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Tuesday Night Opry 3/20 & Opry Country Classics 3/22

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Tuesday night will be very special as Chris Janson becomes the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Chris Janson was born on April 2, 1986 in Perryville, Missouri. He moved to Nashville after completing high school. In June 2009, Chris co-wrote and recorded several duets with Holly Williams. In October 2009, he signed with BNA Records, then in April 2010 he released his first single, "'Til A Woman Comes Along." The song made it up to No. 52 on the country charts.

After leaving BNA, Chris drifted around writing and recording with various artists. He co-wrote Tim McGraw's single "Truck, Yeah," played on Lee Brice's song "Beer," and wrote the title track to Justin Moore's album "Off the Beaten Path." In 2013, he signed with Bigger Picture Music Group and released "Better I Don't," followed by "Cut Me Some Slack." neither of which made the country charts, although they did receive radio airplay.

In early 2015, Chris released "Buy Me a Boat." The song debuted at No. 33 on the Hot Country Songs chart after it received airplay on the Bobby Bones Show. It was officially released as a single via Warner Bros. Records in May 2015 and became a Top 5 hit. The song eventually went as high as No. 2 on the charts. That single was followed by "Power of Positive Drinkin',""Holdin' Her,""Fix a Drink," and "Drunk Girl." The songs all received considerable airplay, with "Fix a Drink" reaching No. 10 on the country charts.

Chris Janson has guested on the Opry over a hundred times and is known for his energy and enthusiasm that he brings with each performance. Many times he has expressed his love and appreciation for the Grand Ole Opry and has publicly stated how much he would like to become an Opry member. That dream will become a reality on Tuesday night.

7:00: John Conlee; Carly Pearce
7:30: Del McCoury Band; Lorrie Morgan
Intermission
8:15: Chris Janson
8:45: Jamey Johnson; Charlie Daniels Band

Opry Country Classics on Thursday night will feature Chris Young as the spotlight artist.

Host: Bill Cody
Spotlight Artist: Chris Young
Also Appearing: Jim Lauderdale; TG Sheppard; Mike Snider; Rhonda Vincent

Congratulations to Chris Janson. He will be the 4th new Opry member since the start of 2017, following in the footsteps of Crystal Gayle, Dailey & Vincent and Chris Young. Those three have so far been good choices and I truly believe Chris Janson will follow their lead and continue to support the Opry as his career continues to move forward.


Grand Ole Opry 3/23 & 3/24

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The line-ups are posted and it is another weekend at the Grand Ole Opry with one show each night. It is interesting to note that originally the Opry had two shows scheduled for Saturday night but over the weekend the late show was cancelled, due to poor ticket sales. My guess is that they thought they had one of the bigger named artists committed but that changed. It happens.

As to the Grand Ole Opry members appearing this weekend, both nights will feature Mike Snider, Jeannie Seely, and Connie Smith. Friday night we have Dailey & Vincent on the schedule, along with Bobby Osborne, Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Saturday night, joining Mike, Jeannie and Connie will be Bill Anderson and Jesse McReynolds. That comes out to 7 Opry members on Friday and 5 on Saturday.

Guesting both nights will be comedian Dick Hardwick, joined on Friday night by "Nashville" star Charles Esten, Tegan Marie, Striking Matches and Shelly Fairchild. Saturday night, besides Dick, will feature Jimmy Wayne, Delta Rae, Maggie Rose, Jason Crabb, and John Berry, who will also be hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree. While nothing spectacular, both nights feature pretty solid line-ups.

Friday March 23
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Charles Esten; Mike Snider
7:30: Dailey & Vincent (host); Tegan Marie; Striking Matches
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Dick Hardwick
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Shelly Fairchild

Saturday March 24
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy Wayne; Delta Rae
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Maggie Rose; John Berry
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Dick Hardwick; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Jesse McReynolds; Jason Crabb

From 10 years ago, the 4th weekend in March 2008:

Friday March 21
8:00: John Conlee (host); Connie Smith; Sarah Johns
8:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; James Otto
9:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Charlie Walker; George Hamilton IV; Josh Gracin
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Cherryholmes

Saturday March 22
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeannie Seely
7:00: John Conlee (host); George Hamilton IV; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Chonda Pierce
7:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jack Greene; Jim Ed Brown
8:00: Steve Wariner (host); Jean Shepard; Riders In The Sky; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Loretta Lynn

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); John Conlee; Loretta Lynn
10:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Charlie Louvin; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Chonda Pierce
10:30: Steve Wariner (host); Jean Shepard; Jim Ed Brown; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Marty Stuart (host); Riders In The Sky; Connie Smith

25 years ago, Saturday March 27, 1993:

1st show
6:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); The 4 Guys
6:45: Jack Greene (host); Skeeter Davis
7:00: Bill Monroe (host); Billy Walker; Jan Howard; Charlie Louvin; Hank Locklin
7:30: Vince Gill (host); Emmylou Harris; Garth Brooks
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jeannie Seely; Charlie Walker; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jeanne Pruett; Justin Tubb; Bill Carlisle; Del Reeves

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald; Skeeter Davis; Garth Brooks
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Jan Howard
10:15: Vince Gill (host); Emmylou Harris
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Ray Pillow
10:45: Jack Greene (host); Jeanne Pruett; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jeannie Seely; Hank Locklin; Bill Carlisle; Billy Walker
11:30: Del Reeves (host); The 4 Guys; Charlie Louvin; Charlie Walker; Mike Snider

Last week I posted the line-up from opening night at the new Grand Ole Opry House. It was a star-studded night with a majority of the Opry's members appearing. The 2nd week it was pretty much back to normal with many of the Opry's members back out on the road. Here is the running order from Saturday March 23, 1974, the 2nd week at the new Grand Ole Opry House:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A name from that night that you don't hear much anymore is Johnny Carver. Johnny, who is now 77 years old, was born in Jackson, Mississippi. Between 1968 ad 1977 he had fifteen Top 40 hits on the Billboard Country Charts, the highest being the country version of Tony Orlando's "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" which reached No. 1 in 1974. His only other Top 10 singles were "You Really Haven't Changed" which went to No. 6 in 1973 and "Afternoon Delight" which settled in at No. 9 in 1976.

Finally, on March 27th, Jan Howard will be celebrating 47 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, joining the cast on that date in 1971.

Some artists sing country songs. Some live them. Jan Howard has done a lot of living and entertained a whole lot of fans between the year in which she was born in West Plains, Missouri, and when she returned to her hometown to be inducted into the Walk of Fame on Court Square and her home state to dedicate Jan Howard Expressway and to be inducted into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame.

After spending time in California, Jan moved to Nashville and made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 1959. Her first solo single the next year, "The One You Slip Around With," was a Top 10 hit, and both Billboard and Cashbox magazines named her their Most Promising Country Vocalist of the year. Jan lived up to the promise in subsequent years with more than 20 Top 40 singles. She also made a name for herself in live shows alongside good friends Johnny Cash and Tammy Wynette, among others.

Among Jan's biggest solo hits are "Evil on Your Mind," (named one of country music's 500 greatest singles by the book "Heartaches by the Number"), "Bad Seed" and "Count Your Blessings, Woman." Even while she was on the charts as a solo artist, she was also enjoying success as part of Bill Anderson's syndicated TV show and tour. Together, the two Opry members topped the charts with "For Loving You," a month-long No. 1 in 1967. Meanwhile, Jan also was writing big hits for others in the business including Hall of Famers Bill, Johnny, Tammy, Kitty Wells, Conway Twitty, and Connie Smith. Jan's single "My Son," a song that began as a letter to her son Jimmy in Vietnam, was released just a few weeks before he was killed in action in 1968. Several year's later, Jan's efforts on behalf of the armed forces, mental health, the Veterans Administration, Vietnam veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial earned her the Tennessee Adjutant General's Distinguished Patriot Medal, its highest civilian honor. And in 2005, the Commander in Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars presented her with the Medal of Merit, which is awarded for "exceptional service rendered to country, community, and mankind.

Prior to Jan becoming an Opry member, she had guested so many times as part of Bill Anderson's group, that the Opry thought she was already a member. It was Bud Wendall who corrected the oversight, adding her to the Opry's cast as soon as he discovered his error. Jan is now basically retired from performing although she is still seen around town and occasionally backstage at the Opry.

Here is the running order from Saturday March 27, 1971, the night Jan Howard became an official member of the Grand Ole Opry:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Billy Walker (host): I Taught Her Everything She Knows
Ray Pillow: Grazin' in Greener Pastures
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Billy Walker: How Great Thou Art

6:45: Rudy's
Jack Greene (host): There's A Whole Lot About A Woman A Man Don't Know
Jeannie Seely: Please Be My New Love
Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely: Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything

7:00: Luzianne
Bill Monroe (host): My Little Georgia Rose
Earl Scruggs Revue: Loraderojosp III Breakdown
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You
Ernie Ashworth: Jesus Is A Soul Man
James William Monroe: Come With Me Up Happiness Hill
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Earl Scruggs Revue: Foggy Mountain Top
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Legend of the Dogwood Tree

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Anderson (host): Wild Weekend
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Dew
Jan Howard: Evil on Your Mind
George Morgan: For the Good Times
Bill Anderson: Always Remember
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Grandpa Jones: Fair & Tender Ladies
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard: Someday We'll Be Together

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Loretta Lynn: I Wanna Be Free
Tex Ritter: The Men in My Little Girls's Life
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberatioin
Lonzo & Oscar: Crawdad Song

8:30: Stephens
Porter Wagoner (host): The Carroll County Accident
Dolly Parton: Coming For to Carry Me Home
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn
Tom T Hall: Ballad of 40 Dollars
Porter Wagoner: The Last One to Touch Me
Hank Locklin: She's As Close As I Can Get
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: Better Move it On Home

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Bill Anderson (host): You Can Change the World By Changing Your Mind
Willis Brothers: For the Good Times
Jan Howard: Were You There
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Ray Pillow: Working Man Blues
Bill Anderson: I Love You Drops

10:00: Fender
Bill Monroe (host): Little Joe
Earl Scruggs Revue: Bugle Call Rag
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie

10:15: Union 76
Billy Walker (host): When A Man Loves A Woman
Grandpa Jones: Dooley
Ernie Ashworth: Jesus Is A Soul Man
Billy Walker: Make the World Go Away

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Jack Greene: There's A Whole Lot About A Woman A Man Don't Know
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:45: Beech-Nut
Porter Wagoner (host): Big Wind
Dolly Parton: Joshua
Stringbean: Lonesome Road Blues
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler
Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton: Better Move it On Home

11:00: Coca-Cola
Tex Ritter (host): Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner's Daughter
Han Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Fruit Jar Drinkers: (?)
Tex Ritter: High Noon
Loretta Lynn: I Wanna Be Free
Sam McGee: San Antonio Rose

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
Lonzo & Oscar: There's A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea
Ronnie Robbins: Put You Hand in the Hand/Today I Started Loving You Again
Marty Robbins: I Walk Alone/Don't Worry/A Heart Full of Love/Long Gone Lonesome Blues
Marty Robbins & Ronnie Robbins: It Finally Happened

There you have it for this week. Congratulations again to Jan Howard and I hope, as always, everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!

Country Music Hall of Fame & Grand Ole Opry Members

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It's that time of year again as the 2018 announcement of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame will take place on Tuesday March 27, hosted by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

When looking at the current members of the Hall of Fame, the vast majority of the performers who have been elected were Grand Ole Opry members at some point in their careers. Of the current cast of 64 members, 17 are Hall of Famers: Bill Anderson, Garth Brooks, Roy Clark, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Tom T Hall, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Connie Smith, and Randy Travis. Quite an impressive list. And if you follow the rumors, there are several more members who will be receiving serious consideration in this years voting.

So of the remaining 47 current Grand Ole Opry members, how many will eventually get elected to the Hall of Fame? Not necessarily this year or next, but at some point in the future.

My thinking is that there are a few members who are 100% locks at getting in someday: Clint Black, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Crystal Gayle, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Marty Stuart, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner, and Trisha Yearwood. I think the body of their work will get each of those into the Hall at some point.

There are a few others who I believe will receive some serious mention, but as to getting into the Hall of Fame, it could be an uphill battle. On that list, I have Trace Adkins, Patty Loveless, Lorrie Morgan, and Travis Tritt.

There are a few that I would say have a small chance of getting in (you never know what a voter might be thinking). I think that list would include John Conlee, Diamond Rio, Pam Tillis, and Riders In The Sky.

Sadly, and even though there are those who wish they would be, for many of the Opry members there will be literally no chance. I put Terri Clark, Joe Diffie, Jan Howard, Hal Ketchum, Craig Morgan, Stu Phillips, Ray Pillow, Jeanne Pruett, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Van Shelton and The Whites.

I did not mention Jesse McReynolds (Jim & Jesse), Bobby Osborne (The Osborne Brothers), Dailey & Vincent, or Del McCoury as these acts are bluegrass in nature and it seems that since International Bluegrass Music Association established their own Hall of Fame, bluegrass acts seem to not get any consideration for the Country Music Hall of Fame. And then there is the case of Stonewall Jackson. I really believe he should be in the Hall of Fame (some forget how good Stonewall was in his prime with his honky-tonk sound), but his lawsuit again Gaylord and the Opry pretty much eliminated his chances.

Now, there are a number of acts that I did not mention: the younger ones who have been around less than 10-15 years. Artists such as Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker,  Josh Turner, Chris Young and Chris Janson. The body of work is incomplete on those acts, however if I had to list one who has the edge, I would give it to Darius Rucker.

The names of deceased and former Opry members comes up, with Ralph Stanley being the name most commonly mentioned. Ralph does deserve serious consideration and someday he might get in. Others in that category might include Dottie West, Archie Campbell, Wilburn Brothers, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Brother Oswald (in the musician category), and June Carter, However, they longer that it goes, the less their chances become.

There is a lot of competition for the Hall of Fame, much of it because of the election and voting policies of the Hall. With only 5 categories, 3 of which rotate, and only one per category getting in each year, it would seem that the Hall will never catch up. With the popularity of country music, and the growing number of eligible artists, I would expect a change at some point. The public will demand it, as will the CMA membership.

Like everyone else, I will be watching to see who is elected on Tuesday. Could it be one of the favorites, or could the electors throw us a name out of left field, as they did several years ago when Mac Wiseman was elected?

My predictions? For whatever it is worth, in the modern era, my personal hope is Ricky Skaggs, however my guess is that the voters continue the trend of last year with Alan Jackson's election, and go with another act from the same era, Brooks & Dunn. In the veteran class, I think Ray Stevens, Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams, Jr, and Dottie West are the most popular names mentioned. My personal hope is Ray Stevens as I think he has been overlooked for a long time, however my guess is Crystal Gayle gets the call.

In the musicians category, there are so many possibilities again. If the voters look outside of Nashville, how about Don Rich? Brother Oswald is another name long overdue. Jimmy Capps? Kenny Harman? Kenny Buttrey? Bob Moore? Velma Williams? Tommy Jackson? Johnny Gimble? Vassar Clements? Pete Drake? Weldon Myrick? Hank Garland? I know, so many and I just named several. You could pick any of the Nashville "A" team players and not go wrong.

Good luck to all and who else cares to chime in?


Tuesday Night Opry 3/27 & Opry Country Classics 3/29

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In what was being advertised as a celebration upon Charlie Daniel's 10th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry has changed due to the continued illness of Charlie. If you remember, Charlie cancelled his appearance on last week's Tuesday night Opry, and because he is still under the weather, he has cancelled tonight's appearances. The Opry will still have two shows tonight, with Jamey Johnson stepping in to replace Charlie.

1st show
7:00: Terri Clark; Bill Anderson; Lorrie Morgan
8:00: Lauren Alaina; Chris Janson; Jamey Johnson

2nd show
9:30: Terri Clark; Bill Anderson; Lorrie Morgan
10:30: Lauren Alaina; Jamey Johnson; Chris Janson

Not a bad line-up at all for the Tuesday night show with 4 of the 6 artists being Opry members.

Opry Country Classics on Thursday night will have the following line-up:

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Pam Tillis
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, T. Graham Brown, Linda Davis, Mo Pitney


Grand Ole Opry 3/30 & 3/31

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Over the past day, I have given some thought to this year's Hall of Fame inductees: Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West, and Johnny Gimble, and before getting into the Grand Ole Opry line-ups for this weekend, I just wanted to offer an analysis regarding the election of these three well-deserved individuals, and where the Hall of Fame goes from here in future voting.

