The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the 3 shows this weekend. Yes, there will be 3 weekend shows as thanks to an appearance by Opry member Carrie Underwood, there will be 2 shows on Saturday night. For Carrie, if you included the 2 scheduled appearances on Saturday night, that will make 7 Opry appearances for this year. And there is still 5 months to go. I appreciate the fact that unlike other younger Opry members, Carrie has found time to make a number of appearances, even with her busy touring schedule. It is an example that so many others, such as Blake Shelton, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood could follow. Thanks Carrie for remembering where the Opry House is.
Joining Carrie on Saturday night will be guest artists Love and Theft, Bucky Covington, Jeff & Sheri Easter and Andy Gibson, who will also be appearing on the Friday Night Opry. All of these artists have played the Opry previously.
Along with Andy Gibson on the Friday night Opry will be guest artists Crystal Gayle, The Isaacs, and Amanda Shires. Crystal continues to make a number of guest appearances on the Opry and I would not be unhappy at all if she were to become an Opry member some day. As far Amanda Shires, this will be her 1st Opry appearance. She is described as a 30 year old violin player who was once part of the Texas Playboys and has recorded 3 solo albums.
Finally on Saturday night, Stu Phillips is currently scheduled for the 2nd show. He has cancelled out his last several appearances on the Opry and has been dealing with some voice issues. Also, Stonewall Jackson is hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this week, so lord only knows why he is not on the Opry. To me, there is no reason why he is not.
Friday August 3
7:00: Mike Snider (host): The Whites; Andy Gibson
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jimmy C Newman; The Isaacs
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Amanda Shires; Crystal Gayle
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Diamond Rio
Saturday August 4
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host): Jeannie Seely; Andy Gibson
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Bucky Covington; Jeff & Sheri Easter
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jean Shepard; Love and Theft; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jim Ed Brown; Love and Theft
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Stu Phillips; Carrie Underwood
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jean Shepard; Andy Gibson; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bucky Covington; Jeff & Sheri Easter
My guess is that if Stu Phillips cancels out, they will not replace him and just have Carrie Underwood do another number.
Before leaving this week's line-up, I do want to recognize that on August 1, 1964 (48 years ago), the Osborne Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry. While Sonny is now retired, Bobby continues on with his Rocky Top X-Press group. Just as a look back, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from Saturday August 1, 1964, the night that the Osborne Brothers became new members. (As a note, this was during the Opry's history when they still had only 1 show per Saturday night, from 7:30-Midnight).
7:30: Luzianne
Wilburn Brothers (host): Hangin' Around
Margie Bowes: Understand Your Gal
Harold Morrison: Red River Train
Gordon Terry: Almost Alone
Wilburn Brothers: Impossible
Del Wood: Tiger Rag
Darrell Staedtler: I'm A Honky-Tonk Man
Wilburn Brothers: Medals For Mothers
8:00: Martha White
Don Gibson (host): Oh, Lonesome Me
Jim & Jesse: Cotton Mill Man
Billy Walker: Circumstances
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Ray Pillow: Left Out
Don Gibson: He Walks These Hills
Billy Walker: Cattle Call
Jim & Jesse: Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes
Don Gibson: I Can't Stop Loving You
8:30: Stephens
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Don't Let Our Sweet Love Die
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Sonny James: The Minute Your Gone
Archie Campbell: Rindercella
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Wilma Lee Cooper: Row Number 2; Seat Number 3
Stonewall Jackson: BJ The DJ
Sonny James: Ask Marie
9:00: Pet Milk
Ernest Tubb (host): Thank's A Lot
Stringbean: Comedy
Austin Wood: The Blues Don't Mean A Thing
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Ragtime Annie
Ernest Tubb: Letters Have No Arms
Jack Greene: Heartbreak Avenue
Leon Rhodes & Buddy Charleton: Red Top
Stringbean: Air Conditioned Cadillac Coupe Deville
Cal Smith: My Sweet Love Ain't Around
Ernest Tubb: Warm Red Wine
9:30: Kelloggs
Leroy Van Dyke (host): Your Money
OSBORNE BROTHERS: CUCKOO BIRD
Cousin Jody: Televison Set
Willis Brothers: I'm Gonna Buy Me A Jukebox
Leroy Van Dyke: Funny How Time Slips Away
Stan Hitchcock: Looking Through A Teardrop
OSBORNE BROTHERS: MULE SKINNER BLUES
Leroy Van Dyke: Auctioneer
10:00: Schick
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Big Midnight Special
Del Wood: The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
George Hamilton IV: Before The Day Ends
Wilma Lee Cooper: Tramp On The Street
Stoney Cooper: Sally Ann
10:15: SSS Tonic
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Wilburn Brothers: Trouble's Back In Town
Margie Bowes: Overnight
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
10:30: Harvey's
Don Gibson (host): Blue, Blue Day
Stringbean: Cumberland Gap
Billy Walker: Forever
Don Gibson: Where No One Stands Alone
10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): Be Better To Your Baby
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Jack Greene: Take Me As I Am, Or Let Me Go
Ernest Tubb: Have You Ever Been Lonely
Leon Rhodes: Under The Double Eagle
11:00: Coca-Cola
Sonny James (host): ?
Jim & Jesse: Gosh, I Miss You All The Time
Archie Campbell: The 12th Rose
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bile Them Cabbage Down
Sonny James: Till The Last Leaf Shall Fall
Gordon Terry: Forty Acre Farm
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Jim & Jesse: It's A Long Way To The Top Of The World
Sonny James: Ask Marie
11:30: Lava
Leroy Van Dyke (host): Walk On By
OSBORNE BROTHERS: TAKE THIS HAMMER
Don Winters: Baby, I'm Waiting On You
Willis Brothers: I'm Gonna Buy Me A Jukebox
Leroy Van Dyke: Dim Dark Corner
Cousin Jody: Wabash Cannonball
Stan Hitchcock: ?
Willis Brothers: Truck Driver's Queen
Leroy Van Dyke: Black Cloud
Congratulations to the Osborne Brothers!!
Nationally recognized independent Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay offers news and comments regarding country music's premier show.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
August Opry Highlights
As I do each month, here are the important and historical highlights from the history of the Grand Ole Opry that took place during the month of August.
August 22, 1910: Country Music Hall of Fame member and late Opry member Rod Brasfield was born in Smithville, Mississippi. Rod was famous for his comedy routines with Minnie Pearl that were featured on the Prince Albert Opry shows for many years. Rod also appeared in several movies, the most famous being "A Face in the Crowd" with Andy Griffith. Rod led a difficult life that ended way too soon, as he passed away from a heart attack on September 15, 1958. He had joined the Opry in 1947.
August 30, 1919: Muriel Ellen Deason, better known as Kitty Wells, was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Kitty, along with her husband Johnny Wright, had been Opry members for several years beginning in the early 1950s until they left the show in December 1964 in a dispute over booking fees. While she left the cast of the Opry in 1964, she would still continue to make Opry appearances. Kitty passed away earlier in July.
August 8, 1921: Former Opry member Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, Louisiana. He first appeared on the Opry in 1952, but he quickly figured out he could make more money by not being an Opry member, so he left the show and proceeded to have a great career in country music. As to the reasons for leaving the Opry, Webb was quoted as saying, "You had to be there every Saturday night, and that was too much, because, you see, most of our money, we made it on Saturday night. Of course, we'd be on a tour and then we'd have to turn around at the end of the week and be back at the Opry. I don't care if you was in Podunk, Canada!" Of all the great stars of the 1950s, Webb had the greatest chart success, but he made a lot of enemies along the way. Several of those enemies said that they would never vote Webb into the Country Music Hall of Fame while he was alive, and they were true to their word. Finally in 2001, after his death, he was elected to the Hall as part of the mass induction that year. Webb was also famous for having a guitar shaped swimming pool at his home, that resulted in a famous feud with Ray Stevens, his neighbor. On a side note, Webb's house is now owned by Colin Reed, the chief executive officer of Gaylord Entertainment. And yes, the guitar shaped pool is still there.
August 28, 1925: Billy Grammer was born in Benton, Illinois. Billy joined the Opry in 1959 and remained an Opry member until his death in August 2011.
August 12, 1927: Porter Wagoner was born in West Plains, Missouri. Porter would come to the Opry from the Ozark Jubilee, joining the show in 1957. He would remain an Opry member until his death on October 28, 2007, shortly after celebrating 50 years as an Opry member. During his career, this member of the Country Music Hall of Fame had over 80 singles on the country charts. He was also famous for his duets with Norma Jean and Dolly Parton. He is also remembered for inviting James Brown to appear on the Opry.
