The Grand Ole Opry has posted the line-up for the shows this Labor Day weekend. Usually these are a couple of the shows that are pretty hard to fill as far as having a quality line-up as many of the artists are out on the state and county fair circuit, but for this weekend the Opry has done pretty well.
The highlight, and the name that stood out as a pleasant surprise, is Alison Krauss, who is scheduled for both nights. For Alison, this will be her first Opry appearances in 2014 and if she follows her usual pattern, these might be her only appearances this year. It has hard for me to believe that Alison has been an Opry member now for 21 years. I really enjoy her and wish that she would be around the Opry more often.
Joining Alison on Friday night will be guest artist, and someone who I wish would be an Opry member, and that is Kathy Mattea. She is at the Opry every couple of months and is always well received. Also making another appearance will be Mary Gauthier, along with semi-regular Jimmy Wayne.
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, in addition to Alison, will have Larry Gatlin and this time, The Gatlin Brothers will be joining him. While Larry is around the Opry a lot, very rarely do we get Steve and Rudy, although many times Steve will be there playing guitar for Larry on his solo appearances. Also appearing will be Opry member Lorrie Morgan, along with "Nashville" stars Chaley Rose and Charles Esten. And don't forget The Steeldrivers.
Friday August 29
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy Wayne; Jesse McReynolds
7:30: Connie Smith (host); The Henningsens; Mary Gauthier
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Kathy Mattea
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Mark Wills; Alison Krauss
Saturday August 30
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Mark Wills
7:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Chaley Rose; Jean Shepard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); John Conlee; The Steeldrivers; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Lorrie Morgan (host); Charles Esten; Alison Krauss
Like I said, 2 pretty good line-ups this weekend and it looks like they might be saving a spot for Jimmy Dickens.
Now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, August 28 & 29, 2009:
Friday August 28
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Riders In The Sky; Cherryholmes
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jamie O'Neal
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jean Shepard; The Whites
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Ralph Stanley
Saturday August 29
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jim Ed Brown; Daryle Singletary
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jack Greene; Jean Shepard; Ralph Stanley
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Clay Walker; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); John Conlee; Connie Smith
And from 10 years ago this weekend, August 27 & 28, 2004:
Friday August 27
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; George Hamilton IV; Melonie Cannon
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jack Greene; Blue Country
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Osborne Brothers; The Jenkins
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Billy Grammer; Jean Shepard; Billy Ray Cyrus
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Charlie Walker; Kevin Haynie; Gene Watson
Saturday August 28
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Osborne Brothers
7:00: Bill Anderson (host); Martina McBride; The Notorious Cherry Bombs; Billy Ray Cyrus; Loretta Lynn
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Walker; Riders In The Sky; Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mandy Barnett
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Osborne Brothers
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jack Greene; Martina McBride
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Billy Grammer; The Notorious Cherry Bombs; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Billy Ray Cyrus
11:30: Mike Snider (host); Billy Walker; Mandy Barnett
For this week's feature lin-up, I go to Saturday August 31, 1996. This was the final Saturday night show for Hank Snow. Hank joined the Opry in January 1950 and was one of the Orpy's top members. But, by 1996 his health was beginning to fail as he was having respiratory issues along with other ailments. In fact, after making 125 Opry appearances in 1995, he made just 5 in 1996. He came back the following week and did the Friday Night Opry and cancelled out for Saturday. He also failed to appear the weekend after and that was the last time Hank was on the schedule for the Opry. He passed away in December 1999, just weeks from 50 years of Opry membership.
Here is the line-up from Saturday August 31, 1996, the final Saturday night for Hank Snow.
