first "star" to leave the Opry and not return. Irving Waugh of WSM said, "We hated to see Eddy leave. But, as I recall, it didn't make that much difference to the Opry. At that stage, people were lined up all the way around the block to get in. New people, including Hank Williams were coming all the time." By the way, after Eddy left the Opry, he never came back.
September 24, 1948: WSM began the Friday Night Frolics, later to be known as the Friday Night Opry. The show took place from Studio C at WSM, where it would remain until moving to the Ryman Auditorium in 1964. The show was created originally as a way to keep Eddy Arnold on WSM radio.
September 25, 1948: George Morgan became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was brought to the show specifically to replace Eddy Arnold.
September 13, 1952: Webb Pierce made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He would join the cast a year later, being brought to the Opry to help fill the void after Hank Williams was fired. Webb remained an Opry member until February 19, 1957, when he left the Opry after a dispute with management over booking fees and commissions that were being charged for road shows.
September 26, 1953: Skeeter Davis made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Skeeter would become an Opry member in 1959.
September 10, 1955: Justin Tubb became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. At the time he joined, Justin was the Opry's youngest member. The son of Opry legend Ernest Tubb, Justin would remain with the Opry until his death in 1998 at the age of 62.
September 24, 1956: WSM radio fired Opry manager Jim Denny. Jim had started with WSM and the Opry back in the early days of the show and was involved behind the scenes in various capacities including being in charge of the Opry's concession business, where he saw for the first time how much money the Opry was making and how much more potential there was. Over time, he became not only the Opry's manager but also a very powerful force at WSM, too powerful for some. He was fired from the Opry because he would not give up his ownership of Cedarwood Publishing Company.
September 25, 1956: Dee Kilpatrick was named the Grand Ole Opry's "general director." He was also named manager of the WSM Artists' Service Bureau, which was the Opry's in-house booking agency. Dee, a former record company executive said at the time, "They asked me what I thought was wrong. We'll, back when I was working with Mercury Records, I was at the Opry almost every Saturday night I was in town, and I could look at the audience and see what was wrong. The Opry didn't appeal to the younger audiences that you have to have if you're going to keep growing. All I could see were older people and little teeny kids. There weren't any teenagers." Kilpatrick would begin to add younger acts to the Opry's cast, including the Everly Brothers and Porter Wagoner. What I find interesting in Dee's quote is that when you read what he said in 1956 about the Opry's aging audience, it is much the same as what Pete Fisher has been saying since 1999.
September 29, 1956: Rose Maddox joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Rose did not stay at the Opry for very long as many of the Opry's members, especially Roy Acuff, did not care for her.
September 6, 1958: Grand Ole Opry member Rod Brasfield made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
September 13, 1958: Ben Smathers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers became members of the Grand Ole Opry. For most of their years on the Opry, the Stoney Mountain Cloggers would rotate every other weekend as the featured square dancers. Ben Smathers passed away in 1990, and the Cloggers would remained a part of the Opry until 1993.
September 30, 1958: Opry member Marty Stuart was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Before beginning his solo career, Marty was a part of Lester Flatt's Nashville Grass and Johnny Cash's touring band. Marty joined the Opry in November 1992.
September 25, 1962: Loretta Lynn became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 54th year as an Opry member.
September 27, 1963: The National Life and Accident Insurance Company purchased the Ryman Auditorium from the city of Nashville for a reported $200,000. WSM, which operated the building, immediately changed the name of the building to the Grand Ole Opry House, even though everyone still called it the Ryman. By becoming the owners, National Life was able to make some much needed repairs to the building to bring it up to code.
September 11, 1964: The Friday Night Frolics moved from WSM Studio C to the Ryman Auditorium and was renamed the Friday Night Opry.
September 18, 1965: According to some of the Opry's historical records, this is the date listed for when Connie Smith became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Other dates listed in the past have included June, and more recently August. While the date might be in question, what I do know is that this is the date that Connie first appeared as an Opry member. Either way, Connie has been an Opry member for 51 years.
September 16, 1967: Jeannie Seely became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 49th year as an Opry member. Jeannie was one of the first females to host her own Opry segment. Most weekends you will find Jeannie at the Opry and hosting.
September 19, 1968: Former Grand Ole Opry member Red Foley passed away in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Red came to the Opry in 1946 and stayed about a decade, hosting the Prince Albert portion of the show. After he left Nashville, he went to Springfield, Missouri as host of the Ozark Jubilee, and later did additional television work.
September 13, 1969: Earl Scruggs made his first appearance as a solo member of the Grand Ole Opry, this coming after his split with Lester Flatt. He performed "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" with his sons Gary and Randy.
September 17, 1977: Reba McEntire made her first guest appearance on the Opry. Several years later, she would become an official member.
September 15, 1979: Stevie Wonder made a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, singing "Behind Closed Doors" in a duet with Skeeter Davis.
September 6, 1984: Ernest Tubb passed away in a Nashville hospital after a long illness. He had been in declining health for a number of years and had last appeared on the Opry in 1982. He joined the Opry in 1943 and in 1965 he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
September 9, 1989: Grand Ole Opry member Del Wood made her final appearance on the Opry. She passed away a month later at the age of 69 after suffering a stroke.
September 4, 1991: Opry member Dottie West passed away in a Nashville hospital as a result of injuries suffered in an earlier car accident. Dottie had been an Opry member since 1964.
September 4, 1992: Former Grand Ole Opry member Carl Butler died in Franklin, Tennessee. Carl first appeared on the Opry in 1948 and along with his wife Pearl, joined the cast in 1962. Not only was Carl a great singer, but he was also known as a fine songwriter. Carl and Pearl Butler did not stay as Opry members for very long and after leaving the Opry, they continued to tour. After Pearl's death, Carl would occasionally perform on the Opry. Dolly Parton has said many times how instrumental the couple had been early in her career.
September 11, 1993: The Stoney Mountain Cloggers made their final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. After Ben Smather's death in 1990, his widow Margaret continued as the group's leader before deciding to retire.
September 6, 1996: Grand Ole Opry legend Hank Snow made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Hank was in declining health and made a low key decision to retire. Hank passed away in 1999, just two weeks short of his 50th anniversary as an Opry member.
September 9, 1996: Bill Monroe passed away. Bill had been in declining health since suffering a stroke earlier in the year. Bill had been an Opry member since 1939 and had brought the sound of bluegrass to the Opry stage.
September 20, 1997: During a guest appearance on the Opry, Johnny Paycheck was asked by Opry general manager Bob Whittaker if he would like to become the Opry's newest member. Of course, Johnny said yes and was inducted later that year.
