Ralph Emery, longtime country music broadcaster and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died. He was 88 years old.

Emery’s death was first reported on Saturday (November 15) by the tennessian, with a statement from his family saying he “passed away peacefully” that morning at Tristar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. His cause of death has not been revealed.

Emery, born in 1933 in McEwen, Tennessee, had a successful career in the country music industry for over 50 years, working in radio before moving into television. Known as the dean of country music broadcasters, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1989.

He has notably interviewed a number of country music stars as the host of the Nashville Network talk show. Nashville Now over a decade, from 1983 to 1993.

Over the years, Emery has also hosted the syndicated television series Pop goes to the countryside (1974 to 1980) and performing arts living nashville on WTBS (1981 to 1983). From 2007 to 2015, he hosted the weekly show Ralph Emery Live on the RFD-TV satellite and cable television channel.

In 1961 he charted with a song he recorded. “Hello Fool” peaked at No. 4 on BillboardThe Hot Country Songs chart from .

On Saturday, Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said, “Ralph Emery’s impact on expanding country music audiences is incalculable. On radio and television, he let fans know the people behind the songs. Ralph was more of a great 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 others. Above all, he believed in the music and the people who make it.

“Ralph Emery was often better known than the stars he introduced to a growing audience over the years as country music’s foremost ambassador,” said Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, in a press release. “Our format has had no better voice over the years than Ralph, who treated country music and its stars – many of whom became his friends – with the kind of dignity and respect they deserved for decades. . As a member of the Country Music Hall of Famer, he will be remembered among so many artists he has supported throughout his career. On a personal note, I worked with Ralph for many years and always looked forward to his animated stories when we sat down to lunch. My thoughts are with his family today.

Country music artists also paid their respects to Emery throughout the day, expressing their sadness at his death and sharing memories and photos.

“It breaks my heart to learn of the passing of Ralph Emery”, Loretta Lynn said on Twitter. “Ralph and I are very old. He was a Nashville original and you can’t underestimate the role he played in the growth and success of country music. He put you at ease and interviewed everyone like an old friend. From WSM to Nashville Now he was one of the best. He’s become a dear friend to me and Doo over the years and I’m going to miss him. I wish we could sit down together for a conversation just one more time. Sending all my love to Joy and her family.

“Ralph Emery just crossed the Jordan River. Without his generosity, I wouldn’t have had a career. million country music fans cannot be overstated,” noted T. Graham Brown.

“Legendary @countrymusichof longtime broadcaster, personality and dear friend RALPH EMERY has passed away…rest it Ralph”, the Oak Ridge Boys tweeted.

“Very sad to hear of the passing of our friend Ralph Emery,” wrote the Bellamy Brothers, seen posing in a snapshot with Emery.

It breaks my heart to learn of Ralph Emery’s passing. Ralph and I are going back. He was a Nashville original and you can’t underestimate the role he played in the growth and success of country music. He made you feel comfortable and interviewed everyone like an old friend.

— Loretta Lynn (@LorettaLynn) January 15, 2022

Ralph Emery has just crossed the Jordan. Without his generosity, I would not have had a career. He got me on his hugely popular show, “Nashville Now,” 56 times. The importance of this exposure to millions of country music fans cannot be overstated. pic.twitter.com/H378VslC86

— T. Graham Brown (@TGrahamBrown) January 15, 2022

Legendary @countrymusichof broadcaster, personality and dear longtime friend RALPH EMORY has left us…rest it Ralph https://t.co/QP5c00Ic9d

— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) January 15, 2022

Very sad to hear of the passing of our friend Ralph Emery 💔 pic.twitter.com/Yw5k9ekasP

— Bellamy Brothers (@BellamyBrothers) January 15, 2022