Roy Clark, one of the most beloved members of the country music community, passed away earlier today at the age of 85. He died at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
If the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name "Roy Clark" is is stink as pickin' and grinnin' co-host of television's Hee Haw, that would be understandable. Not many performers can boost starring on a show that ran for more than 20 years. But there was a lot more than comic timing and charm to the man who first played at the Opry in 1950 when he won a national banjo competition at age 17. "I stood backstage at the Ryman and looked at Uncle Dave Macon, Hank Williams, Sr., Cowboy Copas, all of the giants of country music, and I just tired to stay out of their way," Roy recalled.
Roy Linwood Clark was born on April 15, 1933 into a family with a musical heritage. The first instrument he played was made for him by his father, Hester; a cigar box with a ukulele neck on it and four strings rigged to enable young Roy to play in a school band at Meherrin Elementary. When he was fourteen, Roy got a honest-to-gosh guitar at Christmas, a Silverton model from the Sears catalog. "When I came downstairs Christmas morning," Roy said, "and saw the guitar, I grabbed it, went back upstairs, and never turned it loose. My fingers got sore and bled. I got cold water, dipped 'em in it 'til the pain went away, and went right back at it. I didn't want to go to school or anything. I just wanted to sit there and hear the sound."
It was with his father's bluegrass band that he started playing professionally; he got $7.50 for his first gig. And right from the beginning, Roy began to exploit the availability of a new medium called television. In 1947-48 the teenager appeared on "The Hayloft Conservatory of Country Music," on Dumont's channel 5 in Washington, D.C., and then on the "Ozark Jubilee" and Connie B. Gay's pioneering "Town and Country Time."
His musical versatility (he played guitar, banjo, fiddle, and five other instruments, including trumpet, trombone and piano), got him network TV guest shots on Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" and Ed Sullivan's famed "Talk of the Town." With his warm, comedic personality he was in constant demand, appearing on television with Dean Martin, Mitzi Gaynor, Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Johnny Carson, the Osmond Family, the Muppets, and others, as well as hosting his own television specials.
Roy Clark was the first country music artist to guest host on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show" and was the first country music artist to begin major TV appearances abroad, appearing on "The Tom Jones Show" from London. He was also the first country music artist to headline a major hotel on the Las Vegas strip and was the first country performer to host a major TV show, "Hee Haw," for more than twenty years. He was among the first to establish a theater in Branson and to travel to the Soviet Union. Not only was Roy a national star, he was also an international one.
His string of hits included "Yesterday When I Was Young," "I Never Picked Cotton," Come Live With Me," "Tips of My Fingers," "Alabama Jubilee," "Thank God and Greyhound," and "If I Had To Do It All Over Again."
His awards were numerous. In 1972 and 1973 he was the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year. He won the same award in 1973 from the Country Music Association. He was also the CMA's Instrumentalist of the Year and the winner of the Instrumental Group of the Year with Buck Trent. He was also awarded the Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music, and in 2009 Roy was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Roy became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on August 22, 1987. He had been asked earlier, but declined due to his heavy touring schedule and the fact that he did not live in Nashville and only came to the city twice a year for the filming of Hee Haw. When he explained that to Bud Wendell and Hal Durham, they said that was fine. Having Roy at the Opry only a few times each year was better than not having Roy at all.
All the tributes from country music artists, both young and old that have come out today, shows how much Roy was loved and appreciated by the country music community. Roy truly loved being a member of the Grand Ole Opry and I know he would have appeared more often if he lived closer to Nashville.
Roy's last Grand Ole Opry appearance was on Friday February 24, 2017. He closed out, singing at the request of Vince Gill, "Yesterday When I Was Young." It was a fitting way to end.
Nationally recognized independent Grand Ole Opry historian Byron Fay offers news and comments regarding country music's premier show.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Grand Ole Opry 11/16 & 11/17
Before getting to the Opry shows for this weekend, just a couple of comments regarding the Country Music Association Awards show last night.
I admit, I haven't paid close attention to this show for a few years. To me, it has lost a little of its appeal as the focus of country music has shifted. However, I made it a point to watch last night as I wanted to see how they were going to use all of the advertised "classic" country music performers. I was not disappointed. The segment featuring Ricky Skaggs was tremendous. He performed bluegrass with Kentucky Thunder, then country with what was basically an all-star band, featuring Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, Carson Peters, and Sierra Hull among others. (Vince Gill was supposed to be a part of the tribute however he was hospitalized yesterday with kidney stones). During the performance there were numerous cuts to Sharon White Skaggs. Nicely done. Additionally, there was a nice gospel song that featured Marty Stuart and Garth Brooks debuted his new single, which sounded like a nice ballad/love sang to his wife, Trisha Yearwood.
As to the award winners, I thought all were deserving and I had no issues at all with any of the award winners. The show was entertaining. My only complaint, and I understand the reasoning, is why do we have to have a number of "non-country" individuals giving out the awards. Lionel Richie, for example, gave out the Entertainer of the Year Award. As I mentioned, I understand why they do it, but just don't care for it.
Finally, while it was fun to speculate, there was no Charles Esten last night and no Opry invitation.
_________________________________________________________________________
As for the Opry this weekend, The Grand Ole Opry continues its winter run at the Ryman Auditorium with two shows Friday and Saturday night. Both nights feature pretty solid line-ups.
Grand Ole Opry members John Conlee and Riders In The Sky are appearing on all four shows this weekend. They will be joined on Friday night by members Mike Snider, Steve Wariner, Jeannie Seely and the Charlie Daniels Band. Really nice to see Charlie doing a weekend show as most of his Opry appearances have come on weeknight shows. Saturday night, joining John and the Riders, will be Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne and The Whites for both shows, along with Jeannie Seely on the first and Connie Smith on the second. The comes out to six Opry members on each show.
Guesting, and making his Opry debut on Friday night will be Travis Denning. Also appearing will be Striking Matches, Lauren Alaina, and Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy. Saturday night has Kelsea Ballerini scheduled on both shows, along with Jimmy Wayne, another new act, Mac Powell and the Family Reunion. Gene Watson is scheduled for just the early show. Also scheduled for both shows is "Nashville" star Charles Esten.
Friday November 16
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); Striking Matches; Mike Snider
7:30: Steve Wariner (host); Travis Denning; Charlie McCoy
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lauren Alaina
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Daniels Band
2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Striking Matches; Mike Snider
10:00: Steve Wariner (host); Charlie Daniels Band
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Travis Denning; Charlie McCoy
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Lauren Alaina
Saturday November 17
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Gene Watson; Jimmy Wayne
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Charles Esten
8:00: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Mac Powell and the Family Reunion; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Kelsea Ballerini
2nd show
9:30: Connie Smith (host); Jimmy Wayne; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Charles Esten
10:30: John Conlee (host); Mac Powell and the Family Reunion; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Kelsea Ballerini
As mentioned, Travis Denning will be making his Opry debut this weekend on the Friday Night Opry.
Travis, who has been in Nashville for a few years, was born on December 1, 1992 in Warner Robins, Georgia. He began pursuing his musical interests after listening to music with his father as a teenager, and he released his first single, "Ready for Tonight" in 2012. It did not make the charts. In 2014, after moving to Nashville, he signed a publishing contract with RED Creative Group, which led him to write songs for Jason Aldean, Justin Moore and Chase Rice, among others. He then began appearing as an opening act for a number of artists including Justin Moore and Chase Rice. In 2018, he signed to Mercury Nashville and released the single "David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs" which reached reached the low 30s on the country charts.
Appearing on the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night will be Mac Powell and the Family Reunion. Mac was one of the founding members of the Christian rock band Third Day, which recorded for Gray Dot Records. Originally from Alabama, Mac won the 2001 Gospel Music Association award for Male Vocalist of the Year. Mac formed his new group earlier this year.
________________________________________________________________________
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of November 14 & 15, 2008:
Friday November 14
8:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Mel McDaniel; Chris Young
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emily West
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Radney Foster
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jan Howard; Elizabeth Cook; The Grascals
Saturday November 15
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Jamie O'Neal
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Time Jumpers
8:00: Diamond Rio (host); Charlie Louvin; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); TG Sheppard; Restless Heart
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Jamie O'Neal
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mel McDaniel; The Time Jumpers
10:30: Diamond Rio (host); Johnny Counterfit; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); TG Sheppard; Restless Heart
And from 25 years ago, Saturday November 13, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); The Whites
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Riders In The Sky
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Four Guys; Jeannie Seely; Jack Greene; Stonewall Jackson
7:30: Marty Stuart (host); Bill Carlisle; Jan Howard; Charlie Walker; The Sullivan Family
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); John Conlee; Connie Smith; Brother Oswald; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeanne Pruett; Jim Ed Brown
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy Dickens; Deborah Allen; Marty Stuart
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Marty Stuart; The Whites
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); The Four Guys
10:30: Charlie Walker (host); Jimmy C Newman
10:45: Jack Greene (host); Riders In The Sky; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; John Conlee; Ray Pillow
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jan Howard; Jeannie Seely; Johnny Russell
Finally, from 50 years ago, Saturday November 16, 1968:
7:30: Standard Candy
Glaser Brothers (host): Gone on the Other Hand
Jeannie Seely: Little Things
Del Wood: Ballin' the Jack
The Four Guys: Turn Around, Look at Me
Glaser Brothers: I Wish I had Never Seen Sunshine
Jeannie Seely: He Called Me Baby
Del Wood: Tiger Rag
Jim Glaser: God Help You Woman
Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
8:00: Martha White
Bobby Lord (host): Live Your Life Out Loud
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Stringbean: Run Little Rabbit, Run
Crook Brothers: Turkey Know
Bobby Lord: True and Lasting Kind
Osborne Brothers: Son of a Sawmill Man
Sonny Osborne: Bugle Call Rag
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: You Win Again
Hank Locklin: Danny Boy
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I Couldn't Care Less
Jimmy Riddle: Fox Chase
9:00: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Just Pack Up and Go
Charlie Louvin: What Are Those Things
Margie Bowes: Take Me As I Am
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Billy Parker: Four Walls
Charlie Louvin: Hey, Daddy/Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Ernest Tubb: Fraulein
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Willis Brothers: I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven
Marion Worth: Today I Started Loving You Again
Ernie Ashworth: Sad Face
Hank Snow: Indian Love Call
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Marion Worth: Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Hank Snow: Down the Trail of Aching Hearts
10:00: Fender
Bobby Lord (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Del Wood: 12th Street Rag
The Four Guys: Half a Man
Bobby Lord: Look What You're Doing to You
Spider Wilson: Sweet Bunch of Daisies
10:15: Pure
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob, Arkansas
Willis Brothers: Cimarron
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Buckley's
Hank Locklin (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Osborne Brothers: If Only I Could Count on You
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Hank Locklin: I'm Knocking on Your Door
10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): I'm in the Jailhouse Now
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Ernest Tubb: It Sure Helps a Lot
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
Margie Bowes: You Oughta Hear Me Cry
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Rippling Waters
Hank Snow: Born to Lose
Grandpa Jones: A High Silk Hat
Sam McGee: Railroad Blues
Margie Bowes: Boll Weevil
Hank Snow: Under the Double Eagle
11:30: Lava
Charlie Louvin (host): That's What I'm Gonna Do, But How
Marion Worth: Almost Persuaded
Ernie Ashworth: A New Heart
Charlie Louvin and Bobby Osborne: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Marion Worth: How Great Thou Art
Ernie Ashworth: Oh, Lonesome Me
Charlie Louvin: What Are Those Things
____________________________________________________________________
The line-up as also been posted for the Tuesday Night Opry on November 20:
7:00: Dailey & Vincent; Holly Williams
7:30: Henry Cho; Marshall Tucker Band
8:00: CeCe Winans; Chris Janson
8:30: Alabama
A really good Tuesday night.
There you have it for the final weekend before Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a great holiday and doesn't eat too much turkey and pumpkin pie. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!
I admit, I haven't paid close attention to this show for a few years. To me, it has lost a little of its appeal as the focus of country music has shifted. However, I made it a point to watch last night as I wanted to see how they were going to use all of the advertised "classic" country music performers. I was not disappointed. The segment featuring Ricky Skaggs was tremendous. He performed bluegrass with Kentucky Thunder, then country with what was basically an all-star band, featuring Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, Carson Peters, and Sierra Hull among others. (Vince Gill was supposed to be a part of the tribute however he was hospitalized yesterday with kidney stones). During the performance there were numerous cuts to Sharon White Skaggs. Nicely done. Additionally, there was a nice gospel song that featured Marty Stuart and Garth Brooks debuted his new single, which sounded like a nice ballad/love sang to his wife, Trisha Yearwood.
As to the award winners, I thought all were deserving and I had no issues at all with any of the award winners. The show was entertaining. My only complaint, and I understand the reasoning, is why do we have to have a number of "non-country" individuals giving out the awards. Lionel Richie, for example, gave out the Entertainer of the Year Award. As I mentioned, I understand why they do it, but just don't care for it.
Finally, while it was fun to speculate, there was no Charles Esten last night and no Opry invitation.
_________________________________________________________________________
As for the Opry this weekend, The Grand Ole Opry continues its winter run at the Ryman Auditorium with two shows Friday and Saturday night. Both nights feature pretty solid line-ups.
Grand Ole Opry members John Conlee and Riders In The Sky are appearing on all four shows this weekend. They will be joined on Friday night by members Mike Snider, Steve Wariner, Jeannie Seely and the Charlie Daniels Band. Really nice to see Charlie doing a weekend show as most of his Opry appearances have come on weeknight shows. Saturday night, joining John and the Riders, will be Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne and The Whites for both shows, along with Jeannie Seely on the first and Connie Smith on the second. The comes out to six Opry members on each show.
Guesting, and making his Opry debut on Friday night will be Travis Denning. Also appearing will be Striking Matches, Lauren Alaina, and Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy. Saturday night has Kelsea Ballerini scheduled on both shows, along with Jimmy Wayne, another new act, Mac Powell and the Family Reunion. Gene Watson is scheduled for just the early show. Also scheduled for both shows is "Nashville" star Charles Esten.