September 28, 2002: For the first time in 10 years, Tanya Tucker makes an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. She was joined by the Jordanaires.
September 13, 2003: The United States Postal Service unveiled a stamp featuring Roy Acuff. The ceremony took place at the Grand Ole Opry House.
September 20, 2004: Grand Ole Opry member Skeeter Davis passed away in Nashville at the age of 72. Skeeter had battled cancer and other health related issues for a number of years. She was always known for her bright outfits and her big smile, that brought a lot of joy to those watching her perform.
September 23, 2004: Just days after the death of Skeeter Davis, another Opry member passed away as Roy Drusky died. Roy joined the Opry in the late 1950s and was known for his smooth voice and great ballad songs.
September 29, 2007: During a guest appearance on the Opry, Josh Turner was asked by Roy Clark if he would like to become the Opry's newest member. It was also on this night that Grand Ole Opry legend Porter Wagoner made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance.
September 28, 2010: The Grand Ole Opry House reopened after being renovated following the Nashville flood that stuck in May. Since the flood, the Opry had moved around to several different venues, with the majority of the shows taking place at the Ryman Auditorium. The last hour of the show was televised on GAC, and the segment opened with the cast coming out and singing "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." Brad Paisley and Jimmy Dickens led the way. Also on that night, Blake Shelton was asked by Trace Adkins if he would like to become the Opry's newest member.
September 13, 2011: Grand Ole Opry legend Wilma Lee Cooper passed away. Wilma and her husband Stoney joined the Opry in 1957, coming to Nashville from the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. After Stoney's death, Wilma Lee continued on as a solo member of the Opry. In February 2001 she suffered a stroke while performing on the show which ended her career. She did return to the Opry stage in 2007 for her 50th anniversary as an Opry member, and then again in September 2010 at the reopening of the Opry House.
September 13, 2011: George Jones made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance. It was a show that celebrated George's 80th birthday and included Alan Jackson, Joe Diffie, Lee Ann Womack and the Oak Ridge Boys.
September 27, 2011: Rascal Flatts was invited to become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry. They were officially inducted during the Opry's birthday bash in October.
September 27, 2011: Johnny Wright passed away in Nashville. He was the husband of Kitty Wells, and a former member of the Grand Ole Opry.
September 17, 2014: Grand Ole Opry member George Hamilton IV passed away. George was an Opry member for over 50 years, originally joining the cast in February 1960. He left the show for a brief period of time, moving back to his home state of North Carolina. His last Opry appearance had been earlier in the month, on September 6.
September 25, 2015: While making a visit to Nashville, Randy Travis made a surprise visit to the Grand Ole Opry.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Grand Ole Opry 8/26 & 8/27
As we look forward to another weekend at the Grand Ole Opry, I did want to pass along an update regarding former Opry member Holly Dunn. As was reported in April, Holly was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This past week, the report was that Holly's cancer has been termed as very aggressive, resulting in additional tumors. She is still undergoing chemotherapy treatments and has asked for prayers and thoughts from her fans. In the store, Holly admitted that the survival odds for this type of cancer were not very good. At the age of 59, she is much too young. As I have written before, I always enjoyed Holly when she was on the Opry and personally I thought she received a raw deal when her membership was terminated.
Now to this week's shows and the line-ups. The Friday Night Opry has seven Opry members scheduled, which include Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, Bobby Osborne, Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Each of the five guest artists scheduled have appeared on the Opry previously and that list includes William Michael Morgan, Sarah Darling, Craig Campbell, Brett Young and Easton Corbin. If you haven't heard William Michael Morgan before, take a listen. A real nice country voice and for William, this will be his 12th Opry appearance of the year.
Saturday night's Grand Ole Opry will have six Opry members set to appear. Connie Smith, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky and The Whites, each of whom are also scheduled on Friday night, will also appear on Saturday, joined by Jesse McReynolds and Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers. Guest artists include Shelley Skidmore, Trent Harmon, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, Darryl Worley, Mountain Heart, and the very talented Brandy Clark. For those who will be at the Opry on Saturday, Mountain Heart will be meeting fans and signing their new CD after the show.
Friday August 26
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); William Michael Morgan; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Sarah Darling; Craig Campbell
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Brett Young
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Easton Corbin
Saturday August 27
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Shelley Skidmore; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Trent Harmon; Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys
Intermission
8:15: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; Darryl Worley; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Mountain Heart; Brandy Clark
For Trent Harmon, this will be the Grand Ole Opry debut Trent gained national fame by winning the fifteenth and final season of American Idol and currently records for Big Machine records. He is from Mississippi and grew up singing in his church. For his final song on American Idol, he sang "Falling" which was co-written by Grand Ole Opry member and American Idol judge Keith Urban. That single peaked at #27 on the American country charts. His 2nd single, "There's A Girl" was released in July.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of August 26 & 27, 2011:
Friday August 26
7:00: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Kip Moore
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; Joe Diffie
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Gene Watson
8:45: Mel Tillis (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Pam Tillis
Saturday August 27
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jeannie Seely; George Hamilton IV; Tommy Emmanuel
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jimmy Wayne
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Sierra Hull; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky; Clay Walker
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of August 25 & 26, 2006:
Friday August 25
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jennifer Hanson
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Rockie Lynne
9:00: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; Bryan White
9:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); George Hamilton IV; Jim Ed Brown
Saturday August 26
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Rockie Lynne; Jack Greene
7:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Lonestar; Mark Chesnutt; Randy Owen
8:00: Hal Ketchum (host); Jan Howard; John Conlee; Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Pam Tillis (host); Carolyn Dawn Johnson; Vince Gill
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Pam Tillis
10:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jack Greene; Randy Owen
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Charlie Walker; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Jean Shepard; John Conlee; Mark Chesnutt
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Rockie Lynne; Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Finally, from 25 years ago, Saturday August 24, 1991:
1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Jim & Jesse (host); Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle
7:00: Del Reeves (host); Billy Grammer; Jean Shepard; Dottie West; David Houston
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); The McCarters; Clinton Gregory
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Stonewall Jackson; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); George Hamilton IV; Roy Drusky; Charlie Walker; Johnson Mountain Boys
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Ernie Ashworth; Billy Grammer; Jeannie Seely
10:00: Del Reeves (host); Skeeter Davis
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jean Shepard
10:45: Charlie Walker (host); Clinton Gregory; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jim & Jesse; Dottie West; Justin Tubb; The McCarters
11:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Stonewall Jackson; Roy Drusky; Johnson Mountain Boys
What made that particular night so special was that it was the final Grand Ole Opry appearance for Dottie West. What is interesting is that Dottie was not originally scheduled for the Opry that night but instead was supposed to be at a show in Ohio. However, that show apparently did not take place and Dottie did the Opry instead.