August 27, 1927: Grand Ole Opry member Jimmy C Newman was born in High Point, Louisiana. Hard to believe that Jimmy C will be 85 years old this year and still sounds great on the Opry.
August 4, 1931: Former Grand Ole Opry manager Hal Durham was born in McMinnville, Tennessee. After the Opry moved to Opryland and the new Opry House, Bud Wendall was promoted to general manager of both Opryland and the Grand Ole Opry, and he asked Hal to take over as the Opry's manager. In 1978, he was promoted to the position of general manager of the Opry and he held that position for 15 years. While many people want to blame Pete Fisher for the fact that many of the Opry's members make few appearances on the show, it was actually Hal who was responsible for relaxing the membership requirements. He was also the one who invited many of the stars of the 1980s and early 90s to join the show, including Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, The Whites and Riders In The Sky, among many others. He left the Opry in 1993 and was the President of the Opry Group until 1996, when he retired. He died in March 2009. In many ways, it was Hal who started the Opry down the path that led to the position that the Opry is in today.
August 20, 1935: Justin Tubb was born in San Antonio, Texas. Justin would follow in his father's footsteps and become a successful country music artist and songwriter. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 at the age of 20, and remained an Opry member until his death on January 24, 1998.
August 14, 1941: Constance June Meador, otherwise known as Connie Smith, was born in Elkhart, Indiana. Connie has been recognized for having one of the greatest female voices in the history of country music and has been an Opry member for many years. Earlier this year, she was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
August 7, 1942: Former Opry member B.J. Thomas was born in Hugo, Oklahoma. He joined the Grand Ole Opry on his 39th birthday, August 7, 1981. His stay at the Opry was very short, so short in fact that he is rarely remembered as an Opry member. He still performs on the Opry from time to time.
August 11, 1946: Grand Ole Opry member John Conlee was born in Versallies, Kentucky. John would come to Nashville and join the Opry in February 1981. He is a former funeral director and has one of the most distinctive voices in country music.
August 11, 1952: Hank Williams was fired as a member of the Opry. Jim Denny, the Opry's manager, made the call to Hank, with Ernest Tubb in the room with him. Hank always hoped to make it back to the Opry, but it never happened.
August 14, 1954: Ernest Tubb took a leave of absence, which lasted until November, from the Opry. Even though he was on "sick leave", he did continue to host the Midnight Jamboree. It was also during this period that Ernest brought Elvis Presley to the Jamboree.
August 28, 1954: Grand Ole Opry member Stringbean left the cast of the Opry to join the cast of the Ramblin' Tommy Scott Show. Stringbean would eventually rejoin the Opry and would remain a member of the show until his death in November 1973.
August 4, 1956: Jimmy C Newman joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 56th year as an Opry member and he is the 2nd longest consecutively-tenured member of the Opry's cast, one year behind Jean Shepard.
August 11, 1956: George Jones first joined the Grand Ole Opry. George and his history with the Opry is very interesting. See if you can follow these dates. The August 11, 1956 date is listed in the current Grand Ole Opry History Picture Book. Prior to this edition, his Opry induction date was listed as January 4, 1969. In the 1979 edition of the book, he is listed as having returned to the Opry in 1973 after a short absence. In the 1972 edition of the book, he is not mentioned at all. Not that it all matters as George rarely appears on the Opry. But if you go by the 1956 date, this will be his 56th year as an Opry member. Thinking back, I do not remember the Opry ever honoring him for 50 years of Opry membership.
August 22, 1957: Former Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn was born in San Antonio, Texas. Holly retired from the music business in 2003 and moved to New Mexico to operate an art studio. After leaving Nashville, she was dropped as an Opry member.
August 4, 1959: Skeeter Davis joined the cast of the Opry. With the exception of a short period of time when she was suspended from the show, Skeeter would remain an Opry member until her death on September 19, 2004. Skeeter was known for her colorful skirts and bursts of energy while doing the Opry. She last appeared on the show in 2002, when illness no longer made it possible for her to perform.
August 12, 1963: Jim Ed Brown joined the Grand Ole Opry. Actually it was The Browns, which included Jim Ed and his sisters Maxine and Bonnie. After his sisters retired from performing, Jim Ed would continue as a very successful solo artist and there were times when The Browns would get back together and perform on the show. Jim has had a great career in country music and has been one of the few performers that has had success as a solo artist, as part of a group, and as part of a duet with Helen Cornelius. The Browns have been finalists for the Country Music Hall of Fame the last several years and deserve induction. This will be Jim Ed's 49th year as an Opry member.
August 23, 1963: Former Opry member Milton Estes died. He was 49 years old.
August 27, 1963: Former Opry manager Jim Denny died from cancer at the age of 52. In 1966 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jim Denny was the first WSM employee who was specifically assigned the job of Opry manager. When he started at WSM, he would hang around the backstage area at the Ryman Auditorium and became friendly with many of the artists. He also ran the concession business. During his time at the Opry, he signed many of the major stars of country music to Opry membership. Along with Webb Pierce, he started Cedarwood Music Publishing and it was this business, and the success of it, that caused Jim to leave the Opry and WSM. When he left, many of the Opry's members joined him and his new artist bureau, favoring him over the one operated by the Opry and WSM. If you believe the story, he was the Opry manager who told Elvis Presley after his only Opry appearance, to go back driving a truck and he was also involved in a long feud with Ernest Tubb.
August 8, 1964: The Osborne Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry. Bobby and Sonny would remain a duo until Sonny retired in 2005. Bobby continues as an Opry member, with his group the Rocky Top X-Press. The Osborne Brothers are still listed as Opry members and this year will be their 48th as Opry members. While Bobby is still active, Sonny is involved with teaching banjo at camps around the Nashville area for students.
August 14, 1965: Bobby Bare joined the Grand Ole Opry. Bobby would remain an Opry member for a number of years, before he would leave the show. Bobby did not totally break his Opry ties and would appear on the show from time to time. Bobby's contributions to country music are often overlooked and he deserves election to the Hall of Fame.
August 17, 1967: Charlie Walker joined the Grand Ole Opry. Charlie would remain an Opry member until his death in September 2008. I had the opportunity to meet Charlie back in the 1990s, and I can tell you what a fine gentleman he was and a pleasure to visit with. He started out as a DJ in Texas and even after he became a big star, he always remembered his radio fans. In addition to being a fine singer, rumor has it that he was a good golfer. He was elected to the Country Music Radio DJ Hall of Fame in 1981.
August 5, 1968: Grand Ole Opry member Terri Clark was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. As a Canadian, she would join Hank Snow and Stu Phillips as Opry members who came from up North.
August 21, 1975: Former Opry member Sam McGee died in a tractor accident on his farm in Tennessee. He was 81 and still worked his farm. Along with his brother Kirk, he first performed on the Opry in 1926. During his time on the show, he would appear with several different groups, including the "Dixieliners." Sam was also the first Opry member to use an electric guitar at the show, after which George D Hay politely told him to put it away and not bring it back.
August 14, 1982: Ernest Tubb made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He was suffering from emphysema and that made it too difficult for him to tour or to make public appearances. He also gave up hosting the Midnight Jamboree, turning those duties over to his son Justin. He would spend his final years at his home and would pass away on September 6, 1984. His influence in country music is still felt to this day.
August 22, 1987: Roy Clark joined the Grand Ole Opry. I know that since Roy joined the show, he has not made many Opry appearances, usually only several per year. But in the case of Roy, he told Opry management that he was very busy with Hee Haw and his concert appearances, so he could not guarantee how often he could appear on the Opry. Even with that, the Opry still accepted Roy as a member. His honesty is appreciated which is more than can be said for a few others who have joined the show and this will be his 25th year as an Opry member. Let's see if the Opry does anything special for this milestone.
August 29, 1987: Former Opry member Archie Campbell died in Knoxville, Tennessee from a heart attack after a period of declining health. Archie joined the Opry in 1958 and was also one of the main writers of Hee Haw. Archie made most of his Opry appearances during the winter months as he spent the summer performing at a theater in Gatlinburg. A strong case can be made that Archie deserves election to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
August 10, 1991: Vince Gill joined the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 21st year as an Opry member and over the years, he has been a strong supporter of the show. On the night he joined, Roy Acuff introduced him as a member. On a side note, when Vince was first asked to make a guest appearance at the Opry, he turned it down because he had promised to be at a school function with his daughter.
August 30, 1991: Opry member Dottie West was critically injured in a car accident on her way to the Friday Night Opry. On September 4th, she would pass away from her injuries.
August 24, 1998: Opry member Jerry Clower died in Jackson, Mississippi after heart surgery. He was 71 years old. He joined the Opry in November 1973 and was the last member to join the show while it was still at the Ryman Auditorium. Jerry was one of the greatest story tellers of all time and was also a deeply religious man.
