HENDERSON, TENNESSEE – From Henderson and Chester County to the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the White House and Carnegie Hall, the legacy of Eddy Arnold came full circle when a Tennessee Music Pathways marker indicating the birthplace of the music legend was unveiled at Sue Shelton White Park in downtown Henderson, Friday.

Besides the marker, an eight-foot guitar sculpture constructed from repurposed steel pipe, and titled – ‘Pipe Dreams Come True’ – by Chester County High School welding students was also revealed.

“We have been very excited about this for quite some time, Shannon Pollard said, “It was a goal of mine to re-establish a connection of this area to Eddy Arnold and the family because it is something he was very proud of – this area – and for them to recognize him like this is a real joy for us.”

Shannon Pollard, who is the grandson of Eddy Arnold, participated in celebration and dedication with Tennessee Commissioner of Tourism Development Mark Ezell; Kirk Haston, Tennessee House of Representatives, District 72; county and city mayors, Tennessee College of Applied Technology/Chester County High School welding instructor Derick Gibbs and a student from the welding class.

The event also featured live music by local musicians, and remarks by  Emily Johnson, executive director of Henderson/Chester County Chamber of Commerce, who emceed the program.

Known early in his career as The Tennessee Plowboy, Arnold spent his youth on a Chester County farm. His long, distinguished musical career led him from the cotton fields to the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the White House and Carnegie Hall. He charted top hits over seven decades. Altogether, Arnold sold more than 85 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of the 20th century. RCA Records released his 100th album, “After All These Years,” in 2005.

From his first song, ‘Each Minute Seems a Million Years,’ in 1944, Eddy Arnold, recognized as a true innovator of the Nashville Sound, became the first country music star to play Las Vegas and the first one to have his own television show.

At age 48, he became the youngest person ever to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966.

Eddy Arnold, who was born May 15, 1918, passed away May 8, 2008.

(PHOTO: Shannon Pollard, grandson of Eddy Arnold, stands at the eight-foot guitar sculpture constructed from repurposed steel pipe at Sue Shelton White Park, Friday)