Bluegrass on the 82nd anniversary edition of the Grand Ole Opry this week
The Del McCoury BandNashville, Tenn. — The Grand Ole Opry, in celebration of it’s 82nd birthday, has added a second Friday night Opry to the usual weekly schedule of shows.
The Opry has many activities scheduled through out the day on Saturday Oct. 20th to celebrate the event.
Saturday night will also mark the inaugural broadcast of “The Grand Ole Opry” on XM satellite radio on the Country Hits Channel “Nashville” (XM 11).
“In addition, fans can enjoy a full day of fun on Oct. 20, as the Opry Plaza will be overflowing with birthday activities including: backstage tours, children’s activities, picnic in the Plaza, Opry Pie Auction benefiting the Opry Trust Fund, an Opry member Q&A Session in the Acuff Theatre, and free music in front of the Opry House.” Opry.com
Friday October 19
Mike Snider - 7:00-7:30 & 10:00-10:30
Dale Ann Bradley - 7:30-8:00 & 9:30-10:00
Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys - 10:30-11:00
Saturday October 20
Mike Snider - 6:30-7:00
Del McCoury Band - 8:00-8:30 & 11:00-11:30
The Whites - 8:30-9:00 & 10:00-10:30
Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys - 9:30-10:00
The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live on WSM 650 AM radio, online at www.WSMonline.com and beginning Saturday Oct. 20th on XM Satellite Radio (XM 11). All listed times are central time.
See our previous coverage on the Opry / XM satellite radio partnership.
No commentsHaggard at top of the charts
Merle Haggard racked up his highest first-week sales for a new release since 2000 following the Oct. 2 release of “The Bluegrass Sessions,” which is number one on the bluegrass charts. The disc sold 2,865 units.The Hag entered Billboard’s Independent Albums chart at 34th and its Country Albums chart at 43rd.
Released on the McCoury Music label, Merle Haggard’s first-ever foray into the bluegrass genre features a duet with Alison Krauss on his own “Mama’s Hungry Eyes.” The Country Music Hall of Famer recorded “The Bluegrass Sessions” in two days of intimate “living room style” sessions with an all-star cast of musicians including Marty Stuart, Charlie Cushman and Rob Ickes among the bunch.
“Each take became a performance. Merle’s singing was totally inspired. In fact, he got to the point where he didn’t even go into the control room to listen to playbacks. There was no need. All of us knew what we were doing was right.”Marty Stuart
“The Bluegrass Sessions” features some reworked Haggard classics, several new songs and a few nods to bluegrass tradition, including a medley of Jimmie Rodgers songs and the Delmore Brothers’ “Blues Stay Away From Me”).
See BluegrassJournal.com’s Review of “The Bluegrass Sessions” here.
No commentsIBMA Convention featured on GAC TV this weekend
GAC ’s “The Edge of Country” series will feature backstage coverage and interviews with your favorite bluegrass artists from the recent IBMA convention on this week’s episode.
The show is scheduled to run Oct. 19 at 10:00pm and again on Oct. 20th at 2:00am and 12:00pm. All times listed are Central Time. Check your local television listings for times and channels in your area.
Update: according to our sources, Williams and Clark Expedition and Donna Hughes are among the artists that GAC interviewed for this episode of “The Edge of Country.”
No commentsMurphy Method signs distribution deal with Mel Bay
The Murphy Method is proud to announce that they have recently signed a wholesale distribution deal with Mel Bay, who will supply music stores around the world with their instructional DVDs. Overseas customers should now contact their local music store for Murphy Method products, or call Mel Bay directly. US and Canadian customers can still order directly from Murphey Method through their website or by telephone at 1-800-227-2357.
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