Dorothy Marie Marsh was born on October 11, 1932 in McMinnville, Tennessee. After college, Dottie moved to Cleveland, Ohio and began appearing on local television. Several years late, she moved to Nashville where she became friends with Patsy Cline. Along with Patsy, and Loretta Lynn, Dottie is considered one of the most influential female groundbreaking artists of that period. In 1965 Dottie had her first hit, "Here Comes My Baby Back Again" which reached the Top 10 and won Dottie a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The hits continued throughout the 1960's. In the 1970's, she again attained fame for singing "Country Sunshine" which was written by Dottie and was a theme song for Coca-Cola. Later in the decade, she teamed with Kenny Rogers for a number of duets that earned Dottie her first #1 records. In 1980, she reached #1 for the first time as a solo artist with "A Lesson In Leavin.'" Later in the 1980's she appeared on stage and in movies. Sad to say but later in the decade the years were not kind to Dottie as she had financial problems which included a large tax bill with the IRS that resulted in an auction of her personal items, including her home.
The following Friday night, Dottie was on her way to the Friday Night Opry when she had car problems and a neighbor gave Dottie a ride to the Opry. As they were entering the Opryland area, the car, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, went off the road. The resulting crash injured Dottie, from which she did not recover, passing away on September 4, 1991 at the age of 58.
In the course of Dottie's career, she had over 70 singles, with 7 of those reaching #1 on the charts. When you look at her career, with the numerous hit single records, her duet work with Kenny Rogers, her songwriting, and her mentoring to such artists as Larry Gatlin and Steve Wariner, Dottie West truly had a Hall of Fame career. Sadly, she has not been elected despite efforts by her family and friends for her to achieve that honor.
Here is the detailed running order from Saturday August 24, 1991, the night that Dottie West made her final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry:
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Coming
Ernie Ashworth: Shamrock Motel
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/Ol' Slewfoot
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Jim & Jesse (host): Dream of Me
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Jim & Jesse: A Flower in the Desert
7:00: Shoney's
Del Reeves (host): Girl on the Billboard
Billy Grammer: Steel Guitar Rag
Jean Shepard: If You Can Live With It
Dottie West: I Can't Help It
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Del Reeves: Good Time Charlies
7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
McCarters: No Where to Go But Up/If I Could Stop Loving You
Clinton Gregory: If It Weren't For Country Music I'd Go Crazy/Satisfy Me & I'll Satisfy You
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda/The Ring That Shines
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Stonewall Jackson: Side-Steppin the Blues/Muddy Water
Connie Smith: Did We Have to Come This Far to Say Goodbye/Louisiana Man
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Roy Acuff: I Can't Help It
8:30: Opryland USA
Hank Snow (host): Tangled Mind
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
Roy Drusky: Too Old to Die Young
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Johnson Mountain Boys: Maybe You'll Change Your Mind
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Once Again
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General Store
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol Slewfoot
Connie Smith: The Key's in the Mailbox
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Billy Grammer: Steel Guitar Rag/Sentimental Journey/Gotta Travel On
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
Porter Wagoner: I'll Go Down Swinging
10:00: Little Debbie
Del Reeves (host): Six Days on the Road/Truck Driving Man
Skeeter Davis: He Says the Same Things to Me
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend
Wilma Lee Cooper: Gathering Flowers From the Hillside
Dan Kelly: Sally Goodin
10:30: Pet Milk
Jimmy C Newman (host): Pistol Packin' Mama
Jean Shepard: Days of Wine & Roses
Jimmy C Newman: Down on the Bayou
10:45: B.C. Powder
Charlie Walker (host): Right or Wrong
Clinton Gregory: Satisfy Me & I'll Satisfy You/Nobody's Darling But Mine
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Golden Slippers
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Geisha Girl
Jim & Jesse: When I Dream About the Southland
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Justin Tubb: Keep Me From Blowing Away
McCarters: Every Time You Leave
Bill Carlisle: Gone Home
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me
11:30: Creamette
George Hamilton IV (host): Early Morning Rain
Stonewall Jackson: Side-Steppin the Blues
Roy Drusky: I Really Don't Want to Know
Johnston Mountain Boys: Duncan & Brady/Springtime in Glory
George Hamilton IV: Life's Railway to Heaven
I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!
Now to this week's shows and the line-ups. The Friday Night Opry has seven Opry members scheduled, which include Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky, Connie Smith, Bobby Osborne, Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Each of the five guest artists scheduled have appeared on the Opry previously and that list includes William Michael Morgan, Sarah Darling, Craig Campbell, Brett Young and Easton Corbin. If you haven't heard William Michael Morgan before, take a listen. A real nice country voice and for William, this will be his 12th Opry appearance of the year.
Saturday night's Grand Ole Opry will have six Opry members set to appear. Connie Smith, Mike Snider, Riders In The Sky and The Whites, each of whom are also scheduled on Friday night, will also appear on Saturday, joined by Jesse McReynolds and Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers. Guest artists include Shelley Skidmore, Trent Harmon, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, Darryl Worley, Mountain Heart, and the very talented Brandy Clark. For those who will be at the Opry on Saturday, Mountain Heart will be meeting fans and signing their new CD after the show.