First, Johnny Gimble was elected in the Recording and/or Touring Musician Category. This is significant as the previous inductees from this category (Grady Martin, Pig Robbins, Charlie McCoy, Harold Bradley, Floyd Cramer) were primarily recording musicians and not touring musicians. While Johnny did his share of recording, he also worked the road with acts such as Bob Wills and Willie Nelson. Hopefully with the election of Johnny, it will open the door for other touring musicians such as Don Rich or Brother Oswald, who helped to define the sounds of Buck Owens and Roy Acuff.

Secondly, there is Dottie West. For the past several years there has been a significant campaign that involved a number of country music artists (Steve Wariner, Larry Gatlin, Kenny Rogers, Jeannie Seely, Shelly West), among others, who worked very hard to get Dottie elected to the Hall of Fame. It seemed that this year the voters got the message and felt that in order to move forward with others in the veterans category, they had to vote Dottie in. The reason is pretty simple: for the past several years, when the articles start appearing about the Hall of Fame, the first name mentioned as not being in was Dottie, with questions to the voters as to why not? Make no mistake about it: Dottie deserved to be elected, and should have been years ago. I believe with her election, the voters can now move on with a clear conscious to the others in the veterans category, such as Hank Williams, Jr., Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, Ray Stevens, among so many others.

Finally, Ricky Skaggs. After the election last year of Alan Jackson in the modern era category, I was afraid that the voters decided to move forward and would start electing the candidates from the late 1980s and 1990s, leaving Ricky behind and waiting to be elected in the veterans class. I do believe that with the election of Ricky, that will close the door to artists of his generation getting elected to the Hall of Fame in the modern era category. I would expect that beginning next year, the focus will be on those from the very late 80s and 90s, including artists such as Brooks & Dunn, The Judds (yes, I know they are more of an 80s act, but there are often associated with the late 80s and 90s),  Toby Keith, Marty Stuart and Tim McGraw, to name a few. To those that are left from Ricky's generation, with Steve Wariner and Keith Whitley coming to mind, I think they will have to wait until they get voted in from the veterans category.

Speaking of voting and categories, it was nice to hear Garth mention that he felt there were too many artists not in the Hall of Fame that should be, and that brings me to the voting. Let me be clear: I do not favor a mass induction. To me, that takes away some of the honor. However, I do believe in the opening up of categories, perhaps adding one or two. I also think that perhaps the voters should be allowed to vote for more than one nominee with those who receive a certain percentage of votes getting in. As an example, for the Baseball Hall of Fame it takes 75% of the vote and for the Football Hall of Fame it takes 80%. Perhaps something in that order to allow maybe two or three to be elected in a category. As things stand now, there is a tremendous backlog being created among those in the veteran class, with more being added each year. Once an artist enters that class, the only way they are eliminated is if they are elected. There are no easy answers but the Country Music Association needs to take a look at it. On the other hand, they might be perfectly fine with only three artists being elected each year. But to country music fans who wonder why their favorite artists are not in the Hall of Fame, that is not good enough.

Now to the Grand Ole Opry on this Easter weekend, as there are two pretty nice shows, with Saturday night's Grand Ole Opry looking very good. Grand Ole Opry members scheduled for both nights include Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider and Riders In The Sky. On Friday night, they will be joined by a couple of Hall of Famers, Bill Anderson and Vince Gill, along with Jesse McReynolds, a member of the bluegrass Hall of Fame. Saturday night has Steve Wariner, Terri Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, The Whites and Bobby Osborne joining that group.

Guests on Friday night include Smithfield, Chonda Pierce, Annie Moses Band, RayLynn and Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert. Saturday night has Hall of Famer Don Schlitz, Lee Greenwood and making her Opry debut, Kalie Shorr.

Friday March 30
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Smithfield; Kieran Kane & Rayna Gellert
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Chonda Pierce; Annie Moses Band
8:45: Vince Gill (host); Jesse McReynolds; RayLynn

Saturday March 31
7:00: Steve Wariner (host); Mike Snider; Terri Clark
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Kalie Shorr; Riders In The Sky
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Don Schlitz; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Lee Greenwood

As mentioned, this will be the Grand Ole Opry debut for Kalie Shorr. Kalie is from Portland, Maine. This 23 year old was playing guitar by the age of ten and began posting covers of popular songs on YouTube when she was 13. At the age of 16 she made her first visit to Nashville, moving there when she turned 19.

In 2010 she was the Southern Maine winner of Maine's Got Talent contest. In March 2014 she got involved in a weekly live show, Song Suffragettes, which featured female singer-songwriters, and has continued to perform on the show. In February 2015, Kalie released an EP of demos that she had recorded over her time in Nashville, named Nashville Sessions. In 2016, her single "Fight Like a Girl" began to receive airplay on Sirius XM The Highway. She later signed a publishing deal and in September 2016 released a second single "He's Just Not That Into You." In March 2017, she released Slingshot, a five-song EP. Thus far, her chart success has been minimal.

And now from 10 years ago, the weekend of March 28 & 29, 2008:

Friday March 28
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Mel McDaniel; Jimmy C Newman; The Steeldrivers
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jack Greene; Jennifer Hanson
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; B J Thomas
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Ralph Stanley; Restless Heart

Saturday March 29
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Phil Stacey
7:00: Vince Gill (host); Kellie Pickler; The Time Jumpers; Neal McCoy
8:00: Jean Shepard (host); Jan Howard; Ralph Stanley; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jack Greene; Charlie Daniels Band

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Phil Stacey
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Neal McCoy; Kellie Pickler
10:30: Vince Gill (host); Jean Shepard; The Time Jumpers; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Ralph Stanley; Charlie Daniels Band

From 50 years ago, Saturday March 30, 1968:

7:30: Standard Candy
Charlie Louvin (host); On the Other Hand
Grandpa Jones: Banjo Sam
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Wilma Burgess: Baby
The 4 Guys: The Men Who Never Returned
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Grandpa Jones: Mountain Laurel
Del Wood: Waiting for the Robert E. Lee
Charlie Louvin: I Don't Have Any Place to Go

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host); Homestead on the Farm
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Stu Phillips: That's the Chance I'll Have to Take
Rex Allen: Don't Go Near the Indians/Up A Lazy River
Flatt & Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Crook Brothers: Arkansas Traveler

8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host); Mabel
Jim & Jesse: Ballad of Thunder Road
Jerry Green: I've Got A Tiger by the Tail
Archie Campbell: The Cockfight
Billy Grammer: Money, Love & War
Jim & Jesse: Memphis
Archie Campbell & Lorene Mann: The Dark End of the Street
Ramblin' Lou: Little Green Valley
Billy Grammer: God Will Take Care of You

9:00: Luzianne
Ray Pillow (host); Take Your Hands Off My Heart
The 4 Guys: Love of the Common People
Pete Sayers: Washed My Face in the Morning Dew
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Devil's Dream
Ray Pillow: Life Turned Her That Way
Duane Dee: Danny Boy
Donna Darlene: I Don't Know You From Adam

9:30: Kellogg's
Willis Brothers (host): A 6 FT 2 By 4
Charlie Louvin: Something's Wrong
Skeeter Davis: Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
Cousin Jody: Mockingbird
Willis Brothers: A Satisfied Mind
Harold Weakley: He'll Have to Go
Skeeter Davis: Instinct for Survival

10:00: Fender
Hank Locklin (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Stu Phillips: The Note in Box Number 9
Wilma Burgess: Misty Blue
Hank Locklin: Love Song for You

10:15: Pure
Flatt & Scruggs (host): It Was Only the Wind
Jerry Green: Make the World Go Away
Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time
Flatt & Scruggs: Down in the Flood

10:30: Buckley's
Jim & Jesse (host): Truck Driving Man
Del Wood: Beer Barrel Polka
Duane Dee: The Shining Hour
Jim & Jesse: Diesel on My Tail

10:45: Newport
Archie Campbell (host): Rindercella
Lorene Mann: Don't Put Your Hands on Me
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Archie Campbell & Lorene Mann: The Dark End of the Street

11:00: Coca-Cola
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
The 4 Guys: Woman; Woman
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Alabama Gal
Rex Allen: San Antonio Rose/The Streets of Laredo
Billy Grammer: Money, Love & War
Sam McGee: McGee Blues
Pete Sayers: Jimmy Brown the Newsboy
Billy Grammer: Beautiful Isle of Somewhere

11:30: Lava
Willis Brothers (host): Little Red Wagon
Skeeter Davis: Silver Threads & Golden Needles
Ray Pillow: Gone with the Wine
Cousin Jody: Jody's Chimes
Willis Brothers: Somebody Knows My Dog
Harold Weakley: You've Still Got A Place in My Heart
Skeeter Davis: My Last Date with You
Willis Brothers: Suppertime

There were a couple of names from that show 50 years ago that some might have recognized, or have forgotten:

Ramblin' Lou Schriver was from the western part of New York. Born in 1929, he began his radio career on WJJL in Niagara Falls in 1947. He then moved on to Buffalo and Southern Ontario, Canada. In 1951, along with his band Twin Pine Mountaineers, he recorded and released an album on Sparton Records. That led to appearances on the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Erie County Fair, where he was an annual performer for 51 years. He was also a music promoter, who brought acts such as Elvis Presley, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams to the Buffalo area. In 1985, he was inducted into the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and was a charter member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. He continued to perform locally until his death on January 17, 2016.

Duane Dee was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and recorded for Capital Records. He had the original recording of "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," which later went to No. 1 for Freddy Fender. Duane's version only went as high as #44 in 1968. He had a string of minor hits and made several appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. As of September 2017 he was living in Florida.

Finally, Donna Darlene was born in Kane, Pennsylvania in 1938. She was pretty popular in the Western Pennsylvania area, performing on various radio stations in the area. She later was a part of the Bob Spicker and the Sunset Ramblers. Later she was a part of the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. By 1967, her manager was Shot Jackson and she was signed to Wizard Records, and then in 1979 to Stardust Records. She was married to Doug Kershaw and then to Shot Jackson. Donna never had a major hit and not much is known about her later years. She passed away in June 2017.

Finally, it was Saturday March 30, 1974 that the Earl Scruggs Revue made their final appearance as members of the Grand Ole Opry. After breaking up with Lester Flatt in 1969, each remained Opry members, with Earl joining up with his sons Randy, Gary, and Steve, along with Vassar Clements and Josh Graves to play a more progressive style of bluegrass. The original line-up would change over the years, with Earl, Randy and Gary remaining the constant members, joined by various groups of musicians. While popular with younger audiences, Earl had issues with many who played and followed traditional bluegrass, with several feeling that Earl had lost his way.  The group was popular on college campuses and festivals and performed with a number of progressive acts. The group recorded for Columbia Records.

Earl only stayed at the Opry for a few years after forming his group. Their first appearance was September 13, 1969, with their final show just over 4 1/2 years later. After leaving the Opry, the group stayed together until 1982 when the decision was made to part ways.

Here is the running order from 44 years ago, Saturday March 30, 1974, the final night that Earl Scruggs performed as a member of the Grand Ole Opry (just 2 weeks after the opening of the new Grand Ole Opry House):

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Charlie Walker (host): Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down

6:45: Rudy's
Willis Brothers (host): Truck Stop
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203/Looking Back to See
Willis Brothers: Buying Popcorn

7:00: Rudy's
Archie Campbell (host): (?)
Bob Luman: Lonely Women Make Good Lovers
Tommy Jones: Dixie Hummingbird
Bob Luman: When You Say Love
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Tommy Jones: Orange Blossom Special
Archie Campbell: Make Friends

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Lonzo  & Oscar: Moving On #2
Crook Brothers/Tennessee Travelers: Lost Indian
Roy Acuff: Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Carol Lee Cooper: Making Plans
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

8:00: Martha White
Billy Walker (host): I Changed My Mind
Grandpa Jones: Are You From Dixie
Earl Scruggs Revue: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Connie Smith: Dallas
Billy Walker: You Gave Me a Mountain
Grandpa Jones: Just Plain Folks
Earl Scruggs Revue: I Shall Be Released

8:30: Stephens
Billy Grammer (host): Detroit City
Stu Phillips: Great El Tigrae
The 4 Guys: Don't It Make You Want to Go Home
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks, Blue Ribbon Beer
Stu Phillips: That's A Chance I'll Have to Take
Billy Grammer: What A Friend

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Charlie Walker (host): Wanting My Woman Again
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Charlie Walker: Jambalaya
Ernie Ashworth: Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor
Charlie Walker: Jambalaya
Connie Smith: Louisiana Man
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips

10:00: Fender
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Doin' My Time
Bob Luman: Today I Started Loving You Again
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Coming Down from God

10:15: Union 76
Roy Acuff (host): Back in the Country
Justin Tubb: Loving Arms
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back to the Mountains

10:30: Trailblazer
Stu Phillips (host): There Must Be Another Way to Say Goodbye
Grandpa Jones: Banjo Sam/Mountain Dew
Stu Phillips: For the Good Times

10:45: Beech-Nut
Billy Grammer (host): Lonesome Road Blues
Lonzo & Oscar: Rocky Top
Crook Brothers/Tennessee Travelers: Sally Goodin
Billy Grammer: Just A Closer Walk With Thee

11:00: Coca-Cola
Billy Walker (host): Sing Me A Love Song to Baby
Earl Scruggs Revue: Carolina Boogie
Tommy Jones: Alabama Jubilee
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Katy Hill
Earl Scruggs Revue: T for Texas
Sam McGee: Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Devil Woman
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks, Blue Ribbon Beer
Ronnie Robbins: Am I Good Enough to Be Your Man/Mama Tried
Marty Robbins: Don't Worry/Love Me/Big Boss Man/I'm Wanting To/El Paso/Singing The Blues

There you have it for this week. Sunday April 1 is Easter Sunday. I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Easter, and as always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!





April Opry Highlights

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April showers bring May flowers!!! Welcome to Spring, when the trees begin to bloom, the winter dirt disappears and the start of the major league baseball season. I know everyone has their favorites, but here in Ohio we are Tribe fans and this could be their year. Go Tribe!! Now back to serious business and as I do each month, here are the important and historical events that have taken place at the Grand Ole Opry, or with Opry members, during the month of April.

April 19, 1924: The WLS "National Barn Dance" was aired for the first time in Chicago. The National Barn Dance was the first of what would be many weekly barn dance programs sponsored by various radio stations around the country. Among the performers who were part of the "National Barn Dance" were Lulu Belle & Scotty, Bradley Kincaid, Gene Autry and a host of others. The "National Barn Dance" lasted until 1960 when the station changed formats. As many know, especially my friends in the Chicago area, WLS stood for "World's Largest Store," which was Sears, who were the owners of the station.

April 17, 1926: Uncle Dave Macon became a regular member of the WSM Barn Dance, soon to be known as the Grand Ole Opry. At the age of 55, he was the first performer to join the show that had a national reputation and his hiring, in a way, would start the show on the path of becoming a group of professional entertainers instead of those, who as George D. Hay used to say, "came down from the hills for the weekend." Uncle Dave would remain a popular Opry member until his death on March 1, 1952, at the age of 81.

April 14, 1932: Grand Ole Opry member Loretta Lynn was born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. Loretta joined the cast of the Opry in September 1962. At the age of 86, Loretta continues her recovery following her hip surgery.

April 30, 1932: The Dixieliners, which consisted of Kirk and Sam McGee, along with Arthur Smith, made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. All three had been performing on the Opry for several years, but this was the first time that they teamed up as an organized group. Their popularity and reputation grew and within a short amount of time they had two ten-minute segments on the show. It began to end for the Dixieliners in 1938 as Arthur had a drinking problem and was suspended from the Opry. On January 14, 1939, the Dixieliners made their final Opry appearance, after which Arthur left the Opry, while Sam and Kirk would continue on for many years.

April 11, 1933: Grand Ole Opry member Roy Clark was born in Meherrin, Virginia. And yes, it is true. Roy turns 85 this year. Hard to believe.

April 29, 1933: The Delmore Brothers, Rabon and Alton, made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. The brothers remained members of the Opry until 1938 when they left to pursue what they felt were better opportunities. Alton would later write an excellent book, "Truth is Stranger" in which he detailed their time at the Opry and the issues that they had with George D. Hay and Harry Stone. After leaving the Opry, the Delmore Brothers moved around the country and had shows at various radio stations until they played out the territory and moved on. They eventually ended up at WLW in Cincinnati, where they got together with Grandpa Jones and Merle Travis and recorded under the name "Browns Ferry Four." Each of these individuals would eventually be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. September 11, 1938 was the final Opry show for the Delmore Brothers and they sang, "What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul."

April 1, 1934: Country Music Hall of Fame member, and former Opry member, Jim Ed Brown was born in Sparkman, Arkansas.

