• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Opry Pioneer Trudy Stamper Passes

August 2, 2011/by Robert K Oermann

Trudy Stamper


Trudy Stamper, the Artists Relations executive who took the Grand Ole Opry to Carnegie Hall, has died at age 94.
Stamper was also one of the first female radio personalities in the United States. Born Gertrude McClanahan in Cookville, she graduated from David Lipscomb College and moved to New York to launch her Broadway theatrical career. While visiting friends back home in Nashville, WSM’s Jack Stapp overheard her talking about her theater experiences and hired her at the then-new station.
She hosted the WSM show “Shopping Around with Judy Brown” and appeared in several radio soap operas. She transferred to take an off-microphone job as Artists Relations director for the Grand Ole Opry.
On Sept. 8, 1946, she married John Powell Stamper. He was an executive at WSM’s founder, the National Life insurance agency, and in 1968 he published corporate biography The National Life Story. He died in 1980.
Using her New York connections, Trudy Stamper arranged for the Opry’s debut performances at Carnegie Hall on Sept. 18-19, 1947. Those shows co-starred Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb, The Short Brothers, Rosalie Allen, Radio Dot & Smoky Swan and George D. Hay.
Back in Nashville, she handled artist contracts for Opry concert bookings. She was promoted to Public Relations Director of WSM and the Opry.
She publicized a second Opry troupe that played Carnegie Hall in 1961. That one featured Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, Faron Young, Grandpa Jones and Jim Reeves.
When Stamper retired in the fall of 1964, she was recognized in a ceremony by the Career Women of Radio and Television for her years of contributions to the Opry and to country music.
She died Saturday, July 30. Visitation will be Friday, August 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Cole-Garrett Funeral Home, 127 N. Main in Goodlettsville. The service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 6 at First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville followed by private burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Robert K Oermann
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Late Jimmy Buffett ‘Encourages Optimism & Hope’ - September 28, 2023
  • All-Around Nashville Music Man Mike Henderson Passes - September 25, 2023
  • Ringo Starr Honored At Musicians Hall Of Fame - September 25, 2023
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2011-08-02 10:37:272011-08-02 10:37:27Opry Pioneer Trudy Stamper Passes

RECENT NEWS

  • Country Music Stars Surprise 2023 CMA Broadcast Award Winners October 3, 2023
  • Music Health Alliance Sets Date For ‘Heal The Music Day’ October 3, 2023
  • Seventh Annual ‘Scott Hamilton & Friends’ Benefit To Celebrate ’90s Country October 3, 2023
  • Porchlight Music Signs Singer-Songwriter & Producer Chris Sligh October 3, 2023
  • Industry Ink: Tim McGraw, Sawyer Brown, Jimmy Carter, More October 3, 2023
  • Greyson Chance & Heather Russell Sign With Prescription Songs October 3, 2023
  • Amazon Music Kicks Off Country Music Month With New Playlist & Programming October 3, 2023
  • Flatland Cavalry Partners With Interscope Records For New Album October 3, 2023
  • Heavy Metal: Cole Swindell, Nate Smith, Morgan Evans October 3, 2023
  • ASCAP’s 45th Annual Christian Music Awards Honors Brandon Lake, Matthew West, More October 3, 2023
  • Weekly Register: Zach Bryan Scores Top Country Album Debut October 2, 2023
  • Oliver Anthony Re-Enters Top 5 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart October 2, 2023
  • Parmalee Notches 4th No. 1 Single With ‘Girl In Mine’ October 2, 2023
  • Colin Stough To Release Debut EP, ‘Promiseland’ October 2, 2023
  • Thomas Rhett Brings Bridgestone Arena Together For A Fun Night Of Music October 2, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top