Stonewall Jackson dies at 89

Monday, December 6, 2021 – Grand Ole Opry member and Country music artist Stonewall Jackson passed away on Saturday after a long battle with vascular dementia.

Jackson had the most seniority of any current Opry member, having joined the Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 3, 1956. Jackson's traditional country sound landed on the Billboard country singles chart more than 40 times, including with "Waterloo" as well as "Don't Be Angry," "Life to Go" and "B.J. the D.J."

"Stonewall's breakout hit, 'Life To Go,' was written by George (Jones), and they both became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1956. They held a special friendship over the years and although Stonewall was retired, he participated in the final George Jones No Show tribute event after he passed. I will always have a special place in my heart for Stonewall. May he Rest In Peace!," Nancy Jones, George's widow.

He was born in Tabor City, N.C. on Nov. 6, 1932, but raised in Georgia after the death of his father when he was two. Stonewall was his given name, named for the Confederate general. Jackson enlisted in the Navy in 1950 and was discharged four years later. in 1956, he moved to Nashville.

After hearing Jackson's demo tape, Wesley Rose, president of the well-known music publisher, Acuff-Rose Music, arranged for Jackson to audition for the Grand Ole Opry. Jackson became the first artist to join the Grand Ole Opry before obtaining a recording contract.

Jackson also hit the road with Ernest Tubb, who became his mentor. Jackson inked a record deal with Columbia Records in 1958.

Later that year, he hit the top 40with a song written by George Jones, "Life to Go." Hitting number on the chart, Jackson did even better with the follow up single.

"Waterloo" was number one for five weeks, while also crossing over into the Billboard Hot 100 chart where it hit number four.

He would reach the top again in 1962 with "A Wound Time Can't Erase" and "B.J. the D.J." in 1964.

In 1963, Jackson was the first artist to record a live album from the Grand Ole Opry with "Old Showboat."

Jackson cut a cover version of Lobo's 1971 hit, "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo", which became Jackson's final top 10 hit.

From 1958 to 1971, Jackson earbed 35 Top 40 country hits.

In 2006, Jackson sued the Grand Ole Opry for $10 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages, claiming age discrimination. The lawsuit was settled on Oct. 3, 2008 for an undisclosed amount of money. Jackson also returned to performing on the Opry and retired in 2012 from performing.