Roy Acuff

Roy Claxton Acuff (September 15, 1903 – November 23, 1992) was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the "King of Country Music", Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful. In 1952, Hank Williams told Ralph Gleason, "He's the biggest singer this music ever knew. You booked him and you didn't worry about crowds. For drawing power in the South, it was Roy Acuff, then God."

Acuff began his music career in the 1930s and gained regional fame as the singer and fiddler for his group, the Smoky Mountain Boys. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1938, and although his popularity as a musician waned in the late 1940s, he remained one of the Opry's key figures and promoters for nearly four decades. In 1942, Acuff and Fred Rose founded Acuff-Rose Music, the first major Nashville-based country music publishing company, which signed such artists as Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers. In 1962, Acuff became the first living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 15, 1903 (Maynardville), Died November 23, 1992 (Nashville)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1936 - 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, vocalist, violin, composer, lyricist, songwriter, Musical group, arranger, lead vocal, instrumentalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 132 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia C4315 10-in. 12/19/1944 Wait for the light to shine Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, violin, leader  
Columbia C4371 10-in. 2/17/1945 Searching for a soldier's grave Bailes Brothers Male vocal duet, with string band composer, lyricist  
Columbia C4372 10-in. 2/17/1945 As long as I live Bailes Brothers Male vocal duet, with string band songwriter  
Columbia C4428 10-in. 8/2/1945 No one will ever know Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia C4430 10-in. 8/2/1945 I think I'll go home and cry Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, violin, leader  
Columbia C4431 10-in. 8/2/1945 We live in two different worlds Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia C4432 10-in. 8/2/1945 Pins and needles (in my heart) Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, violin, leader  
Columbia CCO4514 10-in. 3/11/1946 Golden treasure Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia HCO4516 10-in. 3/11/1946 Let me be the first to say I'm sorry Roy Acuff ; Smoky Mountain Boys Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, leader  
Columbia CCO4517 10-in. 3/11/1946 All the world is lonely now Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, violin, leader  
Columbia CCO4518 10-in. 3/11/1946 That glory bound train Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, violin, leader  
Columbia CCO4519 10-in. 3/11/1946 Waiting for my call to glory Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter, instrumentalist, violin, leader  
Columbia CCO4520 10-in. 3/11/1946 Gone, gone, gone (but not forgotten) Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia CCO4521 10-in. 3/11/1946 Tell me now or tell me never Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Columbia CCO4700 10-in. 12/16/1946 The tear stained letter Cumberland Mountain Folks ; Molly O'Day String band, with male & female vocal duet composer, lyricist  
Columbia CCO4893 10-in. 11/18/1947 When they take that last look at me Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys Male vocal solo, with string band vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, violin  
Columbia CCO4894 10-in. 11/18/1947 This world can't stand long Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, violin, composer, lyricist  
Columbia CCO4895 10-in. 11/18/1947 I saw the light Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo and male vocal ensemble vocalist, leader  
Columbia CCO4896 10-in. 11/18/1947 Heartaches and flowers Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader, instrumentalist, violin  
Columbia CCO4897 10-in. 11/18/1947 The songbirds are singing in heaven Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, violin, leader  
Columbia CCO4898 10-in. 11/18/1947 Unloved and unclaimed Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, songwriter  
Columbia CCO4899 10-in. 11/18/1947 I had a dream Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, violin  
Columbia CCO4900 10-in. 11/19/1947 Thank God Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo and male vocal ensemble vocalist, leader  
Columbia CCO4901 10-in. 11/19/1947 You'll reap these tears Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, instrumentalist, violin, leader  
Columbia CCO4902 10-in. 11/19/1947 Its just about time Roy Acuff ; Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys String band, with male vocal solo vocalist, composer, lyricist, leader  
(Results 51-75 of 132 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Roy Acuff ," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/300313.

Roy Acuff . (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/300313.

"Roy Acuff ." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/300313

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