This weekend wraps up the Opry's run at the Ryman Auditorium as the show will return to the Grand Ole Opry House next weekend. The "big" news this weekend is Hal Ketchum returning to the Opry to celebrate 20 years as an Opry member. Hal joined the Opry on Januar 22, 1994 and it is good to have him back.
Also appearing on both shows this weekend are the newest members of the Opry, Old Crow Medicine Show, along with fellow Opry members and Hall of Famer's Charley Pride and Bill Anderson.
Among the guest artists on Friday night will be Jewel, who last year played the part of June Carter Cash in the Lifetime movie. While I thought Jewel did a nice job as June, I can't say the same about the gentleman who played Johnny Cash (who I forget). Also on Friday will be newcomer Leah Turner.
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry features a couple of different things on the line-up. First, Bill Anderson is hosting the opening segment. That is something you do not normally see. And the Opry Square Dancers have been moved up a segment. And what is an Opry weekend without any stars from the Nashville show? Saturday we have Jonathan Jackson, along with Lennon & Maisy. My thought is that since both are "back-to-back" on the same segment, and the Square Dancers moved up, I am wondering if they are going to film that segment to use on a future broadcast of the network show. Just a thought.
Friday January 24
7:00: Craig Morgan (host); Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C Newman; Jim Ed Brown
7:30: John Conlee (host); Riders In the Sky; Jewel w/Art Kilcher
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Leah Turner; Hal Ketchum
8:45: Charley Pride (host); Jean Shepard; Old Crow Medicine Show
Saturday January 25
7:00: Bill Anderson (host); Craig Campbell; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: John Conlee (host); Jan Howard; Hal Ketchum; Opry Square Dancers
Intermission
8:15: Charley Pride (host); Jonathan Jackson; Lennon & Maisy
8:45; Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Old Crow Medicine Show
I can't believe it, but we actually have 11 Opry members scheduled on Friday night. That might be a high point in recent months. 8 are set for Saturday night.
For this week's look back into Grand Ole Opry history, since this is Hal Ketchum's 20th anniversary as an Opry member, I want to go back to Saturday January 22, 1994, which was the night Hal joined the Opry. Hal grew up in New York and he has admitted that he had little knowledge of the Opry while growing up. After playing the Opry for the first time Hal commented, "There is an indescribable place on that stage where it feels like you are a part of history, a very fine history. And I really like that a lot. I felt the magic of the Opry for the first time, and, so, I came to it in amazement."
While he grew up in New York, in 1981 he moved to Austin, Texas and released his first album in 1986, "Threadbare Alibis", on which he wrote 10 of the songs. From Austin, he began making trips to Nashville, eventually signing with Curb Records. In 1991, "Small Town Saturday Night" was released and Hal was on his way. He had a number of hit records after that which led to the invitation to join the Opry.
As with many of the artists who joined the Opry during that period, Hal's appearances were limited. However, starting in 2001 and up through 2009, he averaged almost 30 appearances per year and became one of the Opry's more popular members. However, health issues took him away from the Opry as he stopped performing. After just 1 appearance in 2010, he did not return to the Opry until November of last year and his return was a success. It was nice to hear Hal again on the Opry and to have him back to be honored for 20 years of Opry membership.
Here is the Opry line-up from Saturday January 22, 1994, the night Hal Ketchum joined the Opry:
1st show
6:30: GHS String
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Skeeter Davis: Lovesick Blues
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): (?)
Jean Shepard: A Dear John Letter
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Grandpa Jones: It's Raining Here This Morning
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor, Howdy
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Alison Krauss: I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome
Oswald: Instrumental
Porter Wagoner: Sugarfoot Rag
7:30: Standard Candy
Marty Stuart (host): Burn Me Down
Hal Ketchum & Ferlin Husky: Wings of A Dove
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Vince Gill: When I Call Your Name
Hal Ketchum: Small Town Saturday Night
Marty Stuart: Kiss Me; I'm Gone
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Family Reunion
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Wanna Go Home
The Whites: Move It On Over
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durango's Hornpipe
Bill Anderson: Still
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Address Unknown
Connie Smith: Did We Have to Come This Far to Say Goodbye
Jimmy C Newman: Allons 'A Lafayette
Mike Snider: Lonesome Road Blues/The Fir Coat
Hank Snow: A Message From the Tradewinds
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Hal Ketchum: We Just Might Fall in Love/Small Town Saturday Night
Jean Shepard: Farewell Party
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything
The Whites: Swing Down, Chariot
Porter Wagoner: Green Green Grass of Home
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): What'll I Do With The Baby-O
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home
10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater
Vince Gill: Trying to Get Over You/A Pocket Full of Gold
Jimmy Dickens & Vince Gill: May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
10:30: Opry Tours
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
John Conlee: Common Man
Alison Krauss: Dark Skies
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar
10:45: Opry Book
Marty Stuart (host): That's Country
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel
Marty Stuart: Kiss Me, I'm Gone
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Giesha Girl
Mark Collie & Marty Stuart: When The Sun Goes Down, I Go Crazy
Jeannie Seely: Go Down Swinging
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Mike Snider: Little Maggie/Dueling Banjos
Hank Snow: The Third Man
11:30: General Jackson Showboat
4 Guys (host): If It's From the Country, It's Coming From the Heart
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Johnn Russell: Got No Reason Now For Going Home
4 Guys: I Know, I Know
The 2nd date to mention is Saturday January 25, 1992, 22 years ago this weekend as that was the date Emmylou Harris became an Opry member. I have to admit that when Emmylou joined the Opry I acutally thought she would understand what the Opry was about and be there to perform. Especially considering her rich understanding of the history of country music and her own efforts to preserve it. But of course, I was wrong. Emmylou has been good for an average of 1 or 2 Opry appearances per year, usually when the Opry is at the Ryman Auditorium. That's too bad, as I have seen Emmylou several times at the Opry and she seems to really enjoy it. You will see her dancing at times with the square dancers and she will bring on a variety of her friends to perform with her. We can still hope that Emmylou will make more Opry appearances.
Here is the line-up from Saturday January 25, 1992, the night Emmylou Harris became an Opry member.
1st show
6:30: Boxcar Willie (host): Jeanne Pruett
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host): 4 Guys; Skeeter Davis
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host): John Conlee; Osborne Brothers; Lorrie Morgan
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Vince Gill; Emmylou Harris
8:00: Bill Monroe (host): Jimmy Dickens; The Whites; Del Reeves; Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host): Jim Ed Brown; Jimmy C Newman; Riders In The Sky; Jean Shepard
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Billy Walker; John Conlee; Emmylou Harris; Vince Gill
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host): Charlie Louvin; Wilma Lee Cooper
10:15; Roy Acuff (host): Ray Pillow; George Hamilton IV
10:30: Bill Monroe (host): Roy Drusky; Boxcar Willie
10:45: Jimmy Dickens (host): Vince Gill; Patty Loveless; Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host): Osborne Brothers; Jeannie Seely; Stonewall Jackson; Jean Shepard; Bill Carlisle
11:30: Charlie Walker (host): Riders In The Sky; The Whites; Johnny Russell
Finally, the Opry has set Saturday March 1 as the date for Jesse McReynolds to be honored for 50 years of Opry membership. Jesse has been missing from the Opry over the past several weeks but is doing better and we hope to see him back very soon.
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!!
Also appearing on both shows this weekend are the newest members of the Opry, Old Crow Medicine Show, along with fellow Opry members and Hall of Famer's Charley Pride and Bill Anderson.
Among the guest artists on Friday night will be Jewel, who last year played the part of June Carter Cash in the Lifetime movie. While I thought Jewel did a nice job as June, I can't say the same about the gentleman who played Johnny Cash (who I forget). Also on Friday will be newcomer Leah Turner.