Friday November 16
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); Striking Matches; Mike Snider
7:30: Steve Wariner (host); Travis Denning; Charlie McCoy
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lauren Alaina
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Daniels Band
2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Striking Matches; Mike Snider
10:00: Steve Wariner (host); Charlie Daniels Band
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Travis Denning; Charlie McCoy
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Lauren Alaina
Saturday November 17
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Gene Watson; Jimmy Wayne
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Charles Esten
8:00: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Mac Powell and the Family Reunion; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Kelsea Ballerini
2nd show
9:30: Connie Smith (host); Jimmy Wayne; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Charles Esten
10:30: John Conlee (host); Mac Powell and the Family Reunion; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Kelsea Ballerini
As mentioned, Travis Denning will be making his Opry debut this weekend on the Friday Night Opry.
Travis, who has been in Nashville for a few years, was born on December 1, 1992 in Warner Robins, Georgia. He began pursuing his musical interests after listening to music with his father as a teenager, and he released his first single, "Ready for Tonight" in 2012. It did not make the charts. In 2014, after moving to Nashville, he signed a publishing contract with RED Creative Group, which led him to write songs for Jason Aldean, Justin Moore and Chase Rice, among others. He then began appearing as an opening act for a number of artists including Justin Moore and Chase Rice. In 2018, he signed to Mercury Nashville and released the single "David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs" which reached reached the low 30s on the country charts.
Appearing on the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night will be Mac Powell and the Family Reunion. Mac was one of the founding members of the Christian rock band Third Day, which recorded for Gray Dot Records. Originally from Alabama, Mac won the 2001 Gospel Music Association award for Male Vocalist of the Year. Mac formed his new group earlier this year.
________________________________________________________________________
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of November 14 & 15, 2008:
Friday November 14
8:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Mel McDaniel; Chris Young
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emily West
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Radney Foster
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jan Howard; Elizabeth Cook; The Grascals
Saturday November 15
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Jamie O'Neal
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Time Jumpers
8:00: Diamond Rio (host); Charlie Louvin; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); TG Sheppard; Restless Heart
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Jamie O'Neal
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mel McDaniel; The Time Jumpers
10:30: Diamond Rio (host); Johnny Counterfit; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); TG Sheppard; Restless Heart
And from 25 years ago, Saturday November 13, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); The Whites
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Riders In The Sky
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Four Guys; Jeannie Seely; Jack Greene; Stonewall Jackson
7:30: Marty Stuart (host); Bill Carlisle; Jan Howard; Charlie Walker; The Sullivan Family
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); John Conlee; Connie Smith; Brother Oswald; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeanne Pruett; Jim Ed Brown
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy Dickens; Deborah Allen; Marty Stuart
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Marty Stuart; The Whites
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); The Four Guys
10:30: Charlie Walker (host); Jimmy C Newman
10:45: Jack Greene (host); Riders In The Sky; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; John Conlee; Ray Pillow
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jan Howard; Jeannie Seely; Johnny Russell
Finally, from 50 years ago, Saturday November 16, 1968:
7:30: Standard Candy
Glaser Brothers (host): Gone on the Other Hand
Jeannie Seely: Little Things
Del Wood: Ballin' the Jack
The Four Guys: Turn Around, Look at Me
Glaser Brothers: I Wish I had Never Seen Sunshine
Jeannie Seely: He Called Me Baby
Del Wood: Tiger Rag
Jim Glaser: God Help You Woman
Glaser Brothers: The Last Thing on My Mind
8:00: Martha White
Bobby Lord (host): Live Your Life Out Loud
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Stringbean: Run Little Rabbit, Run
Crook Brothers: Turkey Know
Bobby Lord: True and Lasting Kind
Osborne Brothers: Son of a Sawmill Man
Sonny Osborne: Bugle Call Rag
Bobby Lord: Life Can Have Meaning
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: You Win Again
Hank Locklin: Danny Boy
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: I Couldn't Care Less
Jimmy Riddle: Fox Chase
9:00: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Just Pack Up and Go
Charlie Louvin: What Are Those Things
Margie Bowes: Take Me As I Am
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Billy Parker: Four Walls
Charlie Louvin: Hey, Daddy/Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Ernest Tubb: Fraulein
9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Willis Brothers: I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven
Marion Worth: Today I Started Loving You Again
Ernie Ashworth: Sad Face
Hank Snow: Indian Love Call
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Marion Worth: Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Hank Snow: Down the Trail of Aching Hearts
10:00: Fender
Bobby Lord (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Del Wood: 12th Street Rag
The Four Guys: Half a Man
Bobby Lord: Look What You're Doing to You
Spider Wilson: Sweet Bunch of Daisies
10:15: Pure
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob, Arkansas
Willis Brothers: Cimarron
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be All Smiles Tonight
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:30: Buckley's
Hank Locklin (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Osborne Brothers: If Only I Could Count on You
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Hank Locklin: I'm Knocking on Your Door
10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): I'm in the Jailhouse Now
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Ernest Tubb: It Sure Helps a Lot
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
Margie Bowes: You Oughta Hear Me Cry
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Rippling Waters
Hank Snow: Born to Lose
Grandpa Jones: A High Silk Hat
Sam McGee: Railroad Blues
Margie Bowes: Boll Weevil
Hank Snow: Under the Double Eagle
11:30: Lava
Charlie Louvin (host): That's What I'm Gonna Do, But How
Marion Worth: Almost Persuaded
Ernie Ashworth: A New Heart
Charlie Louvin and Bobby Osborne: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Marion Worth: How Great Thou Art
Ernie Ashworth: Oh, Lonesome Me
Charlie Louvin: What Are Those Things
____________________________________________________________________
The line-up as also been posted for the Tuesday Night Opry on November 20:
7:00: Dailey & Vincent; Holly Williams
7:30: Henry Cho; Marshall Tucker Band
8:00: CeCe Winans; Chris Janson
8:30: Alabama
A really good Tuesday night.
There you have it for the final weekend before Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a great holiday and doesn't eat too much turkey and pumpkin pie. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Grand Ole Opry 11/9 & 11/10
Some have asked about Jesse McReynolds. There was a nice picture of him on his Facebook page, showing him voting in the election on Tuesday. He looked good, but he did mention that he is still regaining his strength, but it is taking longer than he thought.
I would also be remiss if I didn't mention Stonewall Jackson. Stonewall had a birthday this week, turning 86. Also, it was Stonewall's Opry anniversary, as he originally became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on November 3, 1956, making it 62 years since he originally joined the cast. Stonewall was one of those fired from the Opry in December 1964 for failing to meet the performance requirements that were in place at the time, and he rejoined the Opry in May 1969. Taking away those 4+ years he was gone, that still makes him an Opry member for 57 years. Stonewall has not been on the Opry since he celebrated his 60th Opry anniversary several years ago, and while I know he is going through a tough time right now, it would be nice to see him back on the Opry one more time.
Now getting to the shows this weekend as the Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium for the next three months. The Ryman run this year will start off with two shows each night. Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for all four shows this weekend are Riders In The Sky, Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely. They will be joined on the Friday Night Opry by Connie Smith, Mike Snider and Dailey & Vincent. On Saturday night, that trio will be joined on both shows by Bobby Osborne and The Whites, while Mike Snider is set for the first show and Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers for the second.
Frequent Opry guest Mark Wills is scheduled for all four shows. On Friday night he will be joined by Nikki Lane, Molly Tuttle, Luke Combs and Nicolle Galyon. On Saturday night, joining Mark, will be Joshua Hedley, Ellie Holcomb and Scotty McCreery. For those who haven't heard Joshua on the Opry before, I highly recommend that you listen as he is the real deal
Friday November 9
1st show
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Nikki Lane
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Mark Wills
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Nicolle Galyon; Molly Tuttle
8:30: Dailey & Vincent (host); Luke Combs
2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Nikki Lane
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Mark Wills
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Nicolle Galyon; Molly Tuttle
11:00: Dailey & Vincent (host); Luke Combs
Saturday November 10
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mark Wills; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Joshua Hedley
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Ellie Holcomb; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Scotty McCreery
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mark Wills; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Joshua Hedley
10:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Ellie Holcomb; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Scotty McCreery
Same may not be familiar with Nicolle Galyon. Nicolle is from Sterling, Kansas and came to Nashville in 2002 to attend Belmont University. After graduating from Belmont in 2006, she signed a publishing deal as a songwriter with Warner/Chappel Nashville. In 2012 she was a contestant on The Voice where she met RaeLynn and Miranda Lambert, establishing friendships with both. During her songwriting career, Nicolle has written songs for Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, and Florida Georgia Line.
_________________________________________________________________________
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of November 7 & 8, 2008:
Friday November 7
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; Randy Owen
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jack Greene; Diamond Rio
8:00: Mel Tillis (host); Jeannie Seely; George Hamilton IV; Mel McDaniel; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); Jan Howard; The Whites; Connie Smith; Vince Gill
Saturday November 8
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; John Conlee; Craig Morgan
7:30: Vince Gill (host); Riders In The Sky; Jean Shepard; Josh Turner; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Randy Travis; Billy Currington; Randy Houser; Kevin Costner & Modern West
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Randy Travis
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Kevin Costner & Modern West; Craig Morgan
10:30: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; Billy Currington; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Riders In The Sky; Randy Houser; Josh Turner
And from 25 years ago, Saturday November 6, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Del Reeves (host); The Whites
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); The Four Guys; Bill Carlisle
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jeannie Seely; Charlie Walker; Jean Shepard; David Houston
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); Skeeter Davis; Hank Locklin; Brother Phelps
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Brother Oswald; Jack Greene; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Charlie Louvin; Jan Howard; Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Stonewall Jackson; Wilma Lee Cooper; Billy Walker; The Whites; Ray Pillow
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Roy Drusky
10:15: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jean Shepard
10:45: The Four Guys (host); Jimmy C Newman; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Charlie Walker (host); Connie Smith; David Houston; Nashville Bluegrass Band
11:30: Jack Greene (host); Jan Howard; Charlie Louvin; Johnny Russell
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Those of us that are of a certain age remember the death of Grand Ole Opry member David Akeman, better known as Stringbean. It took place 45 years ago, after the Opry on Saturday November 10, 1973.
Stringbean was a singer, songwriter, musician, comedian, actor and a semi-professional baseball player. He did all of those well. Early in his career, from 1943-1945, he was the banjo player for Bill Monroe and it was Earl Scruggs who replaced Stringbean when he left Bill. He later worked with Grandpa Jones and a host of others. While Earl played the three-finger picking style, Stringbean stuck to the old-fashioned clawhammer style. Among banjo players, Stringbean, along with Uncle Dave Macon, Grandpa Jones and Ralph Stanley are considered the greatest of the old-style pickers.
Perhaps his greatest fame came as a result of being a part of the cast of Hee Haw. One of the regular routines that he did on the show was a "letter from home." Asked about the latest letter, Stringbean would take it out, saying he carried it "right next to my heart." Not finding it in his overalls pocket, he would check all of his other pockets by patting them with his hands until he found the letter, usually in his hip pocket. He was also the scarecrow on the show, saying one liners until shouted down by the crow on his shoulder.
It seemed like Stringbean had been around the Opry forever, yet he was only 58 when he died. I believe, as do others, Stringbean would have carried on much in the same was as Grandpa Jones and Bill Carlisle, and like those two, would have been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Sadly, he has been pretty much forgotten by the voters.
As I do each year, here is the running order from Saturday November 10, 1973, Stringbean's final Grand Ole Opry show:
1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Little Red Wagon
Johnny Carver: Tie a Yellow Ribbon
Willis Brothers: God Walks These Hills with Me
6:45: Rudy's
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Forget; Forgive Us
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Josie Brown: Precious Memories; Follow Me
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: When My Time Comes to Go
7:00: Rudy's
Tex Ritter (host): Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Stringbean: Hillbilly Fever
Karen Wheeler: The First Time for Us
Tex Ritter: Green Grow the Lilacs
Stringbean: Y'All Come
Karen Wheeler: Listen, Spot
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
7:30: Standard Candy
Bobby Bare (host): Ride Me Down Easy
Jimmy Martin: Just Plain Yellow
Melba Montgomery: Crawdad Song
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore
Jimmy Martin: Tennessee
Melba Montgomery: Wrap Your Love Around Me
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
Jimmy Driftwood: Run, Johnny, Run/Tennessee Stud
Roy Acuff: Wabash Cannonball
Grandpa and Ramona Jones: Orange Blossom Special
Brother Oswald: Roll on, Buddy
8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Marion Worth: Paper Roses
Billy Grammer, Jr.: Orange Blossom Special
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Billy Grammer: I'm Letting You Go
Marion Worth: Me and Bobby McGee
Billy Grammer: Just A Closer Walk with Thee
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Johnny Carver: Tie a Yellow Ribbon
Jimmy Martin: Honey, You Don't Know My Mind
Josie Brown: Precious Memories; Follow Me
Skeeter Willis: Maiden's Prayer
Johnny Carver: Tonight Someone's Falling in Love
Jimmy Martin: Who'll Sing for Me When I Am Gone
10:00: Fender
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Little Darling Pal of Mine
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me/No Help Wanted
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God
10:15: Union 76
Tex Ritter (host): There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself a Name/Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Tex Ritter: Willie, the Wondering Gypsy and Me
10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob; Arkansas
Grandpa and Ramona Jones: Bright Morning Stars are Rising
Jimmy Driftwood: The Mixed Up Family
10:45: Beech-Nut
Bobby Bare (host): Four Strong Winds
Karen Wheeler: The First Time for Us
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
11:00: Coca Cola
Billy Grammer (host): Bonaparte's Retreat
Melba Montgomery: Don't Keep Me Lonely Too Long
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Billy Grammer: Somewhere My Love
Melba Montgomery: Let's All Go Down to the River
Sam McGee: Worry, Worry Blues
Billy Grammer: What a Friend
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
Marion Worth: Paper Roses/Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Ronnie Robbins: Too Much Love Between Us/Mama Tried
Marty Robbins: Love Me/Big Boss Man/Crawling on My Knees/Don't Worry/El Paso
______________________________________________________________________
To finish it up for this week, here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, November 13:
7:00: Connie Smith; T Graham Brown
7:30: The Gibson Brothers; Steven Curtis Chapman
Intermission
8:15: Elizabeth Cook; Charles Esten
8:45: Thompson Square; Craig Morgan
A pretty nice Tuesday show.
