February Opry Highlights

As another month begins, I wanted to review the historical events that have taken place at the Opry during the month of February.

The following Opry members joined the cast during February:
>George Hamilton IV joined the Opry on February 6, 1960 (50 years).
>Ronnie Milsap also became on Opry member on February 6, 1976 (34 years).
>John Conlee became an Opry member of February 7, 1981 (29 years).
>Charlie Louvin became on Opry member on February 10, 1955 (55 years).
>Brad Paisley joined the Opry on February 17, 2001 (9 years).
>Billy Grammer joined on February 27, 1959 (51 years).
>Travis Tritt became on Opry member on February 29, 1992 (18 years).

It has been commented that Charlie Louvin has been around the Opry longer than anyone else who is a member. His 55 years as an Opry member is the longest consecutive membership of any current Opry member. Time really flies by, and I say that because I find it hard to believe that Ronnie Milsap has been around for as long as he has been. It seems just like yesterday that he was just making his mark in country music.

The following Opry members are celebrating birthdays in February:
>Del McCoury was born on February 1, 1939 (71)
>Clint Black was born on February 4, 1962 (48)
>Wilma Lee Cooper was born on February 7, 1921 (89)
>Garth Brooks on February 7, 1962 (48)
>Travis Tritt was born on February 9, 1963 (47)
>Ralph Stanley was born on February 25, 1927 (83)

The following Opry highlights have taken place in February:
>February 1, 1928, Harry Stone joined WSM radio as a staff announcer. He would later become an Opry announcer and then the Program Director of WSM radio. In that role, he was in charge of the Opry and he led the push to make the show more professional, changing the direction away from the amateur local musicians. He set the stage for the great success that the Opry would have through the 1930's and on.
>February 5, 1938, Roy Acuff and his band, named at the time "The Crazy Tennesseans", made their second appearance on the Opry. This time, Roy sang "The Great Speckled Bird", and it generated an avalanche of mail. WSM was so impressed that he was asked to join the Opry, which he did two weeks later. Acuff would be the first true singing member of the Opry, and his membership started the focus of the Opry changing from a show that featured instrumental performances to a show that featured vocal performers. Roy Acuff officially joined the Opry on February 19 and would change the name of his band to "The Smoky Mountain Boys".
>February 23, 1952, Del Wood made her debut on the Opry. In 1951 she had a million selling record with the hit, "Down Yonder", which became her signature song. She joined the Opry in 1953 ad was a member until her death on October 3, 1989. By the way, Del Wood was her stage name. Her legal name was Polly Adelaide Hendricks Hazzelwood.
>February 21, 1981, Boxcar Willie joined the Grand Ole Opry. Roy Acuff was so impressed with Boxcar, that he pushed for his membership as part of the Opry cast. Numerous times over the years, when Roy Acuff would sing his big number, "Walbash Cannonball", Boxcar would join him on stage, doing his famous train whistle.
>February 23, 1957, Porter Wagoner joine the Opry. After the death of Roy Acuff in 1992, Porter became the public face of the Opry, and would continue in that role until his death in 2007, after celebrating his 50th anniversary as an Opry member.

Hope all of you enjoy the Opry highlights from February

Grand Ole Opry-Saturday January 30

The snow storm continues in Nashville, and again, there are lots of artists that have cancelled their appearance on the Opry tonight. On the Opry warm-up show, Eddie Stubbs is in for Mike Terry, who could not make it. As far as the Opry line-up for Saturday night, Connie Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Ray Pillow and Bill Anderson have been announced so far as those not going to be on.

At this point, it looks like a very skinny line-up unless they can gather up some guest artists in the next half hour. So far, the line-up looks like this:

7:00: The Whites(host); Cherryholmes
7:30: Jean Shepard(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Radney Foster
8:00: John Conlee(host); Gail Davies; Colt Ford; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jack Greene; Kathy Mattea

John Conlee ended up hosting the last hour of the show and Gail Davies was the only last minute addition to the schedule. That made 10 artists for the show. I really don't know of a Saturday night show that has had less than that. I know that you cannot help the weather, but at over $50.00 for a top ticket, I wouldn't have been very happy. I do wonder how they handled the folks who could not get to town and had bought tickets in advance. Usually if you have pre-bought a ticket and as long as they have not sent it to you, you can call and change the date of the ticket. Now, the service reps have to get the ok from a supervisor. I am sure they took care of the people who could not get there due to the weather.

All in all, I would rate the Friday show the better of the two shows this past weekend.

