Music City Mourns Eddy Arnold

5/15/2008 Lisa Ann Schleipfer A memorial service was held yesterday for the late Eddy Arnold, one of Music City's most endearing performers. In attendance at Ryman Auditorium were Country Music stars Bill Anderson, Vince Gill, Harold Bradley, Ralph Emery and the Jordanaires. Fans, friends and family filled out the auditorium. Arnold passed away on May 8 at the age of 89.  Today would have been his 90th birthday. At the service Vince Gill performed the only song that was Arnold's, entitled "You Don’t Know Me," which according to Arnold’s grandson, Shannon Pollard, was very appropriate. "What I really want people to know is that he was such an intellectual guy, and so smart and so sharp — one of those people I never wanted to get on the wrong side of an argument with because he was going to win," he told The Tennessean. The Jordanaires sang gospel songs "Peace in the Valley" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Don Cusic, a professor at Belmont University and a biographer of Arnold, gave the eulogy. The Tennessee native was a Country Music legend, moving to Nashville when he was just 18 years old and becoming one the most successful Grand Old Opry stars ever. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966 and was the CMA’s first ever Entertainer of the Year. Arnold’s wife, Sally passed away in March of 2008. Arnold is survived by two children, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.