April 15, 1937: Bob Luman was born. Bob gained fame as a member of the Louisiana Hayride, and then came to Nashville, joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1965. When Bob joined the Opry, many felt that he had too much "rock-n-roll" in him, but he was a very popular member of the Opry and fans enjoyed his performances. Bob remained at the Opry until he passed away in December 1978.

April 26, 1941: Ernest Tubb recorded "Walking the Floor Over You" in Dallas, Texas. This recording was also the first to use an electric guitar. The success of this record, which would become Ernest's theme song, led him to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry several years later.

April 14, 1945: Upon the death of President Franklin Roosevelt, a performance of taps was played from the stage of the Opry. This marked the first time that a trumpet was played during an Opry broadcast. Buddy Harroll, part of Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys was the performer, and while it was the right thing to do, George D. Hay was not thrilled. Also of note, while there was an Opry performance that night, it was not broadcast on WSM as the station was running NBC network programming commemorating the life and death of the President.

April 6, 1946: Roy Acuff quit the Opry in a salary dispute. At the time, he was the host of "The Prince Albert Show" segment of the Opry that was broadcast on the NBC radio network. He was making $15 per night at the Opry and asked for a raise to $100 per night. When WSM refused his demands, he left the show and went out to California for an extended tour. Over the years, Roy never talked much about the whole episode, but he knew that as the Opry's biggest star, he could make more money out on the road and have extra time to make movies. A year later, Roy would return to the Opry and when he did, he was paid more than union scale.

April 13, 1946: A week after Roy Acuff left, Red Foley became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and debuted as the new host of "The Prince Albert Show." There is a story behind this. After Roy quit, William Esty and Company, which was the advertising agency that represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the makers of Prince Albert chewing tobacco, undertook a study to determine how best to replace Roy Acuff as the host of the program. Most listeners wanted the Opry to continue without any changes, but it was clear after all the questioning was done that a large portion of the Opry fans wanted more music and less talk, suggesting that a singer needed to be hired as the replacement. Esty checked all the available data, which included record sales, jukebox plays and radio favorites, and it all pointed to Red Foley. Red would later say, "I guess I was never more scared than that night I replaced Roy Acuff. The people thought I was a Chicago slicker who came to pass himself off as a country boy and bump Roy out of his job." While it is true that Red came to the Opry from WLS in Chicago, he was actually born in Kentucky and had a string of country hits. It is interesting to note that while Red became a member of the Opry, he only appeared on, and hosted, the Prince Albert segment of the show.

April 13, 1946: The same night that Red Foley came to the Opry, so did Chet Atkins, who was introduced that night by Red. Chet stayed at the Opry with Red for just six months, when he left in his own dispute with Esty. Chet would return later and he would continue to make guest appearances until his death.

April 26, 1947: Just over a year after leaving the Opry, Roy Acuff returned as host of the "Royal Crown Cola Show." There is a story that Ernest Tubb and Harry Stone went to see Roy, who was in a Nashville hospital, telling him that the Opry might go under if he didn't return. While there is no evidence that the Opry was about to go under, the words worked and Roy came back, this time to stay for good.

April 3, 1948: The Louisiana Hayride started on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. Over the next decade, the Hayride would become known as a farm club of the Opry, with many of the Hayride's biggest stars leaving Shreveport for Nashville. Among those were David Houston, Billy Walker, Webb Pierce, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. The Hayride was also were Elvis Presley got his start. While the Hayride was very successful with Horace Logan at the helm, the lack of a recording industry in Shreveport meant that the stars had to go elsewhere, including Nashville to record. Once there, the Opry grabbed many of them.

April 26, 1952: Martha Carson, the great gospel singer, joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. She came to the Opry on the strength of her hit "Satisfied." Martha remained a member of the Opry until 1957, at which time she took a leave of absence when her first child was born and to spend some time working in New York City. However, when it came time for her to return, the Opry would not hire her back. According to Martha, "I got a leave of absence from the Opry. I didn't quit and I wasn't fired. When I came back to Nashville, Opry manager Ott Devine said they had no openings. I never did go back. I never even got to be a guest." Obviously a poor decision by Ott and the Opry's management.

April 18, 1953: Red Foley made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance as the host of "The Prince Albert Show." Red made the decision to leave Nashville and go to the Ozark Jubilee, which was televised. Red had numerous personal issues when he was with the Opry and when he decided to leave, the Opry had no objections. While many wondered about Red when he first came to the Opry, he become one of the Opry's biggest stars and one of the more popular members. After he left, "The Prince Albert Show" no longer had a permanent host.

April 12, 1957: Grand Ole Opry member Vince Gill was born. Vince has been a loyal and vocal member of the Opry since 1991. Who else finds it hard to believe that Vince will be 61 this year?

April 4, 1959: Bill Anderson made his debut as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry. Several years later, in July 1961, Bill would become an Opry member.

April 30, 1960: The WLS "National Barn Dance" aired for the final time. At one time, the barn dance was considered a major competitor of the Opry, and while it lasted much longer than others, like those others, it could not sustain itself as musical tastes changed.

April 30, 1966: Ray Pillow became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Ray's 52nd year as an Opry member. On the night he joined, Ernest Tubb introduced him. Though he is now on senior status and his Opry appearances are few, he still does a great job each time he is on the show.

April 22, 1967: The Four Guys became members of the Grand Ole Opry. They came to the Opry from the Wheeling, West Virginia area and spent 33 years as members of the Opry until they were fired in April 2000. The reason given for their termination was the fact that all four of the original members had left the group. For a number of years, they operated a very successful dinner theater in Nashville and were a popular cruise trip attraction.

April 6, 1968: Following the assassination of Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., the city of Nashville imposed a curfew that forced the Opry to cancel the live show for that night. WSM played a previously taped Opry appearance. After being notified that the show was going to be cancelled, Roy Acuff, Sam and Kirk McGee, along with a few others, put on a makeshift show at a nearby square dance hall that afternoon for Opry fans who came to town to attend the Opry. WSM and the Opry claims this was the only time that the Opry was ever cancelled.

April 6, 1968: On that same evening as the Opry was cancelled, Bud Wendall became the new general manager of the Grand Ole Opry. He replaced Ott Devine, who had been in charge of the Opry since 1959.

April 21, 1971: After taking a break to raise her children, Connie Smith returned as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Connie joined the Opry in 1965. At the time she returned, Connie had been gone for about two years.

April 12, 1972: The first "Fan Fair" was held in Nashville. It was so successful that it would become an annual event, eventually moving to June and the summer tourist season. Fan Fair was a chance for the fans to meet their favorite country music stars and the Opry was a big part of the event. It still takes place, although it is now called "CMA Music Fest."

April 27, 1972: Opryland opens for the first time. The park was an immediate hit and within several years, the Opry House would be completed and the Opry would make the move. Opryland shut down at the end of 1997 and replaced by Opry Mills shopping center. Yes, while it may seem hard to believe, Opryland has been closed for 20 years.

April 28, 1973: Conway Twitty performs on the Opry for the first time.

April 5, 1975: After having been suspended from the Opry in December 1973, Skeeter Davis was welcomed back to the show. Several Opry members had gone to Bud Wendall, asking that she be allowed to return to the show.

April 23, 1976: Don Williams is introduced as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jeanne Pruett did the honors. As everyone knows, Don and the Opry experience didn't really work and he left the show several years later.

April 2, 1977: Vito Pellettieri worked his final show as the stage manager of the Grand Ole Opry. Several days later, he suffered a stroke and on April 14 he passed away at the age of 87. While very few people have heard of Vito, he was probably one of the most influential people in the history of the Opry, so much so that he was never really replaced when he passed away. Years after his death, one veteran Opry member said, "I miss Vito. You know, we don't have a marshal anymore. What we have out there is a piece of paper in a box, with a list of acts and when they're supposed to go on. But we don't have anybody encouraging us, goading us, giving us advice on how to do better. Nobody to jack us up." One of Vito's closest friends was Hank Snow and Hank wrote extensively about Vito in his autobiography, including the jokes they used to play on each other. Now for those who do not know, Vito was WSM's librarian and started as the Opry's stage manager in 1934. He was the one who set up the Opry on a schedule, with assigned times and slots for each performer. He broke the show into segments with sponsors. Before that, it had been a free-for-all, with the artists coming and going as they pleased. In 1959, Vito faced mandatory retirement at WSM. However, every one of the Opry's members signed a petition demanding that Vito be allowed to continue working at the Opry and that November at the annual disc jockey convention, Opry members staged a show in Vito's honor. By the way, Vito never drove or owned a car and took the bus to WSM and the Opry each day.

April 13, 1981: Guy Willis of the Willis Brothers died at the age of 65. The Willis Brothers consisted of Guy, Skeeter and Vic. They originally joined the Opry in 1946, but left in 1948 to go on the road with Eddy Arnold. They rejoined the Opry in 1960. Skeeter passed away in 1976, after which Guy and Vic continued on, until Guy retired from performing in 1979 due to illness.

April 3, 1982: DeFord Bailey made his final appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. An early member of the show, DeFord had returned in the 1970s and made several appearances on the Opry's annual reunion shows.

April 13, 1985: The Grand Ole Opry was broadcast for the first time on TNN. The original shows were a half hour in length, later expanding to an hour. In 2001 the broadcast moved to CMT and then later to GAC in 2003. The first televised show was a one hour edition and featured Roy Acuff, as the host for the first half hour, with Connie Smith, Minnie Pearl and the Four Guys as guests. The 2nd half hour was hosted by Porter Wagoner and featured Dottie West, Jack Greene, the Crook Brothers and the Melvin Sloan Dancers. Those original TNN shows were not scripted for television and were nothing more than the radio show with a camera. As a result, the timing was sometimes a little bit off and the hosts forgot they were on television and would mention the names of the radio sponsors.

April 22, 1989: Clint Black made his first appearance as a guest at the Grand Ole Opry. in 1991, Clint would become an Opry member.

April 20, 1991: Emmylou Harris began a three night run at the Ryman Auditorium, during which her recording of "At The Ryman" took place. It marked one of the first uses of the Ryman for a concert performance since the Opry had left in 1974. Due to the condition of the building, only a small portion of the seating was able to be used. Those shows with Emmylou helped to spark the idea of renovating and reopening the Ryman.

April 2, 1994: During the TNN telecast of the Opry, an all-star bluegrass jam took place that featured Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Roy Husky, Jr., Marty Stuart, Alison Krauss and Earl Scruggs. Vince said, "That's what this place is all about. Night that are like that."

April 12, 1997: Lewis Crook passed away in Nashville at the age of 87. The Crook Brothers joined the Opry on July 24, 1926, so it is safe to say that they were original members of the WSM Barn Dance. The Crook Brothers remained at the Opry until 1988, a total of 62 years. Lewis was not with the Crook Brothers when they originally began at the Opry, joining the group later in 1928. After Herman passed away and the Crook Brothers name was retired, Lewis would continue to play and make appearances with the Opry's Square Dance Band. When you add it all up and do the math, Lewis was at the Opry on and off for almost 69 years.

April 6, 1998: Former Grand Ole Opry member Tammy Wynette passed away in Nashville at the age of 55. She had been battling health issues for a number of years. Tammy joined the Opry in 1969 and remained for just a few years.

April 18, 1998: Diamond Rio became members of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be their 20th year as Opry members.

April 12, 1999: Lecil Martin, known better as Boxcar Willie, passed away in Branson, Missouri after an extended illness. He was 67. Boxcar joined the Opry in 1981.

April 17, 2004: The Judds made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

April 30, 2004: The Grand Ole Opry took to the road and sponsored the "Grand Ole Opry American Road Show." The appearance took place in York, Pennsylvania and included Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, the Del McCoury Band and Rebecca Lynn Howard.

April 21, 2012: Keith Urban became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 6th year as an Opry member. Sorry to say that Keith hasn't been around much since joining the cast.

April 26, 2013: The Grand Ole Opry dedicated the shows that weekend to Opry member George Jones, who had passed away several days earlier. Those performing included Brad Paisley, Montgomery Gentry and John Conlee.

April 11, 2015: Long time Grand Ole Opry member Jim Ed Brown made his final Opry appearance. The newly elected member of the Country Music Hall of Fame had been an Opry member for just over 50 years.

April 30, 2016: Ray Pillow was recognized upon is 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Opry general manager Pete Fisher presented Ray with a gold pocket watch.

There you have it for this month.

Tuesday Night Opry 4/3 & Opry Country Classics 4/5

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The Tuesday Night Opry once again has two shows this week, although the line-ups will have several different artists on each show. Both shows will be highlighted by another Tuesday night appearance by Opry member Trace Adkins, along with a number of fellow Opry members. As with last week, the show is broken down into just two segments.

1st show
7:00: Terri Clark; Bill Anderson; Dustin Lynch; Steven Curtis Chapman
8:00: Craig Morgan; Dailey & Vincent; Trace Adkins

2nd show
9:30: Bill Anderson; Steven Curtis Chapman; Jeannie Seely; Craig Morgan
10:30: Riders In The Sky; Dailey & Vincent; Trace Adkins

The Grand Ole Opry is wasting no time in spotlighting one of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, as on Thursday night Ricky Skaggs will be the spotlight artist on Opry Country Classics.

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Ricky Skaggs
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Sarah Darling; Jackie Lee; The Whites


Grand Ole Opry 4/6 & 4/7

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The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the two shows this weekend and as usual, there is a lot of variety as  both nights will feature Hall of Fame members, comedy, bluegrass, classic country and newcomers, including one who will be making her Grand Ole Opry debut.

The Friday Night Opry will feature Grand Ole Opry members Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Connie Smith, Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Steve Wariner, and returning to the Opry after being off last week, Jesse McReynolds. Jesse wrote that he was feeling a little under the weather last weekend, which led to his cancellation. The Whites, Jeannie, Mike, and Connie will also be appearing on Saturday night, and they will be joined by Bobby Osborne and Riders In The Sky.

Guest artists on Friday night include veterans Mark Wills, Restless Heart and Chuck Wicks, along with newcomers Cassadee Pope and Charlie Worsham. Charlie will also be appearing on Saturday night, joined by Hall of Famer Don Schlitz (repeating his appearance from last week), Stephanie Quayle, who will be making her Opry debut, and former Opry member and Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare, who will be appearing with his son, Bobby Bare, Jr. While it would be nice to hear them do "Daddy, What If"" again, somehow I don't think it would sound quite the same as it did back in 1974 when Bobby Jr. was eight years old.

Bobby Bare Jr. is now 51 years old and grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in psychology. Bobby Jr. started his professional music career at the age of 30 when he said that he was someone who avoided "working a real job at any cost." In the 1990s, he led the roots rock group Bare, Jr., which was signed to Immortal Records, releasing two records. He also fronted a band called the Young Criminals Starvation League, and they released three studio albums. In 2010 he self-released "Storm-A Tree-My Mother's Head." Most of his songs incorporate humor and references to popular culture (sounds like his dad), with Shel Silverstein being a major influence on his career and songwriting. (Silverstein wrote "Daddy, What If?"). Bobby Jr. continues to record and make music, and has also worked on producing.

Friday April 6
7:00: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Mark Wills
7:30: Connie Smith (host); Cassadee Pope; Restless Heart
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Chuck Wicks
8:45: Steve Wariner (host); Mike Snider; Charlie Worsham

Saturday April 7
7:00: The Whites (host); Mike Snider; Stephanie Quayle
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Bobby Bare w/Bobby Bare, Jr.
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Don Schlitz; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Charlie Worsham

As mentioned, this will be the Grand Ole Opry debut for Stephanie Quayle. Stephanie, who is from Bozeman, Montana, was listed by Rolling Stone in May 2017 as one of the Top 10 artists to watch. She has toured with Chase Rice, LoCash, and Trace Adkins among others. In 2016 she released "Drinking with Dolly" which reached the Top 50 on Billboard's Indicator Chart. Her latest studio album, "Love the Way You See Me" was released in September 2017.


Now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from the first weekend in April ten years ago, the weekend of April 4 & 5, 2008:

Friday April 4
8:00: John Conlee (host); The Whites; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Mark Wills
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Del McCoury Band
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; Jack Greene; Terri Clark
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Tim Hensley; Emerson Drive

Saturday April 5
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jeff & Sheri Easter
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jean Shepard; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Restless Heart
8:00: Mel Tillis (host); Stu Phillips; Connie Smith; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Mark Wills

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Mel McDaniel; Jimmy C Newman
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jean Shepard; The Whites; Restless Heart
10:30: Mel Tillis (host); Jan Howard; Jeff & Sheri Easter; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Mark Wills

From Saturday April 3, 1993, the 1st Saturday in April 25 years ago:

1st show
6:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jan Howard
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Jim Ed Brown
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Brother Oswald; The 4 Guys; Osborne Brothers; Jeannie Seely
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Sons of the San Joaquin; Colin Raye
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Skeeter Davis; Roy Drusky; Jimmy C Newman

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Stonewall Jackson; The 4 Guys; Charlie Walker; Sons of the San Joaquin
10:00: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Colin Raye
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bill Carlisle
10:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Connie Smith; Jim Ed Brown; Mike Snider
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Osborne Brothers; Skeeter Davis; Roy Drusky; Johnny Russell

For those who do not remember, Sons of the San Joaquin was a Western family band consisting of Jack, Joe, and Lon Hannah. They played in the style of the Sons of the Pioneers, and Roy Rogers called them "the only singing group alive who I feel sound like the original Sons of the Pioneers." They were inducted into the Western Music Association Hall of Fame in 2006, and several of their albums have been given awards by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.


