Grand Ole Opry 12/30 & 12/31

This is it. We have come to the end of another year as the Grand Ole Opry finishes up 2022 with shows #211 and #212. And what a year it was. The Opry followed up their record year of new members in 2021 with five more members in 2022. There was the celebration of Barbara Mandrell's 50th year as an Opry member, Jeannie Seely being recognized for appearing on the Opry over 5,000 times, and the Opry's 97th birthday. Sadly, the Opry lost one of its icons as 60-year Opry member Loretta Lynn passed away. While we all look forward to what the Opry has to offer in 2023, there is still one more weekend in 2022. 

Looking at those scheduled for the final Friday Night Opry of 2022, Opry members Connie Smith and Don Schlitz, two Hall of Fame members, are at the head of the list. Frequent and popular guests Darin & Brooke Aldridge are on the schedule, as is comedian Aaron Weber. Rounding out the schedule will Drake Milligan, who will be back for a follow up appearance, Janelle Arthur, The SteelDrivers, and a group that has not been at the Opry is a long time, McBride & The Ride. 

McBride & The Ride originally formed in the late 1980s. During their initial run together, the group released three albums Burnin’ Up The Road, Sacred Ground, and Hurry Sundown, and had hit singles "Love on the Loose, Heart on the Run," “Sacred Ground,” and "Going Out of My Mind," to mention a few. In the spring of 2021, they announced they were reuniting and going back in the studio to record new music, with their first new album in almost 30 years to be released next year. 

Though the band has been on and off over the past 30 years, its members have thrived through their individual careers. Ray Herndon has been Lyle Lovett’s lead guitarist since 1985 and has had songs cut by Kenny Chesney, Aaron Tippin, Lee Greenwood and Linda Davis. Terry McBride has written hits for Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Easton Corbin, and Cody Johnson. Billy Thomas moved to Nashville from Los Angeles in 1987 and immediately started working with Vince Gill along with many other country stars (Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Steve Wariner & Earl Scruggs). He has also been Vince Gill's drummer on the road and in the studio ever since, adding background vocals to his many hits, as well as joining him as a member of The Time Jumpers, one of Nashville’s favorite bands. 

I know many of us will be looking forward to hearing the group once again at the Opry. 

Don Schlitz and Aaron Weber are back on Saturday night, along with Opry members Charlie McCoy, Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett. Also appearing will be Sierra Hull & Justin Moses, award winning fiddle player Andy Leftwich, and making his Grand Ole Opry debut, Jason Coleman. 

Jason Coleman is a name many might not recognize, but at the same time, he should be somebody that most would be familiar with. Since 2020 Jason has hosted and performed his own weekly piano concert series, The Jason Coleman Show, broadcast as both an online TV show and a weekly radio show on WSM Radio. With tens of millions of views and tens of thousands of weekly tune-ins, The Jason Coleman Show serves as the connection point between Jason and his passionate ‘piano family’ of fans and followers from across the globe.

You might be wondering where Jason got this talent from. Well, it runs in the family as Jason is the grandson of Country Music Hall of Fame member Floyd Cramer, and in fact, it was Floyd who inspired Jason to take up the piano. Jason has done a wonderful job carrying on his grandfather's legacy. 

(As with the previous week, the weekly lineups have not been posted as of yet)

And now, from 50 years ago, Saturday December 30, 1972: 

7:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely
7:30: Tex Ritter (host); Bob Luman; Lonzo and Oscar; Stan Hitchcock
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Bill Carlisle; Ernie Ashworth; Crook Brothers; Roland White and Marty Stuart
8:30: Roy Acuff (host); Stringbean; Stoney Cooper and Joe Edwards; Onie Wheeler; Carolee Cooper
9:00: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Stu Phillips; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Hank Snow (host); Willis Brothers; Jim and Jesse; The 4 Guys
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Bob Luman; Lonzo and Oscar
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Carolee and Stoney Cooper; Bill Carlisle
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Tex Ritter; Stringbean; Ernie Ashworth; Paul Warren
10:45: Bill Monroe (host); Earl Scruggs Revue; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Justin Tubb; Willis Brothers; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Jim and Jesse; The 4 Guys

(Bill Anderson, Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely appeared only on the first half of the show, while Justin Tubb appeared only on the second half. Billy Walker and Billy Grammer cancelled both their spots). 

New Year's Eve shows at the Grand Ole Opry generally featured only Opry members. 1983 was no exception. Here is the running order from December 31, 1983, as the Grand Ole Opry closed out another year. 

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
The 4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Mariah
Wilma Lee Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
The 4 Guys: Fanny May

6:45: Rudy's
Stonewall Jackson (host): Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Jean Shepard: Soft Rain
Stonewall Jackson: Ol' Chunk of Coal

7:00: Shoney's
Grandpa Jones (host) and Ramona Jones: I Wonder Where My Darlin' is Tonight
Jimmy C Newman: (?)
Jim and Jesse: Let Me Whisper
Del Wood: Alabama Jubilee
Jack Greene: Midnight Tennessee Woman/I'd Do as Much for You
Grandpa Jones: Four Stone Walls & A Ceiling
Ramona Jones: Bill Cheatham

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all come
Roy Drusky: The Last Farewell
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Gray Eagle
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name/Green, Green Grass of Home

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Billy Grammer: (?)/When You & I Were Young Maggie
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me/I've Got You & You Got Me
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird/I Saw the Light

