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A typical Saturday crowd waiting to enter
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Chet Gilbert, Billy "Crash" Craddock, and Sharon Gilbert
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Mel Tillis and Chet Gilbert
Mel Tillis and Opry owner Chet Gilbert. After Chet started combing his hair down, he was often mistaken for Mel during trips to Nashville. One listen to his singing voice, though, and all cases of mistaken identity were quickly remedied! |
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Dolly Parton and Chet Gilbert
This picture was taken the night Tom Rutledge left the Illinois Country Opry to join Dolly's band. The Opry was a not only a great place to see major country stars, it gave young musicians a chance to polish their talents. |
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Loretta Lynn and Jamie Gilbert
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Monty Avery and Ken Curtis
"Festus" from Gunsmoke |
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Kenny Rogers and Chet Gilbert
Rogers was one of the last guests to appear at the Opry. |
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Country Music Hall of Fame member Buck Owens
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"Walkin' the Floor Over You" -- Ernest Tubb
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Connie Smith - 1971
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Larry Gatlin - 1975
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Marty Robbins was a riot!
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"I've Been Everywhere" - Hank Snow
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The one and only Miss Tammy Wynette
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Don Williams "The Gentle Giant"
Performing at one of the Opry's outdoor shows |
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Sergeant Tom Gill and Dottie West
Taping a segment for Armed Forces Radio |
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Donna Fargo and Chet Gilbert relaxing backstage
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Hank Williams, Jr.
This is before "Are You Ready For Some Football?!" |
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Wagon Wheel Opry's Duane Sorrells
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Bill Armitage and George Jones
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The Hagers
Remember the Jim & Jon, the "Hager Twins" from "Hee-Haw"? They must have been doing a Chippendale impression that night.... |
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Pat Boone
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Superpicker Roy Clark
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The Statler Brothers
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Marty Robbins after a show
Robbins would just hang around long after a show was done and the crowd gone, then come out and play just for the enjoyment. |
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"The Killer" -- Jerry Lee Lewis with Bill Armitage
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Photos courtesy
Sharon Gilbert
and Tom Rutledge
