Normally when I post the line-up for the upcoming Grand Ole Opry shows I begin with the names of the Opry members that will be appearing. However, and for the second time since these no-audience shows have started, there will be no Grand Ole Opry members appearing this week. That brings up the question, "How can it be called the Grand Ole Opry with no Opry members performing?"
I thought this would be a good time to go back and check my records. This Saturday will be the 20th show since the virus forced the Opry to cancel live performances. During the previous 19 shows, 27 different Grand Ole Opry members have appeared, with four of those appearing more than once. Those same 19 shows have featured 25 non-Opry members, with no repeat performances.
The list of Opry members who have appeared has been impressive and has included some of the Opry's long-lost members and bigger names. As to the list of non-retired, still active members who have not appeared, those names include: Dierks Bentley, John Conlee, Diamond Rio, Crystal Gayle, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Little Big Town, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, Jesse McReynolds, Ronnie Milsap, Eddie Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bobby Osborne, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Rascal Flatts, Riders In The Sky, Mike Snider, Pam Tillis, Travis Tritt, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, The Whites and Gene Watson.
So at this point, just under half of the "active" roster of members have appeared. While there are a few on the list that you would not expect to make an appearance based on their age and past health issues, there are some who you would expect to be able to make an appearance or two, especially those who live in the Nashville area.
Hopefully over the next several weeks, we will see some of those members back. It will be interesting to see how quickly some of the veteran members, such as The Whites, Mike Snider, John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, Jesse McReynolds and Bobby Osborne, along with Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely and Connie Smith, return to the Opry once live audience shows return. I would have to believe that one of the reasons we haven't seen a few of these artists so far is based on the desire to promote the Opry on Circle TV with the bigger names that will draw in more viewers, thus more attention to the Opry. As a long time Opry fan, it would be nice to see some of these names back on the show and I think I speak for many others who hope that they are all staying healthy and will be back on the Opry as soon as possible.
____________________________________________________________________
Now, looking at this week's scheduled artists, there is only one that I could call a true country music performer: Tracy Lawrence. He will be joined by CeCe Winans, who has previously appeared on the Opry, and Chrissy Metz, who will be making her Opry debut.
So, who is Chrissy Metz?
She is an Emmy and two-time Golden Globe nominee and stars on the award-winning NBC series “This Is Us,” winner of the 2018 and 2019 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and People’s Choice Award for “Favorite New TV Drama.”
Chrissy recently starred as Joyce Smith in the hit 20th Century Fox faith-based film, “Breakthrough.” She also performs “I’m Standing With You” on the Breakthrough soundtrack, written by 10-time Academy Award nominee Diane Warren. Chrissy performed this song at the 2019 ACM Awards. Chrissy is currently working on her debut country album.
Chrissy recently guest-starred on the hit comedy series The Last OG with Tracy Morgan, and the NBC hit series “Superstore.” Chrissy is best known for her roles in “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” “Sierra Burgess is a Loser,” “My Name is Earl,” and “Entourage,” to name a few.
Chrissy recently released her memoir, “This Is Me,” which debuted at #1 on the NY Times Bestseller List. People magazine named her to the “Ones to Watch” and “50 Most Beautiful.”
There you have it.
__________________________________________________________________
From 25 years ago, Saturday July 22, 1995:
1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Bill Carlisle
6:45: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jeanne Pruett
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Del Reeves; Stonewall Jackson; Johnny Paycheck
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Ronna Reeves; Stu Phillips; Davis Daniel; Skeeter Davis
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jeannie Seely; Jack Greene; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Billy Walker (host); Roy Drusky; Wilma Lee Cooper; Charlie Walker
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow; Charlie Louvin; Brother Oswald
10:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Johnny Paycheck
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Del Reeves
10:45: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jan Howard; Stu Phillips
11:30: Mike Snider (host); Darrell McCall; Billy Walker; Jack Greene
50 years ago, Saturday July 25, 1970:
1st show
6:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Hugh X Lewis; Jerry Smith; Dianne McCall
6:45: Billy Grammer (host); Norro Wilson; LaWanda Lindsay
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Stringbean; Tom T. Hall
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Skeeter Davis; Willis Brothers; Crook Brothers
8:00: Hank Locklin (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
8:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Stu Phillips; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Billy Grammer (host); Willis Brothers; Jimmy C Newman; Hugh X Lewis; Jerry Smith
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Norro Wilson
10:15: Charlie Louvin (host); Stringbean; LaWanda Lindsay
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Tom T Hall
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Locklin (host); Skeeter Davis; Ray Pillow; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Jean Shepard; Bob Luman
Looking back, it was Saturday July 24, 1976 that Bobby Lord made his last appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Bobby Lord was born January 6, 1934. His musical career began as teenager in Tampa, FL. There, he had his own television show in Tampa while still in high school—The Bobby Lord Homefolks Show. He got this show when he was asked to be a guest on a local show, so he did this for two weeks. Then he got a call from the program director and was asked to take over the show - he was told at the time that the star of the show had suddenly 'taken ill' and wouldn't be able to host the show anymore.
