Final Ryman Shows/First New Opry House Shows

It was on Saturday March 9, 1974 that the Grand Ole Opry held it's final Saturday night show at the Ryman Auditorium. The following week, the Grand Ole Opry had the grand opening of the new Opry House. To have a look back, I have posted the line-ups from the final Saturday night at the Ryman Auditorium (March 9), the final Friday Night Opry at the Ryman (March 15), the first Grand Ole Opry show at the new Opry House (March 16), the first Friday Night Opry from the new Opry House (March 22) and the 2nd Saturday Grand Ole Opry show (March 23) from the new Opry House.

When the new Opry House was finished, a schedule had to be set up for the move. As mentioned, Saturday March 9, 1974 was the final Saturday night show at the Ryman. Then, because tradition dictated that the new house ought to open on a Saturday, the final broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry from the Ryman was set for Friday March 15, with "Grand Ole Gospel Time" to follow.

Jeanne Pruett has said that her most moving moment at the Grand Ole Opry was that last Saturday night at the Ryman. "Marty Robbins and I did the last show, the 11:30 segment. I can remember when the curtain came down, well, we were going from what we knew and loved and held dear, to the unknown. And I just wondered to myself if it was the end of the Opry, or was it the beginning."

Here is the running order of the final Grand Ole Opry show at the Ryman Auditorium Saturday March 9, 1974:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Willis Brothers: Cool Water

6:45: Rudy's
Bobby Bare (host): Detroit City
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Bobby Bare: The Mermaids

7:00: Rudy's
Billy Grammer (host): Under the Double Eagle/Black Mountain Rag/Wildwood Flower
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Nine Pound Hammer
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: To My Mansion in the Sky
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jeanne Pruett: You Don't Need to Move A Mountain
Lonzo & Oscar: Charming Betsy
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Ida Red
Roy Acuff: Back in the Country
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets

8:00: Martha White
Wilburn Brothers (host): Roll, Muddy River
Justin Tubb; Rambling Man
Jody Miller: Good News
Jerry Clower: Comedy
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl
Justin Tubb: Texas Dance Hall Girl
Jody Miller: Let's All Go Down to the River

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jan Howard: My Kind of People
4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Hank Snow: Brand On My Heart
Jan Howard: Sunshine On My Shoulders
4 Guys: Top of the World
Hank Snow: Hello Love

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bobby Bare (host): Come Sundown
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Wilma Lee Cooper: Philadelphia Lawyer
Bobby Bare: Blowing in the Wind/Worried Man Blues/Gotta Travel On
Skeeter Willis: Maiden's Prayer
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I Shall Not Be Moved
Bobby Bare & Bobby Bare, Jr: Daddy, What If

10:00: Fender
Stu Phillips (host): Pride
Jody Miller: Darling, You Can Always Come Back Home
Bill Carlisle: Little Liza Jane
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): When I Lay My Burdens Down
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Loving Heart

10:30: Beech-Nut
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Jerry Clower: The Coon Hunt
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: How Great Thou Art

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Jan Howard: Where No One Stands Alone
4 Guys: Streaking With My Baby on a Bright and Sunny Afternoon
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbin Ridge
Tanya Tucker: Delta Dawn
Sam McGee: Freight Train/Victor Rag/I Don't Love Nobody
Hank Snow: I Don't Hurt Anymore

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
Jeanne Pruett: You Don't Need to Move a Mountain/Satin Sheets
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/I'm Wanting To/Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms/Love Me/Now Is the Hour

As far as the final Friday night, it was a very emotional evening. Minnie Pearl said, "The night we left, the last night we played at the Ryman. I was crying. I was so sentimental about the old building. I never felt that way about the War Memorial, and that's where I started on the Opry. But we had thirty years or more at the Ryman and it has so much ambiance. The church pews, the haze of hair spray in that ladies' room." And Jan Howard said, "That last night was a very sacred moment."

Roy Acuff had said, "Certainly there are memories of this old house that will go with us forever. Not all of them good. Not all of them. Many of them are, but some of them are punishment. Punishment in the way that we ask you to come to visit with us and then we sit you out in this audience here and in the hot summer we sell you a fan for a dollar. You do your own air-conditioning. And some of you, we sell you a cushion to sit on because the seats are not just the most comfortable they can be. But out in Opryland, when you come to see us, we'll furnish the air conditioner. We'll furnish the cushion seats. You just don't know how much we do appreciate you people. It's you who have made the Grand Ole Opry so successful. Will  you not forget us when we move into our new building? You'll love us for being out there and we'll love you for coming to see us. Thank you. God bless you all, good night."

Here is the running order for that final Friday Night Opry at the Ryman Auditorium March 15, 1974:

7:00: Cracker Barrel
Roy Drusky (host): Alone With You
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Jan Howard: The One You Slip Around With
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Del Reeves: Girl on the Billboard
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Charlie Walker: Wanting My Woman Again
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose

7:30: Varallo
Bill Anderson (host): If You Can Live With It
Bob Luman: Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Jim & Jesse: Diesel On My Tail
Mary Lou Turner: Poor Sweet Baby
Bill Anderson: A World Of Make Believe
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks

8:00: Tennessee Pride/Borox
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Bobby Bare: Ride Me Down Easy
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Phil Campbell: Valley of the Never Do No Good
Bobby Bare & Bobby Bare, Jr: Daddy, What If
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man

8:30: Kroger
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Stonewall Jackson: Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
Minnie Pearl: Careless Love
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel
Roy Acuff: Back in the Country
Jean Shepard: At the Time
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Roy Acuff: Cabin In Gloryland

9:00: Baltz Bros./Schlitz
Wilburn Brothers (host): It's Another World
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Jeanne Pruett: You Dont' Need to Move A Mountain
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Wilburn Brothers: I'm Gonna Tie One On Tonight
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Del Wood: Down Yonder

9:30: Acme Boots/Beech-Nut
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Hank Locklin: Goodbye Dear Old Ryman
Grandpa Jones: Dooley
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Cates Sisters: Devil's Dream
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Grandpa Jones: Heading South With Nashville on My Mind
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Jim Ed Brown: Sometimes Sunshine

10:00: Cee Bee/Schlitz
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me A Love Song to Baby
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife; She's My Woman
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Charlie Louvin: Little Reasons/Will You Visit Me On Sundays/What Are Those Things
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes

10:30: Shoney's
George Morgan (host): Red Rose From the Blue Side of Town
4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Ray Pillow: Excuse Me
Lonzo & Oscar: A King Size Cola and A Moon Pie
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings Of A Dove
Ray Pillow: Countryfried
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
George Morgan: Candy Kisses

After George Morgan finished Candy Kisses, Jimmie Snow began "Grand Ole Gospel Time," the weekly show that followed the Friday Night Opry. At the conclusion of that show, Johnny Cash, June Carter, The Carter Family and Hank Snow led in the singing of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." (interesting that none of those acts was on that final Opry show.) When they were done, the building emptied out and the signs came down.