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Wreck of the Old 97
Teddy Wilburn: Lovesick Blues
Riders In The Sky: Pecos Bill
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What A Party
Jeannie Seely: He's All I Need
Hank Snow: Born For You

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jack Greene (host): Happy Tracks
The 4 Guys: Let There Be Peace
Jean Shepard: Deep Water
Ray Pillow: Please Don't Leave Me Anymore
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Daisy a Day
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of a Fool

10:00: Little Debbie
Jimmy C Newman (host): Big Mamou
Charlie Louvin and Del Groves: Don't It Seem to Rain a Lot in Our Lives
Cajun Country: Cajun Queen

10:15: Sunbeam
Grandpa Jones (host): Pretty Little Gal A' Waitin'
Jim and Jesse: Paradise
Grandpa Jones and George McCormick: Wait a Little Longer, Please Jesus

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Del Wood: Auld Lang Syme/Down Yonder/Cajun Stripper
Roy Acuff: Back in the Country/I'll Fly Away

10:45: Beech- Nut
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Jeanne Pruett: I Oughta Feel Guilty
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Roy Drusky: One Day at a Time

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Cried A Mile
Justin Tubb: Pull the Covers Over Me
Connie Smith: The Well of His Mercy
Billy Grammer: The Old Spinning Wheel
Hank Snow: If Jesus Wrote to Us

11:30: Hardee's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ol' Slewfoot
Riders In The Sky: Biscuit Blues
Bill Carlisle: Is Zat You Myrtle
Jeannie Seely: Healing Hands of Time/You Don't Need Me, but You Will
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name
Porter Wagoner, Roy Acuff and Grand Ole Opry Cast: Auld Lang Syme
Porter Wagoner, Roy Acuff and Grand Ole Opry Cast: I Saw the Light

Jan Howard was scheduled for both shows but canceled, while Stonewall Jackson and Teddy Wilburn only appeared on the early show and Ray Pillow and Justin Tubb on the late show. Also of note was Porter Wagoner hosting the final segment that night, something he very rarely did). 

Well, there you have it for this week and for this year. I thank everyone for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. 

Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing and hearing from everyone in 2023. 

Grand Ole Opry 12/23 & 12/24

Before getting into the Grand Ole Opry lineups for this weekend, I wanted to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone who has taken the time to read and/or comment on the blog over the past year. I have been very fortunate to have made many new acquaintances over the years and I value each and every one of you. While some may not believe in Santa, I do. Thus, after I listen to the Opry on Saturday night, I will be up and on the lookout for Santa. The weather here in Ohio is going to be nasty and I want to make sure he doesn't miss our house. 

Speaking of the Opry, the Christmas weekend shows were something special. I think, if my memory is correct, it was Wilma Lee Cooper who commented that most of the members would be at the Opry that weekend, exchanging cards and gifts. She said it was always a special time and, in many cases, the Opry members would stay around after the shows ended, visiting and catching up. I know when I go back and look at some of the past lineups from Christmas weekend, the number of acts who appeared was amazing. While the shows this weekend probably don't fall into that "special" category, both nights offer solid lineups. 

Looking at the Friday Night Opry, Opry member Emmylou Harris is back again. This will make the third appearance in the last month for an Opry member who has been missing a lot since she joined. Wonderful to see. Also listed are Jeannie Seely, Riders In The Sky and Charlie McCoy. 

Jeannie Seely is back on Saturday night, which is Christmas Eve, joined by members Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press and Don Schlitz. 

T. Graham Brown is listed among the non-members for Friday night. Many of us have hoped that T. Graham would be asked at some point to become an Opry member, and it would make for a nice Christmas gift to T. Graham if the invitation took place this weekend. As much as he has appeared on the Opry over the past several decades, it would be well deserved. 

Also, on the schedule are The Cleverlys, who I highly recommend, along with Steve Earle, who will be performing with Emmylou, comedian Henry Cho and Jessica Willis Fisher. As an FYI regarding Jessica, she is the daughter-in-law of former Grand Ole Opry Vice President/General Manager Pete Fisher, and Pete has taken a much more active role in directing her career. 

Looking at Saturday night, Steve Earle returns, along with Erin Enderlin, The McCrary Sisters, T.G. Sheppard and Sirius/XM Willie's Roadhouse morning host Sunny Sweeney. 

(As if this point, the final running order has not been posted). 

Now, from 50 years ago, Saturday December 23, 1972: 

7:00: Roy Drusky (host); Ernie Ashworth; Bill Carlisle; Stu Phillips
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); Billy Grammer; George Morgan; Stoney Cooper
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Grandpa Jones; Stonewall Jackson; Jim Ed Brown; Marty Stuart and Roland White; Crook Brothers; Ramona Jones
8:30: Roy Acuff (host); Del Reeves; Charlie Louvin; Stringbean; Ray Pillow
9:00: Ernest Tubb (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Charlie Walker; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Hank Snow (host); Willis Brothers; Bobby Bare; The 4 Guys; Del Wood
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Stu Phillips; Bill Carlisle; Ernie Ashworth
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); George Morgan; Stoney and Carol Lee Cooper
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Jim Ed Brown; Stonewall Jackson; Ray Pillow; Roland White
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Stringbean; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Charlie Walker; Willis Brothers; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Del Wood; Sam McGee
11:30: Bobby Bare (host); The 4 Guys; Charlie Louvin; Justin Tubb

(Dottie West was scheduled but canceled, while Roy Drusky and Billy Grammer were scheduled only one spot. Del Reeves was scheduled for two spots but cancelled his last one).


