Saturday Night at the Grand Ole Opry....Passing the Torch in 2015

Jan.4, 2015

Nashville, TN.

Review and Photos by Butch Worrell of One Heart Photo

Saturday Night at the Grand Ole Opry has always been special for Country Music. The first Saturday night of 2015 saw the Oldest member, Jimmy Dickens, memorialized after his death Jan.2^nd and what may soon be the youngest member, Emi Sunshine (rumors are flying that this will happen) closing the show with Marty Stuart.  

For those not familiar the Opry is a Radio show that began in 1925 and continues today worldwide thanks to the Internet. It consists of four 30 minute segments, each with a different sponsor and host.

This particular show began with a brief memorial to the Late Little Jimmy Dickens. Then the Riders in the Sky hosted The Henningsens and Opry veteran Jeannie Seely.

 The second segment was Hosted by Larry Gatlin, and featured Mike Snider along with Craig Wayne Boyd, the recent Season 7 winner from “The Voice”.

“Whispering” Bill Anderson hosted the third segment which featured Lauren Alaina and the Opry Square dancers.  

The final segment was hosted by Marty Stuart. Marty has become the standard bearer for keeping the traditions of country music alive and kicking. His wife Connie Smith and young Emi Sunshine were his segment guests. Emi first graced the stage of the Ryman Auditorium last June at Marty's Late Night Jam and became an instant hit with her incredible voice and a stage presence to match. Marty requested that she sing Jimmy Rodger's “Blue Yodel #6”, a task that she handled with ease, earning a standing ovation. Marty also had Jerry Lee Lewis's veteran band leader, guitar and fiddle player Kenny Lovelace sit in with his band for the finale. All in all a Saturday Night at the Grand Ole Opry to remember.