August 26, 2000: Pam Tillis joined the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 12th year as an Opry member.
August 18, 2001: The Grand Ole Opry moved their televised portion of the show from TNN to CMT. The first show on CMT was highlighted by Vince Gill, who was celebrating 10 years as an Opry member. He hosted the show and was joined by Steve Wariner, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy C Newman, Brad Paisley, Elizabeth Cook and Loretta Lynn.
August 10, 2002: During the televised portion of the Grand Ole Opry that night on CMT, the Dixie Chicks announced that Porter Wagoner and Bill Carlisle were the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. I always thought in watching that show that the Opry and the Hall of Fame did a great injustice to Porter and Bill by having the Dixie Chicks make the announcement. In Porter's case, he was long overdue. I know he had made some enemies during his career and many have speculated that was one of the reasons for the delayed induction. I also found it sad that Dolly Parton had been elected to the Hall before Porter. On a final note, if you ever get a chance to watch the video from that night, watch the expression on Porter's face during the announcement and right after it. I think he was thinking, "it's about time" and he looked like he would have rather been somewhere else. He also looked like he had a few things he wanted to say, but knew that was not the time or place.
August 23, 2003: Trace Adkins joined the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 9th year as a member. When he joined, Ronnie Milsap handled the induction.
Finally, it was in August 1948, that Jimmy Dickens first became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The exact date is lost to history. In 1957, after 9 years as an Opry member, Jimmy left the show. He accepted an offer to head a major road show sponsored by Philip Morris company, which was a rival to R.J. Reynolds, a long time Opry sponsor. R.J. Reynolds prohibited an Opry member from working with a competing company, so Jimmy left the Opry, although he said later, there were no hard feelings. Jimmy rejoined the Opry on February 8, 1975 and was introduced that night by Hank Snow. He was gone for 18 years. So while it is accurate to say that Jimmy first joined the Opry in 1948, he has not been an Opry member consecutively since 1948. Technically, he has been an Opry member for a total of 46 years, not the 64 years as is sometimes mentioned. Jean Shepard has been the Opry member with the longest tenure of the current staff, which will be 57 years in November. Right behind her is Jimmy C Newman with 56 years as an Opry member. As in the case of George Jones, it is important to be accurate in the telling of the Opry's history.
Hope you enjoy that look back.
August 22, 1910: Country Music Hall of Fame member and late Opry member Rod Brasfield was born in Smithville, Mississippi. Rod was famous for his comedy routines with Minnie Pearl that were featured on the Prince Albert Opry shows for many years. Rod also appeared in several movies, the most famous being "A Face in the Crowd" with Andy Griffith. Rod led a difficult life that ended way too soon, as he passed away from a heart attack on September 15, 1958. He had joined the Opry in 1947.
August 30, 1919: Muriel Ellen Deason, better known as Kitty Wells, was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Kitty, along with her husband Johnny Wright, had been Opry members for several years beginning in the early 1950s until they left the show in December 1964 in a dispute over booking fees. While she left the cast of the Opry in 1964, she would still continue to make Opry appearances. Kitty passed away earlier in July.
August 8, 1921: Former Opry member Webb Pierce was born in West Monroe, Louisiana. He first appeared on the Opry in 1952, but he quickly figured out he could make more money by not being an Opry member, so he left the show and proceeded to have a great career in country music. As to the reasons for leaving the Opry, Webb was quoted as saying, "You had to be there every Saturday night, and that was too much, because, you see, most of our money, we made it on Saturday night. Of course, we'd be on a tour and then we'd have to turn around at the end of the week and be back at the Opry. I don't care if you was in Podunk, Canada!" Of all the great stars of the 1950s, Webb had the greatest chart success, but he made a lot of enemies along the way. Several of those enemies said that they would never vote Webb into the Country Music Hall of Fame while he was alive, and they were true to their word. Finally in 2001, after his death, he was elected to the Hall as part of the mass induction that year. Webb was also famous for having a guitar shaped swimming pool at his home, that resulted in a famous feud with Ray Stevens, his neighbor. On a side note, Webb's house is now owned by Colin Reed, the chief executive officer of Gaylord Entertainment. And yes, the guitar shaped pool is still there.
August 28, 1925: Billy Grammer was born in Benton, Illinois. Billy joined the Opry in 1959 and remained an Opry member until his death in August 2011.
August 12, 1927: Porter Wagoner was born in West Plains, Missouri. Porter would come to the Opry from the Ozark Jubilee, joining the show in 1957. He would remain an Opry member until his death on October 28, 2007, shortly after celebrating 50 years as an Opry member. During his career, this member of the Country Music Hall of Fame had over 80 singles on the country charts. He was also famous for his duets with Norma Jean and Dolly Parton. He is also remembered for inviting James Brown to appear on the Opry.
August 27, 1927: Grand Ole Opry member Jimmy C Newman was born in High Point, Louisiana. Hard to believe that Jimmy C will be 85 years old this year and still sounds great on the Opry.
August 4, 1931: Former Grand Ole Opry manager Hal Durham was born in McMinnville, Tennessee. After the Opry moved to Opryland and the new Opry House, Bud Wendall was promoted to general manager of both Opryland and the Grand Ole Opry, and he asked Hal to take over as the Opry's manager. In 1978, he was promoted to the position of general manager of the Opry and he held that position for 15 years. While many people want to blame Pete Fisher for the fact that many of the Opry's members make few appearances on the show, it was actually Hal who was responsible for relaxing the membership requirements. He was also the one who invited many of the stars of the 1980s and early 90s to join the show, including Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, The Whites and Riders In The Sky, among many others. He left the Opry in 1993 and was the President of the Opry Group until 1996, when he retired. He died in March 2009. In many ways, it was Hal who started the Opry down the path that led to the position that the Opry is in today.
August 20, 1935: Justin Tubb was born in San Antonio, Texas. Justin would follow in his father's footsteps and become a successful country music artist and songwriter. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 at the age of 20, and remained an Opry member until his death on January 24, 1998.
August 14, 1941: Constance June Meador, otherwise known as Connie Smith, was born in Elkhart, Indiana. Connie has been recognized for having one of the greatest female voices in the history of country music and has been an Opry member for many years. Earlier this year, she was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
August 7, 1942: Former Opry member B.J. Thomas was born in Hugo, Oklahoma. He joined the Grand Ole Opry on his 39th birthday, August 7, 1981. His stay at the Opry was very short, so short in fact that he is rarely remembered as an Opry member. He still performs on the Opry from time to time.
August 11, 1946: Grand Ole Opry member John Conlee was born in Versallies, Kentucky. John would come to Nashville and join the Opry in February 1981. He is a former funeral director and has one of the most distinctive voices in country music.
August 11, 1952: Hank Williams was fired as a member of the Opry. Jim Denny, the Opry's manager, made the call to Hank, with Ernest Tubb in the room with him. Hank always hoped to make it back to the Opry, but it never happened.
August 14, 1954: Ernest Tubb took a leave of absence, which lasted until November, from the Opry. Even though he was on "sick leave", he did continue to host the Midnight Jamboree. It was also during this period that Ernest brought Elvis Presley to the Jamboree.
August 28, 1954: Grand Ole Opry member Stringbean left the cast of the Opry to join the cast of the Ramblin' Tommy Scott Show. Stringbean would eventually rejoin the Opry and would remain a member of the show until his death in November 1973.
August 4, 1956: Jimmy C Newman joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 56th year as an Opry member and he is the 2nd longest consecutively-tenured member of the Opry's cast, one year behind Jean Shepard.
August 11, 1956: George Jones first joined the Grand Ole Opry. George and his history with the Opry is very interesting. See if you can follow these dates. The August 11, 1956 date is listed in the current Grand Ole Opry History Picture Book. Prior to this edition, his Opry induction date was listed as January 4, 1969. In the 1979 edition of the book, he is listed as having returned to the Opry in 1973 after a short absence. In the 1972 edition of the book, he is not mentioned at all. Not that it all matters as George rarely appears on the Opry. But if you go by the 1956 date, this will be his 56th year as an Opry member. Thinking back, I do not remember the Opry ever honoring him for 50 years of Opry membership.
August 22, 1957: Former Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn was born in San Antonio, Texas. Holly retired from the music business in 2003 and moved to New Mexico to operate an art studio. After leaving Nashville, she was dropped as an Opry member.
August 4, 1959: Skeeter Davis joined the cast of the Opry. With the exception of a short period of time when she was suspended from the show, Skeeter would remain an Opry member until her death on September 19, 2004. Skeeter was known for her colorful skirts and bursts of energy while doing the Opry. She last appeared on the show in 2002, when illness no longer made it possible for her to perform.
