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Country Music Hall of Fame,
Class of 1962
It’s difficult for the modern-day country fan – or even one grounded in the half-century-old Nashville Sound and even older electrified honky-tonk style as I am – to appreciate the appeal and popularity of Roy Claxton Acuff back in the day. I’ve mentioned before the taunt Japanese soldiers issued to American G.I.’s in the Pacific: “To hell with FDR, to hell with Babe Ruth and to hell with Roy Acuff.”
If all you know of the King of Country Music is his work on Hee Haw, he’s worth some study. Which is what Nathan Rabin, head writer for the website A.V. Club and a hip-hop specialist, did recently as part of his “immersing himself in the canon of country music, a genre he knew little about, but was keen to explore.” Here’s his take, an urban music fan’s view of pure hillbilly, performed by the man who 17 years later would become the Hall of Fame’s first living member.
About the record: Columbia 20003 and 36586, recorded Aug. 2, 1945, at the studios of WBBM Radio in Chicago. Released the following month. First LP appearance was on Songs Of The Smokey Mountains, Columbia HL-9004, released 1949.
Roy Acuff’s Hall of Fame profile.
Next up: Tex Ritter
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September 20, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Ken Johnson
Have much respect for Roy and his contributions to country music both on and off the record. But when it comes to his singing, a little Roy Acuff goes a long long way with me. Suppose I was born a generation too late to truly appreciate his style. Tempo driven material like “Fireball Mail” and “Night Train To Memphis” are more to my taste than the ballads or sad religious songs.
Roy was a lot of fun to watch onstage in his heyday with his yo-yo & fiddle bow schtick. Truly knew how to please a crowd. So glad that I got to see him on the Opry during the 1970′s before the years began to really take their toll.
October 1, 2010 at 8:33 PM
Glenn Ford
Feeling low this evening. Felt pretty low all day, after hearing the news about Kevin, and a couple of drinks have not made me feel any better. That’s probably right out of a country song, now that I think of it, and he would have known which one, too.
Still don’t know exactly what happened, but it is certain that he died suddenly last night, Thursday, the last of September.
Kevin wasn’t just my cousin by marriage– he was my friend. Far too young to die, but that’s another subject. I just don’t think that the world will be the same without 3 Chords A Day and him. RIP Kevin Paulk.
October 11, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Nat Hill IV
ASHLAND CITY Kevin Allen Paulk, 48, passed away Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010. Kevin was a graduate of Tyner High School and UTC. He was a journalist for over 25 years. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Lester and Mae Paulk and Archie and Lynette Atkins.He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Sherri Paulk; parents, Harry and Donna Paulk; siblings, Kelly Paulk, Brian Paulk, Laurie (Tom) Winston; mother-in-law, Evelyn Cummings; nieces and nephews, Hank and Lucy Winston, and Joey Hannah.Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Sim Hassler officiating. Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.Visit http://www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the memorial tribute.The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Monday and noon-1 p.m. Tuesday at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
I never met Mr. Paulk, but I share his love of classic country music, and mourn his untimely passing. 3 Chords a day was a true blessing to me.
October 18, 2010 at 11:24 PM
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