It was certainly a wonderful weekend last week at the Grand Ole Opry, with Jeannie Seely the focal point of the show, and receiving some well-deserved recognition and honors. 55 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry and over 5,000 Opry appearances is certainly impressive. And, while not a part of the Opry itself, I have read many positive stories and reviews regarding the Midnite Jamboree. the Texas Troubadour Theater was filled up to capacity, and those attending were entertained. Hopefully, we will see more shows like what the Midnite Jamboree offered last weekend.
So, what does the Opry have for us this weekend? There is a group making their Opry debut on Saturday night and they certainly have some history behind them. Hogslop String Band, and you have to love that name, consists of singer and fiddler Kevin Martin; guitarist, harmonica player and singer Gabriel Kelley; mandolin player and singer Will Harrison; banjo player and singer Daniel Binkley, and bassist and all-round entertainer Pickle. If the last name Binkley rings a bell, that is because Daneil Binkley's Great Grandfather's band, The Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers, are considered one of the original members of the Grand Ole Opry itself.
According to their website, Hogslop String Band manages to walk that line, with their roots in old-time string band music, and their energy based in wild rock-and-roll, you could almost call them punk purists. Adding, "They thrive on crossing genres, casting off the confines of straight old-time and bluegrass, delving into a deep repertoire of rock, folk, psychedelic, and original numbers that can only be described as, "The Hogslop Sound." It’s clear that these boys are going places, and they've quickly become one of the most unique and exhilarating outfits on the scene today. “It only gets weirder from here,” they often say from stage. They're not kidding."
If nothing else, it should be an interesting Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry.
Taking a look at the two shows this weekend, the Friday Night Opry has Opry members Mark Wills, Jeannie Seely and Riders In The Sky on the schedule. The Riders are back on Saturday night, joined by members Rhonda Vincent and Hall of Fame members Bill Anderson and Connie Smith.
Comedian Dusty Slay is guesting on both shows, with Kendell Marvel, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Callista Clark and Wendy Moten joining Dusty on Friday night, while Sam Williams, Radney Foster, and the previously mentioned Hogslop String Band will join Dusty on Saturday evening.
Friday September 23
7:00: Mark Wills, Jeannie Seely, Kendell Marvel, Wendy Moten
Intermission
8:15: Callista Clark, Dusty Slay, Stephanie Ubina Jones, Riders In The Sky
Saturday September 24
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Riders In The Sky, Sam Williams, Connie Smith, Hogslop String Band
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson, Opry Square Dancers, Dusty Slay, Radney Foster, Rhonda Vincent
3 Opry members on Friday and 4 on Saturday night. No live Circle TV this weekend as Farm Aid is taking place and will be televised on Saturday.
And now, here is the running order from 50 years ago, Saturday September 23, 1972:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Osborne Brothers (host): Rocky Top
Ernie Ashworth: Wanted Man
Osborne Brothers: You Win Again/Today I Started Loving You Again
6:45: Rudy's
Charlie Louvin (host): Will You Visit Me on Sundays
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Charlie Louvin: Amazing Grace
7:00: Rudy's
Charlie Walker (host): My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You
Jim and Jesse: Just One of a Kind
Stringbean: Old Joe Clark
Stu Phillips: I Hear Your Name
Charlie Walker: Don't Squeeze My Sharmon
Jim and Jesse: I Heard the Bluebird Sing
Stringbean: Battle of New Orleans
Stu Phillips: Welcome to My World
Charlie Walker: Alabama Jubilee
7:30: Standard Candy
Bill Monroe (host): Mule Skinner Blues
Willis Brothers: Pretty Diamond
Grandpa Jones: Columbus Stockade Blues
Crook Brothers: Mississippi Sawyer
Bill Monroe: Wayfaring Stranger
Willis Brothers: Bob
Grandpa and Ramona Jones: Orange Blossom Special
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bobby Bare: Sylvia's Mother
George Morgan: Easy Loving
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Big Midnight Special
Roy Acuff: Carry Me Back to the Mountains
Bobby Bare: Come Sundown
George Morgan: To Get to You
8:30: Stephens
Ernest Tubb (host): Say Something Nice to Sara
George Morgan and Marion Worth: Slipping Around
The 4 Guys: Cottonfields/Mariah
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Walking in My Sleep
Wayne Hammond: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Marion Worth: Put Your Hand in the Hand
The 4 Guys: Sweet Yesterday
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Osborne Brothers (host): Fireball Mail
Willis Brothers: I Still Do
Justin Tubb: Traveling Singing Man
Bill Carlisle: Have a Drink on Me
Osborne Brothers: There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
Ernie Ashworth: Corrina; Corrina
Justin Tubb: Lonesome 7-7203
Osborne Brothers: Ruby
10:00: Fender
Charlie Louvin (host) w/Diane McCall: Something to Brag About
George Morgan: Candy Kisses
Jim and Jesse: Please Be My Love
Charlie Louvin and Bobby Osborne: Swing Lo; Sweet Chariot
10:15: Union 76
Bill Monroe (host): Molly & Tenbrooks/Blue Moon of Kentucky
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of a Dove
Stringbean: Little Pink
10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): No Letter in the Mail
Bobby Bare: Detroit City
Grandpa Jones: Make Me a Pallet Down on the Floor
Roy Acuff: The Great Speckled Bird
10:45: Big Red
Ernest Tubb (host): Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello
Stu Phillips: I Hear Your Name
Crook Brothers: Ida Red
Ernest Tubb: Yesterdays' Winner is a Loser Today
11:00: Coca Cola
Roy Drusky (host): Strangers/Anymore/Second Hand Rose
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Sunny Side of the Mountain
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Take Me Back to Tulsa
Roy Drusky: The Last Time I Called Somebody Darling
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: White Dove
Sam McGee: Farewell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Roy Drusky: Long, Long Texas Road
11:30: Elm Hill
Marty Robbins (host): I Walk Alone
Marion Worth: Me & Bobby McGee/The Hands You're Holding Now
Don Winters: Jambalaya
Marty Robbins: Singing the Blues/Lovesick Blues/Don't Worry/This Much a Man/Big Boss Man
(Charlie Walker only appeared on the first show and Roy Drusky only on the second, with The 4 Guys scheduled on the second show but canceling).
There you have it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and commenting and I hope everyone enjoys the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.