The Smokey Mountain Boys

Roy Acuff was traveling in a medicine show in the 1930s and learned how to perform. Then he decided to start a band that, in time, was called the Smokey Mountain Boys. They played for the soldiers of World War II all over the world. They stayed genuine, playing music with the mountain sound. When he formed the band, they were called the Tennessee Crackerjacks and Clell Summey played the Dobro. This was the start of the one of a kind sound that the band was known for. The Wabash Cannonball and The Great Speckled Bird were only two of the Smokey Mountain Boys top hits. They also did a rowdier album, but it was released under a different name.

In 1938, they showed up on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time and soon became a regular act. In the 1940s, they hit popularity so well that they were right there with Frank Sinatra in their fame. Other hits of this band were Wreck on the Highway, Fireball Man, and Night Train to Memphis and, of course, The Precious Jewel. At one time, they also did a Hank Williams Sr. song, I Saw the Light. Acuff also performed the famous Tennessee Waltz.

The Smokey Mountain Boys were pretty much living in Roy Acuffs limelight. His gift to country music was acknowledged when he was accepted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He died in 1992 after a brief illness. Until then, he still showed up on the Opry as a guest.