Del Wood was born on a small farm near Nashville, Tennessee and given the name, Polly Adelaide Hendricks. She remained a resident of Nashville the rest of her life, passing away on October 3, 1989.

Del was one of the few female stars to become a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry as an instrumentalist. She was a ragtime piano player, and one of the best. Her recording of “Down Yonder” in 1951 sold over a million copies. I was privileged to work a week of shows with Del Wood in 1954 and considered Del to have been a wonderful person.

Del’s interest in playing the piano began at the age of five, and in spite of her parents wanting her to study the classics, Del was influenced by the music she heard in this city: She learned to play ragtime, gospel, and country music. Her dream was to be a regular on the Opry. She realized this goal in 1953, where she remained until her death in 1989.

Sometime after her marriage to Carson Hazelwood, Del adopted the stage name AdelaideHazelwood and played mostly honky tonks throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s. It is not clear when she shortened the name to Del Wood, probably around 1950.

The original recording of “Down Yonder” was done on a newly formed label, Tennessee Records, in 1951 and became a national hit in both the Country field and the Pop. This feat is considered by many to be the first million record seller by a female artist ever! A couple of years later, Del signed with RCA Victor.

During the Vietnam war, Del was part of a Grand Ole Opry package tour that entertained the troops in 1968. She became one of the popular attractions of the Opry throughout the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies, and her recordings were infrequent, but steady sellers. Her style had a profound influence on Jerry Lee Lewis.

Del Wood performed as a member of the Opry right up until a stroke claimed her life on October 3, 1989

Dusty Owens
TCM Radio News