Stu Phillips, known by many as "The Travelling Balladeer," passed away on Christmas Day. Phillips was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry and was a successful recording artist and songwriter. He died at the age of 92.
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Phillips first joined the Opry in 1967, meaning he spent 58 years as a member. Originally, Stu hailed from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It was there that he played music as a teenager, performing at fairs, radio shows, and even rodeos. In the 50s, he earned the nickname "The Travelling Balladeer" and became known for his work with the CBC. It was there that he hosted popular programs like The Outrider and Red River Jamboree.
He would eventually release nine albums and have a No. 1 hit in Canada with his song, "Kathy Keep Playing." In 1993, he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. Friends and family remember him as having a great love of history and folklore, which he brought to the country music genre in his home country.
The Opry remembered Phillips in a post on December 26. "Thank you, Stu Phillips — who was our oldest living Opry member — for your music, friendship, and 58 years as part of the Opry family."
A Little Bit About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry, considered "the home of country music," recently celebrated its 100th anniversary this past year. The Opry, whose stage has been graced by everyone, from Patsy Cline to Lainey Wilson, has a specific initiation process. The requirements? You have to be a star, but you also have to commit to playing the Nashville stage several times a year.
More recently, the Opry has been welcoming outside genres onto its stage. BigXThaPlug, a rapper who has collaborated with artists like Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman, and Luke Combs, had his Opry debut in October. He explained that, even though he isn't a country artist, he gained a lot of respect for the venue after his friend, Shaboozey, explained its significance to him.
"I'm doing something that you can tell the greats do..." he shared in an Apple Music interview. "The fact that I was chosen to step on a stage that greats have been on and a place that's not my home, but that's accepting me... It's just crazy."
This year, the Opry has inducted several new members, including Steve Earle, Kathy Mattea, and Suzy Bogguss.
