Grand Ole Opry WSM Nashville, TN Year Started:  1925 Date Started:  November 28, 1925

WSM Grand Ole Opry Author Note: This page is a work in progress. The intent is to document the history from the Opry's start in 1925 to the early 1970's when it moved from the Ryman Auditorium to Opryland. The Opry listings on this page are from the radio logs published in either The Nashville Banner or The Nashville Tennessean for the listed Saturday night. The information displayed for those listings is based on the week number of the current year. The mother church of country music. The oldest, continuing radio show broadcast in the United States. It wasn't the first. But it has outlasted most if not all to become the most recognized live weekly radio broadcast show. The beginning of the show trace its roots back to the Solemn Old Judge, George D. Hay. He was no stranger to the live barn dance type radio shows. On Saturday, April 19, 1924, WLS launched the National Barn Dance under Mr. Hay's direction. It would go on to establish itself as one of the major shows of its kind for decades. Mr. Hay came to Nashville on October 5, 1925 for the dedication of the Nashville's new radio station, WSM. One month later, he had joined the station itself. WSM's first broadcast was on Monday night, October 5, 1925 at 7:00pm. The station was owned by the National Life and Accident Insurance Company, Inc. of Nashville. It would begin operating at a wave length of 282.2 meters. It's antenna was modeled after other successful radio station such as WSB in Atlanta, Georgia and WWJ in Detroit, Michigan. The night's programming would feature some of the most famous announcers on the air in that era. Lambdin Kay (The Little Colonel) was to be there from Atlanta. George D. Hay, already known as the Solemn Old Judge, was coming to town from WLS, the station owned by the Sears-Roebuck company. Leo Fitzpatrick, formerly of WDAF but now at WJR in Detroit was to be there as well as other radio personalities. The station management at the time included Miss Bonnie Barnhardt, who had begun her radio career at WSB, who was in the role of program director and radio editor at WSM. It was rare in that day to see a woman in such a role. Jack Keefe, said to be the "...living personification of Ring Lardner's celebrated character and one of the most popular folks in Nashville, was to be in the role of announcer and studio director. Thomas L. Parkes was the engineer and John DeWitt, Jr. was the operator. In fact, Mr. Parkes was said to live on the premises where the station's towers were located — about two hours from the heart of downtown Nashville. Mr. DeWitt was in charge of the "...speech in-put system located at the studio proper in the National's Home building. The call letters symbolized the company slogan, "We Shield Millions." The station was the first owned by an insurance company in the south. The Solemn Old Judge and his famed steam boat whistle were leaving Chicago to head for Nashville and WSM. He had started his radio career at WMC in Memphis. He won the 'gold cup' given by Radio Digest magazine for being the most popular announcer in the United States. WSM Barn Dance Debuts November 28, 1925 The local Nashville newspapers did not cover the first show of what would first be called the WSM Barn Dance before it became the Grand Ole Opry. The radio log for November 28, 1925 for WSM contained just two entries. At 6:30pm, listeners would hear Francis Craig's orchestra from the Hermitage hotel; the show would last one and a half hours. But the next listing was for 10:00pm - a studio concert that was sponsored by the Nashville Lions club and was scheduled for one hour. Only two stations were on the air in Nashville in November 1925. WSM had just gone on the air in the fall of 1925. The other was WDAD ("Where Dollars Are Doubled") which was the first Nashville station; it went on the air in September 1925. Later, the call letters would become WLAC. The radio logs of that date show that one of the early Opry acts was appearing on WDAD at 10:00pm - Dr. Humphrey Bates' Old Time String Orchestra. But history leaves other sources that tell us what was on the air in that 8:00pm to 10:00pm time period. The Solemn Old Judge had a keen sense of what his listening audience would enjoy. At 8:00pm on November 28, 1925 he launched what was first called the "WSM Barn Dance", and the show began with George D. Hay and Uncle Jimmy Thompson, an eighty-year old fiddler who could fiddle the "taters off teh vine" as the entire cast. Uncle Jimmy claimed to have known a thousand tunes. Mr. hay asked the listening audiences if they had any requests and soon the telegrams came pouring into WSM. Uncle Jimmy was on for an hour and Mr. Hay asked him if he had fiddled enough. Uncle Jimmy replied, "Why shucks, a man don't get warmed up in an hour." He boasted that he had just won an eight day fiddling contest in Dallas, Texas and reportedly showed the Judge the Blue Ribbon to 'prove it.' Uncle Jimmy was accompanied by Mrs. Eva Thompson Jones on piano. Could you imagine such a show starting in this day and age with all the demographic studies and everything else that goes along with that before station managers put a show on the air? Back then, the Solemn Old Judge used his instincts to provide entertainment he thought his listening audience would enjoy. Thus, that evening, a show that would become one of the longest weekly radio shows in history featuring numerous acts over the years. WSM Barn Dance March 27, 1926 WSM Studios — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 6:30 Francis Craig's Orchestra from the Hermitage Hotel 7:00 WSM Bedtime Story Interlude 8:00 Madison school orchestra 9:00 J. R. Trout's barn dance orchestra from Gallatin, Tennessee 9:30 Miss Robbie Montgomery, popular pianist 9:40 J. W. Deason's barn dance orchestra 10:00 Uncle Jimmy Thompson, fiddler 11:00 Dr. Humphrey Bate's barn dance orchestra Source: Nashville Banner - March 27, 1926 For its first 14 months of on the air broadcasts, WSM was operating with a 1,000 watt transmitter. The National Life and Accident Insurance company announced on December 1, 1926 that they would begin the installation of a "more powerful and later type of broadcasting station of 5,000 watts." E. W. Craig, vice-president of the company said it was part of the company's determination to keep the name of Nashville before the world in the growing competition among existing and planned radio stations around the country. It was said at the time it would be one of only two stations of a similar type of setup. Clearer reception would be part of the outcome. Construction would take about a month, with a plan to be back on the air around January 1, 1927. Towards the end of December, WSM announced it had become affiliated with the New York hookup that would enable it to broadcast programs from WEAF, the home station of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). This hookup would enable local listeners to hear such programs as done by grand opera stars, symphony concerts and other programs. However, the new year saw that Nashville was experiencing flooding from a rainstorm. WSM was still not back on the air. But a test program on Wednesday night, December 5, 1927 was successful judging by words, telegrams, letters and cables of approval the station received. WSM did not consider it a formal opening. It included dance music by Vito and his Radio Seven, Jack Keefe of WSM did songs and piano numbers and Obed Pickard, the one-man orchestra, did old-time tunes. WSM Barn Dance March 26, 1927 WSM Studio B National Life Building (7th & Union) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Columbia Phonograph program from New York under direction of Walter Damrooasch 9:00 DeFord Bailey, harmonica 9:10 Henry L. Bandy, fiddler 9:30 Binkley Brothers' Barn Dance orchestra 10:00 T. J. Givens, banjo; Mrs. Hundgins, guitar; S. J. Givens, harmonica 10:30 Austin Neal, harmonica 10:45 Obed Pickard, one-man orchestra Source: Nashville Banner - March 26, 1927 The formal re-opening of WSM would occur on Friday evening at 6:15pm January 7, 1927. Beasley Smith's orchestra from the Andrew Jackson hotel would do a dinner concert. Other performers were to be Aleda Waggoner, soprano with Courtney Wagoner Gillespie accompanying her. Elizabeth Breene would also do a piano program. Another soprano, Emmeline Boyer would be accompanied by Florence Boyer. And on the evening went. The Opry broadcasts began anew on Saturday evening, January 8, 1927. Soon, the popularity of the show began to grow. Folks would be allowed to come to the studios and listen to the show and be a part of the broadcast. But soon, they outgrew their home. The year of 1927 saw a few programming insertions or interruptions in the normal 8:00pm to 12:00am time slot. For a few weeks, the "Philco Hour from N.B.C. Studios" was slotted from 8:00pm to 9:00pm in November and December. On May 28, 1927, a 90 minute program that originated from NBC in New Orleans was on the air for a flood relief effort. President Hoover also gave a speech. For the last two weeks in March 1927, a show from New York, "Columbia Phonograph Company" was aired from 8:00pm to 9:00pm. On Saturday night, April 30, 1927, a Hoover-Bullard program originated from New York from 8:00pm to 9:00pm. On May 21, 1927, from 8:00pm to 9:30pm, the Nashville Banner sponsored a contest show "Know the South." The Opry also had a couple of guest appearances from The Whispering Pianist, Art Gillham in 1927. He seemed to make appearances in Nashville for special occasions and would have a guest spot on the Opry. He was a nationally known singer who appeared on numerous stations. His biography can be found elsewhere on this site. On June 11, 1927, a program from WRC in Washington was fed into the Opry broadcast. On August 27, 1927, Will Rogers along with Louise Fasenda and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. appeared for an hour from the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Research has shown diversity in the talent on the show. Dan Stafford was a locally known black jazz pianist who appeared on the Opry twice in 1927 - January 29 and March 12. The Elks' Quartet was made up of four black gentlemen that a pictures shows dressed in the style of a barbershop quartet. They were on the Opry on January 29 and February 26. It is an interesting historical note that on Saturday night, January 29, 1927, the Opry broadcast closed with three different black artists or groups - DeFord Bailey on harmonica; The Elks' Quartet; and, Dan Stafford, jazz pianist. One of the early stars was Obed (One-Man Orchestra) Pickard. He started on the Opry in 1925. He signed a contract with NBC that would begin on October 1 and run through the current season. New York broadcasters thought he was one of the best people who play and sing the old-time melodies. Prior to that contract, he had been working with NBC as part of the Cabin Door program. He also appeared on a program called "Musical Miniatures." He was a versatile musician, playing the guitar, Jews' harp, harmonica and violin. The reader might be interested to note that the term "Grand Ole Op'ry" did not appear in the local Nashville Newspapers until Sunday, December 18, 1927 in the Nashville Banner. Radio logs would simply state at times, 'Regular barn dance program.' The St. Louis Globe-Democrat wrote a short article about the popularity of the show they said "The Solemn Old Judge" calls the "Grand Old Opry." Mr. Hay noted in this short blurb that WSM would get hundreds of communications by wire during each program. Listeners would get to hear tunes such as "Old Dan Tucker," "Sally Goodin," "Turkey in the Straw," "Leather Breeches," and "Arkansas Traveler." WSM noted that it was "...surprising to note the interest manifested in the old-time tunes which are played by the banjo pickers and fiddlers from the Tennessee hills during the Saturday night "Barn Dance" program. Part of Opry lore is that The Solemn Old Judge, George D. Hay would give names to the various acts on the Opry. In the early days, many of the bands were referred to as 'orchestra' or 'barn dance orchestra.' Gradully, radio logs would show the introduction of the names that were given to these groups. On February 26, 1928, the WSM radio log listed Paul Womack and his Gully Jumpers was seen for the first time. On April 28, 1928, the name Binkley Brothers Clod Hoppers is listed in the radio logs for the first time. On May 5, 1928, radio logs showed Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters for the first time. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 31, 1928 WSM Studio B National Life Building (7th & Union) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Barn dance program:   DeFord Bailey, harmonica   Obed Pickard, one-man orchestra   W. E. Poplin, fiddler and Miss Lorene Thompson, pianist   Mrs. Pharris, guitar; Floyd Pharris, guitar   G. W. Wilkerson and his Fruit Jar Drinkers   Arthur Smith, fiddler and Homer Smith, guitarist   Binkley Brothers orchestra   C. B. Arrington   T. J. Givens   Wilkerson Brothers   Uncle Dave Macon, banjoist Source: Nashville Banner - March 31, 1928 In 1928, the Opry was showing a regular roster of performers. DeFord Bailey, the harmonica wizard, was on 67 segments of the Opry as shown in the newspaper radio logs. That is more than twice the number of tne next most frequent artists such as Dr. Humphrey Bate, Paul Womack, Obed Pickard. Some new faces appeared on the Opry as well. Mrs. G. R. Cline (Kitty Cora Denning Cline), a dulcimer player first appeared on March 24, 1928 and would continue to appear in the years to come. She lived in a small town where traveling to Nashville on Saturday night required her to get help from friends and reimbursing them for gas and oil for traveling the dirt roads. But she gave that up. There is a historical marker of sorts at her grave denoting her place in country music history. Along about May 26, 1928, a champion fiddle player made his debut on the Opry - Whitmore (Whit) Anderson Gaydon. He was born in Auraria, Georgia, but his life took him to many cities around the country. He appears to have lived in North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama and California and then some. He was also a prolific writer of essays that appeared in newspapers, offering opinions and observations from his travels. He ended up in California, where he was living with his brother's family at the time of his death. He tried to start a Fiddler's Convention or Contest when he was in Miami - trying to lure Henry Ford to attend. Mr. Ford had held a fiddling contest in years prior and Whit wanted to model the one in Miami after it. In all, he was on the Opry eight times in 1928 but one wonders if he provided any of his opinions or observations during his performances on the show. Smiling Ed McConnell was on the Opry in 1928 by selling Aladdin Lamps. He was heard on WSIX Monday through Friday at 9:00am, singing "...all the favorite hymns for which millions have learned to love him so deeply." His sponsor for that show was Rich Hear Flour, which was a new product that contained the wheat germ of the whole wheat kernel. In December 1928, introduced the character "Uncle Wash" as a