Looking back to the first weekend in April, it was Saturday April 3, 1982 that one of the Opry's original members, DeFord Bailey made his final Grand Ole Opry appearance as part of that year's reunion show.

DeFord Bailey was born on December 14, 1899 in Smith County, Tennessee. At the age of three he contracted polio and was confined to bed for a year. It was during this time that DeFord learned to play the harmonica and developed his unique style of playing. In 1918, he moved to Nashville and began to perform locally.

DeFord was discovered on the streets of Nashville by WSM Barn Dance regular Dr. Humphrey Bate, who brought him to the Opry, sponsoring him. He first appeared on June 19, 1926. On December 10, 1927, he debuted his trademark song, "Pan American Blues. It was George D. Hay, who one evening said prior to the start of the WSM Barn Dance on WSM, "For the past hour, we have been listening to music largely from Grand Opera, but from now on, we will present the Grand Ole Opry." After Hay's introduction, DeFord played "Pan American Blues," thus becoming the first performer to appear on the renamed Grand Ole Opry. DeFord was considered one of the Opry's most popular performers and appeared on the show until 1941, when he was fired because of what was described as a licensing conflict between BMI-ASCAP, which prevented him from playing his best-known songs on the radio. However, the feeling is that Hay fired him because of his race. After leaving the Opry, he spent the rest of his life shining shoes to make a living. However, thanks to the continued efforts of Opry stars Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Bill Monroe, DeFord was convinced  to return to the Opry, which he did in 1974, when he agreed to make one more appearance on what was the first of the Opry's annual reunion shows, or "Old Timer's Night." DeFord would make several more appearances until his final one on April 3, 1982. DeFord Bailey passed away on July 2, 1982.

Here is the running order from Saturday April 3, 1982, DeFord Bailey's final night at the Opry:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Jimmy C Newman (host): Louisiana Cajun Band
Ernie Ashworth: Irene
Jeannie Seely: It Turns Me Inside Out
Jimmy C Newman: Texa-Cajun

6:45: Rudy's
Roy Drusky (host): Billy Bayou
Wilma Lee Cooper: I Closed My Heart's Door
David Houston: Cotton Eyed Joe
Roy Drusky: Blues in My Heart

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all Come
Kitty Wells: Amigo's Guitar
Johnny Wright: Ashes of Love
Zeke Clements: I'm So Lonesome Since You Went Away/Just A Little Lovin'
Vic Willis Trio: Faded Love
Mack Magaha: Rocky Top

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Uncle Pen
Connie Smith: I Just Had You On My Mind
Curly Fox: Sweet Georgia Brown/The Old Gray Mule
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Crook Brothers/Tennessee Travelers: Gray Eagle
Bill Monroe: My Florida Sunshine

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jack Shook: Carry Me Back to the Lone Prairie
Alcyone Beasley: Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland
Jack Shook & Alcyone Beasley: Let the Rest of the World Go By
DeFord Bailey: Fox Chase/Cacklin' Hen/Pan American Blues/Lost John
Sid Harkreader: Never Alone Waltz/Red Wing Fiddlin'
Billy Grammer: Gotta Travel On
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving

8:30: Acme
Hank Snow (host): Paper Roses
The 4 Guys: It's High Time to Get Back on My Feet
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Sugar Tree Stomp
Stu Phillips: Have I Told You Lately that I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Hank Snow: Once More, You're Mine Again

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Porter Wagoner (host): You Make Everybody Feel Just Like Sunday
The 4 Guys: When Your House is Not a Home
Jeannie Seely: It Turns Me Inside Out
Wilburn Brothers: If I Can't Have All of You
Kitty Wells: It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels
Johnny Wright: Poison Love
Mack Magaha: Old Flames
Porter Wagoner: The Man in the Little White Suit/Ol' Slewfoot

10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Monroe (host): Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Curly Fox: Alabama Jubilee
Connie Smith: I've Got My Baby on My Mind
Carl Butler: Don't Let Me Cross Over

10:15: Sunbeam
Jimmy C Newman (host): Colinda
Wilma Lee Cooper: Walking My Lord Up Calvary's Hill
Zeke Clements: God Made it All; It Belongs to Him/Smoke on the Water
Jimmy C Newman: (?)

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Jack Shook: Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Alcyone Beasley: Silver Threads Among the Gold
Jack Shook & Alcyone Beasley: Someone Like You
Sid Harkreader: Amazing Grace/Sally Goodin

10:45: Beech-Nut
Roy Drusky (host): There'll Be Anyone Else But You For Me
Crook Brothers/Tennessee Travelers: Cotton Eyed Joe
Lonzo & Oscar: Rocky  Top
Roy Drusky: Just A Closer Walk With Thee

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Down the Trail of Aching Hearts
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away
Duke of Paducah: Comedy
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Saturday Night Hop
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow: I Don't Care Anymore

11:30: Bama
Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry
Charlie Louvin: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight/We Could
Stonewall Jackson: Angry Words/Muddy Water
Marty Robbins: Devil Woman/That's All Right/Don't Let Me Touch You/Good Hearted Woman/18 Yellow Roses/I Don't Know Why/El Paso

What a great collection of former, and in some cases, original Opry members that night. As you would expect, the show ran way over, ending at 12:45 a.m. And it should also be noted that this night was also the final Opry show for Alcyone Beasley, who was a member of his father's Possum Hunters and is considered the first regular female performer to appear on the Opry.


Looking back a few years earlier, it was on Saturday April 5, 1975 that Skeeter Davis returned to the Grand Ole Opry cast after being suspended in December 1973 when she made what were deemed politically inappropriate comments while appearing on the Opry.

As a result of her suspension, Skeeter missed the opening of the new Grand Ole Opry House and also lost a lot of show dates. In her autobiography "Bus Fare to Kentucky" she wrote that she would call the Opry each week to ask if she was scheduled but Bud Wendell would tell her not to come in. She asked if she was fired and was told they would just call it a suspension. She also wrote that while a few Opry members, specifically Teddy Wilburn, others stated that she should not have used the Opry stage to make a religious or political statement.

Skeeter then spent time overseas performing. She returned to Nashville upon the opening of the new Opry House, but was told she didn't need to attend. It was around this time that a number of Opry members started a petition asking that she be invited back. It took many more months, but after Bud Wendell was promoted and Hal Durham took over as the manager of the Opry, Skeeter was invited back. Skeeter specifically mentioned Jean Shepard, Kirk McGee, George Hamilton IV and Teddy Wilburn as those who supported her during the suspension and worked to get her back on the Opry. Once Skeeter returned, she would remain with the Opry until her death.

To remember Skeeter Davis, let's go back to Saturday April 5, 1975, the night Skeeter Davis returned to the Opry:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Charlie Louvin (host): Freight Train Boogie
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Charlie Louvin: When You Have to Fly Alone/See the Big Man Cry

6:45: Rudy's
Ray Pillow (host): Countryfied
Stu Phillips: She Thinks I Still Care
Del Wood: The Entertainer
Ray Pillow: The Simple Things of Life

7:00: Rudy's
Bill Grammer (host): Lonesome Road Blues
Skeeter Davis: I Can't Help It
Lonzo & Oscar: When I Stop Dreaming
Ernie Ashworth: The High Cost of Living
Skeeter Davis: Bus Fare to Kentucky
Billy Grammer: What a Friend

7:30: Standard Candy
Charlie Walker (host): Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Jimmy C Newman: Thibodeaux Cajun Band
Marion Worth: Delta Dawn
Jim & Jesse: Ashes of Love
Charlie Walker: The Last Supper
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Old Joe Clark
Jimmy C Newman: Before the Next Teardrop Falls
Charlie Walker: Good Deal, Lucille

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Jeanne Pruett: Just Like Your Daddy
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Poor Ellen Smith
Justin Tubb: Sunshine Lady
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back to the Mountains
Jeanne Pruett: Hold to My Unchanging Love/Love Me/You Don't Need to Move a Mountain/Satin Sheets
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: There's A Big Wheel

8:30: Stephens
Jack Greene (host) w/Jeannie Seely: If You're Going Down
Jeannie Seely: Catfish John
Willis Brothers: Truck Stop
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
The 4 Guys: Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Jeannie Seely: He Can Be Mine

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
The 4 Guys (host): What About Me
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Bill Carlisle: Rough Stuff
Marion Worth: The Hands You're Holding Now
Ray Pillow: She's Doing It To Me Again
Del Wood: Alabama Jubilee
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria

10:00: Fender
Charlie Walker (host): Stay A Little Longer
Skeeter Davis: I Believe in Music
Lonzo & Oscar: Mountain Dew
Charlie Walker: The Last Supper

10:15: Union 76
Stu Phillips (host): Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Ernie Ashworth: Talk Back Trembling Lips
Rosemary Clooney: Half As Much

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Back in the Country
Jim & Jesse: Paradise
Billy Grammer: Peace in the Valley
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:45: Beech-Nut
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (host): Big Midnight Special
Justin Tubb: Loving Arms
Crook Brothers/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Each Season Changes You

11:00: Coca-Cola
Jack Greene (host) w/Jeannie Seely: Take Me Home Country Roads
Jeannie Seely: The First Time
Jimmy C Newman: Potato Song
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Cacklin' Hen
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything
Jeannie Seely: Delta Dirt
Sam McGee: Victor Rag

11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): Don't Worry
Jeanne Pruett: Just Like Your Daddy/Welcome to the Sunshine
Ronnie Robbins: Mama Tried/If You Love Me Let Me Know
Marty Robbins: Love Me/I'm Wanting To/Devil Woman/El Paso/Ka-Lu-A

There you have it for this week. I hope everyone has a very nice week and as always, enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!















Bobby Bare Back As An Opry Member

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Tonight on the Grand Ole Opry, Garth Brooks made a surprise appearance and announced that Bobby Bare is back as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Bobby, who is celebrating his 83rd birthday today, was an Opry member for about 10 years, from 1964 to 1974.

Bobby acted very surprised, thanking the Opry, Sally Williams, and Garth. An amazing Opry moment.

Tuesday Night Opry 4/10 & Opry Country Classics 4/12

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After the exciting news that Bobby Bare is back as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, who is ready for some mid-week Opry shows?

Charlie Daniels is scheduled to appear on the Tuesday Night Opry, where he will be recognized for his 10th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. If you remember, Charlie was scheduled last month however had to cancel due to illness. Glad that this legend is recovered and ready to appear on the Opry once again.

Here are the line-ups for this week's mid-week Opry shows:

Tuesday Night Opry April 10

7:00: Terri Clark; T. Graham Brown
7:30: Carly Pearce; Rodney Atkins w/Fisk Jubilee Singers
Intermission
8:15: Kiefer Sutherland; Trace Adkins
8:45: Charlie Daniels Band

Opry Country Classics April 12

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Oak Ridge Boys
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Moe Bandy; Mandy Barnett; Janie Fricke

Additionally, Grand Ole Opry member Jeanne Pruett will be signing copies of her new book "Satin Sheets, I Remember" in the lobby of the Ryman Auditorium following the show. I received my copy several weeks ago and I recommend the book. Some great stories and remembrances by Jeanne.

Grand Ole Opry 4/13 & 4/14

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The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-ups for the shows this weekend and during this week's Friday Night Opry, Diamond Rio will be celebrating 20 years as members of the Grand Ole Opry as they joined the Opry cast on April 18, 1998.

Diamond Rio, consisting of Marty Roe, Jimmy Olander, Gene Johnson, Dan Truman, Dana Williams, and Brian Prout, made their first Opry appearance in October 1991 and in 1998 became the first group since The Whites, who joined in 1984, to receive Opry membership. With their lighter-than-air harmonies and intricately woven instrumentation, this six-man group has been turning songs into standards since its 1991 debut album helped define the "young country" movement. Diamond Rio has been awarded Top Vocal Group honors a total of six times from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. The group has sold more than 10 million records, earning five gold and three platinum albums in the process.

Diamond Rio evolved from the Tennessee River Boys, a band that performed at the former Opryland theme park. Singer Marty Roe, guitarist Jimmy Olander and keyboardist Dan Truman left that group to form their own in 1986. Drummer Brian Prout and mandolin player Gene Johnson joined the new band in 1987. Bassist Dana Williams, a nephew of Opry members Sonny and Bobby Osborne, came on board two years later.

In 1991, Diamond Rio's first single, "Meet in the Middle," went to No. 1, the first group in country music history to top the charts with its debut. The band followed "Meet in the Middle" with the hits "Mirror, Mirror" and "Mama Don't Forget to Pray for Me." In all, Diamond Rio has placed more than 30 singles on Billboard magazine's country charts, including such chart-toppers as "How Your Love Makes Me Feel, "Beautiful Mess," and "I Believe." The 2001 hit ballad "One More Day" became a key song of healing after the September 11 terrorist attacks. The group's members told their story in an autobiography titled after one of their most popular hits, "A Beautiful Mess."

Joining Diamond Rio on the Friday Night Opry will be Grand Ole Opry members Connie Smith, Mike Snider, Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Riders In The Sky, Crystal Gayle, Craig Morgan, and Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press. Nice to see that 9 of the 12 acts scheduled are Opry members. The three guest artists all have appeared on the Opry before: Delta Rae, Love and Theft, and Mark Wills, who continues to be a regular guest on the Opry.

Friday April 13
7:00: Connie Smith (host); Love and Theft; Mike Snider
7:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); The Whites; Delta Rae
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); Mark Wills; Crystal Gayle
8:45: Craig Morgan (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Diamond Rio

I wanted to mention Opry member Ricky Skaggs. For Ricky, this will be his 15th Opry appearance of the year, with only Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider and The Whites having appeared more. And while Ricky is starting to get up there in age, he still maintains a full touring schedule. It is really nice to see Ricky supporting the Opry as 2018 continues. It is also nice to see one of the Opry's newer members, Crystal Gayle, continue to support the show. Her appearances add a lot to the Opry line-ups.

Now to Saturday night were two artists will be making their Grand Ole Opry debuts. Beth Nielsen Chapman, a veteran in the music city, will be appearing for the first time on the Opry, along with the newest internet sensation Mason Ramsey. Mason has the nickname of "Yodeling Walmart Boy," who at the age of 11 recently appeared on the Ellen show, where he received an invitation to appear on the Grand Ole Opry. His most famous song, so far, is Hank Williams "Lovesick Blues." Dreams do come true and I hope Mason will enjoy this special moment in his young life.

Joining Beth and Mason on Saturday's Grand Ole Opry will be Opry members Jeannie Seely, Mike Snider, Lorrie Morgan, Jesse McReynolds, Riders In The Sky, The Whites and Ricky Skaggs. Also guesting will be Natalie Stovall, Point Of Grace, and David Ball. David will also be hosting the Midnight Jamboree.

Saturday April 14
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); David Ball; Mike Snider
7:30: Lorrie Morgan (host); Natalie Stovall; Jesse McReynolds
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Beth Nielsen Chapman; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Ricky Skaggs (host); Mason Ramsey; Point Of Grace

As mentioned, this will be the Grand Ole Opry debut for Beth Nielson Chapman, who is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Her writing credits include Faith Hill's "This Kiss," Martina McBride's "Happy Girl," Lorrie Morgan's "Five Minutes," Willie Nelson's "Nothing I Can Do About It Now," Tanya Tucker's "Strong Enough to Bend," and Trisha Yearwood's "Down on My Knees." That is just a sampling of the hits she has written. She will be making numerous appearances in Nashville over the next several weeks in support of her new album "Hearts of Glass" which will be released later this month.