George Hamilton IV--50 Year Opry member

Next Saturday night, George Hamilton IV will celebrate his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. George officially joined on February 6, 1960. George will be on the Opry next Saturday night and he will also be a special guest on the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. In addition, he will be at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Music Valley Drive from 3pm until 5pm on Saturday to visit with fans.

Yes, I will add a disclaimer. George did leave the Opry in 1971 and returned as a member in 1976. Much like Jimmy Dickens, the Opry considers the date that George originally joined the Opry as his official induction date.

Congratulations to George Hamilton IV.

Friday Night Opry-January 29

Nashville is basically closed down with a major snow storm. However, the Friday Night Opry is underway, as it is everyweek. The crowd sounds enthusiastic, but you can tell by the echo in the building and the applause level, that it is a small crowd.

So far, during the first segment, Jimmy C. Newman was a no-show. John Conlee was on hosting, and his guests were Billy Yates and Buddy Jewell.

All 3 performers have made reference to the weather and how dangerous it is outside. I know from looking at the Tennessean website, that the malls are closed and the police are warning people to stay off the roads. Also, the Exit-In and the Bluebird Cafe have cancelled their shows for the night.

The second segment is now underway and the scheduled hosts, The Whites are on. Jan Howard was on and did 2 songs and then a suprise appearance by Ricky Skaggs who did a solo song and then a couple with The Whites. Jack Greene and Mandy Barnett were not on.

The third segment is under way and Jean Shepard is on hosting. Isn't it interesting that Jean and Jan Howard, two of the grand ladies of the Opry made it on. Jean just introduced a female by the name Tia Goins (I think that it is how it is spelled. I have never heard of her before). She sang the Bill Anderson song, "Walk Out Backwards", and did a great job. She did say it is her first time on the Opry and she thanked the snow storm for making it happen. Jean just introduced Jack Greene, so either he was late or they are doing "on the run" line-up changes. It looks like no Stu Phillips or Jesse McReynolds. I know for Jesse from Gallatin, that is a very long drive. It also looks like no Keith Anderson.

The final segment is underway, sponsored by Martha White, and Diamond Rio made it in to host. They just introduced Elizabeth Cook, so it looks like no Connie Smith, who lives out in Hendersonville, which would be close to an impossible drive in a storm, and no Bobby Osborne. In fact, after Elizabeth sang her 2 songs, it was back to Diamond Rio to finish it out. They let Diamond Rio go over, which was nice for those who braved the weather to show up and see the Opry.

I have got to say it was a pretty good and entertaining show. (I have to admit that I love Elizabeth Cook and hope that she eventually has success in country music, but I think she just sounds too country for today's radio). All the artists were very enthusiastic and were really spirited in their singing. Overall, a much better show than I expected.

So, to sum it up, the acutal line-up for Friday night was:

7:00: John Conlee(host); Billy Yates; Buddy Jewell
7:30: The Whites(host); Jan Howard; Ricky Skaggs
8:00: Jean Shepard(host); Tia Goins(?); Jack Greene
8:30: Diamond Rio(host); Elizabeth Cook

The artists who did not show were Jimmy C. Newman, Mandy Barnett, Stu Phillips, Jesse McReynolds, Keith Anderson, Connie Smith and Bobby Osborne.

The add-ons were Billy Yates, Buddy Jewell, Ricky Skaggs, Tia Goins and Elizabeth Cook.

Saturday should be another interesting night.....

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 1/29 & 1/30

The Grand Ole Opry finishes up their annual winter run at the Ryman Auditorium this week with one show on Friday night and one show on Saturday night. If you are interested in seeing several of the legends who seldom appear on the Opry, this is your weekend. With many of the Opry stars in Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards on Sunday night and several other Opry members off on the annual Opry Cruise, there were slots available on this week's shows.

Ray Pillow, Stonewall Jackson and Stu Phillips will all be appearing this weekend, along with guests Kathy Mattea, Cherryholmes and Keith Anderson. Colt Ford will be making his first appearance on the Opry.

Next week, the Opry returns to the Grand Ole Opry house with shows featuring Josh Turner, The Oak Ridge Boys, Sandi Patty and many others.

Here is this week's line-up:
Friday January 29
7:00: John Conlee(host); Jimmy C. Newman
7:30: The Whites(host); Jan Howard; Jack Greene; Mandy Barnett
8:00: Jean Shepard(host); Stu Phillips; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Keith Anderson
8:30: Diamond Rio(host); Connie Smith; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press

Saturday January 30
7:00: The Whites(host); Connie Smith; Cherryholmes
7:30: Jean Shepard(host); Stonewall Jackson; Jimmy C. Newman; Radney Foster
8:00: John Conlee(host); Ray Pillow; Colt Ford; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson(host); Jack Greene; Kathy Mattea

While the line-up has no real superstars on it, it is still not a bad line-up. I don't know if there is much to appeal to the young "new" country fans of today, but I think that it is a nice traditional line-up that will appeal to many Opry fans. However, when I checked last night and on line this morning, there were plenty of good seats available. I am sure that the lack of superstars and the high price of tickets has something to do with that.

