Info: Grand Ole Opry England?

Subject: Info: Grand Ole Opry England?
From: cnd
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 11:31 AM

I have a book called The Big Book of Bluegrass (ed. Marilyn Kochman) that I've been reading recently. In the first section, about Bill Monroe, it contains a picture with the context "Bill Monroe leads the final jam session at the Grand Ole Opry England during a tour of Great Britain." In the photo is also noted British performers Pete Sayers (the only British singer to ever appear on the [US] Grand Ole Opry regularly), noted guitar player Bill Clifton (who lived in England for quite some time in the 60s), plus two names I don't really recognize: Ann Barraclough and John Holder.

All I've really found is that it was started in 1972 by Sayers and run out of Kingsway Cinema in Newmarket. But I haven't found much besides the same blurb copied and pasted in a few different places.

So, does anyone know much of anything about the Grand Ole Opry England? Personal experiences, pictures, recordings, books, etc. Just looking for some more information about it.

Subject: RE: Info: Grand Ole Opry England?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 12:49 PM

The late Pete Sayers ran a band which went by the name of “The Grand Old Opry Roadshow” for a time, at the turn of the 1970s/80s - I probably have one of their records somewhere.

I think the personnel included Pete, Nick Barraclough and Alan Smith on Bass. The band eventually morphed into “Telephone Bill and The Smooth Operators”, sans Pete and Alan, but including a couple of others - Ann Barraclough (who went under her maiden name) and Jerry Hale to mention two.

Pete went on to play with the late Graham Cooper for a while. His main job was running the family music shop in Newmarket.

Subject: RE: Info: Grand Ole Opry England?
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 12:59 PM

Have a look here (this is the record I have). The back cover answers your question and the front cover shows who was in the band.

Gerry and Ann were part of the original band. Allan Smith is the tiny one at the back!

Subject: RE: Info: Grand Ole Opry England?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 06:11 PM

England, Britain - same thing, innit?

Subject: RE: Info: Grand Ole Opry England?
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 07:06 PM

This may be of use, cnd. Be sure to expand all when you get to the page.

https://www.ibiblio.org/hillwilliam/BGdiscography/?v=fullrecord&albumid=5335

Subject: RE: Info: Grand Ole Opry England?
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 07:12 PM

Re John Holder: See p.117

https://books.google.ca/books?id=oO7kAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA117&lpg=PA117&dq=John+Holder,+grand+ole+opry,+uk&source=bl&ots=f98dpCEyXR&sig

Subject: RE: Info: Grand Ole Opry England?
From: cnd
Date: 03 Apr 20 - 08:06 PM

All great stuff, thanks for sharing.