Grand Ole Opry Member Spotlight: Ernie Ashworth

Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show - Nashville

Dierks Bentley - The Opry's Youngest Member

Named a living legend, it's no surprise that Ernie Ashworth has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over forty years. With his silver-studded red suit and numerous hits, Ernie Ashworth has become a classic name in country.

Ernie Ashworth has been known for his #1 Hit, "Talk Back Trembling Lips," which inspired his trademark red suit with gold studded lips. Ernie Ashworth Between 1960 and 1970, every album Ernie Ashworth released appeared on the national charts, allowing Ernie to enjoy a whole decade of career success.

Background and Early Career

• Ernie Ashworth, born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, began his music career quite young. By age 20, Ernie was featured on Huntsville's radio station, WBHP.
• Ernie moved from his hometown to Nashville in 1949, and from this year until 1959, Ernie worked for several radio stations and wrote songs for country greats like Little Jimmy Dickens, Carl Smith, Johnny Horton, Wilma Lee Cooper, and Paul Anka.

Grand Ole Opry Induction

• From his humble beginnings in the Huntsville, Alabama, to the Opry stage, Ernie Ashworth has enjoyed a long string of success in his career. Ernie Ashworth was inducted into the Opry in 1964, which was the year his "Talk Back Trembling Lips" became a renowned hit.  Ernie's induction into the Opry was only the beginning of further successes he would enjoy, like more national hits and radio station ownership.

Ernie Ashworth at the Opry

• For over 40 years, Ernie has been captivating audiences on the Opry's magnificent stage with his numerous smash hits and trembling-lips suit. Ernie continues to be an active member of the Opry and plays road dates. You can also hear some of his Opry hits on his 35th Anniversary at the Opry album, which was released in 1999. For dates of Ernie's performances at the Opry, check out the VME Grand Ole Opry Blog.

Ernie Ashworth's Hits You Might Hear at the Opry

• "Talk Back Trembling Lips"
• "Each Moment Spent With You"
• "You Can't Pick a Rose in December"
• "A Week in the Country"
• "I Love to Dance with Annie"
• "Pushed in a Corner"
• "Because I Cared"
• "The D.J. Cried"
• "I Wish"
• "At Ease Heart"
• "Sad Face"
• "A New Heart"

Awards and Recognition

• Ernie was named "Most Promising Male Artist" by Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World.
• Ernie received the Living Legend Award at the Major Independent Record Label Awards Show in 1991.
• Ernie was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1992.
• In 1999, Ernie was voted the #1 Programmed Independent Artist in Europe.

More details

• Ernie currently owns AM radio stations in Ardmore and Gallatin, Tennessee.
• Along with seeing Ernie onstage at the Opry, you can see him on the silver screen in the 1965 movie The Farmer's Daughter.
• See the complete list of current Grand Ole Opry members!