His first big break was an appearance on Paul Whiteman's TV show in New York as the result of winning an amateur talent contest. In 1953, the legendary songwriter, Boudleaux Bryant had a tape Bobby had cut in Nashville and had it played for Don Law at Columbia records, who then signed Bobby with Columbia Records. He recorded several "Rockabilly" hits (many of which have been re-released several times), as well as several country chart records for Columbia. At the same time, he became a regular on The Ozark Jubilee (an ABC television show hosted by Red Foley based out of Springfield, Missouri), where he stayed for five and a half years.
When The Ozark Jubilee went off the air in 1960, Bobby made the move to Nashville and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1960.
In 1961 he began recording for the Hickory label. In 1967, he moved to the Decca label, where had several additional top 10 and 20 country hits.
He was perhaps best known for The Bobby Lord Show, a nationally syndicated TV show produced at WSM in Nashville. Bobby also had a late afternoon LIVE country TV show on WSM during this same time frame.
In the early '70s he grew tired of the road, and wanted to spend more time with his family. He semi-retired from music, left the Opry and returned to his home state of Florida, and developed very successful real estate and insurance businesses. However, he wasn't through with show business.
Bobby was well known as an avid outdoorsman, camper, fisherman, hunter, etc. and had a reputation as an excellent interviewer from his TV shows. With that background, TNN asked him to host one of it's original shows, Country Sportsman, which was later called Celebrity Outdoors after ABC got a little upset about the show's original name name being too similar to its show, American Sportsman.
A practicing Christian, Bobby wrote a book entitled Hit The Glory Road, published in 1969. The book focused on the grassroots gospel behind country music and included interviews with Roy Acuff, Bill Anderson, Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, Skeeter Davis, Ralph Emery, Jeanie C. Riley and Tex Ritter among others.
After Bobby left Nashville and the Opry, he occasionally returned to make guest appearances on the show.
Bobby Lord passed away on February 16, 2008.
Here is the running order from Saturday July 24, 1976, Bobby Lord's final night on the Opry as a member:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Life to Go
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Stonewall Jackson: Washed My Hands in Muddy Water/Waterloo
6:45: Rudy's
Willis Brothers (host): Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Lorrie Morgan: Merry-Go-Round
Johnny Carver: Afternoon Delight
Willis Brothers: For the Good Times
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Good Deal Lucille
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: (?)
Jerry Clower: (?)
Del Wood: Stars & Stripes/Caissons/Anchors Away/U.S. Marines/America the Beautiful
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star/Diggy Liggy Lo
7:30: Standard Candy
Bobby Lord (host): Live Your Life Out Loud
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Billy Grammer: Family Man
Crook Brothers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Cumberland Gap
Bobby Lord: Fall Away
Skeeter Davis: The Old Rugged Cross/The King is Coming
Billy Grammer: Under the Double Eagle
Bobby Lord: Hawkeye
8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Life of Riley
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Justin Tubb: Sweetwater, Texas
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Lester Flatt: Father's Table Grace
Jeanne Pruett: Break My Mind
Justin Tubb: Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again
8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jean Shepard: Wabash Cannonball
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady/Take Back, It's Over
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Jean Shepard: Ain't Love Good
Hank Snow: Paper Roses
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Louisiana Saturday Night
Willis Brothers: Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Del Wood: Stars & Stripes/Caissons/Anchors Away/U.S. Marines/America the Beautiful
Johnny Carver: Afternoon Delight
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Bill Carlisle: Business Man
10:00: Fender
Jerry Clower (host): Marcel Stops the Train
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Curly Headed Baby
Jerry Clower: (?)
