The Grand Ole Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville where they will be stationed for the next 3 months. For November and up to the week before Christmas, the Opry will run 2 shows on Saturday night before returning to the one show format through the end of January. Historically, the Ryman shows are pretty good, especially as you get closer to Christmas when a lot of the acts are in town and done traveling for the year.
As far as this weekend, things get off to a very nice start as Old Crow Medicine Show will be featured on all 3 shows. They will close out the Opry each night, with the entire Saturday closing segment devoted to them. While I am not a fan of the "one act" segments, at least they have an Opry member doing it, and a very good one at that. Also appearing on all 3 shows will be Hall of Fame member Connie Smith, The Whites and Riders In The Sky.
As far as additional Opry members this weekend, Friday night will feature Bobby Osborne, Joe Diffie, Ricky Skaggs and Trace Adkins. It is especially nice to see Joe in a hosting spot once again. The only additional Opry member scheduled for Saturday night is Jesse McReynolds, who is scheduled for both shows.
Guests on Friday night include just 2, Lauren Alaina and Suzy Bogguss. I have to admit that Suzy is in my Top 5 as far as female vocalists. Scheduled for Saturday night are JT Hodges, The Willis Clan, Lindsay Ell, and making her Opry debut, Lindi Ortega. Lindi is from Toronto, Canada and now lives in Nashville. Her voice has been described as "a blend of Dolly Parton Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris." She calls playing the Opry "a dream come true" and in 2015 she won the CCMA Roots Artist of the Year Award for the second year in a row. Her latest album, "Faded Gloryville" was released this past summer. I wish I could tell you more, but she has not done a very good job keeping her website updated. As far as Lindsay Ell, when I was in Nashville for the birthday weekend, she sang for 24 straight hours in front of the Opry Shop on Broadway starting on Thursday evening at 11. The weather was wet and cold, but she was a trooper and hung in as she was helping to raise money for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and supporting her new music. I spent some time on Friday watching and was impressed.
Friday November 6
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lauren Alaina; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: Joe Diffie (host); The Whites; Suzy Bogguss
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Trace Adkins
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Old Crow Medicine Show
Saturday November 7
1st show
7:00: Connie Smith (host); JT Hodges; Lindi Ortega
7:30: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Willis Clan
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lindsay Ell; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Old Crow Medicine Show
2nd show
9:30: Connie Smith (host); JT Hodges; Lindi Ortega
10:00: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Willis Clan
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lindsay Ell; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Old Crow Medicine Show
That comes out to 8 Opry members on Friday night and just 5 on Saturday night. Looking at the 2 nights this weekend, Friday is definitely the better of the two.
A couple of health updates for everyone. Bill Anderson had cataract surgery a few weeks ago but suffered a health setback as he developed a bacterial infection. He had to cancel from the Opry last weekend and he also had to cancel inducting The Browns into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He explains more on his website and wrote about it in his monthly journal. He expects to be back at the Opry next week. And sorry to see that Tommy Overstreet passed away yesterday. While never an Opry member, he did perform on the show several times in the 1970s.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, November 5 & 6, 2010. This was the weekend that the Opry returned to the Ryman Auditorium for its winter run, which would last through January.
Friday November 5
7:00: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Blaine Larsen
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Mountain Heart
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Holly Williams
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); The Whites; Connie Smith
Saturday November 6
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; James Wesley
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Point Of Grace
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); George Hamilton IV; Jim Brickman; Victoria Shaw; Robin Meade; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Montgomery Gentry
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; James Wesley
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Point Of Grace
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jim Brickman; Victoria Shaw; Robin Meade; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Montgomery Gentry
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of November 4 & 5, 2005:
Friday November 4
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Charlie Walker; The Peasall Sisters
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Danielle Peck
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Catherine Britt
9:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Mel McDaniel; Rhonda Vincent
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Daryle Singletary
Saturday November 5
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Julie Roberts
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Paulette Carlson
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Osborne Brothers; Suzy Bogguss
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Riders In The Sky; Jeff Bates; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jack Greene; The Whites
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Julie Roberts
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Paulette Carlson
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Stu Phillips; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Osborne Brothers; Suzy Bogguss
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jack Greene; Jeff Bates
