Grand Ole Opry 12/31 & 1/1

After a very quiet week in Nashville, The Grand Ole Opry closes out 2021 this weekend and welcomes in 2022 with two very nice shows to close out the final night of the year and to open the first night of the new year. While there are no superstars listed, there is some good variety both nights with something that should please everyone. 

Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for both nights include Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne and Mandy Barnett. While no other Opry members are scheduled for the Friday Night Opry, Rhonda Vincent will be performing on Saturday night. On a personal note, isn't it great to be listing Mandy Barnett under the heading "Opry member" and so nice to see Bobby listed for both nights. He is certainly carrying on the bluegrass tradition in fine style. 

Elizabeth Cook is guesting on Friday night and if my records are correct, she is now the non-member who has appeared on the Opry the most times. The number is well into the hundreds (actually close to 500), as she has been appearing on the Opry over the past 20 years. 

Also scheduled for Friday is one of the bright young songwriters/singers in Nashville today, Erin Enderlin. Linda Davis, The Steel Woods and Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz completes the schedule. 

Don is also scheduled for Saturday night, joined by fellow Hall of Famer Charlie McCoy, along with Drew Baldridge, and the designated comedian for this week, Brian Bates.

Friday December 31
7:00: Jeannie Seely, Erin Enderlin, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Elizabeth Cook
Intermission
8:15: Linda Davis, The Steel Woods, Mandy Barnett, Don Schlitz

Saturday January 1
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Jeannie Seely, Drew Baldridge, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Mandy Barnett
Intermission
8:15: Charlie McCoy, Brian Bates, Don Schlitz, Rhonda Vincent
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Now from 50 years ago, New Year's Day January 1, 1972:

7:00: Shoney's
Billy Grammer (host): I Saw Your Face in the Moon
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Tommy Overstreet: Take Me Home Country Roads
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
Ernie Ashworth: Jesus Was a Soul Man
Tommy Overstreet: Gwen, Congratulations
Billy Grammer: He Touched Me

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Stringbean: Old Joe Clark
Onie Wheeler: Mother Prays Loud in Her Sleep
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Turn Your Radio On
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Howdy Forrester: Sally Goodin
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host) w/Uncle Josh, Roland White and Haskel McCormick: It's Mighty Dark for Me to Travel
Grandpa Jones: Raining on the Mountain, Now, My Love
George Morgan: Easy Loving
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Lester Flatt: I Can't Tell the Boys from the Girls
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
George Morgan: The Gentle Rains of Home
Uncle Josh: Fireball

8:30: Stephens
Stonewall Jackson (host): Muddy Water
Charlie Louvin: To Take Up Where Goodbye Began
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Mariah
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Charlie Louvin: I Placed a Call
Harold Weakley: Where No One Stands Alone
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo

9:00: Luzianne
Bill Monroe (host): Love, Come Home
Lonzo and Oscar: There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Barbara Mandrell: Satisfied
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Fire on the Mountain
Bill Monroe: My Little Georgia Rose
Lonzo and Oscar: Out of Hand
Barbara Mandrell: Rocky Top
Bill Monroe: Bluegrass Breakdown

9:30: Kellogg's
Tex Ritter (host): Jealous Heart
Willis Brothers: I Can't Help It/You Cheatin' Heart/Cold, Cold Heart/I Saw the Light
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Marion Worth: I Really Don't Want to Know
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
Bill Carlisle: What Kinda Deal is This

10:00: Fender
George Morgan (host): Easy Loving
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God
Stringbean: Pretty Polly
George Morgan: Walking Shadow; Talking Memory

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Tommy Overstreet: The Games People Play
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Will You Be Loving Another Man
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Grandpa Jones: The Valley of the Never Do No Good
Lester Flatt: Is Anybody Going North to Cincinnati

10:45: Beechnut
Bill Monroe (host) and James William Monroe: I Haven't Seen Mary in Years
Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: I'm Gonna Leave You
Bill Carlisle: Same Ole Tale that the Crow Told Me
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler

11:00: Coca Cola
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Barbara Mandrell: Tonight My Baby's Coming Home
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Tex Ritter: High Noon
Willis Brothers: Bob
Kirk McGee: Railroad Blues

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Lovesick Blues
Marion Worth: Burning Bridges
Lonzo and Oscar: Ol' Slewfoot
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/Begging to You/Don't Worry/My Woman; My Woman; My Wife/Wedding Bells/Big Boss Man/They'll Take Her Love From Me/Dear Lord, Forgive

Tommy Overstreet was on the Opry this particular evening and I mention it because there have been reports over the years that Tommy had been asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry and turned down the invitation. 

Born Sept. 10, 1937, in Oklahoma City, Tommy Overstreet came by his talent naturally. His cousin Gene Austin (who he called his uncle) was a prominent entertainer starting in the 1920s.