Hal Durham said that at that final show people were grabbing up souvenirs and whatever they could find to remember the building. The thought then was that it would be torn down. We got to the new building on Saturday and realized that we knew nothing about it. We didn't know where the restrooms were or the backstage was, and we had the President coming in.

Opening Night of the new Grand Ole Opry House was on Saturday March 16, 1974. The new Grand Ole Opry House was packed to the very last row of the balcony. There were hundreds of specially invited guests in the audience. One suspected that a lot of them had never been to a Grand Ole Opry broadcast before. But this was a special occasion, one deemed worthy of Nashville's and Tennessee's business, political, and cultural leaders. And the President of the United States was in attendance to help inaugurate the new Opry House.

It all began with the sounds of the Fruit Jar Drinkers, who had been on the Opry since the earliest days, along with the voice of Grant Turner, who had been an Opry announcer for over thirty years. Formal proceedings began with Opry member Billy Grammer giving the invocation and WSM president Irving Waugh pointing out that in 1976 the United States of America would celebrate its bicentennial. "By then," he said, "for more than one-fourth of the nation's years there will have been a Grand Ole Opry."

Much earlier, when construction had just begun on the new Opry House, Roy Acuff had said, "I've made my request that if I'm still here when the Opry House opens, they let me be the first one to go on the stage. I just want to open the curtain and sing two songs. Then they can have it."

When the speeches were ended and the show was about to start, a democratic decision had been made. The Opry acts would appear in more or less alphabetical order, thus assuring Roy his opening spot. The house lights dimmed, the curtain rose, and there was a huge white scrim. Projecting on it was the picture of George D. Hay from the 1940 movie 'Grand Ole Opry.' "First we're gonna hear from Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys," the movie voice of The Solemn Old Judge intoned, "Smoke it up, Roy!" And there was Acuff. A young Acuff of thirty four years earlier. And that Roy Acuff began to sing "Wabash Cannonball." Then the scrim began to rise slowly and throught it the audience could see the 1974 Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys, making a perfect musical segue from the film to the live performance on the new Opry stage. The effect was electric. There was a standing ovation, prolonged through most of the song. And there were some tears. But not from Acuff: he was in his element. This was his moment. Stage lights came on full and behind him came the other roster acts of the Grand Ole Opry. Nearly sixty in number. All singing and all nonrehearsed. Roy followed with "You Are My Sunshine" then brought on Ralph Sloan and the Tennessee Travelers and the Opry was underway. That first show started at 6:30 and ran until 10:15. Here is the running order:

Roy Acuff: You Are My Sunshine
Howdy Forrester/Tennessee Travelers
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Jerry Clower: Marcel's Talking Chain Saw
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: Wish I Didn't Have To Miss You
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Richard Nixon and Opry Cast: Happy Birthday Mrs. Nixon
Richard Nixon: My Wild Irish Rose
Roy Acuff and Opry Cast: Stay A Little Longer
Richard Nixon and Opry Cast: God Bless America
Jan Howard: My Kind of People
Fruit Jar Drinkers/Tennessee Travelers: Sally Goodin
Jim & Jesse: Freight Train
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Hank Locklin: Danny Boy
Lonzo & Oscar; Traces of Life
Bobby Lord: Live Your Life Out Loud
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: American Trilogy
George Morgan: You Turn Me On
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Ray Pillow: Countryfried
Del Reeves: Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Hank Snow: I'm Moving On
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Ernest Tubb: Walking the Floor Over You
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Hearted Me
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Wilburn Brothers: Arkansas
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Marion Worth: Delta Dawn
Sam McGee: San Antonio Rose
Porter Wagoner: I've Never Seen So Many Happy Faces
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: The Right Combination

The Presidential party arrived at the Opry House a few minutes past seven. President Nixon watched the show for about half an hour before Roy Acuff appeared on the stage again and said, "Tonight we're honored by the very first President to visit us at the Grand Ole Opry and you can know that we boys and girls, we're just delighted that this has happened while we are here at the Grand Ole Opry. I just couldn't say the words that would really let you people know how delighted I am that I can be here and take the microphone and ask the President and Mrs. Nixon, with their troupe, if they would mind honoring us and coming down and be on the stage here this evening. We would be delighted to have you." (This was considered vintage Acuff. Totally sincere and understanding that the President was to have the center spotlight: the "troupe" he mentioned included a governor and two U.S. senators. They were never introduced to the audience.) While Roy was speaking, the Nixon party came down to the wings of the stage accompanied by National Life board chairman Bill Weaver and Mrs. Dorothy Ritter, the widow of Tex. The Opry band played "Hail to the Chief" and the Grand Ole Orpy cast crowded together on center stage, applauded wildly, as did the audience.

There was a presentation of a handmade dulcimer to Mrs. Nixon by Dorothy Ritter and then Acuff suggested everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to the First Lady, adding a further suggestion that the President play the piano. Before going to the piano, the President pulled a yellow yo-yo out of his pocket that Bill Weaver had given him before going on stage, which completely surprised Roy Acuff. The President played "Happy Birthday" and "My Wild Irish Rose." President Nixon was completely annimated on the Opry stage, so much so that Roy said to Grant Turner, "He's got me stunned." Then it was time for the formal program.

