the much admired and hugely influential TV and radio personality, became as famous as many of the country music stars he interviewed. His decades-long career included a popular 1957-72 late-night interview show on Nashville’s clear-channel WSM; the nationally syndicated 1974-80 TV series ; and , a 1972-91 variety show telecast on Nashville’s WSMV. He enjoyed his, the 1983-93 prime-time show on The Nashville Network that earned him the nickname of “The Johnny Carson of Cable Television.” Ricky Skaggs recalls that “ was the biggest boost country music ever had. People were buying satellite dishes across North America just so they could watch Ralph’s TV show.” In 2007, Emery was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, a rare honor for a broadcaster, and into the National Radio Hall of Fame three years later. The secret of his success? “Ralph was more a grand conversationalist than a calculated interviewer,” says Kyle Young, chief executive officer of the Country Music Hall of Fame, “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.” Emery was 88 when he passed away Jan. 15 in Nashville.