August 12, 1963: Jim Ed Brown joined the Grand Ole Opry. Actually it was The Browns, which included Jim Ed and his sisters Maxine and Bonnie. After his sisters retired from performing, Jim Ed would continue as a very successful solo artist and there were times when The Browns would get back together and perform on the show. Jim has had a great career in country music and has been one of the few performers that has had success as a solo artist, as part of a group, and as part of a duet with Helen Cornelius. The Browns have been finalists for the Country Music Hall of Fame the last several years and deserve induction. This will be Jim Ed's 49th year as an Opry member.
August 23, 1963: Former Opry member Milton Estes died. He was 49 years old.
August 27, 1963: Former Opry manager Jim Denny died from cancer at the age of 52. In 1966 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jim Denny was the first WSM employee who was specifically assigned the job of Opry manager. When he started at WSM, he would hang around the backstage area at the Ryman Auditorium and became friendly with many of the artists. He also ran the concession business. During his time at the Opry, he signed many of the major stars of country music to Opry membership. Along with Webb Pierce, he started Cedarwood Music Publishing and it was this business, and the success of it, that caused Jim to leave the Opry and WSM. When he left, many of the Opry's members joined him and his new artist bureau, favoring him over the one operated by the Opry and WSM. If you believe the story, he was the Opry manager who told Elvis Presley after his only Opry appearance, to go back driving a truck and he was also involved in a long feud with Ernest Tubb.
August 8, 1964: The Osborne Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry. Bobby and Sonny would remain a duo until Sonny retired in 2005. Bobby continues as an Opry member, with his group the Rocky Top X-Press. The Osborne Brothers are still listed as Opry members and this year will be their 48th as Opry members. While Bobby is still active, Sonny is involved with teaching banjo at camps around the Nashville area for students.
August 14, 1965: Bobby Bare joined the Grand Ole Opry. Bobby would remain an Opry member for a number of years, before he would leave the show. Bobby did not totally break his Opry ties and would appear on the show from time to time. Bobby's contributions to country music are often overlooked and he deserves election to the Hall of Fame.
August 17, 1967: Charlie Walker joined the Grand Ole Opry. Charlie would remain an Opry member until his death in September 2008. I had the opportunity to meet Charlie back in the 1990s, and I can tell you what a fine gentleman he was and a pleasure to visit with. He started out as a DJ in Texas and even after he became a big star, he always remembered his radio fans. In addition to being a fine singer, rumor has it that he was a good golfer. He was elected to the Country Music Radio DJ Hall of Fame in 1981.
August 5, 1968: Grand Ole Opry member Terri Clark was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. As a Canadian, she would join Hank Snow and Stu Phillips as Opry members who came from up North.
August 21, 1975: Former Opry member Sam McGee died in a tractor accident on his farm in Tennessee. He was 81 and still worked his farm. Along with his brother Kirk, he first performed on the Opry in 1926. During his time on the show, he would appear with several different groups, including the "Dixieliners." Sam was also the first Opry member to use an electric guitar at the show, after which George D Hay politely told him to put it away and not bring it back.
August 14, 1982: Ernest Tubb made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He was suffering from emphysema and that made it too difficult for him to tour or to make public appearances. He also gave up hosting the Midnight Jamboree, turning those duties over to his son Justin. He would spend his final years at his home and would pass away on September 6, 1984. His influence in country music is still felt to this day.
August 22, 1987: Roy Clark joined the Grand Ole Opry. I know that since Roy joined the show, he has not made many Opry appearances, usually only several per year. But in the case of Roy, he told Opry management that he was very busy with Hee Haw and his concert appearances, so he could not guarantee how often he could appear on the Opry. Even with that, the Opry still accepted Roy as a member. His honesty is appreciated which is more than can be said for a few others who have joined the show and this will be his 25th year as an Opry member. Let's see if the Opry does anything special for this milestone.
August 29, 1987: Former Opry member Archie Campbell died in Knoxville, Tennessee from a heart attack after a period of declining health. Archie joined the Opry in 1958 and was also one of the main writers of Hee Haw. Archie made most of his Opry appearances during the winter months as he spent the summer performing at a theater in Gatlinburg. A strong case can be made that Archie deserves election to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
August 10, 1991: Vince Gill joined the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 21st year as an Opry member and over the years, he has been a strong supporter of the show. On the night he joined, Roy Acuff introduced him as a member. On a side note, when Vince was first asked to make a guest appearance at the Opry, he turned it down because he had promised to be at a school function with his daughter.
August 30, 1991: Opry member Dottie West was critically injured in a car accident on her way to the Friday Night Opry. On September 4th, she would pass away from her injuries.
August 24, 1998: Opry member Jerry Clower died in Jackson, Mississippi after heart surgery. He was 71 years old. He joined the Opry in November 1973 and was the last member to join the show while it was still at the Ryman Auditorium. Jerry was one of the greatest story tellers of all time and was also a deeply religious man.
August 26, 2000: Pam Tillis joined the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 12th year as an Opry member.
August 18, 2001: The Grand Ole Opry moved their televised portion of the show from TNN to CMT. The first show on CMT was highlighted by Vince Gill, who was celebrating 10 years as an Opry member. He hosted the show and was joined by Steve Wariner, Sonya Isaacs, Jimmy C Newman, Brad Paisley, Elizabeth Cook and Loretta Lynn.
August 10, 2002: During the televised portion of the Grand Ole Opry that night on CMT, the Dixie Chicks announced that Porter Wagoner and Bill Carlisle were the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. I always thought in watching that show that the Opry and the Hall of Fame did a great injustice to Porter and Bill by having the Dixie Chicks make the announcement. In Porter's case, he was long overdue. I know he had made some enemies during his career and many have speculated that was one of the reasons for the delayed induction. I also found it sad that Dolly Parton had been elected to the Hall before Porter. On a final note, if you ever get a chance to watch the video from that night, watch the expression on Porter's face during the announcement and right after it. I think he was thinking, "it's about time" and he looked like he would have rather been somewhere else. He also looked like he had a few things he wanted to say, but knew that was not the time or place.
August 23, 2003: Trace Adkins joined the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 9th year as a member. When he joined, Ronnie Milsap handled the induction.
Finally, it was in August 1948, that Jimmy Dickens first became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The exact date is lost to history. In 1957, after 9 years as an Opry member, Jimmy left the show. He accepted an offer to head a major road show sponsored by Philip Morris company, which was a rival to R.J. Reynolds, a long time Opry sponsor. R.J. Reynolds prohibited an Opry member from working with a competing company, so Jimmy left the Opry, although he said later, there were no hard feelings. Jimmy rejoined the Opry on February 8, 1975 and was introduced that night by Hank Snow. He was gone for 18 years. So while it is accurate to say that Jimmy first joined the Opry in 1948, he has not been an Opry member consecutively since 1948. Technically, he has been an Opry member for a total of 46 years, not the 64 years as is sometimes mentioned. Jean Shepard has been the Opry member with the longest tenure of the current staff, which will be 57 years in November. Right behind her is Jimmy C Newman with 56 years as an Opry member. As in the case of George Jones, it is important to be accurate in the telling of the Opry's history.
Hope you enjoy that look back.
Tuesday Night Opry 7/31 & Wednesday Night Opry 8/1
Here are the line-ups for the two mid-week Opry shows this week:
Tuesday July 31
7:00: Ricky Skaggs; Love and Theft
7:30: Jimmy Dickens; Lorrie Morgan
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson; Del McCoury Band
8:45: Connie Smith; Marty Stuart
A nice line-up for the Tuesday Night show featuring 7 Opry members. And it is nice to see Lorrie Morgan and Marty Stuart at the Opry two weeks in a row.
Wednesday August 1
7:00: Jim Ed Brown; Josh Thompson
7:30: Connie Smith; Joey+Rory
Intermission
8:15: Del McCoury Band; Darryl Worley
8:45: Aaron Tippin
Not as strong as Tuesday night, but still a good looking show.
Tuesday July 31
7:00: Ricky Skaggs; Love and Theft
7:30: Jimmy Dickens; Lorrie Morgan
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson; Del McCoury Band
8:45: Connie Smith; Marty Stuart
A nice line-up for the Tuesday Night show featuring 7 Opry members. And it is nice to see Lorrie Morgan and Marty Stuart at the Opry two weeks in a row.