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Mike Snider (host); Tennessee Rhapsody/Cotton Eyed Joe
Bill Carlisle: Rusty Old Halo
Mike Snider: Shuckin' the Corn/Foggy Mountain Chimes
6:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Grandpa Jones (host): Ol' Blue
Jan Howard: My Heart Skips A Beat
Grandpa Jones: Gooseberry Pie
7:00: Shoney's
Johnny Russell (host): Good Hearted Woman
Charlie Louvin: The Precious Jewel
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells/Looking Back to See
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
7:30: Standard Candy
Jeannie Seely (host): Burning that Old Memory
The Cumberland Boys: Nothing But Love
Ray Pillow: She's Doing It to Me Again
Margaret Whiting: I Can't Help It
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durane's Hornpipe
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Del Reeves: Got A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Porter Wagoner: The Cowboy's Hat
Porter Wagoner & Kristi Lynn: Forty Miles from Poplar Bluff
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
Stu Phillips: Colorado
The Whites: Pins and Needles
Connie Smith: Then and Only Then
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Tell Her Lies and Feed Her Candy
Oswald: The Girl I Love Don't Pay Me no Mind
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou/Texacajun
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name/Freight Train Boogie
10:00: Massey Ferguson
Grandpa Jones (host): Fifteen Cents Is All I Got
Stonewall Jackson: Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time
10:15: Opryland
Jean Shepard (host): I Thought of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
Roy Drusky: Waltz of the Angels/One Day at A Time
Jean Shepard: A Phone Call Away
10:30: Purnell's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Cumberland Boys: Today I Might Be Going Home
Jim Ed Brown: Lyin' In Love With You
10:45: Fairfield
Mike Snider (host): Lonesome Road Blues
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Ragtime Annie
Mike Snider (host): Battle Cry of Freedom/Get Your Hand Off My Knee and Load the Cannon
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Del Reeves: I Would Like to See You Again
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Charlie Walker: Who'll Buy the Wine
The Whites: He Took Your Place
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind
11:30: Loreal
Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer
Stu Phillips: Blue Canadian Rockies
Jeannie Seely: Bubbles in My Beer
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Colleen Walters: Walkin' After Midnight
I know I post this line-up each year, but as I have mentioned before, Hank Snow was and is, my favorite Grand Ole Opry member of all-time, so I hope you don't mind.
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!
The highlight, and the name that stood out as a pleasant surprise, is Alison Krauss, who is scheduled for both nights. For Alison, this will be her first Opry appearances in 2014 and if she follows her usual pattern, these might be her only appearances this year. It has hard for me to believe that Alison has been an Opry member now for 21 years. I really enjoy her and wish that she would be around the Opry more often.
Joining Alison on Friday night will be guest artist, and someone who I wish would be an Opry member, and that is Kathy Mattea. She is at the Opry every couple of months and is always well received. Also making another appearance will be Mary Gauthier, along with semi-regular Jimmy Wayne.
Saturday's Grand Ole Opry, in addition to Alison, will have Larry Gatlin and this time, The Gatlin Brothers will be joining him. While Larry is around the Opry a lot, very rarely do we get Steve and Rudy, although many times Steve will be there playing guitar for Larry on his solo appearances. Also appearing will be Opry member Lorrie Morgan, along with "Nashville" stars Chaley Rose and Charles Esten. And don't forget The Steeldrivers.
Friday August 29
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy Wayne; Jesse McReynolds
7:30: Connie Smith (host); The Henningsens; Mary Gauthier
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Kathy Mattea
8:45: Riders In The Sky (host); Mark Wills; Alison Krauss
Saturday August 30
7:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Mark Wills
7:30: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (host); Chaley Rose; Jean Shepard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); John Conlee; The Steeldrivers; Opry Square Dancers
8:45: Lorrie Morgan (host); Charles Esten; Alison Krauss
Like I said, 2 pretty good line-ups this weekend and it looks like they might be saving a spot for Jimmy Dickens.
Now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from 5 years ago this weekend, August 28 & 29, 2009:
Friday August 28
7:00: John Conlee (host); Jimmy C Newman; Riders In The Sky; Cherryholmes
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Jamie O'Neal
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jean Shepard; The Whites
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); Connie Smith; Ralph Stanley
Saturday August 29
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jim Ed Brown; Daryle Singletary
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jack Greene; Jean Shepard; Ralph Stanley
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Clay Walker; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Marty Stuart (host); John Conlee; Connie Smith
And from 10 years ago this weekend, August 27 & 28, 2004:
Friday August 27
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; George Hamilton IV; Melonie Cannon
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Jack Greene; Blue Country
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Osborne Brothers; The Jenkins
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Billy Grammer; Jean Shepard; Billy Ray Cyrus
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Charlie Walker; Kevin Haynie; Gene Watson
Saturday August 28
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Osborne Brothers
7:00: Bill Anderson (host); Martina McBride; The Notorious Cherry Bombs; Billy Ray Cyrus; Loretta Lynn
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Billy Walker; Riders In The Sky; Jean Shepard; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Mike Snider (host); Jimmy C Newman; Mandy Barnett
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Osborne Brothers
10:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jack Greene; Martina McBride
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Billy Grammer; The Notorious Cherry Bombs; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jean Shepard; George Hamilton IV; Billy Ray Cyrus
11:30: Mike Snider (host); Billy Walker; Mandy Barnett
For this week's feature lin-up, I go to Saturday August 31, 1996. This was the final Saturday night show for Hank Snow. Hank joined the Opry in January 1950 and was one of the Orpy's top members. But, by 1996 his health was beginning to fail as he was having respiratory issues along with other ailments. In fact, after making 125 Opry appearances in 1995, he made just 5 in 1996. He came back the following week and did the Friday Night Opry and cancelled out for Saturday. He also failed to appear the weekend after and that was the last time Hank was on the schedule for the Opry. He passed away in December 1999, just weeks from 50 years of Opry membership.
