Before getting into the lineups for the two shows this weekend, some wonderful news concerning Dan Rogers, the Opry's Vice President and Executive Producer:
NASHVILLE—The Country Music Association presented Dan Rogers, Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry, with its 2022 Irving Waugh Award of Excellence. Rogers received the industry honor from Jay Williams, WME Nashville Co-Head and Partner and Chairman of the CMA Awards & Recognition Committee during the CMA Board meeting in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 28.
“Dan has been a force in our industry for many years and we are more than thrilled to honor him with the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Country Music would not be where it is today without the Grand Ole Opry and Dan’s efforts to grow, evolve and reach audiences across the globe. He strikes the perfect balance between honoring the Opry’s respected past while also working to keep the institution up to date on the newest artists and music.”
“I am so thankful to the CMA for this recognition,” says Rogers. “Throughout my career, I’ve looked up to previous winners of this award, truly never imagining a day when my name would join that list. Day after day, I learn from and am inspired by the tremendous artists and passionate colleagues with which I’m lucky to work. I’m thankful to be part of this incredible community and am excited to work further toward earning this award in the years to come.”
The Irving Waugh Award of Excellence is presented to an individual who is the originator and caretaker of ideas and actions that have dramatically broadened and improved Country Music’s influence on a national or international level for the benefit of the industry. It is the intention that these ideas and actions are ongoing and have a proven historical impact on Country Music.
I am sure that I am speaking for many of the readers when I offer my congratulations to Dan, and also express how fortunate we all are to have Dan in charge of the Opry.
I know from talking to Dan that it is not an easy job. Putting on several Opry shows each week, along with the private events that take place at the Grand Ole Opry House can be a challenge. But I look at all he has accomplished in just a few short years. Dan has added several new members who have been well deserving of membership and have supported the show. He also has introduced us to a variety of new artists, many of whom have been making their Opry debuts. And he guided the show through the Covid pandemic.
I really like the direction the Opry has been going in during the last few years and continue to look forward to the Opry's 100th anniversary in just two more years.
Again, congratulations to Dan Rogers for this well-deserved award.
Now taking a look at the schedules for the Opry shows this weekend as the Opry finishes up the month of April.
The Friday Night Opry has member Gene Watson listed on the lineup for this weekend. For Gene, this will be his first Opry appearance of 2023. Nice to see Gene back at the Opry, and I will add that he has a couple of more appearances coming up soon.
Joining Gene will be Rhonda Vincent, Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett. Jeannie Seely and Mandy Barnett will make it a two-show weekend as both return on Saturday night, along with Mark Wills, Hall of Famer Don Schlitz, Dailey & Vincent and The Isaacs.
There is only one non-member making their Opry debut this weekend and that is Pillbox Patti, who is scheduled on Friday night. Also listed is the legendary guitarist Tommy Emmanual, along with Spencer Crandall and Dillon Carmichael.
The only two non-members on the Saturday schedule are the Davisson Brothers Band and Shane Profitt.
Friday April 28
7:00: Rhonda Vincent, Spencer Crandall, Jeannie Seely, Mandy Barnett
Intermission
8:15: Dillon Carmichael, Pillbox Patti, Tommy Emmanual, Gene Watson
Saturday April 29
7:00: Opry Square Dancers, Mark Wills, Jeannie Seely, Davisson Brothers Band, Don Schlitz
Intermission
8:15: Dailey & Vincent, Mandy Barnett, Opry Square Dancers, Shane Profitt, The Isaacs
There are no "superstars" on the schedule this weekend, but two solid nights of shows.
Opry Live on Circle Saturday night will have previously taped performances by Trace Adkins, Little Big Town and Darius Rucker, all of whom appeared during the latter part of March.
As mentioned, Pillbox Patti will be making her Opry debut on Friday night. Originally known as Nicolette Hayford, she has spent years as a songwriter, including writing Ashley McBryde's "One Night Standards," plus co-writes on McBryde's new "Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville" album and Lainey Wilson's "Bell Bottom Country." After that successful part of her career, she ventured off to do a new project, emerging as Pillbox Patti with a new album "Florida."
Originally from Florida, her new album was released on Monument Records. Florida captures everything she wants to convey: a fresh, authentic take on growing up in her Country. It’s crystallized through the lens of a Florida native delivering her youth and adulthood in an honest, spirited, not always pretty, package.
I'm not sure what we will see from her on Friday night. Let's just say it could be interesting.