For this week's look back at past Grand Ole Opry shows, let's go back 24 years to Saturday November 7, 1992:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Monroe (host): When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall
Riders In The Sky: Miss Molly
Bill Monroe: Precious Memories
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Ol' Rattler
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Grandpa & Mark Jones: Arkansas Traveler
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Del Reeves: The Race is On
Jean Shepard: Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me
4 Guys: Swing Down, Chariot/May You Find Yourself in Heaven
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
7:30: Standard Candy
Jim Ed Brown (host): Mariah
Jan Howard: Ozark Mountain Jubilee
The Whites: Hangin' Around
Eddy Raven: I'm Gonna Get You/Thank God for Kids
Jim Ed Brown: When A Child Is Born/Looking Back to See
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Jim & Jesse: Headin' West
Oswald: Dobro Chimes
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Breakfast With the Blues
Jeannie Seely: Another Bridge to Burn
Roy Drusky: Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Mike Snider: Dueling Banjos
Teddy Wilburn: Making Plans
Hank Snow: I've Done at Least One Thing That Was Good in My Life
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Hero's Death
The Whites: There's A Higher Power
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away
Stonewall Jackson: Smoke Along the Track
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown
10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Anderson (host): But You Know I Love You
Eddy Raven: He's Got You; I've Got Mexico
Bill Anderson: Still
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Bill Monroe (host): My Little Georgia Rose
Mike Snider: Bells of St. Mary's
Bill Monroe: Then Take Courage Un Tomorrow
10:30: Randy Travis Enterprises
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down the Country
4 Guys: Farther Along
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Grandpa & Mark Jones: Cripple Creek
10:45: B.C. Powder
Riders In The Sky (host): When Payday Rolls Around
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Riders In The Sky: Riding Down the Canyon
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Snowbird
Jim & Jesse: It's A Lonesome Feeling
Roy Drusky: Go Bring My Children Home
Skeeter Davis: 'Taint Nice
Justin Tubb: You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Hank Snow: My First Night Alone
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Teddy Wilburn: Arkansas
Johnny Russell: In A Mansion Stands My Love/He'll Have to Go
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Enjoy the Opry at the Ryman this weekend!!
As far as this weekend, things get off to a very nice start as Old Crow Medicine Show will be featured on all 3 shows. They will close out the Opry each night, with the entire Saturday closing segment devoted to them. While I am not a fan of the "one act" segments, at least they have an Opry member doing it, and a very good one at that. Also appearing on all 3 shows will be Hall of Fame member Connie Smith, The Whites and Riders In The Sky.
As far as additional Opry members this weekend, Friday night will feature Bobby Osborne, Joe Diffie, Ricky Skaggs and Trace Adkins. It is especially nice to see Joe in a hosting spot once again. The only additional Opry member scheduled for Saturday night is Jesse McReynolds, who is scheduled for both shows.
Guests on Friday night include just 2, Lauren Alaina and Suzy Bogguss. I have to admit that Suzy is in my Top 5 as far as female vocalists. Scheduled for Saturday night are JT Hodges, The Willis Clan, Lindsay Ell, and making her Opry debut, Lindi Ortega. Lindi is from Toronto, Canada and now lives in Nashville. Her voice has been described as "a blend of Dolly Parton Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris." She calls playing the Opry "a dream come true" and in 2015 she won the CCMA Roots Artist of the Year Award for the second year in a row. Her latest album, "Faded Gloryville" was released this past summer. I wish I could tell you more, but she has not done a very good job keeping her website updated. As far as Lindsay Ell, when I was in Nashville for the birthday weekend, she sang for 24 straight hours in front of the Opry Shop on Broadway starting on Thursday evening at 11. The weather was wet and cold, but she was a trooper and hung in as she was helping to raise money for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and supporting her new music. I spent some time on Friday watching and was impressed.
Friday November 6
7:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lauren Alaina; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
7:30: Joe Diffie (host); The Whites; Suzy Bogguss
Intermission
8:15: Ricky Skaggs (host); Trace Adkins
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Old Crow Medicine Show
Saturday November 7
1st show
7:00: Connie Smith (host); JT Hodges; Lindi Ortega
7:30: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Willis Clan
8:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Lindsay Ell; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Old Crow Medicine Show
2nd show
9:30: Connie Smith (host); JT Hodges; Lindi Ortega
10:00: The Whites (host); Jesse McReynolds; The Willis Clan
10:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Lindsay Ell; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Old Crow Medicine Show
That comes out to 8 Opry members on Friday night and just 5 on Saturday night. Looking at the 2 nights this weekend, Friday is definitely the better of the two.
A couple of health updates for everyone. Bill Anderson had cataract surgery a few weeks ago but suffered a health setback as he developed a bacterial infection. He had to cancel from the Opry last weekend and he also had to cancel inducting The Browns into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He explains more on his website and wrote about it in his monthly journal. He expects to be back at the Opry next week. And sorry to see that Tommy Overstreet passed away yesterday. While never an Opry member, he did perform on the show several times in the 1970s.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, November 5 & 6, 2010. This was the weekend that the Opry returned to the Ryman Auditorium for its winter run, which would last through January.
Friday November 5
7:00: John Conlee (host); Mike Snider; Blaine Larsen
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jeannie Seely; Mountain Heart
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Holly Williams
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); The Whites; Connie Smith
Saturday November 6
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; James Wesley
7:30: Mike Snider (host); Jack Greene; Point Of Grace
8:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); George Hamilton IV; Jim Brickman; Victoria Shaw; Robin Meade; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Montgomery Gentry
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; James Wesley
10:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Point Of Grace
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Stonewall Jackson; Jim Brickman; Victoria Shaw; Robin Meade; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Riders In The Sky (host); Montgomery Gentry
Now from ten years ago, the weekend of November 4 & 5, 2005:
Friday November 4
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Charlie Walker; The Peasall Sisters
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Danielle Peck
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Catherine Britt
9:00: Jim Ed Brown (host) w/Helen Cornelius; Mel McDaniel; Rhonda Vincent
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Billy Walker; Daryle Singletary
Saturday November 5
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Connie Smith; Julie Roberts
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jimmy C Newman; Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Paulette Carlson
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Osborne Brothers; Suzy Bogguss
8:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Riders In The Sky; Jeff Bates; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Jack Greene; The Whites
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Connie Smith; Julie Roberts
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Paulette Carlson
10:30: Ricky Skaggs (host); Stu Phillips; The Whites; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); w/Helen Cornelius; Osborne Brothers; Suzy Bogguss
11:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Jack Greene; Jeff Bates
For this week's look back at past Grand Ole Opry shows, let's go back 24 years to Saturday November 7, 1992:
1st show
6:30: GHS Strings
Bill Monroe (host): When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall
Riders In The Sky: Miss Molly
Bill Monroe: Precious Memories
6:45: Country Music Hall of Fame
Grandpa Jones (host): Ol' Rattler
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Ray Pillow: Someone Had to Teach You
Grandpa & Mark Jones: Arkansas Traveler
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy Dickens (host): Family Reunion
Del Reeves: The Race is On
Jean Shepard: Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me
4 Guys: Swing Down, Chariot/May You Find Yourself in Heaven
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Jimmy Dickens: Sleepin' at the Foot of the Bed
7:30: Standard Candy
Jim Ed Brown (host): Mariah
Jan Howard: Ozark Mountain Jubilee
The Whites: Hangin' Around
Eddy Raven: I'm Gonna Get You/Thank God for Kids
Jim Ed Brown: When A Child Is Born/Looking Back to See
8:00: Martha White
Bill Anderson (host): Southern Fried
Jim & Jesse: Headin' West
Oswald: Dobro Chimes
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Bill Anderson: Deck of Cards
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Bill Cheatham
8:30: Kraft
Hank Snow (host): Breakfast With the Blues
Jeannie Seely: Another Bridge to Burn
Roy Drusky: Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Mike Snider: Dueling Banjos
Teddy Wilburn: Making Plans
Hank Snow: I've Done at Least One Thing That Was Good in My Life
2nd show
9:30: Dollar General
Jimmy Dickens (host): Take an Old Cold Tater
Wilma Lee Cooper: A Hero's Death
The Whites: There's A Higher Power
Del Reeves: Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me
Jean Shepard: Slipping Away
Stonewall Jackson: Smoke Along the Track
Jimmy Dickens: I Love Lucy Brown
10:00: Little Debbie
Bill Anderson (host): But You Know I Love You
Eddy Raven: He's Got You; I've Got Mexico
Bill Anderson: Still
10:15: Tennessee Pride/Sunbeam
Bill Monroe (host): My Little Georgia Rose
Mike Snider: Bells of St. Mary's
Bill Monroe: Then Take Courage Un Tomorrow
10:30: Randy Travis Enterprises
Grandpa Jones (host): Going Down the Country
4 Guys: Farther Along
Bill Carlisle: No Help Wanted
Grandpa & Mark Jones: Cripple Creek
10:45: B.C. Powder
Riders In The Sky (host): When Payday Rolls Around
David Houston: I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Opry Square Dance Band/Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Black Mountain Rag
Riders In The Sky: Riding Down the Canyon
11:00: Coca-Cola
Hank Snow (host): Snowbird
Jim & Jesse: It's A Lonesome Feeling
Roy Drusky: Go Bring My Children Home
Skeeter Davis: 'Taint Nice
Justin Tubb: You Nearly Lose Your Mind
Hank Snow: My First Night Alone
11:30: Creamette
Charlie Walker (host): Does Ft. Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
Jeannie Seely: When He Leaves You
Teddy Wilburn: Arkansas
Johnny Russell: In A Mansion Stands My Love/He'll Have to Go
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
Enjoy the Opry at the Ryman this weekend!!