Popular Entertainment

Elvis Presley Record

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

Place: Grand Ole Opry

Fans Leave the Ryman After a Performance

An intergenerational crowd leaves the Ryman Auditorium after a show. The "WSM" stands for "We Shield Millions," the motto for the insurance company that originally funded the Grand Ole Opry.Currently not on view
Description
An intergenerational crowd leaves the Ryman Auditorium after a show. The "WSM" stands for "We Shield Millions," the motto for the insurance company that originally funded the Grand Ole Opry.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.060
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.060

Jean Shepard

Jean Shepard (b.1933) joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1956. Beginning with her first solo top ten single, "A Satisfied Mind" in 1955, Shepard's pure country voice led to hit after hit.Currently not on view
Description
Jean Shepard (b.1933) joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1956. Beginning with her first solo top ten single, "A Satisfied Mind" in 1955, Shepard's pure country voice led to hit after hit.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.051
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.051

Minnie Pearl and Pee Wee King

"How-dee! Ah'm so glad to be here," may be one of the most familiar and beloved radio greetings, Minnie Pearl (Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, 1912-1996) ranked among the premier comedians on the Grand Ole Opry and in country music.
Description
"How-dee! Ah'm so glad to be here," may be one of the most familiar and beloved radio greetings, Minnie Pearl (Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, 1912-1996) ranked among the premier comedians on the Grand Ole Opry and in country music. For decades she entertained audiences with gossip about the residents of her fictional town, Grinder's Switch. She joined the Opry in 1940 and later went on to star in the television show Hee Haw in the 1970s.
Minnie Pearl's costume consisting of her famous straw hat with the dangling price tag, the pink and white gingham dress, and maryjane-style shoes became part of the National Museum of Amercian History's collection after she donated them in 1993.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.050
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.050

Stringbean

Nationally known by the 1950s, "Stringbean" David Akeman (1915-1973) was a country comedian and exceptional banjo player. He is credited with reviving interest in the banjo in bluegrass and country music.
Description
Nationally known by the 1950s, "Stringbean" David Akeman (1915-1973) was a country comedian and exceptional banjo player. He is credited with reviving interest in the banjo in bluegrass and country music. He made his first banjo from a shoebox and string, and later went on to play with Bill Monroe's Band. Uncle Dave Macon mentioned Stringbean in classic jokes and traditional tunes, and was among the first Opry members to join the cast of Hee Haw. Publicity photographs in the background of this picture include Jean Shepherd, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, Stringbean himself, Bobby Lord, Bill Anderson, Flatt and Scruggs, the Browns, and the Four Guys.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.031
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.031

Roy Acuff

Often called the King of Country Music, Roy Acuff (1903-1992) had a career as a performer and as the first publisher of country sheet music. His first break came with his recording of "The Great Speckled Bird" in 1936.
Description
Often called the King of Country Music, Roy Acuff (1903-1992) had a career as a performer and as the first publisher of country sheet music. His first break came with his recording of "The Great Speckled Bird" in 1936. In 1937 Acuff became a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry, and his relatonship with the Opry and its fans lasted for the rest of his life.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.041
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.041

Program Seller

The program seller, "Black Cat" was a familiar face to many in Nashville.Currently not on view
Description
The program seller, "Black Cat" was a familiar face to many in Nashville.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.059
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.059

Fiddlin' Sid Harkreader

Sidney J. "Fiddlin' Sid" Harkreader (1898-1988) was well-known as the fiddler and vocalist who accompanied Uncle Dave Macon from the earliest days of the Grand Ole Opry.Currently not on view
Description
Sidney J. "Fiddlin' Sid" Harkreader (1898-1988) was well-known as the fiddler and vocalist who accompanied Uncle Dave Macon from the earliest days of the Grand Ole Opry.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.046
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.046

Hank Snow

Born Clarence Eugene Snow (1914-1999) and known as "The Singing Ranger," Hank Snow possessed one of the most distinctive voices and styles in country music.
Description
Born Clarence Eugene Snow (1914-1999) and known as "The Singing Ranger," Hank Snow possessed one of the most distinctive voices and styles in country music. Rooted in the folk songs of his native Canada, Snow's music included the "blue yodels" of his idol Jimmie Rodgers, cowboy songs, Tin Pan Alley standards, and songs written by himself and other Nashville tunesmiths. In 1951, he and Anita Carter hit the record charts with "Bluebird Island" and its B-side, "Down the Trail of Achin' Hearts."
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.053
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.053