10:15: Union 76
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Skeeter Davis: Come on Over
Brother Oswald: Sailing On
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host) w/Paul Warren: Black Eyed Susie
Lorrie Morgan: Stand By Your Man
Justin Tubb: Looking Back to See
Lester Flatt: Great Big Woman & A Little Biddy Bottle of Wind
Kenny Ingram: Flint Hill Special
10:45: Beechnut
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: Peace in the Valley
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Hello, Love
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Hank Snow: That's When He Dropped the World in My Hands
Jeanne Pruett: It Doesn't Hurt to ask
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans
11:30: Elm Hill
Bobby Lord (host): Rainbow Girl
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away/Ain't Love Good
Rex Allen: Green, Green Grass of Home/The Streets of Laredo
Bobby Lord: Y'all Come
There you have it for this week. Thanks for reading and commenting and as always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this Saturday night.
I thought this would be a good time to go back and check my records. This Saturday will be the 20th show since the virus forced the Opry to cancel live performances. During the previous 19 shows, 27 different Grand Ole Opry members have appeared, with four of those appearing more than once. Those same 19 shows have featured 25 non-Opry members, with no repeat performances.
The list of Opry members who have appeared has been impressive and has included some of the Opry's long-lost members and bigger names. As to the list of non-retired, still active members who have not appeared, those names include: Dierks Bentley, John Conlee, Diamond Rio, Crystal Gayle, Emmylou Harris, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Little Big Town, Patty Loveless, Martina McBride, Jesse McReynolds, Ronnie Milsap, Eddie Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bobby Osborne, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Rascal Flatts, Riders In The Sky, Mike Snider, Pam Tillis, Travis Tritt, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, The Whites and Gene Watson.
So at this point, just under half of the "active" roster of members have appeared. While there are a few on the list that you would not expect to make an appearance based on their age and past health issues, there are some who you would expect to be able to make an appearance or two, especially those who live in the Nashville area.
Hopefully over the next several weeks, we will see some of those members back. It will be interesting to see how quickly some of the veteran members, such as The Whites, Mike Snider, John Conlee, Riders In The Sky, Jesse McReynolds and Bobby Osborne, along with Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely and Connie Smith, return to the Opry once live audience shows return. I would have to believe that one of the reasons we haven't seen a few of these artists so far is based on the desire to promote the Opry on Circle TV with the bigger names that will draw in more viewers, thus more attention to the Opry. As a long time Opry fan, it would be nice to see some of these names back on the show and I think I speak for many others who hope that they are all staying healthy and will be back on the Opry as soon as possible.
____________________________________________________________________
Now, looking at this week's scheduled artists, there is only one that I could call a true country music performer: Tracy Lawrence. He will be joined by CeCe Winans, who has previously appeared on the Opry, and Chrissy Metz, who will be making her Opry debut.
So, who is Chrissy Metz?
She is an Emmy and two-time Golden Globe nominee and stars on the award-winning NBC series “This Is Us,” winner of the 2018 and 2019 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and People’s Choice Award for “Favorite New TV Drama.”
Chrissy recently starred as Joyce Smith in the hit 20th Century Fox faith-based film, “Breakthrough.” She also performs “I’m Standing With You” on the Breakthrough soundtrack, written by 10-time Academy Award nominee Diane Warren. Chrissy performed this song at the 2019 ACM Awards. Chrissy is currently working on her debut country album.
Chrissy recently guest-starred on the hit comedy series The Last OG with Tracy Morgan, and the NBC hit series “Superstore.” Chrissy is best known for her roles in “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” “Sierra Burgess is a Loser,” “My Name is Earl,” and “Entourage,” to name a few.
Chrissy recently released her memoir, “This Is Me,” which debuted at #1 on the NY Times Bestseller List. People magazine named her to the “Ones to Watch” and “50 Most Beautiful.”
There you have it.