Wednesday August 1
7:00: Jim Ed Brown; Josh Thompson
7:30: Connie Smith; Joey+Rory
Intermission
8:15: Del McCoury Band; Darryl Worley
8:45: Aaron Tippin
Not as strong as Tuesday night, but still a good looking show.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Grand Ole Opry 7/27 & 7/28
The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the 2 shows this weekend. As usual, there is 1 show on Friday night and the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night. As I am sure most are aware of, the Friday Night Opry will feature the Opry debut of Barry Gibb. That should be interesting. Perhaps he will sing, "Staying Alive." As previously noted, he would not be the first non-country performer to be at the Opry. The list includes James Brown, The Pointer Sisters, Perry Como among others. I actually think that the Opry should include non-country acts from time-to-time, but not at the expense of the Opry's members.
In addition to Barry Gibb, the Friday night Opry will feature non-members Darryl Worley, James Otto and Dailey & Vincent, all of whom have appeared on the Opry many times. The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night will include guest artists Elizabeth Cook and Rhonda Vincent, along with Jimmy Wayne, who will be appearing both nights. For Jimmy, these will be his 8th and 9th Opry appearances of the year, which is more times on the Opry than 45 of their members.
Friday July 27
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Connie Smith; James Otto
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Jimmy Wayne; Darryl Worley
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Barry Gibb
Saturday July 28
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mallary Hope; Rhonda Vincent
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Troy Cassar-Daley; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jan Howard; Elizabeth Cook; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: The Whites (host); Jean Shepard; Jimmy Wayne
That is not a misprint!! Jimmy C Newman will be hosting a segment of the Opry on Saturday night. Jimmy at one time was a regular host, but in the last several years, he has not hosted a segment. In fact, according to what I have, his last hosting assignment was Friday May 14, 2010. I do find it interesting that Pete Fisher is going with Jimmy C and The Whites as segment hosts over Jean Shepard. Either way, I am glad to see Jimmy C in the spotlight as I always thought he did a nice job.
That comes out to 12 artists for each show, with 7 Opry members each night. Wow!!
The great Leona Williams will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this week.
Finally, I thought it would be interesting to compare this weekend's line-up to the one from Saturday July 27, 1991, 21 years ago, as a comparison.
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Del Reeves (host): Good Time Charlies
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
Del Reeves: Two Dollars In The Jukebox/A Dime At A Time/Looking At The World Through A Windshield
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Bald-Headed End Of The Broom
Jean Shepard: Bouquet Of Roses
Grandpa Jones: Blessed Jesus, Hold My Hand
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole' Slewfoot
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top/Rank Strangers
Jim Ed Brown: Scarlet Ribbons
Bill Carlisle: Shanghai Rooster
Porter Wagoner: What Ain't To Be Just Might Happen
7:30: Standard Candy
Jack Greene (host): Oh, Lonesome Me
Alison Krauss: Steel Rails/Heaven's Bright Shore
Ricky Van Shelton: A Simple Man/Keep It Between The Lines
Jack Greene: Statue Of A Fool
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Charlie Walker: A Way To Free Myself/San Antonio Rose
Jan Howard: Ozark Mountain Jubilee/Where No One Stands Alone
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose/One Day At A Time
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Forked Deer
8:30: Pops Rite
Hank Snow (host): Address Unknown
Skeeter Davis: I Ain't Never
4 Guys: Tied Up
Charlie Louvin: Where The Roses Never Fade
Laurie Lewis: Miss The Mississippi And You
Hank Snow: It's Over Over Nothing At All
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all Come
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Stonewall Jackson: Leona
Ricky Van Shelton: A Simple Man/Keep It Between The Lines
Porter Wagoner: Dooley
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Stop That Ticklin' Me
Osborne Brothers: Farther Along
Grandpa Jones: When The Southbound Pulls Away
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Once More
Ray Pillow: One Memory To Another/Too Many Memories
Dan Kelly: Turkey Buzzard
10:30: Pet Milk
Jim Ed Brown (host): Don't Bother To Knock
Mike Snider: Shuckin' The Corn
Jim Ed Brown: Distant Drums
10:45: B.C. Powder
Billy Walker (host): Cross The Brazos At Waco
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down To The River/I Saw The Light/Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Snow Flake Reel
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Bummin' Around
4 Guys: When You Got A Good Woman It Shows
Laurie Lewis: The Cowgirl's Song
Justin Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Roy Drusky: Go Bring My Children Home
Hank Snow: The 3rd Man
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Skeeter Davis: The End Of The World
Charlie Louvin: Everytime Your Leave
Johnny Russell: Baptism Of Jesse Taylor
Charlie Walker: Take Me Back To Tulsa
A last note regarding Jack Greene. No, he had not been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, but the Hall did announce that they are going to have a Jack Greene exhibit. I am not sure what all it will include, but it is scheduled to open in 2 weeks.
Enjoy!!
In addition to Barry Gibb, the Friday night Opry will feature non-members Darryl Worley, James Otto and Dailey & Vincent, all of whom have appeared on the Opry many times. The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night will include guest artists Elizabeth Cook and Rhonda Vincent, along with Jimmy Wayne, who will be appearing both nights. For Jimmy, these will be his 8th and 9th Opry appearances of the year, which is more times on the Opry than 45 of their members.
Friday July 27
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Connie Smith; James Otto
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Jimmy Wayne; Darryl Worley
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Barry Gibb
Saturday July 28
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mallary Hope; Rhonda Vincent
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Troy Cassar-Daley; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jan Howard; Elizabeth Cook; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: The Whites (host); Jean Shepard; Jimmy Wayne
That is not a misprint!! Jimmy C Newman will be hosting a segment of the Opry on Saturday night. Jimmy at one time was a regular host, but in the last several years, he has not hosted a segment. In fact, according to what I have, his last hosting assignment was Friday May 14, 2010. I do find it interesting that Pete Fisher is going with Jimmy C and The Whites as segment hosts over Jean Shepard. Either way, I am glad to see Jimmy C in the spotlight as I always thought he did a nice job.
That comes out to 12 artists for each show, with 7 Opry members each night. Wow!!
The great Leona Williams will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this week.
Finally, I thought it would be interesting to compare this weekend's line-up to the one from Saturday July 27, 1991, 21 years ago, as a comparison.
1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Del Reeves (host): Good Time Charlies
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
Del Reeves: Two Dollars In The Jukebox/A Dime At A Time/Looking At The World Through A Windshield
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Bald-Headed End Of The Broom
Jean Shepard: Bouquet Of Roses
Grandpa Jones: Blessed Jesus, Hold My Hand
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Ole' Slewfoot
Connie Smith: You've Got Me Right Where You Want Me
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top/Rank Strangers
Jim Ed Brown: Scarlet Ribbons
Bill Carlisle: Shanghai Rooster
Porter Wagoner: What Ain't To Be Just Might Happen
7:30: Standard Candy
Jack Greene (host): Oh, Lonesome Me
Alison Krauss: Steel Rails/Heaven's Bright Shore
Ricky Van Shelton: A Simple Man/Keep It Between The Lines
Jack Greene: Statue Of A Fool
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Charlie Walker: A Way To Free Myself/San Antonio Rose
Jan Howard: Ozark Mountain Jubilee/Where No One Stands Alone
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose/One Day At A Time
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Forked Deer
8:30: Pops Rite
Hank Snow (host): Address Unknown
Skeeter Davis: I Ain't Never
4 Guys: Tied Up
Charlie Louvin: Where The Roses Never Fade
Laurie Lewis: Miss The Mississippi And You
Hank Snow: It's Over Over Nothing At All
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all Come
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Stonewall Jackson: Leona
Ricky Van Shelton: A Simple Man/Keep It Between The Lines
Porter Wagoner: Dooley
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Stop That Ticklin' Me
Osborne Brothers: Farther Along
Grandpa Jones: When The Southbound Pulls Away
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Once More
Ray Pillow: One Memory To Another/Too Many Memories
Dan Kelly: Turkey Buzzard
10:30: Pet Milk
Jim Ed Brown (host): Don't Bother To Knock
Mike Snider: Shuckin' The Corn
Jim Ed Brown: Distant Drums
10:45: B.C. Powder
Billy Walker (host): Cross The Brazos At Waco
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down To The River/I Saw The Light/Will The Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Snow Flake Reel
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Bummin' Around
4 Guys: When You Got A Good Woman It Shows
Laurie Lewis: The Cowgirl's Song
Justin Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Roy Drusky: Go Bring My Children Home
Hank Snow: The 3rd Man
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Skeeter Davis: The End Of The World
Charlie Louvin: Everytime Your Leave
Johnny Russell: Baptism Of Jesse Taylor
Charlie Walker: Take Me Back To Tulsa
A last note regarding Jack Greene. No, he had not been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, but the Hall did announce that they are going to have a Jack Greene exhibit. I am not sure what all it will include, but it is scheduled to open in 2 weeks.
