In the world of bluegrass music, few couples have embodied the perfect harmony of life and art quite like Wilma Lee and Stony Cooper.

For 36 years, they were not only husband and wife but also a legendary singing duo whose voices blended seamlessly on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

Their music captured the raw spirit of Appalachian mountain life, and their partnership became a symbol of devotion both on and off the stage.

Yet, behind the music and the public adoration lay a story of resilience, heartbreak, and an unwavering commitment to tradition that few remember today.

 

Wilma Lee Liry was born on February 7, 1921, in Valley Head, West Virginia, a place far removed from the polished world of Nashville’s country music scene.

Life in the Appalachian Mountains was harsh and unforgiving, shaped by coal, timber, and an unyielding faith.

Economic hardship was a constant companion, and entertainment was homemade—songs sung by the fireside, fiddle tunes played on porches, and hymns lifted in church.

 

Wilma Lee’s family was steeped in this musical tradition.Her father, Jacob Liry, was a farmer and musician, and her mother, whose maiden name was Cooper, was a singer.

Music was not merely a pastime; it was a language and a lifeline.

Wilma Lee and her sisters grew up immersed in the songs that had traveled across the Atlantic with early settlers, evolving into the ballads and gospel hymns that defined Appalachian culture.

 

Under her father’s strict leadership, the family formed a professional act known as the Singing Cooper Family, named after her mother’s maiden name for its musical ring.

The family toured extensively, performing at churches, community events, and on local radio stations, which were becoming vital to rural America’s cultural life.

Wilma Lee learned to play the guitar, but it was her voice that truly captivated audiences—a clear, powerful instrument filled with raw emotional intensity.

 

In 1938, Dale T.Cooper, known as Stony Cooper, a gifted fiddle player from Harmon, West Virginia, auditioned for a radio show where the Singing Cooper Family performed.

Despite sharing the Cooper surname, there was no relation. When Stony heard Wilma Lee sing, something clicked.

He soon joined the family band, and a remarkable musical chemistry blossomed between the fiery young singer and the steady fiddle player.

 

Their harmonies locked together perfectly, with Stony’s fiddle weaving around Wilma Lee’s commanding voice to create a sound both traditional and electrifying.

Their partnership quickly grew beyond music into romance, culminating in their marriage in 1941.

Together, they broke away from the family band to form Wilma Lee and Stony Cooper, embarking on a journey that would define bluegrass music for decades.

The early years were a grind, marked by relentless touring and performing on radio stations across the South.

Their big break came in 1947 when they secured a coveted spot on the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia.

The Jamboree was a powerful rival to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, broadcasting over a 50,000-watt clear channel station that reached audiences across the eastern United States and Canada.

 

For the next decade, Wilma Lee and Stony were the undisputed stars of the Jamboree.

Their band, the Clinch Mountain Clan, became one of the most respected ensembles in the business.

Unlike many early bluegrass acts that focused on instrumental showcases, their sound was built around Wilma Lee’s powerhouse vocals.

She was the fiery focal point, commanding the stage with a voice that carried the grit and soul of mountain music.

 

They recorded for Columbia and Hickory Records, producing hits that became bluegrass standards.

Songs like “Walking My Lord Up Calvary Hill,” “The Legend of the Dogwood Tree,” and “30 Pieces of Silver” showcased their mastery of gospel ballads delivered with emotional intensity capable of moving audiences to tears.

Their secular hits, including “Cheated Too,” “Big Midnight Special,” and “Come Walk with Me,” revealed their versatility while staying true to their traditional roots.

 

In 1957, after years of success in Wheeling, Wilma Lee and Stony Cooper were invited to join the Grand Ole Opry, the pinnacle of country music achievement.

Leaving their kingdom in Wheeling for Nashville was a monumental decision, but it marked their arrival at the highest level of their profession.

 

For the next two decades, they were beloved fixtures of the Opry, embodying the traditional heart and soul of country and bluegrass music.

Their life was a whirlwind of touring, recording, and Saturday night performances on the Opry stage.

They raised a daughter, Carol Lee, who would eventually join them on stage, continuing the family legacy.

 

Throughout their career, Wilma Lee and Stony remained fiercely committed to preserving the raw, authentic mountain sound.

As the Nashville Sound rose in popularity—with its smooth strings and pop-inflected arrangements—they resisted pressure to modernize.

Their music was a direct link to country music’s roots, and their fans adored them for it.

 

But life’s harmony was shattered in the mid-1970s when Stony’s health began to decline. Years of hard living and relentless touring took their toll.

Despite his heart condition and other illnesses, Stony pushed himself to perform, unwilling to disappoint audiences or his wife.

Fellow Opry members recall seeing the strain on his face backstage, only to watch him summon the strength to play his part.

 

In 1977, after a prolonged illness, Stony Cooper passed away at the age of 58.

Wilma Lee was left a widow at 56, facing a future without her partner in every sense—husband, bandleader, business manager, and best friend.

Many expected her to retire quietly, given the industry’s harsh treatment of older female artists and the inseparability of their public image.

 

But Wilma Lee was made of sterner stuff. Refusing to give up, she returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage as a solo artist.

With her daughter Carol Lee providing harmony vocals, Wilma Lee carried on, infusing her performances with a new emotional depth born of personal loss.

Her gospel songs about faith and perseverance became raw testimonies of grief and strength, resonating deeply with audiences.

 

Wilma Lee Cooper’s career was never scandalous or flashy; it was defined by deep faith, professionalism, and cultural integrity.

As the Nashville Sound dominated the industry, she remained a steadfast guardian of traditional bluegrass and mountain gospel music, refusing to compromise her artistic identity.

Her influence extends far beyond her own recordings. As the “First Lady of Bluegrass,” Wilma Lee blazed a trail for female artists in a male-dominated genre.

Her powerful, assertive singing style proved that women could lead bluegrass bands and command stages with nothing but their voices and conviction.

Artists from Dolly Parton to Alison Krauss owe a debt to the path she forged.

 

Moreover, Wilma Lee and Stony’s repertoire preserved centuries-old ballads and hymns, serving as vital cultural documents that connected modern audiences to Appalachian history and folklore.

Their music inspired the folk revivalists of the 1960s and continues to influence musicians today.

 

For 24 years after Stony’s death, Wilma Lee remained a beloved elder stateswoman of the Grand Ole Opry, a living monument to the institution’s roots and traditions.

But on February 24, 2001, while performing an old gospel tune at the Opry, Wilma Lee’s voice suddenly stopped mid-note. She collapsed on stage, suffering a massive stroke.

The irony was heartbreaking: the mountain singer who had devoted her life to her voice was robbed of it in the very place she considered sacred.

Though she survived, her performing career ended, and she spent her final decade in silence.

 

Wilma Lee Cooper passed away peacefully on September 13, 2011, at the age of 90. Her death marked the end of an era for country and bluegrass music.

Tributes poured in from musicians and fans alike, honoring her unique voice, uncompromising spirit, and enduring legacy.

 

Her story is one of faith overcoming loss, strength in adversity, and an unyielding commitment to preserving the soul of mountain music.

Wilma Lee Cooper’s life and music remain a testament to the power of tradition, resilience, and authenticity in an ever-changing world.

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