Judge Clears Way for Stonewall Jackson Lawsuit

12/20/2007 Stephen L. Betts A federal judge has cleared the way for singer Stonewall Jackson to pursue claims of age-discrimination against the Grand Ole Opry, according to the Tennessean. Stonewall, who joined the Opry in 1956 and had a string of hits in the ’50s and ’60s, including the No. 1 single, “Waterloo,” filed a $20 million lawsuit earlier this year against Gaylord Entertainment and Opry General Manager Peter Fisher. The singer claimed breach of contract, retaliation and age discrimination. Gaylord, which owns the Opry, denied the allegations and in court papers accused the 75-year-old singer of filing the lawsuit to boost his career. The company also argued the singer wasn’t an employee of the Grand Ole Opry and shouldn’t be able to pursue his claims.