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Music Genres outlines the most popular styles and forms of music, from hip-hop, jazz and even Grand Ole Opry country. Yee-haw.
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Publications International, Ltd., the Editors of. "14 Notable Grand Ole Opry Performers." 16 September 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/14-notable-grand-ole-opry-performers.htm> 09 May 2008.
14 Notable Grand Ole Opry Performers
Inside This Article
Created in 1925 by station manager George Dewey Hay,
the Grand Ole Opry began as a weekly radio program that
featured traditional "country" music, including folk songs and classic mountain tunes. In 1939, the show moved to NBC radio where it reached tens of thousands of listeners across the country.
During the 1950s, the Opry was one of the nation's favorite radio programs, and with every song played on the Opry stage broadcast to America, Nashville solidified its spot as the country music capital of the world. Here are a few major stars of the Grand Ole Opry.
1. Hank Williams
By the mid-1930s, Hank Williams's
legendary music career was well underway and would astonish everyone for years to come. Despite 12 number-one songs, including "Hey Good Lookin'," Williams battled alcoholism, which almost cost him a chance at the Opry. Producers couldn't bear not to feature Williams, however, and the country star joined the cast in 1949. He was called back for six encores the first time he performed.
Williams died at age 29, from a heart attack, possibly brought on by drug and alcohol abuse.
2. Patsy Cline
From humble beginnings came Patsy Cline, one of the most recognizable voices in country music. In 1957, Cline made her first national television appearance on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, singing what would become her first hit song, "Walkin' After Midnight." Three years later, Cline achieved a lifelong dream when she became a member of the Opry. Tragically, however, Cline died in a plane crash in 1963, just five years after her popularity snowballed.
3. Minnie Pearl
An upper-class girl from Tennessee, Sarah Colley decided to skip the debutante balls and formal education to pursue the vaudeville circuit. Colley created the character of Minnie Pearl after witnessing the brassy demeanor of a mountain lady during an amateur comedy show in 1936.
When she joined the Opry in 1940, 28-year-old Colley had no idea she would spend the next 50 years in show business performing as Minnie Pearl and wearing her trademark straw hat with the $1.98 price tag still attached.
4. Dolly Parton
As a young girl growing up in the heart of Appalachia, Dolly Parton sang like a bird and even wrote her own songs modeled after the folksy tunes she learned from her parents. After appearing on a televised talent show, she was booked at the Opry in 1959 at the tender age of 13.
Parton recorded steadily during the 1960s, but it wasn't until 1967 that her career skyrocketed when she was cast on the Porter Wagoner Show. Parton has recently returned to her roots, recording several critically-acclaimed bluegrass albums.
On the next page you will find more notable Grand Ole Opry performers, including Garth Brooks.
 Elvis Presley's music wasn't received well at the Grand Ole Opry in 1954. |
1. Hank Williams
By the mid-1930s, Hank Williams's
legendary music career was well underway and would astonish everyone for years to come. Despite 12 number-one songs, including "Hey Good Lookin'," Williams battled alcoholism, which almost cost him a chance at the Opry. Producers couldn't bear not to feature Williams, however, and the country star joined the cast in 1949. He was called back for six encores the first time he performed.
Williams died at age 29, from a heart attack, possibly brought on by drug and alcohol abuse.
2. Patsy Cline
From humble beginnings came Patsy Cline, one of the most recognizable voices in country music. In 1957, Cline made her first national television appearance on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, singing what would become her first hit song, "Walkin' After Midnight." Three years later, Cline achieved a lifelong dream when she became a member of the Opry. Tragically, however, Cline died in a plane crash in 1963, just five years after her popularity snowballed.
3. Minnie Pearl
An upper-class girl from Tennessee, Sarah Colley decided to skip the debutante balls and formal education to pursue the vaudeville circuit. Colley created the character of Minnie Pearl after witnessing the brassy demeanor of a mountain lady during an amateur comedy show in 1936.
When she joined the Opry in 1940, 28-year-old Colley had no idea she would spend the next 50 years in show business performing as Minnie Pearl and wearing her trademark straw hat with the $1.98 price tag still attached.
4. Dolly Parton
As a young girl growing up in the heart of Appalachia, Dolly Parton sang like a bird and even wrote her own songs modeled after the folksy tunes she learned from her parents. After appearing on a televised talent show, she was booked at the Opry in 1959 at the tender age of 13.
Parton recorded steadily during the 1960s, but it wasn't until 1967 that her career skyrocketed when she was cast on the Porter Wagoner Show. Parton has recently returned to her roots, recording several critically-acclaimed bluegrass albums.
On the next page you will find more notable Grand Ole Opry performers, including Garth Brooks.
Inside This Article
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14 Notable Grand Ole Opry Performers
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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:
Publications International, Ltd., the Editors of. "14 Notable Grand Ole Opry Performers." 16 September 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/14-notable-grand-ole-opry-performers.htm> 09 May 2008.
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