About The Song
“Hit Medley On The Grand Ole Opry” refers to a live performance by Willie Nelson recorded in 1965 at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. The medley features a combination of his early hits, including “Hello Walls,” “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Night Life,” and “Crazy,” songs Nelson wrote and which became country standards. This performance was not released as a standalone single or album track at the time but has since been preserved and shared through various platforms, showcasing his early career versatility.
The medley was recorded live on April 24, 1965, during Nelson’s appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, produced as part of the show’s broadcast. The exact lineup of musicians is not fully documented, but it likely included session players typical of the Opry, with Nelson on acoustic guitar and vocals. The arrangement featured a simple, traditional country style, with guitar and minimal backing, reflecting the live setting of the Ryman Auditorium. The performance gained recognition through later releases and online platforms, though no specific album release is tied to the 1965 recording.
The medley was a showcase of Nelson’s songwriting success in the early 1960s, performed at a time when he was establishing himself as a writer and performer. “Hello Walls” and “Crazy” were major hits for Faron Young and Patsy Cline, respectively, while “Funny How Time Slips Away” and “Night Life” highlighted his own style. The performance has been noted in retrospectives of Nelson’s career, with mentions in articles and videos from 2016 onward, emphasizing his early Opry appearances. It was later featured in a 2016 Rolling Stone article and various YouTube uploads.
The medley has been referenced in covers and tributes, with artists like Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard performing similar medleys of Nelson’s hits. A 1965 audio recording surfaced online, and a 2018 Austin City Limits performance included “Crazy” from the medley. The song appeared in nostalgic contexts, such as a 2019 Whiskey Riff article, and remains a historical artifact of Nelson’s Opry legacy.
Nelson has occasionally revisited these songs in live settings, including at the 1974 Fourth of July Picnic, though not as a full medley. The performance is celebrated in documentaries like Willie Nelson: Outlaw Beginnings (2017), aired on PBS, focusing on his early career.
Video
Willie Nelson – Hit Medley On The Grand Ole Opry (1965) (YouTube)