This page contains Roy Acuff songs, albums and video links. Music profile for Roy Acuff with events, tracks, videos, pictures, lyrics and band information.
Early life
He was born in Maynardville, Tennessee|Maynardville, Tennessee to Ida Carr and Simon E. Neil Acuff <ref>[http://www.wargs.com/other/acuff.html Ancestry of Roy Acuff<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, the third of five children. He played semi-professional baseball, but a sunstroke in 1929 and a nervous breakdown in 1930 ended his aspirations to play for the New York Yankees.[http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/inductees.aspx?cid=95#]
Music career
He then turned his attention to his father's fiddle and began playing in a traveling medicine show, often performing in blackface. He toured the Southern United States and eventually formed a band called "The Crazy Tennesseans".
In 1936, he recorded his two most enduring songs, the traditional ''The Great Speckled Bird (song)|The Great Speckled Bird'' and ''The Wabash Cannonball''. He debuted at the ''Grand Ole Opry'' two years later. He was booked as a fiddler, and he should have played the Turkey Buzzard for a square dancing segment, but he decided to try and sing The Great Speckled Bird. His decision was not well received, however. Acuff became a regular on the Opry, forming a backing band called the Smoky Mountain Boys, led by friend and Dobro player Bashful Brother Oswald. By 1940 he was the star of the show.
Bedminster Born Music Legend Art Satherley
Roy Acuff Amp Minnie Pearl Statues @ The Ryman