Friday August 26
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); William Michael Morgan; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Sarah Darling; Craig Campbell
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Brett Young
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Easton Corbin
Saturday August 27
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Shelley Skidmore; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Trent Harmon; Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys
Intermission
8:15: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; Darryl Worley; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Mountain Heart; Brandy Clark
For Trent Harmon, this will be the Grand Ole Opry debut Trent gained national fame by winning the fifteenth and final season of American Idol and currently records for Big Machine records. He is from Mississippi and grew up singing in his church. For his final song on American Idol, he sang "Falling" which was co-written by Grand Ole Opry member and American Idol judge Keith Urban. That single peaked at #27 on the American country charts. His 2nd single, "There's A Girl" was released in July.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of August 26 & 27, 2011:
Friday August 26
7:00: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Kip Moore
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds; Joe Diffie
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Gene Watson
8:45: Mel Tillis (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Pam Tillis
Saturday August 27
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jeannie Seely; George Hamilton IV; Tommy Emmanuel
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jimmy Wayne
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Sierra Hull; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Riders In The Sky; Clay Walker
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of August 25 & 26, 2006:
Friday August 25
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jennifer Hanson
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Rockie Lynne
9:00: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; Bryan White
9:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); George Hamilton IV; Jim Ed Brown
Saturday August 26
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Rockie Lynne; Jack Greene
7:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Lonestar; Mark Chesnutt; Randy Owen
8:00: Hal Ketchum (host); Jan Howard; John Conlee; Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Pam Tillis (host); Carolyn Dawn Johnson; Vince Gill
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Pam Tillis
10:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jack Greene; Randy Owen
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Charlie Walker; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Jean Shepard; John Conlee; Mark Chesnutt
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Rockie Lynne; Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Finally, from 25 years ago, Saturday August 24, 1991:
1st show
6:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Jim & Jesse (host); Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle
7:00: Del Reeves (host); Billy Grammer; Jean Shepard; Dottie West; David Houston
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); The McCarters; Clinton Gregory
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Stonewall Jackson; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); George Hamilton IV; Roy Drusky; Charlie Walker; Johnson Mountain Boys
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Ernie Ashworth; Billy Grammer; Jeannie Seely
10:00: Del Reeves (host); Skeeter Davis
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jean Shepard
10:45: Charlie Walker (host); Clinton Gregory; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jim & Jesse; Dottie West; Justin Tubb; The McCarters
11:30: George Hamilton IV (host); Stonewall Jackson; Roy Drusky; Johnson Mountain Boys
What made that particular night so special was that it was the final Grand Ole Opry appearance for Dottie West. What is interesting is that Dottie was not originally scheduled for the Opry that night but instead was supposed to be at a show in Ohio. However, that show apparently did not take place and Dottie did the Opry instead.
Dorothy Marie Marsh was born on October 11, 1932 in McMinnville, Tennessee. After college, Dottie moved to Cleveland, Ohio and began appearing on local television. Several years late, she moved to Nashville where she became friends with Patsy Cline. Along with Patsy, and Loretta Lynn, Dottie is considered one of the most influential female groundbreaking artists of that period. In 1965 Dottie had her first hit, "Here Comes My Baby Back Again" which reached the Top 10 and won Dottie a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The hits continued throughout the 1960's. In the 1970's, she again attained fame for singing "Country Sunshine" which was written by Dottie and was a theme song for Coca-Cola. Later in the decade, she teamed with Kenny Rogers for a number of duets that earned Dottie her first #1 records. In 1980, she reached #1 for the first time as a solo artist with "A Lesson In Leavin.'" Later in the 1980's she appeared on stage and in movies. Sad to say but later in the decade the years were not kind to Dottie as she had financial problems which included a large tax bill with the IRS that resulted in an auction of her personal items, including her home.
The following Friday night, Dottie was on her way to the Friday Night Opry when she had car problems and a neighbor gave Dottie a ride to the Opry. As they were entering the Opryland area, the car, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, went off the road. The resulting crash injured Dottie, from which she did not recover, passing away on September 4, 1991 at the age of 58.
In the course of Dottie's career, she had over 70 singles, with 7 of those reaching #1 on the charts. When you look at her career, with the numerous hit single records, her duet work with Kenny Rogers, her songwriting, and her mentoring to such artists as Larry Gatlin and Steve Wariner, Dottie West truly had a Hall of Fame career. Sadly, she has not been elected despite efforts by her family and friends for her to achieve that honor.
Here is the detailed running order from Saturday August 24, 1991, the night that Dottie West made her final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry:
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Coming
Ernie Ashworth: Shamrock Motel
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/Ol' Slewfoot
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Jim & Jesse (host): Dream of Me
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Jim & Jesse: A Flower in the Desert
7:00: Shoney's
Del Reeves (host): Girl on the Billboard
Billy Grammer: Steel Guitar Rag
Jean Shepard: If You Can Live With It
Dottie West: I Can't Help It
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Del Reeves: Good Time Charlies
7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy C Newman (host): La Cajun Band
McCarters: No Where to Go But Up/If I Could Stop Loving You
Clinton Gregory: If It Weren't For Country Music I'd Go Crazy/Satisfy Me & I'll Satisfy You
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda/The Ring That Shines
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Stonewall Jackson: Side-Steppin the Blues/Muddy Water
Connie Smith: Did We Have to Come This Far to Say Goodbye/Louisiana Man
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Roy Acuff: I Can't Help It
8:30: Opryland USA
Hank Snow (host): Tangled Mind
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
Roy Drusky: Too Old to Die Young
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Johnson Mountain Boys: Maybe You'll Change Your Mind
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Once Again
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General Store
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol Slewfoot
Connie Smith: The Key's in the Mailbox
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Billy Grammer: Steel Guitar Rag/Sentimental Journey/Gotta Travel On
Jeannie Seely: Too Far Gone
Porter Wagoner: I'll Go Down Swinging
10:00: Little Debbie
Del Reeves (host): Six Days on the Road/Truck Driving Man
Skeeter Davis: He Says the Same Things to Me
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Just A Friend
Wilma Lee Cooper: Gathering Flowers From the Hillside
Dan Kelly: Sally Goodin
10:30: Pet Milk
Jimmy C Newman (host): Pistol Packin' Mama
Jean Shepard: Days of Wine & Roses
Jimmy C Newman: Down on the Bayou
10:45: B.C. Powder
Charlie Walker (host): Right or Wrong
Clinton Gregory: Satisfy Me & I'll Satisfy You/Nobody's Darling But Mine
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Golden Slippers
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Geisha Girl
Jim & Jesse: When I Dream About the Southland
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Justin Tubb: Keep Me From Blowing Away
McCarters: Every Time You Leave
Bill Carlisle: Gone Home
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me
11:30: Creamette
George Hamilton IV (host): Early Morning Rain
Stonewall Jackson: Side-Steppin the Blues
Roy Drusky: I Really Don't Want to Know
Johnston Mountain Boys: Duncan & Brady/Springtime in Glory
George Hamilton IV: Life's Railway to Heaven
I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!
Monday, August 22, 2016
Tuesday Night Opry 8/23
The Grand Ole Opry is back to just the Tuesday Night Opry for the mid-week shows. As is always the case when Chris Janson is scheduled, which he is this week, I always listen to see if this will be the night he is asked to become the Opry's newest member. I still think it is going to happen at some point, perhaps very soon.
7:00: Connie Smith; Steve Moakler
7:30: Chris Janson; Craig Morgan
Intermission
8:15: Lorrie Morgan; Cole Swindell
8:45: Dierks Bentley
This will be Craig's first Opry appearance since the death of his son. I am sure it could be a little emotional for him.
Enjoy the show and be listening if you can.
