In the 2000s, country music has already lost a spate of iconic voices: Charlie Pride, Charlie Daniels, John Prine, Kenny Rogers, Tom T. Hall…to name just a handful.

On Saturday, January 15th, Nashvilians and country music fans everywhere lost the sound of yet another easily recognizable vocalist, that of legendary DJ and talk show host Walter Ralph Emery. He was 88 years old.

As first reported by the Tennessean, Ralph (as he was known) Emery passed away quietly at Tristar Centennial Medical Center, his family at his side.

The popular radio and TV personality was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame.

Emery cut his teeth as the late-night host on the famous WSM radio station (the station that made the Grand Ole Opry a household name) at just 24 years old.

He first lent his voice to the Grand Ole Opry — one of his favorite radio broadcasts as a child — as an announcer in 1961, continuing in the role until 1964.

–the Tennessean

[Emery] distinguished himself at WSM as a low-key host with an intimate, easygoing on-air presence. His informal, open-door policy on the show encouraged his guests, both established and aspiring, to drop by the studio unannounced to chat, drink coffee and spin their latest records. —NY Times

Known as “the dean of country music” and the “Dick Clark of country,” for six decades Ralph Emery was a champion of country music and country music artists.

 “He was a Nashville original and you cannot underestimate the role he played in the growth and success of country music. He made you feel at ease and interviewed everyone just like an old friend.”

–Loretta Lynn

Emery hosted the nationally syndicated weekly TV series “Pop Goes the Country” from 1974 to 1980 and the TV show “Nashville Now” from 1983 to 1993. Devoted to broadcasting til the end, in his eighties he hosted “Ralph Emery’s Memories,” which aired on cable from 2007 to 2015.

Emery is survived by his wife Joy, his three sons, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren