1930s

Opry Members

The Opry’s popularity grew rapidly in its second decade, forcing the show to move four times and, eventually, to start charging admission. But nothing seemed to dampen the public’s enthusiasm for stars like the Delmore Brothers, the husband-and-wife duo Curly Fox & Texas Ruby, and long-bow fiddler Arthur Smith and his band with Sam and Kirk McGee, the Dixieliners. Comedy acts took their place on the Opry as Sarie and Sallie and Jamup and Honey joined the cast. Stylistically, the show’s emphasis moved from old-time instrumentals to modern country singers, and two of the Opry’s most enduring figures, Roy Acuff and Bill Monroe, joined the cast during this time. These acts are among those who regularly played the Opry during the '30s.