Country legend Eddy Arnold, “Tenn. Plowboy,” dies
Before Garth Brooks, before Faith Hill, before George Strait introduced millions of pop fans to country music, there was Eddy Arnold.
In the 1950 and ’60s, Arnold — who died around 4:40 this morning in Williamson County — was on the Tonight show, was on Andy Williams show, on Dean Martin’s show. He took his signature crossover song, Make the World Go Away, and introduced fans worldwide to a genre they had previously considered hillbilly music.
Eddy Arnold was hugely popular in his day, truly the well-groomed Garth Brooks of his day. In fact, Arnold sold more than 85 million albums, and only Garth and George Strait have sold more albums in the country genre.
Arnold fell in March, just a week or so before his wife of six decades died, and he had been in a care facility since.
Though few were surprised by his death, many are saddened.
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UPDATE
Here are the funeral arrangements:
Services for longtime RCA recording artist and Country Music Hall of Fame member Eddy Arnold, who passed away this morning at age 89, have been scheduled for next week.
A public viewing in the Country Music Hall of Fame rotunda is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, May 14 from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. The Country Music Hall of Fame(R) and Museum is located at 222 Fifth Avenue South and Demonbreun St. Public parking is available in surrounding area lots.
The funeral service, also open to the public, will be held Wednesday, May 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ryman Auditorium. Burial will be private.
