Biography
Grandpa Jones, born Louis Marshall Jones on October 20, 1913, in Niagara, Kentucky, was the youngest of ten children in a musically inclined family. His father played fiddle and his mother sang ballads, which fostered his early interest in music. By his teenage years, Jones was already performing on radio shows, and his cranky demeanor during early morning broadcasts earned him the nickname 'Grandpa,' a persona he embraced and developed throughout his career[4][2].
Jones's career took off in the 1930s and 1940s as he mastered the banjo, particularly the clawhammer style taught to him by Cousin Emmy. He became a regular on the WLS Barn Dance in Chicago and later joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1946, where he remained a beloved fixture for over fifty years. His energetic banjo playing, yodeling, and humorous performances made him a standout in the country and bluegrass scenes. Jones also became a national television personality as a charter cast member of 'Hee Haw' in 1968, where his comedic routines and musical segments, often with his wife Ramona Riggins, endeared him to a broad audience[1][3].
Grandpa Jones's legacy is marked by his contributions to classic country, bluegrass, and gospel music. He wrote and popularized songs such as 'Eight More Miles to Louisville,' 'Mountain Dew,' and 'T for Texas.' Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1978, Jones is remembered as one of country music's most beloved figures, whose influence extended to generations of musicians. He continued performing until his death on February 19, 1998, in Hermitage, Tennessee[1][2].
Fun Facts
- Grandpa Jones's stage persona was inspired by his grumpy attitude during early morning radio shows, and he was only in his twenties when he first adopted the 'Grandpa' moniker[4].
- He was a charter cast member of 'Hee Haw' and became famous for his comedic 'What's for Supper?' skit, which often included rhyming descriptions of country meals[1][2].
- Jones was a close friend and neighbor of fellow banjo player David 'Stringbean' Akeman and discovered the bodies after Akeman and his wife were tragically murdered in 1973[1].
- He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1978 and published his autobiography, 'Everybody's Grandpa: Fifty Years Behind the Mike,' in 1984[1][2].
Associated Acts
- Sheppard Brothers
- The Hee Haw Gospel Quartet
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Cousin Emmy (Cynthia May Carver) - Taught Jones the clawhammer banjo style, shaping his signature sound. (Banjo technique, early performances) [1937–1940s]
- Jimmie Rodgers - Major stylistic influence; Jones covered Rodgers' songs and adopted elements of his yodeling style. ('T for Texas' (cover), yodeling technique) [1930s–1960s]
Key Collaborators
- Ramona Riggins Jones - Wife and musical partner; performed together on stage and television. (Hee Haw performances, live shows) [1946–1998]
- Merle Travis - Friend and recording partner; played guitar on early recordings. ('It's Raining Here This Morning', King Records sessions) [1942–1944]
- Delmore Brothers - Close friends and collaborators during Cincinnati years. (WLW's Boone County Jamboree, live performances) [1940s]
- David 'Stringbean' Akeman - Frequent banjo collaborator, especially on Hee Haw. (Hee Haw musical segments) [1968–1973]
Artists Influenced
- Hee Haw cast and country comedians - Jones's comedic style and musical routines influenced the show's format and inspired later country humorists. (Hee Haw skits, 'What's for Supper?' routine) [1968–1990s]
- Bluegrass banjo players - Popularized clawhammer banjo in bluegrass and old-time music, influencing generations of pickers. (Standardization of 'Eight More Miles to Louisville' in bluegrass repertoire) [1940s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Grandpa Jones Sings Hits from "Hee Haw" | 1969-01-01 | Album |
| An American Original | 2008-05-28 | Album |
| Complete King Recordings 1943-1956 - Volume 3 Of Four (Original King Recordings) | 1976 | Album |
| Country Music Hall Of Fame | 1992-01-01 | Album |
| Complete King Recordings 1943-1956 - Volume 2 Of Four (Original King Recordings) | 1976 | Album |
| Grandpa Jones Remembers The Brown's Ferry Four | 1966 | Album |
| You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet | 2012-09-16 | Album |
| Banjo Time | 2013-05-23 | Album |
| Sings Real Folk Songs | 1963 | Album |
| 16 Sacred Gospel Songs | 2005 | Album |
| Complete King Recordings 1943-1956 - Volume 4 Of Four (Original King Recordings) | 1976 | Album |
| Mountain Dew | 2005 | Album |
| Complete King Recordings 1943-1956 - Volume 1 Of Four (Original King Recordings) | 1976 | Album |
| Three of a Kind: Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe, Grandpa Jones | 2023-01-27 | Album |
| Sixteen Tons & Other Hits | 2015-08-21 | Album |
Top Tracks
- I'm My Own Grandpa - Original King Recordings (Complete King Recordings 1943-1956 - Volume 3 Of Four (Original King Recordings))
- Mountain Dew (Grandpa Jones Sings Hits from "Hee Haw")
- Mountain Dew - Original King Recordings (Complete King Recordings 1943-1956 - Volume 2 Of Four (Original King Recordings))
- The Huntin's Over For Tonight (Country Music Hall Of Fame)
- Muleskinner Blues (An American Original)
- Old Rattler - Rerecorded (An American Original)
- Old Towzer (Country Music Hall Of Fame)
- The Banjo Am the Instrument (Grandpa Jones Sings Hits from "Hee Haw")
- Are You from Dixie? (Grandpa Jones Sings Hits from "Hee Haw")
- She Was Always Chewing Gum
External Links
Tags: #bluegrass, #country
References
Heard on WWOZ
GRANDPA JONES has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2, 2025 | 10:24 | GRANDFATHERS CLOCKfrom AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL | Old Time Country and Bluegrassw/ Hazel The Delta Rambler |