As the Grand Ole Opry rolls into March, there are changes taking place regarding the mid-week Opry shows. Beginning this week, in addition to the Tuesday Night Opry, the Wednesday Night Opry is back on the schedule. The following week will see no Tuesday night show, however Opry Country Classics will be back on the schedule on Thursday night, for its spring run of shows.
Looking at the schedules for this week, there are only three Opry members appearing on Tuesday night (Dailey & Vincent, Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett) and just one Opry member scheduled on Wednesday night (Riders In The Sky).
The interesting name(s) on the Tuesday night schedule is Rusty Truck w/special guest Sheryl Crow. For Rusty, this will be his Opry debut. As far as Sheryl is concerned, I went back through my records, and I do not see her previously being on the Opry. I would have thought, being based in Nashville, and the length of her career with collaborations with various country artists, that she would have been on the Opry before.
Now for the clarification, from the announcement a couple of weeks ago, posted on the Opry's website:
Get ready for another special “Opry Moment” as special guest Sheryl Crow joins Rusty Truck on stage to perform their new single "Find My Way" during his Opry debut.
The single is part of Rusty Truck's new album which also features Jakob Dylan, and for those wondering, Rusty Truck is an alt-country group and they have been around for quite a while.
Tuesday February 28
7:00: Dailey & Vincent, Jeannie Seely, Willie Jones, The Cleverlys
Intermission
8:15: Mandy Barnett, Callista Clark, The Fairfield Four, Rusty Truck w/Sheryl Crow
Looking at the schedule for Wednesday night, T. Graham Brown is scheduled for another Opry appearance, as his list grows longer and longer. I still think it is a matter of time until T. Graham gets the invitation to join the Opry.
Also on the schedule are The Malpass Brothers and Jason Carter, who will be making his solo Opry debut.
For thirty years, Jason has been the fiddle player for the Del McCoury Band—the most awarded group in bluegrass history. He’s won three Grammy awards, including 2018’s “Best Bluegrass Album” with the Travelin’ McCourys, of which he is a founding member. And he’s taken home five IBMAs for “Fiddle Player of the Year,” a staggering number that isn’t quite so crazy once you realize just how many bluegrass greats have turned to him for collaboration.
As a fiddler, Carter has been featured on albums by Steve Earle, Ricky Skaggs, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Asleep at the Wheel, and many more, all in addition to his tireless touring and recording with Del as well as the Travelin’ McCourys. On Carter’s forthcoming solo album, Lowdown Hoedown, listeners may recognize instrumental contributions from such legends as Jerry Douglas or Sam Bush alongside vocals from young trailblazers like Sarah Jarosz or Billy Strings. And of course, you will hear Jason singing solo.
Wednesday March 1
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Restless Road, Tiera Kennedy, The Malpass Brothers
Intermission
8:15: Jason Carter, Amythyst Kiah, Easton Corbin, T. Graham Brown