 | JIMMIE RODGERS Sept. 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933
(elected 1961) Known as the Singing Brakeman, his songs tell the great stories of the singing rails, the powerful steam locomotives and the wonderful railroad people that he loved. Hits include "Blue Yodel (T for Texas)," "Waiting for a Train" and "In the Jailhouse Now." |
 | FRED ROSE Aug. 24, 1898 – Dec. 1, 1954
(elected 1961) Music publisher, songwriter, producer and talent scout during the 1940s and '50s. Founded the Acuff-Rose music publishing company with Roy Acuff in 1942. Penned "Wait for the Light to Shine," "Afraid" and "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain." Co-wrote timeless songs with Hank Williams. |
 | HANK WILLIAMS Sept. 17, 1923 – Jan. 1, 1953
(elected 1961) Unparalleled songwriter and performer who wrote and sang memorable hits including "I Can't Help it if I'm Still in Love with You," "Lovesick Blues" and "Hey Good Lookin'." Pop artists such as Tony Bennett recorded his songs. |
 | ROY ACUFF Sept. 15, 1903 – Nov. 23, 1992
(elected 1962) Star and host of the Grand Ole Opry. Co-founder of the Acuff-Rose music publishing company. Known as the King of Country Music and the Smoky Mountain Boy. |
| TEX RITTER Jan. 12, 1905 – Jan. 2, 1974
(elected 1964) Western singer with several hits in the 1940s including "Jealous Heart" and "Rye Whiskey." One of the first artists to record theme albums. Made a string of Western films and appeared on TV and on Broadway. |
 | ERNEST TUBB Feb. 9, 1914 – Sept. 6, 1984
(elected 1965) Texas Troubadour and Grand Ole Opry star for 39 years beginning in 1943. Hits include "Walking the Floor Over You," "Filipino Baby" and "Tomorrow Never Comes." Opened the first major all-Country record store in Downtown Nashville in 1947. |
 | EDDY ARNOLD May 15, 1918 – May 8, 2008
(elected 1966) One of the first Country artists to cross over to the pop charts. Hits include "Make the World Go Away" and "What's He Doing in My World." Won the first CMA Entertainer of the Year Award in 1967. |
 | JAMES R. DENNY Feb. 28, 1911 – Aug. 27, 1963
(elected 1966) A successful manager, talent agent and song publisher who started the Cedarwood Publishing Company with Webb Pierce in the 1950s. As a talent agent, booked nearly 4,000 shows each year in the 1960s. |
 | GEORGE D. HAY Nov. 9, 1895 – May 8, 1968
(elected 1966) The Solemn, Old Judge, newspaperman turned innovative radio broadcaster and founder of the 1925 radio program that became the Grand Ole Opry two years later. Appeared on the Opry for nearly 30 years. |
 | UNCLE DAVE MACON Oct. 7, 1870 – March 22, 1952
(elected 1966) Excellent banjo player and showman known as the Dixie Dewdrop. Was one of the most-loved Grand Ole Opry stars and helped establish Country Music as a commercial art form. |
 | RED FOLEY June 17, 1910 – Sept. 19, 1968
(elected 1967) Beloved Grand Ole Opry performer with hits "Old Shep" and "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy." Got his start on WLS radio's "Barn Dance" in Chicago in 1931, plus, starred on "National Barn Dance" and "Ozark Jubilee." |
 | J.L. (JOE) FRANK April 15, 1900 – May 4, 1952
(elected 1967) The first major promoter and manager in the Nashville Country Music business. Instrumental in the careers of Roy Acuff, Eddy Arnold, Gene Autry, Pee Wee King, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb and others. |
 | JIM REEVES Aug. 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964
(elected 1967) Distinctive singer with smooth baritone who scored hits including "Four Walls" and "He'll Have to Go." A former disc jockey, he joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and cultivated an international career. |
 | BOB WILLS March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975
(elected 1968) A pioneer of Western Swing. "Faded Love," "Maiden's Prayer," "Take Me Back to Tulsa" and "San Antonio Rose," are some of his biggest hits. Starred in musical western films in the 1940s. Famous trademark, "Ahh Ha, take it away, Leon." |
 | GENE AUTRY Sept. 29, 1907 – Oct. 2, 1998
(elected 1969) Singer and actor. Established his singing cowboy persona in the 1930s and recorded more than 300 songs. Starred in more than 90 western films. Hits include "The Last Roundup" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds." |