Here is the line-up from Saturday August 31, 1996, the final Saturday night for Hank Snow.
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Mike Snider (host); Tennessee Rhapsody/Cotton Eyed Joe
Bill Carlisle: Rusty Old Halo
Mike Snider: Shuckin' the Corn/Foggy Mountain Chimes
6:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Grandpa Jones (host): Ol' Blue
Jan Howard: My Heart Skips A Beat
Grandpa Jones: Gooseberry Pie
7:00: Shoney's
Johnny Russell (host): Good Hearted Woman
Charlie Louvin: The Precious Jewel
Jean Shepard: Let's All Go Down to the River/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/I'll Fly Away/Somebody Touched Me
Jim Ed Brown: The 3 Bells/Looking Back to See
Johnny Russell: Act Naturally
7:30: Standard Candy
Jeannie Seely (host): Burning that Old Memory
The Cumberland Boys: Nothing But Love
Ray Pillow: She's Doing It to Me Again
Margaret Whiting: I Can't Help It
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durane's Hornpipe
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
8:00: Martha White
Porter Wagoner (host): On A Highway Headed South
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Stonewall Jackson: Muddy Water
Del Reeves: Got A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up on Your Way Down
Porter Wagoner: The Cowboy's Hat
Porter Wagoner & Kristi Lynn: Forty Miles from Poplar Bluff
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): In the Misty Moonlight
Jimmy C Newman: Cajun's Dream
Stu Phillips: Colorado
The Whites: Pins and Needles
Connie Smith: Then and Only Then
Hank Snow: It Kinda Reminds Me of Me
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Porter Wagoner (host): Tell Her Lies and Feed Her Candy
Oswald: The Girl I Love Don't Pay Me no Mind
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Jimmy C Newman: Big Mamou/Texacajun
Porter Wagoner: I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name/Freight Train Boogie
10:00: Massey Ferguson
Grandpa Jones (host): Fifteen Cents Is All I Got
Stonewall Jackson: Me and You and A Dog Named Boo
Grandpa Jones: Any Old Time
10:15: Opryland
Jean Shepard (host): I Thought of You/It Wasn't God Who Made Honky-Tonk Angels/You Win Again/A Dear John Letter
Roy Drusky: Waltz of the Angels/One Day at A Time
Jean Shepard: A Phone Call Away
10:30: Purnell's
Jim Ed Brown (host): Pop A Top
Cumberland Boys: Today I Might Be Going Home
Jim Ed Brown: Lyin' In Love With You
10:45: Fairfield
Mike Snider (host): Lonesome Road Blues
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Ragtime Annie
Mike Snider (host): Battle Cry of Freedom/Get Your Hand Off My Knee and Load the Cannon
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): I Don't Hurt Anymore
Del Reeves: I Would Like to See You Again
Connie Smith: Amazing Grace
Charlie Walker: Who'll Buy the Wine
The Whites: He Took Your Place
Hank Snow: I Almost Lost My Mind
11:30: Loreal
Johnny Russell: Red Necks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer
Stu Phillips: Blue Canadian Rockies
Jeannie Seely: Bubbles in My Beer
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Colleen Walters: Walkin' After Midnight
I know I post this line-up each year, but as I have mentioned before, Hank Snow was and is, my favorite Grand Ole Opry member of all-time, so I hope you don't mind.
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!!