He moved to Nashville in 1967 to manage the Music City operations at Dot Records. Though he enjoyed his work, the singer never gave up his dreams of the stage, electing to become a recording artist for the label.

He first charted with 1969's "Rocking a Memory (That Won't Go to Sleep)," which peaked at No. 73 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It wouldn't take long for him to eclipse that peak, with 1971's "Gwen (Congratulations)" making it all the way to No. 5. That would be the first of 23 appearances in the top 40. His biggest hit was 1972's "Ann (Don't Go Runnin)," which narrowly missed the top of the chart, settling in at No. 2.

His rich voice, combined with his muscular build and movie-star looks, helped propel him into the spotlight as a frequent guest on the top TV variety shows of the day, such as Hee Haw and The Midnight Special. His final appearance on the charts came in 1986 with "Next to You," which made it to No. 74.

In the late 1980s, the singer became one of the first country performers to base his operations in Branson, Mo., which became a haven for artists who still had devoted fanbases. He said it was love from the start.

"I had a friend who had moved there, and he said, 'Tommy, you've got to come see this place.' He had become a little disenchanted with Nashville. I fell in love with the area, and we lived there for about seven years."

It was a slower pace for the singer, who admitted that his fast pace of the 1970s might have cost him. "There were 329 one-nighters, then 36 days in Nashville in a year's time," he said. "I also recorded two albums and did a European tour for 18 days. Unfortunately, my ex-wife and I separated and divorced. The music business and what we do in that career is not great for relationships. You're gone too much. I wouldn't encourage anyone to work that hard. I shouldn't have. I should have stopped and smelled the roses and spent more time with my family. But you learn those things in hindsight. Hindsight is 20/20. As you go down this road, you do what you think is the best thing at the time, and I did. Unfortunately, it cost me some heartbreak and disappointments, but that's how life is."

Things ended on a happy note for the singer, who remarried and had two more children. "Life is dear to me," he said. "I've had a wonderful time, met some interesting people, and had some success along the way. I've had a blessed life, and I can't complain at all."

Tommy Overstreet passed away in November 2015. 

I personally always enjoyed Tommy and I have a couple of his albums in my collection. 

There you have it as 2022 gets underway. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. 

Grand Ole Opry Christmas Night 12/25

Merry Christmas!! The Grand Ole Opry will be having only one show this weekend, on Christmas night. There will be no Friday Night Opry on Christmas eve (Friday) as they decided to give everyone the night off to enjoy the holiday with their families. 

For the show on Saturday night, expect a lot of Christmas music as the show is being advertised as such. The line-up looks very solid with Opry members Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne and Riders In The Sky on the schedule. 

Nice to see two of my favorites, T. Graham Brown and Darin & Brooke Aldridge on the schedule. I know there are many of us who feel that T. Graham is in line to become an Opry member in the near future. 

Saturday December 25
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Jake Hoot; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; T. Graham Brown
Intermission
8:15: Teea Goans; Riders In The Sky; Darin & Brooke Aldridge; John Berry

Christmas night from 50 years ago, Saturday December 25, 1971: 

7:00: Shoney's
Tex Ritter (host): Wayward Wind
Archie Campbell: Make Friends
Jimmy C Newman: Alligator Man
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Jimmy C Newman: Louisiana Dirty Rice
Ernie Ashworth: My Bottle is Dry

7:30: Standard Candy
Wilburn Brothers (host): It Looks Like the Sun's Gonna Shine
Earl Scruggs Revue: Nashville Skyline Rag
Ray Pillow: Step Aside
Tom T Hall: Chattanooga Dog
Earl Scruggs Revue: Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot
Ray Pillow: Since Then
Tom T Hall: That's How I Got to Memphis

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host) and Bill Monroe: Will You Be Loving Another Man/Little Cabin Home on the Hill
Grandpa Jones: Jingle Bells
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Lord, I'm Coming Home
Charlie Louvin and Diane McCall: I'm Gonna Leave You
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Lester Flatt: Shuckin' the Corn

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Tex Ritter: Here Was a Man
Jean Shepard: Safe In These Loving Arms of Mine
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Del Reeves: The Best is Yet to Come
Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

9:00: Luzianne
Ernest Tubb (host): Thanks A Lot
Dottie West: Six Weeks Every Summer; Christmas Every Other Year
Earl Scruggs Revue: T for Texas
Wilburn Brothers: Christmas at the Opry
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
George Morgan: Easy Loving
Jack Greene: Statue of a Fool
Jeannie Seely: All Right, I'll Sign the Papers
Ernest Tubb: The Women Make a Fool Out of Me

