September Opry Highlights

With the month of September upon us, let's take a few moments and look back at Grand Ole Opry historical moments that took place in September.

2 of the great female members of the Opry are celebrating Opry anniversaries this month:
>Jeannie Seely became an Opry member on September 16, 1967(42 years).
>Loretta Lynn became an Opry member on September 25, 1962(47 years).

Other September moments:
>September 18, 1947: Ernest Tubb host the first Grand Ole Opry show at New York's Carnegie Hall. Also in the cast that night were Minnie Pearl and George D. Hay.
>September 4, 1948: Eddy Arnold leaves the Grand Ole Opry to head his own CBS network radio show. At the time, Eddy was the biggest star on the Opry and had asked to be paid more than the other performers. His manager at the time was the famous Colonel Tom Parker, later of Elvis fame. He was refused so he decided to move on, as he had outgrown the Opry. His leaving the Opry and starting his own show ultimately led WSM to starting the Friday Night Frolics, which became the Friday Night Opry. After Eddy left the Opry that night, he never returned.
>September 25, 1948: George Morgan became a Grand Ole Opry member.
>September 13, 1952: Webb Pierce makes his first Opry appearance.
>September 24, 1956: Jim Denny quits his post as Opry manager. He was replaced by D. Kilpatrick, who was the first Opry manager hired that did not work for WSM. He had been employed by Mercury Records. Jim Denny was considered the first Opry manager and left to form his own talent agency. When he left, several Opry stars followed him to his new agency, leaving the WSM booking service.
>September 27, 1963: The National Life & Accident Insurance Company bought the Ryman Auditorium from the City of Nashville for $200,000. It was renamed The Grand Ole Opry House.
>September 6, 1984: Ernest Tubb passed away in Nashville. Hard to believe that it has been 25 years.
>September 4, 1991: Dottie West dies from injuries sustained in a car accident en route to the Opry.
>September 1993: Bob Whittaker becomes the manager of the Opry, replacing Hal Durham who becomes President of the Grand Ole Opry. It was during Bob's time as Opry manager that the Opry membership roles were expanded with many of the new artists of the era including Joe Diffie, Hal Ketchum, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride and others. Along with Hal Durham, he was responsible for relaxing the membership appearance requirements to the point that many of the artists that they brought on board as Opry members seldom appear at the Opry.

Hope you enjoy the brief look back at history.

Classic Grand Ole Opry-Saturday August 19, 1979

Here is another in our series of classic Grand Ole Opry line-ups. This time we go back to Saturday August 19, 1979:

First Show
6:30: Billy Grammer(host); Ernie Ashworth
6:45: Bill Monore(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; The Willis Brothers
7:00: Porter Wagoner(host); George Hamilton IV; Lonzo & Oscar; Del Wood
7:30: Roy Acuff(host); Stonewall Jackson; Bashful Brother Oswald; The Crook Brothers; Bill Jones Promenadors
8:00: Lester Flatt(host); Roy Drusky; Marion Worth; Don King; Bill Carlise
8:30: Hank Snow(host); The Four Guys; Janie Fricke; The Fruit Jar Drinkers

Second Show
9:30: Bill Monroe(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Lonzo & Oscar; Del Wood
10:00: Porter Wagoner(host); Billy Grammer; The Willis Brothers
10:15: Roy Acuff(host); George Hamilton IV
10:30: Lester Flatt(host); Stonewall Jackson; Bill Carlisle
10:45: Roy Drusky(host); Janie Fricke; The Crook Brothers; Bill Jones Promenadors
11:00: Hank Snow(host); The Four Guys; Don King; The Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins(host); Marion Worth; Ronny Robbins

Saturday Matinee:
3:00: Stonewall Jackson; Wilma Lee Cooper
3:30: George Hamilton IV; Bill Carlisle
4:00: Lonzo & Oscar; The Four Guys
4:30: Roy Acuff; Barbara Green

Hope you enjoy!!!

