The Grand Ole Opry has posted this weekend's line-ups. Once again, as has been the recent pattern, there is one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night, both at the Ryman Auditorium. The Tuesday Night Opry is also scheduled there.
Jimmy Dickens is again listed for all shows this week. He has cancelled out the past several weekends, so hopefully he is feeling better and will be able to make it. Just the fact that he has been listed the past few weeks and then has cancelled leads me to believe that it is nothing serious. But, looking at the schedule, it looks like that they have a back-up plan on Friday night if he cannot make it, as they could slide Jim Ed Brown to a later segmend and he could host. On Saturday night, Mel Tillis looks like the option for the first segment if Jimmy cannot make it, with the Opry adding someone else.
Friday July 16:
7:00: Marty Stuart(host); Jim Ed Brown; Jan Howard; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Mark Wills
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jeannie Seely(host); Jack Greene; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
8:45: Mel Tillis(host); Riders In The Sky; Kenyon Lockry
Saturday July 17:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Rebecca Lynn Howard; Mel Tillis
7:30: Bill Anderson(host); Connie Smith; Point Of Grace
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jeannie Seely(host); Stonewall Jackson; Lee Brice; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Riders In The Sky(host); Jim Ed Brown; Rodney Crowell
Tuesday Night Opry July 20:
7:00: Bill Anderson ; The Band Perry
7:30: Easton Corbin; Marty Stuart
INTERMISSION
8:15: Darryl Worley; Jimmy Dickens
8:45: Dierks Bentley & Friends featuring Sam Bush, Sonya Isaacs, Del McCoury & Marty Stuart
Bill Anderson is the host for the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, that is now taped at 10:00pm at the record shop, for broadcast the following Saturday night at midnight.
One final comment:
Charlie Louvin was on the Opry last Saturday night. He was allowed to sing one song. Considering that there were only 3 people on that half hour segment, and the fact that he will be undergoing cancer surgery, there is no excuse for not allowing Charlie to sing 2 songs. As serious as the surgery is, and while we don't want to think it, that may have been Charlie's last Opry appearance, at the very least for a while. He has been a member of the Opry for over 50 years and should have been allowed more.
Nationally recognized independent Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay offers news and comments regarding country music's premier show.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Aging Of The Grand Ole Opry
With the recent birthday and illness of Charlie Louvin and with the cancellation of some of Jimmy Dickens recent Opry appearances, it got me to thinking about the health and age of many of the Opry members. I know that the age of Opry members has come up frequently over the years, along with the statements that the Opry is a "living museum". I know that this topic came up in the 1980's, and concerned mostly Opry legends Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Hank Snow, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe and others, along with the criticism that the Opry wasn't getting any younger.
Now the Opry has a number of younger members, but as I discovered when doing some research, the majority of the Opry's members are over the age of 60. While we all enjoy the legends, this is not necessarily a good thing for the long term survival of the Opry. And, this does not even take into consideration the number of elderly Opry members who have died over the past several years, including Porter Wagoner, Roy Drusky, Del Reeves, Charlie Walker, Billy Walker and others.
So, here is the breakdown and just a short comment on the basic health of these members.
There are currently 66 Opry members, and of those 66, 10 are 80 or older.
*Jimmy Dickens is the eldest Opry member at 89, and as we know, he is basically day to day.
*Wilma Lee Cooper is also 89, but is no longer active on the Opry.
*Billy Grammer is 84, and has not been on the Opry in over a year.
*Ralph Stanley is 83 and is basically in good health and still touring and making Opry appearances.
*Charlie Louvin is also 83, and now has cancer. Up to this point, he was actively touring and making Opry appearances, when asked.
*Jimmy C. Newman is 82 and seems fine, as does Jesse McReynolds at 81.
*Jack Greene, Jan Howard and Buck White are all 80, and appear reguarly on the Opry, and all sound great.
17 additional Opry members are over the age of 70.
Bobby Osborne is 79 and seems fine; George Jones is 78 and has had voice issues over the past several years; Stonewall Jackson is 77 with some health issues; Mel Tillis and Stu Phillips are also 77 and while their voices have been a bit off recently, they seem overall ok; Roy Clark is also 77, with some recent health issues; Jean Shepard and Jim Ed Brown are 76 and appear reguarly at the Opry; Loretta Lynn is 75 and if you believe the scandal magazines at the checkout lines, she is in bad shape, but when I have heard her on the Opry, she has sounded fine; Tom T. Hall is 74 and missing from the Opry; Jeanne Pruett is 73 and retired; Charlie Daniels is also 73 and had a scare this winter; while Bill Anderson, George Hamilton IV and Charley Pride all seem fine at 72, as do Del McCoury at 71 and Jeannie Seely at 70.
An additional 9 Opry members are over the age of 60, and with the exception of Mel McDaniel at 67, who is unable to perform on the Opry, all seem fine. Barbara Mandrell is retired at 61, but the rest do perform on the Opry. Connie Smith is 68, Ronnie Milsap 67, Dolly Parton 64, John Conlee and Emmylou Harris 63, Larry Gatlin 62, and finally, all the members of Riders In The Sky are between 60 and 65.
I will just throw in that 12 Opry members are between the age of 50 and 60.
So, out of 66 Opry members, 36 are over 60. Wow!!
While you hope and pray nothing happens, you have to be realistic that over the next few years, the potential is there for the Opry to lose more than a few members. This is the time that the younger members need to stand up and support the show, and also the time for the Opry to look at adding new members. And, ideally, members who play good country music or bluegrass and would support the show. It has been a year since a member was added. And since Pete Fisher became general manager of the show, he has been careful about adding members. Of course, with fewer Opry shows and more guest artists appearing, maybe there doesn't need to be as many Opry members as before. I know for most of its history the Opry has usually been in the 50 member range. It got up to 72 in the 1980's and early 90's, when they were adding the younger artists left and right. But in recent years, with the deaths of many of the legends and fewer artists being added, the numbers have gone down.
Maybe it is the time for the Opry to be looking ahead. There are quite a few artists who would love to get that Opry membership and perhaps this is the time to consider some of them.
Now the Opry has a number of younger members, but as I discovered when doing some research, the majority of the Opry's members are over the age of 60. While we all enjoy the legends, this is not necessarily a good thing for the long term survival of the Opry. And, this does not even take into consideration the number of elderly Opry members who have died over the past several years, including Porter Wagoner, Roy Drusky, Del Reeves, Charlie Walker, Billy Walker and others.
So, here is the breakdown and just a short comment on the basic health of these members.
There are currently 66 Opry members, and of those 66, 10 are 80 or older.
*Jimmy Dickens is the eldest Opry member at 89, and as we know, he is basically day to day.
*Wilma Lee Cooper is also 89, but is no longer active on the Opry.
*Billy Grammer is 84, and has not been on the Opry in over a year.
*Ralph Stanley is 83 and is basically in good health and still touring and making Opry appearances.
*Charlie Louvin is also 83, and now has cancer. Up to this point, he was actively touring and making Opry appearances, when asked.
*Jimmy C. Newman is 82 and seems fine, as does Jesse McReynolds at 81.
*Jack Greene, Jan Howard and Buck White are all 80, and appear reguarly on the Opry, and all sound great.
17 additional Opry members are over the age of 70.
Bobby Osborne is 79 and seems fine; George Jones is 78 and has had voice issues over the past several years; Stonewall Jackson is 77 with some health issues; Mel Tillis and Stu Phillips are also 77 and while their voices have been a bit off recently, they seem overall ok; Roy Clark is also 77, with some recent health issues; Jean Shepard and Jim Ed Brown are 76 and appear reguarly at the Opry; Loretta Lynn is 75 and if you believe the scandal magazines at the checkout lines, she is in bad shape, but when I have heard her on the Opry, she has sounded fine; Tom T. Hall is 74 and missing from the Opry; Jeanne Pruett is 73 and retired; Charlie Daniels is also 73 and had a scare this winter; while Bill Anderson, George Hamilton IV and Charley Pride all seem fine at 72, as do Del McCoury at 71 and Jeannie Seely at 70.
An additional 9 Opry members are over the age of 60, and with the exception of Mel McDaniel at 67, who is unable to perform on the Opry, all seem fine. Barbara Mandrell is retired at 61, but the rest do perform on the Opry. Connie Smith is 68, Ronnie Milsap 67, Dolly Parton 64, John Conlee and Emmylou Harris 63, Larry Gatlin 62, and finally, all the members of Riders In The Sky are between 60 and 65.