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): As Love Goes
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Marion Worth: For the Good Times
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Jim Ed Brown: Morning
Tom T Hall: The Year that Clayton Delaney Died
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star
Hank Snow: My Blue Eyed Jane

10:00: Fender
Bill Monroe (host): Were You There
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Don't Care if Tomorrow Never Comes
Charlie Louvin: I Placed a Call/Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Stringbean: Herding Cattle
Ray Pillow: Heart Over Mind

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): When I Lay My Burden Down
Tex Ritter: Christmas Carols by the Old Corral
Jean Shepard: I Thought of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
Del Wood: Gloryland March

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Is Anybody Going North to Cincinnati
Grandpa Jones: The Valley of the Never Do No Good
Stonewall Jackson: Life to Go
Lester Flatt: Sugar Tree Stomp

10:45: Beechnut
Ernest Tubb (host0: Blue Christmas
Wilburn Brothers: The War Keeps Dragging On
Stu Phillips: Help Me Make it Through the Night
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Dottie West: Put Your Hand in the Hand
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Lonzo and Oscar: Easy Loving
Dottie West: Here Comes My Baby
Sam McGee: Buck Dancer's Choice
Hank Snow: Christmas Roses

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Singing the Blues
Marion Worth: I Really Don't Want to Know
Charlie Walker: My Baby Used to Be that Way
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/Long Gone Lonesome Blues/I'm So Afraid of Losing You Again/Today I Started Loving You Again/They'll Never Take the Love from Me/Begging to You/Don't Worry/Big Boss Man/The Best Part of Living/Walking the Floor Over You

What a line-up!!! You certainly will not see a show like that today. Marty's segment alone lasted well over 30 minutes did not end until just after 12:30. Certainly those attending got their money's worth that night. 

Finally, there is only one member of the Grand Ole Opry who joined the cast on Christmas Day and that would be Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers. They joined the cast in 1976 and will be celebrating their 45th anniversary as members of the Grand Ole Opry. Here is the line-up from that night: 

1st show
6:00: Bill Monroe (host); Ray Pillow; Marion Worth; David Hooton; Ernie Ashworth
6:30: Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host); Charlie Louvin; Del Wood
6:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Skeeter Davis; Billy Grammer
7:00: Roy Acuff (host); Charlie Walker; Minnie Pearl; Jimmy C Newman; Stu Phillips
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Dottie West; Justin Tubb; Crook Brothers; Stoney Mountain Cloggers; Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers
8:00: Lester Flatt (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Vic Willis; Bob Luman
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jeanne Pruett; Stonewall Jackson; Bill Carlisle; Jim and Jesse; Fruit Jar Drinkers

2nd show
9:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Charlie Louvin; Skeeter Davis; Wayne Hammond; David Hooten; Billy Grammer
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Ray Pillow Ernie Ashworth; Del Wood
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); Marion Worth; Charlie Walker
10:30: Lester Flatt (host); Jack Greene; Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C Newman
10:45: Porter Wagoner (host); Justin Tubb; Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers; Crook Brothers; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Bob Luman; Vic Willis; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Jeanne Pruett; Bill Carlisle

When Larry Gatlin joined the Opry, he was like many of the others who joined during that period. They were starting to hit it big and as their stardom grew, they kind of left the Opry behind. Happily, in the past dozen or so years, Larry has been making regular Opry appearances and seems to have found happiness in being on the Opry stage. He is good for the Opry, bringing a lot of energy and fun. 

There you have it for Christmas night 2021. Depending on when you read this, you will be either waiting on Santa or have already finished opening your gifts. Either way, I hope Santa is good to all of you. Enjoy the Opry tonight and Christmas blessings to all. 

Tuesday Night Opry 12/21

Before getting into the Tuesday Night Opry, I thought I would post the press release in regards to the Grand Ole Opry's ticket buying process as there have been some comments and questions raised: 

DECEMBER 16, 2021 – Los Angeles – Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) and AXS — a global leader in ticketing — today announced AXS as OEG’s official and exclusive ticketing partner. Under the partnership, AXS will provide its full suite of solutions for all OEG properties on a single platform, streamlining tour and show ticketing operations to offer a premium experience for fans. OEG properties include the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, its Ole Red venues in Orlando, Fla.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; Nashville, Tenn.; Tishomingo, Okla.; and its recently announced Ole Red in Las Vegas (expected 2023).

The partnership also creates new opportunities to align with AXS’ parent company AEG and its live event business, AEG Presents. The companies also expect this alliance to unlock future creative collaborations with marquee music festivals and additional content opportunities for OEG’s Circle TV Network.

“This partnership with AXS will allow us to deepen our relationship with our customers across our venues and provide them a secure, safe and convenient way to access all of their OEG tickets in one place,” said Scott Bailey, President of Opry Entertainment Group. “This partnership was created with our future in mind and opens doors for us to collaborate with AXS and AEG on a deeper level as we expand our offerings and continue to grow our business.”