"Opry Goes Pink" in Support of the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Press Release: August 27, 2009

The Grand Ole Opry is joining the fight against breast cancer by "going pink" during two Opry performances Friday October 2. On each of the night's shows, Opry superstar Carrie Underwood will take the stage to "flip the switch," turning the Opry's signature barn backdrop pink in support of the groups Women Rock for the Cure and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The shows will include performances from Underwood, Terri Clark, and other artists to be announced as well as special activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease.

>Nice that the Opry is doing this and donating $5.00 from the sale of each ticket. I hope they have a good turnout. The only other couple of comments is that I notice they are saying there will be 2 shows on that Friday night and that the barn backdrop will be pink.

Grand Ole Opry Line-up August 28th & 29th

Here is this week's Grand Ole Opry line-ups:
Friday August 28th:
7:00: John Conlee(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Riders In The Sky; Cherryholmes
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jamie O'Neal
8:00: Mike Snider(host); Stonewall Jackson; Jean Shepard; The Whites
8:30: Marty Stuart(host); Connie Smith; Ralph Stanley

Saturday August 29th:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jim Ed Brown; Daryle Singletary
7:30: Riders In The Sky(host); Jack Greene; Jean Shepard; Ralph Stanley
8:00: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Clay Walker; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Marty Stuart(host); John Conlee; Connie Smith

Comments:
>Daryle Singletary and Clay Walker are on the Saturday night show. At one time, both were among the hotest new stars in country music, but their careers fizzled out. Clay had the greater success of the 2. Daryle, by the way, will be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree on Saturday night/Sunday morning.
>Nice to see Ralph Stanley back on the Opry this weekend. I remember when he was asked to become a member. It was on a Friday night and the next night it became official. No big build-up or special events. I know that Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs were involved with him becoming a member. I will be seeing Ralph next Sunday night, as he is doing a show up in my neck of the woods. It should be great.


Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry on September 1st:
7:00: Jeannie Seely; Del McCoury Band
7:30: John Conlee; Hal Ketchum
8:00: Jack Greene; The Bellamy Brothers with special guests The Bacon Brothers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens; Gretchen Wilson

A strong line-up for the Tuesday night show. Is it just me, but I don't hear much about Gretchen Wilson lately!!

Ex-Opry Members Still Living

One of the comments to an earlier post(thanks Michael) mentioned the Homecoming shows that the Opry used to have once each year(for a while it was in March). The Opry ended those shows years ago, but Mike listed names of ex-Opry members who could possibly perform at a Homecoming show. It got me to thinking: what ex-Grand Ole Opry members are still alive. I have a few names to list. If anyone has others, please add:
>The Four Guys
>Bobby Bare
>Margie Bowes
>Bonnie & Maxine Brown
>Tompall and the Glaser Brothers
>Norma Jean
>Sonny Osborne(technically still a member but retired)
>Jeanne Pruett(still a member but retired)
>Willie Nelson
>Holly Dunn
>The Everly Brothers
>Sonny James
>Carl Smith
>Doug Kershaw
>Leroy Van Dyke
>Kitty Wells
>Johnny Wright
>Oscar Sullivan
>Don Williams

I know I am missing lots, but with some research I can come up with the rest. Please add yours.

Grand Ole Opry Line-up 8/21 & 8/22-Updated

Here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up for this weekend:
Friday August 21st:
7:00: Jeannie Seely(host); Jim Ed Brown; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Crystal Gayle
8:00: Hal Ketchum(host); Stonewall Jackson; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; The Whites
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Oak Ridge Boys

Saturday August 22nd:
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Mike Snider(host); Jean Shepard; Jack Greene; Joey + Rory
8:00: Hal Ketchum(host); Jan Howard; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Exile

A couple of comments:
>This weekend features veteran artists on both shows, with the exception of Joey + Roey. A nice change instead of so many newcomers.
>The Oak Ridge Boys return for the Friday night Opry. During one of the winter Opry shows at the Ryman about 5 years ago, I was standing up in the balcony and Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys was up there, just watching the Opry. I talked to him for a couple of moments, and I did ask the question whether or not the Oak Ridge Boys had ever been asked to become Opry members. He told me that it would be nice to be Opry members, but that they were too busy touring to devote the time necessary to be members.
>Crystal Gayle makes another Opry appearance. She has been appearing on the Opry a few times lately. Could she be the next veteran being considered for Opry membership? It seems like after they ask a newer artist to join, they try to balance it with an older artist. That would follow in the footsteps of Charlie Daniels, Mel Tillis and Del McCoury.
>Hal Ketchum is hosting on both shows this weekend. From a personal standpoint, I have really come to enjoy his appearances on the Opry.
>The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree is hosted this week by Mandy Barnett. If you are looking for it at its usual location, don't go. The Jamboree will be live from the Wilson County Fair this weekend.

