Roy Claxton Acuff (September 15, 1903 – November 23, 1992) was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the "King of Country Music," Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the star singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful.Acuff began his music career in the 1930s, and gained regional fame as the singer and fiddler for his group, the Smoky Mountain Boys. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1938, and although his popularity as a musician waned in the late 1940s, he remained one of the Opry's key figures and promoters for nearly four decades. In 1942, Acuff co-founded the first major Nashville-based country music publishing company—Acuff-Rose Music—which signed acts such as Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, and The Everly Brothers. In 1962, Acuff became the first living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1541 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
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Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 3, 1991-1993, pages 7-9. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001.
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He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1991 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.
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Sang "I Saw the Light" at the funeral of Hank Williams alongside C&W greats Red Foley and Ernest Tubb who, respectively sang, "Peace in the Valley" and "Beyond the Sunset"
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Was famous for his yo-yo trick demonstrations during his personal appearences.
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Recorded for several different labels over the years, most notably for Columbia, Capitol, and Hickory records.
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For many years was the owner/operator of the Dunbar Cave Hotel, a popular tourist spot just outside of Nashville.
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Acuff's budding career as a baseball player was cut short due to sunstroke.
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Won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 for his contributions to the music industry.
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Twice ran for Tennessee governor as a Republican.
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With Fred Rose, formed the Hickory Records recording label in 1953, from which Acuff's later recordings came.
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Had one of the earliest hit versions of "The Tennesee Waltz," whose best known version was from Patti Page.
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Recorded many golden classic country hits. The songs "Wabash Cannonball" and "Great Speckle Bird" were recorded at his first session in 1936.
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Among country music's pioneers.
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He was the first LIVING person to be elected member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. (Before Acuff, you had to be dead to be elected.)
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Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1962.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
I Saw the Light
2015
performer: "Low and Lonely"
The Heart of Country: How Nashville Became Music City USA
2014
TV Movie documentary performer: "Wabash Cannon Ball"
Big John: The John Hartson Story
2014
TV Movie documentary writer: "Big Bad John" - uncredited
Country's Greatest Stars Live: Vol. 1
2010
Video performer: "Wabash Cannonball"
The Marty Stuart Show
2009
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Big River Man
2009
Documentary performer: "Take My Hand Precious Lord"
Nip/Tuck
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2007 writer - 1 episode, 2007