Added Bryan Perez, President and CEO of AXS: “The Opry Entertainment Group is the jewel in the crown of one of the greatest music cities in the world. AXS will super serve these landmark venues and their customers with our suite of state-of-the-art technologies and marketing solutions, enabling each property to tailor their ticketing experiences and maintain the individual identities which make them so iconic in Nashville and beyond.  We’re thrilled to partner with such a seminal brand as we build out our presence in the city.” 

As part of the elevated ticketing experience, fans will gain access to services like AXS Mobile ID — identity-based ticketing technology that allows customers to safely discover, transfer, and manage tickets for all OEG events in a single app. Fans can also take advantage of the AXS Official Marketplace, a one-stop shop where they can securely buy and sell authenticated tickets, with guaranteed protection from fraudulent merchants and transactions.

About AXS:

AXS is a global ticketing platform, offering best-in-class ticketing technology in a single platform to suit every client size and type, from small music clubs to the largest sports stadiums. AXS is the ticketing partner for over 300 premier venues, sports teams, event organizers around the world, including AEG, The O2, STAPLES Center, T-Mobile Arena, Tele2Arena, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Minnesota Timberwolves, Toyota Center, Houston Rockets, NCAA and the Vegas Golden Knights. AXS powers both primary and resale marketplaces, leveraging integrated technology and analytics to enable clients to sell the right ticket to the right fan at the right price. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AXS employs more than 350 professionals in multiple locations worldwide, including Cleveland, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, London, and Stockholm.

About Opry Entertainment Group:

Rooted in the unparalleled country music history of the Grand Ole Opry, Opry Entertainment Group produces multi-platform entertainment experiences through its growing portfolio of entertainment venues, including the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, the iconic Ryman Auditorium, WSM Radio, the Blake Shelton-inspired Ole Red brand and Circle TV Network. Through concerts, tours, music inspired restaurants, retail, publishing, digital content, and more, Opry Entertainment Group connects millions of music fans to the artists they love through experiences they’ll never forget. Opry Entertainment Group is a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP). 

I know this has raised a lot of questions regarding the Opry ticket office and the ability to still purchase advance tickets by calling the ticket office. Time will tell but I do know that the ticket office is still open and the last time I called, the wonderful representatives, who many of us know by name, were still handling ticket requests. 

For those who purchase the tickets on the Opry website, there is a big difference in the look of the site and the procedures involved. My own advice is to be careful. You will notice ticket prices fluctuating and also resale tickets available, many times at inflated prices for the shows with high ticket demand. 
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Now moving ahead, the Tuesday Night Opry this week will be the final one for 2021. 

7:00: Jeannie Seely, Dillon Carmichael, The Malpass Brothers, Emily West
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Lee Roy Parnell, John Crist, Rhonda Vincent

Rhonda Vincent posted that she is bringing her entire Branson Christmas show to the Opry on Tuesday night. Looking forward to that. 

Grand Ole Opry 12/17 & 12/18

Let's start off this weekend with a little quiz. Who can tell me which non-Opry member has appeared on the show the most in 2021? I will give you a clue. This weekend, he is on both the Friday Night Opry and Saturday's Grand Ole Opry. If your guess was Gary Mule Deer, you have my congratulations. This weekend will mark Gary's 28th and 29th appearances on the Opry for this year. I know that many of us have heard Gary with the same jokes over and over, but to the new listeners or those attending the Opry for the first time, he is funny and of all the comedians that the Opry offers, he seems to get the most response from the audience. 

Comedy seems to have become a part of each Opry show. Of the current cast members, the only one that I could classify as a comedian, along with his musical skills, is Mike Snider. But with only one Opry appearance in 2021, Mike seems to have disappeared from the Opry. So that leaves management booking guest comedians. The most prominent, in addition to Gary Mule Deer, seem to be Henry Cho, John Crist, Chonda Pearce, Aaron Weber, Killer Beaz, along with a few others who have made one or two shows. I have nothing against comedy but I do miss country comedy. Minnie Pearl, Rod Brasfield, Duke of Paducah, Jerry Clower, Archie Campbell and Mike Snider (all of whom Opry members), were country comedians. That is the part of comedy that is missing from the Opry today. 

Now to the shows for this weekend. 

Looking at the line-ups for this weekend, Grand Ole Opry member John Conlee is on the schedule for both nights. He will be joined on Friday night by Connie Smith and Riders In The Sky, while on Saturday night, Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne, Bill Anderson and Ricky Skaggs are listed on the schedule. 