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, August 25th:
7:00: Jim Ed Brown; Aaron Tippin
7:30: Connie Smith; Gene Watson
8:00: Jimmy Dickens; Darius Rucker
8:30: Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Craig Morgan

Classic Grand Ole Opry-October 17, 1992

I wanted to post another in my series of classic Grand Ole Opry line-ups. This one is more recent than some that I have posted. It is from Saturday October 17, 1992, which was the Grand Ole Opry's 67th birthday celebration. Let's take a look:

First Show:
6:30: GHS Strings: Bill Monore(host); Jim Ed Brown
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame: Grandpa Jones(host); Skeeter Davis; Roy Drusky
7:00: Shoney's: George Hamilton IV(host); Jeanne Pruett; Mike Snider; The Osborne Brothers; Jean Shepard
7:30: Standard Candy: Porter Wagoner(host); Shelly West; John Conlee
8:00: Martha White: Roy Acuff(host); Connie Smith; Bill Anderson; Opry Squaredance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Kraft: Hank Snow(host); The 4 Guys; Jan Howard; The Carlisles; The Whites

Second Show:
9:30: Dollar General Stores: Porter Wagoner(host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Stonewall Jackson; The Osborne Brothers; Mike Snider
10:00: Little Debbie Snack Cakes: Bill Monroe(host); Roy Drusky; Jeannie Seely
10:15: Sunbeam Bread/Tennessee Pride: Roy Acuff(host); Hank Locklin
10:30: Pet, Inc.: Grandpa Jones(host); Jean Shepard; Charlie Walker
10:45: B.C. Powder: George Hamilton IV(host); Shelly West; Opry Squaredance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Coke: Hank Snow(host); The 4 Guys; Connie Smith; John Conlee; Justin Tubb
11:30: Creamette: Jim Ed Brown(host); Jan Howard; The Whites; The Carlisles; Johnny Russell

A couple of notes:
>Of the 28 acts that appeared at this show, 12 have passed away.
>This was Roy Acuff's final Saturday night show. His final Opry show was the Friday night Opry on October 23rd. Regarding this Saturday first show, Roy had done the matinee show that ended at 5:00. He was in such ill health and in such difficulty, that he was taken after that show to the hospital and was not expected to be released. Bill Anderson, who had hosted the backstage show on TNN, was told with 5 minutes to go until the segment was to start, to be prepared to host the segment. However, with just several minutes to go before it was time for the segment to start, Roy arrived and insisted on going on. I can tell you from sitting in the audience that night, I was shocked at how frail he had become in the short amount of time since my last Opry visit. He never really faced the audience and stood at the microphone stand the entire time. Of course, he was basically blind at this point in his life. When Bill came on for his 2 songs, he sang the classic "I wonder if God likes Country Music", for his second song and Roy stepped forward and sang his part of the song perfectly. It was a classic moment and the sold-out crowd knew it was seeing a historical moment. They gave Bill and Roy a long standing ovation and the emotion was obvious to all in the Opry House. Roy did do the 2nd show with Hank Locklin. The following Friday when he appeared at the Opry for the final time, he did the show sitting in a directors chair.
>The 7:30 segment was the portion televised by TNN. In addition to the 3 artists on that segment, the birthday cake was rolled out. This was the first year that Porter Wagoner formally handled those duties, as in the past, it was Roy that hosted the birthday segment on TNN.
>During this period of the Opry, Bill Monroe and Grandpa Jones always hosted the first two segments of the first show.

Hope you enjoy!!