Tuesday Night Opry 7/21

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry-July 21st:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens; Emily West
7:30: Connie Smith; Gene Watson
8:00: Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Charlie Daniels Band
8:30: Mike Snider; Dierks Bentley

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/17 & 7/18

Good Afternoon All:
Before posting and making comments regarding this week's Grand Ole Opry line-up, I know that I have not posted comments as frequently has I have had in the past. No excuse, except that it has been a busy summer. Things are back to normal now, so expect me to get back to regular news and comments. I was down South last week and took in the Tuesday night Opry. It was a fine show with a very nice crowd. I will say that one of the real suprises on Tuesday was Jimmy Wayne. He has been appearing on the Opry lately and I think he has a fantastic voice and has a keen eye for picking out some great songs. He received a standing ovation from the crowd. Jean Shepard, Jimmy Dickens and Craig Morgan, among others were also on and each did a fine job. It is enjoyable to see the Tuesday night Opry. Although I really like the regular Friday and Saturday Opry shows, the change of pace on Tuesday with 8 performers each doing 15 minute segments is nice. You get to enjoy 3-4 songs from each artist and there is time for some bantering with the audience. You get enough of the artist to make them enjoyable, but not too much that you wish they would finish.

Now, for this week's Grand Ole Opry line-ups:
Friday July 17th:
7:00: John Conlee(host); Riders In The Sky; Jack Greene; Rhonda Vincent
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Daryle Singletary
8:00: Bill Anderson(host); The Whites; Hal Ketchum
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Jim Ed Brown; Roy Clark

Saturday July 18th:
First Show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jim Ed Brown; The Lovell Sisters
7:30: Roy Clark(host); Jean Shepard; Jimmy C. Newman; Riders In The Sky
8:00: Mike Snider(host); Jack Greene; Hal Ketchum; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson(host); T. Bubba Bechtol; Connie Smith

Second Show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); The Whites; The Lovell Sisters
10:00: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Jimmy C. Newman; Hal Ketchum
10:30: Roy Clark(host); Jan Howard; Riders In The Sky; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson(host); T. Bubba Bechtol; Connie Smith

Comments:
>It is nice to see the newest member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Roy Clark, back on the Opry. He usually makes it to the Opry a couple of times each year. When he was asked to join back in 1987, he was very upfront with Opry management that he would love to be a member, but that he could not make the required number of appearances due to HeeHaw and his concert appearances. The Opry still offered him membership with that understanding. Roy Acuff remarked before he died that he hoped Roy Clark would kind of take over as the face of the Opry after he died. Obviously that did not happen. After Mr. Acuff passed away, the face of the Opry became Porter Wagoner. After his death, I think the person who has stepped forward the most to keep the tradition going has been Marty Stuart. In the past year, he has made a real committment to the show. Before I leave Roy Clark, I will be interested in how he looks and sounds. I know in his last appearance, he looked a little frail and his voice was not what it once was. But, that guitar playing was still outstanding. I know he is over 70, but you always hate to see the legends lose a step.
>Rhonda Vincent makes another Opry appearance on Friday night. I think she has made more Opry appearances over the last several years than any non-member. I know the question I get asked the most is when will she finally become an Opry member. I was told by someone who knows these things, that she will be asked to join at some point. I do not know what the hold-up is: whether it is that she is on the road so much or because of late, it has been mostly male artists asked to join. If you look at the number of Opry members who have died recently, I think all have been male.
>Mike Snider is going to be a busy boy this coming week. He will be doing all 3 Opry shows this weekend(hosting all 3 times), his own show 4 times and then he is on the Tuesday Night Opry next week. I hope that he doesn't make so many appearances that he burns himself out. I have not heard how his Pickin' & Grinnin' show is doing. Hopefully well.
>Comedy has always been a part of the Opry with Minnie Pearl, Archie Campbell, Jerry Clower, Stringbean; Rod Bradfield, and current member Mike Snider. This weekend, T. Bubba Bechtol is on both shows on Saturday night. I have seen him on the Opry before and he is funny.

Overall a real solid Opry line-up for Friday and Saturday night. Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers is the host of the Mid-Night Jamboree. He has worked hard a establishing a solo career, but so far with limited success.

Finally, no new update on Mel McDaniel. His condition is the same as was reported earlier last week. Prayers and thoughts continue to be with him and his family. The same for Wilma Lee Cooper, who is said to be bed-ridden at this time.