Lester Flatt

Lester Flatt ranks as one of the all-time preeminent lead singers in bluegrass music.
Description
Lester Flatt ranks as one of the all-time preeminent lead singers in bluegrass music. He spent the major years of his career, from 1948 to 1969, as half of the legendary team of Flatt & Scruggs, but also had some notable earlier experience as a sideman, including as a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, and led his own group in the 1970s. He regularly performed on the Grand Ole Opry and appeared often on the festival circuit.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.045
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.045

Carol Lee Cooper

Carol Lee Cooper (b.1942) provided vocal backup with her Carol Lee Singers for almost all the Grand Ole Opry acts beginning in the 1960s. Often without sheet music to work from and no time for a rehearsal, she devised a special system of hand signals for conducting the singers.
Description
Carol Lee Cooper (b.1942) provided vocal backup with her Carol Lee Singers for almost all the Grand Ole Opry acts beginning in the 1960s. Often without sheet music to work from and no time for a rehearsal, she devised a special system of hand signals for conducting the singers. On the dressing table is a lyric book in which she wrote the words of the songs and made notes. The photographer can be seen on the far right in the mirror.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1974
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.044
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.044

DeFord Bailey

Deford Bailey spent fifteen years as a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry (1926-1941). In that time he established himself as one of the show's most popular performers and an influential harmonica player.
Description
Deford Bailey spent fifteen years as a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry (1926-1941). In that time he established himself as one of the show's most popular performers and an influential harmonica player. As a master of blues, jazz, and old-time country, Bailey was a vital link between older and more modern music styles. In 1974, he returned to the Opry stage as part of the "Old Timers' Reunion." He is most well-known for "Pan American Blues," a harmonica piece that sounds like a passing locomotive.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1973
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.043
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.043

Bashful Brother Oswald

For nearly 60 years, Breecher Ray "Bashful Brother Oswald" Kirby (1911-2002) was one of the most influential and talented dobro players in country music.Currently not on view
Description
For nearly 60 years, Breecher Ray "Bashful Brother Oswald" Kirby (1911-2002) was one of the most influential and talented dobro players in country music.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.048
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.048

Grant Turner

Known to millions as both the "Voice" and the "Dean" of the Grand Ole Opry, Grant Turner (1912-1991) worked for WSM radio for nearly 50 years.Currently not on view
Description
Known to millions as both the "Voice" and the "Dean" of the Grand Ole Opry, Grant Turner (1912-1991) worked for WSM radio for nearly 50 years.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.056
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.056

Grandpa Jones and Ramona Jones

Louis Marshall "Grandpa" Jones (1913-1998) enjoyed a long, distinctive career in country music. At age 22, he began to play the Grandpa character, with his high-topped boots, bushy mustache, and suspenders. Ramona Riggins (b.
Description
Louis Marshall "Grandpa" Jones (1913-1998) enjoyed a long, distinctive career in country music. At age 22, he began to play the Grandpa character, with his high-topped boots, bushy mustache, and suspenders. Ramona Riggins (b. 1924), whom he later married, accompanied him on fiddle and mandolin. Appearing regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and the television show Hee Haw, Grandpa Jones became a well-known character with his banjo-playing, old-time stories, songs, and jokes.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.047
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.047

Hank Snow

With one of the most distinctive voices and styles in country music, Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (1914-1999) enjoyed one of the most successful and long-running careers in the field. Born in Canada, he began recording in 1936.
Description
With one of the most distinctive voices and styles in country music, Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (1914-1999) enjoyed one of the most successful and long-running careers in the field. Born in Canada, he began recording in 1936. By the time Henry Horenstein photographed Hank Snow, the singer had recorded 840 songs.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.054
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.054

Stonewall Jackson

Named after his Civil War ancestor, Stonewall Jackson (b. 1932) began performing professionally in the 1950s. Thanks to tour with Ernest Tubb, Jackson had a string of hits from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s.Currently not on view
Description
Named after his Civil War ancestor, Stonewall Jackson (b. 1932) began performing professionally in the 1950s. Thanks to tour with Ernest Tubb, Jackson had a string of hits from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1972
print
2003
depicted (sitter)
Jackson, Stonewall
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.008
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.008

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