There you have it for this week. I hope everyone has a nice week and gets a chance to listen to the Opry this weekend.
I would also be remiss if I didn't mention Stonewall Jackson. Stonewall had a birthday this week, turning 86. Also, it was Stonewall's Opry anniversary, as he originally became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on November 3, 1956, making it 62 years since he originally joined the cast. Stonewall was one of those fired from the Opry in December 1964 for failing to meet the performance requirements that were in place at the time, and he rejoined the Opry in May 1969. Taking away those 4+ years he was gone, that still makes him an Opry member for 57 years. Stonewall has not been on the Opry since he celebrated his 60th Opry anniversary several years ago, and while I know he is going through a tough time right now, it would be nice to see him back on the Opry one more time.
Now getting to the shows this weekend as the Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium for the next three months. The Ryman run this year will start off with two shows each night. Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for all four shows this weekend are Riders In The Sky, Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely. They will be joined on the Friday Night Opry by Connie Smith, Mike Snider and Dailey & Vincent. On Saturday night, that trio will be joined on both shows by Bobby Osborne and The Whites, while Mike Snider is set for the first show and Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers for the second.
Frequent Opry guest Mark Wills is scheduled for all four shows. On Friday night he will be joined by Nikki Lane, Molly Tuttle, Luke Combs and Nicolle Galyon. On Saturday night, joining Mark, will be Joshua Hedley, Ellie Holcomb and Scotty McCreery. For those who haven't heard Joshua on the Opry before, I highly recommend that you listen as he is the real deal
Friday November 9
1st show
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Nikki Lane
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Mark Wills
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Nicolle Galyon; Molly Tuttle
8:30: Dailey & Vincent (host); Luke Combs
2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Nikki Lane
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider; Mark Wills
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Nicolle Galyon; Molly Tuttle
11:00: Dailey & Vincent (host); Luke Combs
Saturday November 10
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mark Wills; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Whites; Joshua Hedley
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Ellie Holcomb; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Scotty McCreery
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mark Wills; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Joshua Hedley
10:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Ellie Holcomb; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Scotty McCreery
Same may not be familiar with Nicolle Galyon. Nicolle is from Sterling, Kansas and came to Nashville in 2002 to attend Belmont University. After graduating from Belmont in 2006, she signed a publishing deal as a songwriter with Warner/Chappel Nashville. In 2012 she was a contestant on The Voice where she met RaeLynn and Miranda Lambert, establishing friendships with both. During her songwriting career, Nicolle has written songs for Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, and Florida Georgia Line.
_________________________________________________________________________
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of November 7 & 8, 2008:
Friday November 7
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; Randy Owen
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jack Greene; Diamond Rio
8:00: Mel Tillis (host); Jeannie Seely; George Hamilton IV; Mel McDaniel; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); Jan Howard; The Whites; Connie Smith; Vince Gill
Saturday November 8
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; John Conlee; Craig Morgan
7:30: Vince Gill (host); Riders In The Sky; Jean Shepard; Josh Turner; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Randy Travis; Billy Currington; Randy Houser; Kevin Costner & Modern West
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Randy Travis
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Kevin Costner & Modern West; Craig Morgan
10:30: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; Billy Currington; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Vince Gill (host); Riders In The Sky; Randy Houser; Josh Turner
And from 25 years ago, Saturday November 6, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Del Reeves (host); The Whites
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); The Four Guys; Bill Carlisle
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jeannie Seely; Charlie Walker; Jean Shepard; David Houston
7:30: Bill Monroe (host); Skeeter Davis; Hank Locklin; Brother Phelps
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Brother Oswald; Jack Greene; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Charlie Louvin; Jan Howard; Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Stonewall Jackson; Wilma Lee Cooper; Billy Walker; The Whites; Ray Pillow
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Roy Drusky
10:15: Bill Anderson (host); Mike Snider
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jean Shepard
10:45: The Four Guys (host); Jimmy C Newman; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Charlie Walker (host); Connie Smith; David Houston; Nashville Bluegrass Band
11:30: Jack Greene (host); Jan Howard; Charlie Louvin; Johnny Russell
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Those of us that are of a certain age remember the death of Grand Ole Opry member David Akeman, better known as Stringbean. It took place 45 years ago, after the Opry on Saturday November 10, 1973.
Stringbean was a singer, songwriter, musician, comedian, actor and a semi-professional baseball player. He did all of those well. Early in his career, from 1943-1945, he was the banjo player for Bill Monroe and it was Earl Scruggs who replaced Stringbean when he left Bill. He later worked with Grandpa Jones and a host of others. While Earl played the three-finger picking style, Stringbean stuck to the old-fashioned clawhammer style. Among banjo players, Stringbean, along with Uncle Dave Macon, Grandpa Jones and Ralph Stanley are considered the greatest of the old-style pickers.
Perhaps his greatest fame came as a result of being a part of the cast of Hee Haw. One of the regular routines that he did on the show was a "letter from home." Asked about the latest letter, Stringbean would take it out, saying he carried it "right next to my heart." Not finding it in his overalls pocket, he would check all of his other pockets by patting them with his hands until he found the letter, usually in his hip pocket. He was also the scarecrow on the show, saying one liners until shouted down by the crow on his shoulder.
It seemed like Stringbean had been around the Opry forever, yet he was only 58 when he died. I believe, as do others, Stringbean would have carried on much in the same was as Grandpa Jones and Bill Carlisle, and like those two, would have been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Sadly, he has been pretty much forgotten by the voters.
As I do each year, here is the running order from Saturday November 10, 1973, Stringbean's final Grand Ole Opry show:
1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Willis Brothers (host): Little Red Wagon
Johnny Carver: Tie a Yellow Ribbon
Willis Brothers: God Walks These Hills with Me
6:45: Rudy's
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Forget; Forgive Us
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Josie Brown: Precious Memories; Follow Me
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: When My Time Comes to Go
7:00: Rudy's
Tex Ritter (host): Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Stringbean: Hillbilly Fever
Karen Wheeler: The First Time for Us
Tex Ritter: Green Grow the Lilacs
Stringbean: Y'All Come
Karen Wheeler: Listen, Spot
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
7:30: Standard Candy
Bobby Bare (host): Ride Me Down Easy
Jimmy Martin: Just Plain Yellow
Melba Montgomery: Crawdad Song
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Bobby Bare: The Streets of Baltimore
Jimmy Martin: Tennessee
Melba Montgomery: Wrap Your Love Around Me
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Night Train to Memphis
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
Jimmy Driftwood: Run, Johnny, Run/Tennessee Stud
Roy Acuff: Wabash Cannonball
Grandpa and Ramona Jones: Orange Blossom Special
Brother Oswald: Roll on, Buddy
8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Marion Worth: Paper Roses
Billy Grammer, Jr.: Orange Blossom Special
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Billy Grammer: I'm Letting You Go
Marion Worth: Me and Bobby McGee
Billy Grammer: Just A Closer Walk with Thee
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Johnny Carver: Tie a Yellow Ribbon
Jimmy Martin: Honey, You Don't Know My Mind
Josie Brown: Precious Memories; Follow Me
Skeeter Willis: Maiden's Prayer
Johnny Carver: Tonight Someone's Falling in Love
Jimmy Martin: Who'll Sing for Me When I Am Gone
10:00: Fender
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Little Darling Pal of Mine
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me/No Help Wanted
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God
10:15: Union 76
Tex Ritter (host): There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder
Stringbean: Gonna Make Myself a Name/Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Tex Ritter: Willie, the Wondering Gypsy and Me
10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Ball Knob; Arkansas
Grandpa and Ramona Jones: Bright Morning Stars are Rising
Jimmy Driftwood: The Mixed Up Family
10:45: Beech-Nut
Bobby Bare (host): Four Strong Winds
Karen Wheeler: The First Time for Us
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
11:00: Coca Cola
Billy Grammer (host): Bonaparte's Retreat
Melba Montgomery: Don't Keep Me Lonely Too Long
Billy Grammer, Jr: Orange Blossom Special
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Billy Grammer: Somewhere My Love
Melba Montgomery: Let's All Go Down to the River
Sam McGee: Worry, Worry Blues
Billy Grammer: What a Friend
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
Marion Worth: Paper Roses/Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Ronnie Robbins: Too Much Love Between Us/Mama Tried
Marty Robbins: Love Me/Big Boss Man/Crawling on My Knees/Don't Worry/El Paso
______________________________________________________________________
To finish it up for this week, here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry, November 13:
7:00: Connie Smith; T Graham Brown
7:30: The Gibson Brothers; Steven Curtis Chapman
Intermission
8:15: Elizabeth Cook; Charles Esten
8:45: Thompson Square; Craig Morgan
A pretty nice Tuesday show.
There you have it for this week. I hope everyone has a nice week and gets a chance to listen to the Opry this weekend.
Sunday, November 4, 2018
November Opry Highlights
Hard to believe but November is upon us. Many consider the months of November, December, January and February the "winter" months, as the cold wind from the North starts blowing. As far as the Grand Ole Opry is concerned, November is the start of the "winter run" as the Opry moves from the Grand Ole Opry House downtown to it's most famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium. Doing what I do at the start of each month, here are the important and historical events that have taken place at the Grand Ole Opry, or in relation to members of the Opry, during the month of November:
November 28, 1912: Early Grand Ole Opry member Robert Lunn was born in Franklin, Tennessee. He was nicknamed the "Original Talking Blues Man." Robert first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry on March 31, 1934, and he stayed with the Opry until he retired in 1958. What is interesting is that he was known for his "Talking Blues" yes he never recorded the song until 1947. He was very popular and did many early Opry tent shows, often appearing with Roy Acuff.
November 6, 1925: Uncle Dave Macon, Sid Harkreader and Dr. Humphrey Bate performed a show at the Ryman Auditorium that was broadcast on WSM radio. This is considered the first country music concert to have been broadcast on WSM.
November 9, 1925: George D. Hay began working at WSM radio in Nashville, with the title of "Radio Director." Later in the month, he would put Uncle Jimmy Thompson in front of a WSM microphone on a Saturday night, which was the beginning of the WSM Barn Dance, later renamed the Grand Ole Opry.
November 28, 1925: At 8:00 p.m., and originating from the fifth-floor studio at the National Life and Accident Insurance Company's headquarters in downtown Nashville, George D. Hay stepped up to a microphone and introduced Uncle Jimmy Thompson on WSM radio. This is considered as the birth of the Grand Ole Opry. The first tune played by Uncle Jimmy was "Tennessee Wagoner."
November 2, 1926: Former Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Walker was born in Texas. This former disc jockey joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1967 and would remain a member of the Opry until his death in 2008. Each of the occasions that I had the opportunity to speak to Charlie, I always found him friendly and interesting.
November 30, 1931: Teddy Wilburn was born. Teddy, along with his brother Doyle, were longtime members of the Grand Ole Opry. After Doyle's death, Teddy remained as a solo artist on the Opry, until his death in 2003.
November 1, 1937: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson was born. Bill became an Opry member in 1961 and is still an active member today. Not only has the Country Music Hall of Fame member have numerous hit records to his credit, but he is also considered one of the great songwriters in the history of country music and this past year he was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hard to believe that Bill will be 81 this year. He still sounds great and in fact, has recently released a new album.
November 30, 1940: Minnie Pearl made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Minnie would become one of the most beloved members in the history of the Grand Ole Opry and would be an Opry member for over 50 years.
November 2, 1948: Roy Acuff was defeated in his campaign to become the Governor of Tennessee. While Roy would remain a big supporter of Republican candidates, Roy himself would never run for public office again. Roy's campaign mixed country music and politics, but it was not enough to overcome the Democratic majority in Tennessee.
November 6, 1948: While official records are many times hard to come by, it would appear that this was the date that Jimmy Dickens first became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jimmy was an Opry member until leaving in 1957, however he returned to the cast in 1975. Jimmy then stayed with the Opry until his death in January 2015.
November 13, 1949: The Grand Ole Opry sponsored its first overseas tour, as a group of Opry performers traveled to England, Germany and the Azores as part of a USO sponsored tour. Among the Opry stars making the trip were Roy Acuff, Rod Brasfield, Jimmy Dickens, Red Foley, Minnie Pearl and Hank Williams.
November 22, 1952: The first Country Music Disc Jockey convention took place in Nashville. Among the activities that took place was the Grand Ole Opry birthday celebration, the first time a formal event was held to recognize the Opry's anniversary. The DJ convention would continue to grow, eventually growing into such events as Country Music Month and Fan Fair. While the DJ meetings would move to February, the Opry still celebrates his birthday/anniversary each fall, now usually taking place the first or second weekend in October.
November 13, 1953: Del Wood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Del was known for her ragtime piano playing, and her #1 record, "Down Yonder." Del would remain as a member until her death in October 1989.
November 14, 1953: Bill Carlisle joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Bill was an Opry member for just over 49 years, until passing away on March 17, 2003, the same year that he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
November 20, 1954: Western singer and television star Gene Autry made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
November 21, 1955: Jean Shepard became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jean, who passed away in 2016, was an Opry member for over 60 years, the only female to achieve that number. Not only was November 21 the date that Jean joined the Opry, but it was also her birthday and wedding anniversary. It should be noted that after Jean joined the Opry in 1955, she never left.
November 3, 1956: The great Stonewall Jackson originally joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. This year will mark his 62nd anniversary from when he first joined the show. While it is now over 60 years since Stonewall originally joined, it should be noted that Stonewall was fired from the Opry in 1964 for failing to make the required number of annual appearances. He rejoined the cast in 1969. Stonewall's last appearance on the Opry was several years ago when he was recognized upon his 60th anniversary of joining the Opry. It would certainly be nice to see Stonewall back on the Opry once again.