And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from ten years ago, the weekend of April 11 & 12, 2008:

Friday April 11
8:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Rebecca Lynn Howard; T.G. Sheppard
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jamey Johnson
9:00: Jean Shepard (host); Carolina Rain; Gibson Brothers
9:30: Marty Stuart (host); Gene Watson; Josh Turner

Saturday April 12
1st show
6:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; The Wrights
7:00: Jason Aldean; Jewel; Jason Michael Carroll; John Anderson
8:00: Ray Pillow (host); Charlie Louvin; Jamey Johnson; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Joe Nichols

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); The Wrights; Jason Michael Carroll
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); John Anderson; Jewel
10:30: Jean Shepard (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jason Aldean; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Ray Pillow (host); Jamey Johnson; Joe Nichols

From 25 years ago, April 10, 1993, the 2nd Saturday in April:

1st show
6:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jim Ed Brown
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); The 4 Guys
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jack Greene; Jean Shepard; David Houston; Mike Snider
7:30: John Conlee (host); Skeeter Davis; Jim & Jesse; Ronnie Milsap
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Walker; Del Reeves; Stonewall Jackson; Opry Square Dancers; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Brother Oswald; Billy Walker; Jimmy C Newman; Bill Carlisle

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Roy Drusky; Jan Howard; Ronnie Milsap
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Hank Locklin
10:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); John Conlee
10:30: Jack Greene (host); Jean Shepard
10:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jeannie Seely; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; David Houston; Ray Pillow
11:30: Del Reeves (host); Bill Carlisle; Skeeter Davis; Johnny Russell

Let me point out that the only non-Opry member on the show that night was Brother Oswald, who himself would become an Opry member in January 1995.

Looking back, it was 33 years ago, Saturday April 13, 1985 that the Grand Ole Opry was televised on TNN (The Nashville Network) for the 1st time. Those early shows on TNN were very basic. They stuck a couple of cameras on the stage and showed a 30 minute segment as it happened, minus the commercials. Originally, it was the 7:00 segment that was televised, later switching to the 7:30 portion. One special occasions, such as that first night, an entire hour was televised. As time went on, the production qualities got better, and more non-Opry members began appearing on the show. The shows continued on TNN until 2001 when the network switched formats and the Opry moved to CMT (Country Music Television).

For those who remember those early shows on TNN, they were fun to watch as you never knew what might happen. For example, the hosts, particularly Bill Monroe, would sometimes not look at the camera or go to a commercial naming the radio sponsor. Other times the timing would be off, with the segment either signing off in the middle of a song, or early with the television audience staring at at a red curtain. And let's not forget that there were times when the segment before the televised one would run over, with the announcers killing time. Management quickly figured out who made good television hosts and who did not. If it was an important show, such as the birthday bash or a new member, you could count on Roy Acuff hosting. Those were the days.

Here is the running order from Saturday April 13, 1985 when the Opry was first televised on TNN, an hour long show with the first 30 minutes hosted by Roy Acuff, and the second 30 by Porter Wagoner.

1st show
6:30: Bonanza
Stonewall Jackson (host): Muddy Water
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Stonewall Jackson: The Rounder Called Cotton-Eyed Joe

6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): Right or Wrong
Wilma Lee Cooper: Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Joe Edwards: Ida Red

7:00: Shoney's
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
The 4 Guys: Shenandoah
Connie Smith: Once A Day/Louisiana Man
Minnie Pearl: Jealous Hearted Me
Roy Acuff: I Saw the Light

7:30: Standard Candy
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'all Come
Dottie West: Ain't Nothing Like A Woman/A Lesson in Leaving/Here Comes My Baby
Jack Greene: Looking Back is Easier
Crook Brothers/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Eighth of January
Porter Wagoner: Everything I've Always Wanted

8:00: Martha White
Bill Monroe (host): My Rose of Old Kentucky/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Ray Pillow: The Days When You Were Still in Love With Me
Jeannie Seely: (?)
Ed Bruce: When You Fall in Love; Everything's a Waltz. Giving Up Was Easy
Bill Monroe: Little Joe/Wheel Hoss

8:30: Music Valley Merchants
Hank Snow (host): Forever and One Day
Jan Howard: Why Lady Why
Osborne Brothers: Rocky Top
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
Bill Carlisle: Elvira
Hank Snow: Nevertheless

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Dottie West: It's High Time/Blue Fiddle Waltz
The 4 Guys: Give Me Just One More Chance/Halfway to Paradise
Right Combination: Woke Up in Love
Porter Wagoner: Everything I've Always Wanted

10:00: Little Debbie
Charlie Walker (host): San Antonio Rose
Lorrie Morgan: Crazy
Charlie Walker: My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You

10:15: Sunbeam
Jack Greene (host): Walking on New Grass
Skeeter Davis: I Ain't Never
Jack Greene: Statue of a Fool

10:30: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Sunshine Special
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Daisy A Day
Roy Acuff: That's the Man I'm Looking For/I'll Fly Away

10:45: Beech-Nut
Bill Monroe (host): The Old, Old House
Connie Smith: Walkin' After Midnight
Crook Brothers/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Sally Goodin
Blake Williams: Bluegrass Breakdown

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Down the Trail of Aching Hearts
Jan Howard: My Baby's Got Good Timein'
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Ed Bruce: When You Fall in Love, Everything's A Waltz/Giving Up Was Easy
Hank Snow: There's A Fool Such as I

11:30: Quincy's
Osborne Brothers (host): Listening to the Rain
Ray Pillow: You're One Memory That I'd Like to Make Again
Jeannie Seely: Tell Me Again
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Osborne Brothers: Nobody's Darling But Mine/Katy Hill

Finally, it was 27 years ago, Saturday April 13, 1991 that the Grand Ole Opry had the last of their "official" reunion shows. The first one took place in February 1974 and it allowed the Opry to invite many of the former members to perform on the show one last time before moving to the new Grand Ole Opry House. The show was such a success that it was scheduled every year thereafter, generally in April. Many former Grand Ole Opry members appeared on these reunion shows including Alcyone Beasley, DeFord Bailey, Curly Fox, Kitty Wells, Johnny Wright, Sid Harkreader, Pee Wee King, Duke of Paducah, Clyde Moody, Zeke Clements, and so many others. At times, these shows were referred to as "Old-Timer's Night" as many of those who returned were original members of the WSM Barn Dance. By 1991, most of those old-timers had passed away and there were fewer and fewer former members returning. In fact, the only former Opry members who returned for the 1991 show were Zeke Clements, Faron Young, Margie Bowes and Pee Wee King.

Here is the running order from that final official reunion show, April 13, 1991:

1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Grandpa Jones (host): Ball Headed End of A Broom
Bill Anderson: Still
Grandpa Jones: Dear Old Sunny South by the Sea

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Bill Monroe (host): Blue Moon of Kentucky
Ricky Skaggs: Let It Be You/Honey, Open that Door
Bill Monroe: Southern Flavor

7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Company's Coming
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells
Jan Howard: Heartaches by the Number
Jim & Jesse: It's A Lonesome Feeling
The Whites: He Took Your Place
Porter Wagoner: Ol' Slewfoot

7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy Dickens (host): Country Boy
Margie Bowes: When I Call Your Name
Zeke Clements: No More Smoke on the Water
Faron Young: Wine Me Up/Hello Walls
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn

8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Pee Wee King: Tennessee Waltz
Charlie Louvin: When You Can Only Dream that Far/When I Stop Dreaming
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham

8:30: Pops Rite
Hank Snow (host): Send Me the Pillow You Dream On
Skeeter Davis: Who's Gonna Tell Marie
Ray Pillow: That Ain't No Way to Treat My Heart
Riders In The Sky: How the Yodel was Born
John Conlee: Common Man
Hank Snow: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Country Music Has Gone to Town
Wilma Lee Cooper: The Picture on the Wall
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He is My Everything
George Hamilton IV: Forever Young
The Whites: Doing It By the Book
Porter Wagoner: I'll Go Down Swinging

10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Better Time's A' Comin'
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Jeannie Seely: One Step Away from Coming Home
Grandpa Jones: The Sweet Sunny South

10:15: Tennessee Pride
Roy Acuff (host): I'll Fly Away
Faron Young: It's Four in the Mornin/After the Loving/Hello Walls

10:30: Pet Milk
Ricky Skaggs (host): He Was Onto Something
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Ricky Skaggs: Lovin' Only Me

10:45: B.C. Powder
Bill Anderson (host): Son of the South
Jim & Jesse: Dream of Me
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Rachel
Bill Anderson: Thank You Darling for Loving Me

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Frankie & Johnny
Jimmy Dickens: Me & My Big Loud Mouth
Justin Tubb: Keep Me From Blowing Away
John Conlee: Common Man/Rose Colored Glasses
Hank Snow: Whispering Rain

11:30: Creamette
Bill Monroe (host): Old Dangerfield
Mike Snider: Shuckin' the Corn
Charlie Louvin: In the Pines
Riders In The Sky: When the Bloom Is on the Sage
Charlie Walker: Deep Water
Bill Monroe: Dark as the Night; Blue as the Day

Wouldn't it be nice if the Opry would have another reunion show? There are still a few former and retired Opry members around: Barbara Mandrell, Jeanne Pruett, Ricky Van Shelton, Tom T Hall, Stonewall Jackson, Jan Howard, Bobby Bare, The 4 Guys, B.J. Thomas, Willie Nelson, Margie Bowes just to name a few.

Take care, have a great week, and enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!








Tuesday Night Opry 4/17 & Opry Country Classics 4/19

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Another set of mid-week Opry shows are on the schedule for this week. One show on Tuesday night featuring another appearance by Grand Ole Opry member Trace Adkins, who continues with his string of Tuesday night appearances. Also scheduled are Opry members Ricky Skaggs, The Whites and Del McCoury. Among the guests scheduled is Ray Stevens.

Tuesday Night Opry April 17:

7:00: The Whites; Ray Stevens
7:30: Aaron Lewis; Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Mickey Guyton; Ricky Skaggs
8:45: Henry Cho; Trace Adkins

Opry Country Classics this week will feature a rare appearance by Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee, who is the spotlight artist this week. Larry Gatlin is back hosting.

Opry Country Classics April 19

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Brenda Lee
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Darin & Brooke Aldridge; Wade Hayes; William Michael Morgan


Some Longtime Opry Members May Get Boot

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No, don't get excited!! That was the front page headline that readers of the Nashville Banner woke up to on April 18, 1985. Here is the entire story as written by Clarke Canfield.

About 20 percent of the performers on the world famous Grand Ole Opry will be phased out of the show under a new two-year contract agreed upon Tuesday night. Sources close to the contract negotiations said the move will affect at least 12 acts, all of them longtime show regulars, who will be placed on "Senior Status."

Under the plan agreed upon by Grand Ole Opry management and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the performers will be cut to only 14 of the Opry's 187 shows a year. "They (Opry management) say they have too many artists for the show now.," said David Maddox, AFTRA's executive secretary who negotiated the pact. "They say they have more acts than slots. I don't know who it will affect. What that means is those people who are to be terminated from the Opry will be given at least enough employment to be covered by all the benefits when the retire."

Among those artists Opry management wants to phase out, according to knowledgeable sources, Justin Tubb, Ernie Ashworth, Jean Shepard, Vic Willis, Charlie Louvin, Lonzo and Oscar, Teddy Wilburn, Del Wood, Stu Phillips, and Billy Walker. 

Opryland President E.W. "Bud" Wendell and Grand Ole Opry Manager Hal Durham were both out of town and could not be reached for comment. Opry Information Director Jerry Strobel said he was unaware of the contract details.

"Why were we promised we'd be there for life and we're kicked in the teeth?" said one performer who asked not to be identified. "We were the glue that held that place together," declared another." We built the Opry up and bypassed show dates on the road to keep the Opry going. Who are they to judge who is salable and who isn't.""This is nothing but age discrimination," said another.

Maddox would neither confirm nor deny report that only eight Opry members attended the Tuesday meeting and that seven voted in favor of the contract. The other voter reportedly abstained, sources told the Nashville Banner. Along with the possibility of being phased out, several Opry veterans voiced displeasure with the new contract that will give Opry performers a 5 percent pay raise over the next two years. The contract was approved Tuesday between the union members and Gaylord Broadcasting Co,. owners of Opryland USA, WSM-AM, WSM-FM, the Opryland Hotel and The Nashville Network (TNN) and approved by the AFTRA board today.

Contract negotiations had been in the works for about a month, with performers initially seeking 20 percent pay hikes, increased job security and compensation for performances on TNN, which began television some Opry shows nationwide last week. Maddox said that any mention of who would be phased out would be pure speculation on his part, but that under terms of the contract, those who are being kicked off the show will be compensated in the end. Once those performers who are targeted to be phased out of the Opry shows become eligible for the AFTRA pension fund, they will be taken off the show, Maddox said. "A minimum pension is probably not that significant in money, but with the pension they receive the same benefits as if they were employed, "Maddox said, explaining that those on pension receive major medical and hospital insurance. He said that Opry management could have kicked anybody they wanted off the shows but instead gave some performers more security by slowly phasing them out. "I was surprised we were able to negotiate that phase-out plan," he said. "This is experimental. What that means is that we want to try this for two years and see how it works out." Maddox said everybody he had talked to was pleased with the contract. "The reaction I've gotten from those who've heard the contract results is that they're very pleased with it. We had different priorities than just a 20 percent pay raise. You have to look at the package as a whole." But some embittered Opry performers claimed that Maddox had "sold us down the river" and did not look out for their best interest.
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That was the Nashville Banner story from that day. For those of you who have read the Porter Wagoner biography, there is also a reference to this situation in the book which included details of a "locker-room" meeting called by Porter, who seemed to be the one taking charge. That meeting took place on May 8 and included Roy Acuff, Ernie Ashworth, Bill Carlisle, The Four Guys, Jack Greene, Jan Howard, Lonzo and Oscar, Jimmy C Newman, Ray Pillow, Del Reeves, Benny Burchfield (Jean Shepard's husband), Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Justin Tubb, Billy Walker, Charlie Walker, Teddy Wilburn, Vic Willis, and Del Wood. 

Porter was quoted as saying at this meeting, "I can imagine how humiliated each one of you were that your names appeared in the newspaper. Let me assure you, that article was not authorized by the Grand Ole Opry management. The phasing out of an artist is something we need to discuss deeply, anyone that would be phased out, would be purely because they can't contribute, and there is not a person in this room that can't contribute more to the Opry than you are doing." The entire Porter statement is in the book.

Looking back to 1985 when this story broke, the Opry just about 60 members including the two square dance groups. And Opry management was saying that was too many? Dropping 12 would have brought the membership total to under 50, the lowest in several decades.

Some of the names on the list are interesting, especially considering that several on that list, such as Jean Shepard, Billy Walker and Charlie Louvin to name three, were still actively touring. And it is not like those listed were senior citizens. Most were in the 50's. And if the Opry was going to make a list, notice some of the names that were missing. It could easily have been argued that The Four Guys, Ray Pillow or Bill Carlisle could have been included. Who knows how the Opry management came up with the list of names.

In a way, the Opry's members had only themselves to blame for this mess. While Porter had no trouble gathering a decent group of veteran members for his "locker-room" meeting, only eight bothered to vote on the union contract. It would appear that those who were quoted in the paper were among those who did not vote.

Obviously, and looking back, further discussions took place and all of those listed continued as Opry members. In fact, despite the claim that the Opry had too many members, Hal Durham went on a membership run in the late 80's and early 90's, with membership increasing to over 70. Of course, those who Hal asked to join accepted Opry membership with no appearance commitments, so there was no need to worry about too many members showing up most nights.

One last note: two of those listed, Charlie Louvin and Billy Walker, would lead the veterans who complained about their appearances being cut after Pete Fisher took over in 1999, while Jean Shepard continued to be very vocal about the way the veterans were being treated at the Opry. Obviously time did not change things.








Grand Ole Opry 4/20 & 4/21

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The line-ups are posted for the three Opry shows this weekend as there will be two shows on Saturday night in addition to the one show on Friday.

The attraction this weekend will be Grand Ole Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show, who will be performing on all three shows this weekend. In fact, on both Saturday shows they have the entire last segment to themselves. Joining OCMS both nights will be Opry members Riders In The Sky and Jeannie Seely, along with guest comedian Dick Hardwick, who suddenly appears to be on the Opry's "frequent guest artist" list.

Additional Opry members scheduled on Friday night include Bobby Osborne, Terri Clark and Hall of Fame member Connie Smith. Saturday night The Whites are on the schedule, along with the fantastic Patty Loveless and the legendary Jesse McReynolds, who will be returning to the Opry after missing last weekend due to illness.

Guesting on Friday night, in addition to Dick Hardwick, will be the legendary Gene Watson, along with Lindi Ortega, Chuck Wicks and Joshua Hedley. Joining Dick on Saturday night will be Sam Lewis and Lucas Hoge.

When looking at the line-ups, there are only 9 acts scheduled for Saturday night. Hopefully this is just a one night deal and not an indication that the Opry is falling back to the old habits they had over the last couple of years. It was nice seeing full line-ups for the past several months.