7:00: Connie Smith; Steve Moakler
7:30: Chris Janson; Craig Morgan
Intermission
8:15: Lorrie Morgan; Cole Swindell
8:45: Dierks Bentley
This will be Craig's first Opry appearance since the death of his son. I am sure it could be a little emotional for him.
Enjoy the show and be listening if you can.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Grand Ole Opry 8/19 & 8/20
After the big weekend with Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill celebrating his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, things get back to normal this weekend with a more traditional look to the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry.
Looking at the Opry members scheduled this weekend, both nights will feature Riders In The Sky, John Conlee, The Whites and Mike Snider. They will be joined on Friday night by Connie Smith and Ricky Skaggs, while Jeannie Seely and Bobby Osborne will round out the list for Saturday. That comes out to 6 Opry members each night.
Guest artists on Friday night include Aaron Tippin, Lucie Silvas and RaeLynn. They will be joined by 3 other artists who have made numerous Opry appearances. First is Charles Esten. Charles has appeared on the Opry more often this year than a majority of the members. I know he is best known a Deacon on "Nashville," which will be returning to CMT in late fall, but after seeing and hearing him several times on the Opry, he has a nice country voice. This past weekend he sang the humorous song "Beer" and the audience loved it. Another guest is Dailey & Vincent, who many believe should have been Opry members long ago. I can't disagree and it is nice to see them back at the Opry. Exile is the other guest artist scheduled, and they will also return on Saturday night. Like the other two mentioned, they have been on the Opry many times.
Joining Exile on Saturday night will be non-member Opry regular Jimmy Wayne, who seems to be one of the "go-to" artists when there is an open spot in the weekly line-up. Also scheduled is Carly Pearce, Sierra Hull, and a young man that I am anxious to hear, Charlie Worsham. Vince Gill is very high on him and I thought Charlie did an outstanding job last Saturday with "Key of Life."
Friday August 19
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Aaron Tippin; Exile
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lucie Silvas; Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; RaeLynn
8:45: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Charles Esten
Saturday August 20
7:00: John Conlee (host); Carly Pearce; Mike Snider
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Worsham; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Intermission
8:15: The Whites (host); Sierra Hull; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy Wayne; Exile
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of August 19 & 20, 2011:
Friday August 19
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Troy Olsen
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jimmy Wayne
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Exile
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Connie Smith; Mike Snider; Will Hoge
Saturday August 20
7:00: Larry Gatlin (host); Jimmy C Newman; John Conlee; The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; James Wesley
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Jimmy Wayne; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Connie Smith; Bradley Gaskin
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of August 18 & 19, 2006:
Friday August 18
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Mountain Heart
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Lane Turner
9:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jean Shepard; Buddy Jewell
9:30: Pam Tillis (host); Mel McDaniel; Marty Stuart
Saturday August 19
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; David Ball
7:30: Jean Shepard (host); Mel McDaniel; Chris Young
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Lane Turner; Sherrie Austin; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy Wayne
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock
10:00: Jean Shepard (host); Mel McDaniel; David Ball
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jan Howard; Chris Young; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Connie Smith; Sherri Austin
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lane Turner; Jimmy Wayne
Finally, from 25 years ago, Saturday August 17, 1991:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Teddy Wilburn: I've Loved You All Over the World
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Stop that Ticklin' Me
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What A Party
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home
7:00: Shoney's
Del Reeves (host): Lay A Little Lovin' on Me
Stonewall Jackson: Side-Steppin' the Blues
Wilma Lee Cooper: No One Now
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Stu Phillips: The Great El-Tigra
Del Reeves: Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at A Time/Looking at the World Through A Windshield/Good Time Charlie's
7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): John Henry
Charlie Louvin: Making Music
Skeeter Davis: Oh Happy Day
Marty Brown: You Sugar Daddy's Long Gone/Wildest Dream
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: At the Time/I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Charlie Walker: My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You/San Antonio Rose
Opry Square Dance Band: Sugar in the Goard
Roy Acuff: My Tears Don't Show
8:30: Opryland USA
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
Billy Walker: Down to My Last Cigarette
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Jeannie Seely: Houston
Roy Drusky: Have I Stayed Away to Long
Hank Snow: It's All Over Nothing at All
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General Stores
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Skeeter Davis: Joy, Joy, Joy
Teddy Wilburn: Arkansas
Ray Pillow: That Ain't No Way to Treat My Heart/If I Didn't Have You In My World
Porter Wagoner: Funky Grass Band
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Banjo Sam
Bill Carlisle: Business Man
Grandpa Jones: Apple Jack
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
The Whites: It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know/Let's All Go Down to the River
Roy Acuff: Freight Train Blues
10:30: Pet Milk
Del Reeves (host): A Dozen Pair of Boots
Charlie Louvin: This Pen
Del Reeves: The Race is On
10:45: B.C. Powder
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Marty Brown: You Sugar Daddy's Long Gone
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): There's A Fool Such As I
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes/Heartaches By the Number
Justin Tubb: Keep Me From Blowing Away
Stu Phillips: If Loving You Means Anything
Hank Snow: Old Doc Brown
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
David Houston: Living In A House Full of Love
Jeannie Seely: What Doesn't He Just Leave Me Alone
Roy Drusky: Mississippi/Always
Charlie Walker: Roly Poly/Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
To conclude, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from 50 years ago, Saturday August 20, 1966:
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); Del Wood; Bill Strength
6:45: The Browns (host); Margie Bowes
7:00: Willis Brothers (host); Sonny James; Skeeter Davis; Jimmy Newman; Jerry Wallace
7:30: Bobby Lord (host); Connie Smith; Minnie Pearl; Norville Dollar
8:00: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host); Charlie Louvin; Hank Williams Jr; Crook Brothers; Jeannie Seely
8:30: Roy Acuff (host); Marion Worth; Hank Locklin; Tex Ritter
9:00: Glaser Brothers (host); Norma Jean; Bobby Bare; Stringbean; Jimmy Payne
9:30: Bobby Lord (host); Carter Family; The Browns; June Carter; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Margie Bowes; Jimmy Dean
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); Bobby Bare; Dorsey Burnette
10:15: Tex Ritter (host); Stringbean; Norma Jean
10:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Del Wood; Steve Chapman
10:45: Hank Locklin (host); Marion Worth Crook Brothers;
11:00: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Hank Williams Jr; Bill Strength; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam & Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Connie Smith; Bob Luman; Norville Dollar; Don Winters
The running order from that night:
7:30: Mrs Grissoms
Bill Monroe: I'm Breaking in A Brand New Pair of Shoes
Del Wood: 12th Street Rag
Bill Strength: Oh, Lonesome Me
Bill Monroe: Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot/Panhandle Country
6:45: Rudy's
The Browns: I Heard the Bluebirds Sing
Margie Bowes: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Jim Ed Brown: Regular on My Mind
The Browns: I'd Just Be Fool Enough
Opry Staff Band: Tennessee Polka
7:00: N.L.A.I. Co.