November 10, 1956: The Wilburn Brothers, Teddy and Doyle, became official members of the Grand Ole Opry. Teddy and Doyle, along with other family members, originally came to the Opry in the 1940s, however due to child labor laws, they were sent packing. Thankfully, with the help of Roy Acuff, the brothers returned and became one of the most successful brother acts in the history of country music.
November 9, 1960; Hank Locklin accepted an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank had made his first Opry guest appearance on November 28, 1953. Over the years, he would continue to guest until finally becoming an Opry member. Hank would remain an Opry member until his death in March 2009, 6 month short of 50 years as an Opry member.
November 3, 1961: The Country Music Association announced the first class of inductees to the new Country Music Hall of Fame. In that first class were Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose and Hank Williams. Roy Acuff would join that group the following year to become the first living inductee into the Hall.
November 25, 1961: Grand Ole Opry announcer, and WSM air personality, Eddie Stubbs was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Before joining WSM, Eddie was a fiddle player with the Johnson Mountain Boys, and then later he was a part of Kitty Wells' band.
November 29, 1961: A group of Opry members, which included Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Bill Monroe, Patsy Cline and Grandpa Jones, performed before a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall in New York.
November 28, 1964: Willie Nelson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Willie was an Opry member for just several years, as Nashville was tough on him and he eventually left Music City, returning to his native Texas and reinventing his career. While at the Opry, Willie would constantly complain about the low pay and having to give up every Saturday night to be there.
November 25, 1965: Leroy Van Dyke was fired/suspended as a member of the Grand Ole Opry for failing to meet the Opry's attendance requirements. Leroy had joined the Opry's cast a few years earlier.
November 25, 1967: Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. Dolly's first Opry appearance since 1959 was the previous month, however on that show, Porter and Dolly did not do a duet. The song they performed that night was "The Last Thing on My Mind." While not an Opry member, Dolly would join the cast in January 1969.
November 20, 1968: While not specific to the Grand Ole Opry, the first televised Country Music Association Awards show was televised on NBC. While the awards started in 1966, it took several years to find a network interested in airing it. The show was televised from the Ryman Auditorium with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans as the hosts.
November 12, 1971: Construction officially started on the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland USA. It was a massive project, taking until March 1974 to complete. While there were initial worries about the Opry leaving downtown and the Ryman Auditorium, the Opry has done just fine in its new home.
November 10, 1973: David Akeman, known professionally as Stringbean, made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Later that night, when he and his wife Estelle returned home, they were ambushed and murdered by two men who were waiting in their home to rob them. The bodies were found the following morning by their neighbor and good friend, Grandpa Jones, who had come to pick up Stringbean for a fishing trip. Nashville, and the Opry, was shaken by the murders, with many Opry members, led by Roy Acuff, calling for the death penalty. Grandpa Jones left Nashville for a number of years, moving to Arkansas and opening his own dinner theater. The killers were quickly caught and convicted. One died in prison and the other is out on parole.
November 24, 1975: One of the Opry's early members, Asher Sizemore, passed away at the age of 69. Asher appeared on the Opry with his son, known as "Little Jimmie." While there is some confusion as to when they started on the Opry, the date appears to be September 24, 1932. They were on the Opry for most of the 1930s, leaving the Opry in 1942. Years after they left the Opry, the pair would continue to perform on various radio stations, primarily in the Midwest.
November 5, 1983: Glen Campbell made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He performed a melody of his hits.
November 21, 1985: Reba McEntire made her first appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Reba had actually joined the show earlier when she was asked to join during a taping of the Opry's 60th anniversary show. Since the show was taped for later broadcast, news of her Opry membership was kept under wraps. Reba, whose Opry appearances have become few and far between, has been an Opry member for 33 years.
November 3, 1990: Minnie Pearl was honored as an Opry member for 50 years. She joined the cast in 1940. As a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, this comedian is considered one of the great stars in the history of the Grand Ole Opry.
November 15, 1992: The Grand Ole Opry radio program was inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Communication's Hall of Fame.
November 23, 1992: Grand Ole Opry member Roy Acuff passed away in Nashville, just one month after his final appearance on the Opry. His influence at the Opry, and with country music in general, cannot be overstated. Thanks in large part to Acuff-Rose Publishing, Nashville became the home of country music. Roy was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years, and for many years he was the Opry's most popular member. There are many who feel that his death was the first nail in the coffin that had led to the many changes that have taken place at the Opry over the past several decades.
November 28, 1992: Marty Stuart became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Marty's 26th year as an Opry member. Marty joined the Opry's cast the week after Roy Acuff passed away and I thought Marty would be great addition to the Opry. Sadly, Marty seems to have gone in a different direction and he seldom appears on the show.
November 27, 1993: Joe Diffie became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Joe's 25th anniversary as a member of the Opry. I would expect the Opry to recognize this anniversary later this month.
November 6, 1993: Grand Ole Opry member David Houston made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
November 30, 1993: Just weeks after his final Opry appearance, David Houston passed away at the age of 57. David, who came to Nashville and the Opry from the Louisiana Hayride, had one of the biggest hits in the history of country music with "Almost Persuaded." David had joined the Opry in 1972.
November 30, 1995: Martina McBride became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Martina joined during a CBS television special that celebrated the Opry's 70th anniversary. This will be her 23rd year as an Opry member. Loretta Lynn, who Martina said was a big influence to her while she was learning the business, did the formal induction. Regarding Martina, I love this story that I have repeated several times: She actually appeared on the Opry as part of the 70th anniversary birthday bash that was televised by TNN. She was the last performer on the televised segment before the cake was to be brought out, along with the cast singing "Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry" which always concluded the televised segment. During her portion, she sang two ballads that ran long, causing the cake and singing to be delayed until the next segment, which was not televised. There were many unhappy viewers at home who missed this Opry tradition, and many unhappy Opry members, who missed the chance to be onstage during the televised segment. Martina was very upset afterwards, believing that her mistake on the timing of her songs, cost her a chance of becoming an Opry member, something she always dreamed of. She apologized to everyone she could fine that night, and dreams do come true as the following month, she became an Opry member.
November 23, 1996: Trace Adkins made his first appearance as a guest on the Opry. 7 years later, in August 2003, he would become an Opry member. Trace has told the story several times that on the night of his first appearance, Grandpa Jones, who was hosting the segment, forgot his name. Not unusual for Grandpa.
November 8, 1997: Johnny Paycheck became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. For Johnny, this came pretty late in his life, and after several years of trying to rebuild his image and career after some series legal issues that included prison. Johnny Russell did a lot of work behind the scenes to help Johnny become a member, convincing Opry management that Johnny had cleaned up his act. Sadly, Johnny became ill a few years after joining the show.
November 7, 1998: Jimmy Dickens was honored for 50 years of Opry membership. Jimmy, who originally joined the Opry in 1948, was joined that night by Waylon Jennings, Bill Anderson, Carl Smith and Bobby Bare.
November 23, 2000: Dolly Parton and Vince Gill hosted a CBS televised special celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.
November 24, 2000: Grand Ole Opry member Johnny Russell made his final appearance on the Friday Night Opry, thus ending his performing career as ill health forced his retirement. Johnny's final Saturday night appearance had taken place the previous week, on Saturday November 18. Johnny passed away several years later after a period of declining health.
November 8, 2002: The Grand Ole Opry was broadcast for the first time on Sirius satellite radio. For many, it was the first time that they were able to listen to an entire Opry show, while for others, it was the first time to enjoy the show without static.
November 23, 2002: Jim & Jesse McReynolds performed on the Opry for the final time. Jim McReynolds, who was in the final stages of an illness that would lead to his death on December 31, sang and played his guitar while sitting. The brothers had been Opry members since 1964, with Jesse still actively performing on the Opry.
November 30, 2002: Tim McGraw made his first guest appearance on the Opry. While never becoming an Opry member, Tim would appear on the Opry stage a few more times.
November 1, 2003: Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn made her final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Holly made the decision to give up her musical career and moved to New Mexico to pursue her passion as an artist. Sadly, and unlike a few other Opry members who retired from performing, Holly was fired as an Opry member several years later.
November 17, 2003: Grand Ole Opry member Don Gibson passed away in Nashville. Don was one of the greatest songwriters in the history of country music and in 2001 he had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Don joined the Opry on May 20, 1958, but was fired in December 1964 for failing to meet the required number of Opry appearances. He rejoined the show several years later, but even after coming back, his appearances were few. His last Opry show was on March 16, 1996.
November 15, 2005: The Grand Ole Opry returned to Carnegie Hall in New York for just the 3rd time in its history, this time to promote the Opry's 80th anniversary. The show included performances by Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs and Trisha Yearwood.
November 26, 2005: Grand Ole Opry member Jean Shepard was honored upon her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jean had joined the Opry's cast in November 1955. Sadly, Jean's recognition did not take place during the televised segment that evening.
November 19, 2007: During Charlie Daniel's 11th annual Christmas For Kids benefit at the Ryman Auditorium, Opry member Martina McBride surprised Charlie on stage with an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
November 8, 2008: Actor Kevin Costner and his country and western band, Modern West, performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.
November 14, 2009: The Grand Ole Opry streamed part of its show on MySpace. The segment featured Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Jake Owen and Rodney Atkins. This was the first time that the Opry attempted a broadcast like this and despite numerous technical issues, the Opry considered it a success.
November 9, 2010: Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Louvin made his final Opry appearance, in a show that took place at the Ryman Auditorium.
November 21, 2015: Jean Shepard celebrated her 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She appeared in a segment hosted by Bill Anderson, her first Opry appearance in a year. During the show, she announced her retirement and this was Jean's final appearance on the Opry.
November 5, 2016: Grand Ole Opry member Stonewall Jackson was recognized and honored upon his 60th anniversary of when he first joined the Grand Ole Opry.
November 15, 2016: During a guest appearance on the Tuesday Night Opry, Carrie Underwood surprised Crystal Gayle during a guest appearance, with an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Crystal's official induction took place the following January.
November 24, 2016: Former Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn passed away in New Mexico from ovarian cancer. Holly joined the Opry's cast in October 1989 and was a member of the Opry until she was fired in the 2000's, after leaving Nashville and moving to New Mexico. In addition to her Opry duties, Holly also was a regular host of the Opry Backstage show.
November 19, 2017: Grand Ole Opry member, and Country Music Hall of Fame member, Mel Tillis passed away in Florida after an extended illness. Mel had joined the Opry in June 2007 after a very successful career as a singer, songwriter and actor.
There you have it for this month.
November 28, 1912: Early Grand Ole Opry member Robert Lunn was born in Franklin, Tennessee. He was nicknamed the "Original Talking Blues Man." Robert first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry on March 31, 1934, and he stayed with the Opry until he retired in 1958. What is interesting is that he was known for his "Talking Blues" yes he never recorded the song until 1947. He was very popular and did many early Opry tent shows, often appearing with Roy Acuff.
November 6, 1925: Uncle Dave Macon, Sid Harkreader and Dr. Humphrey Bate performed a show at the Ryman Auditorium that was broadcast on WSM radio. This is considered the first country music concert to have been broadcast on WSM.
November 9, 1925: George D. Hay began working at WSM radio in Nashville, with the title of "Radio Director." Later in the month, he would put Uncle Jimmy Thompson in front of a WSM microphone on a Saturday night, which was the beginning of the WSM Barn Dance, later renamed the Grand Ole Opry.
November 28, 1925: At 8:00 p.m., and originating from the fifth-floor studio at the National Life and Accident Insurance Company's headquarters in downtown Nashville, George D. Hay stepped up to a microphone and introduced Uncle Jimmy Thompson on WSM radio. This is considered as the birth of the Grand Ole Opry. The first tune played by Uncle Jimmy was "Tennessee Wagoner."
November 2, 1926: Former Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Walker was born in Texas. This former disc jockey joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1967 and would remain a member of the Opry until his death in 2008. Each of the occasions that I had the opportunity to speak to Charlie, I always found him friendly and interesting.
November 30, 1931: Teddy Wilburn was born. Teddy, along with his brother Doyle, were longtime members of the Grand Ole Opry. After Doyle's death, Teddy remained as a solo artist on the Opry, until his death in 2003.
November 1, 1937: Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson was born. Bill became an Opry member in 1961 and is still an active member today. Not only has the Country Music Hall of Fame member have numerous hit records to his credit, but he is also considered one of the great songwriters in the history of country music and this past year he was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hard to believe that Bill will be 81 this year. He still sounds great and in fact, has recently released a new album.
November 30, 1940: Minnie Pearl made her Grand Ole Opry debut. Minnie would become one of the most beloved members in the history of the Grand Ole Opry and would be an Opry member for over 50 years.
November 2, 1948: Roy Acuff was defeated in his campaign to become the Governor of Tennessee. While Roy would remain a big supporter of Republican candidates, Roy himself would never run for public office again. Roy's campaign mixed country music and politics, but it was not enough to overcome the Democratic majority in Tennessee.
November 6, 1948: While official records are many times hard to come by, it would appear that this was the date that Jimmy Dickens first became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jimmy was an Opry member until leaving in 1957, however he returned to the cast in 1975. Jimmy then stayed with the Opry until his death in January 2015.
November 13, 1949: The Grand Ole Opry sponsored its first overseas tour, as a group of Opry performers traveled to England, Germany and the Azores as part of a USO sponsored tour. Among the Opry stars making the trip were Roy Acuff, Rod Brasfield, Jimmy Dickens, Red Foley, Minnie Pearl and Hank Williams.
November 22, 1952: The first Country Music Disc Jockey convention took place in Nashville. Among the activities that took place was the Grand Ole Opry birthday celebration, the first time a formal event was held to recognize the Opry's anniversary. The DJ convention would continue to grow, eventually growing into such events as Country Music Month and Fan Fair. While the DJ meetings would move to February, the Opry still celebrates his birthday/anniversary each fall, now usually taking place the first or second weekend in October.
November 13, 1953: Del Wood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Del was known for her ragtime piano playing, and her #1 record, "Down Yonder." Del would remain as a member until her death in October 1989.
November 14, 1953: Bill Carlisle joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Bill was an Opry member for just over 49 years, until passing away on March 17, 2003, the same year that he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
November 20, 1954: Western singer and television star Gene Autry made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
November 21, 1955: Jean Shepard became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jean, who passed away in 2016, was an Opry member for over 60 years, the only female to achieve that number. Not only was November 21 the date that Jean joined the Opry, but it was also her birthday and wedding anniversary. It should be noted that after Jean joined the Opry in 1955, she never left.
November 3, 1956: The great Stonewall Jackson originally joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. This year will mark his 62nd anniversary from when he first joined the show. While it is now over 60 years since Stonewall originally joined, it should be noted that Stonewall was fired from the Opry in 1964 for failing to make the required number of annual appearances. He rejoined the cast in 1969. Stonewall's last appearance on the Opry was several years ago when he was recognized upon his 60th anniversary of joining the Opry. It would certainly be nice to see Stonewall back on the Opry once again.
November 10, 1956: The Wilburn Brothers, Teddy and Doyle, became official members of the Grand Ole Opry. Teddy and Doyle, along with other family members, originally came to the Opry in the 1940s, however due to child labor laws, they were sent packing. Thankfully, with the help of Roy Acuff, the brothers returned and became one of the most successful brother acts in the history of country music.
November 9, 1960; Hank Locklin accepted an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank had made his first Opry guest appearance on November 28, 1953. Over the years, he would continue to guest until finally becoming an Opry member. Hank would remain an Opry member until his death in March 2009, 6 month short of 50 years as an Opry member.
November 3, 1961: The Country Music Association announced the first class of inductees to the new Country Music Hall of Fame. In that first class were Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose and Hank Williams. Roy Acuff would join that group the following year to become the first living inductee into the Hall.
November 25, 1961: Grand Ole Opry announcer, and WSM air personality, Eddie Stubbs was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Before joining WSM, Eddie was a fiddle player with the Johnson Mountain Boys, and then later he was a part of Kitty Wells' band.
November 29, 1961: A group of Opry members, which included Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Bill Monroe, Patsy Cline and Grandpa Jones, performed before a sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall in New York.
November 28, 1964: Willie Nelson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Willie was an Opry member for just several years, as Nashville was tough on him and he eventually left Music City, returning to his native Texas and reinventing his career. While at the Opry, Willie would constantly complain about the low pay and having to give up every Saturday night to be there.
November 25, 1965: Leroy Van Dyke was fired/suspended as a member of the Grand Ole Opry for failing to meet the Opry's attendance requirements. Leroy had joined the Opry's cast a few years earlier.
November 25, 1967: Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time. Dolly's first Opry appearance since 1959 was the previous month, however on that show, Porter and Dolly did not do a duet. The song they performed that night was "The Last Thing on My Mind." While not an Opry member, Dolly would join the cast in January 1969.
November 20, 1968: While not specific to the Grand Ole Opry, the first televised Country Music Association Awards show was televised on NBC. While the awards started in 1966, it took several years to find a network interested in airing it. The show was televised from the Ryman Auditorium with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans as the hosts.
November 12, 1971: Construction officially started on the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland USA. It was a massive project, taking until March 1974 to complete. While there were initial worries about the Opry leaving downtown and the Ryman Auditorium, the Opry has done just fine in its new home.
November 10, 1973: David Akeman, known professionally as Stringbean, made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Later that night, when he and his wife Estelle returned home, they were ambushed and murdered by two men who were waiting in their home to rob them. The bodies were found the following morning by their neighbor and good friend, Grandpa Jones, who had come to pick up Stringbean for a fishing trip. Nashville, and the Opry, was shaken by the murders, with many Opry members, led by Roy Acuff, calling for the death penalty. Grandpa Jones left Nashville for a number of years, moving to Arkansas and opening his own dinner theater. The killers were quickly caught and convicted. One died in prison and the other is out on parole.
November 24, 1975: One of the Opry's early members, Asher Sizemore, passed away at the age of 69. Asher appeared on the Opry with his son, known as "Little Jimmie." While there is some confusion as to when they started on the Opry, the date appears to be September 24, 1932. They were on the Opry for most of the 1930s, leaving the Opry in 1942. Years after they left the Opry, the pair would continue to perform on various radio stations, primarily in the Midwest.
November 5, 1983: Glen Campbell made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He performed a melody of his hits.
November 21, 1985: Reba McEntire made her first appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Reba had actually joined the show earlier when she was asked to join during a taping of the Opry's 60th anniversary show. Since the show was taped for later broadcast, news of her Opry membership was kept under wraps. Reba, whose Opry appearances have become few and far between, has been an Opry member for 33 years.
November 3, 1990: Minnie Pearl was honored as an Opry member for 50 years. She joined the cast in 1940. As a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, this comedian is considered one of the great stars in the history of the Grand Ole Opry.
November 15, 1992: The Grand Ole Opry radio program was inducted into the Museum of Broadcast Communication's Hall of Fame.
November 23, 1992: Grand Ole Opry member Roy Acuff passed away in Nashville, just one month after his final appearance on the Opry. His influence at the Opry, and with country music in general, cannot be overstated. Thanks in large part to Acuff-Rose Publishing, Nashville became the home of country music. Roy was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years, and for many years he was the Opry's most popular member. There are many who feel that his death was the first nail in the coffin that had led to the many changes that have taken place at the Opry over the past several decades.
November 28, 1992: Marty Stuart became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Marty's 26th year as an Opry member. Marty joined the Opry's cast the week after Roy Acuff passed away and I thought Marty would be great addition to the Opry. Sadly, Marty seems to have gone in a different direction and he seldom appears on the show.
November 27, 1993: Joe Diffie became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Joe's 25th anniversary as a member of the Opry. I would expect the Opry to recognize this anniversary later this month.
November 6, 1993: Grand Ole Opry member David Houston made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
November 30, 1993: Just weeks after his final Opry appearance, David Houston passed away at the age of 57. David, who came to Nashville and the Opry from the Louisiana Hayride, had one of the biggest hits in the history of country music with "Almost Persuaded." David had joined the Opry in 1972.
November 30, 1995: Martina McBride became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Martina joined during a CBS television special that celebrated the Opry's 70th anniversary. This will be her 23rd year as an Opry member. Loretta Lynn, who Martina said was a big influence to her while she was learning the business, did the formal induction. Regarding Martina, I love this story that I have repeated several times: She actually appeared on the Opry as part of the 70th anniversary birthday bash that was televised by TNN. She was the last performer on the televised segment before the cake was to be brought out, along with the cast singing "Happy Birthday Grand Ole Opry" which always concluded the televised segment. During her portion, she sang two ballads that ran long, causing the cake and singing to be delayed until the next segment, which was not televised. There were many unhappy viewers at home who missed this Opry tradition, and many unhappy Opry members, who missed the chance to be onstage during the televised segment. Martina was very upset afterwards, believing that her mistake on the timing of her songs, cost her a chance of becoming an Opry member, something she always dreamed of. She apologized to everyone she could fine that night, and dreams do come true as the following month, she became an Opry member.
November 23, 1996: Trace Adkins made his first appearance as a guest on the Opry. 7 years later, in August 2003, he would become an Opry member. Trace has told the story several times that on the night of his first appearance, Grandpa Jones, who was hosting the segment, forgot his name. Not unusual for Grandpa.
November 8, 1997: Johnny Paycheck became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. For Johnny, this came pretty late in his life, and after several years of trying to rebuild his image and career after some series legal issues that included prison. Johnny Russell did a lot of work behind the scenes to help Johnny become a member, convincing Opry management that Johnny had cleaned up his act. Sadly, Johnny became ill a few years after joining the show.
November 7, 1998: Jimmy Dickens was honored for 50 years of Opry membership. Jimmy, who originally joined the Opry in 1948, was joined that night by Waylon Jennings, Bill Anderson, Carl Smith and Bobby Bare.
November 23, 2000: Dolly Parton and Vince Gill hosted a CBS televised special celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.
November 24, 2000: Grand Ole Opry member Johnny Russell made his final appearance on the Friday Night Opry, thus ending his performing career as ill health forced his retirement. Johnny's final Saturday night appearance had taken place the previous week, on Saturday November 18. Johnny passed away several years later after a period of declining health.
November 8, 2002: The Grand Ole Opry was broadcast for the first time on Sirius satellite radio. For many, it was the first time that they were able to listen to an entire Opry show, while for others, it was the first time to enjoy the show without static.
November 23, 2002: Jim & Jesse McReynolds performed on the Opry for the final time. Jim McReynolds, who was in the final stages of an illness that would lead to his death on December 31, sang and played his guitar while sitting. The brothers had been Opry members since 1964, with Jesse still actively performing on the Opry.
November 30, 2002: Tim McGraw made his first guest appearance on the Opry. While never becoming an Opry member, Tim would appear on the Opry stage a few more times.
November 1, 2003: Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn made her final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Holly made the decision to give up her musical career and moved to New Mexico to pursue her passion as an artist. Sadly, and unlike a few other Opry members who retired from performing, Holly was fired as an Opry member several years later.
November 17, 2003: Grand Ole Opry member Don Gibson passed away in Nashville. Don was one of the greatest songwriters in the history of country music and in 2001 he had been elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Don joined the Opry on May 20, 1958, but was fired in December 1964 for failing to meet the required number of Opry appearances. He rejoined the show several years later, but even after coming back, his appearances were few. His last Opry show was on March 16, 1996.
November 15, 2005: The Grand Ole Opry returned to Carnegie Hall in New York for just the 3rd time in its history, this time to promote the Opry's 80th anniversary. The show included performances by Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs and Trisha Yearwood.
November 26, 2005: Grand Ole Opry member Jean Shepard was honored upon her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jean had joined the Opry's cast in November 1955. Sadly, Jean's recognition did not take place during the televised segment that evening.
November 19, 2007: During Charlie Daniel's 11th annual Christmas For Kids benefit at the Ryman Auditorium, Opry member Martina McBride surprised Charlie on stage with an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
November 8, 2008: Actor Kevin Costner and his country and western band, Modern West, performed on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.
November 14, 2009: The Grand Ole Opry streamed part of its show on MySpace. The segment featured Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Jake Owen and Rodney Atkins. This was the first time that the Opry attempted a broadcast like this and despite numerous technical issues, the Opry considered it a success.
November 9, 2010: Grand Ole Opry member Charlie Louvin made his final Opry appearance, in a show that took place at the Ryman Auditorium.
November 21, 2015: Jean Shepard celebrated her 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She appeared in a segment hosted by Bill Anderson, her first Opry appearance in a year. During the show, she announced her retirement and this was Jean's final appearance on the Opry.
November 5, 2016: Grand Ole Opry member Stonewall Jackson was recognized and honored upon his 60th anniversary of when he first joined the Grand Ole Opry.
November 15, 2016: During a guest appearance on the Tuesday Night Opry, Carrie Underwood surprised Crystal Gayle during a guest appearance, with an invitation to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Crystal's official induction took place the following January.
November 24, 2016: Former Grand Ole Opry member Holly Dunn passed away in New Mexico from ovarian cancer. Holly joined the Opry's cast in October 1989 and was a member of the Opry until she was fired in the 2000's, after leaving Nashville and moving to New Mexico. In addition to her Opry duties, Holly also was a regular host of the Opry Backstage show.
November 19, 2017: Grand Ole Opry member, and Country Music Hall of Fame member, Mel Tillis passed away in Florida after an extended illness. Mel had joined the Opry in June 2007 after a very successful career as a singer, songwriter and actor.
There you have it for this month.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Grand Ole Opry 11/2 & 11/3
I don't want to be too hard on the Opry's management because overall, I think they are doing a better job. But, when I see only three Opry members on the Friday Night Opry, and a guest artist scheduled for all six shows over this weekend, I just have to scratch my head and wonder.
Anyways, the line-ups have been posted for the shows this weekend as the Grand Ole Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium for its annual winter run, which will last through January. There are two shows on Friday and Saturday night, in addition to two Tuesday Night Opry shows.
Looking at the Friday Night Opry, Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for both shows are Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Mike Snider is down for the first show and Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers are set for the late show. Saturday night has Mike Snider, Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne, Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely scheduled for both shows.
Home Free and Williams & Ree are scheduled for all four weekend shows, joined on Friday night by Stephanie Quayle, Shenandoah, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Carly Pearce and Michael Ray. On Saturday night, those two will be joined by Smithfield, Delta Rae, Charlie Worsham and one of my personal favorites, Suzy Bogguss.
Friday November 2
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Stephanie Quayle; Shenandoah
7:30: The Whites (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Williams & Ree
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Carly Pearce; Michael Ray; Home Free
2nd show
9:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Stephanie Quayle; Shenandoah
10:00: The Whites (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Williams & Ree
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Carly Pearce; Michael Ray; Home Free
Definitely a little thin on Friday night, and I don't see why the Opry didn't hold Mike Snider over for the second show and at least create an additional segment.
Saturday November 3
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Smithfield; Delta Rae
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Williams & Ree; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Worsham; Home Free
2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Smithfield; Delta Rae
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Williams & Ree; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Worsham; Home Free
Definitely a little better than Friday night. As to the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this weekend. Teea Goans will be the host.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of October 31 & November 1, 2008:
Friday October 31
8:00: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Jeff Bates
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Cherryholmes
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Rebecca Lynn Howard
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mel McDaniel; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Restless Heart
Saturday November 1
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; The Whites
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Brad Paisley; Trace Adkins; George Jones w/Georgette Jones; Jimmy Dickens
2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Jeannie Seely; Mel McDaniel; The Whites
10:00: Trace Adkins (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; Brad Paisley; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith
And from 25 years ago, Saturday October 30, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); The Four Guys
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard; Stonewall Jackson
7:00: Jack Greene (host); Skeeter Davis; Billy Walker; Charlie Louvin
7:30: Jerry Clower (host); Floyd Cramer; Louise Mandrell
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown; Brother Oswald; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Riders In The Sky; Jeanne Pruett; Jimmy C Newman; The Whites
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Floyd Cramer; Wilma Lee Cooper; Roy Drusky; Louise Mandrell
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Shelley Sims
10:30: The Four Guys (host); Bill Carlisle
10:45: Jerry Clower (host); Jimmy C Newman; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Riders In The Sky; Charlie Walker; Justin Tubb; Charlie Louvin
11:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jeanne Pruett; The Whites; Mike Snider
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While the Grand Ole Opry's birthday celebration now takes place in October, there was a time when November was the month and so it did in 1961 as the Opry celebrated it's 36th anniversary on Saturday November 4. Here is the running order from that night, 57 years ago.
