Trivia

Acuff's budding career as a baseball player was cut short due to sunstroke.

Sang "I Saw the Light" at the funeral of Hank Williams alongside C&W greats Red Foley and Ernest Tubb who, respectively sang, "Peace in the Valley" and "Beyond the Sunset"

He was the first LIVING person to be elected as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. (Before Acuff, you had to be deceased to be elected a member.).

Among country music's pioneers.

Recorded many golden classic country hits. The songs "Wabash Cannonball" and "Great Speckle Bird" were recorded at his first session in 1936.

Twice ran for Tennessee governor as a Republican.

Was famous for his yo-yo trick demonstrations during his personal appearences.

He was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1991 by the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington D.C.

Brother of actor Eddie Acuff.

Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1962.

Had one of the earliest hit versions of "The Tennesee Waltz," whose best known version was from Patti Page.

With Fred Rose, formed the Hickory Records recording label in 1953, from which Acuff's later recordings came.

Won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 for his contributions to the music industry.

For many years was the owner/operator of the Dunbar Cave Hotel, a popular tourist spot just outside of Nashville.

Recorded for several different labels over the years, most notably for Columbia, Capitol, and Hickory records.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 3, 1991-1993, pages 7-9. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2001.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1541 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.