Charlie Louvin, half of the Louvin Brothers whose harmonies inspired fellow country and pop singers for decades, has died due to complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 83. Brett Steele, his manager, said the country music hall of fame singer died at his home in Wartrace, Tennessee, early Wednesday. Louvin was diagnosed with cancer last year and underwent surgery, but continued to schedule performances and even put out an album. He was one of several stars invited to a welcome home performance of the Grand Ole Opry last year after floods damaged the Opry house. The Louvin Brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and were cousins of songwriter John D. Loudermilk. (AP)

                 Charlie Louvin, right, with brother Ira  who died in 1965

It was on this date in 1925 when The Grand Ole
Opry debuted on Nashville’s radio station WSM.
The  weekly country music concert has been
presenting the biggest names in the field and
is among the longest-running radio shows in
the history.

           Opry founder George D. Hay

The Delmore Brothers with Uncle Dave Macon (seated) were
among the first stars of the weekly country music show.

                            The Grand Ole Opry today.