Tuesday Night Opry 7/14

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry July 14th:
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Hal Ketchum
7:30: Jim Ed Brown; Jason Michael Carroll
8:00: George Hamilton IV; Del McCoury Band
8:30: Jimmy Wayne; Jimmy Dickens

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/10 & 7/11

Here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up for this weekend:
Friday July 10th:
7:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Chris Young
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jan Howard; Ashton Shepard
8:00: Ricky Skaggs(host); Jean Shepard; The Whites
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Connie Smith; Diamond Rio

Saturday July 11th:
First Show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Connie Smith; Caitlin & Will
7:30: Jeannie Seely(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Jim Ed Brown; Jennifer Hanson
8:00: Mike Snider(host); The Whites; Billy Dean; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky(host); Jean Shepard; Alison Krauss w/The Cox Family

Second Show:
9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); The Whites; Caitlin & Will
10:00: Mike Snider(host); Jack Greene; Alison Krauss w/The Cox Family
10:30: Jim Ed Brown(host); Charlie Louvin; Jennifer Hanson; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky(host); Jean Shepard; Billy Dean

Notes:
>After not appearing for several years, Alison Krauss makes her 2nd Opry appearance in 2 months. She is one of the most talented performers in music today as she appears with numerous musicians, including her great success with Robert Plant. This week she appears with The Cox Family.
>Billy Dean will be at the Opry Shop on Saturday meeting and greeting fans prior to the Opry.
>Jim Ed Brown was on Bill Mack's radio show on Tuesday and talked about the great time he had with his sisters this past weekend. They hosted the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree on Saturday night, and for those who could not listen to the live broadcast, it was great. I know that they will archive it soon.
>Charlie Louvin returns off the road to do the Saturday night Opry. He certainly is not on enough, especially with his new music out on the market.
>Leona Williams is the host of this week's Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree at the record shop. She was also on Bill Mack's show earlier this week talking about her good friend Ferlin Husky, and hoping that everything will be fine with him. At his age it will be tough.

Finally, we would be remiss if we did not mention the health of Mel McDaniel. He suffered a heart attack earlier this summer and is in critical condition and in a medical induced coma. To be honest, these situations do not normally turn out well. Our prayers and thoughts are with him and his family.

Classic Grand Ole Opry Line-up 11/14 &11/15, 1980

As we continue our look at Grand Ole Opry line-ups from the past, this week I take a look at the weekend of November 14th, and 15th, 1980. This was a difficult time period for the Opry. When the Grand Ole Opry first moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland, the crowds had picked up, especially in the summer months when the park was open. However, during the winter months, the crowds were down. It was also during this period that the Opry's cast really started to age and the reputation of the Opry was becoming more of a living historical museum of country music rather than a place to go see the newer and hot stars of country music. This was also the period of time that the Opry basically stopped adding new members. Prior to this weekend that we are featuring, the last new members added were Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers and Ronnie Milsap, both added in 1976. After that, the next new member was John Conlee in 1981, followed by Ricky Skaggs and The Riders In The Sky in 1982. There are some who say that after the Opry moved to Opryland, it distanced itself more from the general country music scene than it had before. The result of all of this is that every Opry show seemed the same with the same older cast performing each and everyweek. I know from personal experience that during the winter months, there were plenty of seats available for each show. Let's take a look back at the line-up for that weekend:

Friday November 14, 1980
7:30: Cracker Barrel: Jimmy C. Newman(host); Lonzo and Oscar; Ernie Ashworth; Connie Smith
8:00: Dollar Stores, Odom Sausage: Jim and Jesse(host); Skeeter Davis; Del Wood
8:30: Kroger, Sunbeam: Roy Acuff(host); The Wilburn Brothers; The Four Guys
9:00: Batlz, Wrangler: Ray Pillow(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; The Carlisles
9:30: Beechnut Tobacco: Billy Walker(host); Jan Howard; Ray Price
10:00: Ernest Tubb Record Shop: Billy Grammer(host); Vic Willis Trio; Boxcar Willie
10:30: Rudy's Sausage: Jack Greene(host); Jeannie Seely; Stu Phillips
11:05: Grand Ole Gospel Time-Rev. Jimmy Snow, Evangel Temple Choir

