GRAND OLE OPRY WEEK- Top Ten All-Time Notable Grand Ole Opry Performers

For over 80 years, the Grand Ole Opry has been a weekly radio program featuring the best of country music, folk songs and bluegrass mountain tunes. Beginning in the 1950’s, it became the nation’s favorite radio program- where every song played on the stage was broadcast to a huge swath of America. Postcards and telegrams would come in from Vancouver to Cuba and all spots in between. It solidified Nashville as Music City- the country music capital of the world. All this week, we’re running a series of articles and observations featuring this legendary program. This article features another one of our Top Ten lists- this one called The Top Ten All-Time Notable Grand Ole Opry Performers. And we begin the countdown to the #1 here...

10. (tie) Garth Brooks- With four of his country records exceeding the sales number of ten million sold, Brooks has “retired” from recording (but not from his Opry membership) with over 100 million albums sold. He helped re-raise the profile of the Opry in the 1990’s to super-uber-cool status and he ranks his Opry membership as his proudest career accomplishment.

10. (Tie) Little Jimmy Dickens- Standing at a whopping 4 foot 11 inches tall, Jimmy has spent an amazing 50 years as an Opry member. He joined the Grand Ole Opry way back in 1953 and has quite possibly performed more times on the Ryman and Grand Ole Opry House stages more than any other performer. Hanging out in equal time with Hank Williams Sr and Brad Paisley, he goes beyond the element of time in country music.

9. Minnie Pearl- Born Sarah Colley, an upper-class girl from Tennessee, Minnie Pearl created her character after watching a brassy female comedian way back in 1936. She would join the Opry in 1940 and spend the next 50 years as an Opry member making audiences laugh until their sides hurt- all while wearing her trademark straw hat with the price tag still attached.

8. Uncle Dave Macon- He was one of the very first true stars of the Grand Ole Opry- even playing on WSM before it had a name- known then as the Barn Dance. David Harrison Macon was one of the most influential country music catalysts in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s- bringing this unique sound to radio, stage and performances. The banjo player is a Country Music Hall-Of-Fame member.

7. Roy Acuff- He was the Garth Brooks of the 1930’s and 1940’s- selling more records than anyone else in his generation. Affectionately known as the “King of Country Music”, he influenced the careers of dozens of other Opry performers.

6. Loretta Lynn- Everyone’s favorite “Coal Miner’s Daughter” is quickly approaching her 50th year as an Opry member as well- she was originally inducted back in 1962. She was first noticed and supported by Patsy Cline, but it was Texan Ernest Tubb who would be an early partner and introduce her on her first Opry performance back in 1960. She has consistently called that evening “the best moment of my life.”

5. Dolly Parton- Despite being famous for an actor, author, cosmetic pioneer, amusement park owner and television star, it all begins and ends with music for Dolly Parton. She is a Country Music Hall-Of-Fame member, a Songwriters Hall-Of-Fame member and a Gospel Music Hall-Of-Fame member in addition to being a Grand Ole Opry member since 1969. Her first performance was way back in 1959.

4. Patsy Cline- Possibly the shortest notable member of the bunch, Patsy became an Opry member in 1960 before tragically passing away in a plane crash in 1963. She is still viewed as the quintessential voice in country music and her trademark song “Crazy” is considered to many to be the #1 country music song in history.

3. Johnny Cash- The “Man in Black” had a tumultuous relationship with the Opry. In 1965, he dragged his microphone stand across the front of the Ryman stage breaking all of the footlights. He was banished from the Opry that night- later that evening he crashed his car breaking his nose and jaw. Some of his personal career highlights were his performances with or adjacent to the love of his life, June Carter Cash. He joined the Opry cast in 1956.

2. The Carter Family- On May 29, 1950, “Mother” Maybelle Carter and the Carter Sisters- June, Anita and Helen” were formally inducted to become Opry members. From extremely rural roots, this family personified the country music scene beginning in the late 30’s and had a major influence until June’s recent death.

1. Hank Williams- Way back on June 11, 1949, Hank Williams made his Opry debut. The audience there that day called him back six times to encore his song “Lovesick Blues.” Opry legend Little Jimmy Dickens calls it the most amazing performance he’s ever seen. Hank also became the most famous Opry firing as his alcoholism that derailed his life at the young age of 29 also forced the Opry management to relieve him of his Opry membership that same year.