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.

Music legend Jimmy Dean’s “Big Bad John” became the
100th number one single of the Rock era on this date in
1961. Jimmy wrote the song in an hour and a half while
flying to Nashville for a recording session. It was his
only chart topper.