Before getting into the Grand Ole Opry line-ups for this weekend, a couple of pieces of news to pass along. First, word was received this afternoon that Roy Neal Acuff, the son of Roy Acuff, has passed away. Professionally known as Roy Acuff, Jr., he had a short career in country music, then worked behind the scenes, eventually leaving the music business altogether. On a second note, it was revealed last week that Jan Howard suffered a fracture in her back and was in a rehabilitation facility recovering. The post on her Facebook page led me to believe that she was doing well in her recovery.
In better news, Bill Anderson will be returning to the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, appearing on all 3 shows. Bill had recent cataract surgery, then during his recovery he acquired a bacterial infection that resulted in him receiving 24 hour medication. He was cleared to return earlier this week.
As far as the rest of the artists scheduled for this weekend's shows, the highlight will be on Saturday night as Ronnie Milsap returns to the Opry stage. Ronnie is currently on a farewell tour, but I have not heard any news as to whether or not this will be Ronnie's final Opry appearance, or if we can expect more from him. Joining Ronnie on Saturday night, in addition to Bill Anderson, will be Opry members Mike Snider, Connie Smith, both of whom will also be appearing on Friday night, John Conlee and Bobby Osborne. Interesting that Mike Snider will be hosting segments both nights. Among the guest artists scheduled are Jackie Lee, who is quickly becoming an Opry favorite, William Michael Morgan, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, and Sara Haze, who will be appearing with Ben Caver. All I can tell you about Ben, besides the fact that he is making his first formal Opry appearance, is that he is from Alabama and is a singer/songwriter who has been in town for just over a decade.
Joining Bill Anderson, Mike Snider and Connie Smith on Friday night will be Opry members Jessie McReynolds and Jeannie Seely. It is nice to see another appearance scheduled by Ray Stevens, who I am sure will be promoting his new television show. Jimmy Wayne will be making another guest appearance, along with Ray Scott, The Swon Brothers and The Steeldrivers, who will be closing out the show. Making her Opry debut will be Mindi Abair. This is another of those Opry bookings that you shake your head about, as Mindi is a jazz saxophone player. How she ended up at the Opry this weekend, I do not know.
Friday November 13
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Scott
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Swon Brothers; Ray Stevens
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Jimmy Wayne
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Mindi Abair; The Steeldrivers
Saturday November 14
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jackie Lee; Sara Haze & Ben Caver
7:30: Connie Smith (host); William Michael Morgan; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:00: John Conlee (host); Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Ronnie Milsap
2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Ronnie Milsap
10:00: Connie Smith (host); Jackie Lee; Sara Haze & Ben Caver
10:30: John Conlee (host); William Michael Morgan; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys
Next Saturday night will be Jean Shepard's 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She will join Herman and Lewis Crook as those who were at the Opry for 60+ years. She was interviewed in The Tennessean earlier this week and she said that she does intend to be at the Opry next weekend and the Opry does have something special planned for her.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, November 12 & 13, 2010. The shows both nights were held at the Ryman Auditorium.
In better news, Bill Anderson will be returning to the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, appearing on all 3 shows. Bill had recent cataract surgery, then during his recovery he acquired a bacterial infection that resulted in him receiving 24 hour medication. He was cleared to return earlier this week.
As far as the rest of the artists scheduled for this weekend's shows, the highlight will be on Saturday night as Ronnie Milsap returns to the Opry stage. Ronnie is currently on a farewell tour, but I have not heard any news as to whether or not this will be Ronnie's final Opry appearance, or if we can expect more from him. Joining Ronnie on Saturday night, in addition to Bill Anderson, will be Opry members Mike Snider, Connie Smith, both of whom will also be appearing on Friday night, John Conlee and Bobby Osborne. Interesting that Mike Snider will be hosting segments both nights. Among the guest artists scheduled are Jackie Lee, who is quickly becoming an Opry favorite, William Michael Morgan, Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys, and Sara Haze, who will be appearing with Ben Caver. All I can tell you about Ben, besides the fact that he is making his first formal Opry appearance, is that he is from Alabama and is a singer/songwriter who has been in town for just over a decade.
Joining Bill Anderson, Mike Snider and Connie Smith on Friday night will be Opry members Jessie McReynolds and Jeannie Seely. It is nice to see another appearance scheduled by Ray Stevens, who I am sure will be promoting his new television show. Jimmy Wayne will be making another guest appearance, along with Ray Scott, The Swon Brothers and The Steeldrivers, who will be closing out the show. Making her Opry debut will be Mindi Abair. This is another of those Opry bookings that you shake your head about, as Mindi is a jazz saxophone player. How she ended up at the Opry this weekend, I do not know.