Finally, as all of you have already noticed, no Jimmy Dickens this week. That makes 2 weeks in a row. I have not heard any official word on what his situation is, but at age 89 and the health issues that he has had, we all know he is week to week, at best.

Grand Ole Opry Ryman Reunion Celebration-October 18, 1998

On Sunday October 18, 1998, the Grand Ole Opry held a special Opry show at the Ryman Auditorium. This show was a benefit for The Performer's Benefit Fund and was the first Opry show to have been held at the Ryman since the Opry left on March 15, 1974. In fact, this show was so successful and received so many positive comments from those attending and the performers, that it led to the decision by the Opry to return to the Ryman for an actual Grand Ole Opry show, which they did on January 15 & 16, 1999.

Originally when the Opry returned for that one weekend in 1999 it was to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Opry's move to the new Grand Ole Opry House. As with the show in 1998, the 1999 shows were so successful that the Opry has returned to the Ryman Auditorium each winter since. The winter shows at the Ryman make perfect sense, as the crowds are smaller during those months and it gives its customers a feeling of what the Opry was like during its Ryman years. For younger fans it is a new memory and for the older fans, they get a change to rekindle old memories. Plus at the Ryman, you are so much closer to the stage.

But, back to the show on October 18, 1998. It was held during the Opry's birthday celebration and I was lucky enough to stay over an extra day and attend this show. Here is the line-up from that Sunday night.

7:00: Bill Anderson(host); Stu Phillips; Wilma Lee Cooper; Osborne Brothers; Charlie Louvin; Jeanne Pruett
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Hank Locklin; Roy Clark; Charlie Walker; Skeeter Davis
8:00: Billy Walker(host); Stonewall Jackson; The Whites; Del Reeves; Holly Dunn
Intermission
8:45: Jimmy C. Newman(host); Jack Greene; Jean Shepard; Patty Loveless; John Conlee; Billy Grammer
9:15: Porter Wagoner(host); Joe Diffie; Travis Tritt; Vince Gill; Steve Wariner; Waylon Jennings
9:45: Lorrie Morgan(host); The Four Guys; Jan Howard; Ernie Ashworth; Jeannie Seely; Johnny Russell

Marty Stuart was originally advertised for the show, but Waylon was on instead. Also, the Opry later put out a full color photo of the event, with photos of those on each segment.

The announcers that night were Kyle Cantrell, Ralph Emery and Eddie Stubbs. The Carol Lee Singers and the Melvin Sloan Dancers were alson on. It was a great show.

Grand Ole Opry Line-Up 1/22 & 1/23--Updated

Updated: Lorrie Morgan has been added for Saturday night.

After a star packed show last Saturday night, the Opry returns this week with a line-up that has been more typical of the show as of late. There is again one show on Friday night and just one show on Saturday night. This weekend the featured guest artists include Clay Walker, Darryl Worley and Blake Shelton. Ronnie Milsap makes a return appearance on Saturday night. Like Emmylou Harris from last week, this will be Ronnie's second appearance in a month. He is another of those artists who lives in Nashville and has been spending more time off the road, so you would think that he could be a more frequent guest at the Opry. Now for the line-ups:

Friday January 22
7:00: John Conlee(host); Jeannie Seely; Riders In The Sky; Clay Walker
7:30: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Darryl Worley
8:00: Marty Stuart(host); Connie Smith; Point Of Grace
8:30: Mike Snider(host); Jan Howard; Jim Ed Brown; Blake Shelton

Saturday January 23
7:00: Jimmy Dickens(host); Jimmy C. Newman; Lorrie Morgan
7:30: John Conlee(host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jack Greene; Chuck Wicks
8:00: Marty Stuart(host); Charlie Louvin; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Ronnie Milsap(host); The Whites; Mike Snider

Good solid line-ups but nothing that is going to make someone out of state drop everything they are doing to come to town to see it. Also, Ronnie Milsap will be signing copies of his CD at the Opry Originals shop downtown prior to the Opry on Saturday.

Finally, it has been reported the Charlie Daniels suffered a minor stroke over the weekend. He is back home and everything seems to be ok and he is expected to be back touring by the end of February. Hard to believe that he is 73!!! The legends of country music continue to age on us.