Opry Sweethearts: Nashville Trailblazers
- Music History Hall
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, was launched in 1925 as a radio program known as The Barn Dance. In 1943, the Opry found its home at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Downtown Nashville as the beacon at the heart of Music City entered its golden years. It is an American institution that has played a pivotal role in shaping country music. Women were a big part of the success of the Grand Ole Opry and country music.
Patsy Cline was the ultimate sweetheart, an icon of country music, and the first woman inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She was known for being outspoken and bold, but also kind and loyal. She was close friends with other women in country music and supported other female artists such as Loretta Lynn, whom she mentored.
Hailing from Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, Loretta Lynn was practically destitute when she hit it big. In the early years of her career, she would drive around the country hand-delivering her records to radio stations. Loretta Lynn was the first woman to win the coveted top prize of “Entertainer of the Year” at the Country Music Association Awards in 1972.
Dolly Parton joined the Porter Wagoner Show as his “girl singer” in 1967, but she immediately proved herself to be no second fiddle. It did not take long for Dolly Parton to forge her own legendary independent career spanning six decades. She is a true country music icon. She has 44 career top 10 country albums – a record for any artist. A brilliant and prolific songwriter -- she composed over 3,000 songs.
Linda Martell was the first black woman to sing on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Born and raised in South Carolina, she listened to country, gospel, and rhythm and blues. She discovered singing country music on an air force base. This led to an introduction to a producer who signed her to his Nashville label in 1969. The label released her country cover of “Color Him Father.” The song became a top 25 single on the Billboard charts. In August of 1969, she performed on the Grand Ole Opry show, becoming the first black woman to do so.