On October 14, 1939, the Grand Ole Opry went on the NBC Red network. The deal was set through William Esty and Company, a major New York advertising agency acting on behalf of a client, the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The product to be sold was Prince Albert smoking tobacco and the thirty minutes of the Opry was to be called "The Prince Albert Show."

That first show was broadcast was carried on a regional network of 26 stations. According to George D. Hay, "Representatives from NBC in New York came to Nashville. The Opry House was crowded. Heretofore we had not made any attempt to produce the show, in the accepted sense of the word. We had to be snatched off the air at the end of our thirty minutes, but with that exception the half hour went over pretty well. Before the next week rolled around, we had timed our opening and closing and had no further difficulty in that direction."

Roy Acuff was selected to be the host of that first show, and for future shows. It took a while for it to grow, but by October 1943 it became a Saturday night feature of the full NBC coast-to-coast network, initially with 125 stations, with more being added each week. Without a doubt, it was through the Prince Albert shows that spearheaded the growth of the Opry into a national institution. 

As everyone knows, Roy Acuff was the host until he left the Opry in 1946. Roy was replaced as the host of the Prince Albert show by Red Foley, who was new to the Opry and Nashville. Red was actually hired and approved by the advertising agency to be the host. While Roy came back to the Opry the following year, Red remained the host of the network show, bringing even more recognition and success. In 1954, after hosting the Prince Albert show for eight years, Red left Nashville and the Opry. At that time, the decision was made not to replace Red with another permanent host, but to use some of the Opry's top names on a rotating basis. That format continued until Saturday December 24, 1960, when the Prince Albert Show was broadcast for the final time. 

Here is the lineup from Saturday December 24, 1960, which shows that Hank Snow hosted that final Prince Albert Show

7:30: Pet Milk
Cowboy Copas (host): Down in Nashville Tennessee
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Billy Grammer: Wabash Cannonball
Patsy Cline: Loose Talk
Cowboy Copas: Alabam'
Stonewall Jackson: Little Guy Called Joe
Carlisles: Skin Him Quick
Bobby Lord: Winter Wonderland
Cowboy Copas: The Man Upstairs

8:00: Martha White
Don Gibson (host): Far, Far, Away
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: This Old House
Grandpa Jones: Rattler's Pup
Don Gibson: Sweet Dreams
Del Wood: Varsity Trot
Margie Bowes: Judge Not
Crook Brothers: Cotton-Eyed Joe
Wilburn Brothers: Which One is To Blame
Don Gibson: Oh, Lonesome Me

8:30: Prince Albert
Hank Snow (host): Rockin', Rollin' Ocean
Archie Campbell: Comedy
George Morgan: O Little Town of Bethlehem
Jordanaires: Silver Bells
Chet Atkins: Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
George Morgan: Silent Night
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Mississippi Gal
Ferlin Husky: Wings of a Dove
Skeeter Davis: My Last Date
Cousin Jody: Lady Cop
Ernest Tubb: Half A Mind
Bill Monroe: Sally Joe
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Glaser Brothers: The Same Old Memory
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Take Me Back to Tulsa
Ernest Tubb: Daisey Mae

9:30: Stephens
Marty Robbins (host): Ballad of the Alamo
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Much Too Well
Roy Drusky: I'd Rather Loan You Out
Lonzo and Oscar: A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Marty Robbins: The Hand You're Holding Now
Jean Shepard: Lonely Little World
Carl Butler: For the First Time
Billy Walker: I Wish You Love
Hawkshaw Hawkins: I Don't Apologize
Marty Robbins: I Can't Quit

10:00: Black Draught
Don Gibson (host): Just One Time
Wilburn Brothers: The Best of All My Heartaches
Del Wood: Ballin' The Jack
Don Gibson: Far, Far Away

10:15: Frosty Morn
Cowboy Copas (host): Filet On Ready
Margie Bowes: I Don't Believe You Love Me Anymore
Grandpa Jones: It Takes a Lot of Living
Cowboy Copas: Midnight in Heaven

10:30: Jamison
Ernest Tubb (host): White Silver Sands
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Billy Grammer: Big, Big Dream
Ernest Tubb: Accidently on Purpose
Fiddle Tune: Soldier's Joy

10:45: De Con
George Morgan (host): I'm In Love Again
Stonewall Jackson: Why I'm Walking
Patsy Cline: Crazy Dreams
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
George Morgan: White Christmas

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Miller's Cave
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Heartbreak Street
Carl Butler: I'm A Prisoner of Love
Lonzo and Oscar: Pumkin Rasin
Hank Snow: The Changing of the Tide
Stringbean: 20cent Cotton; 90cent Meat
Jordanaires: (?)
Sam and Kirk McGee: You'll Come
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatam
Hank Snow: Walking & Talking

11:30: Phillips & Buttorff
Marty Robbins (host): I Told My Heart
Skeeter Davis: Someone I Would Like to Forget
Cousin Jody: Horses Carry Tales
Marty Robbins: El Paso

11:45: National Life
Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): I'll Get Even
Bill Monroe: Time Changes Everything
Jean Shepard: For The Children's Sake
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Fiddle Tune: Forked Deer

(By the way, for those interested, that first Prince Albert Show, along with all of those shows, are available to listen on the Country Music Hall of Fame Digital Archives Website). 

