100 Years of The Opry – Episode 7

Opry 100 Stage

Fiddlin Arthur SmithArthur Smith: History & Opry Appearances

Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith (1898–1971) was one of the most influential old‑time fiddlers in early country music and a defining musical force on the Grand Ole Opry. His fiery bowing, inventive tunes, and charismatic presence helped shape the Opry’s sound from the late 1920s onward.

 

Origins & Early Life

  • Born April 10, 1898, near Bold Springs, Tennessee.
  • Learned fiddle young, influenced by local musicians including Grady Stringer and Walter Warden.
  • Married Nettie at age 16; she played guitar and supported his early music career — even selling chickens to buy him a fiddle.
  • Performed at local dances and fiddlers’ conventions before entering radio.

Grand Ole Opry History

Early Opry Presence

  • Arthur Smith first performed on the Opry in December 1927, stepping up to the WSM microphone as a solo fiddler.
    His arrival was described as “thunderstriking” to early listeners.
  • Quickly became a regular performer, one of the Opry’s most recognizable early instrumental stars.

Collaborations & Line‑Ups

  • Performed with his cousin Homer Smith in early appearances.
  • Later joined forces with Sam & Kirk McGee, performing as part of the Dixieliners, one of the Opry’s most popular old‑time groups.
  • Featured on numerous Opry broadcasts throughout the 1930s–1950s, often spotlighted for his signature fiddle tunes.

Musical Influence

  • A major influence on both old‑time and bluegrass fiddling.
  • Known for tunes such as “Cumberland Gap,” “Needlecase,” and “Buck Dancer’s Choice,” many of which he recorded with the McGee Brothers.
  • His aggressive, rhythmic bowing style became a template for generations of southern fiddlers.

Documented Opry‑Related Performances

Publicly verifiable appearances include:

1957 — Smithsonian Folkways Recording Session (Opry Old‑Timers Project)

  • Look! Who’s Here: Old Timers of the Grand Ole Opry
  • Arthur Smith performs with Sam & Kirk McGee on classic Opry‑era tunes including “Cumberland Gap,” “Roll On Buddy,” and “Needlecase.”
    (A historically significant session capturing his Opry‑era repertoire.)

1927–1950s — Regular Opry Broadcasts

  • Smith was a regular cast musician for decades, though early Opry logs were not formally archived.
  • His first known Opry appearance: December 1927.

Note: As with many early Opry performers, detailed week‑by‑week broadcast logs do not survive. The above dates represent the publicly documented, verifiable appearances.

Induction Status

Arthur Smith was never formally inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

This is historically consistent with his era:

  • In the 1920s and early 1930s, the Opry did not yet have a formal membership system.
  • Performers like Arthur Smith, the McGee Brothers, Uncle Dave Macon, and the Fruit Jar Drinkers were part of the regular cast, not “members” in the modern sense.
  • Therefore, no induction date exists for Arthur Smith.

He is considered a foundational Opry performer, not an inducted member.

Why Arthur Smith Matters
  • Pioneer of Southern Fiddling: His style influenced old‑time, early country, and the emerging bluegrass tradition.
  • Opry Trailblazer: One of the earliest instrumental stars to shape the Opry’s identity.
  • Collaborative Force: His work with the McGee Brothers and other early Opry musicians helped define the show’s ensemble sound.
  • Cultural Legacy: His recordings remain essential documents of early country music and continue to inspire fiddlers worldwide.