7:30: Pet Milk
Faron Young (host): Back Track
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters
Roy Drusky: I Went Out of My Way
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me
Jimmy Newman: Alligator Man
Skeeter Davis: Optimistic
Glaser Brothers: Let Me Down Easy
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Faron Young: I Haven't Got the Time
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): My Long Journey Home
Billy Grammer: Save Your Tears
Patsy Cline: I Fall to Pieces
Grandpa Jones: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Alabam'
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Flatt and Scruggs: Where Will I Shelter My Sheep
Earl Scruggs: Earl's Breakdown
8:30: Faultless Starch
Jim Reeves (host): How Can I Write on Paper, What I Feel in My Heart
Hawkshaw Hawkins: I Wake Up With a Big Old Heartache
Willis Brothers: Everlovin' Dixie Land
Hank Locklin: This Song is Just for You
Jean Shepard: I've Got to Talk to Mary
Stringbean: 20 cent Cotton and 90 cent Meat
Carl Butler: Honky Tonkitis
Jordanaires: Satisfied
Jim Reeves: Melody
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Girl From Abilene
Wilburn Brothers: The Legend of the Big River Train
Ray Price: (?)
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Bill Monroe: Linda Lou
Cousin Jody: Comedy
Margie Bowes: Lonely Pillow
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Ernest Tubb: Thru That Door
9:30: Stephens
Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry
Johnny and Jack: Let My Heart Be Broken
Ferlin Husky: The Waltz You Saved for Me
Lonzo and Oscar: Country Music Time
George Morgan: Everyday of My Life
Kitty Wells: Our Mansion is a Prison Now
George Hamilton IV: (?)
Marty Robbins: El Paso
10:00: Standard Oil/Sustaining
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Roy Drusky: Anymore
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Carl Butler: For the First Time
Skeeter Davis: I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know
Grandpa Jones: (?)
Del Wood: Creola Fandango
Billy Walker: Faded Lights and Lonesome People
Porter Wagoner: Everything She Touches Gets the Blues
10:30: Jasper Engine and Transmissions
Ernest Tubb (host): Don't Just Stand There
Jimmy Newman: Alligator Man
Stringbean: Herding Cattle
Patsy Cline: Crazy
Ernest Tubb: Thoughts of A Fool
10:45: De Con
Faron Young (host): Hello Walls
Jan Howard: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Crook Brothers: Lost Indian
Faron Young: Going Steady
11:00: Coca Cola
Ray Price (host): (?)
Willis Brothers: Pretty Diamonds
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Lonzo and Oscar: I Can't Pitch Woo in an Igloo
Billy Grammer: Save the Tears
Jordanaires: House of Gold
Sam and Kirk McGee: Lonely River
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Ray Price: (?)
11:30: Black Draught
Ferlin Husky (host): Wings of A Dove
Bill Monroe: On & On
George Morgan: You're the Only Good Thing
Wilburn Brothers: No Legal Right
Cousin Jody: Comedy
Loretta Lynn: I Walked Away from the Wreck
Glaser Brothers: Tired of Crying Over You
George Hamilton IV: (?)
Simon Crum: (?)
Two years later, the Opry celebrated it's 44th anniversary. Here is the running order from that night 55 years ago, Saturday November 2, 1963:
6:30: Rudy's
Jimmy Newman (host): The Mover
Kitty Wells: Heartaches for a Keepsake
Johnny Wright: O, Baby Mine
Stringbean: There Will Be Moonshine in Them Old Kentucky Hills
Bobby Lord: Out Behind the Barn
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Kitty Wells: I Gave My Wedding Dress Away
Jimmy Newman: D.J. for a Day
7:00: Delited
Porter Wagoner (host): I've Enjoyed As Much of This as I Can Stand
Roy Drusky: Peel Me a Nanner
Carl Butler: Don't Let Me Cross Over
Melba Montgomery: What's Bad for You is Good for Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Billy Walker: The Morning Paper
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Porter Wagoner: In The Shadow of the Wine
7:30: Kellogg's
George Morgan (host): Alright, I'll Sign the Paper
Marion Worth: (?)
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Willis Brothers: Private Lee
Bill Anderson: Still
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Tex Ritter: Boll Weevil
Square Dancers: Soap Suds Over the Fence
George Morgan: One Dozen Roses
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): New York Town
Ferlin Husky: Gone
Loretta Lynn: Before I'm Over You
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Flatt and Scruggs: Mama Don't Allow It
Billy Grammer: (?)
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Flatt and Scruggs: Flint Hill Special
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bill Monroe: John Henry
Ray Price: San Antonio Rose
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Sonny James: Going Through the Motions
Lonzo and Oscar: There's A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Brother Oswald: Roll On, Buddy, Roll On
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Johnny Cash: (?)
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
June Carter and The Carter Sisters: (?)
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Margie Bowes: Our Things
Ernest Tubb: The Way You're Living
9:30: Pet Milk
Hank Snow (host): Ninety Miles an Hour Down A Dead End Street
The Browns: The 3 Bells
Faron Young: Yellow Bandana
Jean Shepard: (?)
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters
Leroy Van Dyke: Happy to Be Unhappy
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: There's a Big Wheel
Stonewall Jackson: B.J. the D.J.
Hank Snow: Blue Roses
10:00: Gates Rubber
Billy Grammer (host): (?)
Bobby Lord: Life can Have Meaning
Curly Fox: T. Model & A Train
Billy Walker: Heart, Be Careful
Billy Grammer: (?)
10:15: Luzianne
Roy Acuff (host): The Great Speckled Bird
Del Wood: Columbus Stockade Blues
Jimmy Newman: D.J. for a Day
Roy Acuff: Wreck on the Highway
Howdy Forrester and Jimmy Riddle: Apple Blossoms
10:30: Harvey's
Ferlin Husky (host): Wings of a Dove
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Tex Ritter: (?)
Simon Crum: (?)
10:45: Ford
Faron Young (host): (?)
George Morgan: You're the Only Good Thing
Bill Anderson: Eight by Ten
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Faron Young: (?)
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Skeeter Davis: Something Precious
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
The Browns: Oh, No
Lonzo and Oscar: Hand Holding
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Gloryland March
Sam and Kirk McGee: Let's Meet by the Old Oaken Bucket
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Love Somebody
Hank Snow: There's a Fool Such as I
11:30: SSS Tonic
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Hank Locklin: Flying South
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Stonewall Jackson: Wild, Wild Wind
Margie Bowes: Judge Not
Sonny James: The Minute You're Gone
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry
As I have written before, the Opry birthday was celebrated at the same time as the annual Disc Jockey Convention, and as these line-ups showed, it was pretty much everyone on deck, so to speak. And pretty much every Opry member appeared. But notice the differences between the shows that were just two years apart. There were changes in sponsors and the Opry had lost several members as Jim Reeves had left and tragically, Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Jack Anglin had passed away. In 1961 Marty Robbins was not anchored in the 11:30 segment, but by 1963 he was. And notice that Roy Acuff and Hank Snow were missing from the 1961 show.
________________________________________________________________________
The line-up has also been posted for the Tuesday Night Opry on November 6. There will be two shows that night, highlighted by Grand Ole Opry members Josh Turner and Little Big Town.
1st show
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Josh Turner
8:00: Home Free; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:30: Little Big Town
2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky; Mandy Barnett
10:00: Josh Turner
8:00: Home Free; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:30: Little Big Town
There you have it for this week. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!
Anyways, the line-ups have been posted for the shows this weekend as the Grand Ole Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium for its annual winter run, which will last through January. There are two shows on Friday and Saturday night, in addition to two Tuesday Night Opry shows.
Looking at the Friday Night Opry, Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for both shows are Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Mike Snider is down for the first show and Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers are set for the late show. Saturday night has Mike Snider, Bill Anderson, Bobby Osborne, Connie Smith and Jeannie Seely scheduled for both shows.
Home Free and Williams & Ree are scheduled for all four weekend shows, joined on Friday night by Stephanie Quayle, Shenandoah, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Carly Pearce and Michael Ray. On Saturday night, those two will be joined by Smithfield, Delta Rae, Charlie Worsham and one of my personal favorites, Suzy Bogguss.
Friday November 2
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Stephanie Quayle; Shenandoah
7:30: The Whites (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Williams & Ree
8:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); Carly Pearce; Michael Ray; Home Free
2nd show
9:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Stephanie Quayle; Shenandoah
10:00: The Whites (host); Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Williams & Ree
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Carly Pearce; Michael Ray; Home Free
Definitely a little thin on Friday night, and I don't see why the Opry didn't hold Mike Snider over for the second show and at least create an additional segment.
Saturday November 3
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Smithfield; Delta Rae
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Williams & Ree; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Worsham; Home Free
2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Smithfield; Delta Rae
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Suzy Bogguss
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Williams & Ree; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Charlie Worsham; Home Free
Definitely a little better than Friday night. As to the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree this weekend. Teea Goans will be the host.
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And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of October 31 & November 1, 2008:
Friday October 31
8:00: John Conlee (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Jeff Bates
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Cherryholmes
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Rebecca Lynn Howard
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Mel McDaniel; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Restless Heart
Saturday November 1
1st show
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jean Shepard; The Whites
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Brad Paisley; Trace Adkins; George Jones w/Georgette Jones; Jimmy Dickens
2nd show
9:30: John Conlee (host); Jeannie Seely; Mel McDaniel; The Whites
10:00: Trace Adkins (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; Brad Paisley; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jack Greene; Connie Smith
And from 25 years ago, Saturday October 30, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Bill Monroe (host); The Four Guys
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard; Stonewall Jackson
7:00: Jack Greene (host); Skeeter Davis; Billy Walker; Charlie Louvin
7:30: Jerry Clower (host); Floyd Cramer; Louise Mandrell
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jim Ed Brown; Brother Oswald; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Riders In The Sky; Jeanne Pruett; Jimmy C Newman; The Whites
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Floyd Cramer; Wilma Lee Cooper; Roy Drusky; Louise Mandrell
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Shelley Sims
10:30: The Four Guys (host); Bill Carlisle
10:45: Jerry Clower (host); Jimmy C Newman; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Riders In The Sky; Charlie Walker; Justin Tubb; Charlie Louvin
11:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jim Ed Brown; Jeanne Pruett; The Whites; Mike Snider
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While the Grand Ole Opry's birthday celebration now takes place in October, there was a time when November was the month and so it did in 1961 as the Opry celebrated it's 36th anniversary on Saturday November 4. Here is the running order from that night, 57 years ago.
7:30: Pet Milk
Faron Young (host): Back Track
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters
Roy Drusky: I Went Out of My Way
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me
Jimmy Newman: Alligator Man
Skeeter Davis: Optimistic
Glaser Brothers: Let Me Down Easy
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Faron Young: I Haven't Got the Time
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): My Long Journey Home
Billy Grammer: Save Your Tears
Patsy Cline: I Fall to Pieces
Grandpa Jones: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Alabam'
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Bill Anderson: Po' Folks
Crook Brothers: Liberty
Flatt and Scruggs: Where Will I Shelter My Sheep
Earl Scruggs: Earl's Breakdown
8:30: Faultless Starch
Jim Reeves (host): How Can I Write on Paper, What I Feel in My Heart
Hawkshaw Hawkins: I Wake Up With a Big Old Heartache
Willis Brothers: Everlovin' Dixie Land
Hank Locklin: This Song is Just for You
Jean Shepard: I've Got to Talk to Mary
Stringbean: 20 cent Cotton and 90 cent Meat
Carl Butler: Honky Tonkitis
Jordanaires: Satisfied
Jim Reeves: Melody
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Girl From Abilene
Wilburn Brothers: The Legend of the Big River Train
Ray Price: (?)
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Bill Monroe: Linda Lou
Cousin Jody: Comedy
Margie Bowes: Lonely Pillow
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Ernest Tubb: Thru That Door
9:30: Stephens
Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry
Johnny and Jack: Let My Heart Be Broken
Ferlin Husky: The Waltz You Saved for Me
Lonzo and Oscar: Country Music Time
George Morgan: Everyday of My Life
Kitty Wells: Our Mansion is a Prison Now
George Hamilton IV: (?)
Marty Robbins: El Paso
10:00: Standard Oil/Sustaining
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Roy Drusky: Anymore
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Carl Butler: For the First Time
Skeeter Davis: I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know
Grandpa Jones: (?)
Del Wood: Creola Fandango
Billy Walker: Faded Lights and Lonesome People
Porter Wagoner: Everything She Touches Gets the Blues
10:30: Jasper Engine and Transmissions
Ernest Tubb (host): Don't Just Stand There
Jimmy Newman: Alligator Man
Stringbean: Herding Cattle
Patsy Cline: Crazy
Ernest Tubb: Thoughts of A Fool
10:45: De Con
Faron Young (host): Hello Walls
Jan Howard: (?)
Cowboy Copas: Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Crook Brothers: Lost Indian
Faron Young: Going Steady
11:00: Coca Cola
Ray Price (host): (?)
Willis Brothers: Pretty Diamonds
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Lonzo and Oscar: I Can't Pitch Woo in an Igloo
Billy Grammer: Save the Tears
Jordanaires: House of Gold
Sam and Kirk McGee: Lonely River
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Ray Price: (?)
11:30: Black Draught
Ferlin Husky (host): Wings of A Dove
Bill Monroe: On & On
George Morgan: You're the Only Good Thing
Wilburn Brothers: No Legal Right
Cousin Jody: Comedy
Loretta Lynn: I Walked Away from the Wreck
Glaser Brothers: Tired of Crying Over You
George Hamilton IV: (?)