__________________________________________________________________
From 25 years ago, Saturday July 22, 1995:
1st show
6:30: Grandpa Jones (host); Bill Carlisle
6:45: Jimmy C Newman (host); Jeanne Pruett
7:00: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Del Reeves; Stonewall Jackson; Johnny Paycheck
7:30: Riders In The Sky (host); Ronna Reeves; Stu Phillips; Davis Daniel; Skeeter Davis
8:00: Bill Anderson (host); Jeannie Seely; Jack Greene; Mike Snider; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
8:30: Billy Walker (host); Roy Drusky; Wilma Lee Cooper; Charlie Walker
2nd show
9:30: Porter Wagoner (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow; Charlie Louvin; Brother Oswald
10:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Johnny Paycheck
10:15: Grandpa Jones (host); Wilma Lee Cooper
10:30: Bill Anderson (host); Del Reeves
10:45: Riders In The Sky (host); The Whites; Opry Square Dance Band; The Melvin Sloan Dancers
11:00: Jeannie Seely (host); Jan Howard; Stu Phillips
11:30: Mike Snider (host); Darrell McCall; Billy Walker; Jack Greene
50 years ago, Saturday July 25, 1970:
1st show
6:30: Charlie Louvin (host); Hugh X Lewis; Jerry Smith; Dianne McCall
6:45: Billy Grammer (host); Norro Wilson; LaWanda Lindsay
7:00: Jimmy C Newman (host); Stringbean; Tom T. Hall
7:30: Roy Acuff (host); Skeeter Davis; Willis Brothers; Crook Brothers
8:00: Hank Locklin (host); Jean Shepard; Ray Pillow
8:30: Ernest Tubb (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Stu Phillips; Fruit Jar Drinkers
2nd show
9:30: Billy Grammer (host); Willis Brothers; Jimmy C Newman; Hugh X Lewis; Jerry Smith
10:00: Stu Phillips (host); Norro Wilson
10:15: Charlie Louvin (host); Stringbean; LaWanda Lindsay
10:30: Roy Acuff (host); Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Tom T Hall
10:45: Ernest Tubb (host); Crook Brothers
11:00: Hank Locklin (host); Skeeter Davis; Ray Pillow; Fruit Jar Drinkers; Sam McGee
11:30: Marty Robbins (host); Jean Shepard; Bob Luman
Looking back, it was Saturday July 24, 1976 that Bobby Lord made his last appearance as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Bobby Lord was born January 6, 1934. His musical career began as teenager in Tampa, FL. There, he had his own television show in Tampa while still in high school—The Bobby Lord Homefolks Show. He got this show when he was asked to be a guest on a local show, so he did this for two weeks. Then he got a call from the program director and was asked to take over the show - he was told at the time that the star of the show had suddenly 'taken ill' and wouldn't be able to host the show anymore.
His first big break was an appearance on Paul Whiteman's TV show in New York as the result of winning an amateur talent contest. In 1953, the legendary songwriter, Boudleaux Bryant had a tape Bobby had cut in Nashville and had it played for Don Law at Columbia records, who then signed Bobby with Columbia Records. He recorded several "Rockabilly" hits (many of which have been re-released several times), as well as several country chart records for Columbia. At the same time, he became a regular on The Ozark Jubilee (an ABC television show hosted by Red Foley based out of Springfield, Missouri), where he stayed for five and a half years.
When The Ozark Jubilee went off the air in 1960, Bobby made the move to Nashville and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1960.
In 1961 he began recording for the Hickory label. In 1967, he moved to the Decca label, where had several additional top 10 and 20 country hits.
He was perhaps best known for The Bobby Lord Show, a nationally syndicated TV show produced at WSM in Nashville. Bobby also had a late afternoon LIVE country TV show on WSM during this same time frame.
In the early '70s he grew tired of the road, and wanted to spend more time with his family. He semi-retired from music, left the Opry and returned to his home state of Florida, and developed very successful real estate and insurance businesses. However, he wasn't through with show business.
Bobby was well known as an avid outdoorsman, camper, fisherman, hunter, etc. and had a reputation as an excellent interviewer from his TV shows. With that background, TNN asked him to host one of it's original shows, Country Sportsman, which was later called Celebrity Outdoors after ABC got a little upset about the show's original name name being too similar to its show, American Sportsman.