Now from 45 years ago, Saturday April 29, 1978:
1st show
6:30: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius
6:45: Bill Monroe (host); Wilma Lee Cooper; Ernie Ashworth
7:00: Wilburn Brothers (host); Don Gibson; Del Wood; Raymond Fairchild
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); David Houston; George Hamilton IV; Crook Brothers
8:00: Grandpa Jones (host); Stu Phillips; Lonzo and Oscar; Guy Willis
8:30: Hank Snow (host); Jimmy C Newman; Marion Worth; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Bill Monroe (host); Wilburn Brothers; Del Wood; Ernie Ashworth; Wilma Lee Cooper
10:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius
10:15: Roy Acuff (host); David Houston; Brother Oswald
10:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Guy Willis; Roy Wiggins
10:45: George Hamilton IV (host); Stu Phillips; Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Snow (host); Lonzo and Oscar; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Kirk McGee
11:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Marion Worth; Raymond Fairchild
(Jean Shepard was scheduled for both shows but cancelled. She was working a show date in Pennsylvania as a replacement for Dottie West. Don Gibson was only scheduled for the first show).
Conway Twitty never really performed on the Grand Ole Opry. That is kind of surprising as he lived and was based out of Nashville and was associated with Opry member Loretta Lynn. However, Conway had a lot going on between his touring and Branson shows. Conway's first, and only, Opry appearance took place on Saturday April 28, 1973. Here is the running order from that night 50 years ago:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Willis Brothers: Women's Liberation
Billy Grammer: Detroit City
6:45: Rudy's
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Big Midnight Special
Stan Hitchcock: Let Me Roll
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Did You Think To Pray
Carol Lee Cooper and George McCormick: Never Ending Song of Love/Old Fashioned Love Song
7:00: Rudy's
Bill Anderson (host): I Love You Drops
Lonzo and Oscar: Movin' On #2/Easy Loving
Del Wood: Down Yonder
Mary Lou Turner: Teddy Bear Song
Bill Anderson: If You Can Live with It
Jimmy Gately: Sweet, Sweet Loving
Bill Anderson: Don't She Look Good
7:30: Standard Candy
Archie Campbell (host): Make Friends
Jimmy C Newman: The Kind of Love I Can't Forget
Ray Pillow: I Wished Somebody Loved Me That Much
Crook Brothers: Sally Goodin
Tommy Jones: Black Mountain Rag
Jimmy C Newman: Good Time Charlie's Got The Blues
Ray Pillow: Cinderella
8:00: Martha White
Roy Acuff (host): Wabash Cannonball
Bobby Lewis: It's Such A Pretty World Today
Conway Twitty: She Needs Someone To Hold Her/Hello Darling
Conway and Kathy Twitty: Don't Cry Daddy/Jackson
Roy Acuff: Won't It Be Wonderful There
8:30: Stephens
Ernest Tubb (host): Baby, It's So Hard To Be Good
Stu Phillips: If Loving You Means Anything
The 4 Guys: Hello Walls/Big Bad John/Wings of A Dove
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Nubbing Ridge
Ernest Tubb: Have You Ever Been Lonely
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Billy Grammer (host): She's Got To Be A Saint
Willis Brothers: Little Red Wagon
Lonzo and Oscar: A King Size Cola & A Moon Pie
Del Wood: Are You From Dixie
Billy Grammer: Life's Railway To Heaven
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Billy Grammer: What A Friend
10:00: Fender
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper (host): Poor Ellen Smith
Ray Pillow: I Wish Somebody Loved Me That Much
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: To My Mansion
10:15: Union 76
Archie Campbell (host): Lonesome Road
Stan Hitchcock: Let Me Roll
Tommy Jones: Feudin Banjos/The Claw
10:30: Trailblazer
Roy Acuff (host): Gathering Flowers From The Hillside
Conway Twitty: Baby's Gone/She Needs Someone To Hold Her
Conway and Kathy Twitty: Don't Cry Daddy/Daddy Frank
10:45: Beechnut
Ernest Tubb (host): Filipino Baby
Bobby Lewis: Together Again
Crook Brothers: Eighth of January
Ernest Tubb: Waltz Across Texas
11:00: Coca Cola
Jimmy C Newman (host): The Kind of Love I Can't Forget
Louie Roberts: Hey, Good Looking
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Old Joe Clark
Jimmy C Newman: San Antonio Rose
Louie Roberts: Make The World Go Away
Sam McGee: Fairwell Blues/Alabama Jubilee/Just Because
Jimmy C Newman: Good Deal Lucille
11:30: Elm Hill
The 4 Guys (host): Down By The Lazy River/Turn Your Radio On
Diane Jordan: Here I Am Again
Stu Phillips: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/You Win Again/Release Me
Diane Jordan: Teddy Bear Song
Stu Phillips: If Loving You Means Anything
(Bill Anderson was only scheduled for the first show that night)
They certainly got their money's worth out of Conway that night as he was on an extended amount of time on each show.
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.