Clyde Moody

Clyde Leonard Moody (September 19, 1915 – April 7, 1989), also known as the "Hillbilly Waltz King" and sometimes as "The Genial Gentleman of Country Music" was one of the great founders of American Bluegrass music.

Early life and career Born in Cherokee, North Carolina, United States, Moody also had a mellow voice that was a good contrast to Bill Monroe's voice. He appeared on Monroe's first solo recording session for RCA Victor's Bluebird label on October 7 of that year, playing guitar and singing lead vocals and bass on the Blue Grass Quartet's first recording ("Cryin' Holy Unto My Lord"). Upon his departure from the Blue Grass Boys in 1944, he remained at WSM and the Opry for several years as a solo artist.

Some of his career highlights include appearing in the White House three times and writing and recording the million-seller "Shenandoah Waltz" in 1947. He sang with a young Elvis Presley in 1955 when Tom Parker paired them for a six-week tour. Moody was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2011.

He died in 1989 in Nashville, Tennessee.