Opry Mourns Loss of Member Ernie Ashworth

Ernie Ashworth, best known for his single "Talk Back Trembling Lips," died Monday in Tennessee, days before his 45th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.Born in Huntsville, Ala., in 1928, Ashworth got an early start on his career by performing on a local radio station. He moved to Nashville the year he turned 21 and found work for Music City stations. He also picked up a songwriting contract with Nashville’s first publishing company, Acuff-Rose Music, landing recordings during the ’50s by Johnny Horton, Paul Anka, Little Jimmy Dickens and Carl Smith. Ashworth was able to parlay those successes into several recording deals and scored a handful of Top 20 hits before the advent of "Trembling Lips."Ashworth's wife, Bettye, died in November 2007, three years before he was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He underwent heart bypass surgery in December 2008 and had been on the road to recovery before his sudden passing took his family by surprise. An April 1 benefit had been set weeks ago for Ashworth and fellow singer/songwriter Ray Griff in Nashville with David Ball, Stonewall Jackson and Jim Ed Brown among the other acts on the bill."Trembling Lips" hit the top of the charts in 1963, establishing a career brand for Ashworth. After the single’s success, he often performed in rhinestone suits with images of bright red lips. Ashworth joined the Opry on March 7, 1964.