comedic effort. He would work with the Solemn Old Judge and their skits would be known as "Uncle Wash and the Judge" in 1929. He would close the Opry broadcast on Saturday nights in "songs and stories." WSM Grand Ole Opry March 30, 1929 WSM Studio B National Life Building (7th & Union) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Uncle Wash and the Judge 8:15 Theron Hale and daughters, playing fiddle, banjo and piano 8:45 W. E. Poplin and his orchestra 9:15 DeFord Bailey, harmonica wizard 9:30 Paul Womack and his Gully Jumpers 10:00 Arthur and Homer Smith, fiddle and guitar 10:30 Burt Hutchinson, guitarist and singer 10:45 Uncle Joe Mangrum 11:00 DeFord Bailey, harmonica 11:15 Ed McConnell in songs and stories Source: The Nashville Tennessean - March 30, 1929 The year of 1929 featured several mainstay Opry string bands — G. W. Wilkerson's Fruit Jar Drinkers, the Crook Brothers' barn dance orchestra, Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters, W. E. Poplin and his orchestra and Paul Womack and his Gully Jumpers. These bands accounted for over a third of the time segments listed in the radio log listings on Saturday nights. DeFord Bailey, the harmonica wizard was popular appearing in more time slots than any artist. Others that appeared in more than 20 time slots were Theron Hale and his daughters, Arthur and Homer Smith, Uncle Joe Mangrum and Fred Shrive, Burt (Bert) Hutchison (Hutchinson). This group of artists appeared in nearly 45 percent of the Opry listings for 1929. A new performer appeared for a time - Smiling Ed McConnell. He had a couple of slots on the Opry for several months. He usually led the Opry with "Uncle Wash and The Judge." This popular segment ran from the first of January to about mid-May 1929. Then he had a segment that usually closed the Opry show called "Ed McConnell in songs and stories." Uncle Wash was Ed McConnell; The Judge was George D. Hay. It caught on quick. In January of 1929, the Associated Press sent out a short paragraph that simply stated, "Ed McConnell and George D. Hay are presenting the trials and tribulations of "Uncle Wash" before the microphone of WSM, Nashville, each Saturday night." In the first week it aired on the Opry, we learn that Ed McConnell had originated the charcter and had been featuring it on WSM programs for the past two months. The story goes "...Uncle Was was put in city jail at Nashville and in the effort to release him have come petitions from various citizens of Indiana, Alabama and several other states. ... In the mail to WSM the other day a legal document appeared which was signed by T. O. Cullns, justice of the peace in Ada, Oklahoma, with the goodwill of Governor Henry Johnson, Orel Busby, district judge and W. R. Walker, sheriff. It even garnered mention in those small paragraphs mentioning where people spent a weekend when several folks from Clarksville "...motored to Nashville Friday to visit so and so. Saturday evening they visited radio station WSM to see and hear Uncle Wash and The Solemn Old Judge." On Saturday, September 7, 1929 the Opry broadcast over WSM Was delayed by two hours for a special radio program - the Nashville Banner's third annual radio show. The annual show would start at 8pm and run to 10pm. The entertainment on the two hour show would include Olive Palmer, Muriel LaFrance, Baby Jean (a vaudeville star), Frances Craig, Vito and the Pickard family. The show (which ran several days) was broadcast on WSM And WLAC. Murel LaFrance closed the show. The Opry broadcast was pre-empted one evening (October 5, 1929) for a special show by WSM celebrating the fourth anniversary of the station. The celebration was called "Gold Filled Chain" and would be heard starting at 8:00pm and be heard over a five station hookup. The show was planned to run until about 2am. Guest announcers would be a part of the broadcast: Phillips Carlin of NBC in New York; Leo Fitzpatrick (The Merry Old Chief) from WJR in Detroit, Lambdin Kay (The Little Colonel) from WSB in Atlanta, Walter Campbell of WAPI in Birmingham and Bucky Harris of WMC in Memphis. The schedule called for an "...elaborate musical presentation" to start the show. Two hours would contain samples of WSM's broadcast schedule. At 10:00pm the five station hookup would be consummated "...at which tme a burlesque of chain broadcasting and other radio features will be given by the visiting announcers." The 'frolic' would begain at midnight. WSM would be represented by The Solemn Ol' Judge, George D. Hay, Harry Stone and Jack Keefe doing announcing chores. Some of the WSM artists scheduled to appear were Chrstine Lamb, contralto; Tom and Joe, Minstrel Men; Lillian Watt, soprano; John Carter, tenor; Fred Shriver, accordionist and DeFord Bailey, harmonica wizard. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 29, 1930 WSM Studio B National Life Building (7th & Union) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters 8:25 Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris Macon 8:50 DeFord Bailey, harmonica 9:00 W. E. Poplin and his orchestra 9:25 Paul Womack and his Gully Jumpers 9:50 Bert Hutchinson, guitarist 10:00 Bulova watch time 10:01 Taylor weather bulletin 10:02 Arthur and Homer Smith, fiddle and guitar 10:30 Amos 'n' Andy, NBC Studios 10:45 Theron Hale and daughters 11:15 DeFord Bailey, harmonica 11:30 Crook Brothers Barn Dance Orchestra Source: Nashville Banner - March 29, 1930 Based on a review of the WSM Radio Logs in the Nashville Banner and the Tennesseean in 1930, the Opry had relatively few different artists listed as hosting segments. The newspapers do not show if any guests appeared on those segments. By far, DeFord Bailey and his harmonica appeared on over 100 time slots on Saturday nights. Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters opened the show all 52 weeks. String bands seemed to alternate their appearances over the year - W. E. Poplin and his Orchestra; Crook Brothers Barn Dance Orchestra, G. W. Wilkerson and his Fruit Jar Drinkers, and, Paul Womack (Warmack) and his Gully Jumpers. Theron Hale and his two daughters might be considered in this grouping. Theron Hale and his two daughters made numerous appearances as did Arthur and Homer Smith. Uncle Dave Macon appeared about 20 times with his son Dorris and on one occasion is listed being with Sid Harkreader. There were several artists that made singlular or very few appearances as host of a segment, Ken Hackley and his Oklahoma Cowboys appeared in December. Chief Kiutus Tecumseh, an Indian tenor, made an appearnce in 1930. Henry Whitter, banjo picker was another who appeared. During 1930, the NBC network show, Amos 'n' Andy was listed as a 15-minute segment among the Opry lineup on Saturday night, usually at 9:30pm or 10:30pm. The Opry had a couple of unusual one-minute listings, probably for sponsors. One was for Bulova Watch Time and the other was for Taylor Weather Bulletin. These spots were listed all through 1930. Uncle Joe Mangrum and Fred Shriver made about 24 appearances. Uncle Joe played the fiddle or in some cases, violin. Fred Shriver played the accordion, piano and guitar to accompany Mr. Mangrum. But perhaps the one that caused extra research were the segments for "Jack and Bill." The became a team in the spring of 1930 with the arrival of the husband and wife team, "Jack and Jill." Jack was an organist and piano player. The duo had started their own show at 7pm on Saturday nights. "Jill" handled the comedy of the team. Billy was a tenor on WSM at the time and was often accompanied by a pipe organ player such as Margo Sheets. He was on twice a week at the time. But in April, WSM started