Musician. She gained famed as a banjo player, who became comedic television personality. She is best known for her work on "Hee-Haw" from 1973 to 1990. Born into a legendary country music family, she was the twenty-second child out of twenty-three. Her father, Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman, had the first million-copy-selling record in country music, "The Wreck of the Titanic," in 1924. She learned to play banjo at a young age and began performing with her family as a member of the Stoneman Family band. At age 30, she decided to pursue a solo career. In 1973, Stoneman's popularity grew when she joined the cast of the long-running syndicated television show "Hee-Haw." There she remained until 1990. On the show, she stole scenes with her skillful banjo playing and portrayal of Ida Lee Nagger, the rag-curled, gap-toothed country woman who was sometimes a matron and sometimes a spinster. All the while, she continued to perform alongside her older sister, mandolinist Donna Stoneman, even into her 80s. Continuing the tradition of a large family, she was the mother of seven children. She was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2021 as a member of The Stoneman Family.
Musician. She gained famed as a banjo player, who became comedic television personality. She is best known for her work on "Hee-Haw" from 1973 to 1990. Born into a legendary country music family, she was the twenty-second child out of twenty-three. Her father, Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman, had the first million-copy-selling record in country music, "The Wreck of the Titanic," in 1924. She learned to play banjo at a young age and began performing with her family as a member of the Stoneman Family band. At age 30, she decided to pursue a solo career. In 1973, Stoneman's popularity grew when she joined the cast of the long-running syndicated television show "Hee-Haw." There she remained until 1990. On the show, she stole scenes with her skillful banjo playing and portrayal of Ida Lee Nagger, the rag-curled, gap-toothed country woman who was sometimes a matron and sometimes a spinster. All the while, she continued to perform alongside her older sister, mandolinist Donna Stoneman, even into her 80s. Continuing the tradition of a large family, she was the mother of seven children. She was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2021 as a member of The Stoneman Family.
Bio by: Peggy Chinault
Family Members
-
Eddie Lewis Stoneman
1920–2001
-
Irma Grace Stoneman Dugan
1921–2003
-
John Catron Stoneman
1923–2001
-
Patsy Stoneman
1925–2015
-
Joseph William Stoneman
1926–1990
-
Anna Awnita "Annie" Stoneman
1927–1932
-
Jack Monroe Stoneman
1929–1992
-
Gene Austin Stoneman
1930–2005
-
Dean Clark Stoneman
1930–1989
-
Scotty Stoneman
1932–1973
-
Oscar James "Jimmy" Stoneman
1937–2002
-
Rheata Vivian Stoneman
1937–1937
-
Van Haden Stoneman
1940–1995
Advertisement