Fifty years ago today Willie Nelson made his Grand Ole Opry debut, a monumental achievement in the career of any country musician. "He was stylish," Loretta Lynn told Rolling Stone. "He was working in suits. His hair was cut every little bit, he had brass eyes, and his hair was the same color. He was really handsome!"
We found a list of the best country music performers of all time (from About.com...but no more specialized music site dared make such a list) and found when everyone in the Top 10 made their respective debuts. Nelson was no. 8 on the list.
01) Johnny Cash (July 7, 1956)
Of course Johnny Cash's debut at the Opry had greater implications than one could imagine. He first met June Carter that night, there with her husband (and that night's opening act) Carl Smith. She and Smith would divorce later that year but she wouldn't marry Cash until more than 12 years later in 1968.
02) Hank Williams (June 11, 1949)
The original Hank Williams was of this world for far too short a time but he still managed to land a gig at the Opry. His debut is still considered by many to be the best in the venue's history as the crowd called for six encores until operators had to implore him not to play any more due to regulations. He lost his membership due to drinking shortly before his death.
03) Merle Haggard (Nope!)
Oddly, one of the most prominent members of the outlaw country movement has never been invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This doesn't offend him too much anymore, as the songwriter has frequently criticized the organization for its commercialization of the genre.
04) Patsy Cline (February 7, 1962)
Patsy Cline was looking for a way back into the spotlight following a devastating 1961 car accident and she found massive success with the hit "Crazy," written by the not-yet household name Nelson. The performance of the new track at her Grand Ole Opry debut inspired three standing ovations from the crowd.
05) Jimmie Rodgers (N/A)
Unfortunately the "father of country" music died before the Grand Ole Opry could take on its current role as the primary showcase for the genre. Although it existed before his death during 1933, it hadn't yet gathered the esteem to attract a performer such as Rodgers.
06) Bill Monroe (October, 1939)
Bluegrass is now understood to be a forerunner of country music but the term "bluegrass" actually emerged after country music was established. Bill Monroe first established himself as a star when he performed "New Muleskinner Blues" during his Opry debut, an event that would lead to the separation of traditional "bluegrass" and regular ol' country.
07) The Carter Family (1950)
The original trio of Carters didn't make it the the Opry but original member Maybelle Carter and her daughters—June, Helen and Anita—formed the group The Carter Sisters and were invited to join the organization during 1950. The trio of true sisters in the group were the youngest inductees ever at the time.
08) Willie Nelson
09) Waylon Jennings (August 12, 1978)
It took a long time, and a few years living with Johnny Cash, but Waylon Jennings and his Waylons finally got to the Grand Ole Opry stage during 1978.
10) George Jones (1956)
George Jones was invited to play at the Grand Ole Opry before he had even released a formal record and boy did he take advantage of it. His first album, released a year after his Opry debut, was titled Grand Ole Opry's New Star. No reports indicate whether the venue's old stars rolled their eyes at this.
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