The following week, December 31st, Prince Albert was no longer an Opry sponsor, with the segment listed as "Sustaining." 

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

Merry Christmas to all!!

Tuesday Night Opry 12/20 & Final Opry Country Christmas Shows

It's Christmas Week and for the Grand Ole Opry, that means a full week of shows. On the schedule is the Tuesday Night Opry and the final two Opry Country Christmas shows, which will be taking place on Wednesday and Thursday nights. 

Let's start off with the Tuesday Night Opry which has Grand Ole Opry members Dailey & Vincent, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith and Riders In The Sky on the schedule. Tom Douglas, who did a series of shows from the Circle Room earlier this year, is also scheduled to perform. Rounding out the schedule are Zach Top, Andy Statman and comedian Aaron Weber. 

Tuesday December 20
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Jeannie Seely, Zach Top, Andy Statman
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith, Aaron Weber, Tom Douglas, Riders In The Sky

Moving ahead to the two Opry Country Christmas shows this week, Larry Gatlin will be hosting the final two shows, appearing with the Christmas show regulars, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy, Riders In The Sky, and of course, his brothers Steve and Rudy. Jason Crabb and Lorrie Morgan are the special guests on Wednesday night, while John Berry and Ricky Skaggs will help to close out the series on Thursday. 

Wednesday December 21
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Lorrie Morgan
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy

Thursday December 22
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Ricky Skaggs
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Riders In The Sky, Mandy Barnett, Charlie McCoy

I know that the Christmas shows followed the same basic format, with the core group doing the same songs on each show, but I still enjoyed them, as did those attending. This was the second year for these shows and I am sure they will be back on the schedule again next year. 

Grand Ole Opry 12/16 & 12/17

The subject of Grand Ole Opry members appearing on the Opry and how the process works has been brought up a few times. We all know from reading the older editions of the Grand Ole Opry History Picture Books that the Opry management would reach out to the various Opry members who were appearing on a particular Friday or Saturday night and ask if they were going to be in town and available for the following weekend. For the members not appearing, phone calls would be made to see if that particular member was available for the following weekend. In addition, talent agents and management of non-members would be called to see who was going to be in town and available for an Opry appearance if there were not enough members to fill out the lineups. 

After this process was completed, the lineups would be set, based on the number of Opry members available to appear. That number would vary. If 20 Opry members were available on a particular Saturday night, then 20 would be on the schedule. Even if the number was higher, such as 25, 30, or more, all those members would appear on at least one of the Friday or Saturday night shows. If there were any slots unfilled, then the non-members would be called. 

I bring that up because a question was asked of Bill Anderson in his recent monthly newsletter regarding his Opry appearances. Here is the question and Bill's answer: 

Does the Grand Ole Opry management schedule your appearances or is there a mutual discussion as to when you will appear?

At the beginning of each month, the Opry will e-mail a notice to all the members letting us know what nights the following month that Opry shows are scheduled. We are then asked to let the Opry know which of those nights we might be available to perform. The schedulers take it from there.

Of course, times have changed. There are now Opry shows almost every night of the week, and the number of artists on a show is much smaller, as the Opry shows are shorter in length and the artists now sing several songs instead of just one. Also, with the emphasis of having less Opry members on per show, and the scheduling of non-members, including the comedians and artists making their Opry debuts, that reduces the number of Opry members being asked to appear on the dates that they are available. 

I am not sure that answers any questions, but I thought it was good to share. 

After all the excitement last weekend, with the appearances by Carrie Underwood and the induction of Ashley McBryde, the Opry is back to one show each on Friday and Saturday night, both nights with very full and very solid lineups. 

The Friday Night Opry will feature Grand Ole Opry members John Conlee, Charlie McCoy and Ricky Skaggs, while Saturday's show has Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Bobby Osborne, Connie Smith, and a return appearance by Emmylou Harris. 

There is an interesting booking on the Friday Night Opry as John Driskell Hopkins will be appearing with Balsam Range and Debby Boone. Debby, of course, is the daughter of Pat Boone and the granddaughter of Opry legend Red Foley, while John Driskell Hopkins was one of the founding members of the Zac Brown Band.

Recording Christmas singles has become a tradition for Hopkins; “Snow” is his fourth. Along with his solo work, the singer-musician is a longtime member of the Zac Brown Band, who rallied to support him when he was diagnosed with ALS last year. He publicly shared the news in May and launched Hop on a Cure, his campaign to fund research into the disease and raise awareness. There is no known cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

It should be a special night at the Opry to see these wonderful performers on stage. 

Rounding out the non-members scheduled on Friday night are Jake Hoot, Avery Anna, Crowder, and making a return appearance, The Kentucky Headhunters. 

Guesting on Saturday night will be Gail Davies, who will be appearing with Emmylou, Holly Williams, comedian John Crist and making his Grand Ole Opry debut, Mitch Rossell. 

Friday December 16
7:00: Jake Hoot, John Conlee, John Driskell Hopkins & Balsam Range w/Debby Boone, Charlie McCoy
Intermission
8:15: Avery Anna, The Kentucky Headhunters, Crowder, Ricky Skaggs

Saturday December 17
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith, Mitch Rossell, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press. Lorrie Morgan
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, John Crist, Opry Square Dancers, Holly Williams, Emmylou Harris and Gail Davies

A couple of very nice shows this weekend, with full lineups and a lot of variety. As a reminder, no live show on Circle television this weekend. 

