The Grand Ole Opry is back to three mid-week shows this week as Opry Country Classics returns on Thursday night, resuming its Spring run of shows. But, before getting to that show, let's take a look at the Tuesday and Wednesday night lineups.
Looking at the Tuesday Night Opry, there are a couple of names that stand out. First, in a move that I am sure many will like, Mo Pitney is back on the schedule. I know there are many, including myself, who have been or heard Mo and have been impressed each time. He hasn't been on the Opry in a while, and it is nice to see him back.
Also on the Tuesday night schedule is a band making its Opry debut: TSU Aristocrat of Bands. Yes, a marching band will be appearing on the Opry stage. This is not an ordinary band, but an award-winning band representing Tennessee State University.
The band is historic and among their notable achievements, they were the first HBCU to perform at the Presidential Inauguration for John F. Kennedy in 1961, the first HBCU to be appointed by the NFL in 2002 as an official band for the Tennessee Titans, the first collegiate band to perform for the NFL Hall of Fame Halftime Show in 2014, the first band to play on the White House lawn for the celebration of opening of the National Museum of African American History & Culture in 2016, and the first HBCU wind ensemble to perform literature in the 2018 Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival in Chicago, IL.
According to their website, the band is known for playing a variety of music such as jazz, classical, contemporary, and popular pieces, and is heralded for its distinct musical style using clean articulation, expressive dynamics, balance, and technical ability.
And no, they are not the first marching band to perform at the Opry.
Also appearing on Tuesday Night will be Opry members Rhonda Vincent, Riders In The Sky, Henry Cho and Don Schlitz.
Tuesday April 4
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Louis York, Mo Pitney, TSU Aristocrat of Bands
Intermission
8:15: Riders In The Sky, Katy Nichole, Henry Cho, Don Schlitz
Riders In The Sky return on Wednesday night along with members Jeannie Seely, Gary Mule Deer and Dailey & Vincent, along with Stephen Wilson, Jr., who will be making his Opry debut.
Wednesday April 5
7:00: Riders In The Sky, Stephen Wilson, Jr., Jeannie Seely, Madeline Edwards
Intermission
8:15: Rhett Akins, Gary Mule Deer, Elle King, Dailey & Vincent
Stephen Wilson, Jr. is a singer/songwriter from Indiana. Stephen released his first single “The Devil” and a cinematic video for the song in Sept. 2019 with follow-up, "Year To Be Young 1994" which is currently featured on Spotify's Next From Nashville editorial playlist, Apple Music's 5th Gear editorial playlist and is in rotation at Nashville's Triple A station, Lightning 100. He almost always plays a late-70’s gut-string acoustic and some of his main influences are Willie Nelson, Kurt Cobain, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, The National, Glen Campbell and Randy Travis.
Finally, Opry Country Classics returns on Thursday night with Larry Gatlin back as host and featuring Opry member Lauren Alaina.
The show will spotlight the songs of Tammy Wynette on the 25th anniversary of her passing.
Thursday April 7
Opry Country Classics 7:00
Host: Larry Gatlin
Spotlight Artist: Lauren Alaina
Also Appearing: The Gatlin Brothers, Georgette Jones, Lauren Mascitti, Wendy Moten, Chuck Mead
Definitely a busy week of shows at the Opry House.