Roy introduced the President, with the words, "So I'd like to say to the world that is listening in, from our new home here in Opryland, USA: Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, Richard Nixon." The President praised the character of the Opry's music and or country music. After finishing his remarks, he brought back out the yo-yo and made an attempt to get it to work, with Roy offering some lessons with the President making that famous remark, "I'll stay here and try to learn how to use the yo-yo, and you go and be President, Roy." The cast then sang, "Stay All Night, Stay A Little Longer." Roy asked the President if he belonged to the musicians union, saying that some talk would be said if he wasn't, with the President responding that he was an honorary member of the union in New York City. Nixon then played the piano one more time, leading the cast in singing "God Bless America" and then left. The entire Presidential visit lasted about an hour.

Finally, from Bill Anderson: I was standing onstage when Mr. Acuff and the president were out there playing with the yo-yos. I was next to Ernest Tubb and thought, Well, here's a man who's been at the Grand Ole Opry since 1943, and I turned to him and said, "Ernest, did you ever think you'd live to see the day when the president of the United States would come to the Grand Ole Opry?" He looked at me and said, "No, but I wish it had been another president."

With the 2nd show starting at 10:47 and ending at 1:54am, here is the running order for that show:

Roy Acuff: Back in the Country
Howdy Forrester: Eighth of January
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Bill Anderson: A World of Make Believe
Ernie Ashworth: Honky-Tonk Hardwood Floor
Jim Ed Brown: The Three Bells
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Little Darling Pal of Mine
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: Somewhere My Love
Jack Greene: Statue of A Fool
Jeannie Seely: Can I Sleep In Your Arms Tonight, Mister
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: What In the World Has Gone Wrong With Our Love
Porter Wagoner: I've Never Seen So Many Happy Faces
Dolly Parton: Jolene
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: The Right Combination
Jan Howard: Sunshine on My Shoulders
Stonewall Jackson: Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
Grandpa Jones: Heading South With Nashville on My Mind
Connie Smith: Dallas
Bobby Lord: Mississippi
Charlie Louvin: You're My Wife' She's My Woman
Jerry Clower: The Last Piece of Chicken
George Morgan: Red Rose From the Blue Side of Town
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Jimmy C Newman: Potato Song
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Ray Pillow: Countryfried
Sam and Kirk McGee: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Hank Snow: There's A Fool Such As I
4 Guys: Let Me Be There
Justin Jubb: Rambling Man
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmin
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Wilburn Brothers: Knoxville Girl
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Marion Worth: Me and Bobby McGee
Marty Robbins: Devil Woman
Ronnie Robbins: Mama Tried
Marty Robbins: I'm Wanting To/Big Boss Man/Singing the Blues

The Opry members who did not appear that first night at the new Opry House were Bobby Bare, Archie Campbell, Bill Carlilse, Lester Flatt, Tom T. Hall, David Houston, George Jones, Bob Luman, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Billy Walker and Tammy Wynette. Of those listed, Tom T. Hall was the only one actually scheduled but he did not appear. It would come out shortly after that both Tom T. Hall and Bobby Bare decided to quit as Opry cast members instead of following the Opry to the new home. Tom. T. would rejoin the Opry in 1980 while Bobby Bare would not rejoin. He would, however, return for guest appearances. Also, Richard Nixon, Hank Locklin, Lonzo & Oscar, Jean Shepard and The Willis Brothers were scheduled for the 1st show only. And not to forget Skeeter Davis: she was still suspended from the Opry so she was not invited.

There were no defined segments or segment hosts that night. The commericals were still done and most of the acts were introduced by the announcers. The first show went pretty much in alphabetical order, while the second show tried to but since some artists needed to get out of town for Sunday appearances, the order did get changed up in a few cases.

To finish up the look at the line-ups from the last Ryman shows and the first Opry House shows, here are the line-ups for the 1st Friday Night Opry and the 2nd Saturday Grand Ole Opry shows at the new Opry House As you can see, it was pretty much back to normal at the Opry. You will also notice that on both nights Jimmy Dickens made a guest appearance. He was not an Opry member at this time.

Friday Night Opry, March 22:

8:00: Tennessee Pride/Borox
Charlie Walker (host): Stay A Little Longer
Penny DeHaven: I'll Be A Doggone
Mel Street: Borrowed Angel
Joe Edwards: Old Joe Clark
Charlie Walker: Wanting My Woman Again
Penny DeHaven: Down in the Boondocks
Mel Street: You Make Me Feel More Like A Man
Charlie Walker: Wild Side of Life

8:30: Kroger
Roy Acuff (host): Back in the Country
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Jimmy C Newman: Diggy Liggy Lo
Howdy Forrester: Sally Goodin
Roy Acuff: Wabash Cannonball
Stu Phillips: Pride
Jimmy C Newman: Louisiana Saturday Night
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

9:00: Elm Hill/Schlitz
Roy Drusky (host): Don't It Make You Want to Go Home
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Roy Drusky: Satisfied Mind
Dottie West: Last Time I Saw Him
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Roy Drusky: Anymore

9:30: Acme/Beech-Nut
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Forgive; Forget Us #1
Connie Smith: Dallas
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Wilma Lee Cooper: Legend of the Dogwood Tree
Connie Smith: Down in the Valley
Justin Tubb: Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Carol Lee Cooper: North to Chicago

10:00: Cee Bee/Schlitz
4 Guys (host): Turn Your Radio On
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
4 Guys: Top of the World
Del Wood: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Jimmy Dickens: One in A Million
4 Guys: Catfish John/Let Me Be There

10:30: Shoney's
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Barbara Mandrell: Midnight Oil
Jerry Clower: Rat Killing
Billy Grammer: Double Eagle/Black Mountain Rag
Barbara Mandrell & Ronnie Shaw: I Love You
Jerry Clower: Comedy

And finally, Saturday March 23, 1974, the 2nd Saturday night in the new Opry House:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Truck Stop
Merle Kilgore: Wolverton Mountain
Willis Brothers: Cool Water

6:45: Rudy's
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Poor Ellen Smith
Justin Tubb: Rambling Man
Del Wood: Keep on the Firing Line
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God

7:00: Rudy's
Roy Acuff (host): When I Lay My Burdens Down
Jean Shepard: At the Time
Jimmy Dickens: Take An Old Cold Tater
Minnie Pearl: Maple on the Hill
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Jimmy Dickens: We Could

7:30: Standard Candy
Stu Phillips (host): Pride
Dottie West: Country Sunshine
Johnny Carver: Tie A Yellow Ribbon
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Soldier's Joy
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
Dottie West: Last Time I Saw Him
Stu Phillips: There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye

8:00: Martha White
Roy Drusky (host): Second Hand Rose
Connie Smith: Dallas
Ernie Ashworth: Honky-Tonk Hardwood Floor
Louie Roberts: Don't Worry/Tonight Carmen
Roy Drusky: One Day at A Time
Connie Smith: He Touched Me
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Tembling Lips
Roy Drusky: Alone With You

8:30: Stephens
Jim Ed Brown (host): Stay A Little Longer
4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Stan Hitchcock: The Same Old Way
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Jim Ed Brown: Sometimes Sunshine
4 Guys: Down by the Lazy River
Stan Hitchcock: You Gave Me A Mountain
Cates Sisters: Uncle Pen

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Big Midnight Special
Willis Brothers: Bob
Ernie Ashworth: Honky-Tonk Hardwood Floor
Merle Kilgore: Ring of Fire
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I Dreamed About Mama Last Night
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Stoney Cooper: Golden Slippers

10:00: Fender
Roy Drusky (host): Strangers
Dottie West: Country Sunshine/Last Time I Saw Him
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Del Wood: There's A Big Wheel
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:30: Trailblazer
Justin Tubb (host): Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Jean Shepard: At the Time
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man

10:45: Beech-Nut
Stu Phillips (host): Crystal Chandeliers
Connie Smith: Dallas
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Cotton-Eyed Joe
Stu Phillips: Castle; A Cabin

11:00: Coca-Cola
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jimmy Dickens: Out Behind the Barn
Cates Sisters: Uncle Pen
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Jim Ed Brown: Why Me Lord
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Jim Ed Brown: Pop A Top

11:30: Elm Hill
4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Maria
Stan Hitchcock: I'm Back in Baby's Arms
Louie Roberts: Just A Little Lovin'/Anytime/Bouquet of Roses/Cattle Call
4 Guys: Fall Away
Stan Hitchcock: Just Call me Lonesome
4 Guys: Let Me Be There

As you can see, that 2nd Saturday at the new Opry House was business as usual, compared to the first opening weekend. And the show ended on time at midnight.

How successful was the move? In 1974 the Opry drew 482,178 people. In 1975, attendance reached 751,546.

Hope everyone enjoyed the look back

Grand Ole Opry 3/6 & 3/7

The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. While not as strong of shows as we have seen in the past several weeks, there are still some very interesting names listed and good quality line-ups.

The Friday Night Opry will feature guest artists Kristian Bush and Old Dominion. Another name you will see is the ever popular and present Chris Janson. And finally, Point Of Grace is scheduled. These three young ladies do a very nice job with their brand of Christian music and have enjoyed some success. Nice to see them back on the Opry.

Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature one of my favorite singers, Suzy Bogguss. If you haven't listened "Lucky", her Merle Haggard tribute album, you are missing a good one. She does an outstanding job with Merle's hits. Also scheduled on Saturday is Dailey & Vincent, another of the acts who many think would make great Opry members. They continue to have great success in bluegrass. Jonathan Jackson from "Nashville" is scheduled, as is another visit from Greg Bates and Jason Crabb.

As far as Opry members this weekend, Mike Snider, Jim Ed Brown, Bill Anderson and John Conlee are set for both nights. Friday night, they are joined by Ricky Skaggs and Lorrie Morgan, along with The Whites, Jeannie Seely and Bobby Osborne. Saturday night we have Connie Smith, Riders In The Sky, Jan Howard and Jesse McReynolds.

Friday March 6
7:00: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Chris Janson
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Jim Ed Brown; Point Of Grace
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Old Dominion
8:45: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jeannie Seely; Kristian Bush

Saturday March 7
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Mike Snider; Greg Bates
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jesse McReynolds; Jason Crabb
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Jan Howard; Jonathan Jackson; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Bill Anderson (host); Suzy Bogguss; Dailey & Vincent

Again, as with last week, 13 artists are set for each show.



And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, March 5 & 6, 2010:

Friday March 5
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Chuck Wicks
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Marty Raybon
Intermission
8:15: John Conlee (host); Riders In The Sky; Connie Smith; Mandy Barnett
8:45: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Jim Ed Brown; Montgomery Gentry

Saturday March 6
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); John Conlee; Emily West
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Little Texas; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jim Ed Brown; Sammy Kershaw

And from 10 years ago, the weekend of March 4 & 5, 2005:

Friday March 4
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; Rebecca Lynn Howard
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Cowboy Crush; Stonewall Jackson; The Whites
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Katrina Elam
9:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Osborne Brothers; Buddy Jewell
9:30: John Conlee (host); George Hamilton IV; Mandy Barnett

Saturday March 5
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jimmy C Newman; Buddy Jewell
7:00: Diamond Rio (host); Pat Green; Del McCoury Band; The Crabb Family
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Wade Hayes; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Connie Smith; Jamie O'Neal

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Diamond Rio; Connie Smith
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Del McCoury Band; Buddy Jewell
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Billy Walker; Pat Green; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Wade Hayes; Jamie O'Neal
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Stu Phillips; The Crabb Family

For this week's featured line-up, it was on March 7, 1964 that Jim & Jesse, along with Ernie Ashworth, were introduced on the Opry stage as the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry.

Ernie Ashworth came to Nashville from Huntsville, Alabama where he performed on radio station WBHP. By the age of 20, he had found success in Nashville as a songwriter and was signed by Acuff-Rose, where he wrote songs for Jimmy Dickens, Carl Smith, Johnny Horton, Wilma Lee Cooper and even, Paul Anka. Ernie received his first recording contract in 1955 but he was unable to come up with a hit and returned to Alabama. In 1960, Wesley Rose called him back to record once again and this time "Each Moment" was a success, reaching the Top 10. That was followed by "You Can't Pick a Rose in December." Three years later, Ernie had his career hit, "Talk Back Trembling Lips." The song went to #1 and was on the charts for 36 weeks. It was not only a country hit, but it also crossed over onto the pop charts. That song led to his invitation to join the Opry. While Ernie would enjoy a few more successful records, he never again saw the success that he had with his first #1. Later, Ernie would own radio stations in Ardmore and Gallatin, Tennessee and in 1992 he was elected to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Ernie passed away on March 2, 2009 at the age of 80.