Friday April 20
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lindi Ortega; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Terri Clark; Gene Watson
Intermission
8:15: Connie Smith (host); Chuck Wicks; Dick Hardwick
8:45: Joshua Hedley; Old Crow Medicine Show

Saturday April 21
1st show
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Sam Lewis
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Patty Loveless
8:00: The Whites (host); Lucas Hoge; Dick Hardwick; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Old Crow Medicine Show

2nd show
9:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds; Sam Lewis
10:00: The Whites (host); Lucas Hoge; Dick Hardwick
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Patty Loveless; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Old Crow Medicine Show

It seems as if every week there is someone making their Opry debut and this weekend it is Joshua Hedley. Joshua is a native of Florida and began playing the fiddle as a young child. At the age of 12 he joined his first band, playing at the local VFW and American Legion halls. At the age of 19, he moved to Nashville and began sneaking into Robert's Western World, where he went on to become a featured performer and in-demand sideman. Over time, he acquired the nickname "Mayor of Lower Broad."

Joshua will be performing on the Opry in support of his new album "Mr. Jukebox," which will be released the same day as his debut on the Opry. This is Joshua's debut album and features 10 songs.


Now here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from the 3rd weekend in April ten years ago, the weekend of April 18 & 19, 2008:

Friday April 18
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Connie Smith; Del McCoury Band
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Suzy Bogguss
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Diamond Rio
9:30: John Conlee (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jack Greene; Avett Brothers

Saturday April 19
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Emily West
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; George Hamilton IV; The Whites; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Mark Lowry
8:00: Lorrie Morgan (host); Jan Howard; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Lee Greenwood

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Del McCoury Band; Lorrie Morgan
10:00: George Hamilton IV (host); Emily West; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
10:30: Jeannie Seely (host); The Whites; Mark Lowry; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Connie Smith; Lee Greenwood

From 25 years ago, Saturday April 17, 1993:

1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Jean Shepard
6:45: Del Reeves (host); Skeeter Davis
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jimmy C Newman; Stonewall Jackson; Jan Howard; Ray Pillow
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Osborne Brothers; The Whites; Mike Snider
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Charlie Walker; Jeannie Seely; Darryl & Don Ellis; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jack Greene; Jim & Jesse; John Conlee; Alison Krauss

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); The 4 Guys; Wilma Lee Cooper; Brother Oswald; Jimmy C Newman
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Charlie Louvin
10:15: Del Reeves (host); Jean Shepard
10:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Skeeter Davis
10:45: John Conlee (host); Darryl & Don Ellis; Opry Square Dance Band; Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Osborne Brothers; Jan Howard; Bill Carlisle; The Whites
11:30: Bill Anderson (host); Alison Krauss; Mike Snider; Johnny Russell

Among the events that took place during the 3rd weekend in April, it was Saturday April 22, 1967 that The 4 Guys became members of the Grand Ole Opry. The group made their Opry debut earlier that year in February and quickly became Opry favorites. They came to the Opry from Wheeling, West Virginia and were one of the few groups to join the cast without the benefit of a hit record.

April 17, 1971 saw the return of Connie Smith to the Grand Ole Opry. Connie had originally joined the cast in 1965, however she left the show a few years later to raise her children and to concentrate on gospel music, which really didn't fit in with the Opry. Once Connie returned to the Opry's cast, she stayed and is still with the Opry today.

Let's go back 47 years to that Saturday night when Connie Smith returned to the Opry:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Jim Ed Brown (host); Pop A Top
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Maria/Sweet Caroline
Jim Ed Brown: Morning

6:45: Rudy's
Ray Pillow (host): The Waitress
Del Wood: Psychedelic Mockingbird
Bobby Lewis: He Gives Us All His Love
Ray Pillow: You Don't Care What Happens to Me

7:00: Luzianne
Billy Grammer (host): Mountain Dew
Earl Scruggs Revue: Fireball Mail
Justin Tubb: I'm Going Back to Louisiana
Joe & Rose Lee Maphis: If I've Gotta Have Your Lovin'
Billy Grammer: Just A Closer Walk with Thee
Earl Scruggs Revue: The Girl from the North Country
Justin Tubb: As Long As There's a Sunday
Joe & Rose Lee Maphis: Alabama Jubilee

7:30: Standard Candy
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Skeeter Davis: Bus Fare to Kentucky
Stringbean: Eight More Miles to Lousiville
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Roy Acuff: I Wonder Where You Are Tonight
Skeeter Davis: Amazing Grace
Stringbean: Hot Corn; Cold Corn

8:00: Martha White
Ernest Tubb (host): In the Jailhouse Now
Hank Locklin: She's As Close As I Can Get
Connie Smith: Louisiana Man
Floyd Tillman: Slipping Around
Ernest Tubb: One Sweet Hello
Hank Locklin: Country Hall of Fame
Connie Smith: Once A Day

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): Vanishing Breed
Bob Luman: Mona Lisa
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Lost Indian
Hank Snow: So Goes My Heart
Harold Weakley: Crazy Arms
Bob Luman: Sing the Blues to Daddy
Hank Snow: Tammy

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Looking Back to See
The 4 Guys: One Pair of Hands
Justin Tubb: Free-Born Man
Del Wood: Wesley's Tune
Jim Ed Brown: Angel's Sunday
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Del Wood: Are You from Dixie
Jim Ed Brown: Morning

10:00: Fender
Hank Locklin (host): Please Help Me I'm Falling
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Bobby Lewis: He Gives Us All His Love
Hank Locklin: She's As Close As I Can Get

10:15: Union 76
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Skeeter Davis: Bus Fare to Kentucky
Joe & Rose Lee Maphis: Honey, Be My Honey Bee
Billy Grammer: What A Friend

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): I Saw the Light
Ray Pillow: The Waitress
Floyd Tillman: Daisy May
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:45: Beech-Nut
Ernest Tubb (host): You Don't Have to Be A Baby to Cry
Leon Boulanger: San Antonio Rose
Crook Brothers: Sally Ann
Ernest Tubb: Another Story

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Connie Smith: How Great Thou Art
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Take Me Back to Tulsa
Hank Snow: Tangled Mind
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Sam McGee: Wheels
Hank Snow: Mississippi River Blues

11:30: Elm Hill
Charlie Louvin (host): Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Bob Luman: Sing the Blues to Daddy
Diane McCall: Help Me Make It Through the Night
Charlie Louvin: Love Has to Die All by Itself
Bob Luman: I Got a Woman
Charlie Louvin & Diane McCall: Did You Ever/Something to Brag About

Finally, it was Saturday April 19, 1947 that Roy Acuff returned to the Grand Ole Opry after he left the show the year before.

In 1946, Roy was one of the stars of the Grand Ole Opry and as the star of the Prince Albert portion of the show that was broadcast on the NBC Radio Network, Roy felt he was worth more money. "Sponsor," which was the name of a leading radio trade journal, wrote the following: "When Roy Acuff, star for seven years on the Grand Ole Opry decided that he wanted more than folk-music men are usually paid (peanuts) and turned in his notice to the R.J Reynolds Tobacco Company, the tobacco organization had more than usual star aches. Acuff was almost a religion in the mountain music territory. He had sold thousands of song book and a juke box didn't snag its share of nickles unless it had plenty of Acuff discs, and they still say he could have become governor of Tennessee, if he hadn't decided not to run. So, when William Esty and Company, the advertising agency handling the Reynolds account, was told the sad news, it had real trouble, real tall corn trouble. A reasonable facsimile of Acuff, even one better than the original, wouldn't work. The circuit-rider hold that the existing star had on his people wouldn't disappear just because he was playing one-night stands throughout the country to collect upon his reputation. Something new had to be added to the Prince Albert section if the Opry was to hit a 13.1 Hopper rating (a very strong rating) in December, 1945, just as it had in December of the previous year."

It is interesting to note that Roy Acuff didn't just quit the Prince Albert portion of the Opry; he severed all of his connections to WSM and the Grand Ole Opry. Over the years, Roy never talked much about it, but there was hurt pride involved in it all. Roy had worked hard to make himself the heart and soul of the Prince Albert Show and he was the Opry's most prominent star. On the road, he was making good money and had lucrative movie offers. He wanted that recognized by both the Opry and the sponsor. When he was refused what he considered a fair offer, he left and was replaced by Red Foley.

After Roy left, he contended that he connection with the Opry, and Harry Stone at all times. He continued to bill his show as "Roy Acuff and His Grand Ole Opry Gang," which he could not have done without the approval of the Opry. In 1946, he had the Roy Acuff Tent Theater, using his own money to equip the tour. While the show made some money, it was a tough deal for Roy as the tour traveled through Virginia, North and South Carolina, then continuing into Texas and Florida. After reaching Florida, he called it quits. He then went to the West Coast for a three month tour of California that was a huge financial success.

After returning to Nashville, he was hospitalized for a minor ailment and was visited by Harry Stone and Ernest Tubb. According to legend, Harry Stone told Roy that the Opry was losing many of its people and it looked like it was going to go under if he didn't come back. While there is no documentation of any kind that the Opry was going to go under because Roy wasn't there, what Harry said worked on Roy's ego and he came back, first appearing on Red Foley's Prince Albert portion on April 19, 1947.

Here is the program from 71 years ago, Saturday April 19, 1947, the night Roy Acuff returned:

8:00: Purina
Oklahoma Wranglers: Rocky Mountain Express
Eddy Arnold: You're Not My Darling Any More
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris: Wish You All Well
Eddy Arnold: Rocking Alone in an Old Rocking Chair
Rod Brasfield: Jokes
Oklahoma Wranglers: Old Indians Never Die
Annie Lou and Danny: Corn Bread and Molasses
Eddy Arnold: Chained to a Memory

8:30: Warren Paint and Color Co.
Lew Childre: Fog on the Rio Grande
Paul Howard: Somebody Else's Trouble
Bill Monroe: Blue Moon of Kentucky
Milton Estes: Cowboy Has to sing
Clyde Moody: Leaf of Love
Lew and Stringbean: Rabbit in the Log
Chubby Wise: Down Yonder
Marie and Clyde: Railroad Boomer
Possum Hunters: Miss Sally
Robert Lunn: Since They Put a Radio in the Henhouse
Jimmy Walker: Gone, Gone, Gone

9:00: Royal Crown Cola
Golden West Cowboys: Alabama Jubilee
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Billy in the Low Ground
Cowboy Copas: Texas Red
Texas Ruby: Kansas City Blues
Curly Fox: Farmer and His Mule
Bradley Kincaid: Billy Richardson's Last Ride
York Brothers: Life Can Never Be the Same
Cowboy Copas: Tragic Romance
Johnnie and Jack: This World Can't Stand Long
Shorty Boyd: 8th of January

9:30: Prince Albert
Red Foley: Tennessee Central No. 9
Square Dance: Turkey in the Straw
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
Oak Ridge Quartet: Blind Bartemus
Ernest Tubb: There's Gonna Be Some Changes Made Around Here
Red Foley: I'll Never Let You Go Little Darling
Minnie Pearl: Jokes
Roy Acuff: Wait for the Light to Shine
Instrumental: Careless Love
Square Dance: Leather Britches

10:00: Wall-Rite
Earl Scruggs: Why Did You Wander
Bill and Lester: True Life Blues
Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris: Pleasure Down on the Farm
Quartet: Shining Path
Lester: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

10:15: Weatherhouse
Paul Howard: There's a Big Rock in the Road
Lew and Stringbean: Roll On Buddy Roll On
Clyde Moody: Where the Old Red River Flows
Johnny and Jack: Sing Tom Kitty
Possum Hunters: Old Rat

10:30: Cherokee Mills
Roy Acuff: No One Will Ever Know
Rachel and Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Curly Fox and Ruby: Did You Ever Go Sailing
Jimmy: My Life's Been a Pleasure
Jug Band: Detour
Arthur Smith: Kicking Mule

10:45: Southern Woodenware
Golden West Cowboys: Tennessee Waltz
Bill Monroe: My Rose of Old Kentucky
Bradley Kincaid: Granny's Old Arm Chair
Crook Brothers: The Old Account Was Settled
Golden West Cowboys: Cowboy's Special

11:00: Eddy Arnold Songbook
Eddy Arnold: I Couldn't Believe It Was True
Lily Belle: You Only Want Me When You're Lonely
Lonzo and Oscar: John Henry
Eddy Arnold: You Can't Break the Chains of Love

11:15: Ernest Tubb Songbook
Ernest Tubb: Rainbow at Midnight
Hal Smith: Joe Turner Blues
Dot and Smokey: Let's Pretend
Ernest Tubb: I'm Telling You

11:30: Saf-Kill
Wally Fowler: Waiting for My Call to Glory
Oklahoma Wranglers: A No good Son of a Gun
Curly Fox: Bully of the Town
York Brothers: Life Can Never Be the Same
Gully Jumpers: Dance All Night

11:45: Michigan Bulb
Milton Estes: I'm Writing You Darling Through Tears
Jimmy Walker and Robert Lunn: I'd Trade All My Tomorrows
Kirk McGee: I'm Gonna Be Boss from Now On
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Chinese Breakdown
Milton Estes: I Don't Care

When Roy Acuff returned it was not as the host of the Prince Albert portion of the Opry as that spot had gone to Red Foley, who was doing a fine job in that capacity. Beginning the following week, Roy would be the host and star of the Royal Crown Cola segment, which followed the Prince Albert portion. However, that segment of the Opry was not broadcast nationally. Once Roy returned to the Opry, he would remain with the show for the rest of his life.

One final note. While it is widely reported that all of those who appear on the Opry do so at union scale under a negotiated contract, that is not the case. The union contract is for the minimum that is paid to the performers, and the vast majority do make the minimum. However, the bigger stars are paid more and that practice started when Roy Acuff returned to the Opry in April 1947.

There you have it for this week. I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend!!!



Tuesday Night Opry 4/24 & Opry Country Classics 4/26

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One of the newest Grand Ole Opry members, Chris Young, will be performing on the Tuesday Night Opry this week. Also scheduled are Tommy Emmanuel and Jerry Douglas. I always enjoy both and to see and hear them performing together should be something special.

7:00: John Conlee; Lindsay Ell
7:30: Tommy Emmanuel & Jerry Douglas; Drake White
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson; The SteelDrivers
8:45: Chris Young

The Spotlight Artist this week on Opry Country Classics is Connie Smith. Another pretty good show scheduled:

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Connie Smith
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; David Ball; Elizabeth Cook; Don Schlitz



Grand Ole Opry 4/27 & 4/28

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As I write this post, the Grand Ole Opry line-ups have not yet been posted for this weekend. There is one show on Friday night and for this weekend, there are two shows on Saturday night, with lots of tickets available for the 2nd show.

Looking at those who are scheduled for the Friday Night Opry, the list is led by Hall of Fame member Vince Gill. Vince might have a tough decision to make as the Nashville Predators open the next round of the NHL playoffs on Friday night, with the game starting at 8:00 at the Bridgestone Arena. Most of you probably know that Vince is a big hockey fan and attends most of the games when he is in town. If he is planning on being downtown by face-off, his Opry appearance might have to be scheduled early in the show.

Other Opry members scheduled to appear include John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, and Mike Snider. Guest artists include A Thousand Horses, Eric Paslay, Charles Esten, Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Brook Eden and "Wonder Woman" herself, Lynda Carter. A pretty solid list of names.

Saturday's Grand Ole Opry has Opry members Ricky Skaggs, Riders In The Sky, John Conlee, Mike Snider and The Whites currently listed for both shows. Guest artists include Bobby Bones and Mark Wills. Obviously a few spots to fill.

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Wrapping up the month of April, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from the final weekend of the month ten years ago, the weekend of April 25 & 26, 2008:

Friday April 25
8:00: The Whites (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Rebecca Lynn Howard
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Dailey & Vincent
9:00: Ray Pillow (host); Ernie Ashworth; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys
9:30: John Conlee (host); Eddy Raven; Kathy Mattea

Saturday April 26
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Rebecca Lynn Howard
7:00: Trace Adkins (host); Ashton Shepherd; The Infamous Stringdusters; Crystal Gayle
8:00: Ray Pillow (host); Jan Howard; Eddy Raven; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: The Whites (host); Elizabeth Cook; The Grascals

2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Crystal Gayle
10:00: Trace Adkins (host); The Infamous Stringdusters; Ashton Shepherd
10:30: Ray Pillow (host); Eddy Raven; Rebecca Lynn Howard; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: The Whites (host); Elizabeth Cook; The Grascals

Now from 25 years ago, the final Saturday in April 1993:

1st show
6:30: The 4 Guys (host); Teddy Wilburn
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host); Jim Ed Brown
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Billy Walker; Charlie Louvin; Riders In The Sky
7:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jan Howard; Ray Pillow; Mark Collie
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Del Reeves; Oswald & Charlie; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle; Wilma Lee Cooper; Roy Drusky

2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Ray Pillow; Jeannie Seely; Stonewall Jackson; Mark Collie
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Riders In The Sky
10:15: Charlie Walker (host); The 4 Guys
10:30: Del Reeves (host); Charlie Louvin
10:45: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dance Band; Stoney Mountain Cloggers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Roy Drusky; Jan Howard; Justin Tubb; Jimmy C Newman
11:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Skeeter Davis; Bill Carlisle; Mike Snider

Looking back to that final weekend in April, it was on Saturday April 28, 1973 that Conway Twitty made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Many have thought it should have come sooner.

