Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 10/23 & 10/24

Here is the line-up for this weekend's Grand Ole Opry

Friday October 23rd
7:00: Jean Shepard(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Ashton Shepherd
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Emily West
8:00: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Keith Anderson
8:30: Ricky Skaggs(host); Riders In The Sky; The Whites

Saturday October 24th
First Show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Mallary Hope
7:30: Mike Snider(host); The Whites; Montgomery Gentry
8:00: Jim Ed Brown(host); Trace Adkins; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jean Shepard(host); Jack Greene; Oak Ridge Boys

Second Show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mallary Hope
10:00: Mike Snider(host); The Whites; Montgomery Gentry
10:30: Jean Shepard(host); Trace Adkins; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jack Greene; Oak Ridge Boys

A pretty strong lin-up for the Saturday Opry shows. Also, there is no live Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this weekend, as they are going to play a tape of the Kitty Wells tribute show that was done several weeks back. I have listened to it and it is an all-star performance of some great country music legends, honoring Kitty on her birthday. Listen if you can.

Opry Country Classics-Thursday October 22

Here is the line-up for this week's Opry Country Classics-Thursday October 22nd

7:00-9:00: This week, "Great Country Duets"
Host: Dana Williams
Also Appearing: Jenna Basso; Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius; Charlie Louvin; Raul Malo; Opry Square Dancers; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; The Wrights;
Spotlight Artist: Lorrie Morgan

Just a couple of comments regarding this show:
>The theme is a good one as there have been lots of country duets in the history of country music and the Grand Ole Opry, but when looking at the line-up, except for a couple, I just don't see it. Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius was one of the top duets in country music for several years. Good choice. And, I hope that Sonny Osborne will come out and sing with Bobby, and have an Osborne Brothers mini-reunion. That would be nice also. But, I am trying to think: how many duets did Lorrie Morgan, Raul Malo and Jenna Basso have? Of Course, Charlie Louvin is famous for his duets, so I am thinking that one, or several of the artists, will do a few Louvin Brothers duets. I would ask why Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely are not in this line-up? And of course, there are others. Like I said, good idea, but I question the talent line-up.

Tuesday Night Opry 10/20

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, October 20th:
7:00: Jimmy C. Newman; James Otto
7:30: Jean Shepard; Eli Young Band
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson; Eric Church
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Darryl Worley

Rhonda Vincent And The Grand Ole Opry

I came across this post, from "The Front Porch".

Bluegrass 'Queen' Rhonda Vincent Has Her Sights Set On Opry:

Rhonda Vincent still seems honored to have been named the "New Queen of Bluegrass" by the Wall Street Journal back in 2000. "It's a great honor....and it has kind of stuck," Vincent said. "It's wonderful to be thought of like that and know that you are representing bluegrass music. I'm so thrilled." Listen to any of her live albums and you will hear why that label has stuck. Backed by a group of ace musicians, her energetic live show is one of the best in the business, and the reason she has won the IBMA Entertainer of the Year in 2001, and was the reigning IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year from 2000-2006.

But after rising to the top of the bluegrass scene, Vincent does still have at least one milestone she wants to reach. Although she's played many times on the hallowed stage, Vincent would love to join the ranks of the Grand Ole Opry. "It's always been a dream to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry," Vincent says. "Growing up in Greentop, Mo., we would always listen to the Opry on the radio. Just to get to perform there is an honor. To be a member would be the ultimate.
(Jessica Phillips)

It has always been rumored that Rhonda Vincent has been up for consideration to become an Opry member. There is always back of the house politics going on at the Opry, and some of that may be a reason why Rhonda so far as not been asked. But in my opinion, this should happen today. Rhonda has played the Opry many times and has been well received. She gets it!!! And, I think, like Del McCoury has been, she would be a loyal member, who would be there on a regular basis to perform. And, she would fill a need. Currently, the only true female bluegrass singer on the Opry's roster is Alison Krauss, and she is hardly ever there. This would be a good fit.

Garth Brooks And The Grand Ole Opry

As I am sure everyone knows by know, Garth Brooks announced yesterday that he was coming out of retirement to play in Las Vegas. During the press conference, a question came up that I wanted to comment on:

The question to Garth had to do with performing in Nashville. His answer was "I want to do more stuff everywhere. I want to do more stuff here. I'd love to play the Opry more. I know I owe them, and if they want it, then they should have it."

