Explore the Discover Series

DeFord Bailey was an influential harmonica player in both country music and blues, one of the Grand Ole Opry’s most popular early performers, and country’s first African-American star.

Did you know Ray Charles, known as the Genius of Soul, is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame?

Did you know Linda Ronstadt has been called the Queen of Country-Rock?

Did you know that Freddy Fender was a country and Tejano musician from Texas?

Everyone starts somewhere! Long before Bobby Hebb wrote his hit song “Sunny,” the Nashville native was one of the first Black performers to appear on the Grand Ole Opry.