Willis Brothers: When I Come Driving Thur
Sonny James: The Minute You're Gone/What Makes A Man Wonder/I'll Keep Holding On
Skeeter Davis: Why I'm Walking
Jimmy Newman: Big Mamou
Skeeter Davis: Walking the Floor Over You
Jerry Wallace: (?)
Jimmy Newman: A Fallen Star
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Jerry Wallace: In the Misty Moonlight
Sonny James: How Great Thou Art
7:30: Luzianne
Bobby Lord: That's All Right
Connie Smith: I'll Be There
Minnie Pearl: I'm thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes
Bobby Lord: Losers Like Me
Norville Dollar: Making Me A Lonely Man
Connie Smith: Then & Only Then
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
8:00: Martha White
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: This Train
Charlie Louvin: Less & Less/I Don't Love You Anymore
Hank Williams Jr: Standing in the Shadow
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Jeannie Seely: It's Only Love
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Almost Persuaded
Joe Edwards: John Henry
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff: Fireball Mail
Marion Worth: All the World Is Lonely Now
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Tex Ritter: There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Marion Worth: Don't Count on Tomorrow
Hank Locklin: Danny Boy
9:00: Pet Milk
Glaser Brothers: Lover's Farewell
Norma Jean: I'm Just Pursuing Happiness
Bobby Bare: Just to Satisfy You
Stringbean: Big Ball in Nashville
Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
Jimmy Payne: What Does It Take
Norma Jean: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels
Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore
9:30: Kellogg's
Bobby Lord: Out Behind the Barn
Carter Family: Worried Man Blues
The Browns: Mariah
June Carter: Thirty Days
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Bobby Lord: When the Snow Falls
Margie Bowes: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Jimmy Dean: Just A Little Lovin'
10:00: Schick
Roy Acuff: Just A Friend
Bobby Bare: Gotta Travel On
Dorsey Burnette: Big Rock Candy Mountain/(?)
Roy Acuff: Will the Circle Be Unbroken
10:15: Pure
Tex Ritter: Remember Us
Stringbean: String's A PIckin'
Norma Jean: You're Driving Me Out of My Mind
Tex Ritter: Take Him Fishing
10:30: Harvey's
Charlie Louvin: Lonesome Is Me
Del Wood: Waiting for the Robert E Lee
Charlie Louvin: Making Plans
Steve Chapman: (?)
10:45: Newport
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me I'm Falling
Marion Worth: Ever Since My Baby Went Away
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Hank Locklin: Almost Persuaded
11:00: Coca-Cola
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
Hank Williams Jr: Settin' the Woods on Fire
Bill Strength: Make the World Go Away
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Hero's Death
Sam & Kirk McGee: Make A Change in Business All Around
Hank Williams Jr: Standing in the Shadows
Joe Edwards: Doodle Bug
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Matthew 24
11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins: Singing the Blues
Connie Smith: One A Day
Bob Luman: Memphis
Norville Dollar: Continental Queen
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry
Don Winters: Annie Lou
Connie Smith: Paper Roses
Bob Luman: I Remember You
Marty Robbins: The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight/Take These Chains from My Heart/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You/Bouquet of Roses/El Paso
There are a couple of names from the Opry that night which many fans may not recognize.
Bill Strength was born on August 28, 1928 in Bessemer, Alabama. At the age of 16, he won an amateur contest at Houston's Joy Theater and he was soon hired by local station KTHT on a part-time basis. In 1945, he began working full time at KFEQ in St. Joseph, Missouri, followed by stations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Denver, Colorado, after which he returned to Houston, where he worked for several stations. It was during this period that he recorded several singles for 4-Star Records, including "Who's the Lucky One" and "I'm Doing a Peach of a Job." In 1950, he was hired by the CIO to promote the organization via radio and convention appearances. In 1950 he signed with Coral Records and recorded "Black Coffee Blues" and "You Can't Have My Love," which were among his most successful recordings. In 1954, he was named "Mr. DJ USA" by WSM radio in Nashville, after which he relocated to Memphis, Tennessee where he was a part of the early rock & roll scene. He then relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota where he worked with Roy Drusky and Dave Dudley. He then signed with Capital Records and recorded "Cry, Cry, Cry," "Turn Around," and "Do You Think I'm Happy." It was reported that he had issues with alcoholism and he spent the remaining years of his life moving around to various cities and working in radio. In August 1973, he was paralyzed following an auto accident and then in October he passed away at the age of 45. In 1990 he was inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame.
Another name from that night is Norville Dollar. Norville was from Missouri and it was said that he was an early fan of country music. He got his first guitar at the age of fifteen, after which he formed his own band. By the mid-1960's, he had his own weekly television show in St. Louis which was such a big hit that when Nashville artists appeared in the St Louis area, they appeared on Norville's show. His show also gave audiences their first exposure to a number of new artists including Barbara Fairchild, David "Lonzo" Hooten, and Helen Cornelius. After being off the air for several years, KPLR-TV aired his show again, this time with a much wider audience as the station was now on cable television and this exposure led to several guest appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. He later retired from the music business and formed the Norville Dollar Construction Company. After his wife passed away in 2006, his children and friends encouraged him to turn to his music again and as a result of this renewed interest he recorded a new CD titled "Through the Years With Norville Dollar."
Finally there was Dorsey Burnette. Dorsey was born on December 28, 1932 and with his younger brother Johnny Burnette was a founding member of "The Rock and Roll Trio." As the name suggests, he was more involved with Rockabilly than country music. In the mid-1950's, they were featured on numerous national televisions shows including American Bandstand, Steve Allen's Tonight Show and Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, Despite this exposure, the three singles that the Trio released failed to make any of the national charts. In the late 1950's, he recorded several singles with Fabor Robinson, who offered Dorsey spots on the Louisiana Hayride and Town Hall Party. Relocating to California, Dorsey teamed again with his brother Johnny as the Burnette Brothers and recorded and released a number of records into the 1960's. In August 1964, Johnny died in a boating accident after which Dorsey recorded for various small labels without much luck. By the mid 1970's, he was back trying his hand at country music. In the 1970's he had fifteen singles make the country charts, however none reached the Top 20. Dorsey passed away in August 1979 at the age of 46 from a massive heart attack.
