Country Music Roots and History - Charlie Poole

Charlie Poole, a North Carolina native born near the Virginia line, is considered the cofounder of the Grand Ole Opry. He was famous for a unique three finger banjo picking style brought on by a baseball accident. Charlie and his band known as the North Carolina Ramblers, recorded more than 60 songs for Columbia Records. This style went on to influence such greats in country music as Hank Williams Sr. and Bill Monroe. From 1925 to 1930, Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers entertained; however Charlie Poole's hard drinking lifestyle led him to a heart attack in 1931.

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