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday December 16, 1972:

7:00: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Stu Phillips; Bill Carlisle
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Louvin; Stoney Cooper; Ernie Ashworth; Diane McCall
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Grandpa Jones; Roland White and Marty Stuart; Crook Brothers
8:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Justin Tubb
9:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Bob Luman; Hank Locklin; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Hank Snow (host); Willis Brothers; The 4 Guys
10:00: Jack Greene (host); Jeannie Seely; Bill Carlisle; Ernie Ashworth
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Louvin; Stoney Cooper and Carol Lee Cooper; Roger Miller
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Roland White; George Morgan; Grandpa Jones; Marty Stuart
10:45: Porter Wagoner (host); Dolly Parton; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jim Ed Brown; Willis Brothers; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Justin Tubb; Sam McGee
11:30: Hank Locklin (host); Stu Phillips; Bob Luman; The 4 Guys

(Marion Worth and Bobby Bare both were scheduled and cancelled, while George Morgan missed his first spot, thus only appearing on the 2nd half of the show. Wilma Lee Cooper was missing, while Hank Snow was back on the Opry after missing for a few weeks). 


We know that some Saturday nights are better than others, and one of those very good Saturday nights took place the week before Christmas in 1994. Both shows that night featured Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Joe Diffie, Ricky Van Shelton, along with Travis Tritt and Rodney Crowell on the first show and Doug Stone on the late show. Here is the running order from Saturday December 17, 1994: 

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Grandpa Jones (host): Old Blue
Wilma Lee Cooper: There's A Higher Power
Brother Oswald: The End of the World
Grandpa Jones: Gooseberry Pie

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Bill Monroe (host): I'm On My Way to the Old Home
Emmylou Harris: Beneath Still Waters
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell: Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
Bill Monroe: Bluegrass Breakdown

7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Osborne Brothers: Doin' My Time
Jean Shepard: Wabash Cannonball
Jimmy Dickens: When Your House is Not a Home

7:30: Standard Candy Company
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor Howdy
Travis Tritt: Can I Trust You with My Heart
Joe Diffie: Home
Vince Gill: Old Shep
Travis Tritt, Joe Diffie and Vince Gill: Wabash Cannonball
Joe Diffie: John Deer Green
Travis Tritt: I Walk the Line

8:00: Martha White
Mike Snider (host): Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Ricky Van Shelton: Hole in My Pocket/ White Christmas
Ray Pillow: Please Don't Leave Me Anymore/The Kind of Love I Can't Forget/Bubbles in My Beeer
Billy Dean: I Miss Billy The Kid/I Still Believe in Christmas
Mike Snider: 'T Was the Night Before Christmas

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Silver Rails
The 4 Guys: Big River
Jimmy C Newman: La Cajun Band
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
The Whites: Move It on Over
Hank Snow: The Prisoner's Song

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General/Drs. Cream/Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens and Jeannie Seely: Jingle Bells
Vince Gill: Christmas is Finally Here
Bill Monroe: Christmas Time's 'A Comin'
Jeannie Seely, Jean Shepard and Jan Howard: Away in the Manger/Silver Bells/Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer/Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Ricky Van Shelton: White Christmas
Grandpa and Ramona Jones: Jingle Bells
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus
Emmylou Harris: Angel Eyes
Ricky Van Shelton: Please Come Home for Christmas
Joe Diffie: Mr. Christmas
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas
Jimmy Dickens: There's No Place Like Home for Christmas
Jeannie Seely and Grand Ole Opry Cast: Silent Night

10:30: Gruhn Guitar
Mike Snider (host): Shuckin' the Corn
Billy Walker: Adam's Side
Mike Snider: The Fur Coat

10:45: Fairfield Communities
The Whites (host): Poor Folks Pleasure
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
The Whites: Keep on the Sunny Side

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Right or Wrong
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/ Mariah
Doug Stone: On A 747 Tonight/Love Grows Best in Little Houses
Hank Snow: Bluebird Island

11:30: Cates Pickles
Jim Ed Brown (host): Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I Saw the Light/Gone At Last/I'll Fly Away
Jimmy C Newman: Cajuns Dream
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Johnny Russell: Ain't Cha Even Gonna Cry
Jim Ed Brown: Winter Wonderland/We Wish You a Merry Christmas

On the 2nd show, the first three segments basically ran together, although on the program Jimmy Dickens, Bill Monroe, Porter Wagoner and Grandpa Jones were listed as the hosts for the first four segments. And as you would expect, the show ran over that night. 

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

Tuesday Night Opry 12/13 & Opry Country Christmas 12/15

Here is the lineup for the Tuesday Night Opry December 13:

7:00: Riders In The Sky, Hailey Whitters, Charles Esten, Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Lindsay Ell, Rhonda Vincent

Opry Country Christmas continues its run of shows with another show on Thursday night December 15. In addition to the regulars, the two special artists for this show will be The Band Trippp and Josh Turner. 

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Josh Turner
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers, Charlie McCoy, Mandy Barnett, Riders In The Sky, The Band Trippp

These Christmas shows have been excellent and if the Nashville area, I highly recommend. 

Grand Ole Opry 12/9 & 12/10

Currently, there have been 230 members in the history of the Grand Ole Opry. That will change on Saturday night as Ashley McBryde will be formally inducted as the Grand Ole Opry's 231st member, and 71st member of the current cast. 