There you have it for this week and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend.
Looking at the Opry members scheduled this weekend, both nights will feature Riders In The Sky, John Conlee, The Whites and Mike Snider. They will be joined on Friday night by Connie Smith and Ricky Skaggs, while Jeannie Seely and Bobby Osborne will round out the list for Saturday. That comes out to 6 Opry members each night.
Guest artists on Friday night include Aaron Tippin, Lucie Silvas and RaeLynn. They will be joined by 3 other artists who have made numerous Opry appearances. First is Charles Esten. Charles has appeared on the Opry more often this year than a majority of the members. I know he is best known a Deacon on "Nashville," which will be returning to CMT in late fall, but after seeing and hearing him several times on the Opry, he has a nice country voice. This past weekend he sang the humorous song "Beer" and the audience loved it. Another guest is Dailey & Vincent, who many believe should have been Opry members long ago. I can't disagree and it is nice to see them back at the Opry. Exile is the other guest artist scheduled, and they will also return on Saturday night. Like the other two mentioned, they have been on the Opry many times.
Joining Exile on Saturday night will be non-member Opry regular Jimmy Wayne, who seems to be one of the "go-to" artists when there is an open spot in the weekly line-up. Also scheduled is Carly Pearce, Sierra Hull, and a young man that I am anxious to hear, Charlie Worsham. Vince Gill is very high on him and I thought Charlie did an outstanding job last Saturday with "Key of Life."
Friday August 19
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Aaron Tippin; Exile
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lucie Silvas; Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; RaeLynn
8:45: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Charles Esten
Saturday August 20
7:00: John Conlee (host); Carly Pearce; Mike Snider
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Worsham; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Intermission
8:15: The Whites (host); Sierra Hull; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy Wayne; Exile
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago, the weekend of August 19 & 20, 2011:
Friday August 19
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Troy Olsen
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jimmy Wayne
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Exile
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Connie Smith; Mike Snider; Will Hoge
Saturday August 20
7:00: Larry Gatlin (host); Jimmy C Newman; John Conlee; The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; James Wesley
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Jimmy Wayne; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Connie Smith; Bradley Gaskin
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of August 18 & 19, 2006:
Friday August 18
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Mountain Heart
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Lane Turner
9:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jean Shepard; Buddy Jewell
9:30: Pam Tillis (host); Mel McDaniel; Marty Stuart
Saturday August 19
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; David Ball
7:30: Jean Shepard (host); Mel McDaniel; Chris Young
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Lane Turner; Sherrie Austin; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Jimmy Wayne
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper featuring Audie Blaylock
10:00: Jean Shepard (host); Mel McDaniel; David Ball
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jan Howard; Chris Young; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Connie Smith; Sherri Austin
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lane Turner; Jimmy Wayne
Finally, from 25 years ago, Saturday August 17, 1991:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Teddy Wilburn: I've Loved You All Over the World
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Stop that Ticklin' Me
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What A Party
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home
7:00: Shoney's
Del Reeves (host): Lay A Little Lovin' on Me
Stonewall Jackson: Side-Steppin' the Blues
Wilma Lee Cooper: No One Now
The Whites: If It Ain't Love
Stu Phillips: The Great El-Tigra
Del Reeves: Two Dollars in the Jukebox/A Dime at A Time/Looking at the World Through A Windshield/Good Time Charlie's
7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): John Henry
Charlie Louvin: Making Music
Skeeter Davis: Oh Happy Day
Marty Brown: You Sugar Daddy's Long Gone/Wildest Dream
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: At the Time/I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Charlie Walker: My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You/San Antonio Rose
Opry Square Dance Band: Sugar in the Goard
Roy Acuff: My Tears Don't Show
8:30: Opryland USA
Hank Snow (host): Gonna Find Me A Bluebird
Billy Walker: Down to My Last Cigarette
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Jeannie Seely: Houston
Roy Drusky: Have I Stayed Away to Long
Hank Snow: It's All Over Nothing at All
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General Stores
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Skeeter Davis: Joy, Joy, Joy
Teddy Wilburn: Arkansas
Ray Pillow: That Ain't No Way to Treat My Heart/If I Didn't Have You In My World
Porter Wagoner: Funky Grass Band
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Banjo Sam
Bill Carlisle: Business Man
Grandpa Jones: Apple Jack
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
The Whites: It's Not What You Know, It's Who You Know/Let's All Go Down to the River
Roy Acuff: Freight Train Blues
10:30: Pet Milk
Del Reeves (host): A Dozen Pair of Boots
Charlie Louvin: This Pen
Del Reeves: The Race is On
10:45: B.C. Powder
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Marty Brown: You Sugar Daddy's Long Gone
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): There's A Fool Such As I
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes/Heartaches By the Number
Justin Tubb: Keep Me From Blowing Away
Stu Phillips: If Loving You Means Anything
Hank Snow: Old Doc Brown
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
David Houston: Living In A House Full of Love
Jeannie Seely: What Doesn't He Just Leave Me Alone
Roy Drusky: Mississippi/Always
Charlie Walker: Roly Poly/Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
To conclude, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from 50 years ago, Saturday August 20, 1966:
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); Del Wood; Bill Strength
6:45: The Browns (host); Margie Bowes
7:00: Willis Brothers (host); Sonny James; Skeeter Davis; Jimmy Newman; Jerry Wallace
7:30: Bobby Lord (host); Connie Smith; Minnie Pearl; Norville Dollar
8:00: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host); Charlie Louvin; Hank Williams Jr; Crook Brothers; Jeannie Seely
8:30: Roy Acuff (host); Marion Worth; Hank Locklin; Tex Ritter
9:00: Glaser Brothers (host); Norma Jean; Bobby Bare; Stringbean; Jimmy Payne
9:30: Bobby Lord (host); Carter Family; The Browns; June Carter; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Margie Bowes; Jimmy Dean
10:00: Roy Acuff (host); Bobby Bare; Dorsey Burnette
10:15: Tex Ritter (host); Stringbean; Norma Jean
10:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Del Wood; Steve Chapman
10:45: Hank Locklin (host); Marion Worth Crook Brothers;
11:00: Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper; Hank Williams Jr; Bill Strength; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam & Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Connie Smith; Bob Luman; Norville Dollar; Don Winters
The running order from that night:
7:30: Mrs Grissoms
Bill Monroe: I'm Breaking in A Brand New Pair of Shoes
Del Wood: 12th Street Rag
Bill Strength: Oh, Lonesome Me
Bill Monroe: Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot/Panhandle Country
6:45: Rudy's
The Browns: I Heard the Bluebirds Sing
Margie Bowes: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Jim Ed Brown: Regular on My Mind
The Browns: I'd Just Be Fool Enough
Opry Staff Band: Tennessee Polka
7:00: N.L.A.I. Co.