And remembering back 52 years to Saturday April 30, 1966 when Ray Pillow became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Ray Pillow recalls it was his Uncle Roger who introduced him to music and was responsible for his first public performance. "I sort of got talked into substituting for a sick member of my uncle's band one night," Ray recalls. "When I walked out on stage to the microphone, I knew that was what I wanted to do for a lifetime! Music!." Thirty five years after joining the Opry, Ray got to introduce his 87-year-old uncle to the Opry stage. "I told the people that my uncle was the person that believed in me and wanted me to come to Nashville. I handed him a guitar and said Uncle Roger, you and I are going to sing." He brought the house down and got a standing ovation.

Ray came to Nashville in 1961 as a regional winner in the Pet Milk Talent Contest. He came in second in the national finals, and his performance landed him a guest spot on the Opry. That stoked his desire even more for a country music career. He soon released his first two singles, "Take You Hands Off My Heart," and "Thank You, Ma'am." In 1965 Capital Records released his first album "Presenting Ray Pillow" and by late 1968 he was a star. That was the year he teamed with Opry member Jean Shepard on a pair of hits, the Top 10 "I'll Take the Dog," and "Mr. Do-It-Yourself." Between those two singles he became an official Opry member.

In addition to his own performing career, Ray has helped shape the professional paths of others including Lee Greenwood. His publishing company published many of Lee's hits including the 1985 Country Music Association Song of the Year, "God Bless the USA." Ray is well known on Music Roy as a publisher who can match the right artist with the right song and recording company. In 1994 the state of Virginia added him to its Country Music Hall of Fame.

Here is the running order from Saturday April 30, 1966, the night Ray Pillow became a member of the Grand Ole Opry:

7:30: Luzianne
Billy Walker (host): How Do You Ask Someone to Love You
George Hamilton IV: Big Steel Railroad
The Homesteaders: Flowers on the Wall
Cousin Jody: Steel Guitar Rag
Billy Walker: Funny How Time Slips Away
Curly Fox: Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey
George Hamilton IV: Write Me a Picture
The Homesteaders: Doing Down the Mountain
Billy Walker: Charlie's Shoes

8:00: Martha White
Flatt & Scruggs (host): Nine Pound Hammer
Bobby Bare: Four Strong Winds
Grandpa Jones: (?)
Del Wood: Piano Roll Blues
Flatt & Scruggs: I Know What it Means to Be Lonesome
Crook Brothers: Black Mountain Rag
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
Grandpa Jones: Old Rattler
Flatt & Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Breakdown

8:30: Stephens
Roy Acuff (host): Tennessee Central No. 9
Wilburn Brothers: It's Another World
Marion Worth: One Has My Name, The Other My Heart
Archie Campbell: Comedy
Roy Acuff: Wreck on the Highway
Wilburn Brothers: Trouble's Back in Town
Brother Oswald: Roll On Buddy, Roll On

9:00: Pet Milk
Ernest Tubb (host): Jealous Lovin' Heart
Glaser Brothers: A Girl Like You
Ray Pillow: Common Colds & Broken Hearts
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Hickory Leaf
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
Margie Bowes: That Completely Destroyed My Plans
Glaser Brothers: Teardrops Till Dawn
Ray Pillow: Even the Bad Times Are Good
Leon Rhodes: Leon's Guitar Boogie

9:30: Kellogg's
Willis Brothers (host): Give Me 40 Acres
Carter Family: It Ain't Me Babe
Waylon Jennings: Time to Bum Again
June Carter: Tall Loverman
Willis Brothers: Love Thy Neighbor
Harold Weakley: To Mommy, In Care of God
Carter Family: Wildwood Flower
Skeeter Davis: A Maiden's Prayer

10:00: Schick
Billy Walker (host): Cross the Brazos at Waco
Curly Fox: The Old Gray Mule
Cousin Jody: Wabash Blues
Billy Walker: Cattle Call

10:15: Pure
Wilburn Brothers (host): I'm Gonna Tie One on Tonight
Del Wood: Night Train to Memphis
Wilburn Brothers: Someone Before Me
Don Helms: The World is Waiting for the Sunrise

10:30: Harvey's
Bobby Bare (host): Man of Constant Sorrow
Grandpa Jones: I Don't Love Nobody
Bobby Bare: 500 Miles
Grandpa Jones: 8 More Miles to Louisville
Bobby Bare: It Ain't Me Babe/Blowing in the Wind/Worried Man Blues

10:45: Newport
Ernest Tubb (host): Till My Getup Has Got Up and Gone
Jack Greene: Born to Lose
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Ernest Tubb: Half A Mind

11:00: Coca-Cola
Roy Acuff (host): The Great Speckled Bird
Glaser Brothers: Same Old Memories
Margie Bowes: Big City
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Sam McGee: Wheels
Ray Pillow: Thank You, Ma'am
Onie Wheeler: Too Hot to Handle

11:30: Lava
Willis Brothers (host): Gonna Swing Till My Rope Breaks
George Hamilton IV: Abilene
Waylon Jennings: Anita, You're Dreaming
Archie Campbell: The Men in My Little Girl's Life
Willis Brothers: A 6 Ft 2 by 4
Marion Worth: Cryin' Time
George Hamilton IV: Truck Driving Man
Willis Brothers: God Walks These Hills with Me

There you have it for this week. Congratulations to Ray Pillow on his 52nd anniversary as an Opry member.

I will be off this weekend, thus the short post. If I get a chance to update, I will try (at least to get the full line-ups posted).

Have a great weekend!!!

Tuesday Night Opry 5/1 & Opry Country Classics 5/3

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The line-up has been posted for the Tuesday Night Opry.

7:00: Jeannie Seely; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Jim Lauderdale; Terri Clark
Intermission
8:15: Delta Rae; Jason Crabb
8:45: Luke Combs; Exile

Has anyone else noticed that over the past several years, Del McCoury seems to to be limiting his Opry appearances to the Tuesday night shows?

Opry Country Classics will feature Tanya Tucker as the Spotlight Artist this week.

Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Tanya Tucker
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Jamie O'Neal; T.G. Sheppard; Charlie Worsham


Grand Ole Opry 5/4 & 5/5

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It will be a big weekend at the Grand Ole Opry as Charley Pride will be in town for both nights and he will be celebrating 25 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

With 36 No.1 hits and more than 25 million albums sold, Charley Pride is a true country music legend. The journey, however, was not without its share of challenges. Born to poor Mississippi sharecroppers, Charley was one of 11 children. At 14, he bought a guitar and taught himself to play. Unofficially starting his music career while playing baseball in the Negro American League with the Memphis Red Sox. Charley sang on the team bus between ballparks. Following a tryout with the New York Mets, Charley returned home, but not before making a trip to Nashville. Manager Jack Johnson heard Charley and promised that a recording contract would follow.

A year later, Charley returned to Nashville and was introduced to producer Cowboy Jack Clement, who asked him to cut a couple of new songs, including one that became his debut hit, "The Snakes Crawl at Night." From 1966 to 1984, the overwhelming majority of his more than 50 singles reached the Top 10, with more than half hitting No.1, including "Kiss an Angel Good Morning," (a pop-country crossover million-seller), "Mountain of Love" and "Is Anybody Going to San Antone?" In 1971, the Country Music Association named him Entertainer of the Year.

"I'm a very fortunate entertainer because a lot of artists don't have but maybe on signature song," Charley says, "I'm fortunate enough to have about four or five. If I leave one or two out of my show, I'm going to hear something about it before the night's over."

In 1993, 26 years after he first played the show as a guest, Charley joined the Grand Ole Opry. Remembering his initial dream of baseball stardom, Charley said, "It's as if I had made it in baseball and they came up to me and took me to Cooperstown and said, 'This is where your plaque is going to be, beside Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron.'"

Charley Pride made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on January 7, 1967. At the time, he was the first black solo singer to appear on the show (early Opry member DeFord Bailey was in instrumentalist). After that successful first appearance, he was invited back several times and soon was asked to become a member of the Opry's cast. However, citing a heavy touring schedule, Charley declined, as he would on several other occasions. Finally, in 1993 the time felt right for Charley and he joined the Opry.

Joining Charley for both shows this weekend will be Grand Ole Opry members Mike Snider and John Conlee. Joining that duo on Friday night will be members The Whites, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Jeannie Seely and Dailey & Vincent. Opry members scheduled for Saturday night besides Charley, Mike and John include Bill Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Riders In The Sky and Connie Smith. That comes out to seven members on each show.

Listed as guest artists on Friday night are Deana Carter, Eric Paslay, Aaron Tippin and Jimmie Allen, while on Saturday night Shelly Fairchild, William Michael Morgan and Shane Owens are listed.

Friday May 4
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Deana Carter; The Whites
7:30: John Conlee (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Eric Paslay
Intermission
8:15: Jeannie Seely (host); Aaron Tippin; Jimmie Allen
8:45: Dailey & Vincent (host); Charley Pride

Saturday May 5
7:00: John Conlee (host); Shelly Fairchild; Mike Snider
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); William Michael Morgan; Crystal Gayle
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Shane Owens; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Charley Pride

While Charley Pride will be celebrating his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Jimmie Allen will be making his Opry debut on this week's Friday Night Opry.

A native of Southern Delaware, Jimmie Allen has been making his presence known in Nashville, and in the country music community. He has performed at the Bluebird Cafe, toured with Toby Keith, wrote a song that was featured in a Super Bowl commercial, appeared in a Diet Coke ad with Taylor Swift, and in October 2017 released his self-titled EP through the BBR Music Group.

Allen's EP is described as "a cutting-edge mix of country, rock, R&B, and pop," produced by Ash Bowers and Eric Torres. Among the songs, "Underdogs" and "Best Shot" reveal his true story of laying it all on the line, while "Back Home to You,""Back of Your Mind," and "Blue Jean Baby" find the singer-songwriter reflecting on his journey to the spotlight, with all the love he left behind and romantic hopes included.

In January, Rolling Stone magazine listed Jimmie Allen as one of the 10 new country artists you need to know.

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As mentioned, Charley Pride is celebrating his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry this weekend and here is a look back at the running order from Saturday May 1, 1993, the night Charley became an official Opry member.

1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
The 4 Guys (host): If It's From the Country, It's Coming From the Heart
Wilma Lee Cooper: Sweeter Than the Flowers
The 4 Guys: (?)

6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Don't 'Cha Cry, Melinda
Jim Ed Brown: Lyin' In Love With You/The 3 Bells
Grandpa Jones: Four Stone Walls and a Ceiling

7:00: Shoney's
Del Reeves (host): Lay A Little Lovin' On Me
Charlie Louvin: Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Jean Shepard: Many Happy Hangovers to You
Osborne Brothers: Rock of Ages
Eddy Raven: Who Do You Know in California/Bayou Boys Sleep All Day; Run All Night
Del Reeves: The Race is On

7:30: Standard Candy
Jimmy C Newman (host): Cajun's Dream
Jan Howard: Crazy Arms
Riders In The Sky: Lonely Yukon Stars
Charley Pride: Kiss an Angel Good Morning/Wings of a Dove/Kaw-Liga
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya

8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): 'Ol Slewfoot
Charlie Walker: Who Will Buy the Wine
Brother Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Porter Wagoner: Happy Birthday Dear Tony
Charlie Cushman: Sally Goodin
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Bill Cheatham
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home

8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Breakfast With the Blues
Billy Walker: A Million and One
Roy Drusky: Mississippi
Ray Pillow: Invitation to the Blues
Connie Smith: I've Got My Baby on My Mind
Hank Snow: I'm Not All that Sorry for You

2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Del Reeves: There She Goes
Stonewall Jackson: Side-Steppin' the Blues
Charley Pride: Every Heart Should Have One/Mountain of Love/Kiss An Angel Good Morning/Kaw-Liga
Porter Wagoner: On A Highway Headed South

10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): Banjo Sam
The 4 Guys: My Special Angel
Jean Shepard: Wabash Cannonball
Grandpa Jones: Old Camp Meeting Time

10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Jim Ed Brown (host): Everyday People
Bill Carlisle: Rusty Old Halo
Jim Ed Brown: Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I Saw the Light/Gone at Last

10:30: Picadilly
Billy Walker (host): Charlie's Shoes
Lost & Found: Left-Over Biscuits
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain

10:45: Opry Book
Osborne Brothers (host): Midnight Flyer
Charlie Louvin: See the Big Man Cry
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Liberty
Osborne Brothers: High on a Hilltop
David Crowe: Sally Goodin

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Ramblin' Rose
Riders In The Sky: Son of the Western Soil
Justin Tubb: You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Eddy Raven: Sometimes A Lady/I've Got Mexico
Hank Snow: Old Shep

11:30: General Jackson
Jimmy C Newman (host): Pistol Packin' Mama
Connie Smith: Then & Only Then
Roy Drusky: All for the Love of a Girl
Mike Snider: Squirrel Hide
Jimmy C Newman: Colinda

While May 1, 1993 is the date that Charley Pride joined the Opry, it was May 1, 1971 that another Opry member, James Clell Summey, better known as Cousin Jody, performed on the Opry for the final time.

James Clell Summey was born on December 11, 1919 near Sevierville, Tennessee. While he was young, his family moved to Knoxville. Both of his parents were musicians and other musicians stayed on a regular basis at their home. As Jody grew up, he learned several different instruments, starting with a guitar before moving on to the dobro, on which he became an accomplished musician. By 1933, he was playing in local clubs with a group known as the Tennessee Crackerjacks, where they were joined by another local fellow, Roy Acuff. Several years later, Roy and the band moved to Nashville where they appeared on the Grand Ole Opry. Performing with Roy on the Opry, Jody became the first musician to play a dobro on the show.

While many people associate Brother Oswald with helping to create the Roy Acuff sound, it was actually Jody who provided the dobro on such classic Acuff recordings as "The Great Speckled Bird" and "Wabash Cannonball." In January 1931, after having a difference of opinion with Roy over material,  Jody left the group and returned to Knoxville. However, he soon moved back to Nashville, this time working for Pee Wee King. He later worked with Lonzo and Oscar, and many of those classic performances can be seen on YouTube. He then performed as a solo member of the Opry, dressing up as a baggy-panted and toothless hayseed. With his comedy and musicianship, he was a popular member of the cast. His comedy dominated his later appearances which caused many fans to forget just how good a dobro player he really was.

Declining health caused Jody to retire from the Opry in 1971 and he passed away at the age of 55 on August 18, 1975.