Garth always says he loves playing the Opry and it is the highlight of his professional career. His press conference was at the Grand Ole Opry House yesterday and Pete Fisher was involved in the conference. As far as playing the Opry, he has appeared 3 times since 2001. If he wants to appear at the Opry, what is stopping him? I am sure if he called up Pete and said he wanted to appear next Saturday night, they would let him. I remember when he appeared at the 80th Birthday celebration in 2005. He talked to the press then and he was asked about being on the Opry more. His response was that anytime they wanted him at the Opry, all they had to do was call and he would be there. I remember talking to one of the reporters at the time and she told me that Steve or Pete must have lost Garth's number for over 5 years and just happened to find it in a desk drawer!!!(His last appearance before that night was in 2000 at the Opry's 75th birthday celebration). And, since he made that comment 4 years ago, Garth has been at the Opry one time, the night they made Carrie Underwood a member. You would think with some of the attendance issues that the Opry is having, they would be calling Garth everyweek and asking if he wanted to stop by and do a song or two. I am sure that there are other issues involved and I know that Garth would not do the Opry everyweek, but for someone who loves the place, as he says, you would think that he would be there more than 3 times in 8 years!!! Oh, and since Pete and Garth were together yesterday, do you think Pete got the chance to ask Garth if he had a couple of free Saturday nights coming up soon and would like to stop by?

Grand Ole Opry-10/17 & 10/18-Updated

Here is this week's line-ups at the Grand Ole Opry. This week, there is 1 show on Friday night and 2 shows on Saturday night:

Friday October 17
7:00: John Conlee(host); Riders In The Sky; Whitney Duncan
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; T. Graham Brown
8:00: Bill Anderson(host); Jean Shepard; Keith Anderson
8:30: Ricky Skaggs(host); Jeannie Seely; Jim Ed Brown

Saturday October 18
First Show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Holly Williams
7:30: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jean Shepard; Sam Bush
8:00: Riders In The Sky(host); Stonewall Jackson; Steel Magnolia; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Vince Gill

Second Show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Holly Williams
10:00: Jean Shepard(host); Charlie Louvin; Sam Bush
10:30: Riders In The Sky(host); Jan Howard; Steel Magnolia; Opry Square Dancers
11:00; Bill Anderson(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Vince Gill

Over all, not a bad line-up for this weekend. Still 1 slot to fill on the Friday night show. Both Saturday shows have basically the same line-ups with the exception of Charlie Louvin on the 2nd show instead of Jim Ed Brown. Also, Jan Howard will be the host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree after the Opry.

Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe

While not Opry news, it involves WSM and a new live show that they are presenting:

WSM 650-AM is proud to announce the launch of "Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe," a weekly show built on the remarkable Americana music scene and the legacy of WSM's historic roots in live radio. Airing Wednesday nights from 7-9pm CST live from the Loveless Barn, at the intersection of Highway 100 and the Natchez Trace Parkway, "Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe" is the newest addition to the grand tradition of live music programming on WSM, the historic broadcaster that laid the foundation of Nashville's music industry.

Opening night, October 14, 2009, will feature Americana icon Emmylou Harris, the acclaimed duo of Pam Rose and Mary Ann Kennedy, as well as emerging artists Annie Crane and Robin Ainger.

The official announcement came at the 2009 Americana Conference in Nashville, TN. Legendary WSM will carry the frist new weekly live music show in over 40 years-Music City Roots, LIVE from the Loveless Cafe. The New York Times called the Americana music scene "the coolest music scene" today. Upcoming acts include a who's who in Americana, Bluegrass, and Alternative Country world. Loveless Cafe entrepreneur Tom Morales says, "It's the most exciting movemement we've seen in a long time. The heritage of WSM in this town speaks for itself, and we're proud to be a part of the next generation history."

After the Music City Roots show, the music continues at the Loveless Barn with Eddie Stubbs doing his popular "Way Back Wednesdays" theme show, brought to you by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Vinyl enthusiasts will be delighted, as Eddie, "The Encyclopedia" of Country Music, digs deep into his vault of treasured recordings and spins rare records before a live and enthusiastic audience.

Upcoming Shows
10/14/09: Emmylou Harris, Pam Rose, and Mary Ann Kennedy.
10/21/09: Sam Bush, Mike Farris, and Miss Tess and The Bon Ton Parade.
10/28/09: Dex Romweber Duo, Peter Bradley Adams, Scott Miller, and Jonny Corndawg.
11/04/09: Missy Raines and The New Hip, The Grascals, and James Intveld.

>It is always nice to see live music programming on WSM, or on any station for that matter. I wish the show lots of luck.