Jim & Jesse McReynolds came to Nashville from Coeburn, Virginia. Coming from a family with a musical background, they signed with Capital Records in 1952. Their first Top 20 country hit came in 1967, three years after they joined the Opry, with "Diesel on My Tail." From then until the 1980s, they regularly made the country charts with a string of hits, most with a bluegrass flavor. In 1993 the duo were elected into the International Bluegrass Music Association's Hall of Honor. Jim McReynolds passed away on December 31, 2002 and since then Jesse has continued as an active recording artist and as an Opry member. In 2014, Jesse celebrated 50 years as an Opry member.

To remember both Ernie Ashworth and Jim & Jesse, here is the running order of the Grand Ole Opry from that night 51 years ago, March 7, 1964:

7:30: Luzianne
Jimmy Newman (host): Alligator Man
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Marion Worth: You Took Him Off My Hands
Stringbean: Little Pink
Jimmy Newman: D.J. For A Day
Del Wood: Waiting for the Robert E Lee
Merle Kilgore: (?)
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Jimmy Newman: Six Days on the Road

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): (?)
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Glaser Brothers: (?)
Ernest Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Flatt & Scruggs: (?)
Ray Pillow: (?)
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Glaser Brothers: (?)
Flatt & Scruggs: (?)

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Low and Lonely
June Stearn: (?)
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Roy Acuff: The End of the World
Hank Williams, Jr: Long Gone Lonesome Blues
Oswald: My Curly Headed Baby
Howdy Forrester: Soldier's Joy
Roy Acuff: Mother's Only Sleeping

9:00: Pet Milk
Ernest Tubb (host): (?)
Jean Shepard: (?)
Billy Walker: Forever
Jim & Jesse: (?)
Ernest Tubb: (?)
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Ida Red
Cousin Jody: I Suffered More Than You'll Ever Know
Jean Shepard: (?)
Ernest Tubb: (?)

9:30: Kellogg's
Leroy Van Dyke (host): (?)
Carter Family (?)
The Browns (?)
Willis Brothers: Big Daddy
Leroy Van Dyke (?)
Dottie West (?)
Carter Family (?)
The Browns (?)
Leroy Van Dyke: (?)

10:00: Schick
Wilburn Brothers (host) (?)
Jimmy Newman: The Mover
Stringbean: (?)
Wilburn Brothers: (?)

10:15: SSS Tonic
Flatt & Scruggs (host): (?)
Marion Worth: He Loves Me; He Loves Me Not
Del Wood: Queenie of the Town
Flatt & Scruggs: (?)

10:30: Harvey's
Roy Acuff (host): (?)
Skeeter Davis: He Says the Same Things to Me
Ernest Ashworth: A Week in the County Jail
Roy Acuff: (?)
Howdy Forrester & Jimmy Riddle: Black Mountain Rag

10:45: Ford
Ernest Tubb (host): (?)
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I Wanna Be Loved
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Ernest Tubb: (?)
Stoney Cooper: Canadian Reel

11:00: Coca-Cola
Leroy Van Dyke (host): (?)
Jean Shepard: (?)
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes
Glaser Brothers: (?)
Leroy Van Dyke: (?)
Hank Williams, Jr: Cold, Cold, Heart
Sam McGee: Dear Old Southern Home
Glaser Brothers: (?)
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Leroy Van Dyke: (?)

11:30: Gretsch Guitars
Marty Robbins (host): (?)
The Browns: (?)
Willis Brothers: Private Lee
Jim & Jesse: (?)
Marty Robbins: (?)
Cousin Jody: Cripple Creek
Don Winters: (?)
Willis Brothers: Everlovin' Dixieland
Marty Robbins: (?)

Interesting to see Ray Pillow and Dottie West appearing as guest artists, as they were not Opry members as of yet. Also an appearance by Hank Williams, Jr.

Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!

Hawkshaw Hawkins/Cowboy Copas Final Opry Shows

It was 52 years ago today, Saturday March 2, 1963 that Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas appeared on the Grand Ole Opry for the final time. Three days later, on Tuesday March 5, they, along with Patsy Cline and Randy Hughes, would pass away as the result of a plane crash near Camden, Tennessee. They were returning from a benefit show in Kansas City.

Loyd Estel "Cowboy" Copas was born in Blue Creek, Ohio on July 15, 1913. He possessed a strong tenor voice, distinctive phrasing, and flat-top guitar picking that gave his recordings a unique sound in an era dominated by instantly identifiable performers. He was one of six children and began performing at fairs and talent contests with his brother, Marion, when both were teenagers. He was still a teenager when he teamed with local fiddler Lester Vernon Storer, known professionally as Natchee the Indian, and acquired the alternative stage name Cowboy. His brother would later say that Copas was advised by a college professor to say he was born on a ranch in Oklahoma, a locale deemed more colorful than the family corn and tobacco farm in Blue Creek. He never professed to be a cowboy singer, however, and recorded virtually nothing with a western motif. His overall style might be described as occupying a middle ground between honky-tonk and the crossover approach of smooth vocalists such as Eddy Arnold and George Morgan.

In the early 1940s, he worked at WLW in Cincinnati and became affiliated with King Records. He made his first record for the label, "Filipino Baby" during his first sessions for the label in 1944. When it finally was released nearly two years later, in the summer of 1946, it became a #4 hit that propelled Cowboy to the Grand Ole Opry. In 1946 he joined Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys as a guitarist and featured vocalist. Among his hits were "Tragic Romance," "Signed, Sealed and Delivered," "Tennessee Waltz," "Kentucky Waltz," "Breeze," "The Strange Little Girl" and "Copy Cat," a duet with his daughter Kathy. His career suffered during the rock revolution in the 1950s, however he enjoyed a comeback after signing with Starday in 1959. He made the album "Unforgettable" which  featured the 1960 #1 hit "Alabam." He continued on the charts until his death with his final single being "Goodbye Kisses."

Harold Franklin "Hawkshaw" Hawkins was born in Huntington, West Virginia on December 22, 1921. As a teenager, he participated in local talent contests and performed on local radio. During World War II, he was stationed in the Philippines and even performed on a Manila radio station. After returning home, he joined the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree, where he remained until 1954. During that time, he also had a CBS radio program. He developed a large following due not only to recordings featuring his rich, smooth, honky-tonk vocals, but also to his showmanship. Especially popular were his colorful summer shows, which included trained horse acts and rope and Australian bullwhip tricks.