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry features a couple of different things on the line-up. First, Bill Anderson is hosting the opening segment. That is something you do not normally see. And the Opry Square Dancers have been moved up a segment. And what is an Opry weekend without any stars from the Nashville show? Saturday we have Jonathan Jackson, along with Lennon & Maisy. My thought is that since both are "back-to-back" on the same segment, and the Square Dancers moved up, I am wondering if they are going to film that segment to use on a future broadcast of the network show. Just a thought.
Friday January 24
7:00: Craig Morgan (host); Jeannie Seely; Jimmy C Newman; Jim Ed Brown
7:30: John Conlee (host); Riders In the Sky; Jewel w/Art Kilcher
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Leah Turner; Hal Ketchum
8:45: Charley Pride (host); Jean Shepard; Old Crow Medicine Show
Saturday January 25
7:00: Bill Anderson (host); Craig Campbell; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: John Conlee (host); Jan Howard; Hal Ketchum; Opry Square Dancers
Intermission
8:15: Charley Pride (host); Jonathan Jackson; Lennon & Maisy
8:45; Riders In The Sky (host); Connie Smith; Old Crow Medicine Show
I can't believe it, but we actually have 11 Opry members scheduled on Friday night. That might be a high point in recent months. 8 are set for Saturday night.
For this week's look back into Grand Ole Opry history, since this is Hal Ketchum's 20th anniversary as an Opry member, I want to go back to Saturday January 22, 1994, which was the night Hal joined the Opry. Hal grew up in New York and he has admitted that he had little knowledge of the Opry while growing up. After playing the Opry for the first time Hal commented, "There is an indescribable place on that stage where it feels like you are a part of history, a very fine history. And I really like that a lot. I felt the magic of the Opry for the first time, and, so, I came to it in amazement."
While he grew up in New York, in 1981 he moved to Austin, Texas and released his first album in 1986, "Threadbare Alibis", on which he wrote 10 of the songs. From Austin, he began making trips to Nashville, eventually signing with Curb Records. In 1991, "Small Town Saturday Night" was released and Hal was on his way. He had a number of hit records after that which led to the invitation to join the Opry.
As with many of the artists who joined the Opry during that period, Hal's appearances were limited. However, starting in 2001 and up through 2009, he averaged almost 30 appearances per year and became one of the Opry's more popular members. However, health issues took him away from the Opry as he stopped performing. After just 1 appearance in 2010, he did not return to the Opry until November of last year and his return was a success. It was nice to hear Hal again on the Opry and to have him back to be honored for 20 years of Opry membership.
Here is the Opry line-up from Saturday January 22, 1994, the night Hal Ketchum joined the Opry:
1st show
6:30: GHS String
Jimmy Dickens (host): Out Behind the Barn
Skeeter Davis: Lovesick Blues
Jimmy Dickens: Another Bridge to Burn
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): (?)
Jean Shepard: A Dear John Letter
Stonewall Jackson: Don't Be Angry
Grandpa Jones: It's Raining Here This Morning
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Howdy Neighbor, Howdy
Bill Carlisle: Leave That Liar Alone
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Alison Krauss: I'm Blue, I'm Lonesome
Oswald: Instrumental
Porter Wagoner: Sugarfoot Rag
7:30: Standard Candy
Marty Stuart (host): Burn Me Down
Hal Ketchum & Ferlin Husky: Wings of A Dove
Jan Howard: Rock Me Back to Little Rock
Vince Gill: When I Call Your Name
Hal Ketchum: Small Town Saturday Night
Marty Stuart: Kiss Me; I'm Gone
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Family Reunion
Jeannie Seely: Don't Touch Me
Roy Drusky: Don't It Make You Wanna Go Home
The Whites: Move It On Over
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durango's Hornpipe
Bill Anderson: Still
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Address Unknown
Connie Smith: Did We Have to Come This Far to Say Goodbye
Jimmy C Newman: Allons 'A Lafayette
Mike Snider: Lonesome Road Blues/The Fir Coat
Hank Snow: A Message From the Tradewinds
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Y'All Come
Hal Ketchum: We Just Might Fall in Love/Small Town Saturday Night
Jean Shepard: Farewell Party
Jack Greene: There Goes My Everything/He Is My Everything
The Whites: Swing Down, Chariot
Porter Wagoner: Green Green Grass of Home
10:00: Little Debbie
Grandpa Jones (host): What'll I Do With The Baby-O
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Grandpa Jones: Gone Home
10:15: Sunbeam/Tennessee Pride
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take An Old Cold Tater
Vince Gill: Trying to Get Over You/A Pocket Full of Gold
Jimmy Dickens & Vince Gill: May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose
10:30: Opry Tours
Bill Anderson (host): Did She Mention My Name
John Conlee: Common Man
Alison Krauss: Dark Skies
Bill Anderson: Golden Guitar
10:45: Opry Book
Marty Stuart (host): That's Country
Charlie Walker: Smoke, Smoke, Smoke
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Rachel
Marty Stuart: Kiss Me, I'm Gone
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Giesha Girl
Mark Collie & Marty Stuart: When The Sun Goes Down, I Go Crazy
Jeannie Seely: Go Down Swinging
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Mike Snider: Little Maggie/Dueling Banjos
Hank Snow: The Third Man
11:30: General Jackson Showboat
4 Guys (host): If It's From the Country, It's Coming From the Heart
Connie Smith: I Never Once Stopped Loving You
Jimmy C Newman: Jambalaya
Johnn Russell: Got No Reason Now For Going Home
4 Guys: I Know, I Know
The 2nd date to mention is Saturday January 25, 1992, 22 years ago this weekend as that was the date Emmylou Harris became an Opry member. I have to admit that when Emmylou joined the Opry I acutally thought she would understand what the Opry was about and be there to perform. Especially considering her rich understanding of the history of country music and her own efforts to preserve it. But of course, I was wrong. Emmylou has been good for an average of 1 or 2 Opry appearances per year, usually when the Opry is at the Ryman Auditorium. That's too bad, as I have seen Emmylou several times at the Opry and she seems to really enjoy it. You will see her dancing at times with the square dancers and she will bring on a variety of her friends to perform with her. We can still hope that Emmylou will make more Opry appearances.
Here is the line-up from Saturday January 25, 1992, the night Emmylou Harris became an Opry member.
1st show
6:30: Boxcar Willie (host): Jeanne Pruett
6:45: Grandpa Jones (host): 4 Guys; Skeeter Davis
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host): John Conlee; Osborne Brothers; Lorrie Morgan
7:30: Roy Acuff (host): Vince Gill; Emmylou Harris
8:00: Bill Monroe (host): Jimmy Dickens; The Whites; Del Reeves; Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host): Jim Ed Brown; Jimmy C Newman; Riders In The Sky; Jean Shepard
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host): Billy Walker; John Conlee; Emmylou Harris; Vince Gill
10:00: Grandpa Jones (host): Charlie Louvin; Wilma Lee Cooper
10:15; Roy Acuff (host): Ray Pillow; George Hamilton IV
10:30: Bill Monroe (host): Roy Drusky; Boxcar Willie
10:45: Jimmy Dickens (host): Vince Gill; Patty Loveless; Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host): Osborne Brothers; Jeannie Seely; Stonewall Jackson; Jean Shepard; Bill Carlisle
11:30: Charlie Walker (host): Riders In The Sky; The Whites; Johnny Russell
Finally, the Opry has set Saturday March 1 as the date for Jesse McReynolds to be honored for 50 years of Opry membership. Jesse has been missing from the Opry over the past several weeks but is doing better and we hope to see him back very soon.
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!!