Here is the running order from Saturday May 1, 1971, Cousin Jody's final night on the Opry:

1st show
6:30: Mrs Grissoms
Stu Phillips (host): Let the Guitars Play
Peggy Little: I've Got to Have You
Stringbean: Mountain Dew
Stu Phillips: El Tigrae

6:45: Rudy's
Willis Brothers (host): Bob
Justin Tubb: Big Fool of the Year
Willis Brothers: For the Good Times
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey

7:00: Luzianne
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Tex Ritter: I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven/Boll Weevil
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Nine Pound Hammer
Howdy Forrester: Billy in the Low Ground
Connie Eaton: Take My Hand, Precious Lord
Brother Oswald: Columbus Stockade Blues
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Roy Acuff: Cabin in Gloryland

7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Molly & Tenbrooks
Stonemans Family:  Looking Out My Back Door
Joe & Rose Lee Maphis: If I'm Gonna Have Your Lovin'
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
Bill Monroe: Wicked Path of Sin
Stoneman Family: Orange Blossom Special
Joe & Rose Lee Maphis: If I've Gotta Have Your Lovin'

8:00: Martha White
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Bill Carlisle: Shanghai Rooster
The 4 Guys: My Special Angel
Bobby Lewis: He Gives Us All His Love
Archie Campbell: Hey Waiter
Del Wood: Kentucky Turnpike
The 4 Guys: Ruby, Don't Take Your Guns to Town

8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I've Been Everywhere
Marion Worth: How Great Thou Art
Charlie Walker: My Baby Used to Be That Way
Louie Roberts: Sandy/Cattle Call
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Devil's Dream
Marion Worth: Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed
Hank Snow: I've Cried A Mile

2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Justin Tubb (host): Be Glad
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Peggy Little: Son of a Preacher Man
Stringbean: Ruby
Willis Brothers: Give Me 40 Acres
Peggy Little: I've Got to Have You
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203

10:00: Fender
Stu Phillips (host): Me & Bobby McGee
Connie Eaton: Take My Hand, Precious Lord
Cousin Jody: On Top of Old Smokey
Stu Phillips: For the Good Times

10:15: Union 76
Bill Monroe (host): I Haven't Seen Mary in Years
Tex Ritter: Wayward Wind
Joe & Rose Lee Maphis: Run That By Me One More Time
Bill Monroe: I'll Never Love No One Else But My Darling

10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Meeting in the Air
Bill Carlisle: I'm Moving
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird

10:45: Beech-Nut
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Crook Brothers: Old Joe Clark
Archie & Phil Campbell: Release Me

11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Charlie Walker: My Baby Used to Be That Way
Stoneman Family: White Lightening #2
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Hank Snow: Bluebird Island
Charlie Walker: Tell Her Lies and Feed Her Candy
Sam McGee: Where the Roses Never Fade
Hank Snow: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans

11:30: Elm Hill
The 4 Guys (host): Cottonfields/Mariah
Marion Worth: Okie from Muskogee/How Great Thou Art
Louie Roberts: Sandy
Bobby Lewis: From Heaven to Heartache/He Gives Us all His Love
The 4 Guys: Sweet Caroline/One Pair of Hands

Once again, congratulations to Charley Pride upon his 25th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. And as always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this weekend. 


May Opry Highlights

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Welcome to the month of May, the month where many of us see spring at the beginning of the month and summer by the end. As usual, May is a busy month at the Grand Ole Opry and here are the important and historical events that have taken place during the month involving the Opry or its members.

May 1, 1894: One of the Opry's original members, Sam McGee was born. Sam first appeared on the WSM Barn Dance in 1926. Over the years, Sam would appear with his brother Kirk, and as part of the Dixieliners and Fruit Jar Drinkers. Sam passed away in August 1975, following a tractor accident on his farm near Nashville.

May 12, 1901: The Duke of Paducah, Benjamin Francis Ford, was born in DeSoto, Missouri. This fine comedian joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 1942, and remained a member of the Opry until 1959. Even though he gave up his Opry membership to move on to other opportunities, the Duke would continue to return for guest appearances, especially during the Opry's annual reunion shows. Benjamin Ford passed away in 1986, the same year that he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

May 30, 1909: Lewis Crook, a member of the Crook Brothers, was born, While not an original member of the group, he performed with Herman Crook and the others, primarily backing up the square dancers. After Herman passed away, Lewis continued on at the Opry as part of the newly named Opry Square Dance Band. Lewis, who was a part of the Opry for over 50 years, passed away in 1997.

May 17, 1912: Grand Ole Opry and WSM announcer Grant Turner was born. Grant joined the staff of WSM on D-Day, June 6, 1944. While the Opry has had many legendary announcers over the years, Grant is considered the Opry's best, so much so that he was called "The Dean of the Opry's Announcers." Grant remained an Opry announcer until his death on October 19, 1991, just hours after finishing his work on the Friday Night Opry. Grant, who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, was with WSM for 47 years.

May 30, 1912: Alcyone Bate Beasley was born. Alcyone was there when it all started in November 1925, performing with her father's group, Dr. Humphrey Bate and His Possum Hunters. After his death in 1936, Alcyone worked to keep the Possum Hunters together, but it was a struggle as the Opry moved to a more professional and modern sound. By the 1960s, the Possum Hunters had been merged with the Crook Brothers. In the 1970s, after over 45 years on the Opry, Alcyone went into semi-retirement, after which she became a fixture at the Opry's annual reunion shows. She passed away in October 1982.

May 9, 1914: The legendary Singing Ranger, Hank Snow was born in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Hank joined the Grand Ole Opry in January 1950 and would remain one of the Opry's biggest stars until his death in December 1999, just weeks short of his 50th anniversary as an Opry member. In 1979, Hank was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

May 1, 1926: Uncle Dave Macon joined the cast of the WSM Barn Dance. Uncle Dave was considered the first professional musician to join the cast of the Barn Dance, and he would remain with the show until his death in March 1952. Uncle Dave was a popular Opry member, who always considered himself just a plain old country boy. In 1966, he was one of the early members to be elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

May 1, 1928: Former Grand Ole Opry member, James Hugh Loden was born. Better known as Sonny James, the Southern Gentleman, he was an Opry member for a few years in the 1960s. A true country legend, Sonny is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

May 25, 1936: Grand Ole Opry member Tom T Hall was born. Much like Abe Lincoln. Tom T was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Tom T originally joined the Opry on January 1, 1971. He left the Opry in March 1974, when the show moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland. In 1980, he returned as an Opry member. At the age of 82, Tom T is now retired.

May 31, 1938: Donald Lytle was born in Greenfield, Ohio. Early in his career, he decided upon the name Johnny Paycheck and spent the early part of his career as a band member for Ray Price, Porter Wagoner, George Jones and Faron Young. Once he became a star in his own right, Johnny became one of the first to be considered a country "outlaw." He experienced some pretty serious issues in his life and spent some time in prison. However in 1997, thanks to some help from his friend Johnny Russell, he was asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Sadly, just a few years after becoming an Opry member, his health declined and his performing career ended. Johnny passed away in February 2003.

May 2, 1948: Grand Ole Opry member Larry Gatlin was born. Along with his brothers Steve and Rudy, Larry joined the cast of the Opry on Christmas Day 1976. In recent years, Larry has been performing pretty regularly at the Opry and has become the primary host of Opry Country Classics, which takes place at the Ryman Auditorium during the Spring and Fall months.

May 29, 1950: Mother Maybelle Carter and the Carter Sisters, which consisted of Anita, Helen and June, became members of the Grand Ole Opry. When the Carters joined the cast, they also brought along Chet Atkins as their guitar player. For Chet, it was a return to the show as he had originally appeared on the show in the 1940s with Red Foley. While the Carter Sisters would come and go, Mother Maybelle remained with the Opry until the late 1960s. Later in her career, and similar to the experience of other veteran Opry members such as Sam and Kirk McGee, she would complain to the Opry's management about her poorly timed spots and a general lack of respect. When she finally did decide to leave the Opry, it was to become a permanent member of Johnny Cash's road show.

May 16, 1953: Jimmy Dean made his Grand Ole Opry debut, introduced that night by Opry member Carl Smith. While never becoming an Opry member, Jimmy would make occasional Opry appearances throughout his career, including on the night that Jimmy Dickens was honored on his 50th anniversary as an Opry member.

May 23, 1953: Singing "Mexican Joe" future Grand Ole Opry member Jim Reeves made his Opry debut.

May 21, 1955: While several dates are listed, it would appear that this was the date that Opry member Webb Pierce quit the Opry. He was an Opry member for just three years, but over that time he realized  pretty fast how much money he was losing by not being out on the road on Saturday nights. In addition to his Hall of Fame career, Webb was also involved in the music publishing business.

May 11, 1957: Don and Phil, the Everly Brothers, made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. They, along with a few others, were brought in as part of a youth movement in an attempt to capture the younger crowd who were not coming to the Opry. They were with the Opry for only a year before moving on. In 2001, they were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

May 18, 1957: Just weeks after the Everly Brothers, Rusty and Doug Kershaw made their Opry debut.

May 20, 1958: Don Gibson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. A fantastic songwriter, Don was an Opry member until December 1964, when he was fired from the cast for not making the required number of Opry appearances. Several years later, Don rejoined the Opry after the attendance requirements were lowered. Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001, Don remained an Opry member until his death in 2003 after a period of declining health.

May 1, 1960: The WLS National Barn Dance, one of the Opry's early competitors, came to an end as WLS in Chicago changed formats. The Barn Dance originally started on April 19, 1924, a year prior to the start of the Opry.

May 13, 1967: Merle Haggard made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Merle came to the Opry a few times, the last being in October 2015, when he made a surprise appearance on the show.

May 8, 1968: Grand Ole Opry founder George D. Hay passed away at his home in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He started the WSM Barn Dance in November 1925, several months after joining WSM as the Radio Director. After he started the show, he would frequently clash with WSM management, particularly Harry and David Stone, over the direction of the show. He wanted to keep the Opry "close to the ground" while the Stone's saw the value of the Opry to National Life and WSM and wanted the show to take a more professional approach. Over the years, Hay would suffer periods of ill health and by the time he retired from WSM, he was primarily an announcer with little creative control regarding the show. On Saturday May 11, the  first Opry show following his death, Grant Turner paid tribute to him, saying, "He called himself the Solemn Old Judge. If he was solemn, it was only in the face of those who thought to change or corrupt the purity of the barn dance ballads he sought to preserve. We, the performers and friends of the Grand Ole Opry, salute the memory of one whose influence is felt on the stage of the Opry tonight-the Solemn Old Judge, George D. Hay."

May 10, 1969: Stonewall Jackson rejoined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Stonewall was another of the ones who were fired in December 1964 for failing to fulfill the Opry's attendance requirements. Stonewall originally joined the cast in November 1956. His last Opry appearance was in November 2016 when he was recognized upon his 60th anniversary as an Opry member.

May 1, 1971: Tex Summey, known professionally as Cousin Jody, made his final appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He originally came to the Opry in 1937 with Roy Acuff and later performed with Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys. Later in his career, he appeared with Lonzo & Oscar, in addition to his solo performances. While not always remember, Cousin Jody was Roy Acuff's original dobro player, replaced by Brother Oswald when he left Roy's group. He left the Opry due to his declining health.

May 13, 1972: Gene Watson made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. While never becoming an Opry member, Gene has actually appeared on the Opry more times than many of the Opry's members. I have been asked many times why Gene never became an Opry member, and it is a question that I have no answer for.

May 22, 1977: In honor of Victoria Day, a national holiday in Canada, the Opry held a special matinee show dedicated to the fans of the Opry from the country up North.

May 11, 1979: Lester Flatt passed away in Nashville at the age of 64. Lester had been in declining health for a number of years. Lester first came to the Opry as a member of Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys, later joining with Earl Scruggs to form Flatt & Scruggs. After splitting with Earl, Lester continued as an Opry member, sticking to traditional bluegrass and traditionally hosting the segment hosted by Martha White.

May 15, 1982: Ricky Skaggs became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be his 36th year as an Opry member. Ricky always dreamed of becoming an Opry member and he has always taken his Opry membership seriously. As Ricky said, "I don't ever, ever want to get to the point where I don't come and play the Opry, while I feel like I'm too good to play the Opry. Mr. Acuff said that I would do that. He said you'll get so big you'll do like all the rest of them. And I said, you don't know me. You just watch and see, I'm not made that way. I didn't join the Opry for that." After that, whenever Ricky played the Opry, he would always make it a point to find Roy and tell him that he was indeed there. And yes, there have been a few bumps in the road, but overall, Ricky has been good for the Opry.

May 26, 1984: Onie Wheeler, a member of Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys, died of a heart attack while performing on the Grand Ole Gospel radio program that followed the Friday Night Opry.

May 3, 1986: Barbara Mandrell returned to the Opry for the first time following her near fatal car accident.

May 4, 1991: Travis Tritt made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Less than a year later, in February 1992, Travis would become an Opry member.

May 1, 1993: Charley Pride became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be Charley's 25th year as an Opry member. Charley first appeared as a guest on the Opry in the late 1960s. Over the following years, Charley was asked numerous times if he was interested in becoming a member of the Opry, but he always declined due to his heavy touring schedule and the fact that he seldom came to Nashville. In 1993, he finally felt that the time was right and he joined the cast.

May 11, 1996: Steve Wariner became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Steve first came to the Opry as a member of Dottie West's band, before branching out with his own career. This will be Steve's 22nd year as a member of the Opry's cast.

May 3, 1997: The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree celebrated it's 50th anniversary with a show that took place on Broadway Avenue in Nashville.

May 17, 1997: Former Grand Ole Opry member Tammy Wynette made her final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Tammy had been a member of the Opry in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when she was married to George Jones.

May 31, 1997: Lee Ann Womack made her first guest appearance on the Opry. While never becoming an Opry member, Lee Ann would make guest appearances on the show.

May 9, 1998: Grand Ole Opry member Teddy Wilburn made his final appearance on the Opry. Teddy and his brother Doyle, along with other family members, had first appeared on the Opry in 1940 before being forced to leave the show due to child labor laws. In the 1950s, they returned to the Opry as members, with Teddy and Doyle performing as a duo until Doyle's death from cancer in 1982. Teddy continued as a solo member of the Opry, although over time he would reduce his appearances. Health issues forced Teddy to retire from performing and he passed away in November 2003.

May 15, 1998: Grand Ole Opry member Johnny Paycheck made his final appearance on the Opry. Health issues forced Johnny to retire from performing.

May 29, 1999: Future Grand Ole Opry member Brad Paisley made his Opry debut. Brad came to Nashville and the Opry via the Wheeling Jamboree. After numerous guest appearances, Brad would eventually become an Opry member.

May 5, 2001: Blake Shelton made his debut as a guest artist on the Grand Ole Opry. Over the next decade, Blake would continue to appear once in a while on the Opry, eventually joining the cast in the fall of 2010.

May 21, 2006: Grand Ole Opry member Billy Walker, along with his wife Bettie and two members of his band, were killed in a traffic accident on their way back to Nashville after an appearance in Alabama. Billy had joined the Opry in 1960.

May 19, 2007: Porter Wagoner celebrated his 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was joined that night by Dolly Parton, Patty Loveless, Marty Stuart and Buck Trent. Marty hosted the televised segment and it marked the final time that Porter and Dolly shared the stage together. Dolly sang a very emotional "I Will Always Love You," which she wrote dedicated to Porter and on that night, it brought tears to Porter's eyes. Porter, who was already in declining health, would pass away in October. And yes, 10 years after his death, Porter is still missed at the Opry.

May 10, 2008: Carrie Underwood became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This will be her 10th year as an Opry member. On the night of her induction, Garth Brooks surprised Carrie and the Opry crowd by making a special appearance to induct Carrie. I know I have said it before, but Carrie takes her Opry membership seriously and even with her busy schedule, she has always managed to get in the 10 appearances each year asked of her.

May 30, 2009: Comedian, actor and banjo player Steve Martin made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, leading an all-star band performing "Foggy Mountain Breakdown." If you have never seen or heard Steve play the banjo, he is fantastic and takes it very seriously.

May 1, 2010: The Grand Ole Opry House sustained major damage when the Cumberland River flooded during heavy rains that hit the Nashville area. The Opry House, Acuff Theater, Opry Museum and Opry Mills Mall all were closed due to the damage. The Acuff Theater was torn down, the Museum has never reopened and it took the Mall years to get repaired. In the case of the Opry House, it took until September for the auditorium to be reopened. When it did, it was a star-studded Tuesday Night Opry with Bill Anderson hosting the opening segment. This was fitting as it was Bill that had hosted the final Saturday night segment the night prior to the flood. And even though the Opry House was closed due to the flood, the Opry did not miss one performance as the show relocated to various buildings around Nashville.

May 3, 2011: Alabama made a guest appearance on the Opry, 29 years after they first appeared on the Opry. They were joined on stage that night by Opry member Brad Paisley, and together they sang, "Old Alabama" and "Tennessee River."

May 18, 2013: Retired Grand Ole Opry member Barbara Mandrell made a surprise appearance at the Opry. She did not sing, but came out on stage and waved to the audience.

May 4, 2018: Grand Ole Opry member Charley Pride was honored at the Opry upon his 25th anniversary as a member of the Opry.


Tuesday Night Opry 5/8 & Opry Country Classics 5/10

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Let me state that last weekend was a good one for the Opry. They celebrated Charley Pride's 25th anniversary as a member and had a couple of pretty good shows to go along with it.

As far as the mid-week shows, the Tuesday Night Opry will feature Opry members Rascal Flatts, along with one of the newest members, Chris Janson. Opry Country Classics will feature Opry member Marty Stuart as the spotlight artist and the legendary Leroy Van Dyke is also on the schedule.

Tuesday Night Opry May 8
7:00: Bill Anderson; Kalie Shorr
7:30: Easton Corbin; Chris Janson
Intermission
8:15: Jesse McReynolds; Steven Curtis Chapman
8:45: Rascal Flatts

Opry Country Classics Thursday May 10
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Marty Stuart
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers; Shelly Fairchild; Lucas Hoge; Leroy Van Dyke



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