Enjoy!!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Tuesday Night Opry 7/24 & Wednesday Night Opry 7/25
The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the 2 mid-week shows. The quality of the line-ups are pretty good. Tuesday night, Lorrie Morgan returns to the Opry. What is sad about Lorrie is that we are into July and this is only her 2nd Opry appearance this year. Also joining her will be former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune, who always does a nice job. Wednesday night will feature a half hour with Rascal Flatts. There is no television taping this week, so the format will be normal both nights.
Tuesday July 24:
7:00: Diamond Rio; The Whites
7:30: Jimmy Fortune; Edens Edge
Intermission
8:15: Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys; The Grascals
8:45: John Conlee; Lorrie Morgan
Wednesday July 25:
7:00: Jim Ed Brown; Canaan Smith
7:30: Exile; Steel Magnolia
Intermission
8:15: T.G.Sheppard; Lauren Alaina
8:45: Rascal Flatts
Tuesday July 24:
7:00: Diamond Rio; The Whites
7:30: Jimmy Fortune; Edens Edge
Intermission
8:15: Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys; The Grascals
8:45: John Conlee; Lorrie Morgan
Wednesday July 25:
7:00: Jim Ed Brown; Canaan Smith
7:30: Exile; Steel Magnolia
Intermission
8:15: T.G.Sheppard; Lauren Alaina
8:45: Rascal Flatts
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Grand Ole Opry 7/20 & 7/21
The Grand Ole Opry has posted the schedule for the 2 shows this weekend. It looks like the Friday Night Opry is the better of the 2 shows this weekend as Opry members Marty Stuart and Joe Diffie will be making appearances, along with guest artists Darius Rucker and J.T. Hodges. Darius has made a few Opry appearances over the past year and as been very well received as his country music career moves forward.
The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night will feature Charley Pride, who also is appearing on the Friday Night Opry, along with a group of non-members including Greg Bates, Andy Griggs and Radney Foster.
Friday July 20
7:00: Mike Snider (host); John Conlee; J.T. Hodges
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); George Hamilton IV; Joe Diffie
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press; Darius Rucker
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Charley Pride
Saturday July 21
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Greg Bates
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites; Andy Griggs
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Radney Foster; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Kristen Kelly; Charley Pride
That comes out to 12 acts on Friday nigh, of whom 10 are Opry members, and 13 on Saturday night, of whom 9 are Opry members.
My friend Teea Goans will be the host of the Midnight Jamboree on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Teea has a brand new country album out "That's Just Me" that I have heard and it is just a great. I recommend it.
Finally, it was July 21, 1973, 39 years ago this Saturday, that Jeanne Pruett became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jeanne was the last 'singing' member to join the Opry before it moved from the Ryman Auditorium to the new Grand Ole Opry House (of course, Jerry Clower was the last member to join before the move). Jeanne was a fine writer and was also recording hit country records, which led to her Opry membership. Jeanne is now retired, making her last Opry appearance in 2001. I have heard that she does visit backstage at the Opry once in a while to visit with her friends.
I thought it would be nice to look back and revisit the line-up from July 21, 1973, the night Jeanne Pruett joined the Opry.
1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Tex Ritter (host): Boll Weevil
4 Guys: Turn Around; Look At Us
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
6:45:Rudy's
Tex Ritter (host): There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder
Ernie Ashworth: My Love For You
Tex Ritter: High Noon
7:00: Rudy's
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Hank Williams Jr: Hank/You're Cheating Heart
Sandi Burnette: Stand By Your Man
Hank Williams Jr: Cajun Baby
Sandi Burnette: Delta Dawn
7:30: Standard Candy
Osborne Brothers (host): Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: Virginia
Stringbean: Mt. Dew
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
Osborne Brothers: You Win Again/Today I Started Loving You Again
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up, Jacob
Dolly Parton: Traveling Man
JEANNE PRUETT: SATIN SHEETS
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: If Teardrops Were Pennies
Porter Wagoner: Katy Did
JEANNE PRUETT: LOVE ME
Dolly Parton: Joshua
8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Arlene Harden: Special Day
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sally Goodin
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
Arlene Harden: Walk With Me, Jimmy
Billy Grammer: Peace In The Valley
2nd show
9:30: Kelloggs
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Sandi Burnette: Stand By Your Man
Bob Luman: Honky Tonk Man
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed Of A Hillbilly Heaven
10:00: Fender
Osborne Brothers (host): Midnight Flyer
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away
Osborne Brothers: Nine Pound Hammer
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
JEANNE PRUETT: SATIN SHEETS
Stringbean: Hillbilly Fever
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Trailblazer
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up, Jacob
Dolly Parton: Traveling Man
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: If Teardrops Were Pennies/Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man
10:45: Beechnut
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
11:00: Coca-Cola
4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Maria
Arlene Harden: Special Day
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Arlene Harden: Will You Walk With Me, Jimmy
Sam McGee: When The Wagon Was New
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host); Singing The Blues
Louie Roberts: How Great Thou Art/Just A Little Lovin/Anytime/Bouquet of Roses/Cattle Call
Don Winters: Jambalaya
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/They'll Never Take Her Love From Me/Big Boss Man/Love Me/Don't Worry/I'll Step Aside/Letters Have No Arms/Long Gone Lonesome Blues
When I look back on the Opry's line-ups from years gone by and compare them, this is not one of the stronger ones. Lot's of filler acts and a few who never made it big on this night. But you did have Marty Robbins, Porter & Dolly and Tex Ritter, so it wasn't all bad.
Congratulations to Jeanne Pruett on her Opry anniversary.
The Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night will feature Charley Pride, who also is appearing on the Friday Night Opry, along with a group of non-members including Greg Bates, Andy Griggs and Radney Foster.
Friday July 20
7:00: Mike Snider (host); John Conlee; J.T. Hodges
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); George Hamilton IV; Joe Diffie
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press; Darius Rucker
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Charley Pride
Saturday July 21
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Greg Bates
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jim Ed Brown; The Whites; Andy Griggs
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Jimmy C Newman; Radney Foster; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Kristen Kelly; Charley Pride
That comes out to 12 acts on Friday nigh, of whom 10 are Opry members, and 13 on Saturday night, of whom 9 are Opry members.
My friend Teea Goans will be the host of the Midnight Jamboree on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Teea has a brand new country album out "That's Just Me" that I have heard and it is just a great. I recommend it.
Finally, it was July 21, 1973, 39 years ago this Saturday, that Jeanne Pruett became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jeanne was the last 'singing' member to join the Opry before it moved from the Ryman Auditorium to the new Grand Ole Opry House (of course, Jerry Clower was the last member to join before the move). Jeanne was a fine writer and was also recording hit country records, which led to her Opry membership. Jeanne is now retired, making her last Opry appearance in 2001. I have heard that she does visit backstage at the Opry once in a while to visit with her friends.
I thought it would be nice to look back and revisit the line-up from July 21, 1973, the night Jeanne Pruett joined the Opry.
1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Tex Ritter (host): Boll Weevil
4 Guys: Turn Around; Look At Us
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
6:45:Rudy's
Tex Ritter (host): There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder
Ernie Ashworth: My Love For You
Tex Ritter: High Noon
7:00: Rudy's
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Hank Williams Jr: Hank/You're Cheating Heart
Sandi Burnette: Stand By Your Man
Hank Williams Jr: Cajun Baby
Sandi Burnette: Delta Dawn
7:30: Standard Candy
Osborne Brothers (host): Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: Virginia
Stringbean: Mt. Dew
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
Osborne Brothers: You Win Again/Today I Started Loving You Again
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up, Jacob
Dolly Parton: Traveling Man
JEANNE PRUETT: SATIN SHEETS
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: If Teardrops Were Pennies
Porter Wagoner: Katy Did
JEANNE PRUETT: LOVE ME
Dolly Parton: Joshua
8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Arlene Harden: Special Day
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sally Goodin
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
Arlene Harden: Walk With Me, Jimmy
Billy Grammer: Peace In The Valley
2nd show
9:30: Kelloggs
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Sandi Burnette: Stand By Your Man
Bob Luman: Honky Tonk Man
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed Of A Hillbilly Heaven
10:00: Fender
Osborne Brothers (host): Midnight Flyer
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away
Osborne Brothers: Nine Pound Hammer
10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
JEANNE PRUETT: SATIN SHEETS
Stringbean: Hillbilly Fever
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Trailblazer
Porter Wagoner (host): Wake Up, Jacob
Dolly Parton: Traveling Man
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: If Teardrops Were Pennies/Daddy Was An Old Time Preacher Man
10:45: Beechnut
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
11:00: Coca-Cola
4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Maria
Arlene Harden: Special Day
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Arlene Harden: Will You Walk With Me, Jimmy
Sam McGee: When The Wagon Was New
4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host); Singing The Blues
Louie Roberts: How Great Thou Art/Just A Little Lovin/Anytime/Bouquet of Roses/Cattle Call
Don Winters: Jambalaya
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/They'll Never Take Her Love From Me/Big Boss Man/Love Me/Don't Worry/I'll Step Aside/Letters Have No Arms/Long Gone Lonesome Blues
When I look back on the Opry's line-ups from years gone by and compare them, this is not one of the stronger ones. Lot's of filler acts and a few who never made it big on this night. But you did have Marty Robbins, Porter & Dolly and Tex Ritter, so it wasn't all bad.