Simon Crum: (?)
Two years later, the Opry celebrated it's 44th anniversary. Here is the running order from that night 55 years ago, Saturday November 2, 1963:
6:30: Rudy's
Jimmy Newman (host): The Mover
Kitty Wells: Heartaches for a Keepsake
Johnny Wright: O, Baby Mine
Stringbean: There Will Be Moonshine in Them Old Kentucky Hills
Bobby Lord: Out Behind the Barn
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Kitty Wells: I Gave My Wedding Dress Away
Jimmy Newman: D.J. for a Day
7:00: Delited
Porter Wagoner (host): I've Enjoyed As Much of This as I Can Stand
Roy Drusky: Peel Me a Nanner
Carl Butler: Don't Let Me Cross Over
Melba Montgomery: What's Bad for You is Good for Me
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Billy Walker: The Morning Paper
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Porter Wagoner: In The Shadow of the Wine
7:30: Kellogg's
George Morgan (host): Alright, I'll Sign the Paper
Marion Worth: (?)
Hank Locklin: Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Willis Brothers: Private Lee
Bill Anderson: Still
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Tex Ritter: Boll Weevil
Square Dancers: Soap Suds Over the Fence
George Morgan: One Dozen Roses
8:00: Martha White
Flatt and Scruggs (host): New York Town
Ferlin Husky: Gone
Loretta Lynn: Before I'm Over You
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Flatt and Scruggs: Mama Don't Allow It
Billy Grammer: (?)
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Crook Brothers: Lafayette
Flatt and Scruggs: Flint Hill Special
8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bill Monroe: John Henry
Ray Price: San Antonio Rose
Minnie Pearl: Comedy
Sonny James: Going Through the Motions
Lonzo and Oscar: There's A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Brother Oswald: Roll On, Buddy, Roll On
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
9:00: Jefferson Island Salt
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Johnny Cash: (?)
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
June Carter and The Carter Sisters: (?)
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Margie Bowes: Our Things
Ernest Tubb: The Way You're Living
9:30: Pet Milk
Hank Snow (host): Ninety Miles an Hour Down A Dead End Street
The Browns: The 3 Bells
Faron Young: Yellow Bandana
Jean Shepard: (?)
Porter Wagoner: Your Old Love Letters
Leroy Van Dyke: Happy to Be Unhappy
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: There's a Big Wheel
Stonewall Jackson: B.J. the D.J.
Hank Snow: Blue Roses
10:00: Gates Rubber
Billy Grammer (host): (?)
Bobby Lord: Life can Have Meaning
Curly Fox: T. Model & A Train
Billy Walker: Heart, Be Careful
Billy Grammer: (?)
10:15: Luzianne
Roy Acuff (host): The Great Speckled Bird
Del Wood: Columbus Stockade Blues
Jimmy Newman: D.J. for a Day
Roy Acuff: Wreck on the Highway
Howdy Forrester and Jimmy Riddle: Apple Blossoms
10:30: Harvey's
Ferlin Husky (host): Wings of a Dove
Louvin Brothers: (?)
Tex Ritter: (?)
Simon Crum: (?)
10:45: Ford
Faron Young (host): (?)
George Morgan: You're the Only Good Thing
Bill Anderson: Eight by Ten
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Faron Young: (?)
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Skeeter Davis: Something Precious
Roy Drusky: Second Hand Rose
The Browns: Oh, No
Lonzo and Oscar: Hand Holding
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Gloryland March
Sam and Kirk McGee: Let's Meet by the Old Oaken Bucket
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Love Somebody
Hank Snow: There's a Fool Such as I
11:30: SSS Tonic
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Hank Locklin: Flying South
Wilburn Brothers: (?)
Stonewall Jackson: Wild, Wild Wind
Margie Bowes: Judge Not
Sonny James: The Minute You're Gone
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry
As I have written before, the Opry birthday was celebrated at the same time as the annual Disc Jockey Convention, and as these line-ups showed, it was pretty much everyone on deck, so to speak. And pretty much every Opry member appeared. But notice the differences between the shows that were just two years apart. There were changes in sponsors and the Opry had lost several members as Jim Reeves had left and tragically, Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Jack Anglin had passed away. In 1961 Marty Robbins was not anchored in the 11:30 segment, but by 1963 he was. And notice that Roy Acuff and Hank Snow were missing from the 1961 show.
________________________________________________________________________
The line-up has also been posted for the Tuesday Night Opry on November 6. There will be two shows that night, highlighted by Grand Ole Opry members Josh Turner and Little Big Town.
1st show
7:00: Riders In The Sky; Mandy Barnett
7:30: Josh Turner
8:00: Home Free; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:30: Little Big Town
2nd show
9:30: Riders In The Sky; Mandy Barnett
10:00: Josh Turner
8:00: Home Free; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:30: Little Big Town
There you have it for this week. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Grand Ole Opry 10/26 & 10/27
Friday night will be a special night at the Grand Ole Opry House as it will be the Opry's 10th annual "Opry Goes Pink" night. Grand Ole Opry member Carrie Underwood will flip the switch on the Opry's signature barn backdrop, turning it pink in support of the fight against breast cancer.
Among those who will be appearing on the Friday Night Opry, besides Carrie, are Grand Ole Opry members Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Ronnie Milsap and Riders In The Sky. Guest artists include Karen Mills, Rita Wilson and Anita Cochran, all cancer survivors. Additionally, it should be noted that Fred "Too Slim" LaBour's wife, Roberta, passed away earlier this year from cancer.
Also scheduled is Tegan Marie and making her/their Opry debut, Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat. There are only two segments on Friday night as the show has been formatted to honor cancer survivors and there will be some special recognitions taking place during the show.
Friday October 26
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Tegan Marie; Karen Mills; Anita Cochran; Riders In The Sky
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Rita Wilson; Ronnie Milsap; Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat; Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Ronnie Milsap; Anita Cochran; Karen Mills; Carrie Underwood
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Tegan Marie; Rita Wilson; Riders In The Sky; Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature Grand Ole Opry members Little Big Town, who will be making just their 2nd and 3rd Opry appearances of the year. Also scheduled for both shows is Del McCoury, who will be making a rare weekend appearance on the show. Other Opry members scheduled include Connie Smith, Bill Anderson, Mike Snider, The Whites and Jeannie Seely. The only guest artists listed are Point of Grace and Seth Ennis.
Saturday October 27
1st show
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Mike Snider; Point of Grace
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Del McCoury Band
8:00: The Whites (host); Seth Ennis; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Little Big Town
2nd show
9:30: Connie Smith (host); Mike Snider; Point of Grace
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Del McCoury Band
10:30: The Whites (host); Seth Ennis; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Little Big Town
As mentioned, Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat will be making their Opry debut on Friday night. Colbie Caillat is from Malibu, California and rose to fame through social networking website Myspace. At that time, she was the number one unsigned artist of her genre. After signing with Universal Republic Records, she released her debut album in July 2007, Coco, which included the hit singles "Bubbly" and "Realize." The album has sold over two million copies and has been certified as double platinum. In 2008 she recorded a duet with Jason Mraz, "Lucky," which won a Grammy award. In August 2009, Colbie released her second album, Breakthrough," which became her first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It has been certified as a gold album and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Since then, she has released a third album and a Christmas album. Over the past several years, Colbie has resided in Nashville and has been engaged in songwriting and interacting with other artists in the Nashville community, including Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert.
Gone West consists of Colbie, her boyfriend Jason Reeves, Nelly Joy (real name: Danelle Leverett, formally of JaneDear Girls), and her fiance Justin Young.
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And now, here is he posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the final weekend in October 2008:
Friday October 24
8:00: Marty Stuart (host); The Whites; Connie Smith
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Dailey & Vincent
9:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Jason Michael Carroll
9:30: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emerson Drive
Saturday October 25
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Kristy Lee Cook
7:30: Larry Gatlin (host); Mike Snider; Hal Ketchum; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Craig Morgan; Rodney Atkins; Chuck Wicks; John Conlee
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Kristy Lee Cook
10:00: Larry Gatlin (host); Jeannie Seely; The Whites; Rodney Atkins
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Jan Howard; Chuck Wicks; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: John Conlee (host); Jack Greene; Craig Morgan
Now from 25 years ago, Saturday October 23, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); Del Reeves
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Bill Carlisle
7:00: The Four Guys (host); Charlie Louvin; Osborne Brothers; Connie Smith; Roy Drusky
7:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Deborah Allen; Jim and Jesse; Martina McBride
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Brother Oswald; Jeannie Seely; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Billy Walker; Jean Shepard; Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Stonewall Jackson; Charlie Louvin; Hank Locklin; Martina McBride
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Four Guys
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Jean Shepard
10:30: Charlie Walker (host); Deborah Allen
10:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Osborne Brothers; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Billy Walker (host); Roy Drusky; Jim and Jesse; Justin Tubb; Mike Snider
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Connie Smith; The Whites; Johnny Russell
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Looking back on a couple of events, it was Saturday October 27, 1962 that Sonny James became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and Saturday October 27, 1973 that Jerry Clower became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. And let's not forget the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe, who became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday October 28, 1939, and who celebrated his 50th anniversary as an Opry member on Saturday October 28, 1989.
Bill Monroe was only 28 years old when he joined the Grand Ole Opry on September 28, 1939. He was introduced that night by George D. Hay. Bill described his beloved bluegrass as a music with "a hard drive to it. It's Scotch bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin.' It's Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It's blues and jazz and it has a high lonesome sound. It's plain music that tells a good story. It's played from my heart to your heart, and it will touch you. Bluegrass is music that matters."
Bill's bluegrass evolved from the folk and country music he heard growing up in Kentucky in a musical family. Orphaned by age 11, he was raised by his uncle, Pendleton Vandiver, an excellent country fiddler and mandolinist. By age 12, Bill was backing up his Uncle Pen at local dances. In the 1920s he and brothers Birch and Charlie formed a band and played together until the late 1930s. In 1938 Bill formed his first Blue Grass Boys band, a group that has spawned the careers of such artists as Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Stringbean, Del McCoury, Sonny Osborne and Vassar Clements.
In the 1940s, Bill began adding lyrics to his melodies and wrote such classic hits as "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "Uncle Pen" which were among his most requested numbers. He recorded with Victor and Columbia Records before signing with Decca (later to merge with MCA). Through dozens of albums and more than 50 million records sold, Bill remained with MCA. His 1988 "Southern Flavor" LP for MCA won the first Grammy Award ever given for bluegrass music in 1989. In conjunction with his 50th Opry anniversary, MCA released "Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys Live at the Opry," which received a Grammy nomination.
Honors were many. The Father of Bluegrass was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. He is among a select few (Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Bob Wills and Johnny Cash), to have been inducted in all three. In 1991 he was an original inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and in 1993 he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
When Bill Monroe made his Opry debut, Judge Hay told him, "IF you ever leave the Opry, it'll be because you fired yourself." Bill Monroe never left the Opry.
Bill Monroe created a music style, maintained it through difficult times, expanded it internationally and touched people's loves everywhere he went, or wherever his music was heard.
Here is the line-up from Saturday October 28, 1939, the night Bill Monroe became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:
8:00: Pee Wee King and the Golden West Cowboys
8:15: Uncle Dave Macon
8:30: Monk and Sam
8:45: Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys
9:00: Jack Shook and the Missouri Mountaineers
9:15: Ford Rush
9:30: Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys
9:45: Uncle Dave Macon
10:00: Pee Wee King and the Golden West Cowboys
10:15: Possum Hunters
10:30: Andrew Brothers
11:00: Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys
According to Cleo Davis, one of the Blue Grass Boys, "I believed we opened up with 'Foggy Mountain Top,' and came right back with 'Mule Skinner Blues,' then some fast fiddle tune like 'Fire on the Mountain' or 'Katy Hill' and then 'Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms." As far as the 10:45 segment, Davis said, "When we hit the stage, such performers as Roy Acuff, Uncle Dave Macon, and Sam and Kirk McGee, who were standing in the wings watching the Blue Grass Boys when they pulled the curtain on us, could not believe when we took off so fast and furious. Those people couldn't even think as fast as we played, I believe."
(And for those unfamiliar, Monk and Sam consisted of Charles Hansen Jr. and Sam Johnson. They joined the Opry cast on September 30, 1939, coming to the Opry after spending five years at WHAS in Louisville).
On October 28, 1989 Bill was honored upon his 50th year as an Opry member. Here is the running order from that night.
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Around (When It's Over)
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter
6:45: Rudy's
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Jeanne Pruett: I Ought a Feel Guilty
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of a Fool
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Be and My Big Loud Mouth
Charlie Louvin: Stormy Horizons
Ray Pillow: Congratulations
Connie Smith: Walkin' After Midnight
New Coon Creek Girls: Night Train to Memphis
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown/Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Bill Monroe & Emmylou Harris: Kentucky Waltz/My Rose of Old Kentucky
Larry Cordle: Kentucky King
Bill Monroe & Emmylou Harris: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Bill Monroe: Rawhide
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Are You Teasing Me/I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Roy Drusky: New Lips/One Day at a Time
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What a Party
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Dance All Night
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
8:30: Music Valley Merchants
Hank Snow (host): A Vanishing Breed
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Dottie West: Are You Happy Baby/Together Again
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Once Again
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop a Top
Jeannie Seely: Tell Me Again
Ray Pillow: Lucky Me
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: My Baby's Gone
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
10:00: Little Debbie
Jack Greene (host): Until My Dreams Come True
Jan Howard: Slow Burning Memory
Jack Greene: The Last Letter
10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Jimmy Dickens: Take an Old Cold Tater/Out Behind the Barn
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light
10:30: Pet Milk
Billy Walker (host): Down to My Last Cigarette
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Billy Walker: Behind Closed Doors/Charlie's Shoes
10:45: B.C. Powder
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Jean Shepard: So Used to Loving You
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
Bill Monroe: Sugar Loaf Mountain
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Why Do You Punish Me
Justin Tubb: Walking, Talking, Crying, Barely Beating Broken Heart
New Coon Creek Girls: How Many Biscuits Can You Eat
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Dottie West and Tony Toliver: Everytime Two Fools Collide
Hank Snow: The Party of the Second Part
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Billy Grammer: Somebody Loves You
Roy Drusky: What About You
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Charlie Walker: Cindy
Bill Monroe's final Opry show was the Friday Night Opry on March 15, 1996. After his final appearance, he suffered a stroke that began a period of declining health from which he never recovered. Bill Monroe passed away on September 9, 1996 and is buried in Rosine, Kentucky.