Willis Brothers: When I Come Driving Thur
Sonny James: The Minute You're Gone/What Makes A Man Wonder/I'll Keep Holding On
Skeeter Davis: Why I'm Walking
Jimmy Newman: Big Mamou
Skeeter Davis: Walking the Floor Over You
Jerry Wallace: (?)
Jimmy Newman: A Fallen Star
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Jerry Wallace: In the Misty Moonlight
Sonny James: How Great Thou Art
7:30: Luzianne
Bobby Lord: That's All Right
Connie Smith: I'll Be There
Minnie Pearl: I'm thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes
Bobby Lord: Losers Like Me
Norville Dollar: Making Me A Lonely Man
Connie Smith: Then & Only Then
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
8:00: Martha White
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: This Train
Charlie Louvin: Less & Less/I Don't Love You Anymore
Hank Williams Jr: Standing in the Shadow
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Jeannie Seely: It's Only Love
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Almost Persuaded
Joe Edwards: John Henry
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff: Fireball Mail
Marion Worth: All the World Is Lonely Now
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Tex Ritter: There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Marion Worth: Don't Count on Tomorrow
Hank Locklin: Danny Boy
9:00: Pet Milk
Glaser Brothers: Lover's Farewell
Norma Jean: I'm Just Pursuing Happiness
Bobby Bare: Just to Satisfy You
Stringbean: Big Ball in Nashville
Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
Jimmy Payne: What Does It Take
Norma Jean: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels
Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore
9:30: Kellogg's
Bobby Lord: Out Behind the Barn
Carter Family: Worried Man Blues
The Browns: Mariah
June Carter: Thirty Days
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Bobby Lord: When the Snow Falls
Margie Bowes: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Jimmy Dean: Just A Little Lovin'
10:00: Schick
Roy Acuff: Just A Friend
Bobby Bare: Gotta Travel On
Dorsey Burnette: Big Rock Candy Mountain/(?)
Roy Acuff: Will the Circle Be Unbroken
10:15: Pure
Tex Ritter: Remember Us
Stringbean: String's A PIckin'
Norma Jean: You're Driving Me Out of My Mind
Tex Ritter: Take Him Fishing
10:30: Harvey's
Charlie Louvin: Lonesome Is Me
Del Wood: Waiting for the Robert E Lee
Charlie Louvin: Making Plans
Steve Chapman: (?)
10:45: Newport
Hank Locklin: Please Help Me I'm Falling
Marion Worth: Ever Since My Baby Went Away
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Hank Locklin: Almost Persuaded
11:00: Coca-Cola
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
Hank Williams Jr: Settin' the Woods on Fire
Bill Strength: Make the World Go Away
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Hero's Death
Sam & Kirk McGee: Make A Change in Business All Around
Hank Williams Jr: Standing in the Shadows
Joe Edwards: Doodle Bug
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Matthew 24
11:30: Lava
Marty Robbins: Singing the Blues
Connie Smith: One A Day
Bob Luman: Memphis
Norville Dollar: Continental Queen
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry
Don Winters: Annie Lou
Connie Smith: Paper Roses
Bob Luman: I Remember You
Marty Robbins: The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight/Take These Chains from My Heart/I Could Never Be Ashamed of You/Bouquet of Roses/El Paso
There are a couple of names from the Opry that night which many fans may not recognize.
Bill Strength was born on August 28, 1928 in Bessemer, Alabama. At the age of 16, he won an amateur contest at Houston's Joy Theater and he was soon hired by local station KTHT on a part-time basis. In 1945, he began working full time at KFEQ in St. Joseph, Missouri, followed by stations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Denver, Colorado, after which he returned to Houston, where he worked for several stations. It was during this period that he recorded several singles for 4-Star Records, including "Who's the Lucky One" and "I'm Doing a Peach of a Job." In 1950, he was hired by the CIO to promote the organization via radio and convention appearances. In 1950 he signed with Coral Records and recorded "Black Coffee Blues" and "You Can't Have My Love," which were among his most successful recordings. In 1954, he was named "Mr. DJ USA" by WSM radio in Nashville, after which he relocated to Memphis, Tennessee where he was a part of the early rock & roll scene. He then relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota where he worked with Roy Drusky and Dave Dudley. He then signed with Capital Records and recorded "Cry, Cry, Cry," "Turn Around," and "Do You Think I'm Happy." It was reported that he had issues with alcoholism and he spent the remaining years of his life moving around to various cities and working in radio. In August 1973, he was paralyzed following an auto accident and then in October he passed away at the age of 45. In 1990 he was inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame.
Another name from that night is Norville Dollar. Norville was from Missouri and it was said that he was an early fan of country music. He got his first guitar at the age of fifteen, after which he formed his own band. By the mid-1960's, he had his own weekly television show in St. Louis which was such a big hit that when Nashville artists appeared in the St Louis area, they appeared on Norville's show. His show also gave audiences their first exposure to a number of new artists including Barbara Fairchild, David "Lonzo" Hooten, and Helen Cornelius. After being off the air for several years, KPLR-TV aired his show again, this time with a much wider audience as the station was now on cable television and this exposure led to several guest appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. He later retired from the music business and formed the Norville Dollar Construction Company. After his wife passed away in 2006, his children and friends encouraged him to turn to his music again and as a result of this renewed interest he recorded a new CD titled "Through the Years With Norville Dollar."
Finally there was Dorsey Burnette. Dorsey was born on December 28, 1932 and with his younger brother Johnny Burnette was a founding member of "The Rock and Roll Trio." As the name suggests, he was more involved with Rockabilly than country music. In the mid-1950's, they were featured on numerous national televisions shows including American Bandstand, Steve Allen's Tonight Show and Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall, Despite this exposure, the three singles that the Trio released failed to make any of the national charts. In the late 1950's, he recorded several singles with Fabor Robinson, who offered Dorsey spots on the Louisiana Hayride and Town Hall Party. Relocating to California, Dorsey teamed again with his brother Johnny as the Burnette Brothers and recorded and released a number of records into the 1960's. In August 1964, Johnny died in a boating accident after which Dorsey recorded for various small labels without much luck. By the mid 1970's, he was back trying his hand at country music. In the 1970's he had fifteen singles make the country charts, however none reached the Top 20. Dorsey passed away in August 1979 at the age of 46 from a massive heart attack.
There you have it for this week and I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend.
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