Ashley McBryde was raised in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. She became involved with music at a young age, while also developing a passion for writing songs. After attending Arkansas State University, she moved to Nashville in 2006/

Between 2006 and 2011, she released a pair of self-released albums. Her 2016 extended play (EP) titled Jalopies & Expensive Guitars drew attention from country artist Eric Church. His support helped her gain a country music recording contract with Warner Music Nashville. In 2017, the label released her debut single "A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega". The song was followed by her corresponding studio release Girl Going Nowhere (2018). Both the album and the single received critical acclaim and led to recognition from several music associations. It was followed by 2019's Never Will, which was also met with critical acclaim. Its lead single "One Night Standards" reached the top 20 of the American country songs chart and topped the Canadian country survey. A four-time Grammy Award nominee, Ashley has also received one Country Music Association Award, three Academy of Country Music Awards and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. 

While not a traditional country singer, Ashley as credited Mary Chapin Carpenter, Charlie Daniels, Patty Loveless, Dolly Parton and Hank Williams as among those who have influenced her music style. Her latest album, Lindeville, was released at the end of September. 

In what was a surprise to many, on October 6, Opry member Garth Brooks surprised Ashley with an invitation to become the Grand Ole Opry's newest member. 

While Ashley McBryde's Opry induction will be taking place on Saturday night, Friday night will also be a big night at the Opry as Opry member Carrie Underwood returns to the Opry stage once again, headlining two shows on Friday night. 

Along with Carrie, Opry members Jeannie Seely, Mandy Barnett, John Conlee and The Isaacs are on the schedule, along with the very popular Sara Evans, and making their Opry debut, CAIN. 

Back to Saturday night, which in addition to Ashley McBryde, will include Grand Ole Opry members Terri Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Gene Watson and Riders In The Sky. The only two non-Opry members scheduled to appear are Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys and making her Opry debut will be Grammy winning soul singer and songwriter, Joss Stone. 

Friday December 9
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Sara Evans, Mandy Barnett, CAIN
8:00: John Conlee, The Isaacs, Carrie Underwood

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely, Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, CAIN
10:30: Mandy Barnett, John Conlee, The Isaacs

Saturday December 10
1st show
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Ricky Skaggs, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, Gene Watson, Riders In The Sky
8:00: Terri Clark, Joss Stone, Ashley McBryde

2nd show
9:30; Opry Square Dancers, Terri Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Joss Stone, Gene Watson
10:30: Opry Square Dancers, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, Riders In The Sky, Ashley McBryde 

I have no word, nor have I heard any rumors as to who will be doing the induction of Ashley and presenting the Opry membership award. I know they like to keep that under wraps. It could be someone unannounced or it could be one of the Opry members already on the schedule. We will all be able to watch it live as Circle TV will be showing the 8:00 hour live. 

As mentioned, Friday night will be the Opry debut for CAIN, which consists of siblings Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz, and Logan Cain. Raised in Alabama, and children of pastors, they started in music at an early age. Their first attempt to crack the music business in Nashville was met with little success. leading to the group taking a break. They continued to live in Nashville and joined the praise team at their local church. This led to the decision to pursue Christian music, which was their true love. 

Since then, their career has taken off with over 150 million music streams and being named by Billboard, BDS, and Mediabase as the Most Played Artist on Christian radio. Their rewards and honors include the American Music Award (Favorite Inspirational Artist) and GMA Dove Award (Best New Artist) nominations along with their K-LOVE Fan Award win and other nominations. They also released their first Christmas EP Wonderful (in 2021) which offers duets with industry legends Steven Curtis Chapman and Mac Powell, the project also made American Songwriter’s “not to miss” top 15 holiday albums for the season. Most recently, CAIN has been touring with Steven Curtis Chapman, Zach Williams and Matthew West among others. 


Now from 50 years ago, Saturday December 9, 1972: 

7:00: Stonewall Jackson (host); Jean Shepard; Bill Carlisle; Del Wood
7:30: Tex Ritter (host); Connie Smith; Stoney Cooper; Harold Weakley
8:00: Roy Acuff (host); Roy Clark; Crook Brothers
8:30: Bill Monroe (host); Charlie Louvin; Stu Phillips; Diane McCall
9:00: George Morgan (host); Jim and Jesse; Charlie Rich; Fruit Jar Drinkers
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Willis Brothers; The 4 Guys
10:00: Stonewall Jackson (host); Jean Shepard; Stoney Cooper; Bill Carlisle
10:15: Tex Ritter (host); Connie Smith; Del Wood
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Roy Clark
10:45: Bill Monroe (host); George Morgan; Crook Brothers; Stu Phillips
11:00: Charlie Louvin (host); Jim and Jesse; Willis Brothers; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The 4 Guys; Charlie Rich

(Justin Tubb was scheduled for the 11:30 segment but canceled, while Stoney Cooper appeared without Wilma Lee, who was out of town). 

When Jamey Johnson was invited earlier this year to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Bill Anderson mentioned that Jamey had been guesting on the Opry for 17 years. That was correct as Jamey first appeared on the Opry on September 10, 2005. Because that first appearance was so successful, Jamey was invited back for future appearances, one of which took place on December 10, 2005. 

Here is the running order from that show 17 years ago: 

1st show
6:30: Cracker Barrel
Jimmy Dickens (host): Sleepin' At the Foot of the Bed
Connie Smith: The Keys In the Mailbox/Amazing Grace
Ray Scott: You're Gone Either Way/My Kind of Music
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

7:00: Tootsie's
Mike Snider (host): Daley's Reel/Forked Deer
Jan Howard: White Christmas
Jack Greene: Statue of a Fool
Alicia Nugent: God's Own Floor/Listening to the Rain
Mike Snider: Fire on the Mountain

7:30: Standard Candy
Jean Shepard (host): Snowbird
Stu Phillips: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Mountain Heart: I Remember You/Ride This Train
Jean Shepard: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Why Don't You Haul Off & Love Me
Jesse McReynolds: Road to Columbus
Mel McDaniel: Stand Up
Jamey Johnson: The Dollar
Opry Square Dance Band: Rachel
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Jesus

8:30: Tennessee Pride
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks Christmas
Jeannie Seely and Danny Davis: What's Going On in Your World
T. Graham Brown: Wine Into Water/Happy Ever After
Bill Anderson: Him & Me

2nd show
9:30: Cracker Barrel
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Mike Snider: Bull at the Wagon/Black Mountain Rag
Ray Scott: You're Fine Either Way/My Kind of Music
Jimmy Dickens: Life Turned Her That Way

10:00: Martha White
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Connie Smith: Singing the Blues/Burning A Hole in My Mind
Mountain Heart: A Road I've Not Been Down/Little Liza Jane
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter

10:30: Skaggs Family Christmas
Jean Shepard (host): Slippin' Away
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda/Cajun Stripper
Alicia Nugent: O' Beautiful Star of Bethlehem/Breaking New Ground
Opry Square Dance Band: Whiskey Before Breakfast
Jean Shepard: Waltz of the Angels

11:00: Skaggs Family Christmas
Bill Anderson (host): Walk Out Backwards
Mel McDaniel: Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On/Stand Up
Jamey Johnson: The Dollar/It Was Me
Bill Anderson: My Christmas List Grows Shorter Every Year

11:30: Johnny Walker Tours
Jeannie Seely (host): Winter Wonderland
Jesse McReynolds: Sittin' on Top of the World/Sally Goodin
T. Graham Brown: Wine Into Water/Use The Blues to Make You Feel Better
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Home for Christmas

The month of December always brings some Christmas music to the Opry and that night was no exception. As to Jamey Johnson, he would come back often to the Opry and made it well known that he would like to become a member someday. It took a while, but it did finally happen. 

There you have it for this week. Congratulations again to Ashley McBryde upon her induction as the Opry's newest member and we all look forward to seeing and hearing her often on the Opry. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. 

December 6, 1964

I originally posted this back in 2016, but I thought it would be nice for some of the newer readers to the blog to post it again on this event that took place 58 years ago: 

On Sunday morning, December 6, 1964, Nashvillians awoke to find spread across the top of their newspapers an eight-column banner headline in bold type usually associated with war or public disaster: "OPRY DROPS 12 TOP STARS."

"Twelve top country and western music stars," the story read, "will not appear on the Grand Ole Opry in 1965 and have been prohibited from using the Opry name in their outside billings, it was learned yesterday. Another entertainer, long-time favorite Minnie Pearl, has been given a leave of absence from the show for the coming year, but will continue to use the Opry billing in her present contracts, a WSM spokesman said."

Dismissed from the Opry roster were George Morgan, Don Gibson, Billy Grammer, Johnny Wright, Kitty Wells, the Jordanaires (background singers on Elvis Presley's records and concert dates), Faron Young, Ferlin Husky, Chet Atkins, Justin Tubb, Stonewall Jackson, and Ray Price. Opry officials, after using the policy only minimally before, had insisted on strict adherence to a rule that said Opry performers had to appear on twenty-six shows in a year to be retained on the roster.

WSM public relations director Bill Williams tried to put a best face on it, insisting, "Nobody is mad at anybody. It's just that periodically we have to take stock. It's just a routine thing." Irving Waugh, somewhat removed from the Opry in his capacity as general manager of the WSM television station, nevertheless thought the announcement was ill advised. He viewed the action as an "antagonism" of the country music community by WSM president Jack DeWitt.

Looking back on it, the "Purge of '64" might have been a monumental public relations goof. Within a day of the release of the original story, Opry manager Ott Devine had to remove Chet Atkins name from the list of the original twelve. His name should not have been included, Devine said, because "Chet has not been officially connected with the Opry for many years." That admission suggested to some that the entire incident reflected adversely on the quality of Opry management.

Money is what really generated the hassle. Faron Young remembered: "When they insisted on the twenty-six-week thing, I put a pen to it and figured it out. I was going to lose $180,000 a year to work the Opry twenty-six weeks out of the year."

Percentages paid by the artists to the WSM Artists' Service Bureau (make that read "booking agency") also were in contention. Johnny Wright, Kitty Wells's husband, explained: "They booked some of our dates, and then some of the dates were booked by our personal managers and booking agents. They were charging us fifteen percent on the dates they booked, and then if they didn't book a date, you still had to pay them five percent of the dates that you booked yourself. Some of the artists stopped paying the five percent, a lot of them. But Kitty and I paid it right up to the very last, and I told Ott Devine: 'Ott, I don't think it's fair for us to pay and some of them not paying it. Unless you get everybody to pay it, then I'm not going to pay it.' They didn't fire anyone. We just quit because we didn't want to pay the five percent."

Quit or fired? It didn't make a difference; the public perception was that their favorites had been summarily dismissed. If anything good came out of the incident, it was a realization in the city, in some quarters, for the first time, that the Grand Ole Opry was really important to Nashville.

