An upcoming episode of "Grand Ole Opry" on GAC (pronounced, "Gack") is going to air in black and white and feature Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris.
Counting the Roy Orbison tribute film from the 1980s, that makes two Elvis Costello musical appearances in a "Black and White World."
Great American Country (GAC) Presents Special Black-and-White Edition of Grand Ole Opry Live
Emmylou Harris and Elvis Costello headline retro version of popular Saturday night program
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mar.2, 2006) Great American Country (GAC) brings a new point of view to one of country music fans favorite traditions this weekend when it presents a special edition of Grand Ole Opry Live entirely in black and white. Featured performers include Opry favorite and recent Grammy-winner Emmylou Harris, along with special friends Elvis Costello, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. The program airs on GAC, Saturday at 8 p.m. EST, with an encore presentation at 11 p.m.
By giving this weekends program a retro feel, GAC is “introducing a new generation of fans to the way it was to watch television when many of country music's greats took the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time,” according to Sarah Trahern, senior vice president of programming for GAC.
“Today’s twenty-somethings seem to have a strong taste for all things retro, and many of them are also great fans of country music,” Trahern said. “In a way, this program is like looking at a black and white Ansel Adams photograph. It presents the art in its purest form.”
The program was filmed at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on February 18.
There's just one problem--I don't believe that the Opry was televised on a national basis until the era of color TV. There was a syndicated "Grand Ole Opry" program in the 50s, but I believe it was not a film of actual broadcasts, but instead performances shot in a studio (and perhaps lip-synched) with canned applause and stock audience footage added. By the time PBS did some live Opry telecasts in the 70s as pledge drive attractions, we were in the era of color TV and the Opry had moved out of the Ryman and into Opryland.
And of course, the weekly Opry telecast has always been on cable--first on the old TNN, then CMT, now GAC.
Posted by: Mark Jeffries | March 03, 2006 at 09:21 AM
Does anyone know where I can buy a recording of the Grand Ole Opry Elvis/Emmylou/Gillian performance in February 2006? I've been a fan of all of them for years and would love to have an audio or video copy. I did a quick Google search but came up empty. Please e-mail if you have any leads. Thanks!
Posted by: Peggy Ankney | August 03, 2006 at 08:51 AM
i am looking for a copy of the live telecast by pbs of the grand ole opry in 1978,79,80,81. will pay.
Posted by: jim | August 28, 2006 at 07:02 PM