Headline

Former Grand Ole Opry Announcer and General Manager Hal Durham Dies at 77

Former Grand Ole Opry announcer and General Manager Hal Durham passed away last week. Below is a dedication read during the Saturday night Opry on March 28.

This performance of the Grand Ole Opry is dedicated to Hal Durham, a 32-year veteran of WSM and the Grand Ole Opry, who passed away last night at his home in Florida.

Hal was a native of McMinnville, Tennessee and a high school classmate of Opry star Dottie West.

Hal’s association with the Opry began in 1964 when he joined WSM radio as an announcer. He was named WSM program director seven years later, and in 1974 he became the Opry’s manager. He retired in 1996 as President of the Grand Ole Opry Group.

Like almost everyone who works here at the Opry, this show became a very important part of Hal’s life, and Hal also made an indelible mark on the Opry. Under his leadership, an array of talented artists joined the Opry family as official members, among them: Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs, The Whites, Lorrie Morgan, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and Vince Gill.

Hal was much loved by the Opry’s members and staff, and he took his role at the helm of this show very seriously. “The Opry is the ultimate,” Hal once said. “It is synonymous with being at the top of the ladder, and we can’t have off weeks. Each week has to be great. People plan their visit around the Opry knowing they are going to see the greatest show in country music. …”

And so tonight, we salute our friend Hal Durham and thank him for his years of efforts in making the Opry the ultimate . . . the top of the ladder . . . the greatest show in country music.