As previously noted, comedian Gary Mule Deer will be appearing both nights this weekend. While I have nothing against those appearing on Saturday night, the line-up of guest artists for Friday night is strong, beginning with Kathy Mattea. Earlier this fall, Kathy signed on as the new host of Mountain Stage, which is produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Mountain Stage has been taking place for 38 years and has aired just over 900 shows. As a West Virginia native who has appeared on the show many times, she is definitely the perfect host. 

Also appearing on Friday night is Jason Crabb, along with Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers. In 2019, Joe Mullins and his group were named the IBMA's Entertainers of the Year. They have appeared on the Opry since 2013, and for those who don't know, Joe is from Southwest Ohio and owns several radio stations in the Dayton/Springfield area that play classic country music. 

Taking a look at Saturday night, in addition to Gary Mule Deer, Lauren Alaina will be making another Opry appearance. Lauren has made no secret in various interviews of her desire to become an Opry member some day. Also scheduled for Saturday is Ingrid Andress. 

Friday December 17
7:00: John Conlee; Restless Road; Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky; Gary Mule Deer; Jason Crabb; Kathy Mattea

Saturday December 18
7:00: Opry Square Dancer; Jeannie Seely; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Ingrid Andress; John Conlee
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson; Gary Mule Deer; Ricky Skaggs; Lauren Alaina

No live TV on Circle this week as Opry Live will be USO Holiday Special featuring Josh Turner, Craig Morgan, Lauren Alaina, Carrie Underwood, Jesse James Decker, Luke Combs and The War & Treaty. These were all previously taped at the Grand Ole Opry. 
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From the week before Christmas 50 years ago, Saturday December 18, 1971 ( I highlighted the Christmas songs performed that night)

7:00: Shoney's
Bill Anderson (host): Po' Folks Christmas
Jan Howard: Love is Like a Spinning Wheel
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Bill Anderson and Jan Howard: Dis-Satisfied
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me
Stonewall Jackson: Me & You & A Dog Named Boo
Bill Anderson: Quits

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Billy Walker: When a Man Loves a Woman
Jack Greene: She's All I Got
Jeannie Seely: I'm Sorry If My Love Got In Your Way
Roy Acuff: You Win Again
Jean Shepard: Safe in These Loving Arms of Mine
Billy Walker: Circumstances

8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Will You Be Loving Another Man
Grandpa Jones: The Ball-Headed End of a Broom
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: The Banks of the Ohio
Lester Flatt: Little Cabin Home on the Hill
Crook Brothers: Chicken Reel
Grandpa Jones: It's Raining Here This Morning
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Satisfied
Lester Flatt: Foggy Mountain Breakdown

8:30: Stephens
Porter Wagoner (host): Be a Little Quieter
Dolly Parton: Coat of Many Colors
Osborne Brothers: Take Me Home Country Roads
George Morgan: Easy Loving
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: The Right Combination/The Pain of Loving You/Burning the Midnight Oil
Lonzo and Oscar: Moving On #2
Osborne Brothers: Sometimes You Just Can't Win
Dolly Parton: Joshua

9:00: Luzianne
Tex Ritter (host): There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Ray Pillow: Since Then
Tex Ritter: Here Was a Man
Jeannie C Riley: Houston Blues
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf

9:30: Kellogg's
Hank Snow (host): There's a Fool Such as I
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Marion Worth: Shake Me; I Rattle
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Stu Phillips: C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Marion Worth: Put Your Hand in the Hand
Hank Snow: No One Will Ever Know

10:00: Fender
Roy Acuff (host): I Saw the Light
Tex Ritter: Fall Away
Jean Shepard: Second Fiddle
Stonewall Jackson: Washed My Hands in Muddy Water
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:15: Union 76
Porter Wagoner (host): You Gotta Have a License
Dolly Parton: Coat of Many Colors
Billy Walker: A Million and One
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
Ray Pillow: The Waitress
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton: Burning the Midnight Oil

10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host): Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God
George Morgan: Gentle Rains of Home
Willis Brothers: For the Good Times
Lester Flatt: Turkey in the Straw

10:45: Beechnut
Bill Monroe (host): Christmas Time's 'A Coming
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Jeannie Seely: Loving Him Was Easier Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Crook Brothers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Brenda Carrollton: Snowbird

11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Phil Campbell: Eight More Miles to Louisville
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Jeannie C Riley: Roses & Thorns
Lonzo & Oscar: Easy Loving
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Gray Eagle
Sam McGee: Wheels
Hank Snow: The Sea Shores of Old Mexico

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Marion Worth: I Really Don't Want to Know
Stu Phillips: I'd Rather Be Sorry
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/They'll Never Take Her Love From Me/El Paso

Surprising that for the week before Christmas that there were so few Christmas songs sang that night. You would have expected more. 

Finally, one more. This one from 78 years ago, Saturday December 18, 1943. At the time, the Opry had just marked its 18th year. 