His first recording successes were "Pan American" and "Doghouse Boggie" in 1948. Those two were followed by "I Wasted a Nickle," "I Love You a Thousand Ways," and "I'm Waiting Just for You." The latter two both reached the Top 10. In 1955 he joined the Grand Ole Opry, but it would be four more years until he had his next chart success with "Soldier's Joy" which reached #15 on the Billboard Charts. On November 26, 1960 he married Jean Shepard. The ceremony was conducted on an auditorium stage in Wichita, Kansas. Late in 1962, he recorded a Justin Tubb song, "Lonesome 7-7203" which would be his biggest hit. However, he died before it would reach #1 on the charts.

To remember Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins, here is the running order of the Grand Ole Opry, Saturday March 2, 1963:

7:30: Kellogg's
George Morgan (host): Little Dutch Girl
Carter Family: Fourteen Caret Nothing
Jimmy Newman: Bayou Talk
Willis Brothers: Eat A Little More
Harold Morrison: Pretty Little Pink
June Carter: (?)
Jimmy Newman: A Fallen Star
George Morgan: Down Memory Lane

8:00: Martha White
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Come Walk With Me
Billy Walker: I've Got A New Heartache
Wilburn Brothers: Roll Muddy River
Stringbean: Pretty Little Widow
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Higher Power
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Margie Bowes: Think It Over
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Wilburn Brothers: Trouble's Back In Town
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Philadelphia Lawyer

8:30: Stephens
Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): Darkness on the Face of the Earth
Lonzo & Oscar: There's A Hole In the Bottom of the Sea
Bobby Lord: Out Behind the Barn
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Hawkshaw Hawkins: I Don't Apologize
Glaser Brothers: Lover's Farewell
Curly Fox: (?)
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Silver Threads and Golden Needles

9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Cowboy Copas (host): You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry
Bill Monroe: (?)
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Cowboy Copas: Alabam
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Bill Carlisle: Shutter and Boards
Bill Monroe: (?)
Cowboy Copas: The Man Upstairs

9:30: Pet Milk
Roy Acuff (host): Plastic Heart
Jordanaires: (?)
Marion Worth: Shake Me; I Rattle
Cousin Jody: Lady Cop
Roy Acuff: The Wreck on the Highway
Oswald: Roll On, Buddy, Roll On
Justin Tubb: (?)
Jimmy Riddle: Fox Chase
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away

10:00: Gates Rubber
George Morgan (host): Roly Poly
Curly Fox: (?)
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Satisfied
Del Wood: Bill Bailey
George Morgan: Who's Jealous Now

10:15: Luzianne
Wilburn Brothers (host): Day After Day
Bill Carlisle: Leave that Liar Alone
Margie Bowes: Within Your Crowd
Harold Morrison: The Cat Came Back
Wilburn Brothers: Not That I Care

10:30: Harvey's
Jimmy Newman (host): (?)
Carter Family: (?)
Billy Walker: Thank You For Calling
Jimmy Newman: (?)

10:45: Ford
Hawkshaw Hawkins (host): Big Old Heartache
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Stringbean: There'll Be Moonshine In Them Old Kentucky Hills
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Hawkshaw Hawkins: Lonesome 7-7203

11:00: Coca-Cola
Roy Acuff (host): Little Pal
Jordanaires: (?)
Marion Worth: Tennessee Teardrops
Lonzo & Oscar: I'm My Own Grandpa
Roy Acuff & Oswald: Stuck Up Blues
Sam & Kirk McGee: While I'm Away
Justin Tubb: (?)
Oswald: John Hardy
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbin Ridge
Roy Acuff: Shake My Mother's Hand For Me

11:30: SSS Tonic
Cowboy Copas (host): Down In Nashville Tennessee
Bill Monroe (host):
Roy Drusky: It Worries Me
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Archie Campbell: A Fool's Side of Town
Glaser Brothers: Odds and Ends
Bobby Lord: So Doggone Lonesome
Bill Monroe: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Flat Top

For those interested where Patsy Cline was that Saturday night, she was in Birmingham, Alabama on a package show with Flatt & Scruggs, Tex Ritter and Charlie Rich. Her final Opry show was the previous Saturday night.

Many people just think of Cowboy and Hawkshaw as two of the other passengers on the plane which Patsy Cline was riding in. So many don't realize what great careers Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins had in country music. While Cowboy's career was mostly behind him, Hawkshaw had a bright future. The argument can be made that they both belong in the Country Music Hall of Fame, yet continue to be overlooked by the voters. Much like Patsy Cline, country music suffered a tragedy when Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins passed away on that March day. While many might forget, we choose to remember.

March Opry Highlights

Welcome to March. I hope where you live winter is coming to an end. February was a tough month here in Ohio and in Nashville. Anyways, here is hoping for an early spring. As I do each month, here are the important and historical events that have taken place at the Grand Ole Opry, or with Opry members, during the month of March:

March 31, 1934: Opry member Kitty Cora Cline ended her Opry career. She was the first female solo artist on the Opry, starting there on March 24, 1928. The story goes that on this particular evening she was on her way to the Opry and observed a very serious car accident that bothered her so much that she refused to travel by car again. Because of that, she quit the Opry.

March 16, 1946: Future Opry member Grandpa Jones appeared on the Opry for the first time, as a member of Pee Wee King's band.

March 1, 1952: Uncle Dave Macon makes his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Dave was one of the original stars of the Opry and one of the first professional entertainers to join the cast. Just 2 weeks after that final appearance, on March 22, he passed away at the age of 82. Dave would later be one of the early members to be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

March 21, 1953: Bill Carlisle and the Carlisles make their first guest appearance on the Opry.

March 1, 1958: Following his criticism of the management at WSM, Opry member Marty Robbins is fired by the Opry. Of course, this did not last very long and Marty was quickly rehired and was back on the Opry.

March 2, 1963: Opry members Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins made their final appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. Several days later, they would die when their plane crashed on the way back to Nashville after an appearance in Kansas City. The crash also claimed the lives of Patsy Cline and Randy Hughes.

