American country music singer and fiddler
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1962.
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.)
Among country musics pioneers.
Recorded many golden classic country hits. The songs "Wabash Cannonball" and "Great Speckle Bird" were recorded at his first session in 1936.
Had one of the earliest hit versions of "The Tennesee Waltz," whose best known version was from Patti Page.
With Fred Rose , formed the Hickory Records recording label in 1953, from which Acuffs later recordings came.
Twice ran for Tennessee governor as a Republican.
Won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 for his contributions to the music industry.
Acuffs budding career as a baseball player was cut short due to sunstroke.
For many years was the owner/operator of the Dunbar Cave Hotel, a popular tourist spot just outside of Nashville.
Recorded for several different labels over the years, most notably for Columbia, Capitol, and Hickory records.
Was famous for his yo-yo trick demonstrations during his personal appearences.
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"
He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1991 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 3, 1991-1993, pages 7-9. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 2001.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1541 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
Brother of actor Eddie Acuff.
The greatest thing the Democrats have ever done for me was to defeat me,for the governor of Tennessee.
Put your trust in the Lord and go ahead. Worry gets you no place. .
