# Born 94 Years Ago Today in the Tar Heel State, the Golden-Era Honky-Tonk Star Mentored by Ernest Tubb Who Made Grand Ole Opry History

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/born-94-years-ago-today-in-the-tar-heel-state-the-golden-era-honky-tonk-star-mentored-by-ernest-tubb-who-made-grand-ole-opry-history/
- Published: 2026-11-07T02:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T02:20:34+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/born-94-years-ago-today-in-the-tar-heel-state-the-golden-era-honky-tonk-star-mentored-by-ernest-tubb-who-made-grand-ole-opry-history/
- Topics: Americas, Celebrity, Entertainment, World

## Key points

- Jackson joined the Opry before signing a record deal.
- Ernest Tubb mentored him as he began his career.
- He settled an age discrimination lawsuit against the Opry in 2008.

## Summary

Stonewall Jackson, born in North Carolina on 6 November 1932, became the first artist to join the Grand Ole Opry before securing a record deal. Mentored by Ernest Tubb, he went on to become a successful honky-tonk singer, making his unusual route into the Opry and later dispute with it notable parts of his career.

Jackson signed with Columbia Records after touring with Tubb. His 1958 debut single, “Life to Go”, reached No. 2 on the country chart, and “Waterloo” became a No. 1 country hit in 1959, also reaching No. 4 on the pop chart. In 2006, he sued the Opry’s management, alleging age discrimination and loss of health insurance after his appearances were reduced; the case was settled in 2008, after which he appeared regularly again. He retired around 2012 and remained an Opry member until his death in 2021.

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