Del Wood

Del Wood was the professional psedonym used by pianist Polly Adelaide Hendricks (February 22, 1920 - October 3, 1989).

Hendricks was born in Nashville, Tennessee. She took up piano at age 5, and played ragtime, gospel, and country music.

In 1950 "Del Wood" had a hit with "Down Yonder" on Tennessee Records. Some have said that this was the first record by a female instrumentalist to sell one million copies.

She first performed on the Grand Ole Opry in February of 1952. The following year she was hired as a staff performer on the Opry, where she continued to perform until the year of her death from a stroke.

Jerry Lee Lewis sited Del Wood as an early influence.

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