Saturday November 15, 1980
First Show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms: Jack Greene(host); Jeannie Seely
6:45: Rudy's Sausage: Stonewall Jackson(host); Lonzo and Oscar; Connie Smith
7:00: Shoneys: Porter Wagoner(host); Skeeter Davis; Jerry Clower; Jim and Jesse; Ernie Ashworth
7:30: Standard Candy: Roy Acuff(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Stu Phillips; Boxcar Willie; The Crook Brothers; The Tennessee Travelers
8:00: Martha White: Billy Walker(host); Jan Howard; Ray Pillow; Billy Grammer; The Wilburn Brothers; Del Wood
8:30: Acme Boots: Hank Snow(host); Vic Willis Trio; Roy Drusky; The Carlisles; The Four Guys; The Fruit Jar Drinkers

Second Show
9:30: Kelloggs: Porter Wagoner(host); Skeeter Davis; Lonzo and Oscar; Connie Smith; The Four Guys
10:00: Little Debbie Snak Cakes: Jack Greene(host); Jeannie Seely; Ernie Ashworth
10:15: Union 76: Roy Acuff(host); Stonewall Jackson; Jim and Jesse
10:30: Trailblazer: Jerry Clower(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Stu Phillips
10:45: Beechnut: Roy Drusky(host); Billy Grammer; The Crook Brothers; The Tennessee Travelers
11:00: Coca-Cola: Hank Snow(host); The Wilburn Brothers; Jan Howard; Boxcar Willie; The Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Bama Jelly: Billy Walker(host); Vic Willis Trio; Ray Pillow; Del Wood; The Carlisles

All of the artists on the Saturday show were Grand Ole Opry members, but notice the number of Opry stars missing including Jimmy Dickens, Bill Monroe, Grandpa Jones; Bill Anderson among others.

The only non-Opry member on the Friday show was Ray Price, no stranger to the Opry.

We hope you enjoy this look at the past and if you do, tell others so that they can share. Lot's of folks are checking us out, so please spread the word. Don't forget, if you get the chance and are in the Nashville area, Jim Ed Brown and The Browns are the host of the Midnight Jamboree and will be on the Opry tonight. If you cannot be there in person, be sure to listen on-line.

Tuesday Night Opry 7/7

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry July 7th:
7:00: John Conlee; Jimmy Wayne
7:30: Jean Shepard; The SteelDrivers
8:00: Bill Anderson
8:30: Jimmy Dickens; Craig Morgan

Bill Anderson has let it be known that he will be on the Opry quite a bit in July and then in August he will be working on a new CD that he hopes to have out by Christmas. Bill the songwriter has been busy as he has a new song on Brad Paisley's CD that was recently released.

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/3 & 7/4

Here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up for this weekend:
Friday July 3rd:
7:00: Riders In the Sky(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Holly Williams
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jean Shepard; The Grascals
8:00: Mike Snider(host); The Vanderbilt Kennedy Music Camp Performers; Jan Howard; Jack Greene
8:30: Ricky Skaggs(host); Stonewall Jackson; John Conlee; Connie Smith

Saturday July 4th:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeannie Seely; Christy Sutherland
7:30: Riders In The Sky(host); George Hamilton IV; The Grascals
8:00: Mike Snider(host); Stonewall Jackson; Chris Young; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: John Conlee; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mandy Barnett; Jim Ed Brown with The Browns

A couple of notes:
>Holly Williams will be making her Grand Ole Opry debut on the Friday Night Opry, in support of her new CD.
>With the July 4th holiday on Saturday, the Opry goes to just 1 show at 7:00. If past tradition holds, Mandy Barnett will lead off the show with the National Anthem.
>The Browns make a rare appearance at the Opry this weekend. The appearances become more special as age catches up with them. They have been performing together for more than 50 years. Also, they will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop.
>The only performers doing both the Friday and Saturday Opry shows are Riders In The Sky; Jimmy Dickens; Mike Snider; Stonewall Jackson; and John Conlee. Nice to see Stonewall doing both nights.
>On Friday night, The Vanderbilt Kennedy Music Camp Performers will be entertaining. This has become an annual tradition at the Opry and a real treat. I was at the Opry one year when they performed and it was a great group of kids. I know at the time, they would take groups of them back stage during the show. I do not know if they still do that with the perfomers or not.