8:00: Purina
Bill Monroe: Doghouse Blues
Zeke Clements: Smoke on the Water
Bill Monroe and Clyde Moody: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris: Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy
Danielle Quartette: Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Jamup and Honey: Jokes
Golden West Cowboys: Riding Up to Glory
Sam and Kirk McGee: Who Broke the Lock
Chubby Wise: Cacklin Hen
Bill Monroe: Lil Liza Jane
Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris: Lonesome Road Blues

8:30: Crazy Water Crystals
Paul Howard: Be Honest with Me
Marie and Clyde Dillaha: Cowards Over Pearl Harbor
Eddy Arnold: Mommy Please Stay Home with Me
Crook Brothers: Shortnin' Bread
Robert Lunn: I'm in the Army Now
Lenny and Tommy Thompson: Raise the Window Mother Darling
Possum Hunters: Billy in the Low Ground
Smith Sisters: No Letter Today
Uncle Rufus: Great Grand Dad
Gully Jumpers: Arrington Breakdown
Paul Howard: Dear Old Sunny South by the Sea

9:00: Royal Crown
Golden West Cowboys: Goodbye Liza Jane
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Eighth of January
Ernest Tubb: Answer in Walking the Floor Over You
Curly Williams: I'll Be Around Somewhere
Bill Monroe: California Blues
Spike and Spud: Midnight Flyer
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Big Joe
Ernest Tubb: I Dreamed of an Old Love Affair
Curly Williams: There'll Be Some Changes Made
Becky Barfield: I Want Someone
Hal Smith: Cotton Eyed Joe

9:30: Prince Albert
Roy Acuff: Whoa Mule Whoa
Roy Acuff: Put My Rubber Doll Away
Minnie Pearl: Columbus Stockade
Mack McGarr: Rock and Rye Polka
Ford Rush: Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet
Old Hickory Quartette: Molly Darling
Whitey Ford, the Duke of Paducah: Jokes
Jimmy Riddle: 12th Street Rag
Roy Acuff: When the Saints Go Marching In
Hoe Down: Fishers Hornpipe

10:00: Wall Rite
Bill and Clyde: I'm Going Back to Old Kentucky
Clyde Moody: If I Had My Life to Live Over
Blue Grass Quartette: Old Country Church
Sally Ann: Put Me in Your Pocket
Chubby Wise: Wagoner

10:15: Weatherman
Daniel Quartette: Heaven's Radio Station Is on the Air
Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris: You Are Getting More Like Your Dad Every Day
Eddy Arnold: I Walk Alone
Marie and Clyde Dillaha: I'm Sending You Red Roses
Possum Hunters: Billy Wilson
Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris: From Jerusalem to Jericho
Daniel Quartette: Jesus Hold My Hand
Possum Hunters: Possum Hunter's Dream

10:30: Cherokee Mills
Roy Acuff: The Heart That Was Broken for Me
Roy Acuff: Radio Station S-A-V-E-D
Rachel and Oswald: Jessie James
Jimmy Riddle: Put Your Arms Around Me
Jug Band: Blackeyed Susan

10:45: Lazyu
Crook Brothers: Golden Slippers
Uncle Rufus: My Mother's Prayer
Sam, Kirk, Floyd and Goldie: Chittlin' Cooking Time in Georgia
Robert Lunn: Tooth Picking Time in False Teeth Valley
Lenny and Tommy Thompson: Open Range Ahead
Gully Jumpers: Breakdown in T

11:00: Roy Acuff Song Book
Roy Acuff: Write Me Sweetheart
Roy Acuff: What Good Will It Do
Rachel and Oswald: Weary Lonesome Blues
Roy Acuff: Tear Stained Letter
Jimmy Riddle: 12th Street Rag

11:15: Ernest Tubb Song Book
Ernest Tubb: I'll Get Along Somehow
Ernest Tubb: When the World Has Turned You Down
Ernest Tubb: Drop Your Net
Ernest Tubb: I'm Wondering Now

11:30: Sal-Kill
Golden West Cowboys: Pretty Little Widow
Little Becky Barfield: Keep a Light in Your Window Tonight
Trio: There's a Blue Sky Way Out Yonder
Pete Pyle: I Dreamed of an Old Love Affair
Spike and Spud: Song of the Blind
Golden West Cowboys: Little Girl Go Ask Your Mama

11:45
Paul Howard: With Tears in My Eyes
Smith Sisters: We'll Keep 'Em  Flying
Curly Williams: When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold
Zeke Clements: I Dreamed I Spent Christmas in Heaven
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Jackie Boy
Paul Howard: Home in San Antone
Curly Williams: Where We Never Grow Old
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Dixie-Home Sweet Home

That goes way back with some interesting and in some cases, long forgotten names. 