I will just throw in that 12 Opry members are between the age of 50 and 60.
So, out of 66 Opry members, 36 are over 60. Wow!!
While you hope and pray nothing happens, you have to be realistic that over the next few years, the potential is there for the Opry to lose more than a few members. This is the time that the younger members need to stand up and support the show, and also the time for the Opry to look at adding new members. And, ideally, members who play good country music or bluegrass and would support the show. It has been a year since a member was added. And since Pete Fisher became general manager of the show, he has been careful about adding members. Of course, with fewer Opry shows and more guest artists appearing, maybe there doesn't need to be as many Opry members as before. I know for most of its history the Opry has usually been in the 50 member range. It got up to 72 in the 1980's and early 90's, when they were adding the younger artists left and right. But in recent years, with the deaths of many of the legends and fewer artists being added, the numbers have gone down.
Maybe it is the time for the Opry to be looking ahead. There are quite a few artists who would love to get that Opry membership and perhaps this is the time to consider some of them.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/9 & 7/10
The Grand Ole Opry has posted their line-ups for this weekend's shows and for the Tuesday Night Opry next week. Charlie Louvin is scheduled for Saturday night and that is good to see. I hope that the audience shows their appreciation to Charlie in view of his upcoming cancer surgery. There is a nice little feature on Charlie in today's Tennessean. All the shows this weekend will be held at the Ryman Auditorium.
Friday July 9
7:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Connie Smith; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jean Shepard; Mandy Barnett
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C. Newman; Terri Clark
8:45: Jim Ed Brown(host); The Whites; Joe Diffie
Saturday July 10
7:00: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jean Shepard; Andy Griggs
7:30: Jeannie Seely(host); Jack Greene; Sam Bush
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider(host); Stonewall Jackson; Jaron & The Long Road To Love; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs(host); Charlie Louvin; Connie Smith
Tuesday July 13
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Chris Young
7:30: Jimmy C. Newman; Mark Chesnutt
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jeannie Seely; Montgomery Gentry
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Charlie Daniels Band
This week, there is no live taping for the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. The show that will be played at midnight on WSM was taped last Saturday night and will be hosted by George Hamilton IV. This will be the first broadcast since they went to taping the shows the week before.
Finally, I am hearing that the Opry is getting closer to announcing their plans on returning to the Opry House. They wanted to wait as close as they could to make sure they have a confirmed date on returning. The rumor is October 1 or October 5. They are also to announce plans for the Opry's birthday celebration that is scheduled for October 8 and October 9. Usually by this time, the plans have been announced and some of the artists confirmed. But at this point, nothing official. Everything is up in the air as reconstruction continues.
Friday July 9
7:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Connie Smith; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jean Shepard; Mandy Barnett
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C. Newman; Terri Clark
8:45: Jim Ed Brown(host); The Whites; Joe Diffie
Saturday July 10
7:00: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jean Shepard; Andy Griggs
7:30: Jeannie Seely(host); Jack Greene; Sam Bush
INTERMISSION
8:15: Mike Snider(host); Stonewall Jackson; Jaron & The Long Road To Love; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs(host); Charlie Louvin; Connie Smith
Tuesday July 13
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Chris Young
7:30: Jimmy C. Newman; Mark Chesnutt
INTERMISSION
8:15: Jeannie Seely; Montgomery Gentry
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Charlie Daniels Band
This week, there is no live taping for the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. The show that will be played at midnight on WSM was taped last Saturday night and will be hosted by George Hamilton IV. This will be the first broadcast since they went to taping the shows the week before.
Finally, I am hearing that the Opry is getting closer to announcing their plans on returning to the Opry House. They wanted to wait as close as they could to make sure they have a confirmed date on returning. The rumor is October 1 or October 5. They are also to announce plans for the Opry's birthday celebration that is scheduled for October 8 and October 9. Usually by this time, the plans have been announced and some of the artists confirmed. But at this point, nothing official. Everything is up in the air as reconstruction continues.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Charlie Louvin Fighting Cancer
The information that Charlie Louvin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer was in the comments section on an earlier post. The following is what was posted on his website yesterday.
