HAY, GEORGE D.
(1895–1968)
HAY, GEORGE D. (b. G. Dewey H., Attica, Ind., November 9, 1895–May 8, 1968) Hay was the famous Solemn Old Judge who was the founder of and announcer for THE GRAND OLE OPRY, country music's best-known radio program. Hay began his career in real estate, working as a salesman until 1920, when he decided to switch to being a newspaperman. He was hired as a reporter for the Memphis Commercial Appeal. The paper branched out into the new field of radio, opening its own station, WMC, where Hay worked…