a new show called "Jack and His Music Shop" — Jack was at the piano and Billy was singing tenor. Billy O'Connor achieved some fame in 1928 when he and Christine Lamb, contralto, won the Tennessee state contest in what was the second annual radio audition. That meant they would participate in the semi-finals in Nashville on November 14 and 15, competing against other state champions from the southern states. The national finals would be in New York on December 16 with cash prizes totaling $17,500 to be awarded by the Atwater Kent Foundation. "Jack" was the piano player of the duo. His real name was Jack Thurston (Thursten). His wife, who was "Jill" in their act, was Jacqueline. Jack and his wife came to WSM in early 1930. The combination of Jack and Bill proved to be a winning one for WSM as their show became very popular. At first they were on before the Opry in "Jack and Bill's Music Shop." The two of them had an idea to 'sell songs over the radio.' It was only a farce J. W. West of The Nashville Banner told readers, but the premise of the show 'clicked' with the audience. He wrote, "...when a person wishes to hear a number, he just writes or calls the radio station and the song is "sold" to him over the air promptly. Their show aired a couple of times a week also. News columns would tout the popularity of the show - it was reported they were getting requests by the hundereds. Jack was said to be a pianist of "...decided ability..." while Bill's "...tenor voice is a big drawing card." But by the end of 1930, their run ended. Jack and his wife decided to move to Florida where he enjoyed a career on radio in the Miami area. However, the two of them died in the early to mid-1940's. More details will be found in separate biographies for Billy O'Connor and Jack Thurston (Thursten). WSM Grand Ole Opry March 28, 1931 WSM Studio B National Life Building (7th & Union) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters 8:30 Uncle Dave Macon and Sam McGee 8:55 DeFord Bailey, harmonica 9:00 W. E. Poplin and his Orchestra 9:30 Paul Warmack and his Gully Jumpers 9:59 Leon Taylor weather bulletin 10:00 Amos 'n' Andy (NBC) 10:16 Burt Hutchison, guitarist 10:30 G. W. Wilkerson and his Fruit Jar Drinkers 11:00 Theron Hale and Daughters 11:25 DeFord Bailey, harmonica 11:35 Crook Brothers' Barn Dance Orchestra Source: Nashville Banner - March 28, 1931 WSM Grand Ole Opry March 26, 1932 WSM Studio B National Life Building (7th & Union) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Dr. Humphrey Bate and his Possum Hunters 8:25 Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris Macon 8:50 DeFord Bailey 9:00 W. E. Poplin and his Barn Dance Orchestra 9:25 John B. Swan, fiddler 9:35 Paul Warmack and his Gully Jumpers 10:00 Amos 'n' Andy (NBC) 10:15 The Vagabonds 10:30 G. W. Wilkerson and his Fruit Jar Drinkers 11:00 Theron Hale's Band 11:25 DeFord Bailey 11:35 Crook Brothers Barn Dance Orchestra Source: Nashville Banner - March 26, 1932 The year of 1932 saw the program gaining attention. The "grand old opry" as it was called in news articles was going to get a network tryout. WEAF-NBC was going to give the six year old show a trial on February 6, 1932. News reports stated "...This program consists of old favorites many of which have never been scored. The pickup is to be another in the series of outstanding half hours from individual stations on the network." The Nashville Tennessean in a column in March 1932 used another variation of the show's name when telling readers that WSM "Saturday night's Grnd Ole Op'ry brings the usual line-up of barn-dance orchestras..." In November 1932, WSM made a change to the station that would have lasting impact on the station's growth as well as the fame of its Saturday night show. November 12 was to be the evening when WSM would dedicate and begin broadcasting from its new 50,000 watt trasmitter and 878-foot tall antenna. This event was to be a national celebration. A November 6 article leads off, "WSM Is on the air!" That was the name of the program given to highlight the event staged by the National Life and Accident Insurance Company that would originate from its new studios as part of the dedication. A formal opening of the festivities would begin at 8:00pm. NBC's network program would kick in at 10:15pm from New York. Programs from a half dozen cities around the country would be broadcast before turning it back over to WSM an hour later. WSM Grand Ole Opry April 1, 1933 National Life Building (Studio B) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:30 The Vagabonds 7:45 Three On A Mike 8:00 Dr. Humphrey Bate and His Possum Hunters 8:25 Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris 8:50 DeFord Bailey 9:00 Four Boys 9:05 Obed Pickard 9:15 Asher and Little Jimmie 9:30 Mrs. G. R. Cline, dulcimer 9:40 Theron Hale's Band 9:55 Paul Warmack and his Gully Jumpers 10:15 The Vagabonds 10:30 Arthur Smith and his Dixie Liners 10:50 Obed Pickard 11:00 Four Boys 11:05 DeFord Bailey 11:15 Binkley Brothers - Dixie Clodhoppers 11:30 G. W. Wilkerson and his Fruit Jar Drinkers Source: The Nashville Banner - April 1, 1933 In 1933, Asher Sizemore and Little Jimmie could be one of the first stars of the Grand Ole Opry. They appeared on Saturday nights 42 times in 1933. Promotional ads touting Grand Ole Opry performers show perhaps the rural nature of the audience at that time since driving long distances was not the same as today's faster automobiles and modern highways. One could see the ads were found in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 31, 1934 WSM Studios — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:30 The Dixie Four 7:45 Vagabonds 8:00 Dr. Humphrey Bate and His Possum Hunters 8:10 Uncle Dave Macon 8:20 Crook Brothers Band 8:30 Theron Hale's Band 8:40 DeFord Bailey 8:50 The Vagabonds 9:00 Dr. Humphrey Bate and His Possum Hunters 9:10 Salt and Peanuts 9:20 Mrs. G. R. Cline, dulcimer 9:30 Crook Brothers Band 9:40 Uncle Dave Macon 9:50 Paul Warmack and his Gully Jumpers 10:00 Arthur Smith and his Dixie Liners 10:10 Jack Jackson 10:20 G. W. Wilkerson and his Fruit Jar Drinkers 10:30 Big Yank Southerners 10:45 Robert Lunn 10:50 Nap and Dee 10:55 Arthur Smith and his Dixie Liners 11:00 The Vagabonds 11:10 Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers 11:20 Theron Hale's Band 11:30 Paul Warmack and his Gully Jumpers 11:40 G. W. Wilkerson and the Fruit Jar Drinkers 11:50 Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers Source: The Nashville Banner - March 31, 1934 The Johnson City Press started off a promotional piece for the Grand Ole Opry troupe that was coming to town this way: "Whoopem up Cindy, an' cook dat 'possum brown, ca'se de Grand Ole Opry is coming to town.!" The column noted that in ten years, the show had grown from a one-act performance for one hour to a four-hour show that had 60 people. The article stated that the show an average of over 50,000 letters a week from every state in the country and from foreign countries such as Canada, Mexico and Central American countries. The audience in Johnson City would see nine of the most popular acts on the Opry at that time that included 20 artists such as Uncle Dave Macon, the Sweeney Sisters, and, DeFord Bailey. They wrote, "The program contains an hour of rhythm, comedy and instrumental numbers, with hillbilly songs and showmanship." Research will also reveal some names that Opry fans may not be familiar with. Perhaps they were not famous enough to warrant a segment of their own, but were guest stars on the show but not listed in the weekly listings. In 1935, the Arend Trio was one such group. Leon and