"He is discovering a new foe. He recently went in to see the doctor with what seemed to be a minor complaint and came back with a diagnosis of stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Suddenly, the success of his soon-to-be-released, new CD is not nearly as important as Charlie's victory over one of the most virulent forms of cancer. He has been through a lot in his 83 years, but this hurdle is one he was not counting on. Charlie's family and friends are encouraged that he will be in good hands, but they definitely covet your prayers."
The surgery is scheduled for July 22 at Vanderbilt Hospital, and he will under go what is called a "whipple procedure."The web site further states that he will be unable to perform for several weeks after his surgery, but he tentatively hopes to be back on stage by Aug. 21.
He is on the Opry schedule for Saturday night July 24, but obviously he will not be making that appearance. Perhaps they will move him up and have him perform prior to his surgery.
Our prayers are with him.
"He is discovering a new foe. He recently went in to see the doctor with what seemed to be a minor complaint and came back with a diagnosis of stage 2 pancreatic cancer. Suddenly, the success of his soon-to-be-released, new CD is not nearly as important as Charlie's victory over one of the most virulent forms of cancer. He has been through a lot in his 83 years, but this hurdle is one he was not counting on. Charlie's family and friends are encouraged that he will be in good hands, but they definitely covet your prayers."
The surgery is scheduled for July 22 at Vanderbilt Hospital, and he will under go what is called a "whipple procedure."The web site further states that he will be unable to perform for several weeks after his surgery, but he tentatively hopes to be back on stage by Aug. 21.
He is on the Opry schedule for Saturday night July 24, but obviously he will not be making that appearance. Perhaps they will move him up and have him perform prior to his surgery.
Our prayers are with him.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Grand Ole Opry--July 2 & 3, 1999
It's time to post another Grand Ole Opry line-up from the past. This time I go back to Friday July 2 and Saturday July 3, 1999 for a look back at the Opry during that July 4th weekend. There was 1 show on Friday night and 2 shows on Saturday night, all at the Grand Ole Opry House. Hope you enjoy:
Friday July 2
7:30: Porter Wagoner(host); Skeeter Davis; Jim & Jesse; Brad Paisley
8:00: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Bill Carlisle; Andy Griggs
8:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); The Whites; Jimmy C. Newman; Ricky Skaggs
9:00: Bill Anderson(host); Charlie Louvin; Mike Snider; Jason Sellers
9:30: Billy Walker(host); Ernie Ashworth; Jack Greene
Saturday July 3
First Show
6:30: Jimmy C. Newman(host); Skeeter Davis
6:45: Jim Ed Brown(host); Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Porter Wagoner(host); Jan Howard; Bill Carlisle; Ricky Skaggs
7:30: John Conlee(host); Jason Sellers; Andy Griggs
8:00: Bill Anderson(host); The Whites; Chonda Pierce; Opry Squaredance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeanne Pruett; The 4 Guys; Jim & Jesse; Del Reeves
Second Show
9:30: Porter Wagoner(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Jim Ed Brown
10:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeanne Pruett
10:15: Ricky Skaggs(host); Jason Sellers
10:30: John Conlee(host); Chonda Pierce
10:45: Jeannie Seely(host); Opry Squaredance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00; Bill Anderson(host); The Whites; Mike Snider; Andy Griggs
11:30: Billy Walker(host); Stu Phillips; The 4 Guys; Del Reeves; Charlie Walker
Really, not too bad of line-ups.
Friday July 2
7:30: Porter Wagoner(host); Skeeter Davis; Jim & Jesse; Brad Paisley
8:00: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Bill Carlisle; Andy Griggs
8:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); The Whites; Jimmy C. Newman; Ricky Skaggs
9:00: Bill Anderson(host); Charlie Louvin; Mike Snider; Jason Sellers
9:30: Billy Walker(host); Ernie Ashworth; Jack Greene
Saturday July 3
First Show
6:30: Jimmy C. Newman(host); Skeeter Davis
6:45: Jim Ed Brown(host); Wilma Lee Cooper
7:00: Porter Wagoner(host); Jan Howard; Bill Carlisle; Ricky Skaggs
7:30: John Conlee(host); Jason Sellers; Andy Griggs
8:00: Bill Anderson(host); The Whites; Chonda Pierce; Opry Squaredance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeanne Pruett; The 4 Guys; Jim & Jesse; Del Reeves
Second Show
9:30: Porter Wagoner(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Jim Ed Brown
10:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jeanne Pruett
10:15: Ricky Skaggs(host); Jason Sellers
10:30: John Conlee(host); Chonda Pierce
10:45: Jeannie Seely(host); Opry Squaredance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00; Bill Anderson(host); The Whites; Mike Snider; Andy Griggs
11:30: Billy Walker(host); Stu Phillips; The 4 Guys; Del Reeves; Charlie Walker
Really, not too bad of line-ups.
Tuesday Night Opry-July 6
Jimmy Dickens is still being listed on the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry on July 6. He has been missing from the Opry the past several weeks. The show is at the Ryman Auditorium.
7:00: John Conlee; Josh Thompson
7:30: The Whites; James Otto
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson; Daryle Singletary
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Terri Clark
7:00: John Conlee; Josh Thompson
7:30: The Whites; James Otto
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson; Daryle Singletary
8:45: Jimmy Dickens; Terri Clark
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 7/2 & 7/3
The Grand Ole Opry has posted this weekend's line-ups and there have already been changes. In the original line-up, Jimmy Dickens was scheduled for both Friday and Saturday night and he is now off the schedule. That is two weekends in a row. Additionally, Charlie Louvin has cancelled for Friday night.
Following the recent pattern for the Opry, there is one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night, both at the Ryman Auditorium. Among the featured artists this weekend, Emmylou Harris is scheduled for both nights and Wynonna is scheduled for Saturday night. Kathy Mattea is set for Friday night, as she continues her string of recent Opry appearances.
Mandy Barnett is scheduled for Saturday night and this has become an Opry tradition in recent years: having Mandy scheduled on the Saturday night show on the July 4th weekend. Usually, she will start the show with the National Anthem and possibly sing, "God Bless America."
Here are the line-ups:
Friday July 2
7:00: John Conlee(host); Riders In The Sky; Emily West
7:30: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Kathy Mattea
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson(host); Jeannie Seely; ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers
8:45: Emmylou Harris(host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites
Saturday July 3
7:00: Mike Snider(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Mandy Barnett
7:30: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Thom Bresh
INTERMISSION
8:15: Emmylou Harris(host); George Hamilton IV; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson(host); Jan Howard; Wynonna
Finally, the host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree will be George Hamilton IV. As a reminder, the show will be taped lived at the record shop at 10:00pm and will be broadcast on tape next Saturday night at midnight. This week at midnight on WSM, the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree will be a rebroadcast of an archive show that was hosted by Ernest Tubb. It should be a great trip back in memory lane.
Following the recent pattern for the Opry, there is one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night, both at the Ryman Auditorium. Among the featured artists this weekend, Emmylou Harris is scheduled for both nights and Wynonna is scheduled for Saturday night. Kathy Mattea is set for Friday night, as she continues her string of recent Opry appearances.
Mandy Barnett is scheduled for Saturday night and this has become an Opry tradition in recent years: having Mandy scheduled on the Saturday night show on the July 4th weekend. Usually, she will start the show with the National Anthem and possibly sing, "God Bless America."
Here are the line-ups:
Friday July 2
7:00: John Conlee(host); Riders In The Sky; Emily West
7:30: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Kathy Mattea
INTERMISSION
8:15: Bill Anderson(host); Jeannie Seely; ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers
8:45: Emmylou Harris(host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites
Saturday July 3
7:00: Mike Snider(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Mandy Barnett
7:30: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Thom Bresh
INTERMISSION
8:15: Emmylou Harris(host); George Hamilton IV; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson(host); Jan Howard; Wynonna
Finally, the host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree will be George Hamilton IV. As a reminder, the show will be taped lived at the record shop at 10:00pm and will be broadcast on tape next Saturday night at midnight. This week at midnight on WSM, the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree will be a rebroadcast of an archive show that was hosted by Ernest Tubb. It should be a great trip back in memory lane.
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