_________________________________________________________________________
Finally, the line-up has been listed for the Tuesday Night Opry, October 30.
7:00: Dailey & Vincent; Carly Pearce
7:30: Dillon Carmichael; Bill Anderson
Intermission
8:15: Charles Esten; Henry Cho
8:45: LOCASH; Chris Janson
The Tuesday show will be the final Opry show at the Grand Ole Opry House for this year as next Friday night the Opry will begin it's winter run at the Ryman Auditorium.
There you have it as the month of October is wrapped up. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend,
Among those who will be appearing on the Friday Night Opry, besides Carrie, are Grand Ole Opry members Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Ronnie Milsap and Riders In The Sky. Guest artists include Karen Mills, Rita Wilson and Anita Cochran, all cancer survivors. Additionally, it should be noted that Fred "Too Slim" LaBour's wife, Roberta, passed away earlier this year from cancer.
Also scheduled is Tegan Marie and making her/their Opry debut, Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat. There are only two segments on Friday night as the show has been formatted to honor cancer survivors and there will be some special recognitions taking place during the show.
Friday October 26
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Tegan Marie; Karen Mills; Anita Cochran; Riders In The Sky
8:00: Connie Smith (host); Rita Wilson; Ronnie Milsap; Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat; Carrie Underwood
2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Ronnie Milsap; Anita Cochran; Karen Mills; Carrie Underwood
10:30: Connie Smith (host); Tegan Marie; Rita Wilson; Riders In The Sky; Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will feature Grand Ole Opry members Little Big Town, who will be making just their 2nd and 3rd Opry appearances of the year. Also scheduled for both shows is Del McCoury, who will be making a rare weekend appearance on the show. Other Opry members scheduled include Connie Smith, Bill Anderson, Mike Snider, The Whites and Jeannie Seely. The only guest artists listed are Point of Grace and Seth Ennis.
Saturday October 27
1st show
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Mike Snider; Point of Grace
7:30: Bill Anderson (host); Del McCoury Band
8:00: The Whites (host); Seth Ennis; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Little Big Town
2nd show
9:30: Connie Smith (host); Mike Snider; Point of Grace
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); Del McCoury Band
10:30: The Whites (host); Seth Ennis; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Little Big Town
As mentioned, Gone West featuring Colbie Caillat will be making their Opry debut on Friday night. Colbie Caillat is from Malibu, California and rose to fame through social networking website Myspace. At that time, she was the number one unsigned artist of her genre. After signing with Universal Republic Records, she released her debut album in July 2007, Coco, which included the hit singles "Bubbly" and "Realize." The album has sold over two million copies and has been certified as double platinum. In 2008 she recorded a duet with Jason Mraz, "Lucky," which won a Grammy award. In August 2009, Colbie released her second album, Breakthrough," which became her first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It has been certified as a gold album and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Since then, she has released a third album and a Christmas album. Over the past several years, Colbie has resided in Nashville and has been engaged in songwriting and interacting with other artists in the Nashville community, including Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert.
Gone West consists of Colbie, her boyfriend Jason Reeves, Nelly Joy (real name: Danelle Leverett, formally of JaneDear Girls), and her fiance Justin Young.
_________________________________________________________________________
And now, here is he posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 10 years ago, the final weekend in October 2008:
Friday October 24
8:00: Marty Stuart (host); The Whites; Connie Smith
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Dailey & Vincent
9:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Jason Michael Carroll
9:30: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Emerson Drive
Saturday October 25
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; The Whites; Kristy Lee Cook
7:30: Larry Gatlin (host); Mike Snider; Hal Ketchum; Opry Square Dancers
8:00: Craig Morgan; Rodney Atkins; Chuck Wicks; John Conlee
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mike Snider; Kristy Lee Cook
10:00: Larry Gatlin (host); Jeannie Seely; The Whites; Rodney Atkins
10:30: Hal Ketchum (host); Jan Howard; Chuck Wicks; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: John Conlee (host); Jack Greene; Craig Morgan
Now from 25 years ago, Saturday October 23, 1993:
1st show
6:30: Bill Anderson (host); Del Reeves
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Bill Carlisle
7:00: The Four Guys (host); Charlie Louvin; Osborne Brothers; Connie Smith; Roy Drusky
7:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Deborah Allen; Jim and Jesse; Martina McBride
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Brother Oswald; Jeannie Seely; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Billy Walker; Jean Shepard; Mike Snider
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Stonewall Jackson; Charlie Louvin; Hank Locklin; Martina McBride
10:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Four Guys
10:15: Bill Monroe (host); Jean Shepard
10:30: Charlie Walker (host); Deborah Allen
10:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Osborne Brothers; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Billy Walker (host); Roy Drusky; Jim and Jesse; Justin Tubb; Mike Snider
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Connie Smith; The Whites; Johnny Russell
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Looking back on a couple of events, it was Saturday October 27, 1962 that Sonny James became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and Saturday October 27, 1973 that Jerry Clower became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. And let's not forget the Father of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe, who became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday October 28, 1939, and who celebrated his 50th anniversary as an Opry member on Saturday October 28, 1989.
Bill Monroe was only 28 years old when he joined the Grand Ole Opry on September 28, 1939. He was introduced that night by George D. Hay. Bill described his beloved bluegrass as a music with "a hard drive to it. It's Scotch bagpipes and ole-time fiddlin.' It's Methodist and Holiness and Baptist. It's blues and jazz and it has a high lonesome sound. It's plain music that tells a good story. It's played from my heart to your heart, and it will touch you. Bluegrass is music that matters."
Bill's bluegrass evolved from the folk and country music he heard growing up in Kentucky in a musical family. Orphaned by age 11, he was raised by his uncle, Pendleton Vandiver, an excellent country fiddler and mandolinist. By age 12, Bill was backing up his Uncle Pen at local dances. In the 1920s he and brothers Birch and Charlie formed a band and played together until the late 1930s. In 1938 Bill formed his first Blue Grass Boys band, a group that has spawned the careers of such artists as Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Stringbean, Del McCoury, Sonny Osborne and Vassar Clements.
In the 1940s, Bill began adding lyrics to his melodies and wrote such classic hits as "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "Uncle Pen" which were among his most requested numbers. He recorded with Victor and Columbia Records before signing with Decca (later to merge with MCA). Through dozens of albums and more than 50 million records sold, Bill remained with MCA. His 1988 "Southern Flavor" LP for MCA won the first Grammy Award ever given for bluegrass music in 1989. In conjunction with his 50th Opry anniversary, MCA released "Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys Live at the Opry," which received a Grammy nomination.
Honors were many. The Father of Bluegrass was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. He is among a select few (Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Bob Wills and Johnny Cash), to have been inducted in all three. In 1991 he was an original inductee into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and in 1993 he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
When Bill Monroe made his Opry debut, Judge Hay told him, "IF you ever leave the Opry, it'll be because you fired yourself." Bill Monroe never left the Opry.
Bill Monroe created a music style, maintained it through difficult times, expanded it internationally and touched people's loves everywhere he went, or wherever his music was heard.
Here is the line-up from Saturday October 28, 1939, the night Bill Monroe became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:
8:00: Pee Wee King and the Golden West Cowboys
8:15: Uncle Dave Macon
8:30: Monk and Sam
8:45: Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys
9:00: Jack Shook and the Missouri Mountaineers
9:15: Ford Rush
9:30: Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys
9:45: Uncle Dave Macon
10:00: Pee Wee King and the Golden West Cowboys
10:15: Possum Hunters
10:30: Andrew Brothers
11:00: Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys
According to Cleo Davis, one of the Blue Grass Boys, "I believed we opened up with 'Foggy Mountain Top,' and came right back with 'Mule Skinner Blues,' then some fast fiddle tune like 'Fire on the Mountain' or 'Katy Hill' and then 'Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms." As far as the 10:45 segment, Davis said, "When we hit the stage, such performers as Roy Acuff, Uncle Dave Macon, and Sam and Kirk McGee, who were standing in the wings watching the Blue Grass Boys when they pulled the curtain on us, could not believe when we took off so fast and furious. Those people couldn't even think as fast as we played, I believe."
(And for those unfamiliar, Monk and Sam consisted of Charles Hansen Jr. and Sam Johnson. They joined the Opry cast on September 30, 1939, coming to the Opry after spending five years at WHAS in Louisville).
On October 28, 1989 Bill was honored upon his 50th year as an Opry member. Here is the running order from that night.
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jim Ed Brown (host): Southern Loving
Jeannie Seely: I'll Be Around (When It's Over)
Jim Ed Brown: The Old Lamplighter
6:45: Rudy's
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Jeanne Pruett: I Ought a Feel Guilty
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/Statue of a Fool
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Be and My Big Loud Mouth
Charlie Louvin: Stormy Horizons
Ray Pillow: Congratulations
Connie Smith: Walkin' After Midnight
New Coon Creek Girls: Night Train to Memphis
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown/Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Bill Monroe & Emmylou Harris: Kentucky Waltz/My Rose of Old Kentucky
Larry Cordle: Kentucky King
Bill Monroe & Emmylou Harris: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Bill Monroe: Rawhide
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jean Shepard: Are You Teasing Me/I'll Sail My Ship Alone
Roy Drusky: New Lips/One Day at a Time
Bill Carlisle: Oh, What a Party
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Dance All Night
Roy Acuff: I'll Fly Away
8:30: Music Valley Merchants
Hank Snow (host): A Vanishing Breed
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Dottie West: Are You Happy Baby/Together Again
Hank Snow: I'm Glad I Got to See You Once Again
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop a Top
Jeannie Seely: Tell Me Again
Ray Pillow: Lucky Me
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Charlie Louvin: My Baby's Gone
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
10:00: Little Debbie
Jack Greene (host): Until My Dreams Come True
Jan Howard: Slow Burning Memory
Jack Greene: The Last Letter
10:15: Sunbeam
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Jimmy Dickens: Take an Old Cold Tater/Out Behind the Barn
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light
10:30: Pet Milk
Billy Walker (host): Down to My Last Cigarette
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Billy Walker: Behind Closed Doors/Charlie's Shoes
10:45: B.C. Powder
Bill Monroe (host): It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Jean Shepard: So Used to Loving You
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Sugar in the Goard
Bill Monroe: Sugar Loaf Mountain
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Why Do You Punish Me
Justin Tubb: Walking, Talking, Crying, Barely Beating Broken Heart
New Coon Creek Girls: How Many Biscuits Can You Eat
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Dottie West and Tony Toliver: Everytime Two Fools Collide
Hank Snow: The Party of the Second Part
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Billy Grammer: Somebody Loves You
Roy Drusky: What About You
Bill Carlisle: Hand Me Down My Walking Cane
Charlie Walker: Cindy
Bill Monroe's final Opry show was the Friday Night Opry on March 15, 1996. After his final appearance, he suffered a stroke that began a period of declining health from which he never recovered. Bill Monroe passed away on September 9, 1996 and is buried in Rosine, Kentucky.
_________________________________________________________________________
Finally, the line-up has been listed for the Tuesday Night Opry, October 30.
7:00: Dailey & Vincent; Carly Pearce
7:30: Dillon Carmichael; Bill Anderson
Intermission
8:15: Charles Esten; Henry Cho
8:45: LOCASH; Chris Janson
The Tuesday show will be the final Opry show at the Grand Ole Opry House for this year as next Friday night the Opry will begin it's winter run at the Ryman Auditorium.
There you have it as the month of October is wrapped up. As always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend,
Monday, October 22, 2018
Mid-Week Opry Shows
The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the mid-week shows. Two Tuesday Night Opry shows with very solid line-ups. Rascal Flatts is scheduled for the first show only, following their normal Tuesday pattern. Appearing on both shows will be Del McCoury Band, Tracy Lawrence and Ashley McBryde, in addition to a special guest appearance by Rita Wilson, the wife of actor Tom Hanks. Rita is a fine singer.
Tuesday Night Opry October 23
1st show
7:00: The Whites; Levi Hummon
7:30: Dustin Lynch; Rita Wilson
8:00: Del McCoury Band; Ashley McBryde
8:30: Tracy Lawrence; Rascal Flatts
2nd show
9:30: The Whites; Levi Hummon
10:00: Dustin Lynch; Rita Wilson
10:30: Del McCoury Band; Ashley McBryde; Tracy Lawrence
And no, I didn't forget: The Opry's newest member Dustin Lynch is also scheduled for both shows.
Opry Country Classics Thursday October 25
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Trace Adkins
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Jason Crabb; William Michael Morgan; Holly Williams
A very nice line-up to finish up the fall series of shows, with Trace Adkins in the spotlight. Also, this show is at the Grand Ole Opry House as the Ryman Auditorium is booked for another show.
Tuesday Night Opry October 23
1st show
7:00: The Whites; Levi Hummon
7:30: Dustin Lynch; Rita Wilson
8:00: Del McCoury Band; Ashley McBryde
8:30: Tracy Lawrence; Rascal Flatts
2nd show
9:30: The Whites; Levi Hummon
10:00: Dustin Lynch; Rita Wilson
10:30: Del McCoury Band; Ashley McBryde; Tracy Lawrence
And no, I didn't forget: The Opry's newest member Dustin Lynch is also scheduled for both shows.
Opry Country Classics Thursday October 25
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Trace Adkins
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Jason Crabb; William Michael Morgan; Holly Williams
A very nice line-up to finish up the fall series of shows, with Trace Adkins in the spotlight. Also, this show is at the Grand Ole Opry House as the Ryman Auditorium is booked for another show.
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