Friday November 13
7:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Scott
7:30: Mike Snider (host); The Swon Brothers; Ray Stevens
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Jesse McReynolds; Jimmy Wayne
8:45: Connie Smith (host); Mindi Abair; The Steeldrivers
Saturday November 14
1st show
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jackie Lee; Sara Haze & Ben Caver
7:30: Connie Smith (host); William Michael Morgan; Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press
8:00: John Conlee (host); Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); Ronnie Milsap
2nd show
9:30: Mike Snider (host); Ronnie Milsap
10:00: Connie Smith (host); Jackie Lee; Sara Haze & Ben Caver
10:30: John Conlee (host); William Michael Morgan; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys
Next Saturday night will be Jean Shepard's 60th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She will join Herman and Lewis Crook as those who were at the Opry for 60+ years. She was interviewed in The Tennessean earlier this week and she said that she does intend to be at the Opry next weekend and the Opry does have something special planned for her.
And now, here is the posted Grand Ole Opry line-up from five years ago this weekend, November 12 & 13, 2010. The shows both nights were held at the Ryman Auditorium.
Friday November 12
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jeannie Seely; Josh Kelley
7:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jan Howard; Del McCoury Band
Intermission
8:15: Bill Anderson (host); Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press; Craig Morgan
8:45: Marty Stuart (host); Riders In The Sky; Connie Smith
Saturday November 13
1st show
7:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jimmy C Newman; Del McCoury Band
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Ricky Skaggs
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Jean Shepard; Gretchen Wilson; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Craig Morgan
2nd show
9:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jean Shepard; Del McCoury Band
10:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jack Greene; Ricky Skaggs
10:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jesse McReynolds; Gretchen Wilson; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Bill Anderson (host); The Whites; Craig Morgan
And from ten years ago, November 11 & 12, 2005:
Friday November 11
7:30: Porter Wagoner (host); The Whites; Lane Brody; Jamey Johnson
8:00: Mike Snider (host); Hank Locklin; Mel McDaniel; Carolyn Dawn Johnson
8:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); Jack Greene; Luke Stricklin
9:00: Bill Anderson (host); Osborne Brothers; Jean Shepard; Mandy Barnett
9:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Chely Wright; Tracy Byrd
Saturday November 12
1st show
6:30: Jimmy Dickens (host); The Whites; Jack Greene; Josh Turner
7:00: Mike Snider (host); Jan Howard; Jimmy C Newman; Shelly Fairchild
7:30: Jim Ed Brown (host); Mel McDaniel; Jean Shepard; Alison Brown Band
8:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Billy Walker; T. Graham Brown; Opry Square Dancers
8:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Andy Griggs; Terri Clark
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Mike Snider; The Whites; Josh Turner
10:00: Jimmy Dickens (host); T. Graham Brown; Terri Clark
10:30: Jimmy C Newman (host); Osborne Brothers; Shelly Fairchild; Opry Square Dancers
11:00: Jim Ed Brown (host); Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys; Jean Shepard; Andy Griggs
11:30: Jeannie Seely (host); Ray Pillow; Billy Walker; Alison Brown Band
Looking back, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from 16 years ago, Saturday November 13, 1999. This particular night featured a guest appearance by former Opry member Earl Scruggs, and a rare guest appearance by Andy Griffith, you performed with Earl.
1st show
6:30: Opryland Hotel
Jean Shepard (host): Second Fiddle
Bill Carlisle: Gone Home
BR5-49: White Picket Fences/Me and Opie Down By the Duck Pond
Jean Shepard: Secret Love
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
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Osborne Brothers: Kentucky
Connie Smith: I Love Charlie Brown
Isaacs: I'm Gonna Move/Christmas Means Jesus
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/Old Camp Meeting Time
7:30: Standard Candy
Johnny Russell (host): In A Mansion Stand My Love
Kelly Willis: What I Deserve
Earl Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Andy Griffith: Whoa, Mule
The Wilkinsons: Twenty-Six Cents/Don't Look at Me Like That
8:00: Martha White
Marty Stuart (host): Doin' My Time
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Fire on the Mountain
Marty Stuart: Hillbilly Rock
8:30: Physicians Mutual
Vince Gill (host): Don't Come Cryin' to Me
Holly Dunn: We're Got the Love
The Whites: Help Me
T. Graham Brown: Hide and Seek/Turn the Water Into Wine
Vince Gill & Dawn Sears: My Kind of Woman/My Kind of Man
2nd show
9:30: Ray Stevens Show
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Wilma Lee Cooper: Shackles & Chains
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Marty Stuart & Earl Scruggs: Salty Dog Blues
Earl Scruggs: Flint Hill Special/Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Porter Wagoner: Where the Soul of Men Never Dies
10:00: Lincoln-Mercury
Jean Shepard (host): A Phone Call Away
Osborne Brothers: I'll Be Alright Tomorrow/Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: I'm Not that Good at Goodbyes
10:15: Fluffo
Marty Stuart: The Whiskey Ain't Working Anymore
Jan Howard: Heartaches by the Number
Marty Stuart: The Long Black Veil
10:30: Mississippi Queen
Vince Gill (host): Don't Come Cryin' to Me
The Wilkinsons: Jimmy's Got A Girlfriend/Twenty Six Cents
Vince Gill & Dawn Sears: My Kind of Woman; My Kind of Man
10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Holly Dunn (host): There Goes My Heart Again
Isaacs: Moses in the Burning Bush/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/Life's Railway to Heaven/Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Holly Dunn w/Sharon & Cheryl White: Daddy's Hands
11:00: Coca-Cola
The Whites (host): San Antonio Rose
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
Jim & Luke McReynolds: Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes
Kelly Willis: Cradle of Love/Heaven's Just A Sin Away
11:30: Ryman Reunion Celebration
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Connie Smith: Cincinnati, Ohio/Once A Day
