Stringbean

Peter Cooper: On Nov. 10, 1973, Tex Ritter stood on the Ryman Auditorium stage and brought David "Stringbean" Akeman to the "Grand Ole Opry."

"Stringbean, like Grandpa Jones, since the 'Hee Haw' shows is playing a lot of colleges," Ritter said, "he's playing all over the country, and he doesn't work for his old price anymore. Give a hand to Stringbean!"

And they did, and the scarecrow-looking banjo player shuffled his way into view of the Ryman crowd. He told a joke about informing a curious ticket-holder that he was part of the show and the woman responding, "Lord help the other part." Then he said, "Let's have a sing-along!"

And they did, with Stringbean's voice at the forefront.

"When you liv…