Who Is Roy Acuff Commemorative Stamp

This paper will analyze and discuss the Roy Acuff commemorative stamp published by the United States Postal Service in 2003. Roy Acuff was one of country music's first superstars, and he also is known as the "King of Country Music." He help establish the Grand Ole Opry as the United States' leading country venues, and through his role in the music publishing business, he assisted making the country music capital of the United States Nashville, Tennessee (Smithsonian National Postal Museum, 2003). These stamps recognize Roy Acuff, a country music superstar, and his role in creating the country music capital of America. When he was young, Roy Acuff did not have aspirations to become a musician. Roy Claxton Acuff was born in Maynardville, Tennessee

His father, who was a skilled fiddle player, played music that made a lasting impression on him. Later in life his family moved to Fountain City, and due to the encouragement of one of his teachers, Miss Gresham, Acuff regular sang at chapel and acted in his school’s plays. Since Roy Acuff’s heart was still for sports, and he played semi-professional baseball. His athletic talent grabbed the attention of some major league scouts. In 1929, however, in the middle of a game, Roy Acuff suffered a intense sunstroke, which ended his baseball career. Restricted to the indoors for the next two years of his life, Roy Acuff began to improve his musical skills. He accomplished this through learning to play the fiddle and developing his vocal skills. He was influenced by musicians such as Johnny Carson, Gid Tanner, and the Skillet Lickers. In 1932, Acuff joined a musical act in a traveling medicine show to sell “Moc-a-Tan Elixir.” Later, Roy Acuff started a country music band, the Tennessee Crackjacks, which quickly gained a local following. In 1936, the band changed its name to the Crazy Tennesseans and began

“The Great Speckled Bird” became Acuff’s first major hit. Being invited to perform at the Grand Old Opry in 1938 was Acuff’s first big break. This was one of country music’s most prestigious and popular stages, especially since the shows were broadcast over the radio. The performance was such a success which resulted in Roy Acuff becoming one of their regular performers and most popular act. The group renamed their band a second time to the Smokey Mountain Boys, and during the late 1930s to the early 1940s, they recorded some of country music’s most enduring hits. These songs included “Night Train to Memphis,” “Wreck on the Highway,” “Pins and Needles,” and “Wabash Cannonball.” During World War II, Acuff performed all over the globe for the American troops. After the war, in 1948, Acuff ran as the Republican candidate for governor of Tennessee, however, he lost in a two to one