Tribute to Stu Phillips

Stu Phillips (Stuart John Phillips) of Goodlettsville, Tennessee passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 25, 2025 at the age of 92.  The tribute below tells of the life and many careers of my father, Stu Phillips (The Travelling Balladeer).

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on January 19, 1933, Stu was known as a Canadian-American country singer, songwriter, broadcaster, television host, Grand Ole Opry star, ordained Episcopal priest, and entrepreneur.  Drawn to music at an early age, Stu acquired his first guitar as a young boy and learned to play and sing all of Gene Autry’s popular songs of the day on that guitar.  Stu declared Gene Autry was his hero.  In his early teens, Stu performed on radio shows in Montreal, and by age sixteen, he was singing at fairs and rodeos across western Canada.

Stu’s first major career breakthrough was in Canadian broadcasting during the 1950’s as the host of popular radio shows including Stu for Breakfast, Town and Country, and Cowtown Jamboree.  These radio shows led to television show opportunities in the 1960’s on CBC Television where Stu starred in The Outrider, and later hosted the Red River Jamboree from 1960 to 1964.  He became known as “The Travelling Balladeer” during this time in his career.

Stu’s early career in Canada as a recording artist began with Canadian folklore music released on Rodeo Records in 1957.  Early recordings included Echoes of the Canadian Foothills (Rodeo RLP 17), Visit Old Québec (Rodeo RLP 20), and A Visit to British Columbia (Rodeo RLP 29).  In 1965, Stu moved to Nashville, Tennessee and signed with RCA Victor, and his producer was Chet Atkins.  Hit single recordings during his time at RCA Victor included “Bracero,” “The Great El Tigre,” “Juanita Jones,” and “Vin Rose.”  Stu’s albums, Singin’ Stu Phillips (1966), Grassroots Country (1967), and Our Last Rendezvous (1968) were well-received and established Stu as an American country music artist.

As a young boy listening to distant broadcasts of the Grand Ole Opry on a crystal radio in Canada, Stu’s dream was to one day move to Nashville, Tennessee and perform at the Grand Ole Opry.  This dream was realized when Stu was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on June 1, 1967.  Stu became a frequent performer there, and he loved being a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  At the time of his passing, he was the oldest living member.

Stu toured extensively throughout his music career, and his widespread acclaim led to global performances including England, Germany, and South Africa.  In the 1970’s, Stu hosted over 50 episodes of the Stu Phillips Show, a nationally syndicated TV show taped at the WAVE-TV studio in Louisville, Kentucky.  In 1998, Stu and his wife, Aldona, became U.S. citizens through naturalization.

Beyond his musical career, Stu pursued a long-time spiritual calling in the 1980’s when he earned a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.  Stu was ordained as an Episcopal priest, and he was able to balance both ministry and music, sometimes combining the two, until he retired.

In 1993, Stu was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and today, he is known for his early Canadian country music roots, his American country music contributions, his storytelling style of songwriting, his beautiful and very smooth baritone voice, and his devout commitment to God, family, music, and fans.

As if broadcasting, songwriter, recording artist, and ordained priest were not enough for this country gentleman’s achievements, Stu founded Long Hollow Winery, Inc located in Goodlettsville, Tennessee which he later sold in 2013 to his son and daughter-in-law, Joel and Benita Phillips.  In 2019, Stu then founded Stage d'or LLC which he owned and operated as an entertainment venue and coffee shop until the sale of this venue in 2023.

As Stu passed beyond the heavenly gates at his death, I feel he looked back at me and my family one more time to say, “Good night, and remember, just beyond the next green hill there's a brand-new day awaiting you!”  Our love is with him always!

Joel Phillips