A practicing Christian, Bobby wrote a book entitled Hit The Glory Road, published in 1969. The book focused on the grassroots gospel behind country music and included interviews with Roy Acuff, Bill Anderson, Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, Skeeter Davis, Ralph Emery, Jeanie C. Riley and Tex Ritter among others.
After Bobby left Nashville and the Opry, he occasionally returned to make guest appearances on the show.
Bobby Lord passed away on February 16, 2008.
Here is the running order from Saturday July 24, 1976, Bobby Lord's final night on the Opry as a member:
1st show
6:30: Mrs. Grissoms
Stonewall Jackson (host): Life to Go
Bill Carlisle: Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Stonewall Jackson: Washed My Hands in Muddy Water/Waterloo
6:45: Rudy's
Willis Brothers (host): Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy
Lorrie Morgan: Merry-Go-Round
Johnny Carver: Afternoon Delight
Willis Brothers: For the Good Times
7:00: Shoney's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Good Deal Lucille
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: (?)
Jerry Clower: (?)
Del Wood: Stars & Stripes/Caissons/Anchors Away/U.S. Marines/America the Beautiful
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Nobody's Darling But Mine
Jimmy C Newman: A Fallen Star/Diggy Liggy Lo
7:30: Standard Candy
Bobby Lord (host): Live Your Life Out Loud
Skeeter Davis: The End of the World
Billy Grammer: Family Man
Crook Brothers and the Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Cumberland Gap
Bobby Lord: Fall Away
Skeeter Davis: The Old Rugged Cross/The King is Coming
Billy Grammer: Under the Double Eagle
Bobby Lord: Hawkeye
8:00: Martha White
Lester Flatt (host): Life of Riley
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Justin Tubb: Sweetwater, Texas
Brother Oswald: Mountain Dew
Lester Flatt: Father's Table Grace
Jeanne Pruett: Break My Mind
Justin Tubb: Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again
8:30: Stephens
Hank Snow (host): I'm Moving On
Jean Shepard: Wabash Cannonball
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady/Take Back, It's Over
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Bill Cheatham
Jean Shepard: Ain't Love Good
Hank Snow: Paper Roses
2nd show
9:30: Kellogg's
Jimmy C Newman (host): Louisiana Saturday Night
Willis Brothers: Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
Bill Carlisle: Knothole
Del Wood: Stars & Stripes/Caissons/Anchors Away/U.S. Marines/America the Beautiful
Johnny Carver: Afternoon Delight
Willis Brothers: Cool Water
Bill Carlisle: Business Man
10:00: Fender
Jerry Clower (host): Marcel Stops the Train
Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper: Curly Headed Baby
Jerry Clower: (?)
10:15: Union 76
Stonewall Jackson (host): Don't Be Angry
Skeeter Davis: Come on Over
Brother Oswald: Sailing On
Stonewall Jackson: Waterloo
10:30: Trailblazer
Lester Flatt (host) w/Paul Warren: Black Eyed Susie
Lorrie Morgan: Stand By Your Man
Justin Tubb: Looking Back to See
Lester Flatt: Great Big Woman & A Little Biddy Bottle of Wind
Kenny Ingram: Flint Hill Special
10:45: Beechnut
Billy Grammer (host): Gotta Travel On
Larry Gatlin: Broken Lady
Crook Brothers and The Stoney Mountain Cloggers: Liberty
Billy Grammer: Peace in the Valley
11:00: Coca Cola
Hank Snow (host): Hello, Love
Jeanne Pruett: Satin Sheets
Fruit Jar Drinkers: Soldier's Joy
Hank Snow: That's When He Dropped the World in My Hands
Jeanne Pruett: It Doesn't Hurt to ask
Kirk McGee: Blue Night
Hank Snow: My Little Old Home Down in New Orleans
11:30: Elm Hill
Bobby Lord (host): Rainbow Girl
Jean Shepard: Slippin' Away/Ain't Love Good
Rex Allen: Green, Green Grass of Home/The Streets of Laredo
Bobby Lord: Y'all Come
There you have it for this week. Thanks for reading and commenting and as always, I hope everyone enjoys the Opry this Saturday night.