Stu Phillips, who was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry, died at age 92 on Christmas Day, according to multiple sources, and tributes began rolling in from colleagues and fans as word spread of his passing.
In a social media post on December 26, 2025, the Opry wrote, “Thank you, Stu Phillips—who was our oldest living Opry member—for your music, friendship, and 58 years as part of the Opry family.”
Musicians & Fans Share Tributes to Stu Phillips
GettyCanadian-born Phillips started out hosting country music broadcasts on radio and TV, according to his Opry bio, including a popular CBC show called “Red River Jamboree.” After finding success with his first album, “Echoes of the Canadian Foothills,” he moved to Nashville in 1965, where he landed a deal with RCA Records.
Chet Atkins produced Phillips first country hits, per the Opry, including “Bracero,” “The Great El Tigre,” “Vin Rose” and “Juanita Jones.” After more than 20 appearances on the Opry stage, he became a member in June 1967.
Former band member Roger Ball wrote on Facebook that he was “very saddened” to learn of Phillips’ passing, sharing, “He was a great singer and a very kind gentleman. I was a member of his band, the Balladiers, back in the 1970’s. Stu was my first Grand Ole Opry gig. Rest in peace my friend.”
In another tribute to Phillips, country music broadcaster Richard White wrote, “I am very grieved to hear of the passing of Stu Phillips. He was such a kind man. I had known him for forty years. He came out and did one of our Country 101 programs some years ago and I was a little late, so I ended up sitting right next to him as he was being interviewed because the place was packed there was no where else to sit. I hope to find out the arrangements and will post them here as I find out. A sad day indeed.”
Fans also flooded social media posts about Phillips’ passing, including one who wrote, “He had such a great voice. I always enjoyed hearing him.”
Stu Phillips Loved Encouraging Rising Country Music Singers & Songwriters
Phillips was still active with the Opry in 2025, including attending the venue’s 100th anniversary celebration in March and celebrating his 58th anniversary as a member on June 1. At the Opry’s 100th anniversary, Phillips shared a message with Country Now for the new generation of country stars.
He said, “To the new ones, I just say this: I had my time in the sun, you have your time in the sun, and maybe I don’t like all the new music, but they deserve their time.”
Phillips loved encouraging up-and-coming artists so much that, according to the Tennessean, he and his wife Aldona opened a coffee shop and music venue in 2019 near Nashville called Stage D’Or, providing singers and songwriters a space to perform. He often exchanged phone numbers with musicians to stay in touch and offer his support, per the outlet.
Saddened to hear this. Didn’t he also have his own country music show in the 70’s called “The Stu Phillips Show”?