Country music star Ralph Emery dead at 88 as the Hall of Famer ‘died peacefully’ at his Nashville home

LEGENDARY country music star Ralph Emery “died peacefully” in his Nashville home on Saturday.

The Country Music Hall of Famer and deeply respected broadcaster was 88 years old.

Music legend Ralph Emery has died at age 88

He was known as 'the dean of country music broadcasters' and interviewed countless country stars — He was known as ‘the dean of country music broadcasters’ and interviewed countless country starsCredit: Country Music Hall of Fame

Ralph has died at the age of 88, according to his family.

He was known as “the dean of country music broadcasters” as he was a longtime TV and radio host famous for his relaxed broadcasting style.

He began his 50-year career at small radio stations throughout Tennessee, eventually becoming one of the biggest personalities in country music.

He launched the successful Ralph Emery Show in 1972, and later was the host of the TNN primetime talk show Nashville Now from 1983 to 1993, as well as countless other programs.

He died “peacefully” at the TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, surrounded by family.

Emery leaves behind his wife Joy, three sons, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

RALPH’S LASTING LEGACY

Ralph was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

At the time, he was hailed as “the most famous TV and radio personality in country music.”

Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement Saturday: “Ralph Emery’s impact in expanding country music’s audience is incalculable.

“On radio and on television, he allowed fans to get to know the people behind the songs. Ralph was more a grand conversationalist than a calculated interviewer, and it was his conversations that revealed the humor and humanity of Tom T. Hall, Barbara Mandrell, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins and many more.

“Above all, he believed in music and in the people who make it.”

MUSICIANS MISSING RALPH

American Pie singer Don McLean stated, per DEADLINE: “Ralph Emery was my friend. I did his show many times and he was kind enough to send me a Christmas card every year.

He had that special country music knowledge and that voice. Ralph was to country music what Mel Allen was to the Yankees.”

Ralph’s other career highlights include serving as country station WSM’s all-night disc jockey from 1957 to 1972.

In doing so, he hosted live performances and interviews with a massive list of legendary names, including Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson and Marty Robbins.

Ralph also hosted syndicated music programs including Pop! Goes The Country, Ralph Emery Live and Ralph Emery’s Memories – expanding the genre’s reach.

Fellow country icon Loretta Lynn tweeted: “It breaks my heart to learn of Ralph Emery’s passing. Ralph and I go way back.

“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.”

TRANSCENDING COUNTRY

While he was most known in Nashville, Ralph’s reach expanded past country music, as he interviewed rock acts on TV and radio – even some political figures.

His calm manner allowed many country legends, including Johnny Cash, to open up about their lives and talk about hot-button topics.

One month before the 1992 presidential election, Ralph interviewed candidate Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, along with Al Gore.

The Clinton’s went on to win the election soon after.

Though the Tennessee native hosted numerous shows on TV and radio, it was arguably Nashville Now – in which he interviewed the Clintons – that was his biggest calling card.