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Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
To fully celebrate 100 Years of Opry, we must remember DeFord Bailey's injustice
On Feb. 23, 1974, the Grand Ole Opry hosted Old Timer's Night. It was a reunion and celebration of the early stars who built the platform that would carry the sound forged in the American South into homes across the globe. Minnie Pearl was there; so was Roy Acuff. Both were already icons of the format, two names that still come up when discussing the foundation of country music. But perhaps more significant, on that night more than 50 years ago, was the presence of DeFord Bailey. The diminutive Black man, a master of the harmonica, wasn't just the first Opry star − he was the show's very first performer. His renditions of songs like 'Pan American Blues' and 'Fox Chase' wowed audiences and helped establish the broadcast as an authentic, unpretentious alternative to the buttoned-up, classical fare of other shows. Yet for his contributions to the Grand Ole Opry − and country music itself − Bailey had been summarily cast aside. At Old Timer's Night, he hadn't been on the Opry stage in more than 30 years. The whats and whys of that reality would be debated for much longer, but in his biography, written by David C. Morton and originally published in 1991, Bailey made the results clear: The Opry, he said, 'turned me loose to root hog or die.' Even as a child, Bailey was destined to be a star. While bedridden with a disease that would severely stunt his growth, he was introduced to the instrument that would make him famous. He learned to pick guitar and banjo, but it was the harmonica that captivated him most. At just 3 or 4 years old, Bailey began making sounds that became music as he mimicked what he heard outside his bedroom. He made his harp moo like the cows and howl like the dogs; he squawked like the chickens pecking around for feed. And he especially loved bending notes to whistle like the locomotives that barreled through the Tennessee countryside. Once Bailey got on his feet and came of age, he worked a handful of odd jobs before making music his career. That came by way of radio, which arrived in Nashville in 1925. Bailey debuted on WDAD, the city's first broadcast station, via a harmonica contest. He blew the competition away, but due to the social mores of the time, and the pre-determined subordination of Black people, Bailey was named the second-place finisher. Soon, he moved to WSM. It may have been the second station to launch in Nashville, but in terms of financial backing and overall reach, it was first by a mile. It also became the home of The Barn Dance, the precursor to the Grand Ole Opry. DeFord was there at the broadcast's beginning, playing his harp and regaling audiences with his innovative stylings. When the Opry took the show on the road, he was there, too, even when it meant being subjected to the ugliness of Jim Crow segregation. While his white co-stars ate in restaurants after performances, Bailey waited in the car for someone to bring him a sandwich. Since he couldn't sleep in whites-only hotels, he bunked in the homes of Black strangers. Despite the regular injustices and embarrassments, Bailey knew had one of the best gigs available to Black men in the 1920s − which is likely why he chose to not to protest such affronts. But even his willingness to 'stay in his place' wouldn't be enough to save him from his ultimate fate. Grand Ole Opry: 'Opry 100' special honors country legends Dolly Parton, Randy Travis among others. Here are the top moments A dispute between ASCAP and BMI, the music industry's two new performing rights organizations, meant that the BMI-supported Grand Ole Opry had to either pay licensing fees for the right to play the songs in ASCAP's catalog, or scrap them from the show completely. Many Opry performers would simply pivot and write new songs. But not Bailey. And though Judge George Hay, the Opry creator and host, argued, in his memoir, that Bailey was "lazy," Bailey had a different explanation. Less a writer of original songs, Bailey an innovator of existing music. Opry management had long limited his repertoire, preventing him from playing anything other than fan favorites. Then, all of a sudden, they shifted course, leaving Bailey behind. Moreover, Bailey believed that the copyright fight was merely a ruse. In his mind, the Opry simply didn't want to pay him, a Black man, what he was worth. Also likely: The Opry, as a critical pillar of the country music industry, understood the need to reinforce the standard of whiteness upon which the genre was built. The Grand Ole Opry acknowledged as much in February 2023, when Carlos DeFord Bailey, Bailey's grandson, played a Grand Ole Opry in the Harmonica Wizard's honor. While the younger Bailey sang, a black-and-white photo of his grandfather appeared on a screen above his head. Also during the set, the Opry played a video apologizing for its treatment of DeFord. From the Opry's official statement: "Neither country music nor the Grand Ole would exist without the impact and influence of diverse artists and multiple cultures. But over the course of nearly 100 years, the Opry has at times been a part of a problem within country music suppressing the contributions of our diverse community.' Bailey, of course, never got to hear the apology. He died in 1982, nearly penniless, after spending his latter years shining shoes at his 12th Street shop. For a Black hillbilly musician, one without the industry-wide support of Acuff or Pearl, finding steady work in his field had been all but impossible. It's the reality that no apology can resolve, no matter when it occurs. Remorseful sentiments are nice, but they don't feed