March 9, 1963: The Grand Ole Opry observes a moment of silence for Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes, who all died earlier in the week from a plane crash in Eastern Tennessee. Also included was Jack Anglin, of Johnny & Jack, who died in a car accident the same week. In the tribute read by Opry manager Ott Devine, he said, "All of their friends standing with me tonight on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium know that it is impossible to put into words our thoughts, our feelings, our love for Patsy, Hank, Cope, Jack and Randy. And so we ask that you in our audience please stand and join us for a moment of silent prayer in tribute to them." Some have called this the saddest day in the history of the Opry.

March 29, 1963: Texas Ruby Owens died in a fire at her home. Along with her husband Curly Fox, she came to the Opry in the 1940s. After her death, Curly would carry on at the Opry as a solo act.

March 2, 1964: Jim & Jesse McReynolds are invited to become members of the Grand Ole Opry. Later that week, they would make their first appearance as members. Jim McReynolds passed away on December 31, 2002. Since then, Jesse McReynolds has continued at the Opry as a solo member and last year he celebrated his 50th anniversary as an Opry member.

March 7, 1964: Jim & Jesse McReynolds and Ernie Ashworth make their first appearances as members of the Grand Ole Opry. Ernie Ashworth, who was famous for wearing his colorful suit with flaming lips on it, would remain as an Opry member until his death on March 2, 2009.

March 28, 1964: Connie Smith made her first appearance as a guest at the Grand Ole Opry. She was there at the invitation of Bill Anderson. She also stopped by the Ernest Tubb Record Shop later that night. Later that year, Chet Atkins would sign her to a contract at RCA Records and her Hall of Fame career was underway. A year later, in 1965, she would become a member of the Opry and later this year she will celebrate 50 years as an Opry member.

March 9, 1968: Irene Ryan, who played the part of Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies, made an appearance at the Opry.

March 15, 1968: On the Friday Night Opry that evening, The Byrds, which included Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, appear as guests on the Opry. They sang "Sing Me Back Home" and "Hickory Wind" while on the show. The reception from those attending was not very good and this would end up being their only appearance on the Opry.

March 28, 1970: Opry member Marty Robbins returns to the Opry for the first time following a heart attack in January. As usual, he returned as the host of the 11:30 segment and reporter Jerry Thompson, who was there, wrote the following: "The sound from the jam-packed crowd was deafening. They couldn't hear the words to the songs that familiar figure behind the Opry mic was crooning, but there was no mistake. Marty Robbins was back where he belonged. Midway through the show, Robbins sat at the piano and told the audience, 'I had so many things I was going to say tonight. I want to thank all my friends for their concern and I want to thank God for letting me be there. Now, I can't think of anything else to say, so I guess I'll have to sing for you.' And sing he did until 12:27 a.m. when the curtain closed amidst repeated shouts of 'more, more, more.'" This was one night when those at the Midnight Jamboree did not complain about the Opry running over.

March 27, 1971: Jan Howard became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 44th year as an Opry member. Jan had appeared on the Opry so many times prior to becoming a member that Bud Wendell thought she already was. That oversight was corrected and Jan became a member that night. Also on a related note, on March 13, Jan will be celebrating her 86th birthday, which makes her the oldest female cast member of the Opry.

March 9, 1974: The Grand Ole Opry has its final Saturday night performance at the Ryman Auditorium. The Opry had been at the Ryman since 1943. This was also the final Opry show as a member for Bobby Bare, who quit the cast rather than move to the new Opry House.

March 15, 1974: The Grand Ole Opry conducted its final Friday Night Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. It was such as emotional night that both Charlie Walker and Bill Anderson forgot words to their songs. The final segment was hosted by George Morgan and he ended the show with "Candy Kisses." After the Opry ended, the Reverend Jimmie Snow, son of Hank Snow, hosted "Grand Ole Gospel" with special guests Johnny Cash, June Carter, The Carter Family and Hank Snow. The show concluded with "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and as soon as they were done, the signs were taken down and moved to the new Opry House. After the Opry left, the Ryman Auditorium stayed empty for many years, with the inside looking just like it did that final night.

March 16, 1974: The Grand Ole Opry had its first performance at the new Grand Ole Opry House. President Richard Nixon made a special appearance and was the first and only President to actually perform on the Opry's stage. There was much discussion on which Opry artist would be the first to perform at the new Opry House and management made the decision that all artists would go in alphabetical order, which meant that Roy Acuff would be the first. Roy said, "I've made my request that if I'm still here when the Opry House opens, let me be the first one to go on stage. I just want to open the curtain and sing two songs. Then they can have it." After Roy's appearance, Bill Anderson was next, and the show went on from there. The first show was basically an invitation show only, with the second show for the regular fans. Both shows lasted well past their normal times.

March 30, 1974: The Earl Scruggs Revue made its final appearance as Opry members. They became a part of the Opry after Flatt & Scruggs broke up and while Lester Flatt enjoyed the Opry and was there on a regular basis, Earl had a more progressive sound and prefered to perform for different audiences. While giving up his Opry membership, Earl would still make special Opry appearances with a number of artists.

March 14, 1975: The Cumberland River floods in Nashville causing the Opry to move the shows that weekend downtown to the Municipal Auditorium. It was also the first anniversary of the Opry House. While many thought that the Opry would go back to the Ryman for that weekend, it was determined that the Ryman was in no condition to host the shows. While in 1975 it was just the parking lots that flooded, the next time the Cumberland River went over its banks in 2010, it flooded the entire Opry House.

March 4, 1978: For the first time in the history of the Grand Ole Opry, an entire Opry show was televised. PBS had approached Opry officials to see if there was an interest in televising the show as part of their annual fundraising campaign. The Opry agreed and it was considered such a success that PBS would do it again for the next 3 years. The Opry did agree to a few changes, including removing all references to their commerical sponsors. That included covering the sponsor's signs that appeared on the Opry stage and backdrop. What made these PBS shows so special, besides the quality of the line-ups, was the fact that they did not change the show at all. The format stayed the same, although several of the performers dressed up a bit more than usual. These shows also gave people across the country, who had never attended the Opry or were unable to do so, a chance to see an entire Opry show as it happened.

