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Photo of Roy Acuff

Photo: Walden S. Fabry/Ross Photos / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Roy Acuff

American singer

September 15, 1903 – November 23, 1992 · Maynardville, Tennessee, United States

  • Tennessee
  • singer
  • singer-songwriter
  • composer

Roy Acuff was born on September 15, 1903 in Maynardville, Tennessee, United States and was credited as a singer, singer-songwriter and composer. Roy Acuff died on November 23, 1992 at the age of 89. Schooling on record includes Central High School. Listed accolades include National Medal of Arts, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1987), Kennedy Center Honors and 1 more.

My Take

Roy Acuff is one of those figures whose influence outgrew his fame. Calling him the King of Country Music undersells what I find most interesting: he didn't just sing, he reshaped the genre's center of gravity from string-band hoedowns toward the vocalist-driven sound that made it travel the world. Hank Williams naming him the music's greatest singer is no small endorsement. What draws me in is the dual role of artist and promoter, the man who both performed the music and built the business around it. He cultivated a whole tradition, not merely a hit record.

1. Profile

Name (English)
Roy Acuff
Name (Japanese)
ロイ・エイカフ
Reading
ろい・えいかふ
Born
September 15, 1903 – November 23, 1992
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
Virgo / Rabbit
Origin
Maynardville, Tennessee, United States
Occupation
singer / singer-songwriter / composer / music publisher / politician

2. Background

High school
Central High School

Awards & achievements

  • National Medal of Arts
  • 1987 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Kennedy Center Honors
  • 1960 star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

4. About this entry

Tags

  • Tennessee
  • singer
  • singer-songwriter
  • composer
Last updated
2026-06-21

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.

Frequently asked questions

When was Roy Acuff born?

Born September 15, 1903.

When did Roy Acuff die?

Died November 23, 1992, aged 89.

Where was Roy Acuff from?

Roy Acuff was from Maynardville, Tennessee, United States.

What did Roy Acuff do?

Roy Acuff worked as singer, singer-songwriter, composer, music publisher, politician.

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