Congratulations to Jeanne Pruett on her Opry anniversary.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Kitty Wells
In the history of country music, many of the entertainers are known by their nicknames. When you mention "The Man in Black", "Coal Miners Daughter", "The Singing Ranger" and "The King of Country Music", you know immediately who it is. And when you mention "The Queen of Country Music" you know it is Kitty Wells, and today we were all greeted with the sad news that Kitty had passed away at her home in Madison, Tennessee.
I am not going to go through all of her career highlights as those are available elsewhere, including on the website of the Nashville Tennessean. But I will write about her history at the Grand Ole Opry. Kitty first came to the Grand Ole Opry in 1947, when Johnny and Jack joined the show. Johnny was of course her husband, Johnny Wright and Jack was Johnny's brother-in-law Jack Anglin. They stayed at the Opry for about a year and then they left to go to the "Louisiana Hayride." In 1952, Johnny and Jack went back to the Opry, but Kitty had retired and was not part of the act.
In May 1952, Kitty recorded "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels" which sold over 1 million copies and was #1 on the country charts. With the biggest record of her career and in country music at the time, efforts were made to get Kitty on the Opry as a solo artist, but there were issues. According to her husband Johnny, "We were trying to get her on the Opry but Vito Pellettieri, the guy that cleared all the songs on the show, says 'You can't sing that song on the Opry because of the lyrics.' You know, that part about the trusting wife going wrong. Anyway, Roy Acuff went up and talked to Jim Denny and Jack Stapp and he told them: 'Kitty Wells is a female Roy Acuff. She sells songs with her sincerity.' And 'Honky-Tonk Angels' got to be such a hit, you know, that they had to let her sing it."
Kitty Wells would remain a member of the Opry until December 1964 when she, along with some others including her husband Johnny, were dismissed from the Opry for not making the required number of shows for the year. According to Johnny, it was a dispute over booking fees and percentages, and he claimed that they quit. "They didn't fire anyone. We just quit because we didn't wanna pay the five percent."
After leaving the Opry, Kitty would continue to make guest appearances at the show. It was not as often as many fans would have liked but at least she did appear. In later years it was reported that she had wanted to rejoin the Opry but it just didn't happen. Personally, I had the opportunity to see Kitty do a show just one time. It was at the Tower Records store in Opry Mills and she was there on a Saturday afternoon. She performed for about an hour and did all of her hits. Sorry to say that only about 100 people made the decision to watch the "Queen" perform.
I went through my Opry files to find a couple of line-ups with Kitty Wells listed. The 1st one is an early one, from Saturday September 5, 1953:
7:30: Prince Albert
Ernest Tubb (host): You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Faron Young: Baby My Heart
Square Dancers: Sugar In The Gourd
Ernest Tubb: Stand By Me
Jordaniaires: I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Faron Young: Going Steady
Stringbean: Ida Red
Ernest Tubb: My Wasted Past
8:00: Martha White
Carl Smith (host): Just Wait Til I Get You Alone
Bill Monroe: Rocky Road Blues
Johnny and Jack: South In New Orleans
June Carter: You Flopped When You Got Me Alone
Possum Hunters: Soldier's Joy
Kitty Wells: Honky Tonk Waltz
Carl Smith: Trade Mark
Carter Family: The Sun's Gonna Shine In My Back Door
Bill Monroe: Uncle Pen
Carl Smith: Don't Just Stand There
8:30: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Lonesome Joe
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Molly Neely
George Morgan: I'll Furnish The Shoulder For You To Cry On
Pap and Jug Band: Darling Nellie Grey
Webb Pierce: It's Been So Long
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Oswald: Roll On Buddy Roll On
Howdy Forrester: Say Old Man
9:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): I'm So Alone In A Crowd
Jimmy Dickens: Galvanized Wash Tub
Hank Snow: For Now and Always
Moon Mulligan: Cherokee Boogie
Anita Carter: Why Should I Cry Over You
Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Ernest Tubb: Driftwood On The River
Chet Atkins: Sweet Georgia Brown
Jimmy Dickens: What About You
9:30: Warren Paint
Roy Acuff (host): Tennessee Central No. 9
Lew Childre: El Rancho Grande
Cowboy Copas: Gone and Left Me Blues
Roy Acuff: Just To Ease My Worried Mind
Howdy Forrester: Cripple Creek
9:45: American Ace
Roy Acuff (host): Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Marty Robbins: Sing Me Something Sentimental
Jimmy Riddle: Casey Jones
Roy Acuff: Drifting Too Far From The Shore
Oswald: Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
10:00: Wallrite
George Morgan (host): Everything Rolled Into One
Bill and Jimmy Martin: Cabin of Love
Webb Pierce: I'm Walking The Dog
George Morgan: Crying In The Chapel
Don Slayman: Fire On The Mountain
10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Hank Snow (host): Golden Rocket
Faron Young: I Can't Wait
Bill Monroe: I'll See You In Church Next Sunday
Hank Snow: A Fool Such As I
Fiddle Tune: Ricketts Hornpipe
10:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Let's Say Goodby Like We Said Hello
Jimmy Dickens: Bessie The Heifer
Jordanaires: My Rock
Duke Of Paducah: Comedy
June Carter: Kawliga
Lonzo and Oscar: Hole In The Bottom of The Sea
Ernest Tubb: Fortune In Memory
Chet Atkins: Rainbow
Jimmy Dickens: Asleep At The Foot of The Bed
Fiddle Tune: Old Joe Clark
11:00: O-Cello-O
Howdy Forrester: Liberty
Marty Robbins: I'll Go On Alone
Roy Acuff (host): No One Will Ever Know
Bobby Hebbs: Mr. Spoons
Roy Acuff: Jesus Died For Me
11:15: Darimix
Carl Smith (host): Hey Joe
Johnny and Jack: Poison Love
String Bean: John Henry
Gully Jumpers: Old Joe Clark
Carl Smith: This Orchid Means Goodby
11:30: Hester Battery
Hank Snow (host): Message From The Tradewinds
Lew Childre: Maple On The Hill
Moon Mullican: A Thousand and One Sleepless Nights
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
Hank Snow: Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship
11:45: Grand Ole Opry
Cowboy Copas (host): Filipino Baby
Sam and Kirk McGee: Goodby and So Long To You
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Going Home To Julie
Grandpa Jones: Gold Old Mountain Dew
Cowboy Copas: Love Me Now
Another line-up I have that featured Kitty Wells is from Saturday October 16, 1976, when Kitty appeared on the 2nd show that night, which was part of the annual D.J. Convention that was held annually in October:
9:30: Kelloggs
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Sunshine
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Bury Me Beneath The Willow
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Guy Willis & C.W. Mitchell: Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Matt Magaha: Orange Blossom Special
Porter Wagoner: When Lea Jane Sang/Cold Hard Facts of Life/Carroll County Accident/Green, Green Grass of Home
10:00: Fender
Ernest Tubb (host): If You Don't Quit Checking On Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Kitty Wells: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
Johnny Wright and Kitty Wells: Ashes of Love
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
10:15: Union 76
Stonewall Jackson (host): Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Hank Locklin: Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): I Don't Love Nobody
Lonzo & Oscar: Crawdad Song
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Roy Clark: A Sweet Bunch of Daisies/Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Jimmy Henley: Orange Blossom Special/Bluegrass Breakdown
10:45: Beechnut
Wilburn Brothers (host): It's Another World
Jerry Clower: Selling Butter to See Tarzan
Brother Oswald: The End of the World/The Great Speckled Bird
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Lafayette
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Jeanne Pruett: Hold to My Unchanging Love/Love Me/You Don't Need to Move A Mountain/Satin Sheets
George Lindsey: Comedy
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Del Wood: Chosen Children
Kirk McGee: While I'm Away
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind
11:30: Elm Hill
David Houston (host): Almost Persuaded
Stu Phillips: Have A Nice Day
Jimmy Dickens: Family Reunion
Marion Worth: Afraid
Stu Phillips: Let Me Love You All Over Again
Jimmy Dickens: The Preacher Man
David Houston: Come On Down
I have other line-ups with Kitty Wells listed, but I thought that I would post those 2. It would be nice if the Opry dedicated the shows this weekend to Kitty, but from past history, if a performer is not a current member, they will not. Kitty was a trailblazing woman in country music and her Hall of Fame induction was well deserved. God Bless Kitty Wells!!!
I am not going to go through all of her career highlights as those are available elsewhere, including on the website of the Nashville Tennessean. But I will write about her history at the Grand Ole Opry. Kitty first came to the Grand Ole Opry in 1947, when Johnny and Jack joined the show. Johnny was of course her husband, Johnny Wright and Jack was Johnny's brother-in-law Jack Anglin. They stayed at the Opry for about a year and then they left to go to the "Louisiana Hayride." In 1952, Johnny and Jack went back to the Opry, but Kitty had retired and was not part of the act.
In May 1952, Kitty recorded "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels" which sold over 1 million copies and was #1 on the country charts. With the biggest record of her career and in country music at the time, efforts were made to get Kitty on the Opry as a solo artist, but there were issues. According to her husband Johnny, "We were trying to get her on the Opry but Vito Pellettieri, the guy that cleared all the songs on the show, says 'You can't sing that song on the Opry because of the lyrics.' You know, that part about the trusting wife going wrong. Anyway, Roy Acuff went up and talked to Jim Denny and Jack Stapp and he told them: 'Kitty Wells is a female Roy Acuff. She sells songs with her sincerity.' And 'Honky-Tonk Angels' got to be such a hit, you know, that they had to let her sing it."
Kitty Wells would remain a member of the Opry until December 1964 when she, along with some others including her husband Johnny, were dismissed from the Opry for not making the required number of shows for the year. According to Johnny, it was a dispute over booking fees and percentages, and he claimed that they quit. "They didn't fire anyone. We just quit because we didn't wanna pay the five percent."
After leaving the Opry, Kitty would continue to make guest appearances at the show. It was not as often as many fans would have liked but at least she did appear. In later years it was reported that she had wanted to rejoin the Opry but it just didn't happen. Personally, I had the opportunity to see Kitty do a show just one time. It was at the Tower Records store in Opry Mills and she was there on a Saturday afternoon. She performed for about an hour and did all of her hits. Sorry to say that only about 100 people made the decision to watch the "Queen" perform.
I went through my Opry files to find a couple of line-ups with Kitty Wells listed. The 1st one is an early one, from Saturday September 5, 1953:
7:30: Prince Albert
Ernest Tubb (host): You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Faron Young: Baby My Heart
Square Dancers: Sugar In The Gourd
Ernest Tubb: Stand By Me
Jordaniaires: I'm So Glad Jesus Lifted Me
Rod Brasfield: Comedy
Faron Young: Going Steady
Stringbean: Ida Red
Ernest Tubb: My Wasted Past
8:00: Martha White
Carl Smith (host): Just Wait Til I Get You Alone
Bill Monroe: Rocky Road Blues
Johnny and Jack: South In New Orleans
June Carter: You Flopped When You Got Me Alone
Possum Hunters: Soldier's Joy
Kitty Wells: Honky Tonk Waltz
Carl Smith: Trade Mark
Carter Family: The Sun's Gonna Shine In My Back Door
Bill Monroe: Uncle Pen
Carl Smith: Don't Just Stand There
8:30: Royal Crown Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Lonesome Joe
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Molly Neely
George Morgan: I'll Furnish The Shoulder For You To Cry On
Pap and Jug Band: Darling Nellie Grey
Webb Pierce: It's Been So Long
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Oswald: Roll On Buddy Roll On
Howdy Forrester: Say Old Man
9:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): I'm So Alone In A Crowd
Jimmy Dickens: Galvanized Wash Tub
Hank Snow: For Now and Always
Moon Mulligan: Cherokee Boogie
Anita Carter: Why Should I Cry Over You
Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Ernest Tubb: Driftwood On The River
Chet Atkins: Sweet Georgia Brown
Jimmy Dickens: What About You
9:30: Warren Paint
Roy Acuff (host): Tennessee Central No. 9
Lew Childre: El Rancho Grande
Cowboy Copas: Gone and Left Me Blues
Roy Acuff: Just To Ease My Worried Mind
Howdy Forrester: Cripple Creek
9:45: American Ace
Roy Acuff (host): Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Marty Robbins: Sing Me Something Sentimental
Jimmy Riddle: Casey Jones
Roy Acuff: Drifting Too Far From The Shore
Oswald: Blue Ridge Mountain Blues
10:00: Wallrite
George Morgan (host): Everything Rolled Into One
Bill and Jimmy Martin: Cabin of Love
Webb Pierce: I'm Walking The Dog
George Morgan: Crying In The Chapel
Don Slayman: Fire On The Mountain
10:15: Dr. Le Gear
Hank Snow (host): Golden Rocket
Faron Young: I Can't Wait
Bill Monroe: I'll See You In Church Next Sunday
Hank Snow: A Fool Such As I
Fiddle Tune: Ricketts Hornpipe
10:30: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Let's Say Goodby Like We Said Hello
Jimmy Dickens: Bessie The Heifer
Jordanaires: My Rock
Duke Of Paducah: Comedy
June Carter: Kawliga
Lonzo and Oscar: Hole In The Bottom of The Sea
Ernest Tubb: Fortune In Memory
Chet Atkins: Rainbow
Jimmy Dickens: Asleep At The Foot of The Bed
Fiddle Tune: Old Joe Clark
11:00: O-Cello-O
Howdy Forrester: Liberty
Marty Robbins: I'll Go On Alone
Roy Acuff (host): No One Will Ever Know
Bobby Hebbs: Mr. Spoons
Roy Acuff: Jesus Died For Me
11:15: Darimix
Carl Smith (host): Hey Joe
Johnny and Jack: Poison Love
String Bean: John Henry
Gully Jumpers: Old Joe Clark
Carl Smith: This Orchid Means Goodby
11:30: Hester Battery
Hank Snow (host): Message From The Tradewinds
Lew Childre: Maple On The Hill
Moon Mullican: A Thousand and One Sleepless Nights
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
Hank Snow: Honeymoon On A Rocket Ship
11:45: Grand Ole Opry
Cowboy Copas (host): Filipino Baby
Sam and Kirk McGee: Goodby and So Long To You
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Going Home To Julie
Grandpa Jones: Gold Old Mountain Dew
Cowboy Copas: Love Me Now
Another line-up I have that featured Kitty Wells is from Saturday October 16, 1976, when Kitty appeared on the 2nd show that night, which was part of the annual D.J. Convention that was held annually in October:
9:30: Kelloggs
Porter Wagoner (host): Tennessee Sunshine
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Bury Me Beneath The Willow
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Guy Willis & C.W. Mitchell: Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Matt Magaha: Orange Blossom Special
Porter Wagoner: When Lea Jane Sang/Cold Hard Facts of Life/Carroll County Accident/Green, Green Grass of Home
10:00: Fender
Ernest Tubb (host): If You Don't Quit Checking On Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Kitty Wells: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels
Johnny Wright and Kitty Wells: Ashes of Love
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
10:15: Union 76
Stonewall Jackson (host): Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Hank Locklin: Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
George Hamilton IV: Early Morning Rain
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
10:30: Trailblazer
Grandpa Jones (host): I Don't Love Nobody
Lonzo & Oscar: Crawdad Song
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Roy Clark: A Sweet Bunch of Daisies/Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Jimmy Henley: Orange Blossom Special/Bluegrass Breakdown
10:45: Beechnut
Wilburn Brothers (host): It's Another World
Jerry Clower: Selling Butter to See Tarzan
Brother Oswald: The End of the World/The Great Speckled Bird
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Lafayette
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Jeanne Pruett: Hold to My Unchanging Love/Love Me/You Don't Need to Move A Mountain/Satin Sheets
George Lindsey: Comedy
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Del Wood: Chosen Children
Kirk McGee: While I'm Away
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind
11:30: Elm Hill
David Houston (host): Almost Persuaded
Stu Phillips: Have A Nice Day
Jimmy Dickens: Family Reunion
Marion Worth: Afraid
Stu Phillips: Let Me Love You All Over Again
Jimmy Dickens: The Preacher Man
David Houston: Come On Down
I have other line-ups with Kitty Wells listed, but I thought that I would post those 2. It would be nice if the Opry dedicated the shows this weekend to Kitty, but from past history, if a performer is not a current member, they will not. Kitty was a trailblazing woman in country music and her Hall of Fame induction was well deserved. God Bless Kitty Wells!!!
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