He was the affable “Tennessee Plowboy” who brought elegance, sophistication and millions of fans to country music. Eddy Arnold, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died around 4:40 a.m. May 8, 2008, at NHC Place in Cool Springs, one week shy of his 90th Birthday!

Mr. Arnold’s contributions to the history of American popular music are manifold, and integral. He sold more than 85 million records, with 37 singles charting on the pop charts and many more impacting the country charts. He ranks as Billboard magazine’s single most popular country artist of all time. He was a star of stage and screen, and he was also a public face of Nashville music for decades.

Eddy Arnold was born on May 15 in 1918, to Will and Georgia Arnold, who lived on a small farm near Henderson, Tennessee. The young lad would help out on the farm, doing what farmers do. Thus, early in his singing career, Eddy would be called, “The Tennessee Ploughboy,” by Judge Hay of the Grand Ole Opry.

Eddy Arnold seriously began his musical career at the age of 18. After brief stints in Jackson and Memphis, Tennessee, and in St. Louis, Missouri, Eddy joined Pee Wee King and His Golden West Cowboys in Nashville, Tennessee. It wasn’t long before he was emceeing Pee Wee’s show, and singing the vocals. He also played the part of a rube, that’s what they called the comedian.

In 1943, Eddy Arnold left the Golden West Cowboys to join WSM, in Nashville, Tennessee. Thanks to the urging of Eddy’s wife, Sally, he approached Harry Stone, the Manager of WSM for his own radio show on the station. Not only did Mr. Stone respond favorably to the request, but also granted him a spot on “The Grand Ole Opry.” This also was in 1943. Eddy was on his way. He signed with RCA Victor Records and this would propel Eddy Arnold into super stardom.

Since his first RCA release in 1944, Eddy Arnold recorded staggering number of songs, out of which came a tremendous number of hits. Until George Jones passed him up in the Nineties, Eddy held the record for the most country chart hits, 145. He still holds the record for the most Top Ten country hits, 92, and the most weeks at the number one spot, 28, for a total of 145 weeks! He always preferred to sing love ballads.

Eddy Arnold has become a legend, earning many awards in his magnificent career. In 1966, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Dusty Owens
TCM Radio News

Click here for the official Eddy Arnold website