ROY ACUFF | Christie's

This lot is offered without reserve.

As the King of Country Music, Roy Claxton Acuff brought country music from its traditional rural setting to the big city by successfully taking the "hoedown" and string band format and updating it to a star singer with an amplified band. Born and raised in Tennessee, Acuff's music career began following his failed attempt at major-league baseball in 1930. By 1932 he was fully dedicated to his fiddle playing and working square dances and other gatherings where he met local musicians and formed a band called the Crazy Tennesseans. After a few years of playing local venues, Acuff had his sights set on the Grand Ole Opry but was repeatedly refused entry by the Opry's George D. Hay. It was not until help from promoter J.L. Frank that Acuff and the Crazy Tennesseans were able to realize their goal. It was also Frank who suggested the bands new name, the Smokey Mountain Boys, following their widely successful 1938 performance of The Great Speckled Bird. In 1942, Acuff co-founded Acuff-Rose Music, the first major Nashville-based country music publishing company, which went on to sign Hank Williams and Roy Orbison among others. Acuff became the first living member ever elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1962.

ROY ACUFF

Details

ROY ACUFF
A green Hampshire House stage shirt with brown OST cravate.

Special notice

This lot is offered without reserve.

Brought to you by

Laura E. Armstrong

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

learmstrong@christies.com 212-636-2434

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