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
T. Graham Brown: (?)/Tell It Like It Used to Be/(?)
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!
Looking back, here is the Grand Ole Opry line-up from 16 years ago, Saturday November 13, 1999. This particular night featured a guest appearance by former Opry member Earl Scruggs, and a rare guest appearance by Andy Griffith, you performed with Earl.
1st show
6:30: Opryland Hotel
Jean Shepard (host): Second Fiddle
Bill Carlisle: Gone Home
BR5-49: White Picket Fences/Me and Opie Down By the Duck Pond
Jean Shepard: Secret Love
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
7:00: Shoney's
Porter Wagoner (host): Sugarfoot Rag
Osborne Brothers: Kentucky
Connie Smith: I Love Charlie Brown
Isaacs: I'm Gonna Move/Christmas Means Jesus
Porter Wagoner: Green, Green Grass of Home/Old Camp Meeting Time
7:30: Standard Candy
Johnny Russell (host): In A Mansion Stand My Love
Kelly Willis: What I Deserve
Earl Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Andy Griffith: Whoa, Mule
The Wilkinsons: Twenty-Six Cents/Don't Look at Me Like That
8:00: Martha White
Marty Stuart (host): Doin' My Time
Wilma Lee Cooper: I'm Going Home on the Morning Train
Billy Walker: You Gave Me A Mountain
Jeanne Pruett: Temporarily Yours
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Fire on the Mountain
Marty Stuart: Hillbilly Rock
8:30: Physicians Mutual
Vince Gill (host): Don't Come Cryin' to Me
Holly Dunn: We're Got the Love
The Whites: Help Me
T. Graham Brown: Hide and Seek/Turn the Water Into Wine
Vince Gill & Dawn Sears: My Kind of Woman/My Kind of Man
2nd show
9:30: Ray Stevens Show
Porter Wagoner (host): Dooley
Wilma Lee Cooper: Shackles & Chains
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Marty Stuart & Earl Scruggs: Salty Dog Blues
Earl Scruggs: Flint Hill Special/Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Porter Wagoner: Where the Soul of Men Never Dies
10:00: Lincoln-Mercury
Jean Shepard (host): A Phone Call Away
Osborne Brothers: I'll Be Alright Tomorrow/Rocky Top
Jean Shepard: I'm Not that Good at Goodbyes
10:15: Fluffo
Marty Stuart: The Whiskey Ain't Working Anymore
Jan Howard: Heartaches by the Number
Marty Stuart: The Long Black Veil
10:30: Mississippi Queen
Vince Gill (host): Don't Come Cryin' to Me
The Wilkinsons: Jimmy's Got A Girlfriend/Twenty Six Cents
Vince Gill & Dawn Sears: My Kind of Woman; My Kind of Man
10:45: Joggin' In A Jug
Holly Dunn (host): There Goes My Heart Again
Isaacs: Moses in the Burning Bush/I Saw the Light/Will the Circle Be Unbroken/Life's Railway to Heaven/Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot
Opry Square Dance Band/Melvin Sloan Dancers: Durang's Hornpipe
Holly Dunn w/Sharon & Cheryl White: Daddy's Hands
11:00: Coca-Cola
The Whites (host): San Antonio Rose
Billy Walker: Cross the Brazos at Waco
Jim & Luke McReynolds: Sweet Little Miss Blue Eyes
Kelly Willis: Cradle of Love/Heaven's Just A Sin Away
11:30: Ryman Reunion Celebration
Johnny Russell (host): Folsom Prison Blues
Connie Smith: Cincinnati, Ohio/Once A Day
Charlie Walker: Pick Me Up On Your Way Down
T. Graham Brown: (?)/Tell It Like It Used to Be/(?)
Enjoy the Opry this weekend!!