Roy Claxton Acuff, born on September 15, 1903, in Maynardville, Tennessee, was an influential American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter, often hailed as the "King of Country Music." Acuff played a pivotal role in transitioning country music from its early string band and "hoedown" format to a singer-based format, contributing to its international success. His early life was steeped in music, with his father being an accomplished fiddler and his mother proficient on the piano. Despite his initial passion for athletics, a sunstroke and subsequent health issues led him to pursue music.

Acuff's music career began in the 1930s, gaining regional fame with his group, the Smoky Mountain Boys. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1938, becoming a central figure for nearly four decades. In 1942, Acuff co-founded Acuff-Rose Music, the first major Nashville-based country music publishing company, signing artists like Hank Williams, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers. His recordings of "The Great Speckled Bird" and "The Wabash Cannonball" solidified his popularity, with the latter becoming his theme song.

Acuff's contributions to country music were recognized with his election as the first living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1962. He continued to record extensively, lending authenticity to the genre's growth. Roy Acuff passed away on November 23, 1992, in Nashville, Tennessee, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of country music.