Grand Ole Opry Member Spotlight: Billy Grammer

Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show - Nashville

Dierks Bentley - The Opry's Youngest Member

Known for his award-winning guitar playing abilities, Billy Grammer has released instrumental albums of various guitar styles in addition to his vocal stylings. A Grand Ole Opry member since 1959, Grammer has been a mainstay on the Opry stage for decades.

Background and Early Career

• Billy Grammer was born August 28, 1925 in Benton Illinois in a large family with 13 children. Grammer learned to play and sing at an early age, and after returning home from service in the Army, he landed a job working alongside Connie B. Gay. Gay was a well-known disc jockey in Washington, DC, area.
• Grammer also landed gigs playing with folks like Hawkshaw Hawkins, Grandpa Jones, and Jimmy Dean, and in 1959 received national attention as a solo artist with the hit, "Gotta Travel On." Grammer became a member of the Grand Ole Opry that same year, and would go on to have his signature, flat-top guitar named after him. The Grammer Guitar would go on to be included in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Grand Ole Opry Induction

• Billy Grammer was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 27, 1959.

Billy Grammer at the Opry

• Billy Grammer has been a Grand Ole Opry member for more than 45 years, and continues to make frequent appearances at the Opry. To view the upcoming Opry line-ups, visit the VME Grand Ole Opry Blog.

Notable Hits

• "Gotta Travel On"
• "Midnight"
• "Poor Old Heartsick Me"
• "Barrel House Bessie"
• "Family Man"
• "My Lucky Love"
• "Run Boy"
• "The Kissin' Tree"
• "That's Life"

More Information

• See the complete list of current Grand Ole Opry members!