March 10, 1979: James Brown performs at the Opry at the invitation of Porter Wagoner. It was a tough night at the Opry as several of the Opry's members elected to stay away from the show that night. James was on stage for 20 minutes and later said that he enjoyed his time there.

March 23, 1979: Lester Flatt returned to the Opry for the first time since November. A brain hemorrhage had kept him away.

March 20, 1980: This was the final show for Opry member Marion Worth. Marion had joined the Opry in 1965. While she didn't have a spectacular career in country music, she was a popular member of the Opry. Marion continued to do a few shows in Las Vegas after leaving the Opry, before retiring. She passed away in December 1999.

March 28, 1980: Tom T. Hall rejoined the Opry. Tom T had quit the Opry in March 1974 when the Opry moved to the new Opry House. It was reported that Ernest Tubb saw Tom T in the parking lot at a show and told him he needed to get back to the Opry. He did and for most of the 1980s he was a regular performer on the show. Sadly, it has been many years since Tom T has been at the Opry.

March 1, 1982: Opry member Roy Acuff was honored with a two-hour special that was televised by ABC. All all-star cast of performers and entertainers honored Roy, including President Ronald Reagan, Vice-President George Bush, and Minnie Pearl, Tom T. Hall, Bill Anderson, Chet Atkins, Charlie Daniels and Gene Autry. Among those scheduled to appear but cancelling due to illness, were Johnny Cash and Dottie West.

March 7, 1983: The Nashville Network made its debut. This network would later become the television home of the Grand Ole Opry as a half-hour of the show was televised each Saturday night.

March 3, 1984: The Whites became members of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be their 31st year as Opry members.

March 7, 1986: Randy Travis makes his first guest appearance on the Opry. He was introduced by Jimmy Dickens and did, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Later that year, Randy would become an Opry member.

March 9, 1996: Opry member Minnie Pearl was honored at the Grand Ole Opry as Wilma Lee Cooper, Jean Shepard, Jeanne Pruett, Skeeter Davis, Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely sang her favorite song, "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You."

March 15, 1996: Grand Ole Opry member since 1939, Bill Monroe makes his final Grand Ole Opry appearance.

March 14, 1998: Opry manager invites Diamond Rio to become the newest members of the Opry. They would officially join the cast the following month. On the same night, Jo Dee Messina made her Opry debut.

March 13, 1999: Trisha Yearwood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She had been invited to join in January by Opry member Ricky Skaggs. This will be her 16th year as an Opry member and coming up on March 13, she is scheduled for the Opry. Prior to joining, she was quoted as saying how much she wanted to become an Opry member and like many others, promised to support the show and appear whenever she could. And sorry to say, like so many others, that promise is long gone.

March 22, 2001: Johnny Russell is honored at a special benefit show at the Opry House to help raise money to cover his medical expenses. Among those attending that night were Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs and Ralph Emery.

March 7, 2003: Opry member Bill Carlisle made his final Opry appearance. He had joined the show in November 1953. A few days after his last appearance, he suffered a stroke and would pass away on March 17. He was 95 and although he was battling several serious health issues, he was still a very active Opry member.

March 15, 2008: Carrie Underwood is surprised during an Opry appearance by Randy Travis and is invited to become the Opry's newest member. The show was televised by GAC. She would formally join the cast in May.

March 8, 2009: Opry member Hank Locklin passed away at the age of 91. Hank had joined the Opry in 1960 and at the time of his death, was the Opry's oldest member.

March 1, 2011: It was announced that Opry members Reba McEntire and Jean Shepard had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Many felt that Jean should have been elected many years previously and it was a well deserved honor for this Opry member.

March 6, 2012: It was announced that Opry members Connie Smith and Garth Brooks had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

March 24, 2012: Carol Lee Cooper retired from the Grand Ole Opry after leading the Carolee Singers for over 40 years. She had some voice issues that led to her retirement. She had originally came to the Opry in the 1950s with her parents, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper.

March 5, 2013: The Grand Ole Opry honored Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins on the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that took their lives. Among those taking part in the tribute were Jean Shepard, Terri Clark, Mandy Barnett, John Conlee and Chuck Mead.

March 15, 2014: The Grand Ole Opry marked 40 years at the Grand Ole Opry House with 2 shows that featured Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Old Crow Medicine Show, Josh Turner, Ricky Skaggs and Marty Stuart.

Grand Ole Opry House Added to National Register of Historic Places

The Grand Ole Opry House, home of the Opry since the venue opened in 1974, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, the nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Regarded as the home of country music, the world famous venue was recognized because of its impact on popular culture and the entertainment industry. It is one of six sites in Tennessee recently added to the list. Dr. Carroll Van West, Director of the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU and the Tennessee State Historian, prepared the nomination which was supported by the Tennessee State Historical Commission.

The Opry House opened on March 16, 1974 with a standing room only Opry performance attended by President and Mrs. Richard Nixon, among other VIP guests. The Opry's sixth home, the venue is also the only home built specifically for the Opry and the residence the Opry has called home the longest. The venue has welcomed countless Opry artists, concert performers from virtually every genre of music, U.S. Presidents, foreign dignitaries, award shows, television tapings, and numerous special events and distinguished guests in its 41-year history. It is the reigning Academy of Country Music Venue of the Year.

The distinction for the Opry's permanent home comes as the Opry itself readies for a nine-month celebration of its 90th anniversary, set to begin with a kick-off show Tuesday March 24. Throughout that evening's performance, the Opry will announce various elements of the celebration, including special shows scheduled through December. The Opry's 90th Birthday Bash Weekend is scheduled for October 2-3.

(Press Release from the Grand Ole Opry).

A great honor for the Opry House that often gets overlooked in favor of the Ryman Auditorium. The facilities and presentation at the Opry House help to make the Opry an amazing show to experience.

For those who do not have tickets yet for the 90th Birthday Bash Weekend, they are going very fast. Many people, including myself, expect a star-studded weekend of shows and certainly are looking for an improvement upon the effort of the last couple of years. I am concerned a bit that by making the celebration a nine month affair, and adding special shows,  that those shows could come at the expense of the birthday weekend. Time will tell, but I am glad that they are planning on doing this up right. Oh, as a reminder, October is also Garth Brook's 25th year as an Opry member. Something to keep in mind.

Again, congratulations to the Opry for this great honor.