Helen Arend were the parents of the three sisters. The family was from Paulding, Ohio. The trio won first place in the WOPI amateur hour contest in 1935. They were Margie (B: May 29, 1922 — D: July 2, 1995); Eualala (B: August 9, 1923 — D: November 26, 1983); and, Rosalie (B: June 11, 1925 — D: June 24, 1992). In 1935, their ages would have been 10, 12 and 13. Promotional ads billed them as a "novelty act." WSM Grand Ole Opry March 30, 1935 Hillsboro Theater — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:00 Lasses White's All-Star Minstrel Show 7:30 Smilin' Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers 7:45 Delmore Brothers 8:00 Possum Hunters 8:10 Uncle Dave Macon 8:20 Gully Jumpers 8:30 Crook Brothers' Band 8:42 Sarie and Sallie 8:47 Smilin' Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers 9:00 Asher and Little Jimmie 9:15 Lasses and Honey 9:30 Possum Hunters 9:40 Uncle Dave Macon 9:50 Smilin' Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers 10:00 Delmore Brothers 10:10 Dixie Liners 10:20 Crook Brothers' Band 10:30 Fruit Jar Drinkers 10:35 Ard Sisters 10:40 Fruit Jar Drinkers 10:45 Robert Lunn 10:50 Dixie Liners 11:00 Binkley Brothers' Band 11:10 Gully Jumpers 11:20 Delmore Brothers 11:30 Fruit Jar Drinkers 11:40 Ard Sisters 11:50 Binkley Brothers Source: The Nashville Tennessean - March 30, 1935 WSM Grand Ole Opry March 14, 1936 Hillsboro Theatre — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:00 Hilltop Harmonizers 7:15 Sarie and Sallie 7:30 Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers 7:45 Delmore Brothers 8:00 Possum Hunters 8:10 Uncle Dave Macon 8:20 Gully Jumpers 8:30 Dixie Liners 8:40 Curt Poulton 8:50 Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers 9:00 Lasses and Honey 9:10 Fruit Jar Drinkers 9:20 Delmore Brothers 9:30 Crook Brothers 9:40 Sarie and Sallie 9:45 DeFord Bailey 9:50 Possum Hunters 10:00 Dixie Liners 10:10 Uncle Dave Macon 10:20 Fruit Jar Drinkers 10:30 Sid Harkreader 10:37 Delmore Brothers 10:45 Robert Lunn 10:55 Binkley Brothers 11:05 Curt Poulton 11:15 Crook Brothers' Band 11:30 Gully Jumpers 11:40 Sam and Kirk McGee 11:50 Binkley Brothers Source: Nashville Banner - March 14, 1936 In 1936, the programming on WSM included something different from the networks on Saturday nights (as well as on Tuesdays and Thursdays). It was a comedy show called "Thank You, Stusia." The comedy series revolved around the fictional character of Stusia Pennypacker who wanted to give away her fortune. You can read more about the program in Stusia's biography on this site. And April 1 was part of the story line as well. The Grand Ole Opry show for Saturday, June 28, 1936 was unusual. The show was delayed to enable WSM to broadcast the acceptance speech by President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Democratic Party convention. One news article commented, "Only for President Roosevelt would the barn dance strains give way and as soon as he finishes the little matter of his acceptance speech, they'll be coming around the mountain as big as ever." Research indicates that the manufacturers of Duck Head overalls were going to sponsor a portion of the Grand Ole Opry. They would sponsor the 7:45pm segment that featured the Delmore Brothers. The year of 1937 started a bit ominously weather wise. Rains caused flooding of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers ravaging communities in its wake. WHAS in Louisville lost power for a time and WSM turned over its facilities to enable WHAS to broadcast updates to its surrounding communities. The Nashville Banner does not show any issues for January through mid-April 1937 per the online archives. The Nashville Tennessean did not publish a radio log for WSM on Saturday, January 30, 1937. This may be one of the rare times the Opry did not air. On May 15, 1937, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. The radio logs in the The Nashville Tennessean spelled his name "Bob Wells." The radio log in the Nashville Banner had changed to a new grid format where it showed time segments for every 15 minutes of the hour, thus, it would list fewer acts than the log in The Nashville Tennessean. Bob appeared at 9:40pm according to The Nashville Tennessean; the Nashville Banner only shows the two acts that appeared before and after him - Delmore Brothers at 9:30 and Poplin's Band at 9:45. Another notable act that debuted on the Opry in 1937 was Bradley Kincaid, at 9:20pm on Saturday night October 16, 1937. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 27, 1937 Dixie Tabernacle (Fatherland Street) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 5:45 Asher and Little Jimmie 7:15 Hilltop Harmonizers 7:30 Delmore Brothers 7:45 Jack Shook and His Missouri Mountaineers 8:00 Possum Hunters 8:10 Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris Macon 8:20 Paul Warmack and his Gully Jumpers 8:30 Arthur Smith and Dixie Liners 8:40 Curt Poulton 8:50 Jack Shook and His Missouri Mountaineers 9:00 Sarie and Sallie 9:08 Lakeland Sisters 9:20 Possum Hunters 9:30 Delmore Brothers 9:40 DeFord Bailey 9:50 Fruit Jar Drinkers 10:00 Arthur Smith and Dixie Liners 10:10 Uncle Dave Macon and Dorris Macon 10:20 Crook Brothers 10:30 Binkley Brothers' Band 10:37 Lakeland Sisters 10:45 Fruit Jar Drinkers 10:52 Sam and Kirk McGee 11:00 Robert Lunn 11:05 Curt Poulton and Delmore Brothers 11:20 DeFord Bailey 11:25 Crook Brothers Band 11:35 Paul Warmack and his Gully Jumpers 11:47 Binkley Brothers' Band Source: The Nashville Tennessean - March 27, 1937 Around that time, Edwin W. Craig, an official of the National Life Company suggested that the construction of a new studio be done, and thus, Studio C was built, capable of holding an audience of 500. But it soon became apparent that the studio wasn't going to be enough. A search for a new home began and soon they found the Hillsboro Theatre, whidch was a former movie house in what was then the southwest part of the city. But the audiences continued to grow. They just couldn't get enough of good ole hillbilly music. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 26, 1938 Dixie Tabernacle (Fatherland Street) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:30 Delmore Brothers 7:45 Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers 8:00 Possum Hunters 8:10 Uncle Dave Macon 8:20 Gully Jumpers 8:30 Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys 8:40 Sam and Kirk McGee 8:45 Lakeland Sisters 8:50 Fruit Jar Drinkers 9:00 Jack and his Missouri Mountaineers 9:08 Crook Brothers 9:15 DeFord Bailey 9:20 Vagabonds 9:30 Golden West Cowboys 9:45 Robert Lunn 9:50 Uncle Dave Macon 10:00 Possum Hunters 10:10 Sarie and Sallie 10:20 Binkley Brothers 10:30 Crook Brothers 10:40 Lakeland Sisters 10:45 Delmore Brothers 10:55 Fruit Jar Drinkers 11:00 Golden West Cowboys 11:15 DeFord Bailey 11:20 Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys 11:30 Sam and Kirk McGee 11:40 Gully Jumpers 11:50 Binkley Brothers Source: The Nashville Tennessean - March 26, 1938 There was a huge tabernacle across the Cumberland River in East Nashville that became available. The first Opry show at the Dixie Tabernacle was on June 13, 1936. The floor was said to be covered in sawdust and had splintery benches. For perhaps the first time, advance tickets became available. The salespeople at the National Life and Accident Insurance Company provided the tickets. It was a way to increase their sales in the rural areas. It proved to be effective. But on the day they began their shows from the new venue, one of its early stars, Dr. Humphrey Bates, passed away from a heart attack. He had been ill for the