On Tuesday December 8, the Nashville Tennessean ran an editorial under the heading: "Opry Has Duty of Protection." It said, "The Opry has been, and continues to be, the nucleus of Nashville's $40 million music industry. There is hardly a successful music enterprise in the city that does not owe its origin and its longevity to the Opry. Thus, it seems the Opry has a responsibility to compel observance of reasonable restrictions for its own protection and for the protection of the rest of the music industry in Nashville."

"Most of the thousands of people who line up at the Opry House every Friday and Saturday night have traveled long distances to see in person the stars they have come to love by radio. It must be a disappointment for these fans to arrive at the Opry on this one big night for them and find that their favorite stars have found a more profitable audience in some other state. Opry Manager Ott Devine says the 11 released stars will be missed. And they will be. But there is a feeling that such a loss would be more keenly felt if the stars had not already been missed too often at the Opry."

With that, the Tennessean put the onus squarely on the artists, perhaps unfairly. But a lesson was learned, expressed best in a bit of old country philosophy: "Don't try to fix what ain't broke."

Bill Anderson later said: "That was a surprise. I'd never signed a contract saying that I would be in twenty-six times a year. I had the same manager as Faron and Ferlin, and I just felt that they made the choice to work the road. Hubert Long was our manager, and I remember him coming to me at that time and saying, 'Do you realize how much money it's costing you to be on the Grand Ole Opry? I could book you out on the road and you're down there making eighteen dollars and seventy-five cents.' I considered leaving, but my father, who knows nothing about show business but a lot about human nature, gave me as good a piece of advice as I've ever gotten. He said, 'Son, look around you.' The Opry was owned by National Life, and he said, 'Maybe the Opry isn't at the very top, but these people haven't gotten to the level they're at by being stupid. They'll turn things around, and you'll be glad you stayed.' I took his word and it's some of the best advice I've got in my life."

Ott Devine eventually relaxed the requirement to twenty weeks per year, and explained the situation in a letter to Earl Scruggs:

"It has not been and never will be possible to stage the Grand Ole Opry as we know it and compete with the road show in talent fees. The talent fees have doubled since 1962 and as you know, each weekend we schedule several times the number of musicians that a road show would carry. The number and cost of firemen, policemen, ushers, ticket takers, etc. we are forced to employ has increased each year."

"It was never our intention to ban for life those persons unable to meet our requirements as to the number of Saturday nights at the Opry House. We were not angry with them then or now. Some felt we were too harsh in not allowing the acts to even guest with us in 1965. Some felt we were not strict enough. In my opinion, all were treated as fairly as possible. We feel that the twenty-week requirement settled upon last year is fair to the artist who wishes to remain a member of the Grand Ole Opry and fair to the audience which travels hundreds of miles to see you here in Nashville. We will continue maintaining and improving the Grand Ole Opry, and hope that you will continue to appreciate its value to you."

Interesting when you look back on this event 52 years later. Of those fired, several would return as Opry members: George Morgan, Don Gibson, Billy Grammer, Justin Tubb and Stonewall Jackson. Minnie Pearl did return a year later from her leave of absence. Of those who did return, all but Don Gibson would become Opry "regulars" as far as their appearances. Kitty Wells would never become an Opry member again, although there was a report that later in life, she asked to be reinstated as an Opry member, but was refused. (While not a part of the Purge of 64, Earl Scruggs reportedly made the same request and was also told no). Johnny Wright, the Jordanaires, Ferlin Husky, Faron Young and Ray Price would come back to the Opry, not as members, but by making guest appearances. As to Chet Atkins: no, he was never officially an Opry member, but Chet would come back as an Opry guest.

It can be debated if the Ott Devine and the Opry's management made the right decision in firing the members who were not supporting the show. If nothing else, it had an effect as it forced the Opry's members to actually appear on the show at least twenty weeks of the year or face the consequences. While those eleven were the only ones officially fired, others would leave the show over the next decade, including such artists as Willie Nelson, Bobby Lord, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Bobby Bare, Norma Jean, The Glaser Brothers, Sonny James, Leroy Van Dyke, and two who joined during the 1970s and 1980s, Don Williams and B.J. Thomas. By the mid-1980's, Bud Wendall and Hal Durham had dropped appearance requirements for new members. This policy would continue under Bob Whittaker. In 1999, Pete Fisher became the Opry's general manager, and he has worked at trying to require ten annual appearances by those he has asked to join the cast. At best, the results have been mixed.

The Grand Ole Opry cannot go back to the way it was in the 1960s, when Opry members were expected and required to perform weekly on the show. But I do believe that as an Opry member, there is an obligation to support the show and to be there on a somewhat regular basis. I realize it is tough for some acts and a lot of money can be lost by not being on the road. But each Opry member had a choice when asked. If they were not inclined to support the show, then the invitation could have been declined. And in the case of a few, it should have been.

Update: 
That was what I wrote back in 2016. Since that time, the Opry has basically dropped any attendance requirements, although the Opry would like its members to appear when they can. And it is nice to see that the majority of those who have joined the Opry in the past five or six years are actually appearing and supporting the show. Hopefully that trend will continue. 

One last final note regarding Chet Atkins: Apparently, he was an Opry member after all. Backstage at the Opry House there is the wall that lists every Opry member, in order of joining. There are 230 names on the wall. One of them is Chet Atkins.