families. Neither do they create lasting change. If Bailey was alive today, I'm sure he would happily celebrate 100 years of Opry, recognizing the enduring legacy of the institution he helped forged with the breath in his lungs and his beloved harp. But I think he would also be frustrated. Angry, even. After logging 29 country No. 1's during a career that peaked in the 1970s, Charley Pride was finally invited to become an Opry member... in 1993. Thirty years later, in 2023, Darius Rucker received his own overdue invitation. And along with Bailey, they remain the only Black members in the Grand Ole Opry's 100-year history. Andrea Williams is an opinion columnist for The Tennessean and curator of the Black Tennessee Voices initiative. She has an extensive background covering country music, sports, race and society. Email her at adwilliams@ or follow her on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @AndreaWillWrite and BlueSky at @ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Grand Ole Opry inducted only 3 Black members in 100 years | Opinion
Express Tribune
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Keith Urban honors Crystal Gayle at Grand Ole Opry's 100th anniversary with heartfelt tribute
Country star Keith Urban paid tribute to Crystal Gayle during The Grand Ole Opry's 100th-anniversary celebration at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, delivering a heartfelt performance of her hit Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue. The special night honored The Opry's legacy, with Urban later performing his own song, Wasted Time, to an enthusiastic crowd. Reflecting on Gayle's legacy, Urban highlighted her connection to The Opry and her late sister, Loretta Lynn, who had inducted her. "She's always been her own artist," he said. "I really wanted to do this tonight in honor of you, Crystal. I love you!" Urban, a Grand Ole Opry member since 2012, joined a star-studded lineup that included Carrie Underwood, Jelly Roll, The War & Treaty, and Post Malone. The milestone event showcased country music's enduring influence while celebrating its rich history. Beyond this performance, Urban is preparing for a packed schedule. In May, he will launch his High and Alive tour, followed by hosting The Road, a CBS talent show designed to discover emerging musicians. Drawing from his own early struggles, Urban emphasized the importance of real-world experience. "Touring has always been my first love. It's where the rubber meets the road," he said. With these commitments, Urban will be spending more time away from his wife, Nicole Kidman, and their daughters. Yet, his dedication to country music remains unwavering. His moving tribute at The Opry underscored not just his respect for its history but also his passion for shaping its future.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wait, Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan Aren't Members of the Grand Ole Opry?
The Opry is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and that has country music fans wondering: Who are the members of the Grand Ole Opry? And how does a country singer become a member? The home of country music currently has 76 members, and the list definitely has some surprises. According to the official Opry website, the show's management determines who becomes a member, taking into consideration all manner of success in the genre, from music sales to touring success to awards and recognitions. The website explains, "The decision to bring a new act into the Opry fold is a two-pronged one, based on a combination of career accomplishment and commitment. But, really, it comes down to just one word: relationships. The relationships between performers and fans. The relationships Opry members have with each other, relationships that may last for decades. And, perhaps most importantly, the relationship between each artist and the ideal of the Grand Ole Opry." The artists often receive the invitation to join from a current member in a public setting. Lainey Wilson was recently tapped as a member by Reba McEntire on an episode of The Voice, and Dolly Parton surprised Carly Pearce with an invitation during a promotional taping for Dollywood. The list of current Opry members is below, but it's just as interesting to note that some of today's biggest stars in the genre have not made the cut. You won't find names like Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Wynonna Judd, Eric Church, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Faith Hill, Thomas Rhett, Shania Twain, or Tim McGraw among the list of members. Here's the full list of current Opry members: Trace Adkins Lauren Alaina Bill Anderson Kelsea Ballerini Bobby Bare Mandy Barnett Dierks Bentley Clint Black Garth Brooks Steven Curtis Chapman Henry Cho Terri Clark Luke Combs John Conlee Dailey & Vincent Diamond Rio Sara Evans Gary Mule Deer Crystal Gayle Vince Gill Emmylou Harris Alan Jackson Chris Janson Jamey Johnson Alison Krauss Lady A Little Big Town Patty Loveless Dustin Lynch Barbara Mandrell Martina McBride Ashley McBryde Del McCoury Charlie McCoy Scotty McCreery Reba McEntire Ronnie Milsap Eddie Montgomery Craig Morgan Lorrie Morgan Old Crow Medicine Show Brad Paisley Jon Pardi Dolly Parton Carly Pearce Stu Phillips Jeanne Pruett Rascal Flatts Riders In The Sky Darius Rucker Don Schlitz Jeannie Seely Blake Shelton Ricky Skaggs Connie Smith Mike Snider Marty Stuart T. Graham Brown The Gatlin Brothers The Isaacs The Oak Ridge Boys The Whites Pam Tillis Randy Travis Travis Tritt Josh Turner Carrie Underwood Keith Urban Ricky Van Shelton Rhonda Vincent Steve Wariner Gene Watson Mark Wills Lainey Wilson Trisha Yearwood Chris Young You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen
