Longtime Roy Acuff band member Charlie Collins died on Jan. 12, 2012, days after suffering a massive stroke. The 78-year-old was playing music up to his final days. The night prior to his stroke, Collins took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, much like he'd done regularly for 45 years. He played with Acuff from 1966 to 1992 and also performed with Opry acts like Brother Oswald and the Square Dance Band. The Caryville, Tenn. native got his start on stage after joining the Pinnacle Mountain boys following a stint in the Army. His nickname in those days was 'Peanut the Fiddler.' “Music and the Opry, that was his life,” his friend and musical collaborator Mike Webb said. “I’m so grateful that he was able to work, right up until the end.”

 

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