previous year, but stubbornly refused to give up his practice and his leadership of the Possum Hunters, rarely missing a Saturday night at the Grand Ole Opry. They usually opened their segment with "There'll Be A Hot Time In the Old Town Tonight" and usually included "How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?" The audiences outgrew this location, too in about two years. In July 1939, they moved to the War Memorial Auditorium and at that time they decided to charge an admission fee of 25 cents to hopefully curb the size of the audience. But it wasn't to be. The weekly crowds averaged over 3,000 folks. WSM Grand Ole Opry April 1, 1939 Dixie Tabernacle (Fatherland Street) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:30 Roy Acuff and his Boys 7:45 Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers 8:00 Golden West Cowboys 8:15 Uncle Dave Macon 8:30 Roy Acuff 8:45 Sam and Kirk McGee 9:00 Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers 9:15 Jamup and Honey 9:30 Andrews Brothers 9:45 Golden West Cowboys 10:00 Possum Hunters 10:15 Tennessee Song Birds 10:30 Roy Acuff 10:45 Gully Jumpers 11:00 Golden West Cowboys 11:15 DeFord Bailey 11:30 Fruit Jar Drinkers 11:45 Gully Jumpers Source: The Nashville Banner - April 1, 1939 WSM Grand Ole Opry March 30, 1940 Time Artist(s) 8:00 Possum Hunters 8:15 Uncle Dave Macon 8:30 Roy Acuff 8:45 Sam and Kirk McGee 9:00 Jack and Mo. Mtneers. 9:15 Crook Brothers 9:30 Fruit Jar Drinkers 9:45 Ford Rush 10:00 Golden West Cowboys 10:15 Studio 10:30 Stacey Sisters 10:45 Bill Monroe 11:00 Andrews Brothers 11:15 Monk and Sam 11:30 DeFord Bailey 11:45 Gully Jumpers Source: Nashville Banner - March 30, 1940 Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys were a popular act on the Opry in 1940 in terms of the number of segments they hosted according to newspaper radio logs of the year. Bill Monroe, Ford Rush, Uncle Dave Macon, DeFord Bailey and Zeke Clements were other popular acts hosting more than 40 segments during the year. A popular duo was the Stacey Sisters (Marie Stacey Dilleha and Nola Stacey), appearing 48 times. The string bands were again well represented by the Crook Brothers, the Possum Hunters, the Fruit Jar Drinkers and the Gully Jumpers appearing in more than 25 percent of the time slots. In May of 1940, Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys, Uncle Dave Macon, The Solemn Old Judge himself George D. Hay went to Hollywood, California to make a movie with the Weaver Brothers and Elviry called "Grand Ole Opry." It appears there is no DVD version of the movie available, but it can be seen on youtube. The plot of the movie is not about the Opry, but perhaps it was an attempt to get the Opry stars on the movie screens. Fans will recognize some of the regulars such as Sam and Kirk McGee, Zeke Glements, Jack Shook and his Missouri Mountaineers, and the Golden West Cowboys as well. As usual, some new faces arrived on the scene in 1940. Early on, a comedy team of Monk and Sam appeared frequently between January and June. They were Samuel Johnson and Charles Olaf Hansen (a native of England). They had worked together for many years, in vaudeville. They were quite popular on WNOX in Knoxville in the late 1930's. In December 1940, a young female comedienne began showing up in the radio logs - Minnie Pearl. The Wilburn Children and The Wilburn Family also appeared on the Opry in 1940. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 29, 1941 War Memorial Auditorium (301 6th Avenue) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Roy Acuff 8:15 Uncle Dave Macon 8:30 President Roosevelt, NBC 8:45 Minnie Pearl 9:00 Fruit Jar Drinkers 9:15 DeFord Bailey 9:30 Ford Rush 9:45 Jamup and Honey 10:00 Possum Hunters 10:15 Williams Sisters 10:30 Crook Brothers 10:45 Sam and Kirk McGee 11:00 Jim Sanders Ranch Girls 11:15 Zeke Clements 11:30 Robert Lunn 11:45 Paul and Bert Source: Nashville Banner - March 29, 1941 On May 24, 1941, WSM broadcast a half-hour from NBC from Enric Madriguera (B: February 17, 1902 — D: September 7, 1973). He was said to be a violinist born in Barcelona, Spain. He started his own orchestra in 1932 at the Biltmore Hotel. Sources indicate he played Latin American music almost exclusively in the 1930's. Later, he was declared "Ambassador of Music to all the Americas." His theme song was "Adios." WSM Grand Ole Opry March 28, 1942 War Memorial Auditorium (301 6th Avenue) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Gully Jumpers 8:15 Uncle Dave Macon 8:30 Roy Acuff 8:45 Williams Sisters 9:00 Possum Hunters 9:15 Robert Lunn 9:30 Ford Rush 9:45 Ford Rush 10:00 Stacey Sisters 10:15 Tommie Thompson 10:30 Bill Monroe 10:45 Sam and Kirk McGee 11:00 Zeke Clements 11:15 Zeke Clements 11:30 Fruit Jar Drinkers 11:45 Crook Brothers Source: Nashville Banner - March 28, 1942 From July 1942 through February 1943, a young female Nashville singer and guitar player by the name of Betty Owen was the name seen in the radio logs for segments on the Opry. All the more remarkable may be the fact that she was only 17 at the time she first appeared on the Opry. Other details are scant, but it was reported she was born nine months after the Opry had its first broadcast. She was still in school during this time and would do personal appearances with other Opry members. It was said that her father gifted her with an accordion when she was just eight years old. The boy next door got a guitar for Christmas one year and soon the two of them were doing duets. They liked each other's instrument so much they swapped. Betty became an accomplished guitar player. Little else has been found of her life and career after her last Opry appearance in the radio logs in February 1943. Finally, in 1943, the Opry moved to the Ryman Auditorium out of necessity. The Ryman had been built in 1891 as the legend goes, by a riverboat captain by the name of Tom Ryman. He came to a religious tent meeting to heckle a preacher, but instead stayed and converted his life. He then built the structure for the Reverend Sam Jones. Because there was a Confederate Veterans reunion in 1897, a balcony was added for the meeting to the auditorium. By then, the Ryman could seat some 3,000 people. And there the Opry stayed until March 16, 1974 when the new Opryland complex opened. But still, the Ryman Auditorium kept its place in history. On occasion, the Opry moves its shows to the Ryman to keep in touch with its historical base. Shows are still held there. Fans can also take tours of the home of Country Music as some will call it. This author can remember visiting the old Ryman Auditorium in the heat of a summer with his family. People were lined up outside the auditorium, waiting for their turn to attend the show. Hand fans were being sold by little kids in the streets, surely no one would want to not get one as the heat was stifling. In the street, one could hear the music being played over the loudspeakers at a nearby record store. We can remember Charley Pride's latest tune being played then - a song from a cut of his Tenth Album, "Able Bodied Man"; yes, we remember trivial details. Through the years, we made several pilgrages to visit the show, with a college roommate, with family or alone. If you go to Nashville, you make a point to attend WSM's Grand Ole Opry. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 27, 1943 War Memorial Auditorium — 301 6th Avenue North, Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:00 Roy Acuff 7:15 Roy Acuff 7:30 Dr. LeGear Melody Men 7:45 Golden West Cowboys 8:00 Bill Monroe 8:15 Uncle Dave Macon 8:30 Gully Jumpers 8:45 Crook Brothers 9:00 Robert Lunn 9:15 Minnie Pearl 9:30 Paul Howard 9:45 Jamup and Honey 10:00 Marie and Clyde Dilleha 10:15 Daniel Quartet 10:30 Roy Acuff 10:45 Sam and Kirk McGee 11:00 Zeke Clements 11:15 Milo Twins 11:30 Fruit Jar Drinkers 11:45 Possum Hunters Source: Nashville Banner - March 27, 1943 The year of 1943 saw an Opry roster that was consistent throughout the year after an examination of the radio logs published in both The Nashville Tennessean and Nashville Banner. The show was broke into 15-minute segments from 7:00pm to 11:45pm each week. Of those 1,040 time slots, 14 artists and/or groups took up nearly 72 per cent of those slots. This would include stars such as Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Bill Monroe, Uncle Dave Macon and Ernest Tubb. In that grouping were the traditional string bands, Gully Jumpers, Fruit Jar Drinkers and the Crook Brothers and Sam and Kirk McGee. Artists and their bands were represented by Golden West Cowboys (led by Pee Wee King), the Daniel Quartet, Paul Howard and his Cotton Pickers. Comedy during the year was provided by Minnie Pearl (and on two occasions with "Maria"), Whitey Ford and Jamup and Honey. Roy Acuff was listed in the most time slots in 1943 - 81 times. From January through May 22, 1943, he opened the show during the firs two segments - 7:00-7:15 and 7:15-7:30. He also appeared in the 10:30-10:45 slot until October. After October, he was not on the show. It is interesting to note the relatively fixed format of the show's line up each week in 1943. Several acts appeared in the same 15-minute segment throughout the entire year. These acts were Uncle Dave Macon (8:15-8:30), Bill Monroe (8:00-8:15), the Crook Brothers (8:45-9:00), the Gully Jumpers (8:30-8:45), the Fruit Jar Drinkers (11:30-11:45), the Possum Hunters (11:45-12:00), the Daniel Quartet (10:15-10:30) and Sam and Kirk McGee (10:45-11:00). Other names that appeared a few times were Trudy Brown, Payne Patrick who was on two shows, Betty Owen and a group called the Old Timers Quintet. Trudy Brown was part of an attempt to inaugurate a 'new idea in serviceman's shows' on the Opry. She was a well known Nashville radio personality. A group of servicemen were selected to be a part of the show would Trudy. Before the show, she was going to telephone parents and friends of the servicemen to find out what they wanted to hear from the service men chosen. She would then pose the questions to the servicemen on the air during her portion of the show. Marie Stacey, one of the Stacey Sisters appeared five times as a solo act, mentioned probably erroneously as a duet with "Marie and Clyde Moody" (25 times!) and also more likely should have been Marie and Clyde Dilleha (21 times) which means she was on the Opry pretty much every week in 1943. A group known as Dr. LeGear's Melody Men was listed 17 times. The name was probably the name of a sponsor at the time, though research has not shown who the "Melody Men" were. Other acts appeared for a time during the year such as the Milo Twins, Zeke Clements, the Smith Sisters, Robert Lunn, Tomie Thompson, the Missouri Mountaineers, the Old Timers Quintet. Eddie Arnold is listed in the latter part of the year, a couple times as a solo act, in other times with the Southern Aggies. Of the 1,040 time slots in 1943, only 36 different acts were listed in those slots. Occasionally readers would learn of guests on the Opry. On January 23, 1943, Jimmie Davis was in town for a hearing of the Tennessee Gas and Trasmission compoany before the State Railroad and Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Power Commission, made an appearance on the Opry, though the article did not mention which segment he appeared on. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 25, 1944 Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Avenue North) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Bill Monroe 8:15 Jamup and Honey 8:30 Possum Hunters 8:45 Crook Brothers 9:00 Golden West Cowboys 9:15 Georgia Peach Pickers 9:30 Roy Acuff 9:45 Whitey Ford 10:00 Bill Monroe 10:15 Uncle Dave Macon 10:30 Roy Acuff 10:45 Eddy Arnold 11:00 Roy Acuff 11:15 Ernest Tubb 11:30 Golden West Cowboys 11:45 Zeke Clements Source: Nashville Banner - March 25, 1944 In 1944, World War II was having an impact on the entertainment industry. Many events were held to help raise funds for the war effort. The Grand Ole Opry stars and other country entertainers were a part of that effort. A couple of new names showed up on the schedule of acts performing on the Opry in 1944. In late 1944, the name Dave Minor was listed in the WSM radio logs at midnight on Saturday nights. Technically perhaps not part of the Opry show itself, but it raises an interest in research. Mr. Minor had a radio show where he played the piano, but also sold his how to learn the piano booklets / courses. He was based in Chicago. His real name was David M. Suttle. Research shows he did record one album - "88 Keys At 80." He had moved to San Diego by that time in retirement. His usually 15-minute show was found listed in many a radio log. Another new name was that of Uncle Rufus Brewster. In the early part of 1944, Roy Acuff was considering running for governor of Tennessee. It may have started as a prank. But it seemed to take on a life of its own and soon politicians and reporters started to take it more seriously. Paul Morris quoted one unnamed politician, "I'd rather run against the best qualified man in the state than to make a race against that fiddler!" Politics was not the only topic of discussion with Mr. Acuff. During the year, he began to market "Roy Acuff's Own Flour (Plain and Self-Rising)." On November 29, 1944, The Nashville Banner reported the news that the Solemn Old Judge was leaving WSM. He had been the voice of the Grand Ole Opry since it started in 1925. He planned to move his wife to the west coast for her health. The thought was he would take on character roles in movies for such studios as Columbia and Republic. He did have a role in one movie, "Hoosier Holiday." WSM Grand Ole Opry March 31, 1945 Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Avenue North) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 8:00 Bill Monroe 8:15 Jamup and Honey 8:30 Zeke Clements 8:45 Paul Howard 9:00 Ernest Tubb 9:15 Georgia Peach Pickers 9:30 Roy Acuff 9:45 Duke of Paducah 10:00 Bill Monroe 10:15 Uncle Dave Macon 10:30 Roy Acuff 10:45 Eddy Arnold 11:00 Roy Acuff 11:15 Ernest Tubb 11:30 Golden West Cowboys 11:45 Fruit Jar Drinkers 12:00 Dave Minor Source: Nashville Banner - March 31, 1945 Dave Minor's program continued to air at midnight on Saturday nights after the Grand Ole Opry program. His show was carried on numerous stations. In January of 1945, his program aired over the following stations: WSAI - Cincinnati, OH; KFAB - Lincoln, NE; WBAL - Baltimore; WFIG - Sumter, SC; KXOK - St. Louis, MO; KRLD - Dallas, TX; WPIC - Sharon, PA; and, WJJD - Chicago, IL; The Opry radio logs in 1945 introduced the "Frank Sinatra of the Opry" - Jimmy Selph. He was listed on only a couple of segments, but promotional ads did play up the comparison to Frank. For a time, he was part of a traveling show called the Mountain Scandals that also included a former WLS performer, Barbara Jeffers. WSM Grand Ole Opry March 30, 1946 Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Avenue North) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:00 Ernest Tubb 7:15 Ernest Tubb 7:30 Milton Estes 7:45 Paul Howard 7:45 Minnie Pearl 8:00 Uncle Dave Macon 8:15 Bailes Brothers 8:30 Paul Howard 8:45 Clyde Moody 9:00 Ernest Tubb 9:15 Golden West Cowboys 9:30 Roy Acuff 9:45 Duke of Paducah 