The Grand Ole Opry is mourning the loss of its oldest-living member, Stu Phillips, who died on Christmas Day. He was 92.
The news was confirmed in a post shared by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which noted that Phillips had been a member of the Opry since 1967 and remained an active presence in country music for decades.
Born January 19, 1933, near Montreal in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Phillips began performing on radio as a teenager before becoming a familiar voice and face across Canada in the late 1950s. He went on to host popular radio programs and later appeared on CBC Television’s variety series The Outrider and the Saturday night staple Red River Jamboree.
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Alongside his broadcasting career, Phillips released several albums steeped in Canadian folklore, including Echoes of the Canadian Foothills, Visit Old Quebec and A Visit to British Columbia. His 1965 single “Kathy Keep Playing” became a No. 1 Canadian country hit, leading to a contract with RCA Records and a move to Nashville.
In the U.S., Phillips scored four Top 40 country hits in 1966 and 1967, including “Vin Rosé,” co-written with Country Music Hall of Fame member Cindy Walker, and the No. 13 hit “Juanita Jones.” His success cemented his place at the Grand Ole Opry, where he appeared regularly for decades.
Phillips remained active well into his later years. Most recently, he attended Opry 100: A Live Celebration in March 2025, marking the Opry’s centennial celebration. The appearance underscored his enduring connection to the institution and his status as a living link to the Opry’s early generations.
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Beyond the Opry stage, Phillips continued hosting television programs, including the syndicated variety series Music Place in the 1970s. He also toured extensively, with several USO trips performing for U.S. troops in Vietnam, inspiring later tours across Africa, Asia, and Europe. He became an American citizen in 1998.
Later in life, Phillips was ordained as an Episcopalian minister and owned Long Hollow Winery in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, for many years. The winery is now owned by his sonJoel and Joel’s wife, Benita.
Following news of his death, fans and fellow artists shared tributes online.
“So sad, loved his music. Prayers for his family, friends and Opry family. ??,” wrote one fan.
Another commented, “Lost too many. He was an awesome person!”
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“We got to visit with him one afternoon at his Winery. He told us stories and sang a few songs and served us some very good wine. Wonderful afternoon and great memories. Thank you Stu!,” another shared.
Country singer Tracey Houston also reflected on Phillips’ legacy and friendship, writing in part: “Stu was a good friend, and his wife, Aldonna, was always so elegant… He had such a beautiful velvet voice, so perfect for MC'ing a show and singing… I will miss my friend, Stu Phillips, very much. R.I.P. Stu.”
Phillips’ death marks the end of a remarkable era for the Grand Ole Opry, where he stood as its oldest member and one of its most enduring ambassadors.
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