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.

Tuesday Night Opry 12/14

One of the gambles you take in purchasing a ticket to the Opry is when you purchase a ticket expecting to see a certain artist. When that artist cancels, it doesn't make you happy. With that said, I am sure there are some unhappy folks this week as Lady A, who was originally on the Opry's schedule for Tuesday night, has cancelled. They have been replaced by Sister Sadie. Nothing against Sister Sadie, but they certainly are not up to the popularity or star power of Lady A. 

While the Opry's tickets are non-refundable, in past situations the Opry has shown a willingness to work with the ticket buyers, and in some cases, allowing for a one time exchange for a future show. Not sure if they are doing that in this case, but hopefully they are working with any unhappy ticket buyers. 

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry December 17

7:00: Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely, Henry Cho, Nefresh Mountain
Intermission
8:15: Jameson Rodgers, Charles Esten, Sister Sadie, Chris Janson

Nefresh Mountain will be making their Opry debut and this group is considered one of the new boundary pushing bluegrass groups. The group was formed in 2014, first hitting the charts in 2016. The are currently touring in support of their third album. 

As those of us who have been Opry fans for a while, and understand how the Opry works, we realize that when you buy a ticket to an Opry show, it is with the expectation that you really don't know who will be appearing. You hope for the best and sometimes you get the best while other times you don't. Sadly, the way the Opry advertises and pushes some of the shows, today's new Opry fans don't understand the true concept of the Opry. 

Grand Ole Opry 12/10 & 12/11

I want to start off with a couple of thoughts on Stonewall Jackson, who passed away last Saturday after a long illness. 

I was heartened to see on the various social media sites, the kind words that were written about Stonewall, with many fans speaking specifically of the meetings with Stonewall, and how he appreciated the fans. That is not really surprising as Stonewall was from that generation who valued their fans and took the time to visit with them and in many cases, becoming friends. I had met Stonewall just a couple of times, once at Opryland and also at the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. He was funny and gracious.

Many of the comments were in regards to Stonewall Jackson not being in the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the fact that he should be. I agree. During the course of his career, Stonewall had only two #1 hits, "Waterloo" and "B.J. the D.J." All told, he had 11 Top 10 hits, with his final one being "Me & You & A Dog Named Boo," in 1971. His chart career was relatively short, first hitting in 1958 and last in 1973. (By the way, I had heard that Stonewall didn't really like "Me & You & A Dog Named Boo," but it turned out to be a good record for him). Later in the 70s and 80s he would sing "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal," which became a big hit for John Anderson. That version of the song took away the thunder from Stonewall's recording. 

Sadly, in many ways Stonewall will be remembered not for being a Grand Ole Opry member for over 60 years, nor the last of the current Opry members to have joined the cast in the 1950s, but instead for suing Gaylord Entertainment, The Grand Ole Opry and Pete Fisher in 2006 for age discrimination. Stonewall stood up for others, such as Charlie Louvin, Del Reeves and Billy Walker, and while there was an out of court settlement made to Stonewall, that act will probably cost him any chance that he had for the Hall of Fame. 

Those of my generation remember Stonewall as one of the great honky-tonk singers of his time, and while he didn't have huge chart success, it seemed you could not turn on a country station in the 60s and early 70s without hearing a Stonewall Jackson song. Taking in the body of his work, and his personality, if I had a vote, I would vote Stonewall into the Hall of Fame. 
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Now a look at the Grand Ole Opry for this weekend and the name that stands out on the schedule is Grand Ole Opry member Randy Travis, who is scheduled for Saturday night. Randy joined the Opry on December 20, 1986, so I am going to assume there will be some type of recognition upon Randy's 35th anniversary as a member of the Opry's cast. While not an Opry member, fellow Hall of Fame member Don Schlitz is also scheduled with Randy and I am going to guess that Don will be on stage with Randy and performing a couple of the hits he wrote for Randy. 

Looking at the rest of the weekend, Grand Ole Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show is scheduled for both nights, joined by John Conlee. Connie Smith is listed for Friday night, while Jeannie Seely, Bobby Osborne and Carly Pearce are on Saturday's slate. 

Jon Pardi is guesting both nights, while Brittney Spencer, Killer Beaz and Charlie Worsham are down for Friday. 

Friday December 10
7:00: John Conlee; Brittney Spencer; Charlie Worsham; Connie Smith
Intermission
8:15: Killer Beaz; Jon Pardi; Old Crow Medicine Show

Saturday December 11
7:00: Opry Square Dancers; Jeannie Seely; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; John Conlee; Old Crow Medicine Show
8:00: Carly Pearce; Don Schlitz; Randy Travis; Jon Pardi

After no live Circle television over the past couple of weeks, the final hour on Saturday night will be televised live. 

Now from 50 years ago, Saturday December 11, 1971. The show featured guest appearances by Roy Clark, Tommy Cash and Jimmy Dickens, who was not a member of the Opry at that time. 

7:00: Shoney's
Billy Walker (host): When a Man Loves a Woman
Stringbean: Run Little Rabbit, Run
Lonzo and Oscar: Rocky Top
Billy Walker: She Goes Walking Through My Mind
Stringbean: Train 45 Heading South
Lonzo and Oscar: Charming Betsy
Billy Walker: Singing the Blues/Lovesick Blues/How Great Thou Art

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): But You Know I Love You
Jan Howard: Love is Like a Spinning Wheel
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Don't Let Your Sweet Love Die
Del Wood: Let the Good Times Roll
Bill Anderson and Jan Howard: Dis-Satisfied
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Lord; I'm Coming Home
Bill Anderson: Quits

8:00: Martha White
Billy Grammer (host): Columbus Stockade Blues
Jean Shepard: Safe in the Loving Arms of Mine
Grandpa Jones: I Don't Love Nobody
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Jean Shepard: Heart, We Did All That We Could
Grandpa Jones: The Valley of the Never Do No Good
Billy Grammer: He Is the Light of the World

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jim and Jesse: Freight Train
Roy Clark: Thank God & Greyhound You're Gone/I Never Picked Cotton
Roy Acuff: Night Train to Memphis
Howdy Forrester: Dusty Miller
Jim and Jesse: When I Stop Dreaming
Roy Clark and Donna Darlene: Ashes of Love

9:00: Luzianne
Tex Ritter (host): Take Him Fishin'
Tommy Cash: I'm Gonna Write a Song
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Tex Ritter: A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to Miami
Tommy Cash: Six White Horses

9:30: Kellogg's
Charlie Walker (host): My Baby Used to Be That Way
The 4 Guys: Turn Your Radio On
Jimmy Dickens: Out Behind the Barn
Peggy Little: Little Henry Hurt
Charlie Walker: Got My Mind on the Border of Mexico
The 4 Guys: She's All I Got
Jimmy Dickens: John Henry
Peggy Little: My God is Real

10:00: Fender
Billy Walker (host): Funny How Time Slips Away
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Lonzo and Oscar: Easy Loving
Billy Walker: A Million and One

10:15: Union 76
Bill Anderson (host): Love Is a Sometimes Thing
Jan Howard: Love is Like a Spinning Wheel
Billy Grammer: What a Friend
Del Wood: Are You from Dixie
Bill Anderson: Always Remember

10:30: Trailblazer
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): There's a Big Wheel
Grandpa Jones: A Dollar Short
Jean Shepard: Silver Threads and Golden Needles
Jim and Jesse: Snowbird

10:45: Beechnut
Roy Acuff (host): Just a Friend
Roy Clark: The Tips of My Fingers
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

11:00: Coca Cola
Tex Ritter (host): Texas
Jimmy Dickens: There's No Place Like Home for Christmas
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin Hen
Tex Ritter: A Funny Thing Happened to Me on the Way to Miami
Sam McGee: Under the Double Eagle
Tex Ritter: Fall Away

11:30: Elm Hill
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria
Tommy Cash: Rise & Shine/The Farmer & The Lord
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon

There were a few cancellations that night as Bobby Bare, George Morgan, Marion Worth and Justin Tubb were all on the schedule but cancelled. 

I want to mention Donna Darlene, who did a duet with Roy Clark that evening. 

Donna Darlene, born in November 1938, was from Kane, Pennsylvania. She started singing at a young age and appeared on various radio stations in Western Pennsylvania. By the summer of 1954, Donna was part of the Bob Spicker and the Sunset Ramblers group, helping out on vocals and playing bass. In the mid 1950s, Donna was appearing on the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree, appearing with Dusty Owens. Donna recorded for several record labels including Stardust, Wizard and Admiral, with limited success. Donna was married at one time to Doug Kershaw and then to Shot Jackson. She passed away on June 24, 2017. 

Finally, there will be another of the Opry's Country Christmas shows on Sunday night, December 12. Trace Adkins was originally on the schedule, but I see that he is now off. As to the rest: 

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: The Isaacs
Also Appearing: Gatlin Brothers; Connie Smith; Mandy Barnett; Charlie McCoy; Riders In The Sky

I have to say that the first couple of shows have been very good, as the Gatlins, Mandy, Charlie and Riders have formed a nice regular group on the show. This has turned out to be a wonderful idea by the Opry and hope this tradition continues in years to come. 

There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend. 

Tuesday Night Opry 12/7

Here is the line-up for the Tuesday Night Opry:

7:00: John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, Cam, Dailey & Vincent
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, John Crist, Jimmie Allen