10:00 Bill Monroe 10:15 Curly Fox and Texas Ruby 10:30 Roy Acuff 10:45 Eddy Arnold 11:00 Roy Acuff 11:15 Ernest Tubb 11:30 Robert Lunn 11:45 Fruit Jar Drinkers 12:00 Dave Minor Source: Nashville Tennessean - March 30, 1946 WSM Grand Ole Opry March 29, 1947 Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Avenue North) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:00 Bradley Kincaid 7:15 Bradley Kincaid 7:30 Milton Estes 7:45 Minnie Pearl 8:00 Eddy Arnold 8:15 Oklahoma Wranglers 8:30 Lew Childre 8:45 Milton Estes 9:00 Golden West Cowboys 9:15 Curley Fox 9:30 Red Foley 9:45 Duke of Paducah 10:00 Bill Monroe 10:15 Paul Howard 10:30 Curley Fox 10:45 Pee Wee King 11:00 Eddy Arnold 11:15 Clyde Moody 11:30 Wally Fowler 11:45 Fruit Jar Drinkers Source: Nashville Tennessean - March 29, 1947 WSM Grand Ole Opry March 27, 1948 Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Avenue North) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:00 Ernest Tubb 7:15 Musical Millers 7:30 Roy Acuff 7:45 Roy Acuff 8:00 Eddy Arnold 8:15 Oklahoma Wranglers 8:30 Ernest Tubb 8:45 Lew Childre 9:00 Roy Acuff 9:15 Cowboy Copas 9:30 Red Foley 9:45 Rod Brasfield 10:00 Bill Monroe 10:15 Old Timers Quartet 10:30 Curly Fox and Texas Ruby 10:45 Milton Estes 11:00 Eddy Arnold 11:15 Ernest Tubb 11:30 Wally Fowler 11:45 Milton Estes Source: Nashville Tennessean - March 27, 1948 WSM Grand Ole Opry March 26, 1949 Ryman Auditorium (116 5th Avenue North) — Nashville, TN Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:00 Bill Monroe Bradley Kincaid Milton Estes Roy Acuff 8:00 Cowboy Copas Bill Monroe Ernest Tubb Lew Childre 9:00 Roy Acuff Jamup and Honey Red Foley Minnie Pearl 10:00 Bill Monroe Roy Acuff Cowboy Copas Milton Estes 11:00 George Morgan Ernest Tubb Jimmy Dickens Wally Fowler Source: Nashville Tennessean - March 26, 1949 This begins our trip into history of the Grand Ole Opry. We have to start somewhere. We'll update the page from time to time with more tidbits on the history of the Opry. Each time you visit, you'll see a different list of the Grand Ole Opry in its earlier days. For now, we'll leave you with this sign-off by the Solemn Old Judge himself, George D. Hay: The tall pines pine, The pawpaws pause, And the bumble-beee bumbles all day; The eavesdropper drops, And the grasshopper hops, While gently the ole cow slips away    —Judge Hay's Valediction WSM Grand Ole Opry March 15, 1974 (Friday) Ryman Auditorium — Nashville, TN The Last Opry Show Before Moving To Opryland Program Listing Time Artist(s) 7:00 Roy Drusky; Del Reeves; Charlie Walker; Jan Howard Cracker Barrel 7:30 Bill Anderson; Bob Luman; Jim and Jesse Varallo 8:00 Archie Campbell; Bobby Bare; Dottie West; Justin Tubb Odom Sausage; U.S. Borax 8:30 Roy Acuff; Jean Shepard; Stonewall Jackson; Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper Kroger Stores 9:00 Wilburn Brothers; Osborne Brothers; Jeanne Pruett; Del Wood Baltz Bros.; Schlitz 9:30 Jim Ed Brown; Hank Locklin; Grandpa Jones; The Carlisles Acme Boot Co.; Beechnut Chewing Tobacco 10:00 Billy Walker; Charlie Louvin; Stu Phillips; The Willis Brothers Cee Bee Food Stores; Schlitz 10:30 George Morgan; The Four Guys; Ray Pillow; Lonzo and Oscar; Ernie Ashworth Shoneys Big Boy Announcers Grant Turner and Hairl Hensley Opry Manager Hal Durham Source: Grand Ole Opry Souvenir Program - March 15, 1974		Monk and Sam Patsy Cline Honey Wilds Rita Robbins Crook Brothers Blythe Poteet Seymour Simons and the Blackhawk Restaurant Orchestra
Credits & Sources Grand Ole Opry, William R. McDaniel and Harold Seligman; Greenburg; New York, NY; 1952 WSM Grand Ole Opry; March 16, 1974 A Story Of The Grand Ole Opry; George D. Hay; 1945 The Grand Ole Opry; George D. Hay; William R. McDaniel and Harold Seligman; 1952 A Story Of The Grand Ole Opry; George D. Hay; circa 1953 Broadcasting Station WSM To Open Monday; October 1, 1925; The Eagle; Bryan, TX George D. Hay Will Direct Station WSM - Leaves Chicago and Heads South; November 4, 1925; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, TN Cornfed Tenor Singer, Composer, Movie Actor, Politician, Is Visitor; January 24, 1943; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN "Duck Head" Now On Grand Ole Opry; February 2, 1936; The News-Journal; Murfreesboro, TN Wonders Never Cease; June 22, 1936; Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN Radio Highlights; C. E. Batterfield; The Ithaca Journal; Ithaca, NY City-Wide Easter Program Planned By WSM For Today; March 27, 1932; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN Obed Pickard Signs Contract With N.B.C.; September 9, 1928; Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry Week's Headliner - Popular Radio Group Will Appear Here at Majestic; March 17, 1935; Johnson City Press; Johnson City, TN 5,000 Watter For WSM Decided On - Enlargement To Begin At Once; Ready to Re-open About January 1; December 1, 1926; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN WSM Obtains Hookup With WEAF Of National Broadcasting Service; December 30, 1926; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN WSM Linked Up With Great Chain; December 31, 1926; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN WSM To Open New Station Tonight - Test Program With 5,000 Watt Transmitter; January 7, 1927; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN Young Amateurs Win Tennessee Song Tilt; October 25, 1928; Morristown Gazette Mail; Morristown, TN Air Station Talk; Associated Press; April 12, 1930; The Grand Ilsand Daily Independent; Grand Island, NE WAPI PLayers To Give Official Play Over WSM Tonight; Walter Campbell in Cast; March 2, 1930; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN Tuning In; April 12, 1930; Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN Tuning In; J. W. West, Jr.; July 19, 1930; Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN Jubilee Singers Will Appear On WSM Program; July 27, 1930; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN Coon-Sanders Florsheim Frolics Regular Tuesday Feature at WSM; September 7, 1930; Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN Air Station Talk (AP); January 7, 1929; Bismarck Tribune; Bismarck, ND Everybody Wants To Help 'Uncle Wash'; WSM Gets Letters From Several States; January 6, 1929; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN Personals; February 4, 1929; The Leaf-Chronicle; Clarksville, TN Trials of Uncle Wash Over WSM Brings Large Varied Response; February 10, 1929; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN Volume Counts In The Ice Water Business; March 28, 1929; The Union-Banner; Clanton, AL WSM To Celebrate Birthday With Five-Station Hookup; October 5, 1929; Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN Frolic Will Close Radio Show; Olive Palmer Scores In Friday's Program; Ralph Perry; September 7, 1929; Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN Mail Indicates Unusual Reception For WSM Programs in Daytime; December 18, 1927; Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN Listeners Enjoy The Barn Dance Program; November 17, 1927; St. Louis Globe-Democrat; St. Louis, MO Our Own Smilin' Ed McConnell Back In Nashville; August 1940 (WSM Edition); Radio Varieties; Radio Varieties Inc.; Chicago, IL Acuff Is Politicos' Headache - Hillbilly Singer's Gubernatorial Candidancy Gives Other Candidates Chill; Paul MOrris; January 30, 1944; The COmmercial Appeal; Memphis, TN Solemn Old Judge Leaves WSM; November 29, 1944; The Nashville Banner; Nashville, TN George D. Hay Resigns At WSM; November 30, 1944; The Nashville Tennessean; Nashville, TN
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